Get The Floors Clean Today with Swiffer Sweep & Trap #NewFromSwiffer

A new product is hitting the shelves at Walmart today and I got to test it before it was for sale. Guess what it is? Over the past few weeks, I have been reviewing the brand new Swiffer Sweep & Trap here at SusieQTpies Cafe. This was a fun and practical product review perfect for my kitchen. Thanks to SheSpeaks and Swiffer for sponsoring this post. My own opinions are expressed here. 

The Swiffer Sweep & Trap is practical and easy to use like all the other Swiffer products which I own. This one uses a dry pad to trap small particles, cat hair, dust, crumbs, and more. Besides the dry pad it has another function which is to trap and catch larger items like nuts and bolts, cat food, wood shavings, cereal and more! 

The product was tested to pick up nuts & bolts, cat food, large crumbs, cat hair, wood shavings, and dust. Guess what? It worked. Even the teens tried it and it worked for them, too! 

I don't know about you but I'm always looking for practical products for my kitchen. The Swiffer Sweep & Trap is just that. Pop on over to Walmart today and get yours, too! 

Check Twitter and follow:
@SusieQTpies, @SheSpeaksUp and @Walmart as well as the hashtag #NewFromSwiffer to find out what others are saying about the new Swiffer Sweet & Tray. 

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Menu Plan Monday and Cooking for Teens

Happy Monday! Time for a new menu. We are a family of 3 teen girls, two of which aren't home much for dinner. Sometimes they eat when they get home later in the evening or take the food with them to eat for lunch the next day.

What are your cooking challenges? Here are my issues with teens and some examples of what we are doing for meals.

• It isn't easy feeding teens. 
• Not only are their schedules crazy but their taste buds seem to be rapidly changing. 
• Foods that they use to love no longer taste good or appeal to them. 
• I also noticed that once they got braces I had to cook different foods, too. In our home, all 3 got braces at different times. 
• So parents be flexible and ask your kids to help you with your weekly menu plan. 
• Take them along to the store, yes even as teens they need to go to the store and help you shop. 
• Give them a list and let them go shop for you, too! 
• Don't always cook mac and cheese for your kids. Keep cooking and trying new things. 
• They will thank you for it later in life.

What are your cooking challenges? How do you cook for teens? Any tips?

Monday- Fiesta Burger, Veggie Critter Snack Attack and Baked Carrots (gluten free)

Tuesday- Thai Basil Fried Rice and Easy to Make Crab Rangoons

Wednesday - Leftovers from Monday and Tuesday

Thursday- Easy to make BLT Pizza, salad and fruit kabobs

Friday - Slow Cooker Pot Roast Sliders with Creamy Chipotle Sauce, Ranch and Bacon Pasta Salad

Saturday & Sunday - Anna Banana Bread, Bacon Muffins

Exercise Challenge - 30 Day Plank Challenge - check it out or the 14 Day Slim Fast Challenge

I've linked up at OrgJunkie's Menu Plan Monday link party. 

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{Healthier Lifestyle} 30 Day Plank Challenge

The last healthier lifestyle challenge I posted many of you joined along. So back by popular request I have another challenge for you that has been going around Facebook. This is the 30 Day Plank Challenge and you can do it! I learned how to plank at my gym and love it. It really does strengthen your core. This is a simple exercise that can be done right at home, just uses your body and for people of all fitness levels. Are you going to join me?

Want to know more about the plank and how it can help you? Scroll all the way do past the challenge to get the scoop!

The 30 Day Plank Challenge will send your core strength through the roof! Yes, all you have to do is HOLD this position, nothing else! It looks pretty easy, but it isn't!

Day 1 - 20 seconds
Day 2 - 20 seconds
Day 3 - 30 seconds
Day 4 - 30 seconds
Day 5 - 40 seconds
Day 6 - REST
Day 7 - 45 seconds
Day 8 - 45 seconds
Day 9 - 60 seconds
Day 10 - 60 seconds
Day 11 - 60 seconds
Day 12 - 90 seconds
Day 13 - REST
Day 14 - 90 seconds
Day 15 - 90 seconds
Day 16 - 120 seconds
Day 17 - 120 seconds
Day 18 - 150 seconds
Day 19 - REST
Day 20 - 150 seconds
Day 21 - 150 seconds
Day 22 - 180 seconds
Day 23 - 180 seconds
Day 24 - 210 seconds
Day 25 - 210 seconds
Day 26 - REST
Day 27 - 240 seconds
Day 28 - 240 seconds
Day 29 - 270 seconds
Day 30 - PLANK FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!!

Benefits of Plank Exercise:

*It strengthens your lower back
*It develops your core muscles – which include the abs, back, hips and the butt.
*Helps you to avoid injuries and encourage good posture
*Can be done anywhere
*Develops your abdominals by targeting the rectus abdominis

SUPPORT each other in Fitness!! This is a beginner routine.. everyone starts somewhere!

I am excited to share this challenge with you. I found it on Facebook on Getting the Skinny on with Alicia. Stop over and  visit her group!

More Healthier Lifestyle Challenges and Recipes

• Make Time to Walk
• 12 Healthier Lifestyle Recipes
• 14 Day SlimFast Challenge
• How to Start Walking Tips 
• Weight Loss Tips 
• Health & Exercise Apps 
• 5 More Healthy Apps
• Top 10 Healthy Changes to Make Today 
• Top 10 Ways to Make Exercise More Enjoyable 
• Top 10 Exercise Funnies & Don't Take Life So Serious
• 10 5K Tips and Tricks and Zombie 5K Run

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Get in on the FREE Blogger Opp: Thirty-One Organic Poppy 3-Piece Set Giveaway!

Bloggers are you looking for an opportunity to grow your blog? Check out the free blogger opportunity below. Not only can you host a giveaway, interact with fellow bloggers and you will have the chance to increase your followers.  Here is the scoop and how you can participate.

Sign-ups are now open!

Link Options: Free Link (Twitter, Pinterest)

Additional Links $2 (No Google+)

Facebook Link $4

Daily Options: Daily Comment ($5) Daily Vote ($3)

Co-Host Options: 1 Spots Available ($10) Includes 3 links, back link, host page and (1) 150x150 Ad Space on Simply Southern Couponers in sidebar for (1) Month. The code for your Ad Space can be emailed to simplysoutherncouponers.com and will be placed for 30 days from the date payment is received.

Announcement Post HERE.

(If you do not wish to post the announcement you can pay a $5 non-post fee.)

Sign-ups end January 25th or when all spots are filled!

Max of 30 bloggers!

**Prize**

One winner will receive Thirty-One's Timeless Memory Pouches 1 Large & 1 Small , Thermal Tote and Super Organizing Tote in Organic Poppy.

Blogger with most referrals will receive a Free Co-Host Spot.

All money collected will cover the costs for prize, giveaway fees and shipment of prize.

Please send payments via PayPal GIFT to simplysoutherncouponers@gmail.com

Sign Up HERE

(There will be no refund for any money collected if you decide you can not participate in this event.)

Menu Planning Tips, Menu and Top 13 Menu Plans of 2013

For the past several years I have relied on my weekly menu plan to keep me organized at home. The menu became so much more than I ever imagined. Not only was I more organized, I saved money, had less food waste, used it as a teaching tool for my teen daughters, gave food ideas for my blog readers,etc. The benefits truly outweighed any negatives. I can't even list a negative with menu planning.

Some think that menu plan is restricting and doesn't allow for spontaneous fun or change of plans. We might have found that the first week or so but learned to adjust and think ahead. With future menus I had to think ahead of what our family had planned for the up and coming week to make sure I wasn't buying food or planning meals when they weren't needed. On days when I wasn't certain if I would have to cook, I planned meals based on what extra food I had on hand or freezer meals.

Do you meal plan? What has been your experience? If you don't, what is holding you back? If you need help or have questions, just ask! Feel free to use any of my meals, recipes, etc. They are here for you to use and share.

Here are the Top 13 Menu Plans from 2013. The menus are such a huge success for me that I plan on continuing them for 2014. Out of the below 13, quite a few are menus from several years ago that people still visit, especially the holiday theme menus.

Just so you know, menu plans can be reused and recycled. Some do it in an orderly fashion, but I don't. Some recycle their menu every so many weeks. I don't but you can. I do pull from past menus depending on the weather or season. Find what works for you and do it!

#1 Fall Menu Plan with 15 Beef Crockpot Recipes - This has been a huge hit since fall. I gathered up these recipes for the sake of my family. I don't cook a lot of beef and wanted to get new ideas for my family.

#2 4th of July Menu Plan - This menu is from a few years ago and still gets visitors. Who doesn't love picnic food? Theme menus are so easy to plan.

#3 Zombie Themed Halloween Menu Plan - You'll have to pin this menu for later! So many yummy ideas for Halloween, even if you aren't into the zombie thing.

#4Menu Plan with Crockpot Desserts - I did this menu plan and round up because some of my readers were asking for more crockpot recipes. So I searched some of my favorite blogs to come up with delicious recipes for my family to try and share with you.

#5 Menu Plan with 4th of July Recipes - Different menu than the above one but just about as popular. Summer fun ideas.

#6 5 Family Favorite Crockpot Recipes - This menu plan kicked off the crockpot crazy on my blog this fall. Everyone loves crockpot recipes.

#7 Fall Menu Plan with Trail Mix Recipes - I had a lot of tasty menus this fall which everyone loved. This menu and the included trail mix recipes were a huge hit.

#8 Menu Plan with Crockpot Chicken Recipes - I love cooking chicken. This menu has some of my favorites and tasty recipes from more of my favorite blogs.

#9 Memorial Day Menu Ideas - This is another well love theme menu plan and list of recipes for Memorial Day!

#10 Menu Plan Monday with Spring Recipes - This menu plan was popular this year because of the included post on 24 Ways to Use A Tube of Pizza Crust! Good short cut meals!

#11Monday Menu Plan with Mexican Recipes - My family LOVES Mexican food and I add such foods into our menu several times a month. These are some of our favorites as well as some other blogs.

#12 Monday Menu Plan with Chili Recipes - Fall is our Chili time. I usually cook one type but this year I was inspired by other bloggers to try new recipes. This post has a menu plan, my go to chili recipe as well as unique recipes from some of my favorite blogs.

#13 Monday Menu Plan with National Soup Month Recipes - January is National Soup Month and everyone loves these recipes. They have been a favorite for quite some time!

Our Weekly Menu - I often only list our main dish and not everything that can go with it to leave that addition up to you.

Monday- Manhattan Clam Chowder and New Orleans King Cake for Epiphany- family loved soup for almost 20 years!
Tuesday-Leftover soup and grilled cheese - I love making grilled cheese on the 2nd day of leftover soup.
Wednesday-Tangy Meatball Subs, fresh veggies and Jalapeno Mac & Cheese (recipe coming soon)
Thursday-Crockpot Beer Chicken, Mom's Hash brown potatoes, Broccoli
Friday-Dinner date with hubby so leftovers for the teens
Saturday-Crazy Breakfast Casserole, Bacon, Anna Banana Bread and a fruit salad

If you need more menu ideas click on the above top menus and check out my recipe box - Listed in A-E, F-N, and P-Z.

If you are on a healthier lifestyle journey, check out my Kick Off of 2014 Healthy Challenge.

I've linked up at OrgJunkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Join my newsletter to keep up with the new soups in January and more tasty menu plans of 2014.

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14 Day SlimFast Challenge to Kick Off the New Year

Since April 2012 I've been on a healthier lifestyle journey. I plan on blogging even more about that this year including various challenges I've tried or I am trying. I've lost and kept over over 60 lbs and working on making that a larger number in 2014. Because of that I accepted the 14 Day SlimFast Challenge to kick off my new year. The past few months I've been a tad lax on not going to the gym or eating all the right foods. This challenge is coming at the right time to get me focused for the new year. This is a sponsored post but my own opinions and experiences will be shared here over the next two weeks. 

Are you looking to quickly lose a few pounds for an upcoming special occasion? Are you trying to avoid fad diets? If you need some help along the way follow along on my Slimfast® 14-Day Challenge which includes replacing two meals with Slimfast® shakes or bars to help me hit my trim-down goal to kick off the new year. With these great products I’m set to lose six pounds in just two weeks! 

Please support me in this journey and stay tuned to when I reveal my results in just a couple of weeks.

Slimfast® is making it even easier this new year - if you buy any Ready-to-Drink 4-pack you can get any Slimfast® product of equal or lesser value free when you use the coupon found inside your local Walgreens through January 18. Want to join along?

There will also be a fun SlimFast Twitter party with @ResourcefulMom on January 21st at 8pm EST. Stay tuned for more information on that, too!

Are you on a healthier lifestyle journey?

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Top 13 Recipes from 2013

Time for the New Year round up of top recipes from 2013. The top 13 were clearing the most loved recipes on my blog and on Pinterest.  Some were my personal recipes, recipes from other awesome bloggers and recipes from some of my favorite Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks.

Did you click on any of these recipes the past year? Which were your favorite?

#1 Buckeye Brownies - This post is never in the top 10. I wonder how many of you have actually made these brownies? They get a lot of traffic into my blog and pins on Pinterest. So have you made them?

#2 Soft Brown Sugar Cookies - This is another one of those recipes which stays in the top 10. Have you made them?

#3 No Bake Oreo Cake Balls- Another popular top 10 recipe from the past few years. I posted this when the cake ball craze was in full force. These are no bake and really you can't eat just one.

#4 20 + Ways Pumpkin Seeds - New post this year with tasty pumpkin seed recipe variations.

#5 15+ Beef Crock Pot Recipes - Fun new collection from the fall of tasty crockpot recipes of mine and other foodies.

#6 Sweet Pumpkin Dump Cake - This has been a popular recipe that pops back up every fall shared by a guest chef!

#7 Weeknight dinners - This post contains Crockpot Spinach Stuffed Shells and Mexican No Fried Ice Cream both well loved on my blog and on Pinterest.

#8 Slow Cooker Beer Chicken - One of my go to recipes that gets made at least 1-2 times a month.

#9 Handmade Homemade Soft Pretzels-  Tasty, homemade recipes for pretzels. These are easy to make and the kids love to help.

#10 Party Meatballs and Weiners - Everyone LOVES my party meatballs! I need to update the post with the cooked meatballs!

#11 Chocolate Icebox Cake - The post includes a yummy apricot chicken recipe. The cake is so easy to make and perfect for any occasion when you need a quick dessert.

#12 French Toast Casserole - This is another post with several recipes. The french toast has been pinned a lot so it is the most popular one on the post.

#13 Game Day Meatballs - Another super easy peasy recipe and different from #10 above. This recipe uses frozen meatballs. The post includes a bonus recipe, too!

Hope you enjoyed the Top 13 recipes for 2013. I can't wait to share more recipes with you this year so that we have some new ones in the Top 14 in one year!

Check my tab up above for more recipes. Sign up for my free newsletter to receive occasional emails on new recipes, giveaways and fun from my kitchen!

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