29 Ways to Leap into Jarlsberg Dip

When someone tells you something that is too good to be true you just have to see it to believe it!  That is how I felt when I was told that Jarlsberg is now in a dip!  I am a HUGE fan of Jarlsberg cheese.  If you haven't had the opportunity to taste Jarlsberg before, let me say-you just haven't lived.  Jarlsberg is nutty and buttery and somewhat sweet.  It is definitely a treat! 


Being married to a chef definitely has its advantages.  I can tell him something that I am craving and voila, he can make it.  I told him that I wanted to use Jarlsberg dip in a new recipe and he rose to the challenge.  Pardon me but I have no pictures because I accidentally spilled a glass of vino on my iPhone and freaked out about it being ruined (it isn't thankfully) but I had to let it dry out.  I will be making this again so no need to fret, I will post pictures at another time.

Jarlsberg Pita Chips 

The best part about this recipe is that it can be assembled with store-bought ingredients.  Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to whip up a batch of fresh pico de gallo and garlic hummus in a moment's notice. So for this recipe all you need is a bag of pita bread, a container of fresh pico de gallo and some hummus.  Do NOT forget the Jarlsberg dip!

Cut the pita bread into 6 wedges each and lay flat on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with EVOO and sprinkle with sea salt.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 5-7 min or until golden brown.

Scoop your jarlsberg dip into an oven safe bowl and bake in the oven while the pita bread is toasting.  The dip will be ready when it is warmed throughout (you can also microwave).

Serve the pita chips along with the hummus, pico and jarlsberg dip.  I always smear a little hummus on first, then spoon some pico on top of that and finish with a generous spoonful of Jarlsberg dip!  These little appetizers are simple, impressive and AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!

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**I was compensated for this post so I could purchase the items to create these dishes!  The opinions are all my own.  No other compensation was received**

I have my Bachelor's Degree, why am I not using it?

Every month when I pay on my 35k student loan debt I am reminded that I am not only still waiting tables and working from home as a Social Media Director.  Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but I can't help but feel as though I wasted my money on a degree that I am not using.


Sometimes I dream that I went to school in Tahiti and developed a rich tan and sexy body as well as my degree in Health Management.  These dreams of mine always involve some warm, tropical climate and a GREAT degree such as a medical assistant schools in miami or a Swedish Massage School in Stockholm.  Ok, ok, maybe the massage school is more of a dream of a topless therapist named Sven with muscular hands that never-tire but that is and always will be nothing more than a dream!!


As an educated woman I consider myself lucky.  I am lucky because no one can take my degree or intelligence away from me.  I graduated Cum Laude with a 3.79 GPA and that is a feat.  I did this just a few short years ago prior to having children.  I applaud mothers who are able to take the time out of their incredibly busy lives to go back to school.  I feel blessed to be where I am today but I know that I am far from done with my schooling.  What are your educational goals?  Have you completed your education to your satisfaction or are you like me and you feel like you are a life-long learner?  My grandmother turns 96 today and she once told me (many times actually) that in order to keep your body going, you need to keep your brain strong.  She reads a lot and is very educated.  I look up to her in regards to her strength and fortitude!


No matter where you are in your educational journey.  Whether you have a GED, diploma or some college classes under your belt there is one thing I know for sure.....you sure are smart to be reading Super Savvy Mommy!

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Mean and Green Cleaning Tip #1

I constantly get asked how I avoid chemicals and toxins in the laundry room.  Now that people are becoming aware of the dioxins and carcinogens in most detergents (All Tide and many others) as well as fabric softener, they are wanting to make the switch.

Making the switch from Downy/Bounce to a cheaper, ecofriendly, green alternative is EASY!  I am here to show you how!

Here is my laundry room staple: homemade "Dryer Sheets"

1. Start out with a sturdy baby wipe tub and fill it 3/4 with tap water

2. Add 4T of your favorite green fabric softener.  I use ecoSTORE USA's fabric softener (which cannot be purchased anywhere!  I happen to have an extra one to give away to one lucky winner!)

3. Cut 3 brand new sponges in half and place them in the solution

4. When you fill your dryer, gently squeeze 1-2 sponges depending on the size of your load and toss them in your dryer.  (I find that in winter I always need 2 sponges)

5. When you empty your dryer simply toss your dry sponges back into the tub for future use.

You will notice that your laundry is starting to get static-y again after awhile and to remedy this, simply add another tablespoon of fabric softener!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012!  WOW!  We are already into the first weekend of the New Year and I cannot believe how much hope I have for 2012.  Oliver and Dexter are growing like weeds and I have a few pictures to share from the holidays!

Mr. Oliver at 12 months

December in North Carolina visiting my Mom and Dad

Hayride in October

Christmas Morning

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Smith Family!  May this be your best year yet! 

MyBlogSpark-Seventh Generation "Nature Makes Perfect Scents" Sweepstakes

Seventh Generation dish liquid contains only essential oils and botanical extracts, and delivers real cleaning power. Your tableware will be left fresh and ready to serve your next home cooked meal. With authentic ingredients like lavender from the fields of Drome in the foothills of the Alps, clementines from sunny Calabria and lemons from the soils of Sicily, Seventh Generation natural dish liquid is free of unnecessary synthetic colors or chemically engineered scents. Enter the "Nature Makes Perfect Scents" sweepstakes at seventhgeneration.com/scents and you can have the chance to take a trip for two to visit one of the sourcing sites of Seventh Generation natural dish liquid fragrance ingredients. Visit seventhgeneration.com/scents to learn more about each scent´s origin.

What you will win: 

(4) bottles of Seventh Generation natural dish liquid varieties in Free & Clear, Lavender Floral & Mint, Fresh Citrus & Ginger, and Lemongrass & Clementine Zest scents Premium 3 Qt. 12" x 9" Baking Dish from Le Creuset (2) Twist© loofah sponges and (2) Twist© scour pads made from 100% post-recycled materials Set of 3 organic cotton dish towels

To enter:
*Like me on Facebook
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*Follow on GFC
*Share this contest on Facebook and post the URL in comment
*Tweet daily "Enter to #win Le Creuset Baking Dish and @SeventhGen Dish Liquids from @royaldixie Ends 1/2/12
*Add this contest to any contest listing (unlimited entries)


Contest is open to US residents and ends 12/23/11 GOOD LUCK

**Disclosure: The Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid prize pack, product and information have been provided by Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.**

A Time for Giving and Receiving

A Time for Giving and Receiving

 

It is always nice to receive; however, it is even better to give. This semester when you rent your textbooks from CampusBookRentals.com a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Operation Smile. So, this is not only your opportunity to give, but to receive as well. In fact, you will be getting more than just savings when you rent. You will also receive convenience and a stress free experience.

Campus Book Rentals has been assisting student with all their textbook needs since 2007. They have created a system that makes finding and renting textbooks an easy, fast and an overall enjoyable experience, which if you are familiar with buying your books at the store than you know this is a vast improvement. Since their website is so easy to navigate you can find all the books you need with just a few clicks of the mouse. Once you have paid for your rented books they will be shipped to your doorstep for free. You can then use the books as you wish, including highlighting and writing in the margins. When you are finished with your books you simply ship them back for free. This hassle free experience is also accompanied by flexible rental dates and a thirty day trial period on all books.

Campus Book Rentals has taken all the guessing out of textbook buying, or rather renting. It is simple, rent your books for next semester to save yourself money, and give a child across the globe the chance to smile for the first time.