Last Chance To Grab American Girl's 2016 Girl of the Year!

Enter to win American Girl's 2016 Girl of the Year Lea Clark

If you have a young child in your life you're going to want to enter this giveaway today. My blogging friends and I are joining together to give away an American Girl doll, just in time for the holiday season. All of these simple entries can help you win the one big gift to go under your tree, sit by the candles, and simply shock your little one into disbelief.

My daughter has been blessed and received several American Girl dolls over the years - my mom is a big fan and enjoys surprising my daughter with them as presents for big occasions. We're truly lucky to have her make our holidays and birthdays such fun - and I'm really excited to be doing the same for one lucky little kid out there who might be dreaming of finding Lea Clark under the tree (or wherever you hide your holiday presents!).

Keep reading to find out more about which doll we're giving away, my co-sponsors, and how you can enter to win.

Good luck, y'all. I'm rooting for you!

Lea Clark™, the 2016 Girl of the Year, dives in to new adventures and explores what’s in her heart. 

The 18" Lea doll is only available until 12/31/16, or while supplies last. This American Girl Doll giveaway is for a Lea Clark American Girl Doll, Lea's Exclusive Collection, and her book Lea Dives In–written by Lisa Yee, valued at $180. Giveaway ends on December 11, 2016 at 11:59 pm. Shipping just in time for the holidays!

Meet Lea, the 2016 Girl of the Year™! The 18" Lea doll has warm hazel eyes that open and close, and long, light-brown wavy hair with sun-kissed highlights. She has a huggable cloth body, and her movable head and limbs are made of smooth vinyl.

Lea and her bundled starter set ($180 value!) comes with:

• Brazilian festival outfit: A bright, multicolored dress, featuring an attached braided belt and braided trim on the straps
• Sandals with crisscrossed laces
• Underwear
• An embroidered canvas messenger bag with colorful woven straps
• A pretend compass necklace
• Lea Dives In paperback book
• Lea’s Beach Dress (available only in this collection): A tie-dye-print dress with bows at the shoulders
• Green flip-flop sandals
• Matching sunglasses
• A pretty butterfly hair clip

American Girl Doll Giveaway – Lea Clark 2016 Girl of the Year

Sponsored by:

Life of a Ginger

Good Girl Gone Redneck

Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles

It's me, debcb!

Beauty in the Mess

Merlot Mommy

Emmy Mom

Penney Lane

Amber Nicole

Embellishmints

Kiss My Tulle

Simply {Darr}ling

Adventures In Familyhood

Mama Mommy Mom

A Madison Mom

The Best Crowe's Nest

 

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Entry-Form

Terms and Conditions:
This American Girl Doll Giveaway is open to US Residents 18 years of age or older. Giveaway ends December 11th at 11:59 PM ET. Winner will be chosen by random drawing. Winner will have 48 hours to reply via email to accept the prize or another winner will be chosen. All entries will be validated. Sponsors reserve the right to invalidate any entry at their discretion. Entering will add your email to our mailing lists. We NEVER share our contacts.

 This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with American Girl, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or Pinterest.

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We're All Damaged, Matthew Norman

Something about this book grabbed me from the start. I read the information via TLC Book Tours (they sent me a copy to read and review) and decided I needed to meet the main character, Andy Carter.

Now, admittedly, I don't always read books where men are the main character, it's not an intentional choice - it's just the kinds of books I'm drawn to tend to be women's literature. But I not only needed to meet Andy, I needed to know more about him and understand who he was.

And through Matthew Norman's story that I definitely do.

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American Girl's 2016 Girl of the Year: Lea Clark

Enter to win Lea Clark, American Girl's 2016 Girl of the Year

If you have a young child in your life you've surely heard of American Girl dolls at some point. And if you've been reading my blog for a little bit over a few weeks - then you know I participated in a giveaway for the 2015 doll of the year in November/December for the holiday season. 

My friend Kate over at My Mommy Brain has coordinated these two giveaways with a good handful of bloggers and they're being hosted by us on our own. They're not sponsored by American Girl in any way - it's just us - putting our hard earned money in together to promote and host this event for our readers. 

So, let me introduce you to Lea Clark. The 2016 doll of the year!

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Keep Our Babies Safe While They Sleep

If you've ever seen an infant sleep you know that they toss and turn like nobody's business. 

And if you've done your research you know that little ones aren't supposed to have blankets in their crib with them - fear of SIDS and other incidents has discouraged that practice for many years now. There are too many unknowns. Researchers also say that bumpers and stuffed animals should not be in the crib at bedtime or nap-time, as well. 

There are several incredible products out now that keep our babies cozy at night and ensure that they are safe, as well. 

Baby Sleeps Safe is a product that does just that. 

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American Girl's 2015 Girl of the Year: Grace Thomas

Hey, everyone. I normally wouldn't post on a holiday, but I'm too excited and just have to get this info out to you all as early as possible. So - happy holidays - and keep reading ...

I'm so excited to share that this holiday season I'm participating in an American Girl doll giveaway with some fellow bloggers. Enter today and you could win your very own Grace Thomas to absolutely make the holidays of the young girl in your life. Look at her - isn't she pretty?

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Book of the Week: BabyFat, Pauline Campos

Let me start by saying that I'm no stranger to stories about motherhood, by moms who have been through it all. The proverbial ringer. And yes, let me offer a disclaimer that the lovely and talented Pauline Campos and I are friends. Friends who have never met, but friends just the same. Social media and the blogosphere are kind of amazing that way.

So. Where was I? Telling you about my friend - right? Anyway, when the opportunity came for me to be one of her advanced readers and book reviewers - I kinda' jumped at it. And yes, when you're friends with someone it's a tricky step to take.

What if you don't like their work? What if you're a little iffy on the content or the tone? What if ... what if ... what if?

I felt pretty confident that Pauline's work wouldn't be an issue. I had a strong feeling I'd enjoy it. And knew if I had any problems with any of it that I could tell her. She's just like that.

And so, I dove in. And read. And read some more. And suddenly I was finished reading.

BabyFat is the kind of read you really do dive into.

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Book of the Week: The Unraveling of Mercy Louis, Keija Parssinen

Let me introduce you to The Unraveling of Mercy Louis.

And yes, if you read my last post on the five books I'm reading - you'll notice this one was missing. Because I knew I had this post coming up this week and didn't want you to think I'd truly lost it by tacking on another book to the list. I just can't help myself. I love to read.

So, with that out of the way, I can tell you why this is a book you need to read.

The flow of it is easy, the story inviting, interesting, and enticing. A whole slew of adjectives you'll find true enough when you dive into it.

The Unraveling of Mercy Louis is Keija Parssinen's second novel, but the first of her work that I have read. The cover itself gnaws at me. Admittedly, it took me a few tries to pick it up because of the rope.

Look ...

I want to say that I'm not sure why it bothered me as it did. But I think it was a visceral response. I was worried. See a shredding rope and worry? Seems like a smart reaction. And I actually just noticed that I said it gnaws at me. My delayed thought process is that is an interesting word to use as actually the rope on the cover sort of looks gnawed ON. It's probably the "hanging on" feeling that stayed with me as I started reading. I was waiting.

Parssinen introduces us to this story with a prologue that made my stomach flip. It was barely three pages long - but it made me react with all the feels.

And that's it. I could truly leave it at that.

But what I loved most about the book were the voices.

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The Laurie Berkner Band Visits the Triangle!

* The Laurie Berkner Band has sponsored this giveaway to enable me to invite one of my readers to attend this event in Raleigh, NC on February 28th. Full disclaimer is posted below. *

If you're a parent anywhere you have to know who Laurie Berkner is.

And if you don't? I'm going to introduce you right now. Watch.

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Shop NOVICA and support artists across the globe.

* This is a sponsored post on behalf of NOVICA. I am a long-time fan of both, their products and their mission and all expressed opinions are my own. *

If you've been a reader here for a while then you know I have been a fan of NOVICA for many years. I especially love when I'm given an opportunity to work with them AND introduce you to their beautiful products and mission. 

It's been a while since I've posted about them, but NOVICA has been hard at work updating their mission and finding a way to maintain their dedication to artisans across the globe AND add a focus of finding and supporting happiness.

NOVICA offers incredible products from amazing talents across the globe so when you make your purchase you're supporting designers in places like India, Africa, Central America and Asia (to name only a few!). These talents create things like jewelry, home decor, fashionable accessories and so much more.

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Difficulty conceiving? Look into The Stork OTC Home Conception Aid.

* This post is brought to you by The Stork OTC and The Motherhood. All opinions expressed are strictly my own, however specific product details do come from the sponsor. *

If you're a mom or hope to be one some day you're likely aware of at least one person in your life who has experienced difficulties conceiving a child. If you haven't learned of anyone with this experience I'm here to report that one day you probably will.

So many women experience issues with fertility. It's something that is not always discussed. It's something that sometimes you won't hear until you share your own story. Then the understanding shares happen.

I've been provided with some stats with respect to infertility and difficulty conceiving that I'd like to share with you today.

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The Virtues of Oxygen, Susan Schoenberger ~ book review

* I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review and a copy will be provided to my giveaway winner. I was not compensated for this post and all expressed opinions are strictly my own. *

I'll fess up right off the bat. 

I really enjoyed this book. 

There are two primary characters and they're so intertwined that I forget who we met first. 

Vivian is a woman who has lived many years past her polio diagnosis. Her life exists in an iron lung, and all of her interactions come from her horizontal view of the world. 

Holly is a widowed mother of two, struggling to find her way and trying hard to balance her finances, her life and her heart. 

We meet them separately, and together, and it really is just a powerful set of stories.

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Sweet Tooth, Tim Anderson ~ book review

* I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours to facilitate my review. 

All opinions are completely my own. *

Sweet Tooth is an interesting read. Tim Anderson starts us off with a tumultuous time in his life. 

He finds out that he has Diabetes, and thinks that there are so many reasons that this is happening to him. The one that stands out in my mind is his fear that frequent masturbation to pornographic magazines may have led to his Diabetes diagnosis. Or perhaps it's because of the inappropriate thoughts he has been having about boys? 

This young man thought that might have caused his illness. And honestly, this sounds awful. And surely it was. 

But who among us doesn't have an awful memory or two from our teen years, right? 

Maybe not as bad as this was, but those years? The awkwardness. The gawky moments. Ones when you might have wanted to crawl into a hole. Ones where the kid you were crushing on seemed completely unattainable? But you did whatever you could do to get near that kid, even if it consisted of signing yourself up for a camp you had absolutely no interest in? 

Oh, wait, that was Tim.

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Listen to THESE Mothers. #LTYM

* One of the incredible mommas participating in this year's Listen To Your Mother show has connected with me to help me give away these two tickets for this event. I am not being compensated in any way for it, I just want to help support the show and the incredible cause, AND help someone attend who might not have had the chance to! *

If you know any woman who is a mom and is a blogger and are Facebook friends with them you've probably heard of Listen To Your Mother. In fact, I'm almost sure of it.

My Facebook feed has been blowing up these last few weeks with these incredible women (and some men, too, by the way!) as they prepare, attend, share and open up for the 2014 Listen To Your Mother events. This year the show hits 32 cities, and I'm lucky enough to share that the "Triangle" is one of them again.

If you haven't yet had a chance to read about the show, please take a few minutes to do just that. Listen To Your Mother is an opportunity for the participants to share their own personal stories about motherhood. Whether they relate to their own experiences as moms, their relationships with their own mothers, pretty much any spin you can think about putting together with your stories of moms make up the show.

I'll tell you my own small personal story and share that I auditioned for Listen to Your Mother last year. It was a moving and powerful experience - just doing that alone. I *may* have cried a little. I wasn't chosen to participate so I didn't wind up attending (transportation difficulties), but I have watched many clips of various readings across the board and found myself moved in different ways each time. So many emotional and touching moments. Stories shared that you just won't want to miss out on.

This year's event has partnered with SAFEchild, a local organization whose mission statement shares that they are committed to eliminating child abuse in Wake County by helping adults and children create nurturing environments free from abuse and neglect.

And lucky for you ... I've got two tickets to give away!

The show in Raleigh will take place on Thursday, May 8th at 7:30pm and I've got two seats with your name on them. The show will take place at the Kenan Auditorium at William Peace University.

All you need to do to enter is share a small memory of motherhood with me. Whether it's about your own journey as a mom, your own mom or grandmother, your mother-in-law ... just give me a few lines and you could be the winner. And you'll thank me - I promise.

And if you can't wait a few days to see if you've won you can purchase your own LTYM tickets.

The stories you'll hear that evening will make you laugh, cry and everything in between. So enter now. And thanks. For supporting the women who will brave the stage that night. AND for remembering moms everywhere as you sit back and join them.

* This is not a sponsored post. I'm a fan of the Listen to Your Mother concept and love that there are so many cities participating this year. I hope that each of my readers can get to a show near them, and I'm thrilled to have an opportunity to offer two tickets to someone in my area for the Raleigh-Durham show. I have not been compensated in any way for this post, nor will I be. I'm sharing this information and this giveaway because I want to. Thanks to my friend Stephanie of Scattermom.com for providing me with the tickets for this event!* 

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Sing into Spring with Disney Records!

* As an influencer of The Entertainment New Media Network I received these CDs to facilitate my review of them and was not compensated for this post in any way. Walt Disney Records will be providing both, a gift set of the four CDs I received along with a 4-pack of preschool CDs to two winners picked by me randomly. All expressed opinions are strictly my own (and that of my 7yo daughter!). There are affiliate links throughout this post. *

It's time to SING INTO SPRING with Walt Disney Records!!!

Join me today as I invite you to learn about the four CDs I received to review for you all. Take a look!

My daughter and I have been bopping around my kitchen to the soundtrack of Teen Beach Movie all morning. It helps that she has seen the movie a good handful of times and we have it on our DVR as I write this. I'm pretty sure we'll be watching it again tonight now that she's motivated into the mood with the music in the background of our day.

Our second CD in this gift-pack is Disney's Play It Loud. With music by Zendaya (of Shake It Up), Debby Ryan (Jessie) and China Anne McClain (ANT Farm), your kids are going to love this. Seriously. It might be on repeat wayyyy too many times - but hey, at least it's kid-friendly lyrics, right?

We've also got a copy of Austin and Ally: Turn it Up for you. With thirteen songs the cast kicks it up a notch and I have to admit, the music is pretty catchy. It's the kind you find yourself singing along with after a while and forget it's a "kids' CD" ... for a little while, at least.

And then of course, let's talk FROZEN.

I mean, what is there to say? If you haven't seen the movie yet - well - you really must. But if you haven't heard any of the songs yet, I must ask you - where have you been hiding?

This CD is one of the top selling CDs right now. The music won an Academy Award for goodness' sake. Or maybe two. Who knows? But really - if you and your kids don't know pretty much every song by heart you need to enter this giveaway. STAT.

I'm also lucky enough to give away the Preschool Sing into Spring 4-pack to one lucky reader. This bundle consists of the Doc McStuffins Soundtrack, Jake and the Neverland Pirates - Yo Ho Matey CD, DJ Shuffle (which I kind of want for myself because it's got a mix of Sofia the First, Jake, Doc, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and more) and last, but never least, FROZEN.

YES. This means that BOTH winners will be receiving a copy of the FROZEN soundtrack. What more could you want?

Click through my Rafflecopter below and find yourself a way to enter. I promise to make it as easy as possible for you.

And if you want to purchase any of these CDs on your own, I've got the links throughout the post for you to go shopping. Happy listening!

a Rafflecopter giveaway * As an influencer of The Entertainment New Media Network I received these CDs to facilitate my review of them and was not compensated for this post in any way. Walt Disney Records will be providing both, a gift set of the four CDs I received along with a 4-pack of preschool CDs to two winners picked by me randomly. All expressed opinions are strictly my own (and that of my 7yo daughter!). There are affiliate links throughout this post. *

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I'm trying to stay in the Zone.

* I received a variety of ZonePerfect bars as a participant in this challenge. I am not being compensated for this post and all expressed opinions are completely my own. *

If you have been reading me for a while you know that I struggle left and right with fitness, motivation and inspiration. You also might have seen that I started participating in the Blog Forward Challenge with ZonePerfect earlier this year.

Admittedly, I struggled through much of March with some traveling and some illness and then with the weather in the earlier months, sigh, excuses excuses. I'm getting back on track and I went for a really long walk the other day with a friend and am finally feeling like moving matters again.

I set some goals back in January. I set them again now, in April. I have lost some weight, and that's great. I'm back to tracking myself on MyFitnessPal and I find that it's helping. But I really need to do more. I need to bust out the sweats and find myself moving regularly. I need to consciously uncouple myself from emotional eating. *Come on, I HAD to.*

I need to remind myself that I have a Fitbit zip I could wear regularly and count all the steps I take every single day. Or I could turn around and get myself one to wear on my wrist so I can feel like I'm more motivated and more involved in my own health. More aware. Whatever it takes.

I was in Disney World last weekend for Type-A Parent Bootcamp and I walked A LOT. I felt really good about that. I ate a lot, too, but I could have done a lot worse. I actually didn't feel bloated or swollen or anything I usually experience when I fly. So I'm thinking the walking was a huge help. I even brought my Brooks kicks and wore them throughout Magic Kingdom on Saturday night. So I wasn't messing around.

And a huge bonus was that these ZonePerfect bars arrived before I left! So I was able to bring a bag of them with me and find a new favorite.

The Chocolate Almond Raisin bar is AMAZING. Seriously. I need to find a box of them and fast. I'm hoping I stumble across them soon. And if you want, you can sign up to be a ZonePerfect VIP and grab yourself about $10 worth in coupons (which will be emailed to you over the course of the coming year) for your own shopping experience.

ZonePerfect is also hoping to keep me charged in other ways throughout the coming months. They've sent me a portable phone charger, along with one to give away to one of my readers. So leave me a comment below with a flavor of ZonePerfect bar that you'd like to try and you'll be entered to win.

And if you're looking to swap out your sweetened beverages for something a little healthier, check out this graphic for more tips. I've started off by either completely eliminating sweet tea from my intake, or at the very least if I really am itching for it I do a half-and-half and go half sweet and half unsweetened. Sometimes it takes baby steps, but whatever works will get me closer to my goal.

I hope you'll stick with me as I make my way through this challenge and that you'll keep me posted if you are doing healthier things for yourself, as well. Any tips we can share will be great ones, I'm sure. Looking forward to connecting with you and finding my fitspiration from you all.

* I received a variety of bars from ZonePerfect as a participant in this challenge. I also received a portable phone charger for myself and one to give away to a reader. I was not compensated in any way for this post and all expressed opinions are strictly my own. *

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Sofia The First: Review and Giveaway

Sometimes as a blogger we get cool opportunities. This is one of them that I'm lucky enough to be a part of. Lucky for my daughter, who enjoyed the music so much she found a way to sneak out her bedtime CD and switch it with this one. Cute, right? Sneaky. But cute.

So, where was I? Right - - I'm lucky. And you could be, too. But you have to enter this giveaway first. SOFIA the FIRST, to be exact. *See what I did there?*

Let me tell you some more about Sofia the First: Songs from Enchancia.

I'm giving away not one. Not two. But THREE copies of this CD. And I'd love for you to win one for yourself and your lil one(s)! Why, you ask? Well - stay with me ...

Do you have yourself a little one who is a fan of Sofia The First? If so, you're going to want to check out this video. Definitely. And have your son or daughter watch it with you. As soon as you do you're going to end up with loads of "Mommy, I want that!" and "Can we get that? Can I watch it again?" because it's super cute.




Now for the hard work. It's not hard at all, promise.

All you have to do is enter my Rafflecopter giveaway below and you could win. Easy peasy.

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If you can't wait to win, you can purchase your own copy of this CD via Amazon or iTunes.

* Disclaimer: I am a participating influencer at The Entertainment New Media Network. I have received free product for review and to give away to my readers. I was not compensated for this review in any way and all expressed opinions are strictly my own. Some links in this post are affiliate links. *

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Kidz ZonePerfect Review and Giveaway!

* The products in this post for review and giveaway were provided to me directly from ZonePerfect. All opinions expressed in this post are completely my own (and my daughter's!). * 

Do you know about ZonePerfect?

I worked with them a few summers ago and did a review and giveaway of their Perfectly Simple bars. I have the pleasure of working with them again and am so excited to update you on their latest products!

If your child is anything like mine you'll totally understand when I tell you how she loves to steal my snack bars. I mean, seriously. Almost any flavor is up for grabs, and I have definitely caved and handed them over - as I figure they're a better snack for her than a lot of other junk she could ask for.

But ZonePerfect has an answer for me that's even better. Kidz ZonePerfect bars.

Yep. You read it right. These.

I tried them back in September when I was at Type-A Parent Conference and I have to admit, I kind of liked them. A lot.

They come in three delicious flavors that your child (and you - if you're interested) will love!

Caramel Crunch - my personal favorite
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip - my daughter's favorite
Yellow Cupcake - this was such a hit at the conference that they were all gone when I got to the booth!

I received one box of each flavor for review, so of course I had to try each kind. I still stand by my choice of the Caramel Crunch as my fave. It tastes like a yummy Rice Krispies' bar with loads of delicious flavor. My daughter preferred the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavor, probably because, well, it's chocolate chips and peanut butter, right? She also liked the Yellow Cupcake one and called it the birthday cake bar. It's got that birthday confetti look to it on the packaging.

I love that these Kidz bars have 5 grams of protein in them, so they're going to fill those little bellies with something that will hold them over until dinner. I also love that they're the perfect size for little hands.

If you're not sure where to find ZonePerfect bars near you, you can head over to their website and check out their store locator for information. Or you can enter my giveaway and win one of these adorable Kidz ZonePerfect On-The-Go Kits! Just check out the Rafflecopter below for details on how to enter and good luck!

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Adé: A Love Story, by Rebecca Walker ~ book review

* I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review. All expressed opinions are completely mine. *

Adé was a fairly quick and easy read. 

And yes, as the cover states, it IS a love story. 

But it's not your typical love story.

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Tired of cooking?

* This is a sponsored post and giveaway hosted by me on behalf of Moe's Southwest Grill. As a member of Moe's Blogger Advisory Council I was provided with several gift cards to give away. *

It's early December, and so many of us are tapped out of meal ideas. I mean, it is the end of the year, we're nearly hitting that 365 mark of meal prep and designing that exhausts us all. It's okay to skimp a little at the end of the year. You'll be doing enough home-cooking and eating soon enough. You can go out to eat and cut yourself some slack ...

So, my question is, have you been to Moe's lately?

You'll want to head over soon and check out the new Chimichurri burrito.

Moe's new Chimichurri burrito is available for a limited time and is made up of grass-fed steak, grilled mushrooms and peppers, pico de gallo and seasoned rice. Smother that with their new cilantro chimicurri sauce and I have a feeling you'll quickly find yourself enjoying a meal that's popping with flavor.

Stay tuned, you might be a winner and be able to get your own Chimichurri Burrito FREE! I'll have a few gift cards up for grabs at the end of this post.

Besides their variety and new menu items, something I really love about Moe's is that I can adjust my meal to make healthy choices. I can up the tomatoes and pico and ask for less or no cheese. And if I'm trying to be really proactive I can head to their website before I go and check out Moe's menu's nutritional information.  I'm not always that on the ball, but I like that I can be - or I can bring up their website on my smartphone and do it before I order. As we head into the new year and many of us are looking at a fresh start, Moe's can be a great place to head to grab a quick and healthy bite!

Now - for the fun part - I've got a few $5 gift cards up for grabs, so enter today and you might win one.

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Holiday Saltine Toffee Treats #SeasonsEatings & Pin To Win with #HarrisTeeter

* I have been compensated for this post and was provided a gift card to give away to one of my readers. The content and images are my original work and entirely my own. *

It might be surprising how much I enjoy baking holiday treats. Or not baking them.

It's no surprise I love eating them. They're good stuff.

So I'm sharing a favorite recipe I stumbled across online last year and tweaked to turn into a Good Girl Gone Redneck creation.

It's saltine toffee.

Have you not heard of this?

Have you not tried it?

It's so goooooood.

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