Archives for March 2015

Bow Tie Pasta Alfredo in Just 20 Minutes

03/31/2015 By Jenn 18 Comments

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For those nights that run a little late with kids activities or extra homework I like to have a few go to meals on hand when things do not go as planned. Okay, so for those nights I just do not feel like cooking anything big either.

This quick and easy Bow Tie Pasta Alfredo is one of those go to meals I always have the ingredients on hand for. It can be easily made and on your dinner table in under 20 minutes which is sometimes all I have energy for.

It’s so creamy and filling for the while family that it can truly stand on it’s own but sometimes I’ll add in grilled chicken or shrimp. For some veggies I like to add some steamed broccoli to switch it up a little bit.

You could even use this sauce recipe for an amazingly tasty base for white pizza!

Bow Tie Pasta Alfredo in 20 Minutes Recipe

Ingredients

1 (16 oz) package bow tie pasta
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup butter
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 12-14 minutes or until al dente, drain well.
Combine heavy cream and butter in a Dutch oven or large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Heat until butter melts, stirring occasionally; be careful not to bring mixture to a boil!
Stir in Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Toss with cooked pasta and serve immediately.
ENJOY!

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Other Simple Recipes:

Double Cheesy Crockpot Meatloaf

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Fun Printable Easter Activities For Kids

03/30/2015 By Jenn 17 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

Easter is just around the corner so I wanted to have some fun printable Easter activities for my kids to work on to keep them busy and get ready for Easter.

They love working on these printable Easter activities when I am trying to make dinner. It keeps them occupied and they actually enjoy helping eachother get the right answers.

Today I have 5 printable Easter activities for you to print for free of course so feel free to print away and keep your little ones busy and fun learning.

I have two for the older kids like the Easter word search and crossword puzzle. Then the last three are great for the younger ones, these are 4 year old JJ’s favorite. A maze, matching and fill in the blank as he is just learning the sounds of his letters to use them in words.

Fun Printable Easter Activities For Kids

Easter Fill In – Simply fill in the letter that is missing in the Easter themed word.

– Download the Easter fill in the blank printable.

Easter Matching – Draw a line from the object on the left to the matching object on the right.

– Download the Easter matching printable.

Easter Word Search – Search for the Easter themed hidden words going up, down, left and right.

– Download the Easter Word Search printable.

Easter Egg Hunt Maze – Get to the end of the maze to fill your basket with Easter eggs.

– Download the Easter Egg Hunt Maze printable and answer sheet.

Easter Crossword Word Puzzle – Answer the questions to complete the crossword puzzle.

– Download the Easter crossword puzzle printable.

Hope your kids enjoy these printable Easter activities and have a wonderful Easter!

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Related Easter posts:

Cadbury Easter Cupcakes

5 Ideas for Creating the Perfect Romantic Italian Meal

03/24/2015 By Jenn 10 Comments

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Whether you are married, dating, or in a relationship, a romantic dinner is always a nice way to spend your evening. Not only is Italian food filling, delicious, and easy to make at home, but it makes for a romantic meal. If you want to create a perfectly romantic Italian dining experience for two, the possibilities are endless. With a creative appetizer, a classic pasta dish, a decadent dessert and an inventive drink, you can create an impressive meal with minimal fuss.

Here are a few ideas to help you create the perfect romantic Italian meal on your next date night.

Appetizer

Prosciutto is a cured Italian ham that is known to pair perfectly with cantaloupe, creating a classic combination of sweet and salty. It is an easy and elegant appetizer, made even more perfect for a romantic meal when served in the form of prosciutto roses with melon hearts. First, you want to get the prosciutto perfectly wrapped into roses, and then you can simply cut your melon pieces in to the shape of hearts, instead of squares. This beautiful presentation will definitely make an impression, and create the perfect

Main Dish

Spaghetti alla Carbonara is a decadent Italian pasta dish made with eggs, cheese and bacon. This lightened-up version of Spaghetti Carbonara with Peas for Two is every bit as delicious as the classic version—but it won’t leave you feeling overly stuffed and lethargic after eating it. Best of all, this dish can be made in as little as 30 minutes from start to finish.

Dessert

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that features ladyfinger cookies soaked in coffee, layered with sweet creamed cheese, and dusted generously with cocoa. This recipe is a quick and easy variation on the classic cake. In this version, the tiramisu is served in individual parfait glasses, making for a beautiful presentation.

A Sip of Italy

For a truly relaxing evening, top your meal off with an Italian cocktail. This Sgroppino recipe features Prosecco, the classic Italian sparkling white wine. Mixed with chilled vodka and lemon sorbet, this delectable drink is sure to be a winner.

Ambience

The perfect meal isn’t complete without the perfect ambience. For your Italian feast, be sure to set the mood appropriately. Dim the lights and dine by candlelight. Make a playlist filled with love songs by Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli and Frank Sinatra. Uncork a straw-covered bottle of Chianti. Adorn the table with a red and white checkered tablecloth. Place fresh flowers or breadsticks in a homemade vase made from recycled San Marzano tomato cans.

With these romantic Italian meal ideas, you can soon construct an idealistic dinner for you and your date. Whether you’ve got a toddler joining you at the table in a high-chair, or you are trying to impress on a first date, you can’t go wrong with delectable Italian treats. The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Ynot Pizza, an Italian restaurant in Virginia Beach.

Do you have a favorite romantic Italian meal?

This is a guest post written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for health, women’s interests, and parenting interests. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.

Warm Bacon Cheddar Dip In A Sourdough Bread Bowl

03/23/2015 By Jenn 36 Comments

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If you want an appetizer to bring out that will disappear quickly from the bowl and have the crowd begging for more you have to make this delicious warm bacon cheddar dip!

Perfect for chips, crackers, pretzels, pitas, chunks of bread, or even veggies it is a must have at every gathering.

I have made this several times at different family events recently and there is never a bit left. My sister even told me at the last family get together if I didn’t bring it I can’t come – yes it is that good!

This warm bacon cheddar dip takes the center stage to any buffet. Its warm, cheesey and by far the best all around dish to bring to any event or party. It has become my go to dish to serve or bring to anything!

Warm Bacon Cheddar Dip Recipe

Ingredients:

8 oz. block cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (any kind will work but I find Sargento to be the best)
1 ½ cups sour cream.
½ packet Lipton onion soup mix
1 Tbsp. Worcesteshire
½ to ¾ pack of precooked bacon
½ tsp. black pepper
Sourdough bread round

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350℉.
Dice or crumble bacon into small pieces.
In the bowl of your hand or stand mixer combine softened cream cheese, black pepper, shredded cheddar, sour cream, soup mix and worcesteshire- mix until well combined.
Gently stir in bacon crumbles until mixed well.
Cut a large circle from the top of a bread bowl- about 5” in diameter, then pull out bite sized pieces of bread from the inside to create an edible bowl. leave a 2” wall all the way around at least to hold dip filling. Make sure you do not cut all the way through.
Scoop mixture into bread bowl, wrap well in aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. You just want the cheese to melt and everything blend together.
While bowl is baking tear apart top of bread bowl, and inside that you tore out and place in a baggie to keep it fresh.
Remove foil, place cheese bread bowl on a platter and surround with bread pieces, crackers, or veggies.
Enjoy! Try to stay away from it once you serve it, its addicting 😉

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Other dip recipes:

Tropical Pineapple Dip

Cheddar Bacon Beer Dip

JORD Wood Watches + Giveaway #jordwatch

03/19/2015 By Jenn 19 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

Disclosure: I was provided the mentioned products to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

Over the past few years my husband has become a little bit of a watch collector. I lovingly blame it on his bosses. They have influenced him on their new watches and their addiction slowly rubbed off on him. He owns close to 10 different kinds of watches currently. I have purchased him a new one for almost every birthday, anniversary and Christmas these past few years.

When JORD wood watches contacted me a few weeks ago to review a watch you could imagine his excitement. A wood watch was something he had never seem or heard of, so it truly sparked his interest.

He looked over the JORD site and picked the Men’s Black Ely.

Deployment Buckle with Push Button
Scratch Resistant Mineral
Citizen Miyota Quartz Movement (2015 w/Date Display)
Case Width: 37mm
Case Thickness: 11mm
Lug Ends: 45mm
Band Length: 200mm
Band Thickness: 21mm

It is simple yet elegant and goes nicely with an everyday look or for his more business attire, very versatile which is important.

JORD wood watches is something like no other watch for men or women that want something different and they would make a great gift for anyone that loves watches.

When the JORD wood watch arrived in the mail I noticed it was very nicely packaged. We decided to go ahead and have it already sized so we didn’t have to bother with taking it somewhere else. They offer to size it for an additional $10 which is well worth it to me.

Womens Wooden Watches

The JORD wood watch has a double clasp, pulling from each side for extra security. What my husband loves most is how light weight it is. I don’t know about you but when we heard of a wood watch you think that has to be heavy after all its made of wood but that is far from the case. This is something he is very particular about. He likes his watches to be on the lighter side and less bulky.

The first day he wore it to work he got so many compliments from his bosses aka fellow watch enthusiasts. They were all interested in purchasing one for themselves.

All JORD wood watches come with a 12 month limited warranty. Simply fill out the little card to have on hand. After purchase be sure to show them your photos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with hashtag #jordwatch for a chance to win monthly prizes!

You can check out the entire JORD wood watches on their website. They have plenty to choose from for men and women in all different styles and wood shades.

Want to win your own JORD wooden watch?

Entering is simple! Check out this giveaway link to enter!

More Than A Mom Of Three is not responsible for shipping out the winners prize. Giveaway ends on 4/15/15 at 11:59pm EST.Must be 18 or older to enter, the giveaway is worldwide. Good Luck!

Crockpot Balsamic Pork Loin

03/16/2015 By Jenn 10 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

If you need a tasty Sunday night supper or something easy while you work this super simple crockpot Balsamic Pork Loin fits either need. What you get after letting this cook all day is a lot of delicious rich flavor, tender texture, and an amazing scent floating through the house with minimal effort. A perfect crockpot recipe for us busy moms!

Crockpot meals are the best for those reasons and I try to use my slow cooker at least 2-3 times a week. It just makes my day easier and more productive knowing I do not have to worry that much about dinner. Simply add some buttered bread or rolls, mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus (my favorite) and you have a complete and amazing meal on the table with little fuss! Your family will think you slaved in the kitchen all day.

Crockpot Balsamic Pork Loin Recipe

Ingredients:

1 ½-2 lb. pork loin
⅓ cup Balsamic vinegar
3 garlic cloves, crushed
½ cup broth – chicken or vegetable is fine
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. Worcestershire
½ tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. olive oil

Directions:

Grease bottom and sides of slow cooker with olive oil.
Season pork loin with salt and pepper.
Whisk balsamic vinegar, garlic, broth, brown sugar, and Worcestershire in a small bowl.
Place pork loin in bottom of slow cooker.
Pour balsamic vinegar mixture all over pork loin to coat.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Occasionally spoon liquid over pork loin.
If you want to serve sliced cook less time, for shredded pork loin let it cook longer.
ENJOY!

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More Crockpot Recipes: