Gaming Is Better With M- Chocolate And Pixel Art #FueledByMM Contest

Momma Told Me: You're going to get chocolate all over that controller!

I love video games. If there is one thing I love more than video games, it's chocolate. When I can enjoy them both, together, it is truly a version of nirvana for me, I am in my element. And that's why gaming is better with M.

Not only have countless late night video game battles been waged and won, #FuelledByMM, but these candy coated chocolates hold memories as far back as my first Atari console. With dozens of flavors, and seasonal varieties, it's not hard to spot the party sized Ziplocs or the fun sized M&M pouches stashed by the gaming station in our home. Occasionally we'll throw a few in a bowl with some pretzels and Chex for a crunchy sweet and salty gaming mix that is always bragged about in online chat rooms. Yea, we're a gaming household, but we're also an M&M family, and that means every new release party, every console unboxing, and every midnight Just Dance-off is paired with a helping of our favorite rainbow chocolates.

I've shared before the sentimental tale of a toddler in pig-tails clutching her father's pant legs as she nods off to sleep, The Legend Of Zelda (1987) theme music looping as her lullaby in the background. It's no secret I grew up attached to consoles, and the painted stories of fantasy and role-playing captured within them. I even attended the Art Institute of Los Angeles, straight out of high school in hopes of becoming a famous female programmer. And, while it turns out making video games is a lot more match and science than this starry-eyed fan anticipated, I still hold a romantic candle to the notion today. If there wasn't the practical, type A, side of me constantly nagging at my sense of reason and responsibility, I would happily resign to my couch with a bowl of M&Ms and the latest console release.

So, when I heard my favorite candy coated chocolate was teaming up with the newest, Xbox One, console release in an exclusive Buy, Snap, Redeem promotion with Forza Motorsport 5, I was understandably excited. My very first Xbox console had been bundled with this state of the art, realistic, racing game that at the time has pushed physics boundaries with realistic damage rendering and over 230 playable cars. When it came to placing the player into the driver's seat, the Forza franchise had it all; and I can't wait to experience modern day graphics engines paired with the Xbox One and Forza franchise. That's why I'll be heading to my local Walmart to pick up my copy for Forza Motorsport 5, and 2 participating packages of M&M's to Buy, Snap, and Redeem for an instant $10 eCode good at Walmart.com. It's as easy as making the purchase, snapping a photo of your receipt by 12/31/2013, and texting the image to 811811 with the text code: M&M by 1/1/2014. Participating products and complete Buy, Snap, Redeem information can be found here.

But these two brands haven't stopped the Xbox One and Forza Motorsport 5 buzz there, they are also launching an incredible interactive sweepstakes where customers are encouraged to actually play with their food. That's right, let your geek flag fly with the Gaming With M Pixel Art Contest, where one lucky pixel artist will take home a new Xbox One console and Gaming Is Better With M prize pack featuring Forza Motorsport 5, or the cash equivalent to $600! How's that for a chance at a little extra holiday cheer? The sweepstakes will run from December 4, 2013 to December 18th, with the winner being drawn at random from all eligible entries. Pick your favorite video game character, icon, or logo, and turn them into M&M pixel art, then snap a photo and Instagram or Tweet your image with the hashtags #FueledByMM AND #Contest to get entered to win. Each person may enter up to 3 times during the entry period, to maximize their chances. Follow the #FueledByMM Pixel Art contest online to see all of the creative entries!

I was a little more than enthusiastic when I got wind of this exciting Gaming Is Better With M Pixel Art Contest, and quickly hurried to my local Walmart shelf to pick up some art supplies. Here there were many options for suitable mediums, from pretzel and holiday exclusive gingerbread, to minis and dark. I found the simplest to 'build' with were Original and Dark M&M's that could be found in holiday colors (Red and Green only) that would work well to give you many candies of the same color for larger pixel art creations. I also learned quickly that Dark M&M's, though my favorite, were not the best pick for Yellow candies to make my favorite character, Pikachu, featured above. For those looking to have some real fun, and go big with their pixel art creations, I suggest investing in the ziploc Party Size packages of Plain M&M's, which seemed to have the most uniform distribution of colors.

There aren't many candies you can actually play with and keep clean hands, after all M&M's melt in your mouth, not in your hand, right? That colorful candy coated shell is what has made these brand a natural companion for hungry gamers worldwide, since Atari. And, now you have more reason than ever to pick up a bag and play with M, as you relive your childhood video game favorites and enter to win an amazing Xbox One and Gaming With M bundle in the #FueledByMM Pixel Art Contest. Check out my stop motion video below for some sweet inspiration; can you name all of the video games represented?

What Daughter Says: I can snack into the wee hours of the morning, while fighting zombies, thanks to melt-free M&M's.

Can you name all of the video games represented in the video above?

Floating Eyeball Halloween Punch + #SpookyCelebration Snickers Lava Cake Dessert

Momma Told Me:  Leftover candy is my inspiration.

I've shared before how Momma could often tun into a Grinch around the holidays. When I was growing up she never quite cared for the large family gatherings, or the un-packing, followed by re-packing, of extravagant holiday decorations. It's fair to say, from age 10+ I spent the majority of my time decorating for these festivities with my father. But Momma didn't dislike the festivities of the holidays, simple the mess and work that came with them- Nowhere was this more evident than in our family's kitchen, where Momma would spent many afternoons coming up with creative themed lunches and special seasonal desserts to tickle my taste buds. In addition to Halloween baking events (roasted pumpkin seeds, fresh pumpkin spice bread), we'd often make our own caramel popcorn balls for dessert during October and November.

Halloween baking traditions such as those really helped me connect to my mother on a level just as important as quality time spent putting decorations up with my dad. Momma was notorious for making food fun; my friends would always flock around my lunches at school, or swing by after dinner to see what was in store. And every October there's be a slew of white chocolate drizzled 'mummy' pretzels, hand dipped caramel apples rolled in freshly chopped candy bars, and string cheese vampire fingers with slivered almond nails. But, for me, one of the most magical Halloween celebration traditions was after the holiday itself. After Pop had confiscated all the 'dangerous' candy (Peanut M&Ms, Snickers, and Twix), Momma would turn a thoughtful eye to the remaining pile of leftover candy.

Sure enough, I'd come home that week to find a pile of wrappers on the kitchen counter, and Momma hard at work carefully carving candy and dicing up chocolate bars to create new recipes and ghoulish treats. As a child, I often wished we could have a giant Halloween party to show off all of her creepy creations, but, alas, Momma was not one for big celebrations, or the clean-up that follows. Now, as the head of my own household, I am constantly inspired by Momma's tenacity in the kitchen and her eye for devilishly creative dishes. So, this year I hit my 'test kitchen' (which is just a fancy term for my kitchen) and decided to whip up some ghoulish delights for a #SpookyCelebration of my own. After all, a great celebration can be with hundreds, or simply family and friends- it's the perfect atmosphere and snacks that really makes a gathering a hit.

When Halloween candy began hitting the shelves this year I knew it was time to make a trip to Walmart; where there is usually an entire aisle of seasonal candy and treats to help set the table for any holiday festivity. So, I broke the rules and picked up a 55PC of  Mars brand mixed miniatures exclusively for baking, and a 230PC miniature mix for our Halloween candy cauldron. By the time I got home I already had a half dozen concepts running through my head for our Hallow's Eve celebration, but wanted to do a dry run of a few concepts before the big night. I'd never made a molten lava cake at home before, so I was especially anxious to give my Snickers Molten Lava Cake with Hawaiian Punch Puree drizzle a try.

The Snickers Molten Cakes were a huge success; so much so that I only got to sample my first cake (which had caved in from being removed a minute too early). The day before I'd taken some melting chocolates, Peanut MMs, and Twix miniatures and molded some ghoulish chocolate toppers with a seasonal chocolate mold I'd picked up for less than a dollar at the local craft supply store. Layering the color for the outer chocolate design, then placing some of the leftover Mars candy int he center, I molded some deliciously rich treats that topped my Molten cakes wonderfully.

Naturally, a Hwlloween celebration wouldn't be the same without a cauldron full of spine-tingling punch. Growing up we'd always enjoyed our party punch with a splash of lemon/lime soda; so the decision to add 1/3 7UP to the brew was an easy one, but how to make it really stand out? The answer, of course, was with home-molded floating eyeballs. The process is actually much simpler than you think. While a small round bottom bowl will work, I choose some silicone ice ball molds to layer my creepy creations. Using a slice of kiwi, with a slit cut in the center, place the fruit in the center of your mold. Place a black accent in the center where the kiwi is slit (remember that any dyed candy may bleed when the water is poured in, I suggest an olive half or blackberry). Next, take chunk pineapple (from the can is okay) and lay them in a circle around the kiwi slice to create your iris. Last, use licorice strands between the pineapple chunks to create creepy 'veins' floating in the punch. lay leftover length over the edge of your mold, carefully fill with water, and freeze.

In the end, I was absolutely smitten with how easy it was to create a wicked #SpookyCelebration table with minimal effort and some help from Mars miniatures and Hawaiian Punch with 7UP. My molten lava cakes oozed a red goo as the Hawaiian punch puree melted down into the center cavity; the slices of snickers with peanuts looking more like skeleton teeth, and the molded chocolate toppers were a big hit with little skill required. And my specially molded floating eyeballs added a new twist to classic party punch, which will really come to life when some dry ice is placed below the punch bowl in our table cauldron. Not only did my creations come out Pinterest worthy, but I'm sure I'll be the coolest mom on the block this year! Check out Coupons.com for an exclusive money saving printable coupon for MARS branded candies in fun size bags 7-11.5oz.

What Daughter Says: Whether you're planning a big Halloween bash, or simply entertaining the little ghouls with leftover candy, try these inspired recipes that are sure to bring a good howl.