© 2014 sarahfortune.

HELLO
Mom to Iris. Wife to Todd. Our little family lives at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We love it here and I love sharing little bits of our life.

© 2014 sarahfortune.
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Category : Sponsored

Food, Sponsored

Cheddar Squash Casserole Recipe

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Kraft Heinz

Maybe it’s because I was born and raised in Memphis, but there is nothing more comforting to me than a home-cooked, southern-style casserole – especially around the holidays. This year the celebrations are obviously going to be a bit different, which makes me appreciate time with family and friends more than ever. Being able to share a holiday meal with loved ones means more than it did just a year ago. I love the way my home warms with the heat of the oven and gathering of friends, and then when the entire house starts to smell delicious, you know you’re in for something good!

One of the best things about casseroles is there is always more than enough to go around and that’s especially true of one of my all-time favorites, the Cheddar Squash Casserole. Full of (you guessed it!) Kraft® Shredded Cheese and fresh squash, it’s the ultimate comfort food to pair with any holiday meal.

Growing up with Kraft Heinz products in the kitchen, I find myself still using them in everything I can, and this recipe is no exception. Easily picking everything up at Walmart made preparing the dish a breeze. And what’s a holiday without a fun surprise? You can enter the #ShareTheHolidaySweepstakes by clicking here for a chance to win daily prizes of $100 Walmart gift cards and a grand prize trip to visit loved ones (a $2,500 value). Plus, as a special gift from Walmart, you’ll be emailed a link to download a free digital cookbook of holiday favorites (including this recipe!).
Now on to the Kraft cheesy goodness!

Cheddar Squash Casserole

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Serves 10, 114 gram servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
6 medium yellow squash
1 large yellow onion
1 garlic clove
2 tablespoons butter
1½ cups KRAFT Sharp Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
½ cup KRAFT Shredded Parmesan Cheese
½ cup BREAKSTONE’S Sour Cream
½ teaspoon ground pepper
1½ cups crispy fried onions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Lightly grease 8 x 11 casserole dish with olive oil.
3. Trim and halve squash lengthwise, then cut crosswise into ½”-thick half-moons. Halve, peel and thinly slice onion. Peel and mince garlic.
4. Melt butter in a large, nonstick pan over medium heat.
5. Add sliced squash, onion, and garlic and sauté until the veggies are soft.
6. Transfer squash mixture into a large bowl, adding 1 cup of sharp cheddar (reserving ½ cup for topping), parmesan, sour cream, and pepper to taste. Fold ingredients together until combined.
7. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup of sharp cheddar on top, then evenly sprinkle the fried onions on top of the cheese.
8. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until top is golden.

Food, Sponsored

Ultimate Homegate Snacks!

This post is sponsored by General Mills, but all opinions are my own.

There’s just something about the change from summer to fall that brings so much excitement. The crispness in the air, the color of the changing leaves, and of course – FOOTBALL! In Arkansas, football isn’t just a sport – it’s a season all of its own. And living here in Fayetteville means that Saturdays are spent tailgating or homegating this year, with lots of delicious snacks and drinks nearby.

This season may look a little different, but we’re celebrating all the same. I recently made this University of Arkansas Baked Cheesy Pulled Pork Dip, which is full of flavor thanks to the Old El Paso™ Green Chilis that I picked up from Walmart. It’s the perfect game-day dip for any football fan, especially paired with some of my other favorite General Mills snacks. From Bugles™ to Betty Crocker™ brownies, General Mills has ya covered.

So even though we might not be at the game, we’re making sure our “homegate” experience is still top notch – thanks to Walmart and General Mills. And if you are a football fanatic (or even just a food fanatic!), you can take your homegating to a new level by purchasing three qualifying General Mills products in the same transaction during the purchase period below. Once verified, participants will be sent a $20 Fanatics Code while supplies last.

*Offer Purchase Period: 8/14/20–12/11/20. Limited quantities available. Submit eligible receipt for redemption by 12/31/20 or while supplies last. Open only to legal res of 50 US/DC, 18+ only. For full Terms and list of qualifying items, visit WeAreTailgateNation.com/Fanatics. Void where prohibited by law.

Health & Beauty, Sponsored

Back to School with Kleenex® Ultra Soft™

This post is sponsored by Acorn Influence and Kleenex® Brand. All opinions are mine alone.

I never want the summer to end and this year is no exception. But whether we’re ready for it or not, the back-to-school season is here and in this time of uncertainty, only one thing is certain – school is going to look a little different this year and I want to be prepared.

No matter how the school year unfolds, Kleenex® Ultra Soft™, America’s #1 Ultra Tissue, helps me feel more confident that our teachers and students are prepared when it comes to fighting off germs and practicing good hygiene. I always like to donate several boxes throughout the year, knowing how important it is to keep those little hands as clean as possible. Designed with three layers, Kleenex® Ultra Soft™ is a perfect balance of softness and strength for everyday clean that I can feel good about.

So while this may be our new reality for a while, it’s important to do what we can, when we can. For me and my family, that means making smart decisions for the well-being of ourselves and those around us. I was able to pick up my Kleenex, along with all my other back-to-school needs, with minimal contact thanks to Walmart’s online pick-up. We are all trying to do our part and every little step helps.

After we’re done with a box of Kleenex, Iris has been known to turn it into a “gratitude box”. Whenever she feels thankful for something, she writes it down on a little piece of paper and slips it into the box. Then, whenever she might be feeling down, she empties the box and is reminded of all the things she is grateful for. She even started making them for family and friends, knowing that some of them may be feeling a little lonely these days.

Learn more and stock up on your own boxes at Walmart!

Food, Sponsored

BOMB POP MIDDLES® – OUR NEW FAVORITE SUMMER TREAT

This post is sponsored, but all opinions are my own.

Like most moms, I’m not just one thing. Being a mother means that I wear many hats – planner, teacher, cleaner, driver, but the best hat of all – fun finder! As a mom of a growing girl, I’m always having to pivot and figure out new experiences for my fun-loving girl.

Even though it’s easy to get bogged down on everything we have to do as busy parents, sometimes we have to prioritize what we get to do – like making things fun, exciting, and sometimes downright delicious. That’s where the NEW Bomb Pop Middles® come in – a simple way to bring joy to these hot summer days. Now available at Walmart, these brand new flavors bring a tasty spark to an old classic (they have an ice creamy inside and gooey middle!). Like moms, Bomb Pop Middles® are #NotOneThing! With mashup flavors like Strawberry Raspberry Taffy, Chocolate Caramel Sundae, Chocolate Creme Sandwich, and S’mores – they deliver familiar favorites, but in a unique way.

Knowing that we have a fun, frozen treat in the freezer is one of the best feelings after soaking up some sun by the pool. Time to stock up on a few more boxes – click here to find them at a Walmart near you!

Health & Beauty, Sponsored

NATROL® 3 A.M. MELATONIN to the Rescue

It happens to the very best of us. You finally fall asleep only to wake up in the middle of the night, struggling to fall back asleep again. Usually summer is a little more relaxing mentally for me, but this year obviously things are a little different. I find my mind swimming with thoughts, often waking up either remembering something I haven’t done or worrying about random things that can most certainly wait until morning.

One of the most stressful things about not being able to fall back to sleep is that you know it will affect your entire next day. That just adds more stress to the moment, compounding the problem. Sometimes I have gotten so desperate to doze off again that I consider taking something to help me sleep, but then realize that too would affect how I feel the next day, maybe leaving me groggy. Instead, I’ve resorted to just waking up and reading a book or catching up on a TV show. It’s my, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” approach, but it doesn’t do much for the next day.

Enter, Natrol® 3 a.m. Melatonin to the rescue! I’ve come to really enjoy the comfort of knowing I have something I can take in the wee hours of the morning if I need it. Not only does it have a calming lavender vanilla flavor, but it’s 100% drug-free and non-habit forming. It’s peace of mind, and a peaceful night’s sleep, leaving me to wake up rested† and ready for another day.

Learn more by visiting the Natrol® website and share your own #3AMStories on social media (there’s even a chance to win a sample of new 3 a.m. Melatonin).

This post is sponsored by Natrol®, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.