After School Good Milk Gone: Grilled Peanut Butter And Jelly

This post was sponsored by a2 Milk® as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

Momma Told Me: Some things just go  together like peanut butter and jelly.

I have a confession- As a young girl I absolutely despised the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Almost every school day Momma would pack me a sack lunch and I'd open up my pail to see a messy ziploc, with sharpie notes scribbled along the side from my father, and a smashed peanut butter sandwich inside. I didn't care if it looked a horrid mess. In fact I'd even smash it further until it almost resembled something a steamroller had gone over, then roll it up and eat it like a burrito. Yup, I was one of those kids. But the only thing crying out for a nice tall, cold, glass of milk more than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a peanut butter (only) sandwich. I couldn't guzzle my juice box fast enough, and it simply wasn't the same. There is no substitute for milk.

I know, I know- soy this and coconut that. As the better half of a lactose intolerant individual we keep plenty of milk alternatives in our home, and I use them often- but what about me? You may recall that I have self diagnosed post dairy digestive discomfort that is not attributed to lactose, but can put a little bit of a damper on my milk love, just the same. A few months ago I discovered a2 Milk®, milk
sourced from specially selected cows proven to produce milk missing the troublesome A1 protein, often associated with post dairy digestive discomfort. This milk only comes from specially sourced cows in the U.S.A. It tastes exactly like 'regular' cows milk, and is available in varieties such as whole, and 2% reduced fat, and is found next to the specialty milks and milk alternatives in your local dairy case.

a2 Milk® is not only a great option for me, but a wonderful after school snack pairing for the upcoming back to school season. a2 Milk® contains approximately 6x the amount of calcium as soy beverages, approximately 8x the protein of almond beverages and approximately 6x the potassium levels of rice beverages. 
Obviously nutrition is just as important as being delicious and convenient, when considering after school snacks. As someone who often cares for multiple children after school, whether my nieces and nephews, or at the daycare, a2 Milk® is a great option to fuel kids. I love that it tastes just like real milk, because it is real milk, while offering the traditional nutritional benefits of milk.

Not entirely convinced you want to give up your milk alternatives? Some things, like my Grilled PB&J simply aren't the same with a glass of almond milk- this delicious warm, gooey, slightly crisp after school snack can only be paired with a tall glass of delicious white thunder. I might have spent several school yard lunch breaks dreaming of downing my peanut butter sandwich but a2 Milk® has finally made up for all those years at last!

Now, I know you're not sitting there telling me, "Jenna, I've never had a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich," because that would be a horrible revelation. It doesn't matter whether you're a grape jelly, or strawberry jelly kinda person, heck- even a few banana slices will work! Simply heat up a skillet with a little bit of butter and slather some peanut butter all over the thickest bread you can find and grill. When the edges of those slices start to brown and you hear the sizzle of the filling gurgling down the side you know you're on track to the best after school snack ever. Just don't forget the milk!

I'll admit, the school year isn't quite hear yet, and I've already get myself hooked on this after school comfort routine. Some things just make you feel completely content inside, and this pairing is comfort food at it's best! I've been enjoying a2 Milk® without any post dairy digestive troubles for the past several months and I quite like being reunited with my long lost friend. If you and milk have parted ways keep an eye out for a2 Milk® in the dairy case near you, and be sure to stock up before back to school time!

What Daughter Says: For my 'famous' grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, real milk is the only pairing!

Blog POP! Spring Fling- OREO Robin's Egg Nest Recipe + $75 Amazon GC Giveaway

Momma Told Me: Spring has sprung.

Spring arrived here in Southern California a month ago- right about the time the pollen began coating my car top in a thick yellow-green haze, and the temperatures broke 90F. With it being Easter weekend, the kids are all out on break, and the roads and stores are quite abuzz with the excitement of reconnecting and relaxing. Everywhere I go I am asked, "Big plans for this weekend?" Living on the beach, and in such a pristine climate, it's expected Southern Californians celebrate big. However, this year my father's visiting his family on the East Coast, and my nieces and nephews are up in Oregon. With Jay working (most likely a 12 hour shift) this is going to be one relaxing holiday.

Big Easter plans, or not, one of my favorite things about Spring is the chance to play with colorful ingredients and playful recipes. When I first made OREO truffles, a few years back for the holidays, I knew the recipe was simple and versatile enough to be applied to more creative seasonal creations. I've seen baseballs, pumpkins, shortcake stuffed, birthday cake, Easter bunny OREO Truffles, and more! But what I really wanted to try was a new twist on the classic (Chow Mein) Peanut Butter Nests. So I present to you- OREO Robin's Egg Nests!

OREO Robin's Egg Nests

****Click here for the printable OREO Robin's Egg Nests recipe

Ingredients:

8oz Softened Cream Cheese

1 Package of OREO Cookies (I used mint for the theme)

1 Bag (8oz) Wilton Chocolate Melts, White

1 Bag (8oz) Wilton Chocolate Melts, Blue

1 TBS Coconut Oil

12oz White Chocolate Chips

1/4 C Peanut Butter (Creamy or Stone Ground)

2 Cans (10oz) Chow Mein Noodles

1 TBS Coconut Oil 

1/2 C Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1/4 TBS Coconut Oil

Toothbrush + Paper Towel for Speckling

1. Prepare your OREO Truffle (egg) base by first pulverizing your OREO cookies until you have 3 C finely ground crumbs. Combine your softened cream cheese and OREO crumbs together in a large bowl, until even and well combined. Shape into 1" oblong balls and set on a lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the remainder of the recipe.

2. Microwave white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl on Medium-High heat for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir thoroughly. Add coconut oil and microwave and additional 15-20 seconds. Remove and stir until mixture is even. Add peanut butter and combine until well blended.

3. Add Chow Mein noodles to chocolate mixture and toss until evenly coated. Drop in generous clumps (about 2 TBS) onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Create a little nook in the center of each clump to serve as the center of your nest. Place the tray into the refrigerator for 15 minutes, or freezer for 5 to help set.

4. Melt Wilton melts according to package directions, beginning with white and adding a few pieces of blue until desired color is achieved. Add coconut oil and stir until slightly thinner. Drop chilled eggs into chocolate mixture one at a time, on a dipper or fork. Allow excess chocolate to drain momentarily to evenly coat the egg. Place each egg on a slatted cookie rack with parchment paper below and allow them to set. If desired, place dipped eggs in the freezer for 5-10 MINS to aid in setting.

5. Microwave semi-sweet chocolate chips for 1 MIN at Medium-High heat. Remove and stir in coconut oil until smooth and even. Dip the head of the toothbrush in the chocolate and tip the neck of the brush gently on the side of the bowl to remove any clumps of chocolate. With the head just lightly coated in chocolate roughly flick the brush over the OREO egg truffles, in a quick downward motion to spray them with a light speckling of chocolate. If you have any areas where chocolate clumps or falls heavy, gently daub the speckles with a dry paper towel. Allow to set, and enjoy!

If you're not big into peanut butter you can substitute the peanut butter for butterscotch morsels- but the texture of your nests will be less creamy. Mint isn't exactly the ideal pairing for a peanut butter base, but I thought the Mint OREO truffles fit the Robin's Egg theme well- and not everybody will eat this treat all at once. Regardless, they sure look adorable on a Spring brunch table setting!

What Daughter Says: Easter Sunday signals the confirmed arrival of Spring!

As a part of Blog POP! Spring Fling we're offering one lucky reader (International entries welcome) a $75 Amazon gift card! Enter below then hop along to the other great giveaways on the LINKY!

Vegan Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cups Recipe

Momma Told Me: Lighten Up A Little.

When I was a young girl it seemed like I could eat anything my heart desired without consequence. Momma wasn't one to indulge me, but she knew Pop was always more than willing for an excuse to get on his daughter's good side. Since he worked 5 days a week, and often late hours, the amount of time we spent together was precious, and he was happy to play the role of the 'nice parent.' Tic-Tac-Toe with Hershey's Kisses, ice cream sundaes the size of my head and candy bars dipped in peanut butter. When Monday's would role back around I'd always whine and complain as Momma sent me to bed without dessert, or forced me to eat my vegetables. "Little girls are sweet enough without all the extra sugar," she'd say.

As an adult I'm the master of my own domain- I can eat what I want, or don't eat what I don't want, whenever I choose. Alas, I don't have the metabolism of a young girl, and the feelings of excitement over sweets and treats are quickly replaced with those of guilt. While we're not committing to any major lifestyle changes, in the dietary department, quite yet, I do enjoy the exploration and challenges of cooking for our friends who have. Earlier in the year a league-mate went Paleo for 30 days and I was fascinated to learn about that.

Over the past year a close friend of ours has become quite the flag waving vegan. What started as a foray into vegetarianism is now a very passionate lifestyle belief. I am constantly moved to learn of his stories about food preparation, the connection to meat eaters and the drought, or the in humane practices of beekeeping. Naturally, like any lifestyle, there are many opinions and views to be seen; for the most part I applaud his decision to remain obedient to the Vegan way of life.

All this being said I was intrigued to hear that one of America's beloved junk food, cookies, makes the cut as Vegan acceptable- Oreos. In fact, there are several wonderful substitute ingredients in Vegan sweets that I rather enjoy- but a life without cheesecake? Well, I don't think I could envision committing to that. So, on the back of our Vegan Paleo Mock Snickers Bar post I set out to experiment with a Vegan approved cheesecake recipe. Using coconut milk as me 'dairy' substitute the result was quite remarkable- in fact, not a single person who tried this blindly second questioned that these were, in fact 'cheesecake.'

Perhaps the biggest drawback to following any major dietary lifestyle is that, the richer the ingredients, to more expensive the cost. Other than the meticulous hunt for Vegan peanut butter cups, this recipe was fairly affordable and yielded a good portion of servings. Even better they can, and should, be stored in the freezer for an extended life- so go ahead and make them ahead in batches!

While I'm not going to convert to a Vegan way of eating and living anytime soon, sorry I love my bacon too much, I do appreciate the cleaner eating and footprint of recipes like these. Try this Vegan Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cup recipe at home and see if you can fool your friends and family with this dairy free 'cheesecake'! Do you have a friend or family member with dietary restrictions? Whats a dish you've discovered, as a result, that you love?

What Daughter Says: Eating cleaner doesn't have to mean eating any less sweeter.

Vegan Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cups

How To Make Any Snack Perfect With New Reese's Spreads + Giveaway

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

Momma Told Me: Spread some flavor on!

I never considered myself a picky eater. I figure I was a fairly normal child- I would eat my fruits and veggies with a little coaxing, but I'd reach for anything sweet long before any alternatives would take precedence. Momma had little time to entertain my needs for snack time coercion and often plopped a jar of whatever spread we had on hand, and a butter knife in front of me. From there on out there was nothing I wouldn't attempt to spread- you could say it was my personal mission to find every flavor and spread combination, really. So, it will come as no surprise that I squealed like a little girl when I discovered the below display on a recent trip to my local Walmart.

Be still my beating heart- A Reese's Spread inspired by the flavors of the beloved Reese's Cup candy. You could say that the flavors of chocolate and peanut butter are forever BFFs on my pairing list; so this was a no brainier, Currently available in peanut butter chocolate for under $4 a jar this one of a kind spread from the Hershey's brand promises to create all knew, spreadable, memories as I pair my new best friend with everything in sight. Because the brand name 'Reese's' is synonymous with all things awesome in my vocabulary (it's right up there with unicorns and world peace in my book, peeps,) I grabbed several of these jars of sunshine. I fully intend to use whatever jars survive the upcoming weeks as stocking stuffers for family and friends.

It was love at first spread- From the moment my knife sunk into that jar I knew I had at last discovered the secret to make #AnySnackPerfect. Much to my delight the spread, itself, was light and fluffy (not sticky at all) yet had a slightly gritty styling that was reminiscent of Reese's Cups filling. The chocolate played perfectly with the flavor of peanut butter, neither overwhelming the other, and it was far from overly sweet. I truly had unlocked the missing component to my spreading endeavors; fruit, crackers, sandwiches, the possibilities were endless and there was nothing edible I wouldn't try! Just think how delighted guests would be if there was a platter of fresh Fall harvest apples carefully decorated with Reese's Spreads at your next holiday gathering!

In my spreading endeavor to make #AnySnackPerfect I sampled the new Reese's Spreads on frozen banana slices, applies, pretzels, graham crackers, sourdough bread cubes (delicious and a great appetizer!) and much more. Perhaps the most fun was discovering how the fun texture of the spread played with the texture of the paired item. A debate broke out in our home more than once, over what was the true 'perfect pairing,' but we always agreed, the spread made any snack perfect. And just as Jay turned back towards the cupboards with a knife in one hand, and a Reese's Spreads jar in the other, a bolt of lightening hit me. Why not use the Reese's Spreads to flavor a 3 ingredient pudding base for instant Reese's Spreads Pudding!

Pudding isn't something we indulge in often, as store bought brands can be riddled with many unsavory ingredients; but Fall is one time when I find myself craving this comfort food. As it turns out, you can effectively fool just about the staunchest pudding critic with a mock pudding made from Avocados, Bananas, and the Milk Substitute of your choice. In this case, Cashew milk added the perfect nutty undertones of our creamy Reese's Spreads pudding. I would share a step by step on this recipe, but it's about as easy as it sounds folks- add all ingredients in a blender and blend!

A small amount of Reese's Spreads goes a long way in this pudding recipe- less than 2 TBSP of spread is used per serving, so you can feel especially proud of yourself when spooning out this Reese's Spreads Pudding. Not only is it high in potassium and protein, but the texture of this pudding is smooth and indulgent. You can store this recipe in the fridge for over a week, but I seriously doubt it will last! One blender produced 5 servings, and one mysteriously went missing during the 'jarring' process!

When I picked up my jars of all new Reese's Spreads I was clearly not the only fan of spreadable flavor; be sure to head on into your local Walmart soon to grab a few before the holidays. Whether you're spreading a platter as the hostess with the mostess, or whipping up some of this delicious Reese's Spreads Pudding for the dessert bar, you won't want to be caught without a jar! Grab the uber simple recipe at the bottom of the post, and be sure to enter the giveaway to win a jar or two of your own! Looking for more Reese's Spreads inspiration? Follow the hashtag #AnySnackPerfect to see what my fellow bloggers are spreading in the kitchen, and stay up to date with the brand on Facebook for more exciting product launches and pairing ideas!

What would you pair with Reese's Spreads first?

What Daughter Says: You won't have any trouble making snack time delicious with a jar of new Reese's Spreads by your side!

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Reese's Spreads (Avocado Banana) Pudding

**Click here for printable Reese's Spreads Pudding recipe