Cheesy Potato Balls with Stella - The Most Unique & Delicious Way to Use Left Over Mashed Potatoes

This post is sponsored by Stella® Cheese but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Here's the thing, you probably already know that I'm not so traditional when it comes to life, but I'm truly a little off the wall when it comes to the holidays. As far as our most recent holiday, Thanksgiving - well, if I'm being totally honest, it's definitely not on my list of favorites. Mainly because I don't love turkey and I think we should be thankful everyday, among other reasons. To make up for my lack of turkey lovin', I like to get super creative with side dishes.

This year I went totally left field and made something super unique that I've never made before and that my family seemed to really enjoy - even Miss Delainey loved these, once she finally took a break from playing long enough to eat.

What's so amazing about these Cheesy Potato Balls? Well, to put it simply... everything! These little balls of heaven are perfectly seasoned and just the perfect size to "pop" in your mouth during a holiday party or after a family meal as a little snack.

Filled with the most delicious Stella cheese, this is not only delicious - it's a GREAT way to get rid of left over mashed potatoes from a family meal as well. Have the left over potatoes but need the cheese? Find Stella cheese at a location nearby you using the locator on their website!

Enough about how amazing this recipe is though, here's how you make it -

Ingredients:

4 tbsp Stella Gorgonzola Cheese
3/4 of 8 oz block of Stella Fontinella Cheese
Half of red bell pepper, diced into small pieces
3 minced scallions
5 cups cold mashed potatoes
3/4 cup + 2 tbs of flour
3 pieces of bacon, diced into small pieces
2 eggs, beaten
Oil (for frying)

Heat oil up to 375 in a deep fryer (or a in a pan).

While oil is heating, mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Form the "dough" into small balls and drop them into the oil a few at a time to not overcrowd the deep fryer or pan. Cook approximately 5 min or until edges look browned and crispy.

ENJOY!

The BEST Sale EVER from Silk'n & What Every Mom Wants for Christmas in 2018!

This post is sponsored by Silk'n, regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own.

Hey fellow shopaholics and beauty product lovers, just popping in to remind you about the Silk'n sale today! They are having their BEST Black Friday Sale EVER - with up to 50% off all devices! Some of the devices they are offering up at steep discounts have actually never been discounted before - that means you have first dibs on some of the best deals!

I was lucky enough to be sent one of the newest Silk'n devices, the Titan. This revolutionary at-home anti-aging device!

This little device is what every mama is asking for this Christmas and something we ALL want under the tree this year! Why exactly? Well, it offers salon quality results in the prviacy of your own home with no "healing" time. That means those pesky forehead wrinkles I've been battling for the last few years are less noticable and they'll continue to disappear instead of get worse... as well as the annoying sun spots this Florida sun has left me with.

Wondering how this little guy works? Well, most users report seeing results in 8-10 weeks, with noticeably reduced wrinkles and a lift in facial contours! The Titan was made for use on your neck and face and it actually goes deep and repairs collagen and elastin fibers from the inside out.

So what are you waiting for? We're not getting any younger, but you can reverse signs of aging with this baby - so it's a MUST HAVE! Grab yours here before the sale ends TONIGHT!

Our $160 Adventure!

This post is sponsored by Vanguard, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

It's funny, looking at the "bigger picture", $160 really doesn't seem like a whopping amount - but it really is. That's gas for a road trip, a one-way ticket on a train, the amount of our water bill. It's also the difference between a day spent trying to channel her energy productively at home or a day spent exploring and learning a new place.

While there's a million ways we could have spent the day exploring in our neck of the woods, from children's museums to amusement parks, we asked Delainey what she wanted to do and she chose to go to ZooTampa!

Our "little" zoo isn't just a regular zoo, though - it's a whole trip around the world and it's also a place where animals are rescued, rehabilitated and cared for. With 56 acres of land there's a lot to do and see, there's interactive sections, there's meet and greets, there's even 'rides' & 'rollercoasters'- it truly is one of the coolest zoos we've ever been to.

On that note, we did a little bit of everything on our visit with our little explorer. From riding carousels & trolly trains to up close encounters with our favorite critters - our day was definitely full of fun.

There's just something so heartwarming about watching your kiddo brush the hair of a "kid" - a goat baby that is. She lit up each time we came upon a new animal, told us about her favorites, chatted about everything she saw, and was practically running from exhibit to exhibit to see all her "friends". It was a truly great day for all of us.

That's the thing, this $160 made for a day of happiness - but imagine how much $160 can ADD up overtime... that compounded amount could buy a whole lot of adventures, right? According to recent data, if you hold $10,000 in cash, you could earn around $170 in a year, at the current average yields of money market mutual funds. In a bank account, you'd only make about $10.* That means in a few years, you could have enough to fund a few plane tickets or even a cruise, just by switching how your funds are stored!

While $160 may not seem like a load of cash in the short term, it can add up to a substantial amount overtime. I've been doing a lot of thinking about money and choosing a higher-yielding cash account could allow me and my little crew to experience more moments like these, more adventures with my family, more time spent exploring.

To get the most out of our cash, it's important that we all assess our options and determine the best provider that fits our financial plan. Some companies, such as Vanguard, are built in a way that better aligns to the interests of it's investors. If you haven't looked at your cash investments recently, maybe it's time to ask yourself one vital question: "Am I getting the most from my financial provider?" If you hesitated, even in the slightest, I think it's time to learn more about Vanguard.

*This illustration uses 1.69% average yield for money market mutual funds and 0.09%
national average yield for bank savings, both as of 9/30/2018, according to
cranedata.com and bankrate.com. These rates are not guaranteed. Vanguard is owned by its funds, which in turn are owned by their investors. All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Bank deposits are guaranteed (within limits) as to principal and interest by an agency of the federal government. There may be other material differences between products that should be considered before investing.

Spend a Little Time Caring for YOU: What's in My Tender Love and Self Care BabbleBoxx

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com.

I can't be the only one that embraces those moments in between. The quiet ones when everyone is still asleep, when the coffee tastes a little better and the silence is a little more golden... we all know what I'm getting at here. Those sweet moments of alone time as a mom are seriously golden.

I've been doing my best to make sure I make time for me in the midst of the chaos. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love this crazy, beautiful life I lead - but sometimes it's nice to step back and take a deep breath... especially when I'm feeling under the weather. So that's what today's Babbleboxx goodies are all about, taking care of YOURSELF.

That's right, Babbleboxx sent over this package full of TLC just for me and I loved each & every second of it! From the fresh tea & coffee to the new book to dive into, I'm overjoyed to share all of the goodies that came in the box this month.

I suppose we'll start with the good stuff...well, it's all good stuff but I'm really digging the new book - Louisana's Way Home!

I mean who doesn't love a good fiction about self-discovery. Based on a girl in the midst of change, I feel like this book is a good read for girl's of all ages - and it looks like people agree, as an instant #1 New York Times Best Seller this book is obviously well-received by all. I'm loving sitting down and reading again, it's something I want do do more of in 2019 and beyond. Want to check this excellent read out? Use the code CANDLEWICK at checkout for 25% off all books!

Next on the list of goodies in the box was the Pure Synergy® Rapid Rescue® and Pure Synergy® Enzyme Power™!

These super-powered little pills are my quick remedy to fighting off illness during this cold & flu season! With the dynamic duo - the echinacea elderberry extract and eight other super powered extracts in the Rapid Rescue it's just what your body needs to bolster your natural protectors. I take one the second I feel that telltale scratchy throat, headache, uh-oh onset of the cold & flu and it definitely seems to help fight that ick fast.

Beyond these Super Powered Rapid Rescue pills, the Pure Synergy Enzyme Power is seriously a necessity for gut health. This full-spectrum digestive support is a boost to your mood, skin, health, and erngy levels. With an unparalleled array of enzymes and bromelain and lipase, this little pill helps support digestion, absorption, and nutrient utilization while also providing gut microbiome and immune system support. Not only does this handy pill help keep things healthy in your gut, it helps tame tummy woes with the perfect blend of herbs and spices - making it gentle enough for even the most sensitive stomachs and helping EVERYONE feel better from the inside out. Want to give these a try? Use the code PURESYNERGY15 to save!

After that we have the super relieving and helpful Neo-Synephrine nasal spray, something I've literally never even considered buying for myself but now that I've used it, I can see the benefits and I actually plan to be "that" family member & give these out as stocking stuffers this year - just because we all need the relief these bring. Each type differing slightly, all of the Nasal Sprays share a common goal, providing relief to sinus pressure, nasal congestion, and stuffy noses! One reason we love this brand so much is that this is actually the ONLY Nasal Spray recommended for kiddos D's age and I'm so thankful Babbleboxx sent it our way since she seems to be battling a cold this week.

Feeling that sinus pressure yourself? Check out Neo-Synephrine's website for a coupon, they always have one available!

The next item in the box is possibly the most delicious thing I've ever tried -the SMASHCRISPY Treats are my ideal way to spend time alone. Sweet & chewy, ooey-gooey - these little beauties remind me of childhood and what's not to LOVE about those sweet feelings?

Available in 3 scrumptious flavors: Cinnamon Churro, Strawberries & Cream, & Mint Chocolate Chip - these are the best little treat for our family! It's going to be hard to share these treats but we'll definitely be stocking up since they are GMO- Free, made with ALL NATURAL ingredients and completely free of gluten, soy, dairy, and nuts! That means everyone can enjoy these super tasty treats without having to stress about what's hiding in them, something you can't say about most snack foods. Want to give these a try? Use the code 'SNACKSMASHCRISPY' on SmashMallow.com to save 25% off through 11/30!

Last but certainly not least, the tea and coffee - Red Diamond Tea & Coffee to be exact! This company has been importing only the best teas for over four generations, so it comes as no surprise that the taste is superior! I love brewing up a cup of Red Diamond Green Tea each night once D goes to sleep and the Red Diamond Iced Tea is the perfect pick-me-up on warm days here in Florida.

I've always thought Red Diamond just tastes better... Each time I take a sip, I always wondered what made their tea so flavorful- but today I learned it's the LACK of stems in their tea that makes such a delicious flavor possible.

But let's not just focus on the tea, the Coffee is my true favorite in the box - which likely isn't a surprise since I practically live with a caffeine IV post Delainey. I lit up when I saw the 11oz bag of Red Diamond Colombian Ground Coffee laying there in front of me and instantly brewed up a pot! Their coffee is made with the same care and quality as the tea and they pride themselves on only sourcing the best beans - handpicking, sun-drying, deliciousness all in my cup. Truly, nothing is better.

So tell me, how do you like to unwind when you have a moment? What do you do to provide self-care for yourself? I'd love to hear in the comments below!