If you are a salmon lover and are looking for a new way to serve it to your family, I have an amazing recipe for you today. Are you familiar with American Spoon Foods? It is sort of a foodie lovers dream. They have all sorts of jams, preservers and grilling sauces available. The only downside is the price. Our favorite item to buy was the Apple Cider Grilling Sauce, but at almost $10 a jar, the price was just not reasonable.

My mom has been perfecting her own Apple Cider Grilling Sauce copycat recipe for some time now and she has finally done it. Compared to the packaged sauce that we had bought in the past, we think our version has much more flavor and tastes amazing.

The main flavors we have are apple, spices and onions.  You may wonder why we didn’t use an actual apple cider in the recipe. This is because the concentrate and the old bay seasoning provide the spices you would normally have in an apple cider, plus a little bit extra like celery seed.

One ingredient that some cooks may not have on hand is the Fox Point Seasoning made by Penzeys. If you are wondering what to sub for this, it is a mixture of freeze dried shallots, chives and scallions.

Apple Onion Salmon Glaze
Makes approx. 1 1/2 cups of glaze

1 12 oz. can apple juice concentrate (2/3 of it is used immediately, reserve 1/3)
2 tsp. dried minced onion
1/4 tsp. Penzeys Fox Point seasoning
1 tsp. Old Bay
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. brown sugar

Thickener:
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/3 of reserved apple juice concentrate

1. Add 2/3 of the concentrate to a sauce pot. Add dried onion, seasonings, apple cider vinegar and brown sugar. Simmer 3 minutes.

2. Combine the thickener ingredients together. Add to the apple glaze, stir and simmer for 4-5 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add 1-2 tsp. of water to thin it out.

When you are ready to cook the salmon, you can either cook the fish most of the way in the oven and add the glaze towards the end of the baking process, or you can glaze it once at the start and once more midway through. Whatever you feel like! We just glaze it once and that works fine for us. As always, just be careful not to over cook your fish.

Recipe by my mom

Whether it be for prescriptions, beauty products or groceries, CVS/pharmacy offers fast, friendly service every time I drop by to do some shopping. With three locations here in Edmond, I always have a CVS/pharmacy nearby to pick up that last minute birthday gift or to fill my family’s prescriptions after leaving the doctor’s office.

When I visit CVS/pharmacy, I always bring my handy dandy red ExtraCare to take advantage of savings and to collect credit back. This is a great service, for sure, but CVS/pharmacy has just ramped the ExtraCare program with a new one called Pharmacy ExtraBucks Rewards!

Pharmacy ExtraBucks Rewards delivers bigger and faster rewards to CVS/pharmacy customers and is launching in select markets right now. (Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Oklahoma City and Portland-Auburn) By opting-in to Pharmacy ExtraBucks Rewards, cardholders can now earn bigger rewards for pharmacy purchases. Participants receive $5 ExtraBucks Rewards for every 5 prescriptions filled, up to $50 in ExtraBucks Rewards a year for each member. Plus, when you do other things like getting vaccinations during flu season, those count toward the program too.  And, ExtraBucks Rewards for non-pharmacy purchases are still unlimited.

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to star in a CVS/pharmacy video that helps explain how Pharmacy ExtraBucks Rewards works. The CVS/pharmacy team flew out to Edmond, Oklahoma to capture video of me in my home office and at my very own local CVS/pharmacy as I talked about the new program. The experience was one that I have never experienced before and one that I will not soon forget! The team was friendly, easy to work with and a whole lot of fun. I will be sharing the finished video in a couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

Ready to start claiming your Pharmacy ExtraBucks Rewards? Get started at www.cvs.com/rxrewards.

Have questions? Feel free to leave them in our comments!

 Disclosure: I received compensation in return for my participation in the video shoot. Thoughts are my own. Read Mom Spark’s full disclosure here.

My latest jewelry obsession was first inspired by Montreal’s fabulous jewelry line, Nea. Asymmetrical, colourful, totally rad. I’m so excited to see black used this way… bold statements for sure, but done right! Check out the way these designers are bringing black to their collections:

My favourite earrings from Nea! (This gal’s now in my shop!)

I want to know how heaving this gorgeous necklace is!

So neat… and kinda looks like a grenade to me… hmm, what do you think?

Swoon! This one’s a beauty. I love how raw it feels.

A black leather chain, believe it or not.

Gorgeous! Love the black/gold combo SO much!

So, what do you think? Would you wear black jewelry?

As if the awesome in my life was not enough, I just received an invitation to visit Los Angeles next month with 24 other bloggers to attend a red carpet premiere of Disney/Pixar’s BRAVE (in the Dolby Theatre, no less!) including interviews with voice talent Kelly Macdonald, Kevin McKidd and Director Mark Andrews, attend a screening of DreamWorks Pictures’ PEOPLE LIKE US with a Q&A from Director Alex Kurtzman, get a sneak peak of Tim Burton’s latest film FRANKENWEENIE AND go on a trip to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks for a special tour of Cars Land!

Obviously, I am excited beyond excited to be included in such an amazing event and cannot wait to share my experiences with you all! Stay tuned for more!

Disclosure: Disney/Pixar is sponsoring travel, accommodations and activities during my stay in Los Angeles. Thoughts are my own. Read Mom Spark’s full disclosure here.

As I have mentioned many times before, I am an avid online shopper. I am always on the lookout for online stores that carry fashionable clothing and accessories that are unique, AND affordable. It isn’t easy. Anthropologie, I love you, but I cannot afford you.

Little Black Bag is a fun and breakthrough online shopping site based on the Japanese retail concept Fukubukuro. Here’s how it works:

1. Shop stylish items up to 70% off from well-known brands like ZacPosen, BCBG and Betsey Johnson. You pick the first item and a stylist will select 1-3 more items based on what you love to include in your Little Black Bag.
2. To add a bit of fun and social interaction, you will have an opportunity to swap any of the items in your bag with fellow online shoppers.
3. When you’re happy with your items, Little Black Bag will ship the gift to you!

Little Black Bag provided me with a $50 gift certificate to create my own “little black bag”. At first, I did not expect $50 to go very far, but once I began exploring the website I quickly noticed the amazing deals and markdowns that Little Black Bag offered.

Being a bit of a purse junkie, I spotted this interesting Bright Blue Studded Cross Body bag and had to have it. I added it to my bag and was excited to see what extras would be added to the bag once I checked out. My stylist chose a Neon Yellow Bangle  and a Metal and Enamel Collar Necklace as my extras. I really liked both pieces, so I hung on to the them (I could have swapped them with other users) and waited for them to arrive. Shipping took about a week.

The purse was just as described. It was the perfect size for me (I don’t typically like big purses) and had just the right amount of unique style. The necklace certainly made a statement and could be easily paired with a simple tank for just the right amount of personality. The bracelet was perfect for this year’s neon trend and could go with just about every outfit I own.

For $50, I feel like I received great quality accessories that made a fabulous addition to my wardrobe. I will definitely be shopping Little Black Bag again when I am need of freshening up my jewelry or accessory collection. Little Black Bag also carries home items as well, so I need to check out that side as well.

For more information on how Little Black Bag works, as well as the vast selection of products they offer, visit littleblackbag.com.

Have you tried Little Black Bag yet?

Disclosure: I received a $50 Little Black Bag gift certificate in return for this post. Thoughts are my own. Read Mom Spark’s full disclosure here.

Disclosure: I received compensation in return for this post. Thoughts are my own. Read Mom Spark’s full disclosure here.

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Newport Beach for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Can you believe that Summer is almost here? It is time to start thinking about Summer family vacations!

Our favorite type of family vacations typically include time spent at the beach. Perhaps this is because Oklahoma is land-locked and we are miles from the ocean. There is something so calming and tranquil about the waves that cannot be compared to any other vacation, and that is probably the reason we keep going back.

Newport Beach, located in southern California, is a laid back beach town that includes pristine waters, beautiful views, amazing family outing options and more. Known for its yachting community and style, Newport Beach accomodates both adults and children alike, which makes it a fabulous Summer vacation spot.

Ready to visit Newport Beach? Learn more by visiting VisitNewportBeach.com. Also learn how you can win a trip for a family of four below!

GIVEAWAY

Mom Spark and two other blogs are hosting a family of four trip to Newport Beach! One winner will be selected from the three blogs and will receive free:

• Airfare
• 2-night stay (in one room) at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
• Breakfast both mornings
• Guided Duffy boat tour

HOW TO ENTER

• Leave a comment below explaining your favorite amenities in Newport Beach. Get ideas by visiting VisitNewportBeach.com.
• Tweet out a message about what you would like to do in Newport Beach using hashtag #VisitNewportBeach with your tweet link in our comments.
• "Like" Newport Beach on Facebook at http://facebook.com/visitnewportbeach

See full Contest Rules. Good luck!

Spring is in full swing and soon the Summer months will be upon us. Often times we prepare our homes for winter weather in the Fall, but what about preparing for warmer weather in the Spring? Have you ever given it much thought?

Rentals.com offers several DIY projects ideas for Spring, including Simple Steps For Getting Your House Ready For Warm Weather Months. Honestly, I didn’t give this topic much thought before, but it really makes a ton of sense. Let’s go over a few, shall we?

HOME SAFETY CHECKS

Time to start cleaning out those fireplaces, chimneys, air filters and making sure all smoke and carbon dioxide detector batteries are fresh. Double check each detector on a regular basis throughout the summer as well.

DECK

Since Summer means more time outside and on the deck, it is important to check for loose nails or boards, as well as any cracks or rotting wood that may need repair. Getting these repairs handled before Summer allows for more fun in the sun!

ROOF

It is always a good idea to inspect the roof for any damage or missing shingles. Also check on the gutters which may need a good cleaning out.

SWIMMING POOL

Summer just isn’t Summer without swimming! If you have a pool, test the system to make sure everything is working properly and check for cracks in the tile or pool itself. If you have children, always make sure the pool is secure with a sturdy fence to keep the little ones out. Lastly, you will want to start cleaning out debris and dirt, as well as begin checking the chemical balances.

THE YARD

Clean all yard furniture, grills and bird feeders. Also check garden hoses for holes or cracks, and replace any light bulbs that may have burned out.

DOORS AND WINDOWS

Check all locks on exterior doors and windows to make sure they are working properly. Before cleaning windows, check for gaps that may need caulking.

GET MORE TIPS

Get a full Summer home maintenance checklist HERE and also see Repair it Yourself or Call For The Handyman? How to Know Who to Call  and Circuit Breaker 101: Learn What To Do When The Lights Go Out.

When you’re ready for a new place to call home, Rentals.com has the information you’ll need to find the perfect property for your family – choose from rental houses, apartments, condos or townhouses. “Like” Rentals.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Rentals.com or follow them on Twitter @Rentals_com to get their latest tips on making the most of your home.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky Mom Spark reader will receive a $50 American Express gift card to help prepare for the coming warmer months! To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE – Rentals.com and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in their monthly blogger programs.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of this giveaway will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party. 

I’ve bee-n inspired by those busy little wonders of nature to put together an ode to their beloved colour scheme. I’ve been spying this combo all over lately and it’s getting me all excited for springtime!

From the fifties. Love this textile pattern.

I can’t stop looking at it!

Stripes! Bold pockets! Yes!

The colour of that chair is basically my favourite.

Gauzy scarf love!

What do you think of the black/yellow/white combo? Are you buzzing with excitement yet?

It’s National Women’s Health Week this week – May 13-19

Take this week to take the necessary steps to get active, get enough sleep and to eat healthy.

Start with breakfast to begin to treat yourself to good health:

Think you don’t have time for breakfast? Blend your favorite fruits with 100 percent Florida orange juice for a convenient, on-the-go smoothie.  Want to jazz up your weekend breakfast? Substitute orange juice for water in your whole wheat pancake batter to give your meal a zesty, new taste.

Here’s a great Florida orange juice breakfast boost smoothie recipe to kick start your day as well as other healthy breakfast tips:

http://floridajuice.com/health-professionals/docs/Meaningful_Morning_Tip_Sheet.pdf

I’ve teamed up with nine other bloggers to bring you an awesome giveaway for an iPad and 20 single issue digital magazines courtesy of Zinio! Zinio is the world’s largest online newsstand – which is perfect for digital moms like us!

Magazine fans crave more than just covers. Zinio’s digital ecosystem empowers enjoyment of the stories inside the covers. Boasting a library of more than 5,000 top consumer magazines, in 33 languages, visitors can feed their passions by searching for the categories of content they love and read key articles for free. This unprecedented access positions Zinio as the consumer choice leader for digital and mobile content consumption, connection and distribution.

Using its UNITY™ platform, Zinio serves tens of millions of digital magazines each month to avid fans around the world, across multiple platforms. Zinio remains focused on ubiquity, giving consumers access to magazine content both on and offline on PCs, Macs, and iOS, WebOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Some of the coolest features of reading on Zinio are the ability to bookmark and highlight items – gone are the days of the huge pile of dog-eared magazines you kept meaning to go back to. Now your magazines are all in one place with easy access and functionality.

May is the beginning of the summer travel season and it’s almost Memorial Day! Zinio has a huge selection of awesome travel magazines so you’ll have the most current information on your travel destinations!

Zinio has 2 GREAT deals for you today:

1. Get 1 year FREE digital subscription to VIVMag, the women’s online magazine!

2. Get a 1 year subscription to Caribbean Life & Travel for just $8.99!

Make sure to visit the other bloggers participating in this giveaway:

One (1) lucky winner will win a new iPad (16 GB) and 20 single issue digital magazines of the winner’s choice!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
US only, over 18. You can only complete the entries on the Rafflecopter once per person. Ends Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 12:01 AM.

DISCLOSURE: I did not receive anything in return for this group giveaway.

This recipe comes from my mom. It utilizes some shortcuts, like a roaster chicken and frozen broccoli spears.  It is ultra comforting and a delicious meal I loved growing up. If you would like to lighten it up, by all means feel free to use lower in fat alternatives.

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Makes 6 servings

2 boxes broccoli spears
1 roaster chicken, chicken pieces removed
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can mayo (use empty cream of chicken soup can)
1 tsp. paprika
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
3 Tbsp. butter
1 c. dried breadcrumbs

1. Spray a 9“x13” baking dish.

2. Thaw and drain broccoli spears in a colander. Place in bottom of baking dish.

3. Tear apart roaster chicken. Add chicken pieces on top of broccoli.

4. Mix cream of chicken soup with mayo and paprika. Spread on chicken. Top with cheese.

5. Melt butter in skillet and add dried breadcrumbs. Mix. Toast in pan  until butter is melted and incorporated.

6. Add breadcrumb mixture to top of cheese.

7. Bake at 350-f degrees for 30 minutes.

Recipe from my mom!

As a mom, a good night’s rest is always a struggle. Either I’m so overtired that I can’t fall asleep at all, or I’m so wired from the day’s events that I toss and turn all night.

Even though I always set a regular bedtime routine for my children, I don’t always do the same for myself. I end up not getting enough sleep, which leads to me nodding off at my desk or in the most random places. Yes, I am guilty of “sleeping around” and I know if I’m dozing off in odd places, it’s because I’m not getting enough rest in my bed. But I know I’m not the only one.

Join #StopSleepingAround for a Twitter party Thursday, May 17th at 9:00 pm ET. We will be discussing ways to reclaim your sleep and handing out fabulous prizes, including $25 VISA gift cards and a $150 VISA gift card. Check out the details below and RSVP!

In the meantime, find out how you can “stop sleeping around” by visiting www.facebook.com/stopsleepingaround. See you Thursday!

THE DETAILS:

TOPIC – How to Sleep Better at Night

TIME – Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 9-11 PM Eastern (8-10 PM Central, 7-9 PM Mountain, 6-8 PM Pacific)

HASHTAG – #StopSleepingAround

CUSTOM TWEETGRID - http://bit.ly/IZPm2D

PANELISTS  -  @stopsleepinarnd @MaryHelenSleeps @MomSpark @blueviolet @staceynerdin @Robynsworld @linda_sellers (follow everyone before the party!)

PRIZES:

• (4) $25 VISA gift cards
• (1) $150 VISA gift card

*Winner must be a USA resident and MUST be present at the Twitter party to win!  Not sure how Twitter parties work? Email us at momspark@gmail.com for help!

Going to the party? RSVP HERE! List your “name” as your Twitter handle (i.e. @MomSpark) and your url as your Twitter web address (i.e. http://twitter.com/momspark)!

DISCLOSURE – Mom Spark Media has partnered with the Better Sleep Council to produce this Twitter party. Read Mom Spark’s full disclosure here.

I recently brought some feather necklaces into my shop & I’m now on a bit of a feather kick… want to see some pretties that are tickling my fancy? Not just jewelry… take a peek!

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Are you a feathery lass?

I love this Brave Mother’s Day video!

Welcome to our Mother’s Day Weekend Flash Giveaway, hosted by Baby Costcutters with co-host Donna’s Deals and More.

For this flash giveaway, we are giving away $35 of “What You Want” Paypal Cash, Starbucks Gift Card, Amazon, Target Gift Card…..just let us know

Along with your host and co-host these great group of bloggers joined together to bring you this prize: Mom Spark ♥ Small Town Savings Momma ♥ The Holley Herald ♥ SmartySaver ♥ The Penny Hoarder ♥ That Canadian Mom

This giveaway is open to the US only and ends on Mother’s Day at 11:01 pm CST.

Entering is simple on the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post.We are not associated with Amazon, Paypal, Starbucks, or Target. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. Open to US residents only. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received.** This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.** To qualify to win, you must fill out the Easy Entry. Winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond. This giveaway is compliant with Facebook Rules! You must be 18 years old to enter! Must be aged 18+ to enter and win.

I have been a Bissell fan ever since I reviewed the Bissell Little Green back in 2009. I still use the Little Green today and it hasn’t failed me yet!

Bissell recently reached out to me about their new White Sock Test campaign and asked me if I were ready to take on the challenge myself. Of course, I had to say yes!

Just as the iconic white glove test instantly detects dust on hard surfaces, Bissell’s White Sock Test exposes the unseen dirt that’s lurking in carpets. It’s a simple, at-home test that helps consumers see for themselves that vacuuming isn’t enough to clean carpets thoroughly.

I received two pairs of Bissell white socks and a Bissell Lift-Off Deep Cleaner unit to conduct the White Sock Test. The Lift-Off Deep Cleaning System features a portable spot cleaner that easily lifts off from the deep cleaner and can be carried away for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. Much like the Bissell Little Green or SpotBot portable deep cleaners, this machine is perfect for deep cleaning stairs and upholstery. It is also convenient to have on hand for unexpected messes, like spills and pet accidents, and for cleaning auto interiors.

It was then time for the test. I was nervous.

Although we don’t have carpet in our living room, but we do have carpet in our bedrooms, stairs and bonus room. This hallway leads to my son’s bedrooms and bathroom. Definitely a high traffic area. Let’s see what happens when I walk across the carpet.

Looks clean enough.

Walking and holding my breath.

Time to see the results.

Ewwwwwww!!!! How can it be that dirty and I can’t see it?

Time to get the Lift-Off Cleaner ready to clean this dirty carpet.

Filling up the tank with hot tap water.

Adding 2 ounces of the Bissell cleaning solution.

Now locked, loaded and ready to clean!

The Bissell Lift-Off Deep Cleaner was so easy to use. I just moved forward while holding the button on the handle to saturate the carpet, then pulled back over the same area to lift off the dirt. I was done with the hallway in no time at all.

While I am waiting for the hallway to dry, I detached the smaller unit to tackle the stairs!

This is much easier than I expected!

Now that the carpet is dry, it is time to test it out with a fresh pair of socks. Again, I was nervous!

Drum roll…..

Super clean socks!!! Yay!

I was extremely pleased with the results of the White Sock test and the Lift-Off Deep Cleaner unit. I will continue to use the Deep Cleaner every couple of months to ensure that our carpet stays fresh and clean.

Learn more about the White Sock Test campaign, including how you can take your own test, by visiting whitesocktest.com.

WIN A $15,000 MAKEOVER!

How would you like to win a $15,000 home makeover? To enter, just upload photos of your own White Sock Test to BISSELL’s contest page on Facebook. You can return to the page daily for a chance to instantly win a Bissell cleaning product or a $25 Visa gift card!

Disclosure: I received two pairs of Bissell white socks, a Bissell Lift-Off Deep Cleaner unit and compensation in return for this post. Thoughts are my own. Read Mom Spark’s full disclosure here.

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Are you just as excited about Brave coming out next month as I am? Until then, enjoy this funny “kilt” video below! Are you brave enough to wear one?

“Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her skills and resources – including her clever and mischievous triplet brothers – to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late, discovering the meaning of true bravery.

“Brave” arrives in theaters everywhere on June 22^nd. “Like” BRAVE on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PixarBrave.