Hickory Farms Holiday Family Traditions

With D23 Expo just next week…I know! Only 5 days away! I thought I would share a little about the Official Luggage of Walt Disney World Resort & Disneyland…American Tourister Luggage a Samsonite Company.
If you’re headed off to D23 Expo next week, or off to Disney World or celebrating Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration, you’ll want to have an awesome piece of luggage to take with you!
I was so excited when American Tourister announced that they co-branded Star Wars licensed products! So now they have a Disney Line, and a Star Wars line which is totally up my ally!
As of right now they only have a few select designs, but trust me, you’ll want one of each!
Child Sizes/Designs
R2D2 in 18″ hard & soft versions
Storm Trooper in 18″ hard & soft versions
Darth Vader in 18″ hard & soft versions
All Ages
R2D2 in both 21″ & 28″ sizes
Storm Trooper in both 21″ & 28″ sizes
Darth Vader in both 21″ & 28″ sizes
Which one would you choose for your trip? I’m having trouble deciding between R2D2 & the Storm Trooper! Or, maybe I’ll get both!
ABOUT AMERICAN TOURISTER: At American Tourister, we have one simple philosophy: travel should be fun. We take pride in making stylish, high quality, and yeah, fun luggage and travel bags that you can rely on. We take the worry out of travel so you can focus on more important things. Wherever you go, whomever you’re with, we want to make sure you PACK MORE FUN!

Once your little one is well acquainted with solids and is at least six months old, it’s time to introduce new tastes and textures to her palette. Continue to follow your baby’s cues. Go at her pace and do not move beyond simple solids before he/she’s ready.
When trying new flavors, gentle persistence may be necessary. Never, ever force feed your little one, but keep in mind that it often takes five or more tries before a baby takes to a new food. The more flavors you introduce, the more adventurous his palette will be later.
While still avoiding added salt and excess sugar, you can begin incorporating fresh herbs or mild spices to baby food, watching carefully for adverse or allergic reactions.
Butternut Squash
1 medium-large butternut squash
(can also use canned or frozen butternut squash puree; see below) 1 tbsp. olive oil 1/3 cup water or organic, low-sodium chicken stock
1 tsp. fresh ground nutmeg (optional)
If using fresh butternut squash… Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using a vegetable peeler, carefully remove the squash’s hard shell. Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop the seeds out with a spoon, and discard. Chop the squash into 1/2-inch sized chunks and place inside large bowl. Coat squash evenly with the oil. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spread the squash in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast the squash in the oven until very soft and beginning to brown, 40 to 50 minutes, stirring once or twice. Remove the cooked squash from the baking sheet and puree in a food processor until completely smooth. Add fresh nutmeg if desired. Once cooled, distribute mixture evenly amongst ice cube trays or cupcake tins, dependent upon desired portion size. If using canned or frozen butternut squash… In large stockpot, empty entire can of butternut squash puree along with chicken stock and nutmeg. Make sure that mixture is heated throughout, to about 160 degrees.
Once cooled, distribute mixture evenly amongst ice cube trays or cupcake tins, dependent upon desired portion size.
Country Pumpkin
This recipe calls for fresh roasted pumpkin…but here’s a little secret. You can substitute fresh pumpkin with nutrient-rich canned pumpkin. The benefit to fresh pumpkin is all those yummy roasted pumpkin seeds, but either way, it’s a sweet way to eat one of the most powerfully nutritious super-foods.
(or can of organic canned pumpkin – make sure it’s not the sweetened pie filling.) 4 drizzles of extra virgin olive oil ¾ cup milk ½ tsp. fresh ground cinnamon (optional)
½ tsp. vanilla extract (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line heavy baking sheet with aluminum foil. Using sharp knife carefully cut off the top 1/3 of the pumpkin. Remove seeds and set aside. Scrape away the fibers inside the pumpkin cavity and discard. Cut the pumpkin into quarters and place on large, lined baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil onto each pumpkin quarter. Cover the pumpkin with aluminum foil and bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until completely tender. Once cooled, scoop out pumpkin flesh from skin; add to food processor. Add milk, vanilla and cinnamon and puree until completely smooth. Once cooled, distribute mixture evenly amongst ice cube trays or cupcake tins, dependent upon desired portion size. In large stockpot, empty entire can of pumpkin puree along with milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Make sure that mixture is heated throughout, to about 160 degrees. Once cooled, distribute mixture evenly amongst ice cube trays or cupcake tins, dependent upon desired portion size.
After introducing your baby to fruits & vegetables, you can begin serving mixtures. With so many fruits and vegetables to choose from, the possibilities for tasty combinations are endless.
Garden Vegetables
1 cup fresh or frozen petite green peas, thawed 1 cup green beans, trimmed, or broccoli florets
3 carrots (about 1/2 pound) cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
Arrange all vegetables in a vegetable steamer, steam, covered, 13 minutes or until vegetables are very tender. Remove vegetables from steamer, reserving cooking liquid.
Place vegetables in a food processor process until smooth, adding cooking liquid, 1 tbsp at a time to reach desired consistency.
Yield; 2 cups or 8 (1/4 cup) servings
It’s a delicious way to introduce greens into your little one’s diet, as the mild, sweet winter squash tones down the strong broccoli flavor.
1 medium winter squash* 1 tbsp olive oil 1 medium stalk broccoli
1/3 cup water
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut winter squash in half; scoop out seeds. Coat squash halves in olive oil and bake for 60 minutes, or until flesh is soft. Meanwhile, cut broccoli into small pieces and put in steamer. Steam for 5-6 minutes, or until broccoli is tender.
Let cooked winter squash cool to the touch and scoop out flesh from skin. Place peeled squash in blender, along with broccoli florets and blend until completely smooth. Add water if necessary to achieve desired consistency.
Distribute mixture evenly amongst ice cube trays or cupcake tins, dependent upon desired portion size. *You can substitute fresh winter squash with frozen, organic pureed winter squash. It’s readily available at most grocery stores and makes for a great time saver! Just heat squash in microwave and add to pureed broccoli.
It’s a delicious way to introduce greens into you child’s diet, as the mild, sweet potatoes tone down the strong broccoli flavor.
1 medium sweet potato 1 medium stalk broccoli
1/3 cup water
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wrap sweet potato in foil and bake for 40 minutes, or until soft. Meanwhile, cut broccoli into small pieces and put in steamer. Steam for 5-6 minutes, or until broccoli is tender. Let cooked sweet potato cool to the touch and peel off skin. Place peeled sweet potato in blender, along with broccoli florets and blend until completely smooth. Add water if necessary to achieve desired consistency. Distribute mixture evenly amongst ice cube trays or cupcake tins, dependent upon desired portion size.
Cauliflower and yellow potatoes…blended together until smooth and creamy. The mild potatoes are a good complement to the “cabbagy” flavored cauliflower.
2 cups cauliflower florets 3 medium yellow potatoes, peeled and chopped (about ½ inch pieces) 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
Steam cauliflower in steamer basket for 5-6 minutes, or until tender. Set aside.
In pot of water, add potatoes and bring to a rolling boil. Boil for about 10 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender. Drain and potatoes and cool slightly.
Combine potatoes, cauliflower, ¼ cup of boiling liquid, and butter to food processor. Blend until smooth; add more water if necessary.
Disperse mixture into ice cube trays and freeze.
Other Combination options;
Spinach & Sweet Potatoes
Beet & Carrot
Squash & Zucchini
Asparagus & Zucchini
Veggie & Fruit Combos to try;
Apples & Butternut squash
Squash & Peach
Avocado & Banana
Sweet Potato & Apricot
Sweet Potato & Peach
OTHER MAKE YOUR OWN BABY FOOD POSTS:
Veggies Stage 1
Fruit Stage 1
Fruits Stage 2
Sample Menu for 6-8 Months

The majority of maternal deaths occur in areas that don’t have access to a high level of healthcare. For instance, the highest maternal mortality rates were recorded in areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa. However, that doesn’t mean that well-developed parts of the world such as Europe and the United States are free from the concerns of maternal mortality.
In fact, the maternal mortality rate in the United States has been rising. Between 2000 and 2015, the figures rose by 16.6% while the global maternal mortality rate decreased by 36.6%. The United States was one of six countries to even see an increase during that time and was the only developed country to appear on the list.
This raises many concerns, such as what’s causing it and why is it happening.
Below, we’ve included an informative graphic that helps to break down maternal mortality rates and how to decrease the chances of it happening. If you’re expecting a child soon or want to start a family in the future, then it’s incredibly important that you understand those statistics and how you can drastically improve your chances of living a healthy life with your child.

From the studio that delivered THE LEGO MOVIE, the animated adventure features the voice talent of Andy Samberg, Kelsey Grammer, Ty Burrell, Jennifer Aniston, and more!
Storks deliver babies…or at least they used to. Now they deliver packages for a global internet retail giant. Junior, the company’s top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when he accidentally activates the Baby Making Machine, producing an adorable and wholly unauthorized baby girl. Desperate to deliver this bundle of trouble before the boss gets wise, Junior and his friend Tulip, the only human on Stork Mountain, race to make their first-ever baby drop – in a wild and revealing journey that could make more than one family whole and restore the storks’ true mission in the world.
Visit the Official Site | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram #Storks
In Theaters September 23
WIN IT!
One (1) lucky My Sparkling Life reader is going to win a Storks Movie Prize Pack including a $25 gift card, t-shirt & lunchbox! This giveaway is open to residents of the US who are 18+ until 12:00 PM EST Sep 24, 2016.
THE FINE PRINT: ENTERING THIS GIVEAWAY MEANS THAT YOU ACCEPT BOTH MY RULES & DISCLOSURE. I WILL NOTIFY WINNER VIA E-MAIL AND THEY WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO REPLY BEFORE I AM FORCED TO REDRAW WINNERS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. EACH HOUSEHOLD IS ONLY ELIGIBLE TO WIN THIS PRIZE VIA BLOG REVIEWS AND GIVEAWAYS ONCE. ONLY ONE ENTRANT PER MAILING ADDRESS PER GIVEAWAY. IF YOU HAVE WON THE SAME PRIZE ON ANOTHER BLOG, YOU WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN IT AGAIN. WINNER IS SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION. MANY WILL ENTER, FEW WILL WIN! PLEASE ALLOW 8-12 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY OF PRIZING. MY SPARKLING LIFE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOST OR MISDIRECTED PACKAGES. Prizing and samples provided & shipped by Warner Bros. IN THE RARE OCCASION THAT A PRIZE DOES NOT ARRIVE (WHICH HAS HAPPENED), PLEASE NOTIFY ME.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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The brand new STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Trailer debuted tonight on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” during halftime of the National Football League game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia.
Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns to the big screen with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are producing with Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt.
Like STAR WARS on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Visit the official STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS website
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS arrives in theaters everywhere on December 18th!
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