Easy Roasted Candy Winter Squash Recipe

Good Food


Get Kids to Love Healthy Vegetables


Trying to get kids to eat their vegetables has been the bane of parents for generations. In fact, the veggies children despise most are the same today as the ones my mom tried to get me to eat growing up: those that are not only the most flavorful if they are prepared properly but also the ones that provide the best nutrition for growing bodies. 




A case in point is winter squash which is high in carotenoids and anti-oxidants as well as loaded with Vitamins A and C. In fact, just a cup of cooked winter squash has a whopping 214.1% Daily Value of Vitamin A and 32.8% of Vitamin C according to World's Healthiest Foods.


Farmers Market Squash
Organic Red Kuri Squash, McGrath's Farm, Oxnard, CA


Like others on kids unpopular list this vegetable is often prepared in the most boring of ways: boiled and mashed with little or no seasonings. Why not step it up a bit and try something different and simple the next time you prepare squash?  The goal is to use fresh squash, not frozen or canned, to bring out the natural beauty of the color, nutty sweetness and texture of this oft hated vegetable. 

If you try the recipe below and your experience is anything like mine, you may convert some young naysayers into hard core winter squash fans. Come to think of it I just made this for my family for Thanksgiving for the first time and they are already begging for me to cook it again.



Fresh out of the oven, this smells as good as it tastes

Roasted Candy Winter Squash


Recipe

This recipe can be prepared with any of the rich dark yellow, orange or orange-red winter squash that you might find at your local market during fall and winter. If possible seek out organic produce for this dish as you will get the additional benefits of knowing that no pesticides were used in growing the food you are eating. The amount of squash you use depends on the type and size you choose to use. One word of caution: Make extra, because all or most of those you serve this to will likely want seconds.

4-5 Acorn Squash

or
2 Carnival Squash
or 
1 Red Kuri Squash

1/4 c. fresh Rosemary leaves, stems removed

3 T. virgin olive oil
3 T. of dark brown sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. coarse fresh-ground black pepper

Optional: Add roasted pumpkin seeds to add crunch and more nutrients to this dish.



All the ingredients are tossed in a large mixing bowl

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Remove seeds, scrape off excess fibers & slice squash into thick segments
3. Add all other ingredients & gently toss
4. Pour into a roasting pan that is at least 2" deep
5. Roast for 20 minutes in center of oven
6. Gently turn over all slices to brown both sides evenly
7. Continue cooking another 18-25 minutes until nicely browned
8. Arrange & serve on a platter, either hot or cold
9. Leftovers (in the remote event that there are any left) will keep in the refrigerator for several days


Using the freshest Rosemary leaves possible will enhance this dish's flavor

FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was received for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Twitter Party Calendar This Week With Prizes November 25th - December 1st

Twitter Parties


Updated 11/30/12 - Includes Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Monday, November 26

SYWCyberMonday Twitter Party at 11 am ET with @ShopYourWay @Kmart @Sears to chat about holiday shopping. Prizes: Gift Cards #SYWCyberMonday RSVP

Unwrap Happiness Outback Steakhouse Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @Outback talking about gifts and gift ideas for the holidays. #UnwrapHappiness

Womens Health Own Your Look Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @leejeansus @womenshealthmag. Prizes: FIFTY (50) pairs of Lee Jeans. #ownyourlook RSVP

NetZero Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MomItForward @NetZero_4G discussing holiday travel. Prizes: THREE (3) winners will each receive a NetZero 4G Hotspot with a year of Platinum Service; ONE (1) winner will receive an iPad Mini and a NetZero 4G Hotspot with a year of Platinum Service #NetZero4G #gno RSVP

Sweet Valley High Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @girlslunchout @SVconfidential. TEN (10) winners will each receive the full 12 e-book set. ONE (1) winner will receive a huge pack of St. Martin's press soap books. ONE (1) Grand Prize winner will receive an eReader loaded with Sweet Valley ebooks worth $150. #SweetValley RSVP

Travel Gifts & Gadgets Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando @DebMomof3 @ConnieFoggles #TMom RSVP

Tuesday, November 27

The Whole Package Twitter Chat at 1 pm ET with @Resourcefulmom @caDriedPlumBrd @NatalieCoughlin. Prizes TEN (10) Dried Plums Packages that include Dried Plums and a $25 Target giftcard. #EatDriedPlums

12 Days of Christmas Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @CleverGirlsColl @12giftstour @FathomEventsPrizes: SEVEN (7) themed prize packages and ONE (1) Grand Prize. #12giftsparty RSVP

Move 100 Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @FormulaMom @7onashoestring @noisegirls. Prizes: THREE (3) Sportline different pedometers. Grand Prize: His & Her Sportline Heart Rate Monitors. #Move100  RSVP

Winter FUNderland Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @HousepartyfunPrizes: House Party goodies and gift codes including FOUR (4) Pie of the Month Subscriptions, TWO (2) Hot Chocolate Makers, and ONE (1) Bakeware Set & $100 Visa Gift Card.  #HPHolidays Details

Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Resourcefulmom and @TheMoms.  Prizes: TEN (10) winners each receive a Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash Entertainment Gift Pack ($110 value). #SierraMistHoliday RSVP

T.J.Maxx Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @visualtherapyny @alifedotowsky @jennfalik. Prizes: TBA. Use hashtag #standoutgifts

YesVideo Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @RachelFerrucci @MamaDweeb @themommyfiles @Zipporahs @ConnieFoggles. Door Prize: Blu-ray Player. Other prizes: $50 CVS Giftcard + $50 YesVideo Coupon, $50 Walmart GC + $50 YesVideo Coupon, $50 Costco GC + $50 YesVideo Coupon, $50 Sam's Club GC + $50 YesVideo coupon, and an iPhone Camera Lens Kit RSVP

Love Sobeys Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Sobeys @MommyMomentBlog. Prizes: $2000 in Sobeys gift cards. #LoveSobeys. RSVP

Ringya Holiday Sanity Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TechSavvyMama @FoundtheMarbles @daily_pinch @elenasonnino. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 Amazon Gift Cards RSVP

Wednesday, November 28

Walgreens Twitter Party at Noon ET with @GlitterFelt @KathleenHenage. Prizes: FOUR (4) $100 Walgreens Gift Cards. #WAG8000#cbias RSVP

Facing Cancer Together Twitter party at 1 pm ET with @ShesConnected @Cancer2gether. Prize $100 Shoppers Drug Mart Gift Card. #TellHerMovement RSVP

Men in Black 3 Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @KellysLuckyYou @WICProjectPrizes: FOUR (4) $100 Walmart gift cards. #SeeMIB3 RSVP

Decorate It Forward Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @Smiley360 @SandraLee. Prizes: EIGHT (8) $15 Kmart Gift Cards. #DecorateitForward Details

Pay it Forward Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Butterball_CA @Listen2Lena @SassyModernMom @TeacherMomofTwo @mychaos @simplystacienetPrizes: Every winner receives a $50 Butterball GC plus an additional $50 GC to pass on to a friend or food bank. Open to Canada. #PayitForward RSVP

Cinderella's Christmas Twitter party at 8 pm ET with @NYMomsWorld @TheaterWestbury. Prizes: THREE (3) Family Packs to Cinderella's Christmas performance at NYCB at Westbury. #CinderellasChristmas Details

Esio Hot & Cold Beverage System Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @MomTalkRadio. Prizes: THREE (3) Esio Beverage Systems. Also a chance to win a $50 Walmart giftcard. #EsioBeverage RSVP

Hasbro Girls Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @ClassyMommy. Lots of Prizes including Easy-Bake Ultimate & more TBA. Follow hashtag #HasbroGirls

It's the weekly  Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TheOnlineMom talking about online shopping and speed on the Internet. Prize: A Brand New iPad with Retina Display. #SmartHome RSVP

Diono Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MomStorm @BusyMommyMedia @DionoUSAPrizes: $500+ in Diono Products including a Car Seat ($339.99), a Booster Seat ($149.99) and other products for safe travel with babies and kids. #DionoUSA #MomStorm RSVP 

Latina Legacy Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @NHLI @NewLatina @LatinaLeader @Mamiverse and others. Prize: Complimentary registration to National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) National Conference; other prizes TBA. #LatinaLegacy RSVP

Sun-Maid 100th Twitter Birthday Party at 9 pm ET chatting about making celebrations fun with @KathyBuckworth @MommyKatandKids @MommyMomentBlog @MomvsTheBoys. Open to Canadian residents only. Prizes: FIVE (5) Sun-Maid prize packs that include $50 Visa giftcard, a Sun-Maid Baking Sheet and 5 Sun-Maid Raisin Bread Coupons. #Sunmaid100 RSVP

Bank of America Girls Night Out Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @donnanpatel @momitforward. Prize: ONE (1) winner will receive an iPad ($500 value). #gno #BofAHoliday RSVP

Thursday, November 29

Pre Black Friday Twitter Party 7-9 pm ET with @Flyerland. $600 in Prizes. #BlackFridayFL RSVP

First Barely There Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @WhitneyMWS @classymommy @barelythr. PrizesTBA. Follow hashtag #barelythere

Sensitive Skin Chat Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @dermdrhale. Prizes: TWO (2) Grand Prize winners each receive $250 Target gift card and 2 bottles Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent. TWO (2) winners each get $100 Target gift card and 2 bottles of product. TEN (10) winners each will receive 2 bottles of product. #Sensitiveskinchat RSVP

Cooking With Craftsman Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @CoryAnneEttiene @Craftsman. Prizes TBA. #CookingwithCraftsman  RSVP

Aflac Holiday Duck Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @AflacDuck @Shespeaksup @MommyBlogExpert @Zipporahs @StacieinAtlanta @ScentedNights @SweetiesFree. $700 in prizes: Aflac Holiday Ducks & Macy's gift cards with a $250 Macy's GC Grand Prize . Plus $2 will be donated to fight Pediatric Cancer for every Tweet w/ hashtag #AflacKids RSVP

Mompact Ladies Night Out at 9 pm ET with @Mompact @TheIQMom @HorridHousewifePrizes: Hot Joe Jacket, DEO Perfume Candy, $25 Flourish Gift Card, Set of 4 Everyday Elegance chair covers. RSVP

KRE-O Transformers Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @HasbroNews @MomItForward. Prizes: ONE (1) winner receives a KRE-O Transformers Destruction Site Devastator set and a couple of smaller sets. ARV $250 #HasbroKREO #gno RSVP

Mom Inspirations Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cafeyak. Prizes: An assortment of fun items from small businesses. #mominspirations RSVP

Friday, November 30

Colgate Holiday Smiles Twitter Party at Noon ET with @ColgateSmiles @JanetGoingCrazy @LoveandCents. Prizes include FOUR (4) Walmart Gift Certificates: THREE (3) $50 and ONE Grand Prize $100. #HolidaySmiles #cbias RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET talking about getting the most from your mobile devices. To be eligible to win a surprise mobile device + $125 Verizon Gift Card or surprise accessory + SWAG Bag participate in the party using hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


NEXT WEEK

Sunday December 2

TBA


Monday, December 3

Libby's Holiday Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @libbystable. ONE (1) Grand Prize Calphalon Contemporary 10" and 12" Non Stick Omelette Combo($120 value) and Magic Bullet Blender ($79.99). THREE (3) runner up winners will receive Pottery Barn Rhodes Kitchen Crock. #Libbystable RSVP

Hope Springs Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando @DebMomof3 and others Talking about the movie Hope Springs from Sony. Prizes: BedandBreakfast.com gift card and Hope Springs SWAG. #TMOM #TMOMHope RSVP

Tuesday, December 4

Affordable Christmas Gifts at Sam's Club Nivea Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @miscfinds4u @mimibakermn. Prizes: FOUR (4) $100 Sam's Club Gift Cards #NIVEAMoments #cbias RSVP

Timothy Green Twitter Part with @socialmoms @Disney @OddLifeMovie at 7 pm ET. FORTY (40) prizes including TEN (10) $20 Amazon gift cards for Tweeting in advance of the Twitter Party and THIRTY (30) Blu-ray combo packs of The Odd Life of Timothy Green  #TimothyGreen RSVP

Wednesday, December 5

Hoya Lenses Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lomargie @suburbanmomclub. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 American Express Gift Cards. Grand Prize: ONE $100 American Express GC + a coupon good for a free pair of lenses. #HoyaLenses RSVP

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Rubbermaid Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Rubbermaid @MommyMomentBlog @MommyKatandKids @MomvstheBoys. $750 in Rubbermaid prize packages.  #Rubbermaid RSVP

Thursday, December 6

TBA

Friday, December 7

SnapBox Picture Perfect Twitter Party hosted by @CleverGirlsColl at 3 pm ET. Prizes: Framed Canvas SnapBox Prints & more. #SnapboxPrints RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ETTo be eligible to win participate in the party, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


Saturday, December 8

Laser Pegs Twitter Party at 9 pm with @LaserPegs. Prizes: TWENTY (20) Laser Pegs Necklaces, ONE (1) Bot Kit 670, and ONE (1) Indy Car Kit 870 Grand Prize. #Laserpegs RSVP


COMING SOON

Monday, December 10

Cravebox Holiday Spruce Up Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cravebox. #HolidaySpruceUp  More details soon.

More parties TBA!


More Twitter Parties constantly be added to this list as soon as they're scheduled so stay tuned by following this blog.  

About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

$50 Grocery Card Giveaway Gas Rewards

Deals

Giveaway, details below


With four forever hungry teenagers in the house -- 15-1/2 year-old Triplets plus their big brother just one year older -- I spend a huge amount on food. Nothing is better than finding deals that help me get even more for my money at the grocery store. That's why I'm not only going to be taking advantage of Vons newly expanded Gas Reward Points program when I go to the supermarket, I want to share all the details with you to help you get more for the limited amount you have to buy groceries for your own family and kids.


Kids Riding Camels in Israeli Desert
My Triplets sure do eat a lot, Israel Vacation


Me, Hubbie and our two sons, Kotel (Wailing Wall)

The Vons supermarket chain has just updated their Gas Reward Points program and you can now redeem your points earned for buying groceries at participating Chevron and Texaco stations to buy gas. Here in California it costs me over $100 to fill up our SUV at the gas station, no doubt many of you are also spending a bigger part of your budget just for fuel for your car -- so hearing this news will help us all out a bit.




The way this program works is simple. All you do is shop at Vons or Pavilions using your Vons Club Card or Pavilions ValuePlus Card to save up to 20¢ per gallon for a single fill-up at participating Chevron and Texaco stations.
  • Each $1 spent on groceries = 1 point
  • Each $1 spent on qualifying gift cards = 2 points
  • Each $1 spent on pharmacy items = 1 points
  • Every 100 points earns you 10¢ per gallon Reward for a single fill-up at a participating Chevron or Texaco station
  • You can use up to 20¢ per gallon in Rewards for a single fill-up
  • 100 points = 10¢ per gallon in Rewards
  • 200 points = 20¢ per gallon in Rewards 
Fresh produce items you can buy at Vons, Pavilions


And Guess What? You have the chance to WIN a $50 Vons Gift Card! Keep reading for details on Mommy Blog Expert's latest family-friendly giveaway.

Vons
$50 Gift Card

GIVEAWAY 
Ends 12/15/12


HOW TO ENTER


Just leave a comment(s) below this post. Contest ends December 15, 2012 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. One winner will receive a $50 Vons Gift Card, selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email. Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize.

Required (Mandatory) Entry
Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying what why you'd like to win this prize. Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries 
Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter 
2. Like @mommyblogexpert on Facebook
3. Follow @vonspavilions on Twitter
4. Like @vonspavilions on Facebook

***Bonus Entries***
You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day. Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet to copy and paste:

$50 Vons Pavilions Review & Gift Card GIVEAWAY, Ends 12/15 #Groceries #Free #Family Pls RT http://tinyurl.com/a9rqhy3

More Family-Friendly
Mommy Blog Expert Giveaways



FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post and Safeway is providing the Vons Pavilions Gift Card prize and shipping for this giveaway. Opinions in this blogpost are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Free Fun Thanksgiving Holiday Kids Table Game Activity from Sony Pictures

Celebrations




If you have children coming over for Thanksgiving you need to keep them entertained and busy so they don't interfere with adult conversation. After all, that's why G-d invented the kids' table, right?


My son in foreground at the Thanksgiving Table, Vintage Photo 
Download this fun and easy Thanksgiving theme cootie catcher game activity right now so you'll be ready when the action begins upon the kids' arrival the holiday dinner. As a matter of fact, why not print out at least one for each of your young guests so they each have their own? This holiday activity is free from Hotel Transylvania. 

With Dracula voiced by king of comedy Adam Sandler the animated Sony Pictures feature film will soon be available for home viewing because it's coming out on DVD and Blu-Ray on January 29, 2013. 

Watch the Trailer Here:


Stay up to date on everything Hotel Transylvania on Sony Home Entertainment's official  Facebook Fan Page.

FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was received for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Thanksgiving Letter from Mom Jan Withers, MADD President

Safety




As a mom blogger I get more than 1500 emails each day. Every once in a while one of those thousands of emails is a real stand out, one that I feel compelled to share with other moms but also with all my readers. This letter that I just received from Jan Withers, mother of teenage Alisa Joy who was killed by a drunk driver, who is also national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is one of those rare emails. I not only urge you and everyone in your family to read it but also to share this with everyone else you know who drives ahead of the forthcoming Thanksgiving weekend.

Image from MADD
Dear Friend of MADD, 

Thanksgiving is Thursday (I can't believe 2012 is already coming to an end!), and this year there are so many things I'm thankful for - like my family, my friends and MADD. I'm thankful for a way to honor my daughter, Alisa Joy, each and every day through my work with MADD. I'm thankful that after all of this time, I can see a future without drunk driving. 

I'm also thankful for you. Your time, money and support of MADD's mission has helped us save almost 300,000 lives and serve more than 300,000 victims and survivors... and counting. While it felt like a whirlwind to me, we've done some amazing things together this year - our MADD family helped pass stronger ignition interlock laws in several states, served one victim of drunk driving every eight minutes, and assembled a Power of You(th) Teen Influencer Group that helped us create a teen booklet to help prevent underage drinking. 

So, thank you for your support - we could not make such important change in the world without committed supporters like you. 

Wishing you a warm, safe and happy Thanksgiving, from all of the MADD volunteers, staff and board members! 

Jan Withers MADD National President

According to MADD Thanksgiving 2010 was the deadliest Thursday that year. It's refreshing to know that so much progress has been made in 2011-2012 toward saving more lives and in educating the public in general and our youth in particular about the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving. Let's keep the momentum going forward.

Remember: Don't drink and drive this Thanksgiving holiday -- or any other time -- and don't allow anyone else to do so either.

About Jan Withers
Jan Withers joined MADD in 1992 after her 15 year-old daughter Alisa Joy was killed by an underage drinker who drove after consuming alcohol. See Jan's biography to learn more about her and read about everything she's done to help this worth cause. For more information on what you can do to make a difference visit MADD.org.

FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation was received for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.