Sweet & Savory Bold Hawaiian BBQ Burgers Recipe [ + a Giveaway!]

This summer I'm embracing the cravings & my big ol' pregnancy belly and allowing myself to indulge in some of my favorite foods! While pizza and ice cream are all-the-time favorites, lately I've been craving a big juicy burger! Luckily, hubby and I have mastered the art of grilling up our own patties and the Hawaiian Burger recipe I'm sharing with you today is one I'll be wanting again and again all summer long!

I decided to deck these burgers out with delicious, freshly sliced pineapple and a Hawaiian BBQ sauce paired with Mezzetta Deli-Sliced Mild Pepper Rings & Feta Cheese stuffed inside the burgers and the end result is delicious! If you love a little bit of spice with a touch of delicious sweetness then you will definitely want to fix up this recipe the next time you grill out!

Hawaiian Burgers

1lb ground beef

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

4+ tbsp feta cheese

Mezzetta deli-sliced pepper rings

1 pineapple, sliced thinly

Hawaiian BBQ sauce

Start by making half of the beef into 4 "edged, bowl-shaped" patties and the other half into 4 flat patties.

Add approximately 1 tbsp feta cheese into each "bowl" patty and 3 or more mezzetta deli-sliced pepper rings.

Place the flat patties on top of bowl patties and pinch to seal the sides and flatten together.

Season each side with salt, pepper, and onion powder mixture and place on grill, cooking until desired temperature.

Remove burgers from the grill, place on buns and top with pineapple slice and Hawaiian BBQ sauce. Garnish with additional Mezzetta Peppers if desired.

ENJOY!

While this recipe is bold and will make for a delicious meal this summer, I've got something else exciting to share with you... Mezzetta is hosting a Bold, Bright Summer Giveaway bound to make you grin from ear to ear whenever you win!

One lucky winner will be rewarded with a Weber Spirit E-310 gas grill (ARV $499), a Weber 3 piece tool set, 5 jars of delicious Mezzetta Peppers, and an ultimate summer entertaining kit - everything you'll need to have the best BBQ on the block this summer!

While only one person wins the grand prize, there are still TEN more chances to win! Ten lucky "runner-ups" will win a Weber ORIGINAL KETTLE 18" charcoal grill (ARV $79), a Weber 3 piece tool set, 5 jars of Mezzetta Peppers, & an ultimate summer entertaining kit!

Don't miss your chance to win one of these awesome giveaways, just CLICK HERE and enter your information to get your name in the mix by July 15th!

Take a Break with Cafe Breaks Pudding!

Thanks to Cafe Breaks for sponsoring today's discussion, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Well, it's official...We are in the double digits with our countdown to Delainey's due date which is overwhelming (and exciting) to think about! We have SO much left to do before she arrives, from possibly painting her room to buying diapers and other little necessities... It's such an exciting time for us, yet such a stressful one since we want her to have everything she could ever need or want before she even arrives. I know 99 days seems like a while, but after realizing how quickly the 2nd trimester went by, I know the next few months will fly by and she'll be here before we know it!

Not only are we preparing for Delainey, my oh-so-fun glucose test & another doctor's appointment is coming up on Monday and we have a fairly long trip scheduled shortly there after. So we need to pack & clean the house before we leave and still have to try and get our normal daily routine accomplished as well...

It's not just this week I'm stressing about either, I'm compiling a Baby Shower Gift Guide and have TONS of amazing products to share over the upcoming months and I'm trying to keep up with my planned posting schedule and share other awesome stuff with you... While also trying to help my sisters plan two separate baby showers in two different places! I guess you could say I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything I need to accomplish! There's a lot going on in my world... and I know for some people this may just be their way of life, but for this introverted little blogger it's truly the definition of "adulting" and I'll admit, sometimes I need a break.

It may sound like I'm complaining, but I swear I'm not... I'm so incredibly blessed to have all of this going on and almost everything that's on my agenda is going to be enjoyable! It's just that sometimes life gets so busy I think I forget to breathe and this upcoming week is one of those times in life I need to just take a break from it all. Instead of stressing myself out and possibly making things worse by neglecting my needs, I decided to take a step back this morning and remember what life is all about.

With a little morning snack, a nice big cup of water, a beach chair, and a couple of snuggly towels in hand, I decided to head on over to my favorite secluded beach and enjoy the sunrise.

Indulging in a Cafe Breaks Caramel Latte pudding while watching the waves roll in and the pastel colors change over the horizon was the most relaxing thing I've done for myself in a while. It was such a simple way to relax, basically something we teach children to do - grab a snack and find a spot to unwind... yet it was exactly what I needed to regroup!

I was able to relax with just a deep breath of the ocean air, a beautiful view, pure silence, and a delicious snack while feeling Delainey kick around. It was a dreamy way to spend a few minutes this morning and I left the beach feeling happy and rejuvenated!

Are you feeling a little stressed too? Maybe the kids just got out of school and playing the entertainment committee while also trying to maintain the house is a bit too much? Could you possibly have missed an important deadline and you just want a moment before you overwhelm yourself with a pile of work? It could just possibly be that you need to take a deep breath and remember why life is good again? We all have those days...

I understand you may not be able to slip away to the beach for your "break", but you can take a moment and enjoy a Cafe Break... Found at Walmart, Cafe Breaks come in flavors like Mocha Latte, Caramel Latte, Chai Latte, and French Vanilla Latte! These little cups of heaven are the perfect way to indulge - even if it's only for a moment! Plus, if you use the Ibotta app, you save 50 cents on your purchase making a pack of four of these delicious treats less than a dollar!

Not only are these snacks on sale with Ibotta and the most delicious way to take a little break and enjoy yourself; Cafe Breaks are also gluten free, 100 calories or less per cup, and super convenient so they're ready to help you relax whenever you need a moment, wherever you are! So go ahead and grab a pack next time your grocery shopping and take a break when you get home, a Cafe Break!

Another Reason to Love Florida...

This post was sponsored by Fresh From Florida as part of Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

Living in Florida has a lot of benefits, from spending all day at the beautiful, bountiful beaches to amusement parks galore, we've got a little bit of everything for anyone entertainment wise! Florida has endless amounts of outlet malls, oodles and oodles of once in a lifetime experiences to try out like parasailing, skydiving, and even deep-sea fishing... We really have so much to do and I often hear about how lucky I am to live here and I tend to agree.

Although there's one benefit people don't often bring up to me when we're discussing the fact that I live where they vacation; that benefit is the delicious Fresh From Florida produce! I'll admit, I often hear how fresh our local seafood is and I totally love that part of living in Florida and agree with them, but I rarely hear about how lucky I am to live in a state that grows its own fruits and veggies. I guess you could say I'm a bit of an advocate when this conversation comes up, because well, everything from Florida is better - even the produce!

When checking out the produce section of my grocery store, I see "Fresh From Florida" tags all over. From potatoes, to cucumbers, to blueberries, and even watermelons... I can grab almost every one of my favorite fruits and veggies without worrying where they come from because they're grown on local farms and brought right to my grocery store, making it easy to go from farm to table!

While I'm preparing for BBQs, Baby Showers, and other festivities this summer, I'm super excited to stock up on my favorite produce Fresh From Florida and share it with my guests! There's nothing like serving up a plate of flavorful and colorful locally grown food at a shindig... it's bound to be a hit!

Interested in knowing what's in season Fresh From Florida this month? Check out this part of the Fresh From Florida website for an easy breakdown on our produce and how you can get the best of the best easily by eating what's in season! Not only does eating what's in season make for fresher, tastier meals, it encourages a more diverse diet as well!

Speaking of diet, it's easy to find recipes that incorporate Florida's delicious seafood and produce. What recipe do you want to try first? The Pan Seared Florida Grouper with Smoked Gouda Grits and Tomato-Bacon Gravy sounds amazing to me but I also have my eye on the Taco-Stuffed Florida Bell Peppers! You don't just have to keep entrees fresh, you can serve up inventive and delicious fresh beverages Fresh From Florida as well! The Florida Watermelon Nectar is sure to hit the spot at your next get-together!

Plus, if you're feeling fancy and want to eat out, you should click here to find a list of local restaurants that offer produce and seafood from their own "backyard", so to speak.

With all the tasty food here in Florida and all the beautiful scenery, it's easy to see why I love this area so much... So tell me, are you from or have you ever been to Florida? What was your favorite part of The Sunshine State?

Host the Perfect Brunch & a Simple Breakfast Potato Bowl Recipe!

We've been blessed with warmer temperatures and sunny weather almost everyday in Florida as of late, so it's pretty safe to say I've got brunch on my mind. It probably comes as no surprise that I took the time to host an adorable and delicious brunch recently and I'll tell you right now, the items I served did not disappoint!

From delicious delights like donuts and fresh fruit to mason jars full of Milo's Cafe Style Tea, my brunch guests were treated like royalty and I wouldn't have it any other way!

If you're thinking about hosting a brunch soon, I don't mean to toot my own horn but this spread is the perfect way to impress your guests and serve up something that everyone will love.

So what do you need to make your brunch as spectacular as this? It's actually pretty easy to prep for a party like this.

I grabbed a fruit tray, the ingredients for my delicious breakfast potato bowls, fresh flowers, and Milo's Cafe Style Sweet Tea and Green Citrus Tea at Walmart!

Wondering where you can snag this new, fresh-brewed tea in your store? You'll find bottles of this super affordable, organic tea in the refrigerated juice & dairy section, because of it being all-natural it must stay chilled! It actually comes in light versions too, for those of you watching your figure! The light versions are made with the perfect blend of organic cane sugar and stevia, to give you the same great taste without all the calories!

While I was on my way home, I also grabbed a few donuts and pastries at a local shop to add to the spread... because you can't host a brunch without having some super sweet goodness on the table!

Once I was home, I set the table with bright springy colors, added the flowers into a pitcher, filled a drink bucket with ice for the tea, filled each mason jar with the home-made tasting Milo's Cafe Style Sweet Tea & Citrus Green Tea and got everything else together for the brunch-tastic occasion!

As I mentioned above, I made some delicious breakfast potato bowls to serve during brunch... and boy, were they a hit! You can find my recipe below and beware, paired with Milo's Cafe Style tea, you are in for one of the most delicious brunch meals of your life!

Breakfast Potato Bowls

Ingredients:
8 medium russet potatoes

1/4 cup chopped sweet pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 tbsp olive oil
6 eggs
1 tbsp milk
6 slices of bacon, cooked thoroughly and chopped somewhat finely
1/2 cup cheddar jack cheese
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tsp garlic
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper


You'll begin making these beauties by preheating the oven to 475 degrees.

Next you'll want to microwave all of the potatoes for approximately 9 minutes, then flip them and microwave for about 7 more minutes. Take the potatoes out of the microwave and let cool.

While you're waiting for the potatoes to chill, saute the chopped sweet pepper in a medium sized skillet. Once the peppers have softened some, add in the chopped onion and olive oil and allow the mixture to simmer until the onions are becoming clearish.

The next step in the recipe is to beat all of the eggs and the milk together. You'll want to add in the bacon and then pour the mixture into the pepper and onion scramble.

Now that the potatoes are likely cooler, cut each one in half and scoop out most of the inside, setting it aside in a large mixing bowl.

In the mixing bowl, add in the cheddar jack cheese and whipping cream, stirring vigorously. Pop this mixture in the microwave for just about 20 seconds or so and continue onto the next step.

Put skins face down on the pan and lightly add olive oil to each one.

Now in a small dish combine the garlic, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper and dust this mixture over the lightly oiled potato skins and bake approximately 8 minutes or so.

Take these beauties out of the oven and we're almost done!

To complete the recipe, add some of the potato mixture you removed and made earlier, top this with the egg scramble mixture and sprinkle with a nice amount of cheese over the top.

Place these back into the oven for around 4 minutes and serve!

Now that I've shared my brunch and all the deliciousness that went along with it, I'd love to know what you enjoy most while you're brunching? How will you celebrate summer with a glass of Milo's Cafe Style Tea in your hand? Leave a comment below and tell me all about it!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Milo’s Tea, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #TastetheMilosDifference  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Travel Around The World with The World Burger Tour at Hard Rock Cafe!

Thanks to Hard Rock Cafe for sending over a gift card so I can enjoy the delicious items on the World Burger Tour, regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own.

Well, let's face it; while I'm expecting my first baby in the coming months, traveling around the world isn't really an option anymore... unless we're talking about Hard Rock Cafe and this year's World Burger Tour! I'm so excited to have been invited to "travel" with Hard Rock Cafe and look forward to sharing my experience in a few weeks!

What do I mean by traveling with Hard Rock Cafe? All Hard Rock Cafe locations in North America are celebrating the warm weather and showcasing a menu with legendary "local" burgers from around the world! This limited time tour is available now through June 30th and I'm overjoyed that I'll soon be visiting the Tampa location to try out a couple of these delights!

[photo credit: Hard Rock Cafe Blog]

Hard Rock Cafe's chefs from all over the world created 160 different "legendary local burgers" and while I'm sure all of these creations were amazing, it's a good thing their culinary team narrowed down the selection to include only the best of the best! These selections vary by location, but most locations will include:

An English Breakfast Burger from London, England which entails a Certified Angus Beef® patty topped with sliced ham, a sausage patty, a fried egg, a portobello mushroom, arugula and garlic aioli and served with a side of baked beans.

A delicious sounding concoction entitled the "Java Lava Burger" originating from Seattle which includes a Certified Angus Beef patty grilled and dressed in a house-made espresso rub and topped with lava sauce, crunchy java onions, bacon, melted Cheddar cheese and garnished with a fried jalapeño!

Next on the menu is a Tandoori Chicken Burger from Mumbai, India! This delicious dish is perfect for those that aren't into "beef" or those that are trying to watch their figure, it is made up of a dark meat chicken patty seasoned with aromatic spices and fresh herbs, topped with mint mayonnaise and served with a side of cucumber.

One burger that really caught my eye is the Jamaican Jerk Burger from Montego Bay, Jamaica. It's made with  a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with banana pepper rings, mango jalapeño cream cheese and jerk mayonnaise!

Another burger that's pretty high on my list is the ATOMIC! Burger straight from Las Vegas! This bomb-diggity burger is made with a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with Atomic beer-battered peppers, pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, garlic chipotle ketchup and chipotle mayonnaise!

The next burger on the list is one that I think my hubs will want to enjoy, the Tango Salsa Burger from Buenos Aires, Argentina is made with a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with andouille sausage, Monterey Jack cheese, chips de batata, a fried egg, salsa criolla and garlic aioli!

I've always dreamed of visiting Greece so when I saw the Greek Burger from Athens, Greece made the list, I knew it was going to be one that I want to try as well! This beauty is made with a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with arugula, feta cheese and a tomato slice! Simple but I bet it's absolutely delicious.

I've always been a pretty big fan of Hawaiian food so when I saw this last burger from Honolulu on the list, I realized it's going to be hard to make a decision on which burger I should try first! The Aloha Burger sounds like an interesting concoction with a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with SPAM, Monterey Jack cheese, a grilled pineapple ring with sweet soy glaze, guacamole and pico de gallo!

While the burgers are the star of the World Burger Tour, Hard Rock Cafe knows that folks like a nice drink to wash down the delicious food so they also created cocktails that perfectly complement the offerings listed above. Served in iconic mason jars, adult guests can indulge in a new favorite beverage expertly paired with their meal or they can mix it up and try a fun flavor combination! While I won't be participating in the cocktails, the Black Cherry Melonade is non-alcoholic so I can order one of those with the Java Lava Burger and I'll live vicariously through my hubby if he decides he wants to try a MelonPalooza with a Greek Burger or a Crisp Sipper with a Aloha Burger!

Plus, if you're up for the adventure, Hard Rock is actually offering a literal World Burger Tour as well. This awesome travel package sounds amazing, with adventures that will take a true burger enthusiast on the road (and in the skies) to sample burgers and other delicious foods at Hard Rock Cafe locations in London, Athens, Buenos Aires, and Seattle! This 10-night trip includes flights, first class hotel accomodations, ground transportation, and exclusive dining and music experiences at the one & only Hard Rock Cafe locations in each city, that typically aren't open to the public!

So tell me, will you literally be traveling around the world with Hard Rock Cafe or are you looking forward to trying a delicious new burger on their menu? If you're going to be heading out to a Hard Rock Cafe soon, let me know which burger you want to try first in the comments below!

Make Everyday Awesome + The BEST [Gluten Free] Brownie Recipe EVER!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

Lately I've been trying to focus on one simple goal, each and every day; that goal is to make everyday awesome. Whether I'm taking the time to shop for the nursery, cleaning up the garage, or spending the day with my family, I've been trying to find the positive in every situation and really embracing what life has to offer each day.

We all have the tools to make each day awesome, whether that means changing our mindset or just reminding ourselves to "be in the moment" and really enjoy what's happening--we're all capable of having awesome days everyday.

I can't be the only one that thinks an awesome day starts out with something delicious, though. Some days I want donuts, some days I want fruit, and today... Today, I wanted a gluten free brownie with sprinkles and a delicious cup of coffee and I made that happen so easily, I can't help but share the recipe and my secret ingredient with you!

These super moist and delicious brownies are the answer to your sweet tooth cravings and quiet possibly, the best brownies you've ever had. With a decadent caramel flavor from the International Delight Simply Pure Caramel Coffee Creamer and super rich, dark chocolate gooey melted chocolate chips, you'll be craving a brownie each and every morning... and how could you not have an awesome day after having a brownie for breakfast? I mean, really!

Plus, with International Delight Simply Pure, made with only five simple ingredients, you can enjoy a cup of coffee in a whole different way! I like to add vanilla on really awesome days, sometimes I mix things up and add hazelnut, and I fairly regularly add caramel, because it's absolutely delicious!

But let's talk about the super delicious, decadent gluten-free brownies I promised you. I know you're probably wondering, what do you need to make these brownies?

Brownie Ingredients:

6 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup all-purpose, gluten-free flour
1/2 cup International Delight Simply Pure Coffee Creamer, I used the caramel flavor but any of the delicious options will be a great addition to your recipe!
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

For the Frosting, you'll also want to have these items on hand:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3 tablespoons International Delight Simply Pure Caramel Coffee Creamer
Colorful Sprinkles

You'll begin this recipe by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease the pan.

Now melt the 6 tablespoons of butter in the microwave, it usually takes around 15 seconds for it to turn into a liquid.

Next you'll want to stir in the sugar and cocoa. Followed by adding in the egg and vanilla.

Mix well.

Now add the baking powder and baking soda and mix thoroughly.

The final three ingredients to add into the brownie batter are the most important.

Take the time to slowly add in flour, stir. Then add in Simply Pure Caramel Coffee Creamer in small amounts and stir, alternating pouring each item into the mix until both are completely added. Once it's all combined, add in the dark chocolate chips and mix well.

Now spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for around 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick (or a fork) comes out clean!

Once the brownies are cool to the touch, it's easy to whip together the frosting! You'll combine all of the frosting ingredients in a bowl, other than sprinkles. Mix the frosting well until it's the correct texture and spread over the top of the brownies.

Add a handful of sprinkles to the top of the delicious dessert and ENJOY!

It's that easy to make these colorful, delicious brownies... And I really want to know, how can you not have an awesome day starting it out with something like brownies and a nice cup of coffee with delicious, clean label creamer?

Tell me, how do you make sure everyday is awesome? Do you begin your day with some yoga or maybe you like to take your dog for a walk? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below!

My Cinco de Mayo Fiesta with Keurig® KOLD!

Big thanks to Keurig for sending over this gorgeous Keurig® KOLD^TM drinkmaker, so that I could share my Cinco de Mayo plans with you...

Regardless, all opinions expressed below are completely my own!

With summer right around the corner, it's finally time to celebrate one of my favorite holidays - Cinco de Mayo! Can I get a show of hands, who else is ready for a little fiesta?! I know I am!

I mean... Who doesn't love a bowl of guacamole, chips & salsa, some traditional Mexican tacos, churros, and of course, a margarita?

While I'll be sipping a mocktail this year, I'll spend the holiday serving up delicious Rita’s & Tina’s Margaritas to my friends, made with my new Keurig® KOLD^TM! It's the easiest, coolest way to serve up some of our favorite fresh-made delights in seconds! The best part is beverages are delivered perfectly chilled at 39 degrees Fahrenheit, so you better believe my new Keurig® KOLD^TM will be the most refreshing way to indulge all summer long!

You may be asking yourself... Why do I love celebrating Cindo de Mayo so much? Welp, I guess I should admit I am an avid Mexican food fan, so celebrating Mexico is just another reason to embrace the culture and all of it's amazing-ness. Plus, I have the chance to make my friends and family some delicious food and beverages... it's a win-win for everyone, in my book!

This year celebrating with a little pool party only seems logical... I guess celebrating every year with a pool party may even become our new tradition! You can't go wrong with a little bit of splashing, some amazing Mexican food, and a whole bunch of delicious drinks made with the push of a button on my Keurig® KOLD^TM, I'm sure everyone will have a great time including myself!

If you're interested in finding out more about the Keurig® KOLD^TM  and how it can make your summer more flavorful and fun, be sure to click on over for all the details on this handy-dandy little drinkmaker!

The Perfect Sweet & Salty Treat: Chocolate Covered Potato Chips!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of SKOUT for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you the type of person who loves to snack on potato chips? Lately, I can relate - from indulging in hot dogs & a small bag of sour cream & onion chips, to making a dessert that involves just regular ol' original flavored potato chips, I've loved indulging in every single type of chip.

After deciding to partner with SKOUT to find some other potato chip lovers, I knew I had to share a favorite recipe of mine and it's so simple!

To make this sinfully delicious treat to share with all your friends you will need:

Original Flavor Potato Chips,

Dipping Chocolate,

& Colorful Sprinkles.

You'll begin by warming the chocolate 30 seconds on low heat (or defrost setting), stirring and heating again for 15 second intervals until it's fully melted.

Now dip each chip into the chocolate, submerging about half of the salty goodness into the sweet tasty chocolate.

Add sprinkles to each chip as you go & wait for the chocolate to set.

Serve & ENJOY!

It's that easy to make a treat every chip lover will adore! With the salty, deliciousness of original flavored potato chips and the rich, indulgence of the chocolate, it's like a snack and dessert at the same time. So delicious, so amazing, and so easy to make!

If you're wanting to make friends as easily as you made this little treat, check out SKOUT today! It's the leading global app for making new buddies and it's easy to use!