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Things That Say Cluck: Dinner Made Easy

March 26, 2013 By amy Leave a Comment

I can’t help my love for chicken. I love it almost any way that you can cook it up. Though if it’s difficult, you most likely won’t catch me trying. I’m all about the simplicity of meals as most of you already know by now. I’m also fond of eating healthy and this is another reason why chicken is my meat of choice on most occasions. With the exception of frying it, you can really eat very healthy when you pick chicken over other meats. If you’re like me in the simple and healthy boat, then listen up!

Check out those stats! Here’s an interesting fact: the stats based on the survey above state that 66% of women and 61% of men admitted to cooking most often with chicken! Kinda staggering consider how men like their steaks and pork chops don’t you think?

One of my favorite shortcuts when it comes to simplicity (and healthy too!) are the Tyson® Grilled & Ready® products. I actually just made dinner with them last night. I cut the grilled strips into bite-size pieces, tossed them with some brown rice and stir-fry veggies along with some seasonings and voila! Super fast and easy chicken fried rice.

Tyson® Grilled & Ready® chicken and beef products are fully cooked, available in the frozen and refrigerated sections. Tyson® Grilled & Ready® frozen chicken and beef products are conveniently packaged in resealable bags to create delicious and smart meals in minutes

Or check out this yummy Chicken Avocado and Pear Wrap Recipe below.

Chicken Avocado and Pear Wraps

Recipe courtesy of Tyson Foods, Inc.

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 0 min

Total Time: 10 min

Ingredients:

6 ounces Tyson^® Grilled & Ready^® Fully Cooked Refrigerated Grilled Chicken Breast Strips

2 large whole wheat tortillas
1/2 cup cream cheese
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and julienned
1 small pear, julienned
1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Cooking Instructions:

Prepare Grilled & Ready^® Chicken Breast Strips according to package directions.

Spread each tortilla with cream cheese to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle evenly with chopped shallot.
Arrange chicken in a line across center of tortilla, top with avocado and pear slices. Sprinkle walnuts over top.
Roll up and tuck in the ends. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Slice in half for presentation.

Serving Suggestion:

Serve with a side of fresh fruit.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories 370 Total Fat 14 g Protein 22 g Carbohydrate 41 g Cholesterol 35 mg Sodium 640 mg

Serves: 4

Countdown to a Better You Program

Just in time for summer, Tyson® Grilled & Ready® is rolling out a program designed to help you feel better about yourself! The Countdown to A Better You program not only helps you eat healthier with Tyson Grilled & Ready products, but it also gives you a chance to win some awesome stuff! The “Countdown to a Better You” program will motivate you to eat smarter by encouraging you to create good-for-you recipes with a variety chicken and beef products. To reward you for eating better – the more products you buy, the better the prize!

You’ll need to go HERE and click on the “Countdown to a Better You” tab to register for the program which runs through June 21st, 2013. Start purchasing the Grilled & Ready products. You only need 6 of them to be eligible for the first prize level! You can also enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win 1 of 10 gran prizes- a $500 visa gift card!

1. Buy Tyson® Grilled & Ready® products
2. Save UPC codes from eligible Tyson® Grilled & Ready® products
3. Redeem by mailing in UPC codes along with the submission form available at Facebook.com/GrilledandReady to receive gift codes you can use at online retailers.

You decide the value of the gift code.

6 UPC codes = $10 gift code
9 UPC codes = $25 gift code
12 UPC codes = $50 gift code

Plus, while supplies last, there are 10,000 product coupons available on their facebook for download!

I was compensated for this sponsored post made possible by Mom Spark Media. All thoughts are 100% my own.

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Filed Under: Reviews, Sponsored

YumEarth Organic Candy Review and Giveaway

December 13, 2012 By amy

We’re at the grocery store picking up our weekly groceries. There’s but one thing that I can guarantee that my daughter is going to ask for….

Gummy snacks.

We’re talking fruit snacks, fruit roll-ups, gummy bears, and you name it. She’s going to request that we throw it in the buggy. Yes buggy. That’s what we call them here in the south y’all. I don’t usually mind grabbing some for her snack box at school or perhaps something to snack on in the afternoons. But sometimes, I have to draw the line. She would eat them every second of every day if I let her.

I often find awesome deals on YumEarth Organic Gummy Bears on Amazon so I was thrilled to get a chance to try these out for myself. And to let my little gummy connoisseur try them for herself.

I didn’t actually tell her that these were organic before she tried them. I didn’t think it would matter and I was right! She loved them and so did I.

I will say that I was a little thrown off by their color. They seemed a little drab in color and not as bright as most gummy bears, but that didn’t mean they tasted bad. They were still really yummy. They reminded me of a cross between gummy bears and fruit snacks. Gummy bears tend to be tougher and fruit snacks are usually soft. This was a blend of the two. Either way, it only took us a couple of days to go through our tasty bag of 10 packs.

Come to find out, YumEarth was founded by two DADS who were on a mission to share wholesome treats with their kids. YumEarth is dedicated to making delicious treats and sweets with all-natural ingredients, no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, and no major allergens, such as gluten, nuts and dairy. Pretty sure that most anyone can eat these and not have to worry about any funky ingredients.

There are tons of everyday stores that carry these. So be on the lookout at your store or find out where you can locate them here.

In the meantime, you wanna win a FREE bag of these for yourself? It’s a GIVEAWAY!

____________________________________________________________________

YumEarth Organic Gummy Bear Bag Giveaway

Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment on this post telling me who you think would eat these if you won!

Optional Additional Entries:

Follow Pennywise Cook on Facebook and leave a comment here that you did/are.
Follow Pennywise Cook on Twitter and leave a comment here that you did/are.
Subscribe to Pennywise Cook’s daily email. Leave a comment that you did/are here.
Follow Pennywise Cook on Pinterest. Leave a comment her that you did/are.

This giveaway will end on December 20th at 11:59pm CT. I will contact the winner on December 21st and they will have 24 hours to respond. If I have not heard from them in 24 hours, I will name a new winner. This giveaway is open to those in the US only.

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are 100% my own. All prizing for MSM giveaways is handled by a third party unless otherwise noted. For this reason prize fulfillment can take up to 90 days after the winners information is received.

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Filed Under: Blog Stuff, Healthy, Kid-Friendly, Reviews, Sponsored Tagged With: Bears, Fruit Snacks, Gummy, Gummy Bears, Organic, Organic Gummy Bears, YumEarth

$50 California Wine Club Giveaway!

December 5, 2012 By amy

You may have read my last post and review about the California Wine Club. Do you know someone who has a plaque or perhaps a magnet that says “Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Wine”?

Yeah, this just might be the perfect Christmas gift for them. Or hey, if it’s YOU with that magnet, we’re not going to judge. Go on ahead and grab yourself a membership.

Basically, you get 2 bottles of homegrown, not-sold-in-stores, even award-winning wine each month delivered to your door. What a concept!

This is Bruce and Pam Boring. Their last name may sound less than enthusiastic, but their desire for wine certainly is not! They are the ones behind this specialty club and the tasters that bring you the unique wine each month. Isn’t it nice to have a face to go with a company?

I was recently sent another shipment from the California Wine Company with a Merlot and a Chenin Blanc from David Grehrs. Both of which I never would have had the opportunity to try if it wasn’t for this club! I’m not much a Merlot drinker, but I really enjoyed the Chenin Blanc. Nice and sweet, but not overly.

If you’re thinking about getting someone a unique and fun gift this year, be sure to check out the California Wine Company. Here’s how:

Wanna check it out for yourself? Here’s how to find them:

www.cawineclub.com
California Wine Club Facebook
California Wine Club Twitter

Now, how about a FANTASTIC giveway?! The winner will receive a $50 credit to try it all out for themselves!

__________________________________________________________________________

California Wine Club $50 Credit Giveaway

Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite kind of wine. Or one you’d like to try!

Optional Additional Entries:

Follow Pennywise Cook on Facebook and leave a comment here that you did/are.
Follow Pennywise Cook on Twitter and leave a comment here that you did/are.
Subscribe to Pennywise Cook’s daily email. Leave a comment that you did/are here.
Follow Pennywise Cook on Pinterest. Leave a comment her that you did/are.

This giveaway will end on December 12th at 11:59pm CT. I will contact the winner on December 13th and they will have 24 hours to respond. If I have not heard from them in 24 hours, I will name a new winner. This giveaway is open to those in the US only.

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received a 2 month Membership to the California Wine Club for the purpose of this review.

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Filed Under: Blog Stuff, Giveaways, Random Blurbs, Sponsored

California Wine Club is Nothing to Wine About

November 15, 2012 By amy 3 Comments

Could there be anything better than enjoying a cozy evening with a glass of wine and great conversation? Maybe a really tasty meal as well, but the wine really helps doesn’t it? I’m not a big drinker, but I do enjoy really good wine to take the edge off every now and then. I’m a MOM, what do you expect?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve randomly picked a bottle out at the liquor store just hoping that it would taste decent. I’m no expert, but I know what I like and also enjoy trying new wines. Especially those recommended by friends. You know those friends, the ones that know everything about every wine out there.

We all have one of those friends don’t we?

Enter the California Wine Club. They are kinda like that friend. Bruce and Pam Boring started this club over 20 years ago. Each month, they travel California’s fertile wine country to local wineries. They meet the families that run them and taste their wine. Then they share them with the club! It’s like a “cookie of the month club”, but with wine.

My favorite part is that they all come from family-run mom & pop wineries. Usually, that’s where the hidden gems are and it’s awesome to be able to try wine that you might never have been able to experience before.

I received a membership this month and was thrilled to receive my first shipment! Each month, your membership comes with 2 bottles of wine. One red and one white. But they will work with you if you prefer all white or all red. You’ll also receive a copy of their magazine Uncorked. It’s full of info about the wine you’ll be drinking along with tips, recipes and more. Plus, discounts and special offers for reordering your favorites.

The coolest thing is that they share with you the story behind the winery where your wine came from. There is even a picture of the people/family that run it in the magazine. Plus, ahem, you get wine set to your front door. How incredibly awesome is THAT?

It really is cool idea. And with Christmas around the corner, this would make a stellar gift idea for the wine lovers that you know. Or you know, just a treat for yourself. Once you join, there’s no obligation. You can cancel anytime which means you can give it a try. They have a few different options of shipments to choose from as well.

Wanna check it out for yourself? Here’s how to find them:

www.cawineclub.com
California Wine Club Facebook
California Wine Club Twitter

And you do NOT want to miss out on my next post about these folks y’all. There might just be a giveaway in the works and I can’t WAIT to share! Stay tuned.

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received a 2 month Membership to the California Wine Club for the purpose of this review.

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Filed Under: Blog Stuff, Random Blurbs, Sponsored Tagged With: Reviews, Sponsored, Wine, Wine Club, Wine of the Month Club

Making A Memory Last Forever

October 1, 2012 By amy Leave a Comment

0 34369 634845087079820976 Making A Memory Last Forever

Back years ago when I first found out that I was having my first baby, I remember anxiously waiting to find out what the gender was so that I could go out and buy baby clothes. I know that some people don’t like to find out what they are having, but I was excited to get in the mind set of what to expect.

Would I be having tea parties or GI Joe wars? Would I be looking at blue paint or pink? Would I buy plaid pants or flower dresses? This was life-changing information people! The night before we found out the gender, it was like Christmas Eve. I could barely sleep.

The big day arrived and we found out that it was going to be a GIRL! Though I didn’t exactly share how much I really wanted a girl, I was so excited that I would have a princess to spoil. I went out shopping and bought the cutest little halter top romper pictured above. We learned a lot from our baby education classes, including the fact that it’s important to watch the dyes and scents found in the fabrics that baby clothes are made with. Not to mention how rough some of those fabrics can be before that first trip through the wash.

I bought my very first bottle of Dreft within days of buying that sweet outfit. Though the romper was one of my favorites, there were lots more outfits that I bought along with it. A entire load of laundry was in order and Dreft was the detergent of choice!

0 34369 634845214620266548 Making A Memory Last Forever

What do you bet that when we found out we were having another girl 4 years later that I would bust out this very outfit for her to wear. I love its blue color because it went so well with their baby blue eyes. Years later, Dreft has kept it looking just like the day that I bought it. Even after the spit up, pureed carrots, and many messes from 2 babies, it’s remained adorable and dear to my heart. Even if it is missing a snap. I hope to keep this little outfit forever to remember just how small they were.

These days, Dreft is the most recommended laundry detergent by pediatricians. No wonder, it softens and cleans baby’s clothes gently while triumphantly getting rid of those stinkin’ green pea stains. My favorite part was always that the bottle lasted forever! You can wash like a billion pieces of baby clothes in one load. I never worried about my investment in Dreft because it went a long way for sure. And you know it’s good when a product has been around for over 75 years y’all!

Whether you’re a first timer or the greatest, grandest mother of them all, there’s on thing moms have agreed on for over 75 years- Dreft makes your little one’s fabric feel as clean and soft as can be.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dreft. As a part of this program I received the product, the opinions and text are all mine.

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Filed Under: Random Blurbs, Sponsored

3-Ingredient Reese’s Truffles

July 24, 2012 By amy 7 Comments

It was a really great weekend around here. I actually got a girl’s night out with some friends and we had a blast. Isn’t it funny how silly us moms can act when you put a few of us in a room together without our children? We need that time every now and then to just be silly.

I was on a mission to create a Reese’s Truffle over the weekend as well and after a failure, I finally got it right. That’s usually how my creations usually work. I have to fail a few times before I get it right. But that’s what we call trial and error. But let me just tell you, these truffles are no error. They are so yummy! And they are so incredibly easy, it’s insane.

I think one of my favorite things about them is that you can get all the ingredients that you need anywhere, including a convenience store! You know sometimes, it’s just not possible to make it to the grocery store. Whether it’s because you’re on vacation and have no idea where a grocery store is or because you don’t want to fight the crowd, a convenience store is always around the corner and you can get all of the ingredients in this particular recipe from one!

You start out by taking 6 packs of 2 Reese’s cups and 3 slices of pound cake and putting them through the food processor (or blender). It makes a crumby mixture that is really soft and easily formed into a ball. Make them as big or as little as you want.

Although trust me, you’ll want them smaller so you can eat more…

Pop your little balls into the freezer for a little bit. Around 15 minutes or so to get them good and firm so you can dip them in the Hershey goodness.

This is the Hershey goodness. Try to refrain from reaching through the picture to eat one. This is just a picture, I promise.

Melt it in the microwave for a bit to get it so nice and gooey. Then it’s time to get your peanut buttery balls out of the freezer for their chocolate bath.

I would never object to a chocolate bath, would you?

When you’re done dipping them, put them back in the freezer for another little bit to help the chocolate firm a bit quicker and then you can put them in a tupperware or in cute little mini cupcake wrappers like these for serving.

This is what the inside looks like. Once again, this is just a picture. I hate to make you sad, but this truffle ended up in my belly. It was really good.

Here’s the recipe so you can make your own!

3-Ingredient Reese’s Truffles

Recipe type: Dessert, Snack

Author: Pennywise Cook

3 Ingredients come together to create a peanut buttery truffle made of Reese’s cups.

Ingredients

3 Packs of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (6 total)
3 Standard Size Hershey Bars
3 Slices of Regular Flavor Pound Cake

Instructions

In a food processor, combine and process the pound cake and Reese’s cups until crumby.
Shape into 1-inch balls. Place on a pan and freeze for around 15 minutes.
Meanwhile place Hershey bars in a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds on 50% power. Continue microwaving in 10 seconds increments until completely melted, stirring after each time.
Remove balls from freezer and dip each into the chocolate. Place on dish covered in wax paper and place back into freezer for around 15 minutes to firm.
Serve and try not to consume them all yourself!

Notes

You could also make these with chocolate pound cake and that would be very delicious as well!

Google Recipe View Microformatting by Easy Recipe

This experience has been part of a study with Murphy USA and The Smarter Driver. See more Convenience Store Cuisine at The Smarter Driver or at Murphy USA on Pinterest. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

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Filed Under: Appetizers and Snacks, Desserts, Sponsored Tagged With: Chocolate, Chocolate Truffles, Peanut Butter, Peanut butter cups, Reese's, Truffles

Me Without Make Up and My Cup of Joe

June 12, 2012 By amy

0 34369 634750438479262704 Me Without Make Up and My Cup of Joe

Ok so I didn’t say it was a close up of me without make up did I?

There is but one time of day that I always know will relax me. Even if just for a moment, when I have a cup of coffee in my hand, I am content. Whether it’s the fact that I know it will put some pep in my step (Lord knows I need it!) or the fact that I get just a few seconds to drift away in the comforting aroma, I am content.

This is a picture of me, having my coffee moment. Before my hair gets did, before I plaster on the make up, before I even begin my day. This particular day I was drinking one of the newer flavors of International Delight creamer, Belgian White Chocolate Macadamia. HELLO! It’s incredible. I’m really not just saying that either, it really is that amazing. It just adds complete awesomeness to my coffee moments during the day. And did you hear? It’s being reported that those who drink lots of coffee tend to live longer! That means more International Delight White Chocolate Macadamia creamer for me.

I’ve always been a big fan of ID simply because they have a huge assortment of flavors to choose from. I absolutely cannot drink coffee without creamer so I make sure to have some in my refrigerator at all times. And I’m extremely random with which flavors I pick. Usually based on my mood, I grab what strikes my fancy at the time.

International Delight is currently running an awesome Dream Kitchen Sweepstakes through (our favorite place), Pinterest! It’s quite simple to enter and totally worth it!

Check out International Delight’s new Coffee Creamer packaging on Facebook!

Enjoying a coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee break Kit, by completing these two steps:

1) Pin my coffee moment photo to Pinterest. Yes the world will get a glimpse of me without make up, but I will live.

2) Come back here and let me know you pinned the picture and then share your coffee moment with me!

That’s it, easy peasy lemon squeezy!

jjjEnjoying coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee Break Kit, by completing these two steps:

•1. Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest. (* this will clearly be defined by blogger)

•2. Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.

This

ddddEnjoying coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee Break Kit, by completing these two steps:

•1. Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest. (* this will clearly be defined by blogger)

•2. Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.

ThisEnjoying coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee Break Kit, by completing these two steps:

•1. Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest. (* this will clearly be defined by blogger)

•2. Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.

This

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

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Filed Under: Beverages, Sponsored

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

May 29, 2012 By amy 2 Comments

Marshmallows, pie crusts, ice cream, loaves of bread, even cookies. All of these things are foods that we tend to buy from the store for convenience. Isn’t it funny how we can get so used to that processed, store-bought taste that we aren’t even familiar with the homemade version anymore?

I’m not complaining about store-bought food. I buy those things just as much as the next person, but with my love of creating and cooking, I can’t help but want to make those things myself from time to time. And usually, the difference in the processed and the homemade are similar yet very different.

Let’s take this homemade chocolate pudding for instance. Until last week, I had NEVER made homemade chocolate pudding before. Why? Because the purchasing of the Snak Packs are just easier.

Or so I thought.

I’m beginning to question every Snak Pack purchase that I’ve ever made. Why chocolate pudding is made of things that I have in my very kitchen every day! And there are no extra preservatives or triglceridontknows in it.

You know me and my healthy makeovers on food. Have you heard of Domino Light? I’ve seen tons of coupons for it, so I was excited to try it out with this pudding. Basically, Domino Light is made from pure cane sugar and the tropical stevia plant. Which means that it’s ALL NATURAL with no added artificial ingredients.

What could possibly make this sweetener better? Oh nothing big, but that it contains HALF the calories of sugar. Plus, you only need a 1/2 teaspoon of Domino Light to be equivalent to 1 teaspoon of sugar which means that your dollar will go further. That means saving money and saving money makes momma happy! It comes in 2lb bags (which is equivalent to a 4lb bag of sugar!) and individual packets too.

You can like Domino Sugar on facebook to get a $1 off Domino Light Coupon! This is a great way to try it out for yourself. There is a Twitter party coming up with C&H/Domino Sugar that you won’t want to miss. You can RSVP to the party HERE as it takes place on August 8th from 5-7pm PST. There will be $500 worth of prizes and gift cards given away.

With every intention of making this chocolate pudding for Addie and Britton, I found myself eating most of it. I shared a teensie tiny bit with my husband too. He had to try it out too you know.

I’m new to stevia so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the Domino Light was wonderful in this recipe. I’ve used it in every sweet dish over the last 2 weeks and I love it. One thing that I really want to point out about it, is that it’s very similar to sugar. The consistency I mean. You know how some sweeteners are very light and fluffy and don’t really take on the same feel as sugar? This is almost exactly the same texture as sugar itself.

If you’ve never made homemade chocolate pudding before, I urge you to try it out. Place it in small containers and treat it just like a Snak Pack.

Recipe courtesy of Domino Light.

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

Homemade Chocolate Pudding 3 Homemade Chocolate Pudding

Only 5 ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen right now can make you homemade chocolate pudding!

Ingredients

1/4 c. + 1 Tbsp Domino Light
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 c. cornstarch
2 c. milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

In a small saucepan, whisk together all dry ingredients.
Whisk in the milk 1/2 c. at a time until combined. Place over medium heat and continue to whisk until the pudding thickens and begins to bubble.
Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla. Pour into a medium bowl or individual serving bowls.
Place plastic wrap on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Notes

My pudding didn't thicken at all until it started to boil. So don't fret if it takes a minute for it to begin thickening. Just be sure to keep whisking to avoid having lumps.

This is fantastic with a little whipped cream on top!

Google Recipe View Microformatting by ZipList Recipe Plugin

http://pennywisecook.com/homemade-chocolate-pudding/

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Domino Sugar. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

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Filed Under: Appetizers and Snacks, Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Sponsored

Things That Say Cluck: Dinner Made Easy

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YumEarth Organic Candy Review and Giveaway

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$50 California Wine Club Giveaway!

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California Wine Club is Nothing to Wine About

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Making A Memory Last Forever

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3-Ingredient Reese’s Truffles

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Me Without Make Up and My Cup of Joe

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Homemade Chocolate Pudding

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