Glazed Lime Blueberry Pound Cake!!!

First weekend after the start of school and a busy one it was!  We have so much going on, sometimes it feels like a three-ring circus!  We had a #FitMadeFun Party to kick off the launch of LeapFrogs new LeapBand Activity Tracker for kids.  It was a lot of fun and there was a huge variety of kids Cliff protein bars but more to come on that soon.

I did some baking too and I want to share with you a lime blueberry pound cake I made.  It really was supposed to be a lemon blueberry pound cake but I  found out I only had limes so I went with that.  It was really good and really tasted like lemon to me.  It must have tasted good to everyone because it did not even last 6 hours before it disappeared.

I found a recipe online that was inspired by the Starbucks’ Lemon Loaf and as I said above I made some changes.

 

lime collage

This is the recipe:

Glazed Lime Blueberry Pound Cake:

Ingredients
Cake:
  • ⅓ cup buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoons of lime juice
  • Zest of 1 lime, finely grated
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup blueberries with 2 tablespoons flour

Glaze:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons of lime juice
  • milk for glaze (add enough to get it to the right consistency for glazing)
Lime

I wash my limes with a toxic free soap to get rid of the wax and any other dirt on the limes.

When grating the zest of lemons or limes just grate the colored rind and not the white pith as that is very bitter.

When grating the zest of lemons or limes just grate the colored rind and not the white pith as that is very bitter.

Lime 3
Lime 4
Love these Juicers, so great to get every drop of juice out of the limes.

Love these Juicers, so great to get every drop of juice out of the limes.

Lime 7

Lime 8

Lime 9

Lime 10

Lime 14

Lime 15

Lime 16

Lime 17

Lime 18

Lime 20
Lime 19

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spray a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper with the paper hanging over the sides. I sprayed my parchment paper with a bit of coconut oil.
  3. In a small bowl, pour in buttermilk, lime juice, and lime zest. Set aside.
  4. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
  5. In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar.
  6. Add 1 egg at a time, mixing well in between each egg.
  7. While mixing the batter on low speed, add the flour mixture and then the buttermilk mixture until batter is smooth. Do not over mix.
  8. In a small bowl toss the blueberries with about 2 tablespoons of flour to coat them. (This prevents the blueberries from sinking to the bottom of the cake.)
  9. Stir in the flour-covered blueberries.
  10. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Using a spatula spread the batter so it is spread out evenly in the pan.
  11. Bake in a preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes. Let cool completely.
  12. Prepare the glaze by mixing 2 cups powdered sugar with 4 to 6 tablespoons of lime juice.
  13. If your glaze is too thick (mine was) add milk a tablespoon at a time until it is the desired consistency.
  14. Pour over the top and sides of the cooled cake.

Let me know if you give this recipe a try, remember if you like use lemon instead of lime.  For another great blueberry cake recipe check this one out too! Moist, Delicious Blueberry Pound Cake!


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View The New Featurette From The World of “The Boxtrolls” Opening in Theaters September 26th!!!

Enter the world of THE BOXTROLLS’ in this NEW featurette that takes you behind the scenes of the upcoming family film and gives a sneak peek of the creation of the magical sets and phenomenal backdrops!

THE BOXTROLLS releases in theaters on September 26!

Click HERE To View The Official Trailer for the Movie!!!      

Get social with the Boxtrolls on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on their Website!!!

Story: A family event movie from the creators of “Coraline” and “ParaNorman” that introduces audiences to a new breed of family – The Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher (Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley), comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, “into the light,” where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family.

Directors: Anthony Staachi and Graham Annable

Writer: Based on the novel Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow

Voice Cast: Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Elle Fanning, Jared Harris, Toni Collette, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan

MPAA Rating: PG

Boxtrolls Theatrical Poster

 


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Save On Suave Split End Rescue Shampoo & Conditioner At Walmart Now!!!

Do you struggle with split ends?  I sure have and have ended up cutting several inches off my hair to make it look healthier.  Split ends make hair look so unhealthy and really are an eyesore.  It may seem drastic to cut several inches off but that seems to be the only way to get back to healthy looking hair.  However, it will just happen again in most cases and so the scissor may become your best friend.  There is something else you may want to try and that’s Suave Split End Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner.  Right now they are on Rollback at Walmart for only $2.50 each!

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Pre-Order Train’s “Bulletproof Picasso” Album Now & Watch Them Live Today!!!

Train is back on the music scene with a new album Bulletproof Picasso!  If you’ve missed the band that had you cranking up the volume and singing along to Drops of Jupiter and Hey Soul Sister, you won’t need to wait much longer.  Grammy Winning San Francisco Band, Train will release their 7th studio album on September 16th!!!  I had the opportunity to review the album recently my favorite song was Don’t Grow Up So Fast because as a mom I totally relate to the message of the song.  Angel In Blue Jeans the first single released can be heard now on the radio and you can view the official video below.  You can pre-order the album on iTunes and Amazon for $7.99.  Be sure to watch Train’s hour-long live performance on the QVC channel on Friday, September 5th at 5pm ET.

 

Train, Bulletproof Picasso

1. Cadillac, Cadillac
2. Bulletproof Picasso
3. Angel In Blue Jeans
4. Give It All
5. Wonder What You’re Doing For The Rest Of Your Life
6. Son Of A Prison Guard
7. Just A Memory
8. I’m Drinkin’ Tonight
9. I Will Remember
10. The Bridge
11. Baby, Happy Birthday
12. Don’t Grow Up So Fast

Official Angel In Blue Jeans Video is below:

 

I participated in the Train Bulletproof Picasso album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.


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“NEST” By Esther Ehrlich–Book Giveaway!!!

                                                                             Pen ran

NEST by Esther Ehrlich

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Debut author Esther Ehrlich delivers a poignant and genuine middle-grade novel NEST (Wendy Lamb Books / On sale September 9, 2014 / $16.99 US / Ages 8–12), a memorable story about a girl, a tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship.

 

It is 1972. Home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein; her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes. Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery.

 

Esther Ehrlich’s lyrical writing is honest, humorous, and deeply affecting. Chirp and Joey will steal your heart. Long after you finish NEST, the spirit of Chirp and her loving family will stay with you.  READ The first 59 pages of the book HERE by clicking Look Inside.image003

 

«A stunning debut, with lyrical prose and superbly developed characters, this novel is an emotional roller coaster that effectively conveys a family’s visceral tragedy.” —School Library Journal, Starred

 

«Ehrlich’s novel beautifully captures the fragile bond shared by Chirp and Joey and their growing trust for each other in a world filled with disappointments and misunderstandings.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred

 

«A poignant, insightful story of family crisis and the healing power of friendship.”Kirkus Reviews, Starred

 

Ehrlich writes beautifully, constructing scenes with grace and layers of telling detail and insight.”The Horn Book

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a copy of NEST!  Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

NEST by Esther Ehrlich Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

 

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Time Is No Match For Any of Us!!!

The school supplies are labeled, the backpacks are packed and the lunch boxes are full of healthy lunch snacks.  Yet, as the kids lay nestled all snug in their beds, I am begging and pleading for time to slow down.  You see this mom is not ready for summer to end, seems it just started and now it’s the end!  It doesn’t seem fair, how could it be over?  We didn’t even do most of the things on our list, I feel full of mommy guilt and I’m shaking my fist!

This thing we call time is spinning too fast, in the blink of an eye, our kids grow right up.  The time we thought we had passes us by, before we know it they’ll be moving on and saying goodbye.  Childhood is far too fleeting and bittersweet for my taste.   You see,  I know how quickly it passes, this is my second time through it and so I know how it goes.  First time parents think they have years and years and the time will go slow and not disappear.  However, those of us who have been here before, know all too well, how quickly time goes.

We moms who were young enough to start over again with a new set of babes share a secret between us.  We will tell you don’t blink because if you do, a lifetime will pass and you won’t believe it’s true.  It’s scary and real, but we have to accept it, life is too short and over too quickly.  We try to hold on kicking and screaming to push back the hours, days and the months. We want to just slow it all down but we know it’s futile, we don’t stand a chance but we try nonetheless in our warrior stance.

So, I’m not thrilled that another school year is thrust upon us. Unless some magical power comes over me tonight and somehow I am able to win the fight and turn back the time and start summer again, I will have to grin and rejoice at the dawn of the day and send my children along to start a new year.  It’s harder than hard since my baby starts school and I just want to hold him and not let him go, but I know that he has much to learn and explore.  The best thing comes at the end of the day, I can hold him as he shares all he did that first day.   I will hold him and smile and laugh as he does. He will not see the tears fall from my eyes, instead I will secretly  wipe them and treasure the moment and everything in it.

I urge you my friends to understand that no matter your age or the stage you are in, it will pass all too quickly without warning and leave you wondering just where the years went.  You won’t have an answer, you will not even believe how fast time can fly.  It’s then you will understand all too well that we’re not in control. We live a life, then it’s over and hope those left behind are filled with great memories of love from that sweet time we did share.   So love on your family and friends while you can because time, is not something that can be bought, stopped or stalled.  Time is the constant we know will keep moving, so live every day to the fullest you can because time waits for no one and isn’t your friend.


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FlorastorKids Probiotic Supplement Review & Giveaway!!! #FlorastorKids

Almost every parent of a young child has heard the infamous “my tummy hurts” comment.   The problem with kids and “tummy aches” is that it’s hard for them and parents to know if it’s due to something they ate or to illness.  I have found that with my kids the use of a probiotic is beneficial in keeping their digestive track healthy and results in less tummy problems or issues.  As an adult I take a probiotic daily and feel it is especially beneficial when taking antibiotics.

I am very blessed that my kids have not had to take antibiotics often.  In fact I think my seven-year old has only taken them once at 3 years of age and my younger child once as well. If they do have to take them, using a probiotic is something I would do because I believe it helps derail the side effects of antibiotics.

Finding a probiotic for kids that’s gentle and tastes great can be a challenge.  I recently was introduced to FlorastorKids, a yeast-based probiotic supplement that is gentle enough to use on children as young as 2 months old.  The handy powder packets make it easy to take anywhere and mix into almost any drink or soft food.

florastor original

Each powder packet contains 250 mg of active Saccharomyces boulardii lyo.  Florastor and FlorastorKids are vegetarian and gluten-free and unlike yogurt and other bacterial probiotics do not require refrigeration nor are they compromised by antibiotic use.

florastor

 

The tutti-frutti flavored powder makes it ideal to mix with juice or in foods like applesauce or other pureed fruits or soft foods.  My kids did not even notice anything different when I mixed it in their juice.  We see a benefit already and they are having less “tummy aches” and seem to be more regular.  I like how convenient the packets are and just how easy they are to mix into drinks and soft food.

Florastor Kids pic

Would you like to win a Florastor and FlorastorKids Prize Pack valued at over $60?  You can by just entering the giveaway below using the Givaway Tool widget.  The winner of the giveaway will receive:

One (1) Florastor 50-Capsule Bottle

One (1) FlorastorKids 20-Packets

“Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Florastor and I received compensation as part of my affiliation with this group.  The opinions on this blog are my own.”


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2014 “Spa For Ma” Blog Hop!!! Giveaway For A Mohawk Valley Trading Prize Pack-Enter Here!!!

Welcome to the 4th annual Spa for Ma Giveaway Hop hosted by Measuring Flower and Homemaking Hacks! I have teamed up with some incredible bloggers to bring you prizes that help mom to get some much awaited R&R after the kids head back to school!

If you’re unfamiliar with what a giveaway hop is, here’s how it works. After you enter my giveaway below, you can “hop” on to the next participating blog to enter their giveaway as well. You can find links to all the blogs towards the bottom of this post.

Also, don’t forget to enter to win the grand prize! It is for an incredible $300 gift card to Kohl’s! Enter HERE!

Mommy Ramblings is having a great giveaway prize sponsored by Mohawk Valley Trading worth $125.00

Spa For Ma Collage

This special Spa For Ma Prize Pack will include:

  • Three bars of Handmade Soap ($13.50) consisting of one bar each of:

The total retail price of this prize pack with s/h is $125!!!   Would you like to win it?  If so enter the giveaway below and then hop on over to all the other blogs and enter to win their great giveaways for more chances to win great prizes!!!

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Enter To Win a $15 Fandango Gift Card Giveaway!!! #LifeOfCrime

Life of Crime, the new caper comedy from legendary author Elmore Leonard starring Jennifer Aniston, Tim Robbins, Will Forte and Isla Fisher is coming to theaters, on demand and iTunes August 29th! To celebrate the release of Life Of Crime we are having a giveaway for a $15 Fandango gift card!!!

 

 

When a pair of low-level criminals kidnap the wife of a corrupt real-estate developer, they get both more and less than they bargained for in Life of Crime, a dark caper comedy based on legendary author Elmore Leonard’s novel The Switch. Starring Jennifer Aniston, John Hawkes, yasiin bey, Mark Boone Junior, Isla Fisher, Will Forte and Tim Robbins, Life of Crime is packed with the outrageously eccentric characters, black comedy and unexpected twists that earned Leonard a reputation as one of America’s sharpest and funniest crime writers.Mickey Dawson (Jennifer Aniston), the wife of crooked real-estate developer Frank Dawson (Tim Robbins), is kidnapped by two common criminals (yasiin bey and Jon Hawkes), who intend to hold her for a $1 million ransom and extort her husband with inside information about his illegal business dealings. But Frank, who is holed up in the Bahamas with his mistress, decides he’d rather not get his wife back, setting off a sequence of double-crosses and plot twists that could only come from the mind of master storyteller Elmore Leonard.
To enter for a chance to win a $15 Fandango Gift Card, just enter the giveaway below using the Rafflecopter widget. Open to US residents.  Good Luck!!!

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Free Healthy Habits Booklets From The Girl Scouts & Together Counts!!! #HealthyHabits

This post is sponsored by the Together Counts/Girl Scouts of USA as always my words and views are 100% my own.
GS LogoGS Together Counts

 #HealthyHabits

I was a girl scout starting as a Brownie  when I was a girl, my daughter was too and I was her Girl Scout Troop Leader. I have such fond memories of my time as a Girl Scout and my daughter does as well.  Earning badges was such a fun time and we had a blast while mastering life long skills that would serve us well no matter where life led us.  I was blessed to see it from both sides, as a scout and as a scout leader.  The relationships built during that time are still with me today and have enriched my life.  The Girl Scouts is a wonderful organization that goes above and beyond for Girls.

Did you know that  Together Counts and Girl Scouts of the USA Healthy Habits Journey  are partnering in the Together Counts Program.  The Together Counts Program is active  nationwide and provided by the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation to inspire active and healthy living via physical activity and nutrition, a fundamental underpinning of efforts to reduce obesity. The principle behind the program is called Energy Balance, which just means balancing the calories we consume with the calories we expend.

o   Energy In: the calories you get from eating and drinking.

o   Energy Out: the calories you burn from physical activities

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Healthy Habits Journey Program & Booklets

The Girl Scouts created three “healthy habits” booklets in conjunction with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, These booklets can be a great resource  for volunteers to use in conjunction with their Journey Adult Guides. The free booklets help guide girls on their Journey as they learn to lead active, healthy lifestyles. Through the use of these free resources for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors, Girl Scout volunteers and families can guide girls in fun, easy ways to achieve “energy balance.”

The three Healthy Habits Journey booklets available for download include:

o    Between Earth and Sky with Healthy Habits 

o    WOW! Wonders of Water with Healthy Habits

o    Get Moving! with Healthy Habits

GS Healthy Habits 2

I really think it’s wonderful that the Girl Scouts involvement with The Healthy Habits Journey Program & Booklets will go far in helping girls learn early on the importance of staying healthy, fit, exercising and eating well.  With the technology we have today it’s all too common to see kids and their families plugged in and leading a couch potato lifestyle.  I think these booklets will have a big impact in getting the girls and their families to take a closer look at their energy balance and doing active and fun activities together.  You can download all three booklets HERE.

Come To The Twitter Party To Learn More About

If you want to learn more about the Girl Scouts Journeys Healthy Habits booklets and how you can encourage healthy, active lifestyles, plus have a chance to win a $50 VISA Gift Card, attend the Healthy Habits Twitter Party on September 9th from 9-10 pm est.  Log onto your Twitter account and follow the hashtags #HealthyHabits and #GNO. Hope to see you there!

For the latest information and to connect on social media with the Girl Scouts and Together Counts you can connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and their website and blog links below:

  • Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital Facebook Page
  • Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital on Twitter
  • Together Counts Website
  • Together Counts on Twitter
  • Together Counts Blog
  • Together Counts Pinterest


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