Potato Chip Brownie Recipe: #1/5 Potato Chip Cooking Series

Momma Told Me: Why not Sugar and Spice?

Chubby Hubby, Chicken and Waffles, Hawaiian Pizza, Chocolate Dipped Pretzels, Maple Bacon, and Freshly Dunked French Fries in a Frozen Chocolate Shake. What did these food combinations do for you? I ask, because, much like the children of our youth, adults have a surprisingly guttural reaction to that which sounds abnormal. How many times have you heard of a pregnant woman craving the strangest combinations, such as pickles and ice cream? How often do you hear of those same women learning to crave those items long after their pregnancy? It's a simple fact that our 'adult' culinary minds are often closed off initially to what is not considered mainstream. This is why I love cooking and baking in the privacy of my own home; I can experiment without stigma. And believe me, not everything I crank out of my kitchen has been a whopping success- there was the time I thought I could deep fry tortillas into ice cream cones, can you say M-E-S-S? But there is something time proved I can always count on. Salty does go well with sweet, it is simply a matter of deciding which flavor note should overpower the other.

As you likely already know, I love to create unusual sweets, and time saving meals that are easy on the chef and well rounded for the family. Sometimes I like to deviate from what is considered 'proper,' and experiment with ingredients that are less than 'healthy.' Don't get me wrong, there are all types of potato chips, and I'll be happy to wrap this series with a homemade, baked, recipe- but, today, we will begin this series of Potato Chip Recipes with something purely frivolous. Chocolate chips? It's already been done; I have a bag full of tiny black semi-sweet morsels in my pantry. Oh, you mean chocolate AND chips- well, I've actually had chocolate dipped potato chips on several occasions and the combination is surprisingly tasty. In fact, when I made my 'BLT' birthday cake, for my father a few years back, I hand dipped Ruffles Ridges chips in yellow dyed white chocolate, and it was easily one of the tastiest sweets I've had since. I actually champion white chocolate (I know, not 'real' chocolate), for dipping chips, as the extra sweetness really balances out the salt on thicker ruffled chips.

But I digress. There I was the other week, staring at a disappointing bag of Chicken and Waffles Lay's, when it hit me; I could create something much tastier, and far more intriguing. So I set out to present my wonderful readers with a series of 5 potato chip themed recipes spanning desserts, appetizers, and snacks. Welcome to post 1: Double Chocolate Potato Chip Brownies, you're welcome World! Of course, there will be some skeptics. The truth is, you could just as easily crumble some chips on a boxed brownie mix, prior to sending it to the oven. But 'potato chip brownies' just don't seem as 'cool' unless they're homemade; and this recipe will offer a richer, cocoa flavor, that will highlight the salty notes within the crunchy shards. Yes, I know 'shards' don't sound appetizing, but that's one downfall of baking chips, extra salty crunch (just remember how you used to fight to eat Cap'n Crunch, as it scoured the top of your mouth). And, of course, you can control the crunch factor by altering the size of the chip crumbs you sprinkle, smaller crumbs will be easier to integrate, while larger chunks will have a more dramatic appearance and offer a bolder sweet to salt flavor.

So how did my glorious golden shard (I'm sticking with shard) brownies turn out? This was my first time baking from scratch with melted chips and cocoa in the recipe. The result was a much gooier brownie the first run. I put the second batch in for an extra 10 minutes and they cooked to a 'springy' texture that was still quite dense, but a bit fluffier. I think it's purely preference how long you cook them past the initial 30 minutes. I rather like the gooey first batch, which was perfect for a scoop of ice cream a-la-mode. I also drizzled a little extra melted chocolate over the chips after removing them from the oven, this helps hold them in place and add that extra 'wedged' sweet and salty experience. Just remember, chips do go stale, and they will get soft of chewy if left out exposed to humidity and air, so keep them well sealed when not being devoured!

What Daughter Says: Have your cake, and eat your chips too, with this sweet and salty recipe that's sure to have guests turning heads.

Chicken + Waffles Chips, Recipe Coming Soon!

Momma Told Me: Finger licking good!

It will come as no surprise that the woman who covered Candy Corn Oreos, and Carrot Cake M&M's is dredging up the recent Lay's 'Do Us a Flavor' collection. In fact, I've heard some of my readers have actually been wondering when these fan submitted potato chip flavors would show up here on Momma Told Me. The truth is, I've had all 3 of these whimsical salty snacks (Sriracha, Chicken and Waffles, and Cheesy Garlic Bread) on hand for months. I had made it a personal mission to hunt them down when they first hit shelves back in April, but supplies were so scarce locally I held onto my bags for months, waiting for the right social occasions to pull out these culinary talking points. For those unaware, the chips that have taken over social media the past several months were fan suggested flavors; the result of a Lay's nationwide quest for the next big chip flavor. As it turns out, Cheesy Garlic Bread received the most consumer votes, and will make it's way into permanent production. Personally, this was the dullest of the 3 flavors for me- but I also noticed the flavor expression was lacking in all 3.

I'll admit, I've only eaten 'Chicken and Waffles,' together, twice before. However, I love the thought of syrup smothered waffles, with their playful little pockets of mounding syrup, and I don't turn down a properly battered piece of fried chicken; so reasoning stands I would love them together. Unfortunately for Lay's, it seems they downplayed the flavor notes in all 3 of their Do Us A Flavor creations. My initial Chicken and Waffles Lay's experience was a bit of a let down. The chips had the classic, light, crisp of a Lay's Original chip, but the flavor was not as intense as I would have liked. I expected more flavor (chicken grease?) , more sweet and spice. Perhaps a stronger maple flavor with a hint of cinnamon and pepper to create the classic pairing on my palette. The bag, itself, smelled delectable, but the little potato wafers failed to live up to the mouth-watering graphics on the bag.

So what is to become of Chicken and Waffles potato chips? Well, was we've discussed before, curious flavor combinations such as this are quite popular overseas, and brands such as Dortitos have been producing snack time oddities such as this for sale in Asia for years. As shocking as it may sound, the average American consumer palette is actually quite tame; even with the snack cakes and gallons of fizzy soda. While Chicken and Waffles chips did not make the cut here in the US, you can rest assured they will ride the wave overseas where curious foreigners will have a laugh at our country's expense. Because, after all, these three flavors are what America chose, and surely must represent our country's delicacy preferences, right? Oh, Lay's, this was a bit of a disappointment- don't promise golden, syrupy, chicken goodness and put out a bland piece of crisped potato. If you're going to be bold, be bold!

So, for those keeping count, on the Chicken and Waffles product battles that's Torani Chicken and Waffles Syrup: 1, Lays Chicken and Waffles Potato Chips: 0. If you're a fan of this Southern dish, do yourself a flavor, pun intended, and pick of a bottle of the Torani syrup instead. Then, stay tuned for a special Chicken and Waffles inspired recipe on our site. Perhaps all hope for these chips is not lost after all.

Did you try any of the Lay's Do Us A Flavor chips? What did you think?

What Daughter Says: It's foodie faux-pas like this that inspire me to get into the kitchen and whip up something truly exciting.

My Summer Secret: Adorable Hawaiian Ice Style #IceCreamFloat

***I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and their client. #IceCreamFloat #cbias #SocialFabric All images and photos are original content copyrighted to Momma Told Me Blog, 2013.

Momma Told Me: A spoonful of sugar....does more harm than good!

Summer is finally here; and, along with it, the wonderful staples of childhood. Wet grass between bare toes as a water balloon splashes, lazy afternoons in pajamas, and my personal favorite, the #IceCreamFloat. When I was a kid there seemed to be no limit to the sugar on hand. While Momma was much more conservative with the sugary snacks, I knew I could always count on Pop to bend her rules just a little. On weekend night we'd sit cross legged in front of the TV playing Chocolate (Kiss) Checkers and sipping on Chocolate Cream Soda. This was essentially our family's version of the classic Root Beer Float, with a freshly popped can of A&W, a generous scoop of melting Vanilla Bean Dreyer's, and a few squirts of Chocolate Syrup (Pop's twist). A&W was the only soda I was allowed to drink before bedtime, as it was caffeine free; but it was also packed with plenty of late-night-TV-watching sugar!

Most of my readers know I moved out shortly after I graduated high school, on the edge of 17. For the most part I was a beautiful young woman who ate whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. I'm not ashamed to say I went many years eating all the candy, cake, and cookies I desired; and drinking plenty of soda pop as well. Unfortunately for me, as time began to catch up with me, I quickly learned the metabolism of a 19 year old with school, a part time and full time job, is not that of a married 24 year-old stay at home wife. It's not that I worked less once I got married and stayed at home; it's simply that I was running around, and off my feet, a considerable bit more. I also found more time on my hands to do things like snack and sip soda pop- which was no match for my slowing metabolism. Last year, heading into 27, I hit my plateau of weight at 258lbs, and ran straight into an alarming wall when my physician flagged me as pre-diabetic. How had I gained nearly 80lbs in just 9 short years?

Today, 7 months later, and so very close to 50lbs lighter, I am constantly stopped and asked how I've lost so much weight. I feel a little ashamed sometimes to admit the journey has not been as quite as harrowing as most weight loss tales. However, I have become quite the champion for my 'method,' which was never really intended to drop so much weight; it was intended to lower my blood sugar. I went from drinking 1-2 sodas a day, and 1-2 sports drinks a day to drinking water with a diet soda every other day (or less). That's right, I cut the sugar out of my beverages. In all honesty, I'd never stopped to actually consider the amount of sugar, and calories, I was consuming via liquid in a single day. My 'usual' beverage intake was adding an average of 470-890 calories a day (and who wouldn't gain weight like that?) This, combined with my nightly candy bars and afternoon sweets nearly hit my daily 2000 calorie diet on it's own.

The realization was overwhelming, and no convincing was necessary to make the swap from cola to water. It's hard to cut the bubbly out of one's life, especially when one was practically raised with it in their diet. I'm still 30lbs short of my 'target weight to height' goal, but I've found I can work some indulgences back into my regimen; and just in time for Summer. Now that I have extra energy from eating better, and dropping weight, I plan on our family sharing even more memories outside this season. I'm fairly picky about 'diet' soda and the traditional 'diet' taste, so I've been a big fan of the new A&W TEN root beer soda. Not only does a single 12oz serving have a mere 10 calories, but this root beer is packed with all the sweet, malty, foamy, flavor of a 'regular' root beer, without the extra calories.

On a recent trip to Walmart I had a chance to stock up on all the necessary backyard Summer staples, like water balloons, squirt guns, premium burger patties, A&W TEN, and plenty of Dreyer's Slow Churned Ice Cream. With their low price guarantee and fully stocked freezers I was able to pick out a Dreyers Slow Churned flavor for everyone. I knew I wanted to make a special Summer #IceCreamFloat for Sabrina (10), so I was sure to pick up Vanilla Bean Slow Churned, but I also was tickled to find several flavors of No Sugar Added on hand for my own late night cravings. With the temperatures already in the mid to high 80s, daily, here in Southern California, we wasted no time to break out of favorite float glasses and make some Hawaiian Ice Style Floats.

 Starting with some cubed ice in the blender/food processor, we whipped up some 'Hawaiian Ice', then added Coconut Milk and Vanilla Extract to help turn the ice into a creamy snow. Measurements will vary, depending on how many floats you are making; I usually will keep the ratio: 2C Shaved Ice, 1 TBS Vanilla Extract, 1/2C Coconut Milk. Next, I spread a generous portion of ice mixture on the bottom of the glass, about 2-3 inches high. I then create a small 'crater' in the middle of the ice to deposit 1-2 large scoops of Dreyer's Slow Churned Ice Cream. Then I add about half a 12oz A&W TEN, until the bubbles began to peek over the top of the ice cream. Lastly, I garnish with graham cracker 'sand' (processed in the blender to a fine powder), and topped with some home molded Chocolate Turtles.

Not only is our A&W TEN Hawaiian Ice Style #IceCreamFloat adorable to look at with it's beach inspired theme, but averages 10-20 calories less than a single 12oz can of A&W Cream Soda! That's all the indulgence of a Summer treat staple, with less calories than an average can of soda pop. You may notice we have two different shades of 'turtles,' that's because I had to make these twice this week, due to such a high demand. The children here cannot get enough of them, and it couldn't be simpler to provide a guilt free classic indulgence for the whole family. I know I'm a 'diet soda skeptic,' and I've tried many diet sodas in the past year, but A&W TEN paired with Dreyer's Slow Churned certainly fools my taste buds. Both A&W TEN and Dreyer's Slow Churned are sold in individual serving sizes great for family float nights, or impromptu backyard picnics. See more of our family water-fun and float day, and all of the yummy Summer fizzy and frozen treats in our Summer Refreshments Google+ album.

What Daughter Says: Indulge in all things Summer sweet, without the guilt. Cut calories with A&W TEN, and keep the flavor.

Less Words Wednesday: Of Monsters + Babes #MonstersU

Of Monsters and Babes:

Not to flash forward the story, or to pander to Disney advertising, but this has been one Monsters (University) filled week. Sabrina (10) has been counting down to this film since, perhaps, birth. For the past year every screening we have attended has been chump change, only second to the eventual question, "When's the new Monsters movie coming out?" Thanks to brilliant marketing on Pixar's part, which begins releasing 'hype' clips as soon as the first CG snippet is off the cutting room floor (years in advance of it's actual release). But I digress, today is Less Words Wednesday, so let's briefly sum up this week.

This is Sabrina's (10) last week of school for this year. Her fourth grade class has been practicing a musical 'play' called California Missions and More, which we have been subject to listening to for the past 2 weeks (and adored every minute, of course). Their class was set to have 2 daily performances at 8:30, and 9:30 AM, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. As it turns out, I was the only of Sabrina's family to make it yesterday and sat through what has become the only double viewing now scheduled this week. The play was quite campy, and there were certainly some kids who craved the spotlight more than others. I was just glad I could make Sabrina smile as she fought not to fall asleep between the lines of her classmates.

As lunch was just around the corner by the time the second show wrapped I gave into please for McDonalds (none of my family ever brought me lunch when I was in school), and came back to spend lunchtime with Sabrina. When I had asked what she wanted she inquired if there was a chain with Monsters University toys. After scouring the internet I realized there wasn't,quite yet, and Subway was the closest with a knapsack branded meal carrier. I did, however, think to sneak into our local Walgreens (which happened to be the one in our area with the least amount of Monsters U merchandise), and score 2 dog toys of Sulley and Mike to sneak in our Happy Meals.

The 'dog toys' actually got fought over, and were an extra big hit for their squeakers (kids, right?) Lunchtime with 10/11 year-olds is certainly an interesting experience. No sooner had my bum hit the bench to eat than a precocious 11 year old trounced up to me, "Excuse me. I just wanted to let you know Chicken Nuggets are made from pink goo. My sister learned it in High School." I'm not sure if she was implicating I was younger than, or equal in age to her sister, and assert her sister's intellect, but it was ironic in contrast to the barrage of "Are you Sabrina's mother?" questions I received. I know there's some confusion here on the blog at times, so I'll clarify again, for those who are curious; I'm Sabrina's Aunt :)

After school, which it felt as though I had spent the entire day at (when you consider I have to be there 30 minutes before last bell just to get a parking space), we headed to the party store for face paint. Though it was in the mid-80s, we all painted our faces to look like Sulley (who as it turns out is kind of a meanie in the new film, and has apparently now lost his status as 'favorite' monster, but more on that in my review). Then we piled in Jay's Cutlass and I promptly snapped the photo above. Oh to be a kid and have the luxury of napping- us adults were too busy trying to navigate Los Angeles traffic!

When we got home, a tad past 'bedtime' Sabrina was still re-energized and bouncing off the wall. Perhaps that was due to the 'dinner' of popcorn and candy at the theater (I know, I'm an awful role model, but it's my job to spoil.)  Today Sabrina has her first school dance just after lunchtime, so you can imagine the nerves and excitement fueling her last night! Jay also went to see her class's play this morning, and is bringing the twerp lunch (again) as I type (can you say spoiled?) Then we have a lovely afternoon of squirt guns, #IceCreamFloats and water balloons planned with Nora in the back yard. Living in a condo we don't get to recreate outside as often as I'd like, so we get a little crazy when we can reserve the space. The above snapshot is from Nora's last Big Day Out. Somebody got a little wild and began hitting the shoes!

Introducing A New Family Member: Fish

Momma Told Me: Pets are family.

Every now and than I get a little bored. As bad as it sounds, it sometimes feels as though I don't have enough things to care for in my life. Maybe it's because I was an only child, or perhaps the simple fact that our 'pets,' when I was growing up, never stuck around more than a few months. I have an attachment to living things and caring for them, whether they walk on 2 feet, 4 feet, or rely on fins to get around. Sabrina (10) has a dwarf bunny and a rather precocious adult cat, and of course, here at our house, we have Truffles (the cat who lives life as a dog) and Nora (the awkward but adorable Morkie). I know it's Sabrina's job to drag home injured and wayward animals, but it's usually me pleading for a new family member at the pet store. I've been campaigning for a hammy (hamster) for months, though the upkeep and smell of small rodent pets has kept that idea at bay, and recently decided to make the plunge with a different kind of pet.

Choosing the right pet for your family can seem like a dubious chore. Even within a species (dog, cat, fish, bird, etc), there are many variants to consider (size, age, temperament, upkeep). In college my home had a working saltwater tank with some rather expensive fish; but I was hardly their caretaker. The truth is, the thought of caring for my own fish was a bit overwhelming at first. Sure they swim around in the designated area of a tank, and are relatively easy to feed, but maintaining a safe liquid habitat, and cleaning said habitat without disrupting the fish is a whole other story. Then there's the actual fish. Choose an expensive fish, and it likely will need more advanced care (larger tank, aeration, fresh foliage), choose a more affordable fish and you may be bringing Mr.Scales back in a Ziploc baggy floating backside. Furry or finned I have no desire to be responsible for the demise of an animal, and fish have always been something a little foreign to me.

Recently I discovered a new Beta tank designed to be self cleaning; well, as much as a tank can be. This No Clean Aquarium operates with a gravity driven fill system that pushes dirty water at the base of the tank up through a tube and out a spout at the top, when fresh filtered water is poured in. (More on the tank itself in a future post.) This method of external (hands free) cleaning gave me the confidence to invest in a Beta, one of the least fussy varieties of finned pets. Beta fish live in freshwater surroundings and do not require aerated water (this means pump free tanks); they simply rise to the surface for air as needed. They're your traditional starter fish, but have a few particularities that require one fish per habitat. Beta fish also come in a variety of colors and fin sizes which often range in cost from $4-$20. Thankfully there was a very helpful young woman working at the pet store we frequent who was happy to answer all of our never-ending questions and set us up with the necessary supplies. I let Sabrina (10) pick out the Beta she liked best, and it was no surprise she once again proved she had expensive taste, selecting the most flashy (and lively) fish on the Beta display.

As it turns out Beta fish love to 'lounge' on plants; creating a sort of hammock from existing leaves and foliage, so we were certain to pick out a few strands of living green to decorate our fish's new home. There are also many types of Beta fish food, specific for the gender, and coloring. Different formulas of fish food will have varied reactions with the scales and coloring of your Beta, so always ask for advice when not sure. These particular fish should be fed once a day, but can also survive up to a week on extended pellets of compressed food. Most importantly, though Betas require the least amount of habitat preparation, they do need chlorine free, filtered water. Be sure to invest in some Water Conditioner drops to pre-treat your tank's water, and allow the water and the fish to sit out at room temperature for a few hours before introducing the two in the new habitat.

Beta fish should have a natural light cycle; this means your fish tank should be placed where it will receive plenty of natural light (but not in the sun's heat), or outfitted with a simple LED tank light. If you are going the light route, be sure to make sure it is not in danger of being submerged in water, and turn it on and off with your regular sleep and wake cycle each day. Color changing LED lights can be bought at a local pet store to add extra personalization to your tank and decor. While you can decorate your tank as you wish, it's best to keep in mind basic safety flags when choosing decor that is not manufactured specifically for tanks. Avoid painted items that may flake or erode in water, do not over-clutter the tank with items the fish may become caught or snagged in, and always cover the basin of your tank with an even array or rocks (river rocks shown). We wanted to go with a Spongebob theme for our tank, but only the smallest decorations would fit. Most Beta tanks are on the efficient (Space saving side), as Betas do not require much room to thrive in.

I'm happy to report our newest family member is thriving in his new habitat, this Half Moon Male Beta has beautiful dual-tone colors, and was promptly named 'Gary' (as in the snail) on the ride home from the pet store. We feed him every night (with the furry kids), and clean his tank once a week (by refilling with filtered water). I have to admit, the No Clean Aquarium has really helped make the entire process much easier for me, and I highly recommend looking into it for any family considering a new Beta. (Again, more on the tank and it's unique filtering process in a future post.) I was initially a bit worried about how the cat would take to the fish, but the tank is quite sturdy (thanks to it's tall and skinny structure), and Gary serves more as a beacon of entertainment than a possible late night snack. But Nora (dog) and Truffles (cat) will sit for hours watching him swim back and forth, almost as transfixed as Sabrina. Gary may not be a very hands on type of pet, but he's a welcome part of our family none-the-less.

Does your family have a fish? Are you thinking of adopting one?

What Daughter Says: Choose the right pets and watch your family grow!

@MyCottonBunny: Monthly Boxes For That Unwanted Visitor Giveaway~ 7/1

***I was provided one complimentary month of My Cotton Bunny service for the purpose of this feature. Regardless, all photos and opinions contained there in are property of Momma Told Me Blog 2013.

Momma Told Me: Don't bother to run, you can't escape.

I still recall the first time I met my Aunt. I was 11, entering the sixth grade, and one of the first of my friends to make this special introduction. Momma had warned me about Flow for years, so I was prepared physically, but hardly ready for the emotional and mental challenges of tackling this unwanted family member. In the beginning we got along fine enough; as fine as one can with a relative that moves in, uninvited, for a week and throws raging parties inside your personal space at all hours. Then, at 12, Flow went through a mid-life crisis. Her visits became more erratic, and longer. Her wild parties kept me up all night, and even left me with hangovers that forced Momma to pull me from school. Like most unstable relatives we're forced to live with, I was given pills (or rather, the pill) to help me cope with the side effects. Still, for years, Flow and I hardly spoke; I learned to tolerate her visits, and little more.

As a grown women my period have evened out; in part due to my hormone based birth control, but also due to the maturing of my reproductive system. Where I once had periods that kept me bed bound for days, and ran near two weeks in length, I can appreciate the 3 day stints I now pull today. However, I suppose, no woman ever quite becomes friends with this uninvited foe. I've made it a point of pride to try my best not to let this visitor interfere with the men in my life. That is to say I reserve my raw emotions and nagging cramps for a pint of ice cream and Pillow Pet. I suck it up each month because I am a woman, and I am strong. But there are still some aspects of this 40 year curse that I find hard to swallow. I mean, if I manage to get through the week without ripping Jay's head off, I think that deserves an award? And then there's the insult of having to make the trip of shame down then special women's aisle and shell out $5-8 for a box of tampons. Not only do I have to suffer with this, I have to pay for it too?

I pride myself on hunting down the newest products and services before they blow up and make it 'big'. I'm also a hopeless monthly subscription box addict. When I stumbled upon My Cotton Bunny, on accident, I had a clear "Now, why didn't I think of that?" moment. Here was a company offering a custom tailored Feminine Hygiene care bundle with hand picked edible treats and physical indulgences to put period back where they belong (at the end of a sentence). A little iffy as to whether this box is right for you? My Cotton Bunny offers the hottest feminine hygiene brands ( U by Kotex, o.b., Tampax, etc) in pads and tampons for the perfect fit to your personal cycle. Boxes ship once a month, or within days of ordering, so you can set it up to arrive just in the knick of time to soothe and take the hassle out of monthly preparation. My Cotton Bunny is also impressively affordable, featuring a 16 count of premium brand tampons (or chosen pads), an edible treat, and physical indulgence, for just under $14 a month, shipped.

I received one month of My Cotton Bunny for the purpose of this post and must admit I am officially hooked. This month's specially curated box included a 16ct box of my chosen cotton (Tampax Radiant, Super), Original Gourmet Lollipop, and Nail Spa Bundle including Glass Nail File and Nail Wraps by Scratch. And you thought this was all about the period! My Cotton Bunny has a personal mission to kick the period to the side and indulge the women who deserve it. Not only did I get to indulge myself, and boost my confidence during this challenging week, with my Scratch Nail wraps, but I enjoyed the much needed bite of sugar as well. The brand also runs monthly incentives to spread the My Cotton Bunny mission socially, and issues a 'challenge' to subscribers in exchange for a bonus in their box the following month. This month we were asked to take a picture of our freshly wrapped nails and tag @mycottonbunny for an extra treat in next month's box.

Not only is the My Cotton Bunny concept a fresh and original one, it's a subscription service well worth buying into, in this humble blogger's opinion. There are countless subscription box services hitting the net these days, and many of them are much more than the My Cotton bunny Service. With this particular plan you can take advantage of always having your favorite period protection on hand, and indulge in the small surprises of treats and trinkets selected specifically to empower and soothe. As of right now there is no allergen specification for new subscribers, though I do want to note last month's box included a preservative free gourmet marshmallow treat; the brand is conscious of selecting quality treats and snacks. There is, however, an incentive to subscribe to multiple months at a time, a six month subscription will save you 10% overall, and shipping is always included. The mailing box itself is a bit on the large side, so subscribers should expect doorstep delivery; this is done intentionally to accommodate for goodies of varying sizes.

A My Cotton Bunny subscription would make a wonderful graduation gift for any young woman going off to college; it's the modern care package. It would also be the perfect treat for tweens getting used to their changes, or for a boyfriend who'd like a little less madness in his life each month (it's the gift that gives for everyone). I know I'll be talking Jay into buying a subscription for me; $14 is a small price to pay for a little extra breathing room one week a month! I'm really excited to see where this subscription brand goes; and hope as many of my readers are equally excited by the unique service as I. Follow My Cotton Bunny on Facebook for a sneak peek at next month's box, and head on over to the site today to order the box featured above!

What Daughter Says: Misery may love company, but I'd rather find bliss. My Cotton Bunny offers fuss free solutions to monthly woes, in a pretty package.

One Momma Told Me reader will win a month of My Cotton Bunny service!