Our Memorial Day weekend seemed to fly by. We ran all around our area but we had a blast. That’s my favorite part about my “little” family. No matter what we are doing and where we are we have a good time. But as any good southerner we had the most fun eating great foods. Who doesn’t love a good bonfire to roast marshmellows in and cook the world’s tastiest hot dogs in?! Not to mention if you’re our boys you hang out in front of the fire shirtless, I mean is there any other way?! Ha!

One of our favorite things to add to our hot dogs is chili. HORMEL® Chili to be exact. It’s such an easy way to kick the flavor of your meal up a notch, and let’s face it, chili dogs are all the rage around here! Also, a new tasty treat we’ve found around here is the HORMEL® Chili cheese french bread. Not only can you dip pieces of french bread in your dip, but grab yourself a bag a chips and use them too!

If you’re not familiar with this savory snack, let me explain. All you need to do is cut a hole in the top center of your french bread, add a block of velveeta sliced in half length wise, and then pour in the HORMEL® Chili. Bake it in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. Also, if you’re like me and prefer your dip with a kick to it, feel free to add a can of rotel to the mixture prior to sticking it in the oven.

This dish plates up nicely tastes oh so creamy and delicious. We are BIG fans of HORMEL® Chili and it doesn’t hurt that it’s America’s #1 chili. With so many varieties, Hormel Foods has a chili for everyone. Whether it’s a chili dog, chili cheese dip or your traditional chili in the bowl, HORMEL® Chili can be enjoyed year-round. HORMEL® Chili helps chili lovers savor traditions – all seasons, all occasions – by bringing together good foods and good times.

HORMEL® Chili shared over 50 regional ways to enjoy chili on their website and Facebook page to show fans Chili Nation, a nation that has declared their love for all things chili! Visit the HORMEL® Chili website for a sampling of recipes and chili pairings from every state, it also features videos, quizzes, and a coupon offering. So be sure to head over there and check it out!

Now tell me, did your weekend end with you or your kids crashing like this?!

Thank you to HORMEL® Chili for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to try a new way to eat chili!

Boy I thought I’d look forward to the day that my children would outgrow the diapers and wipes phase. I could claim back my purse, my car, and counter space, because having to tote around all the extra “stuff” is a quick second to the less than thrilling moment of changing a child’s diaper. Am I right?! But what I didn’t expect to have happen, was my great love for wipes and how MANY times I use them throughout our day…and not only for diapers.

Like a few weeks back when our family participated in a school’s Color Run. Our girls were able to toss the color on all the runners and boy were they pumped to do so. What I didn’t expect or factor into our equation, was that they too would end up covered in the powdery color themselves. Head to toe, those little ones beamed the rainbow!

Boy were they a sight to behold, ha! Thankfully I packed my cute little pack of Huggies® Wipes to clean them off a bit. The clutch ‘n’ clean ones (grabbed them at Wal-Mart) are so convenient and easy to toss in your purse as you head out the door. Not to mention the fact that they don’t look like a normal baby diaper product. Shoot they may even been ahead of my style curve, ha! Huggies® Wipes come in a variety of fun, convenient packaging, so whether you keep them stashed in your living room, or bag, or car, there is a design that will suit your needs. They come in stylish designs to compliment any trendy mom’s ensemble. These babies are new and improved and the ONLY wipes with Triple Clean layers! So Huggies® Wipes are a great way to clean up any family’s mess, not just baby’s!

In fact Huggies has started a new 101 ways to use HUGGIES® Wipes campaign. They are certain other families are just like mine and haven’t stopped using wipes just because their children have stopped wearing diapers. Because Kids Outgrow Diapers, Not Messes*

Which of these videos best highlight how your daily life?

• 101: HUGGIES® Wipes, the ONLY wipes with TripleClean* layers. Because Kids Outgrow Diapers, Not Messes.* #tripleclean

• Explorers: Don’t let a little mess get in the way of a lot of fun! HUGGIES® Wipes helps ALL explorers stay in the adventure. #bestfriend

• The Cleaner: Ice cream #fail! Watch how HUGGIES® Wipes saved the day from this on the go mess!

• Pasta Baby: Question: What happens when babies and pasta collide? Answer: HUGGIES® Wipes with TripleClean* layers.

• Playtime: Playtime can be a dirty job. HUGGIES® Wipes. Keep the play. Not the dirty.

Yes, I’ll be honest and say I use my HUGGIES® Wipes for all the above! Now you tell me, how do YOU use wipes beyond diaper duty time?!

Thank you to Huggies for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to try Huggies Wipes at Walmart!

Amway and Nutrilite™ Power of 5 Campaign sponsored this post, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Last week my baby sister brought the most precious baby girl into this world. My heart was overfilled with joy and yet at the same time I was surprised with all the emotions that flooded me. She was going to be the BEST mother to this little soul and I was so honored to witness this journey she was just beginning. As any new mother, my sister now felt the heavy reality of being responsible for another human being, one she loved dearly, and would willingly give her life for. I remember those same feelings. Which diapers were the best, how do I know breastfeeding is working well, is the hospital crazy for letting me leave with this child, and driving home going 15 miles UNDER the speed limit because this tiny human seemed oh so fragile. And as my baby held her baby it seemed so surreal, how have the years flown by so quickly. The Lord has really blessed me with 7 healthy and beautiful children and now a super sweet, healthy chunky monkey of a niece. But their health is something I take for granted sometimes. Not only do my children have access to great healthcare, but they also eat the food needed to help them to grow “big and strong” as we say it. Sadly, not every family has this as their reality. According to the World Health Organization the first 5 years of a child’s life and health. If they do not receive proper health and nutrition on these 1000 days they can suffer from stunted growth, poor brain development, and low immune systems. These affects last all the way into adulthood. Furthermore, 7 million children die each year before reaching the age of five due to preventable causes, and 45% of those deaths are due to malnutrition. Now when I think of malnutrition my mind goes right to third world countries. And while I would be correct, I was shocked when I learned that malnutrition is not ONLY a third world country issue. It’s an every country, global issue. In my community there are 1 in 5 children who go to school hungry. Y’all ONE in FIVE. The need for proper nutrition is all around us. And there are people stepping up to help solve this global problem. We have people that have started backpack programs which stock backpacks with food for children to take home for the week and then the same on weekends. This way these children have a fighting chance at life, learning, and don’t have to suffer from hunger and malnutrition. But let’s think bigger than this, Amway™ and Nutrilite™ have partnered together for the Power of 5 Campaign. They are committed to fighting childhood malnutrition. Amway has the nutrition expertise needed to address this issue. But it cannot be addressed by one person or one company alone, but requires key partnerships. This campaign distributes Nutrilite™ Little Bits™, a micronutrient supplement designed to provide children essential vitamins and minerals in their first 5 years of life. Right now Nutrilite™ has distributed these supplements in 6 countries, but they home to expand to 15 countries by 2017.

Get involved

Yes, it’s easy to read about my experiences and what I’ve learned, but I want YOU to see for yourself. Once you are educated on the REAL preventative issue at hand, malnutrition, I’m certain you’ll be compelled to get involved. Speaking of education, Amway has sponsored The Malnutrition Mapping Project, which is a digital visualization of the global burden of malnutrition in all its forms in low-, middle- and high-income countries. Developed by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition or GAIN, it offers perspective on how proper nutrition effects the health of the people from all economies. This map allows you to analyze and compare issues children and adults are facing in the 30 countries featured. Issue like low birth weight, vitamin deficiencies, and more in children, as well as obesity, heart disease in adults.

But please don’t stop there, you also have the opportunity to help make a difference. A MAJOR difference in the lives of these children. Share about the Nutrilite™ Power of 5 Campaign and the good work they are doing. Advocate for these children; I plan to, in honor of my children and my precious niece. But beyond spreading the word on this initiative, you can donate. Your donation doesn’t have consist of your entire life’s savings, every dollar counts. Maybe this week you can pass on the cheeseburger, or specialty coffee, and send that money to the Power of 5 Campaign.

We are an empowered generation and we cannot sit on the sidelines while we have the chance to change lives. Let’s move mountains for theses children, let’s work together to end malnutrition across the globe!

How have you helped stop malnutrition? Share with me!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Amway.

This week my precious baby sister gave birth to her own little bundle of joy. I was beyond heartbroken to not make it there in time for the baby’s birth, but hustled that 9 hour drive soon after to hold that sweetie. We arrived to Arkansas at 5:30 in the morning and I had to fight the urge to sit outside of the maternity ward until visiting hours started, ha! Once I busted in there I darted to her room and scooped up that baby. And here she is, my chunky monkey, 8 lb. 8 oz., Eliana Maybre!! (Whom I will be affectionately calling Ellie Mae…cute, right?!)

This is my sister’s first baby and with that she of course had a lot of questions for this mom of seven. They ranged from bedding color choices, breastfeeding questions, and which products are best for baby. But one of the best things I was able to share with her about was one of my favorite companies, The Honest Company. While my baby making days are over I am BEYOND passionate about the products we use/used on our sweet little ones. Not only does the Honest Company use products that aren’t harmful for the family, home, and baby, but they are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, which have strict standards for how our products are marketed.

The Honest Company recently announced a brand new feeding category! From Lactation Plus to Nursing Pillows to Organic Formula to Nursing Scarves, Honest will offer options for moms who choose to breastfeed, formula feed, or a combination of both. So exciting, for any mom and their personal feeding preferences. My sister really hopes to be able to breastfeed so I got her a box of goodies to help her along the way.

Lactation Plus $19.95: Highly targeted, scientifically formulated blend of botanical extracts and organic ingredients designed to help support breast milk production.

Baby DHA $19.95: Carefully sourced from premium fish oil with added Vitamin D3 that provides critical support for brain and eye development and earned the highest Five-Star IFOS rating for purity, potency, and freshness. 2-in-1 Nursing Cover + Scarf $59.95: Designed in collaboration with Piece & Co., stylish year-round accessory and easy privacy cover for nursing made of soft and breathable 100% organically grown cotton.

Organic Nipple Balm $13.95: Organic salve helps to soothe pain and irritation and encourage healing to relieve and revitalize nursing nipples.

Nursing Pillow $69.95: Foam-free and specially designed to offer stable support and comfort for both baby and mom, with a superior patented surface that gently angles baby to encourage optimal feeding position.

Natural Feeding Baby Bottle$12.95 (5 oz.) $14.95 (8 oz.): Features a highly innovative design using medical-grade silicone and peristaltic nipple to closely mimic natural breastfeeding, squeezable bottle and integrated tri-vent system to reduce gas, colic, reflux, and spit-up.
Natural Feeding Peristaltic Nipples (2) $4.95: Medical-grade silicone with flex accordion design allows baby to feed in natural, wave-like motion to provide easy assimilation and transition between breast and bottle-feeding.

Certified Organic Premium Infant Formula $29.95: Carefully modeled after breast milk, nutritionally complete, easy to digest, and meticulously blended using ingredients sourced from trusted organic farms, made without GMOs (genetically engineered ingredients) and “Honestly Free” of gluten, pesticides, carrageenan, hexane-extracted DHA, antibiotics, growth hormones,, and artificial colors and dyes .

Formula Dispenser $6.95: Convenient 3-compartment solution for easy, hygienic feeding: anywhere, anytime.

It’s so great to know that my even though my sister is new to this mommy journey she can still feel confident in the products she is choosing for her baby. And of course I love that my niece will be using only but the best! Check out more from the Honest Company on Facebook and Twitter!

 

Compensation was provided by The Honest Company via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of The Honest Company or Momtrends.