Make it a Family Movie Night with KidFresh and Ice Age Collision Course #KidfreshIceAge #Giveaway

Thank the heavens for quick and easy healthy meal options that can just be popped into the microwave or slid into the oven because these days I just don't have the time. Over the years I rarely cooked to begin with because even when we were dating the hubby has always loved to throw down in the kitchen. I'm the type who worries that the chicken is under cooked and that I'd poison our kids with salmonella contamination so my go to's would be a pasta and veggie dish or a meatloaf {and that's on special occasions, lol}. But ever since he started working the late shift at a fine dining restaurant on the Upper West Side earlier this year, home cooked meals have come far and in between before he leaves in the afternoon. And if it was a day I have to actually head into the office {especially a Monday}, the last thing I want to do when I get home is cook! I'd much rather spend the extra time with my boys on the couch watching a movie. 

Disclosure: We were provided KidFresh meals and Ice Age Collision Course on DVD to facilitate this post, no other compensation was received. Opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Snacks for Lil' Monsters: 9 Popsicle Recipes to Celebrate National Watermelon Day

No summer is complete without a few moments of indulgence, while enjoying juicy, sweet watermelon. When the weather becomes unbearable we usually grab a few Popsicles to cool off, well the boys may actually treat themselves to two. In honor of National Watermelon Day we've rounded up a few Popsicle recipes we spotted on the web to keep you and the lil' monsters cool through the rest of Summer. 

Strawberry and Watermelon Popsicles spotted on Pick Fresh Foods make for a perfectly healthy solution to beating the heat.

How could a popsicle that looks as delicious as these Ginger Hibiscus and Minty Watermelon ones posted by Half Baked Harvest be resisted? Their deep, rich color make them seem too beautiful to eat.

Refreshing Watermelon Cucumber Popsicles 

Creamy 2 Ingredient Popsicles super easy to make just freeze yoplait & watermelon chunks.

Stripes of watermelon, coconut milk, kiwi & chocolate chips make for fun watermelon pops.

 Lime sorbet and chocolate chips watermelon pops are a low calorie treat.

Berry Lemonade popsicle with a watermelon puree.

Watermelon Paletas from Muy Delish 

Delish Watermelon and Kiwi pops, I love that how beautiful the slices look.

National Watermelon Day may only be once a year but these recipes can be enjoyed all summer long! Which ones are you planning on making?

Lil' Monsters in the Kitchen: Making Meatloaf Express with Campbell's Soups for Easy Cooking #LilMonstersintheKitchen #SoupsforEasyCooking

Ultimately I'm a fan of preparing simple and quickly made dishes because I tend to over analyze things and cooking just doesn't come naturally to me. Luckily my husband is an amazingly talented cook that loves to be in the kitchen and has shared his passion for creating great food with our two boys. On any given weekend you'll find our two monsters tying on their aprons and waking us out of our sleep to ask us what we'd like to order off their menu for the pretend pizzeria or food truck they work at and you'll find plastic and wooden play food scattered all over their bedroom floor. But I don't mind it all because it's one of the few times these two seem to get along.

Since the hubby and I both work outside of the home and are busy during the week bringing our oldest to extra curricular activities, attending blogger events and hanging with friends & family on the weekend, being able to create delicious meals in 30 minutes or so is really essential to our sometimes crazy schedule. And since CJ and Tristan have so much fun mixing and blending when they are helping their dad with dinner we thought it would be fun to start a series on the blog of them making kid-friendly and simple homemade dishes that are easy enough for people like myself, who don't really know their way around the kitchen.

Recently I was introduced to Campbell's Soups for Easy cooking at a blogger event and knew they'd be perfect for the boys to try out at home. The new line of pourable, reasy-to-use soups are the perfect secret weapon for parents who want to make sure they get a nourishing, yummy meal on the table in the least amount of time possible. The four new soups are inspired by Campbell's iconic Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Chicken soups for cooking and help reduce the number of steps needed to make a variety of delicious meals and are packaged in cartons for your convenience.

The four flavors that help reinvent traditional family favorites include:

• Savory Portobello Mushroom - Great for stroganoffs and skillet dishes
• Creamy Herb & Garlic with Chicken Stock -Perfect for pot pies and casseroles
• Sweet Onion - A savory addition to meatloaf and pork skillet dishes
• Mexican Style Tomato - a south-of-the-border blend great for Mexican skillet dishes

In the 3 video's below you will get to watch CJ and Tristan throw down in the kitchen with their dad as they make Campbell's Meatloaf Express using The Sweet Onion - Soups for Easy Cooking. 


             

You can find these new cooking soups, that are priced at $2.19 per 14.5 ounce carton in the soup aisle of grocery stores and mass retailers nationwide.

Meatloaf Express: Total of 30 minutes to make

Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Bake Time 25 minues

            

                            

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1 cup plain dry bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

14 1/2 ounces (1 carton) of Campbell's Sweet Onion Soup 

*The boys added ketchup because that's just our personal taste and feel free to add salt and pepper to the meat mixture to your own desired preference.

                                    

          

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Thoroughly mix the beef, bread crumbs, egg and 1/4 cup soup in a large bowl. Season with 

     salt and black pepper, if desired.

3. Shape the beef mixture into 10x4-inch loaf. Cut the loaf crosswise into 6 mini meatloaves.

     Place the mini meatloves, cut-side down, into a 13x9x2- inch baking dish. Pour the  

     remaining soup over the meatloaves.

4.  Bake for 25 minutes or until the meatloaves are cooked through.

We paired our mini meatloaves with fresh string beans and buttery pasta and it turned out really good, and the boys were super proud of themselves for making dinner for the family.

Look for recipes at MealsIn30.com and check out select Campbell's Soups for Easy Cooking tutorial videos on YouTube.com/CampbellsKitchen  and check out Campbell's coupon & special offers.

Seems, easy enough right? and not to mention really affordable!

We'd love to know which Soups for Easy Cooking are you planning to try? 

*Disclosure: I attended a Campbell's event as a blogger/ media and received a gift bag to help facilitate this post. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed are 100% my own.