Easy Homemade Applesauce Recipe

Nothing says fall like apple picking. It has always been a favorite thing for my family to do each year. It is also a great day-date option or could be a fun outing with friends. While in Michigan for fall break we visited our favorite place to stock up on a few dozen apples, Crane Orchards. 

Now what do I do with all the apples we pick? Well, in my household they go pretty quick so having too many apples (or any fruit really) is never a problem. In addition, we go through jars and jars of applesauce a month. I've been very label conscious lately - trying to make smarter choices and buying foods with less sugar, no preservatives, and no additives or artificial colors. When it comes to "clean eating" sometimes it is just easier (and cheaper) to make your own.

I have made this homemade applesauce for the past few years and it is a HIT at our house. I end up making a larger and larger batch each year so it lasts longer. It is SUPER easy and not only does it taste amazing, it also makes your house smell divine. 
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Homemade Crockpot Applesauce, Louisville It Mom​​

Teal Pumpkin Project || Guest Post from Tami Pyles of Thrive On Consulting

This post was previously published on Louisville It Mom last year. With Halloween around the corner, and dealing with Hudson's food allergy, I wanted to share this here on More Skees Please. 

Have you seen teal pumpkins popping up on porches across your neighborhood? It's not the latest decorating fad (although I do love the color), these pumpkins symbolize an important intitiative to keep kids with food allergies safe at Halloween - The Teal Pumpkin Project. 

The Teal Pumpkin Project aims to keep children with food allergies safe while trick or treating. By placing a teal pumpkin at your house you commit to offering non-food treats at Halloween – a great way to ensure a safe and fun night for those who could suffer life-threatening consequences from ingesting allergen containing candy.

As a food allergy mom, Halloween is one of the scariest holidays! It is frightening to think that consuming a piece of Halloween candy could lead to a life-threatening reaction; and it is heartbreaking at the end of Halloween to watch my daughter go through her candy and have to discard a majority of it because it is not safe for her. The Teal Pumpkin Project helps ensure safe treats make it into her bag, and the bags of the many other children with food allergies.

In fact, 1:13 children have a food allergy. With numbers this high, it is a given that some of your trick or treaters will have food allergies. Ready to make it a safe holiday for everyone? Follow these three easy steps to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project:

Step One: Get a Pumpkin and Paint it Teal
I have found that acrylic paint and white pumpkins work really well (although orange pumpkins can be painted too!). Don't have time to get and paint a pumpkin before Halloween? No problem! You can also download this flyer from FARE, a national organization that supports food allergy research and education, and display it on your door to indicate that you are participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project.

Step Two: Purchase Non-food Treats 
There are lots of great options to offer as non-food treats for the Teal Pumpkin Project, these include: bubbles, stickers, glow sticks, spider rings, temporary tattoos. Head to the dollar store or party store to stock up on great non-food loot. And, if you are participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project, it doesn’t mean that you can’t offer candy too. Just keep your candy and non-food treats in separate bowls to prevent any cross-contact.

Step Three: Display your Pumpkin and Keep it Safe on Halloween
When trick-or-treaters visit your house if they see a teal pumpkin they will know that you offer non-food treats. Non-food treats also help other children who might have medical conditions that require them to monitor sugar intake or avoid certain foods like sugar and food coloring.

Want more information on the Teal Pumpkin Project? You can find it here. Do you need more information on food allergies or assistance managing life with food allergies?  Check out my company, Thrive On Consulting. I work with individuals and families dealing with food allergies to navigate day-to-day life safely and Thrive On with food allergies. I also do training sessions for groups and organizations on food allergy awareness and creating safe and inclusive environments.

Happy Halloween and Keep it Teal!

Tami Pyles is the Founder of Thrive On Consulting- dedicated to helping those with food allergies. She lives in Prospect with her husband and two daughters, ages and 4 and 6.

Mix Up Your Boring Workout Routine!

Let's face it, sometimes the only workout we get in on any given day is chasing our toddlers around or lugging laundry baskets. Gyms can be intimidating. Childcare can be tricky. But putting your health first is truly so important in order to have so many of the things us moms need just to make it through the day - sustained energy, strength for all the heavy lifting (kids, laundry baskets, etc.) and clarity of mind to stay focused on those we love so much.

So, Louisville friends, if you feel like you need a little motivation, or perhaps want some new ideas to keep your fitness routine from becoming too boring, below is a round-up of some unique workout opportunities around town. There's truly something for everyone! Don't live in Louisville? Some of these are chains and you might be able to find them (or something similar) where you live as well!

If you happen to give any of these local ones a shot, be sure to tell them Taryn @ More Skees Please sent you!



  • LOCATION(S): 1800 Elite Dr. Louisville, KY
  • TYPE OF WORKOUT: A performance training facility dedicated to providing an elite experience to athletes and adults of all fitness levels.
  • COST: $22/session or 16 sessions for $240
  • CLASS SUGGESTION: Power Cardio 5:30am daily

  • LOCATION(S): New Albany​, Westport Village, Summit
  • TYPE OF WORKOUT: The Pure Barre technique is a unique way to build strength, endurance and tone your muscles in a safe, low impact manner through the use of small focused movements.
  • COST: $20/class; New client package -- 1 month of unlimited classes for $100; 1 month unlimited for all others is $220; "Bride To Be" package -- $355 for 3 months
  • CLASS SUGGESTION: Breaking Down the Barre (visit website for class schedule)

  • LOCATION(S): UofL Shelbyhurst Campus, Parklands of Floyds Fork, EP Tom Sawyer, King Louie's, Louisville Zoo
  • TYPE OF WORKOUT: A stroller-based fitness program designed for moms with little ones. Each 60-minute, total body workout incorporates power walking, strength, toning, songs and activities. Certified fitness instructors offer a variety of fun class formats both indoors and outdoors.
  • COST: 1st session FREE; $18/class; $65/month; $55/month for teachers!; $45/month for night/weekend classes only; $150 for 10 visits; $199 summer pass
  • CLASS SUGGESTION: Zoo Workout! June 8th 9:30-10:30 (click link for more info)

  • LOCATION(S): Chamberlain Ln, Middletown Commons, St. Matthews, and coming soon to Prospect @ TimberRidge Dr. and East End at Lime Kiln and Brownsboro Rd.
  • TYPE OF WORKOUT: 30-Minute Kickboxing Workout With No Class Times
  • COST: 1st session FREE; contact location nearest you for membership pricing
  • CLASS SUGGESTION: Every 30 minute class is different, so just try it out to see what you like!

  • LOCATION(S): Springhurst and St. Matthews
  • TYPE OF WORKOUT: Various barre workouts including B.Barre, B.Bounce and B.Silque
  • COST: 1 week trial $20; New client special - 1st month $99; $198/month; 1 year unlimited $138/month; Mommy rate 3 months for $399; Student rate $99/month; All packages include FREE CHILDCARE, 15% off retail purchases, exclusive sales/events
  • CLASS SUGGESTION: B.Silque Cocoon...an hour of solitude, calming music and weightlessness

  • LOCATION(S): There are 12 YMCA locations across Louisville and Southern Indiana. Visit their website to find a location near you!
  • TYPE OF WORKOUT: So many different options for members!
  • COST: Membership ranges from $52/month for a single to $89/month for a family; find detailed pricing info here
  • CLASS SUGGESTION: Cycle 30 an entry level spin class

  • LOCATION(S): 3125 River Rd. Louisville
  • TYPE OF WORKOUT: Aerial courses - physical movement, often dance-like or acrobatic in nature, performed while suspended in the air. Although challenging, working out with aerial equipment provides very measurable progress, making it a fun and exciting way to achieve your goals. Whether your goal is to get in shape for the first time, or add a new dimension to your existing workout routine, Aerial work is a fabulous fit!
  • COST: $10 first time drop in; $24/class; $120 for 6 week course; click HERE for class descriptions and pricing
  • CLASS SUGGESTION: Circus Taster...Step right up to find out what circus art makes your heart sing. 2 hour introductory workshop where you will get a taste of each apparatus.

  • LOCATION(S): New Albany, East Louisville (Westport Rd.)
  • TYPE OF WORKOUT: Total body functional workout focused on strength and conditioning
  • COST: "On Ramp" program - 1st 2 weeks are FREE, $149 for next 4 weeks (2 weeks finishes On Ramp then is followed by 2 weeks of unlimited regular classes); 3 drop-ins free for LeanX Classes (high-intensity conditioning class)
  • CLASS SUGGESTION: If you are new to Cross Fit, we recommend visiting a gym to get a good understanding of these intense workouts

  • LOCATION(S): 100 Urton Ln. Louisville
  • TYPE OF WORKOUT: Intense cardio, strength, balance, agility, and flexibility trampoline workout.
  • COST: $13/visit or $40/month
  • CLASS SUGGESTION: BoomFit is offered Wednesdays 10-11am and Thursdays 9-10pm. Preregistration online is recommended.

CHECK THIS OUT...I recently found out about 502 Fit Pass. This unique workout opportunity offers a way for you to try a variety of workouts at different locations/gyms all across the city. How does it work? You can visit the same Fit Spot up to 3x in 30 days, depending on your membership. Four Barrel Crossfit, House of Boom and 9Round are all participating locations! Check out www.502fitpass.com to find out more!

Give Something Uncommon for the Holidays

As the holidays quickly approach, I find myself scouring the internet looking for unique gifts. Whether you are looking for something for the person who has everything or simply trying to step up your gift-giving game, I highly recommend checking out what Uncommon Goods has to offer.

They have everything conveniently organized into categories which makes the shopping experience seamless. Want something with that personal touch? Check out all their personalized gift options here. Or maybe you are trying to find something for that special man in your life even though you both agreed you wouldn't be exchanging gifts (but you always end up doing it anyway). How about something unique and sophisticated for someone with an upcoming birthday? Anything you choose from Uncommon Goods is sure to impress.

A couple things on my wish list...



Uncommon Goods is a unique company that is dedicated to making a positive impact in the workplace and the world. Read more about their mission here. Even cooler? Their Better to Give program allows you to select a nonprofit organization to receive a $1 donation from them at checkout (ahem...apertOWL...hint hint...).

*Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post brought to you by Uncommon Goods for which I received a purchase credit. As always, all opinions are my own.

Dean's Dairy Goes Pink This October

Dean's Dairy to Donate Up to $25,000 in Support of the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Almost everyone I know has been touched by cancer in some way. Whether it is a family member, a friend, a colleague or an acquaintance, I can think of almost a dozen off the top of my head - with several of them battling breast cancer in particular. As advancements are made in technology and more and more time is put into scientific research to understand the best possible treatment options, it seems that beating cancer can be within our reach. That is why it is so important to support funding the organizations that are leading the fight.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many businesses are stepping up to raise money for various cancer organizations. Locally owned Dean's Dairy is proud to do their part! Below is a press release excerpt:

For more than 75 years, Louisvillians have known that their local Dean’s Dairy products provide gallons of nutrition to their families. Now, Dean’s Dairy is also providing gallons of hope in the fight against breast cancer.

Beginning September 26 and continuing throughout the month of October, Dean’s Dairy is inviting the community to buy a gallon, and make a difference. For each sale of specially-marked gallons of Dean’s DairyPure white milk sold in the Louisville area, Dean’s Dairy will donate five-cents to the American Cancer Society.

I don't know about you, but with growing 4 kids at home, we go through 2-3 gallons of milk a week! So while you are doing your grocery shopping, look for the Dean's DairyPure white milk gallons that feature the pink ribbon and the American Cancer Society logo, and know that with every gallon purchased, you are doing a small part to help the fight against breast cancer. Let me know where YOU find your specially marked milk in the comments below!

Learn more about Dean's Dairy and their Five-Point Purity Promise to provide the best tasting, antibiotic and growth hormone free milk online at deandairy.com or visit Dean's Dairy on Facebook.

*This is a sponsored post. As always, all opinions are my own.

House of Boom Savings for Louisville!

Defy Gravity at one of the coolest facilities in America. Over 10,000 square feet of connected, world-class trampolines in a 23,000 sq. ft facility. The trampoline grid features over 60 trampolines, including the famous angled wall trampolines, launching decks and a few surprises up in the ceiling to test your vertical.

If your kids (6 and under) are ready to dominate the park without bigger kids around....YOU MUST check-out KidJump. Every day from 9-10am is exclusively for parents and children! 

My readers get to save! $2 OFF - Present this coupon to receive $2 off a flight ticket anytime!
http://usfamilyguide.com/coupons.php?bid=12722&dealid=2678 .@usfg 
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