Is It Time To Cry Over Spilled Milk? Cookie Dough Stuffed Cookie Recipe

This post was sponsored by a2 Milk® as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. Nothing contained below should be considered medical advice.

Momma Told Me: Don't cry over spilled milk.

When I was a young girl every single meal was accompanied by a glass of chilled milk. Sometimes it had chocolate syrup in it, or a fancy colored spiral straw, other times I was simply told to drink it or I would get no dessert. Day in and out, Momma would place a glass of milk in front of me until I came to expect it. More than expect it, look forward to it. After all, I wanted to grow up big and strong, just like my father, and years of watching him chug a tall glass each night was more than enough to inspire visions of milk turning me into some form of young girl super hero.

And then my cousin, 3 years younger than me, at a T.G.I Fridays, or some other similar fast casual sit down restaurant, taught me one of the worst childish habits I've carried with me since. There's a reason they put kid's beverages in cups with lids. But on this magical day the restaurant had been out, I clearly recall because my Aunt was raising quite the havoc with the manager on duty when it happened. Blurp. Blurp. Blurp. Whoosh. Blowing into her straw she'd created a volcano of milk bubbles- bubbling the contents of her glass right over the edge. As we both erupted in giggles I resolved milk would never be so boring again.

Of course I love dairy- and what's not to love? Oh, that mild discomfort hours down the line? That little grumble of tummy troubles that causes me to shift in my seat? I've always known it wasn't lactose trouble- Jay has lactose trouble, and that doesn't compare to my tussles. No, I like to think of my dairy interactions as playful roughing between old friends. Sure it might be a little inconvenient after the fact but I'm still going to bring up the good old days and slug my buddy on the shoulder as I down another glass. That was until I began buying milk alternatives for Jay.

I kind of became complacent. I forgot my long lost friend, and all of those memories we'd shared. The milk stains on the table, the half of a cookie soggy at the bottom of my glass, the taste, the texture. I reached for whatever was on hand because it was convenient, and because I knew I wouldn't have any arguments from my stomach later. So I was shocked to learn that 1 in 4 Americans experience discomfort after drinking milk; yet only 3-4% of the population is clinically diagnosed with Lactose Intolerance. What about the other 20%? Did they give up on milk over some playful gas or tummy grumbles? Do they continue to drink their beloved white gold while ignoring the results?

As it turns out there is a protein in ALL conventional and organic milks called the A1 protein, which is known to trigger 'Post Dairy Digestive Discomfort.' It is entirely unrelated to lactose and in no way associated with that which ails those who are lactose intolerant. (If you have a diagnosed lactose intolerance this will not help you.) However, the removal of this protein, through heirloom a2 cows results in a naturally A1 free milk without any genetic or post milk production altering. You could say that a2 Milk® is milk the way mother nature intended it- and it could be the most authentic dairy solution to everyday self diagnosed dairy discomfort.

a2 Milk® is also a great way for people who previously avoided real milk due to possible minor post-dairy digestive discomfort to begin getting their servings of important vitamins and nutrients again. a2 Milk® contains approximately 6x the amount of calcium as soy beverages, 8x the protein of almond beverages, and approximately 6x the potassium of rice beverages. And it's now available at select retailers in California. That's all the excuse I needed to get out my best milk bubble blowing straw, and whip up a delicious cookie recipe!

While a2 Milk® won't help those clinically diagnosed with Lactose Intolerance, because it contains the same amount of lactose as regular milk, it may be a good solution for that 20% of the population with self diagnosed post-milk tummy discomfort. So I'll be trying a2 Milk® out in all 3 varieties, Reduced Fat, Whole, and Fat-Free over the next few months to see if I can reconnect with my old childhood friend again. a2 Milk® tastes just like 'ordinary' milk and is chocked full of all the natural milk nutrition I've been missing out on- so I can find an excuse for another cookie or two.

In fact, I devised a whole new way to enjoy cookies all together; cookie dough stuffed cookies- or 'cookie dough cookie sandwiches' if you want to get technical. Go ahead and make my egg free cookie dough recipe just for snacking with a spoon, or whip up one of our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes to slather it on and wedge between them. You simply can't go wrong- as long as you have a tall glass of ice cold milk by your side. And that's exactly what I'll have by my side the next few months as an official a2 Milk® Ambassador. You can expect plenty of delicious milk-worthy recipes in your future as you follow me here on my journey!

Of course you better believe the first thing I did after tasting a2 Milk® was grab a nice thick straw and blow bubbles to my heart's content. a2 Milk® certainly does have me feeling like a kid again- I might even go make myself a tall glass of freshly stirred chocolate milk right now....It's after midnight and my favorite milk glass is calling me.... Now, tell me, do you tend to avoid milk due to minor post-dairy digestive discomfort? What's your favorite way to drink milk? Go ahead, tell me, did you ever enjoy blowing bubbles?

What Daughter Says: a2 Milk® isn't my mother's milk. You can't get it from just any cow (sorry, Daisy.) So some tears might just be shed if I discover my carton's empty.

Cookie Dough Stuffed Cookies (Egg Free Cookie Dough)

Click here for the printable Cookie Dough Stuffed Cookies recipe

Little Tikes RC Tire Twister- Ready To Hit The Road, No License Required

We received an RC Tire Twister from Little Tikes in hopes we would share our experiences here on the blog. Regardless all insight is genuine and all photos are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2016.

Momma Told Me: Driving takes a lot of responsibility!

I don't know about you but one of the first marks of adulthood I idolized was the car. I was a bit of a tomboy, sure most of my friends were young boys my age, but I think what really did it was those darn Hot Wheels action cars and their crazy yellow tracks you could link up infinitely. After all, Momma's white Windstar (minivan) wasn't exactly the most alluring example of a motorized vehicle- though it did have that red stripe down the side. Whatever it was, I had the urge to be in control and to go fast and remote controlled vehicles only made that thirst even more exciting. The funny thing is, those RC toys always seemed to frustrate me more than anything as I desperately worked on my cognition and dexterity skills to react fast and operate the dual joysticks.

The Little Tikes™ RC Tire Twister™ immediately caught my eye as a big kid at heart and was an instant crowd-pleaser at our Thursday play group. I was extremely skeptical that this remote controlled toy was age appropriate for 3 and up, as indicated on the packaging, but the over-sized tire track and easy to grip large racer seemed as if engineered for such an age bracket. Needless to say this was one 'little kids' toy even the older kids were waiting their turn in line to play with! And who wouldn't want to play with a dual sided race car that can ride inside a giant tire track doing flips OR hit the carpet for some off track navigation?

We let our 3 year-old experiment with this toy first- though she seemed a bit more overwhelmed than excited. The wheel was too much for her to handle- and even too heavy for her to lift up after topping, and too awkward to set up on her own. However the car, outside the wheel track was much more forgiving. It had a wide turn radius and, even though there were two control pad buttons to operate, she was fairly happy to watch it go forward or back, or in circles without a real plan of action. It's definitely a toy I could see her growing into.

Of course, if you have siblings around, this is a wonderful toy for everyone to play with. Lynnsey, our 5 year old was much quicker to train her brain to the dual pad button operation, but also had trouble with the tire turning too sharp and toppling. This is where I, as an adult, sort of wished there was some sort of rubberized coating on the giant wheel track- the sound of that plastic toppling over is fairly jarring, especially if that car comes popping out. In truth, it took the 7 and 8 year-olds to master the finer mechanics of balancing the speed and turns within the wheel. They were able to get the car to 'flip' inside the wheel generating a series of applause and cheers each time.

In the end the Little Tikes™ RC Tire Twister™ is probably going to get more use outside it's tire track than inside. The tire is a cook way to store and present the RC car, and neat for those old enough to manage the tricks but not quite something most toddlers can master intuitively on their own. I think this would be a great toy for a dad and son or daughter to bond over in the kindergarten range. Since it's Little Tikes™ it's also built really durable, to withstand a lot of play, and the battery life is extremely impressive for an RC toy of it's size.

Despite my slight disappointment with the difficulty level of the tricks and tire operation, the RC Tire Twister remains one of those toys the children wait all week to play with and a great tool for growing patience and dexterity. Of course, as far as RC toys go, it doesn't get much more entry level than a Little Tikes™ submission to the category. So, in conclusion this toy gets ample 'cool points' for being one of those head turning toys with great growing potentiality and should not be overlooked by any age bracket (we suggest 5-10.) Now, tell me, did you or your kids ever have an obsession with car toys as a child?

What Daughter Says: Race cars aren't all cool tricks and flashy wheels, the Little Tikes RC Tire Twister helps build dexterity and persistence through fun.

Creating Comfort At Home With Starbucks #HotCocoa #KCups + Hot Chocolate French Toast Recipe #IC

This post was sponsored by Starbucks^® as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received compensation and complimentary products to facilitate my review.#IC

Momma Told Me: Welcome home, get cozy.

The past two weeks have been hectic around here. We've 'endured' the indecisive Southern California Winter weather- 90F and 20MPH winds one moment, torrential rain and wind chill the next. I know, from a life growing up here, not to complain. My friends and family back East have much more to contend with. But what I wasn't expecting was to open up my kitchen sink cabinet 10 days ago to discover a leak had burst (who knows how long prior) and the entire cabinet was full of sitting moisture. I'll spare you the details but that portion of the house was off limits for an entire week. And me, without my kitchen to bake and cook in, was the worst of all. I felt like a fish out of water and my idle hands, once busy with baking sheets, mixers, and boiling pots, sought comfort elsewhere. The Starbucks^® Cozy Collection couldn't have arrived at a more opportune time.

Featuring Starbucks^®' new delicious Hot Cocoa K-Cup^® pods in Classic and Salted Caramel, the Cozy Collection is quite literally a box full of instant comfort. It was just the veritable 'hug' I needed when I was feeling so much like a stranger in my own home. All I need do was pop one of the K-Cup^® pods, full of classic Starbucks^® Hot Cocoa comfort flavor, into my Keurig^®, put my brand new Starbucks mug beneath, and hit brew. Thanks goodness my Keurig^® was not off limits! Included with the Cozy Collection was also a decadent plush blanket, Madyson's gourmet marshmallows, Walker's Shortbread, a $5 Starbucks^® Gift Card, and some Starbucks Hot Cocoa inspired recipes.

There is something about Hot Cocoa- it never mattered much the time of day or the weather outside, the cozy feelings of comfort and contentment always rush back with my first sip. When I was a young girl I used to order it as my 'drink' whenever we'd dine out. It could be pushing 100F outside, my family escaping indoors to air conditioning from theme park weather, and I'd still demand that warm drink of cozy chocolate. Of course, as an adult, my tastes have grown up a little. Now I sneak a Venti cup up my favorite Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate at the drive through on my way to the alley from Starbucks^®. And, if there happens to be a car behind me, I treat them too. That's what warm fuzzy, delicious, feelings tend to do.

So with the convenience of Starbucks^®' newest K-Cup^® pods in delicious Classic and Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa flavors I've been enjoying even more Cozy moments from the comfort of my own home. Because, let's face it, it doesn't get any more cozy then you're own personal space, with your own perfect cup of hot cocoa. Extra marshmallows, a dash of cinnamon, a hot fudge drizzle? I don't judge. That's the beauty of being your own barista with Starbucks^®' Hot Cocoa K-Cup^® pods and your Keurig^® brewer. Of course I DO have my own opinions about how to best get Cozy- and they involve homemade Honey-Vanilla Whipped Cream (you can make this in minutes folks, with just 3 ingredients) and the very best french toast you've ever had.

Of course my Hot Chocolate French Toast takes a *little* longer than the Honey-Vanilla Whipped Cream, but have no fear, you can enjoy a tall glass of Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa while you whip it up- nobody's watching, indulge a little. And, speaking of indulging- this french toast- it's a 'dessert' kind of recipe. And it's not for the faint of heart- chocolate lover's rejoice- finally the perfect companion to a cozy blanket, a mug of hot cocoa and a good book!

 The secret to this delicious recipe? Well, there are two, actually. The first is the homemade Ganache whipped up with coconut milk, semi sweet morsels, and a Starbucks^® Via Caramel Instant Latte packet. Just pour your favorite Starbucks Instant directly in for an immediate flavor boost that elevates this dish beyond traditional chocolate. The second secret is in how you brew your Starbucks Hot Cocoa K-Cup^® pods. If you happen to have a 2.0 Keurig^® Brewer, or newer, you can actually tell your unit to brew your Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa even stronger. So go ahead and select '4oz' and let all the flavor out as you make your egg bath for this french toast recipe.

Now, some may find that hot chocolate has no business without marshmallows- if you're a purest then go ahead and sandwich some mini marshmallows in between your bread slices just before you begin soaking them. They'll melt nice and ooey-gooey during the baking process. Comfort food should be a little messy, no? Of course, if you prefer to let the chocolate stand out on it's own, you can just go a little overboard with your 'spreading' of the Ganache and make these french toast wedges extra thick. It's your cozy, do what you want.

But, at the end of the day, or morning if you're a real rebel, when those french toast wedges come out of the frying pan and onto those plates I do hope your world goes silent if just for one moment so you can bask in the perfect pairing of chocolate, Starbucks, and comfort food. Go ahead and flop into your favorite chair in your plushest robe, kick your feet up, sip your hot cocoa with your pink up and let your fork take you another place and time. After all, we all deserve to get cozy now and then.

Starbucks® Hot Cocoa K-Cup® pods are available nationwide at major retailers and grocery stores. Visit their website to learn more about store locations, flavor selections, and even more delicious ways to enjoy Starbucks in your own Cozy moment at home. For a chance to win your own Cozy Collection from Starbucks please head on over to the Warm Up With Cocoa website to enter now through February 26th, 2016. Follow the brand in Instagram or Twitter to keep up with the latest innovations in flavor and  cozy. Now, tell me, what's your favorite way to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa?

What Daughter Says: However you take your cocoa, get cozy at home with new Starbucks® Hot Cocoa K-Cup® pods.

Hot Chocolate French Toast

Click here for printable Hot Chocolate French Toast recipe

Swiss Original Chocolat Frey Inspires Everyday Indulgence- $50 Giveaway

This is a Fashionista Event and a promotional item was provided to me by Chocolat Frey. Hosts for this event are Still Blonde after all these Years and ModlyChic.

Momma Told Me: A whole other category.

I'm not a chocolate snob. Much like someone who has an appreciation for fashionable shoes, a fine label makes a compliment but the design is what makes the initial impact. To be fair, up until a few years ago, I considered all chocolate to be equal. Sure I knew there were more bitter chocolates, and some even had nuts or fillings in them, but chocolate bright me such joy I never dared question if chocolate could get better. It was only after my first chocolate tasting (yes people sample chocolates just like wine, and it IS as amazing as it sounds) that I began to value the finer properties of my recreational confections.

You see, there's chocolate, and then there's Chocolat- Chocolate Frey®. Us Americans have been in the dark for years, deprived of this indulgent brand and it's 100% Swiss traditional chocolates. With over 100 years of experience leading the industry in Switzerland Chocolat Frey prides itself in curating premium bean to bar chocolate that is expertly crafted in the country itself. And, while Swiss chocolates might demand a premium and a raised pinky here state-side, Chocolat Frey is considered so popular, it's the standard of normal chocolate quality back at home. Which is why I am particularly excited to announce that you can now enjoy the very same quality confections at U.S. retailers, look for these great new products coming to a store near you!

Chocolat Frey comes in many forms from premium Crunch Nut bars to shareable Chocobloc breakable mini and full bars and even seasonal hollow Chocolat Frey bunnies. If you're looking to add a touch of refinement to your Spring celebration look no further than the Chocolat Frey Chocobloc individually wrapped mini bars in varieties such as White, Orange, Dark, and Milk. These are much more than Swiss chocolates in pretty shiny wrappers- The Chocobloc Milk has a deliciously tempting honey almond center for a satisfying crunch that elevates this melt-in-your mouth chocolate beyond expectations.

I'll be sharing these with luncheon guests nestled in the hands of playful sugar cookie bunnies- a treat for now, and a treat for later. You can easily make these sugar cookie cuties yourself with a standard cutout sugar cookie dough, a large sheet of parchment paper cut into 1"x 8" strips, some spare foil, and a bunny cookie cutter. If you can find a bunny cookie cutter with arms already built in, great, otherwise you can easily cut some into the standard bunny shape, as shown above.

Set your bunny cookie cut-outs on a parchment lined cookie sheet with a strip of parchment paper running horizontally behind the bunny's 'shoulders.' Prepare some foil into 1.5" loosely rolled strips about the general width and frame of your individual Chocolat Frey bars. Place the foil spacer in the middle of your raw bunny dough and gently criss-cross the paper, tucking it loosely behind the arms on either side. The general idea is to prop the arms up enough to bake into place to hold your bars for presentation.

If your idea of impressive entertaining is the 'wow' factor with minimal effort then you'll want to have an entire centerpiece of Chocolat Frey bunnies on hand. Available in 6oz and 1.9oz these hollow bunnies are made of premium Swiss milk chocolate and packaged in 1 of 3 gorgeously vibrant hard foil clam-shell packages. The names, Sunny, Funny, and Lucky accompany each color and make them even harder to bite into, being so adorable. So don't.

And yes, I realize I just may be a genius, I am suggesting you continue to elevate your celebration with a Chocolat Bunny Cordial. With a properly chilled hollow bunny you can easily saw off a clean corner to pour a brunch cocktail, or even chocolate milk, in. This is a serving method that is sure to impress, and who doesn't want to eat their cup when it's a smooth Swiss Chocolat Frey bunny? The very idea has me feeling like a kid again, and these aren't your grandmothers corner store Thumpers. Chocolat Frey holds up beautifully to cordial presentation- but you're welcome to serve them over a tray on ice if you wish.

Of course as indulgent as authentic Swiss chocolates sound, and as delicious as they are, Chocolat Frey wants their confections to bring joy all over the world. So you'll find them at an affordable price point when you happen across them in stores. Their beautiful packaging, full of rich Swiss heritage and pride, is bound to impress guests and recipients, so don't be stingy- share the Chocolat love. I paired a few of my favorite Chocolat Frey selections (Chocoblac Dark, Chocolat Frey Crunchy Nut Bar- Blonde, Chocolat Frey Bunnies and their Finest Assorted Pralines) with a plush rabbit and an adult coloring book for an instant gift basket I'm planning on brightening a neighbor's day with.

However you choose to enjoy your Chocolat Frey do so with the confidence that this chocolate connoisseur whole-heartedly (whole-gastrointestinally?) approves. It's clear these confections are a step above department store standards with their rich and flavorful Swiss traditional base and elevated nut companions. I especially enjoy how their chocolates begin to melt the second they hit my tongue for a textural experience that is truly satisfying. Learn more about the brand on the Chocolat Frey Facebook page and hop along below for more chances to try Chocolat Frey yourself! Now, tell me, have you ever tried authentic Swiss chocolates?

What Daughter Says: Elevate your chocolate experience with authentic Swiss Chocolat Frey.

I've teamed up with 24 other awesome bloggers and each of us are giving away our own $50 Chocolat Frey prize bundle- that's 25 chances to win delicious Swiss Chocolat Frey! The giveaway prize bundle includes; a $50 selection of Chocolat Frey candy including Frey Chocobloc Bars, Crunchy Nut Bars, Frey Bunnies. Substitutions possible. Enter by filling out the form below then hop along to the other blogs participating for more chances to win!

Chocolat Frey $50 Prize Bundle

An InLinkz Link-up

Easter Bunny Cordial

***Click here for printable Easter Bunny Cordial recipe