Mommy Has to Work

Flower Delivery Made Easy

December 18, 2016 By Anne

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Flowers are the perfect gift, in my opinion.

I use to work in a florist shop when I was 15 years old. I loved working there. I actually worked there for 4 1/2 years. I started out delivering flowers and worked my way up to designing. Well, I still delivered flowers. 🙂 But I was designing arrangements and doing weddings and funeral pieces as well.

Everyone loves getting flowers delivered! Now you can get so much more. There are gift baskets, balloon bouquets and plants. You can buy all in one shop and have anything delivered all over the world.

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Not sure what to buy? Many websites have ideas for flower delivery. There are holiday categories and occasions such as, Birthday, Congratulations, Valentine’s Day. You name it and there is an idea already there for you.

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Sending flowers has never been easier. Many sites take major credit cards and some even take Paypal. Paypal is my favorite way to pay these days. I feel so secure using them.

So the next time you are wondering what to buy your mother or aunt or that special someone, send flowers!

tfvl44iryy My stepson just proposed to his girlfriend and I am going to send her flowers shaped like a bridal bouquet.

Who will your next flower delivery be too?

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Chefsteps Joule Sous Vide Review

December 17, 2016 By Marijean

My husband loves to cook. I always said he missed his calling in life, he should have been a chef. He loves kitchen gadgets and always buying new ones that come out. I am very lucky that he does all of the cooking because, to be honest, I am NOT a good cook. I always say I wish there was a simple way for me to cook with food coming out actually edible. Well, luckily for me I have found a way! Let me introduce you to the best cooking tool you could have in your home….Chefsteps Joule.

Joule is a rugged kitchen tool that’s made for everyday use. Its strong, durable body is made of extruded polycarbonate, and the top and foot are 316L stainless steel. There is no display to break, which also means Joule is half the weight and size of other sous vide tools, so you can carry it in your knife bag or store it in your top drawer. Joule preheats water way faster than other sous vide devices, and the LED is all the display you’ll need for information at a glance. Heat a pot of water. Or a Cambro. Or the kitchen sink. Capable of heating 20 liters of water or more and equipped with a universal clip along with a magnetic base, Joule works where you want it to work. With Bluetooth LE and WiFi control, you can cook from anywhere. When’s the last time you started cooking from work? Or the bus? Never, that’s when!

What is Sous Vide?

Sous Vide is a French term that describes cooking food in a sealed bag, immersed in water that is kept in the exact temperature that you set. That means steak is never over cooked, chicken is always tender and briskets are fall apart tender.

When I first heard about Sous Vide cooking, I kinda looked at my husband like he was crazy. Cooking meat in a bag? Say what?! No thanks.. not for me. If I only knew then how much of a staple this would be in my kitchen. This little cooking tool is AMAZING. It will honestly change the way you cook forever.

How to use the Joule:

Using the Joule is really easy peasy. As long as you have a smart phone, you are good to go. Just download the Joule app (free!!) for Android or IOS and connects via bluetooth. This app gives you easy step by step instructions on how to use the Joule to cook the best meal. You pick the recipe and it will tell you exactly what to do. I love that because I am the type of person who needs detailed step by step instructions on how to cook a meal. All the controls happen on the app, other than the On-Off button on Joule.

The first meal I cooked was New York Strip Steaks. We are BIG steak eaters in our house and my husband hates when his steaks are overcooked. So, the first thing you do is pick a recipe from the app. Then plug in and set the Joule in your water (The unit is waterproof – the entire thing can be submerged). This can be a pot, a bucket…anything you wish that the Joule will fit in. Since the Joule is small in size you do not need a giant pot to cook in. How cool is that?! Then we seasoned each steak and pre-seared them per recipe. Put each steak in a separate zip lock style bag (another awesome thing is this does not require bags to be purchased from Chefsteps, you can put your meat in any type of ziplock bag you please). From there, we attach the bags to the sides of the pot with clips (we use chip style clips, thank you oxo) and you just press start on the app and then that is it! You just sit back and relax and wait for your meal to be done! So simple! When it was done we gave it a quick sear over the grill (you can also use a pan) and the steak was ready to eat. You will be able to enjoy the most perfectly cooked steak you have every had.

Is the Joule powerful?! Yes it is! Joule features 1100 watts of power. This is the most powerful Sous Vide on the market for home use.

Usually when we cook steak or go out to a restaurant, we ask for medium or medium rare. With traditional grilling, we usually end up with overcooked meat. The Joule will never overcook. You will get edge to edge perfection. Our steak came out perfect as you can see from the photo. It was very tender and super juicy. My husband brought the Joule to work and cooked chicken, he said it came out super moist and flavorful.

Meat isn’t the only thing you can cook in the Joule. You can cook vegetables, eggs and desserts!! The possibilities are endless with all of the delicious recipes on the app. The Joule makes cooking so easy, and the app is super helpful with the detailed instructions and pictures.

We are so happy with the ChefSteps Joule. It has changed the way we cook forever. We are very excited to try Prime Rib with the Joule for our Christmas Dinner!

ChefSteps is selling Joule for $199. This would make an awesome gift for someone who LOVES to cook (or wants an easier way of cooking, like myself)!

Connect with ChefSteps: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram

*I received a Joule in exchange for this review. All thoughts are my own.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Win Tickets to a College Football Game of Your Choice! #CokeFlorida #CokeAbassador

December 13, 2016 By Anne

How awesome would it be to win tickets to a college football game of your choice?

All you have to do is purchase a 20 oz. Coca-Cola product between December 2nd and December 23rd at your local Circle K store. That’s so easy to do. Who doesn’t love a good Diet Coke? ( Ok, I’m speaking for myself, of course)

So, purchase the product then you are given the chance to enter by texting! Super easy! You could win a $2,000 gift card to be used for college football tickets of your choice.

But wait! There is not only a grand prize but a 2nd prize and 3rd prize winner each week for 3 weeks! The code is activated through the Circle K receipt coupons.

Anne

The Lone Star State: Kid-Friendly Vacations To Texas

December 7, 2016 By Anne

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If you’re looking for a diverse and varied vacation spot, you won’t go wrong with Texas. It has everything your family could wish for, from big cities to small towns, and sandy beaches to hiking trails. It’s big, beautiful and you’ll be sure of a warm welcome.

The state of Texas covers over 261,000 square miles. To put this into perspective, it is larger than several small countries combined. So you won’t be covering the whole state on a short vacation. Here are a few highlights so you can plan your holiday accordingly.

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Dallas

Situated in North Texas, Dallas is a thriving, modern city. If you’re looking for some culture, then check out the museums. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Dallas Museum of Art is one of the largest art museums in the USA, and the Nasher Sculpture Center is home to one of the finest collections of contemporary sculptures in the world.

After all that culture, stop by Adventure Landing where the whole family can enjoy fairground attractions, miniature golf, and other fun activities.

A note for shopaholics; there are more malls here than anywhere else in the USA so you can shop to your heart’s content.

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Galveston

If it’s a beach holiday you’re seeking, Galveston is your destination. This historic coastal town boasts several beaches, including East Beach, Stewart Beach, Pirate’s Beach and Porretto Beach. Each has their own unique charm and you can either while away the hours sitting in the sun, or take part in one of the many activities.

In addition to the beaches, enjoy spending time at the world-renowned Moody Gardens. Or take part in Mardis Gras or the popular Dickens On The Strand festival.

You’ll find plenty hotels, apartments and a great RV resort in Galveston. Accommodation is plentiful and varied and suits all budgets.

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Houston

About 45 minutes north of East Beach in Galveston, you’ll find the US’s fourth largest city. You can’t visit Houston without stopping at Space Center Houston. Here you’ll learn all about the space programs and experience some of the exciting attractions.

Other family-friendly delights include Houston Zoo, The Houston Museum of Natural Science, Children’s Museum of Houston, Hermann Park and the Downtown Aquarium.

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Austin

Austin is the state capital of Texas and home to the University of Texas. It is known for its thriving music scene which includes everything from big name bands to country singers, jazz and up and coming artists.

Did you know that Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America? During the summer months, hundreds of visitors gather at Congress Avenue Bridge, to watch as the bats emerge for their nightly feed.

Check out some of the city’s street art and murals. You’ll find a mixture of commissioned and non-commissioned work. Some of the murals are known throughout the world.

Whether you’re looking for a multi-site vacation or looking to settle for a week or two, Texas has everything from thriving cities to sandy beaches. When you’re planning your next family vacation, consider the Lone Star State.

Anne

3 Biggest Dilemmas Faced By Every Working Mom

December 6, 2016 By Anne

If you are a working mom – or are about to become one – there are many different dilemmas you are likely to be facing right now. And you are in excellent company! The vast majority of working moms are all thinking the same things. I thought I would pull together some of the biggest issues and dilemmas that we all have to endure – and perhaps point you in the right direction for some solutions. Let’s get started with the most obvious.

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The guilt

The guilt of the working mom can be overwhelming at times. And the reality is that unless you are – or have been – a working mom yourself, it can be hard to put into words. The guilt can strike at any moment. When you are getting ready for work and see your little one’s eyes watching you brush your hair. When you have to miss their first milestone because you are stuck in a meeting. When you don’t get home in time to give them a kiss goodnight. It hurts – all of it. But you aren’t a bad mom because you work – you work because there is no choice. You are providing for your little one, and being the best mom you can be when you get home. And, you are helping to create a stable and positive future for your children – as well as being a great role model.

The worry

There’s a lot of worry to go along with that heavy dose of guilt, too. Every second you spend at work, your child will be under the care and attention of someone else – maybe someone you don’t know all that well. What is your baby doing right now, and who are they with? Are they safe? Are they forming a stronger attachment to their carer than they have with you? You know this is a ridiculous thing to think, but you do it anyway. There is no easy solution to this worry – you will have it for the rest of your life, no matter how old your children are. All you can do is choose the very best baby or toddler daycare facility you can, keep in touch with their progress, and ensure they are enjoying their time. See them off each day with lots of love, and pick them up on the way home with even more.

The perfection ideal

You know you have to be the best at your job while being the best mom on the planet. And you hold yourself to account to the highest possible standards. But while you are seeking to be perfect, it’s an impossible ideal. You are going to make mistakes – at home and work. And you will experience criticism from other people – perhaps even family and friends – which will sting. But you can’t afford to beat yourself up about them too much – or they will start to affect you even more. It’s important to understand that other people’s opinions or your mistakes are not a sign that you are a failure as a parent. Everyone is different, and everyone makes mistakes in life. It’s how you bounce back and learn from those errors that will make the difference.

OK, so there you have it – three of my worst dilemmas as a working mom – how about yours?