This Taco Pie recipe is a staple for The Herron Nest

March 14, 2017March 14, 2017 / jesyisms / 1 Comment

Taco Pie is a recipe staple in this household as a go-to meal for The Herron Nest. Oddly enough, I did a post about this recipe back in April of 2010 (pre-kids) and have since updated the recipe. Another “oddly enough” is that I’ve had multiple request for this recipe to be shared so I’m finally pulling my Taco Pie recipe in one easy-to-reach place. Little warning, I don’t have cute Pinterest pictures to go with this post – just this text from another family raving about this yummy Taco Pie. raving about taco pie recipe

The Famous Taco Pie (Thanks to my mom for this one)

1 lb ground turkey (or lean ground beef – chef’s choice)
1 packet of Kroger brand low-sodium taco seasoning
1 package of Kroger brand reduced fat crescent roll
Approx. 1 cup of Kroger brand reduced fat sour cream
Approx. 1-1/2 cups of Kroger brand Mexican style cheese
Approx. 1/2 cup crushed tortillas (I save them from the bottoms of tortilla chips bags or left over tortilla chips)
1 can black beans
1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in 1/2
1 avocado
1 pie plate

Crank up the oven to 350 degrees to preheat while you are browning your meat. Once meat is browned add the packet of seasoning and black beans (rinsed/drained) and let simmer. Press your crescent roll into your pie plate covering the plate in full. Add a bottom layer of crunched up tortilla chips to the bottom of the pie dish then go ahead and pour your meat mixture on top. Once your meat mixture is in the pie, spread your sour cream to cover the meat mixture then top it off with tomatoes and cheese. Let it cook for about 25 minutes until cheese starts to brown! Then serve with a few slices of avocado garnished on the top – this is my newest favoritest addition to the recipe.

For those wondering – NO, Mr. Herron does NOT eat this version of the pie. His version does not include the tomatoes nor the avocado.

How Does Our Garden Grow {Keehner Style}

May 23, 2016 / jesyisms / Leave a comment

Gardening is one of my ABSOLUTE favorite hobbies and one that I love sharing with my kids. Since moving into our new house I’ve struggled to find a great place for our vegetable garden. Out of ease and with my “hurry get it done” attitude, the veggies were planted along the back of the house very close to the brick that gets the afternoon sun. Needless to say this area hasn’t proven to be the most successful for gardening and we decided to make a change for this summer.

Ta-Da!

Look at the beautiful box gardens that Mr. Herron and Rick built for us and we have certainly utilized every last inch of space for the veggies this summer:

Grape Tomatoes
Sun Gold Tomatoes
Big Wonder Tomatoes
Mystery Tomato courtesy of Sandy, courtesy of my Mom, courtesy of my Uncle Tom – this will be a miracle tomato plant if it produces!
Squash
Zucchini
Chocolate Peppers
Orange Bell Peppers
Yellow Bell Peppers
Sassy Peppers (I think these are red bells??)
Garden Salsa Peppers (on the spicy side)
Basil
Rosemary
Cilantro
Cucumbers

My mouth is WATERING just thinking about the yumminess that we are going to produce this summer. All we need to do now is give it some water and love. Hoping to have as much success as we did on Willfleet, I love going back to this blog post to remember my little garden helper and the beautiful plants that surprised the heck out of me. This year my Abbey-girl and Jack were both helping and I think their green thumbs will prove to be good luck. THUMBS UP!

The Herron Nest Garden

Discovering Our New Backyard

August 24, 2015September 17, 2015 / jesyisms / 3 Comments

There have only been about 8 years of my life (minus some time away in college) that I have not lived in West Chester. This statement is important because after moving back with my family a little over a year ago, we have discovered one of our new favorite places to have fun. KEEHNER PARK!

Honestly, I have not a clue if the actual playground is good or not, if the grounds of the actual park are kept up or not, nor do I know if the amphitheater is a good place to see local bands or not. What I do know is that the hiking trail and creek are awesome and The Herron Nest gives it 8 thumbs up. Hanging out on these trails and creeking is our new thang and I can’t wait to go back.

Standing up on a concrete/rock platform with ginormous water-hole behind us.

Said ginormous water-hole with a collection of rocks, including ours from that day.

The little Herron’s were all business with their rock-throwing skills.

After we hung out by the giant water-hole, we started to really explore what the woods and creek had to offer. I was so proud of the way Abbey went from, “these woods are creepy” to literally walking in the creek all by herself managing to go from rock to rock without falling or tripping. And if you know my daughter, a.k.a. NOT Grace, than you know that is a big deal.

On our way back out of the creek, through the woods, and heading up a pretty big hill, Abbey started singing and cheering on our family. She must have heard George and I out of breath hiking up the trail.

Enjoy this gem, Abbey trying to catch a frog!

all free clear – Free to Be Clean and Snuggle a Sick Baby

June 9, 2015June 23, 2015 / jesyisms / Leave a comment

Laundry is actually not my normal chore around The Herron Nest, but it became everyone’s job once my little boy started to get sick all over his clothes, my clothes, blankets and every thing else in his path. Lucky for us, we have the all free clear laundry detergent to help us do the multiple loads of laundry. I was worried enough about my baby boy with his fever and getting sick everywhere that it was such a relief to know that I was washing his favorite blankie and snuggly pajamas in pediatrician and allergist recommended detergent. Blankie and snuggly pj’s were back on in no time – well, time and time again!

I’m FREE to be a mommy that can snuggle my sick baby!

Want to learn more about all free clear products?

all free clear is the #1 recommended detergent brand by Dermatologists, Allergists, and Pediatricians for sensitive skin. It’s tough on stains yet gentle enough for the whole family. Plus, it’s safe for use in standard and HE machines. It rinses clean and has a gentle, hypoallergenic formula. Powerful Clean. Gentle on Skin.

NEW From the #1 Detergent Brand Recommended by Dermatologists Allergists and Pediatricians comes all® free clear liquid fabric softener, dryer sheets, OXI mighty pacs and OXI boosters. Use together to make fabrics cleaner, softer, and more comfortable against your family’s sensitive skin. 100% free of dyes and perfumes. Gentle on skin. Safe for all washing machines. Find it in your fabric conditioner aisle!

The NEW OXI mighty pacs give you extra strength cleaning power for 30% less than Tide Free & Gentle pods. Each little mighty pac is full of the concentrated cleaning power of OXI with the gentleness of free clear, providing a powerful clean that’s safe for the whole family.

The NEW OXI booster whitens and brightens clothes. It’s safe on sensitive skin. It costs 15% less than the leading brand AND you can use it to remove stains around the house (it can be used on carpet, upholstery and patio furniture, just to name a few!)

Fun Facts about all free clear products:

• all® free clear detergent (liquid and mighty pacs), fabric softener and dryer sheets have received the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance™.
• all® free clear is also 100% hypoallergenic.
• all® free clear has only 9 ingredients, that’s less than half the ingredients of Tide Free & Gentle

Interested in being free too? Go ahead and try all free clear in your home to feel the difference on your kids clothing! Download this coupon for a $1.00 off your purchase when picking up all free clear laundry detergent and fabric softener. Don’t forget to stop by their Facebook page and check out their safety information and allergen resource center.

Thank you to all free clear for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to try all free clear!

#GuestPost How I Got My GLOW On! Rodan + Fields #Giveaway

April 29, 2015 / jesyisms / Leave a comment

Kat Ottopal is my cousin, my confidant, my sister-like, my best friend and now my go-to-skincare associate for Rodan + Fields. I’ve been using the Reverse skincare line for over a month now and can confidently state that I have had a face lift! Well, not technically, but my skin is glowing and perfect looking. I wanted to share with my readers this awesome skincare line, access to Kat and an opportunity to WIN a free mini-facial.

From Kat regarding her Personal Skincare Experience:

If you had asked me 8 months ago about my skincare routine, I would have laughed at you. Point blank, it was pathetic. I was 31 years old and still using the same drug store face wash I had used since high school. I washed my face in the shower only and never took my make up off at the end of the day. I had success using a department store toner for most of my life, but somehow I didn’t realize my skin was changing as the years went by and I was continuing to use the same products and expected different results. The definition of insanity right?!?

My wash and toner couldn’t tell I was developing sun damage and wrinkles that I needed it to start addressing! That stuff was barely fighting my occasional breakouts for heaven’s sake! I had a drawer of junk from greasy moisturizers, to overnight zit creams, to sunscreen that claimed it wouldn’t make my face break out. Everything went to the graveyard of products that MAYBE helped me keep my skin looking the same, not better, definitely not better than before. Every time I changed the routine I had to compensate by adding another product to fight the mess I was creating on my skin.

Thankfully, my friend Blair started talking to me about a skincare company she had become a consultant for called Rodan + Fields. I hadn’t heard of the company but she told me Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields are the Stanford trained Dermatologists that created Proactiv. I was intrigued and willing to give their products a shot based on Proactiv’s success and notoriety alone! After going through the solution tool on her website we talked about what products would be best for my skin, based on my primary concerns. She introduced me to a grown up skin care routine that I will forever be thankful for! I opted to try the Reverse regimen for my sun damage, melasma, and to improve the texture and tone of my skin. The first time I washed my face with the products I knew it was love at first wash. I texted Blair immediately that this stuff smelled like sunshine and my skin felt amazing after my FIRST time using it. I loved that each regimen has 4 steps and is a multi-med SYSTEM that works together. Each regimen has some combination of a cleanser or mask, toner, treatment, moisturizer and a sunscreen. I was FINALLY giving my skin what it had been craving for years, consistency and dermatologic grade products!! My face was GLOWING after a week of daily use. I was treating my problems, moisturizing and protecting my skin from further damage. Something I had failed at prior to trying R+F.

After using the Reverse regimen for 6 months and being thrilled over my personal results I started to wonder about the business side of this company. I mean, I was buying not only my regimen but I had tried the Multifunction eye cream, microdermabrasion paste, the AMP MD roller, and the Soothe regimen for sunburn…you name it and I wanted the amazing results I kept seeing my consultant post on Facebook. I asked Blair plenty of questions about the Direct Selling aspect of Rodan + Fields, how the company supported the consultants, the pay structure and what my expectations should be as I considered this opportunity. We talked for weeks then I attended a regional R+F event with Blair and ultimately, I decided to become a consultant myself right there at the event. I couldn’t resist getting the best price for the products, telling people about my results, showing others how these products could help them and ultimately getting paid to wash my face!!

If you have a good skin care routine that is fantastic! If your skin care routine isn’t giving you the results you are hoping for or you are at the end of your rope and have tried everything under the sun for your personal skin concerns, I encourage you to try Rodan + Fields. Every product (including the amazing tools) comes with a 60 day, empty bottle, money back guarantee. So it is completely risk free. I can help you save 10% and get free shipping by becoming my Preferred Customer.

So what about this mini-facial Giveaway and how do I win?

I have a mini facial to give away to one lucky person who takes 2-3 minutes to go through the solution tool on my website. Go to http://kathyottopal.myrandf.com Select the solution tool icon at the bottom right and go through the 6 questions. Make sure to enter your email address at the end so it sends me your personal recommendations. Complete the tool by May 15th and you will be entered into the drawing. It’s just that easy! The mini facial is a little treat you apply at home and includes a packet of Microdermabrasion paste, and an ampule of night renewing serum for your face and another for your lips!

Feel free to contact me at any time about your personal skin concerns, KOTTOPALatGMAILdotCOM Rodan + Fields has something for everyone and I am always happy to share our amazing products or talk about this incredible business opportunity.

As the doctors always say, “Skin is a beautiful thing…Wear it well!”

{Giveaway} Bluegrass for Babies + Mama Mimi’s Pizza

September 8, 2014 / jesyisms / 6 Comments

I’m so excited to help promote the 6th annual Bluegrass for Babies event and even more thrilled that The Herron Nest will be attending this year for the first time. Many positives for attending this event being held at Sawyer Point, but one major reason why we will be attending is because it is a benefit that was started by a passionate family who wanted to give back to Cincinnati Children’s which provided a life-saving surgery to their newborn son.

This year marks the first that Bluegrass for Babies is being produced under the Healthy Roots Foundation name, a change that occurred in August of 2014. The need for Foundation became apparent as Bluegrass for Babies evolved from the one-time a year concert into a year-round organization providing tools, programming and resources as well as to hosting a variety of special events.

{Event Details}

The concert lineup features performances by Ma Crow & The Lady Slippers, Comet Bluegrass All-Stars, and Hickory Robot. Ma Crow & The Lady Slippers will kick things off, performing at 3:00pm with the Comet Bluegrass All-Stars taking to the stage at 5:00pm. Rounding out the evening at 6:45 pm will be Hickory Robot. Special guest Jennifer Ellis will perform her popular children’s songs at 4:15pm.

Again this year, kids 12 and under will be able to eat free with the purchase of an adult meal from the Green B.E.A.N. Delivery concession stand until 6:00 pm. One free kids meal will be available, per one purchased adult meal. This year Bluegrass for Babies takes place at Sawyer Point on September 20 with just as many wonderful bluegrass bands as we’ve had in the past, and great food, vendors, activities and family fun.

Tickets for the Bluegrass for Babies benefit concert are $15 for adults in advance and $20 day of, with children admitted for free. Presale period ends Friday, September 19, 2013 at 10:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.healthyrootsfoundation.org. Parking is $8 in the Sawyer Point parking lot. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10+ adults until Friday, September 19.

Bluegrass for Babies concert attendees will have the opportunity to partake in five interactive experiences– Farmer’s Market, Healthy Home, Family Wellness, Music & Art, and Movement.

Farmer’s Market: Nutrition and food are key components of setting the foundation for healthy lives. The Farmer’s Market features real, non-processed food options like apples, local sustainably raised burgers, gluten-free grilled cheeses, locally made desserts, and more. And, none of the food or drink options contain any high fructose corn syrup.
Healthy Home: The Healthy Home Experience features activities provided by local experts on home building design and resources, waste management, baby care products, and more.
Family Wellness: Visit the Family Wellness Experience to learn about relaxation techniques, skincare, family financial plans, pediatric health tips, and more.
Let’s get Moving!: Children of all ages will enjoy a variety of movement activities on the lawn including soccer, basketball and more.
Art & Music: Children of all ages will enjoy exploring new instruments, creating new masterpieces, and more.
Toddler Play Experience: The Toddler Play Experience allows parents to enjoy some of the area’s best bluegrass music and a refreshing beverage in a worry free environment. We have created a contained location on the lawn with many of your toddler’s favorite play activities.

{Giveaway Details}

Would you like to join The Herron Nest at the benefit Bluegrass for Babies concert? We’re giving away a pair of tickets to one of our lucky readers (kids 12 and under are free). In addition, we have a gift card for a free Mama Mimi’s pizza for our blog winner.

You will have 4 chances to win this family-friendly giveaway:

1. Leave a comment on why you’d like to attend this great event.
2. Like Bluegrass for Babies on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluegrassforbabies
3. Tweet about this giveaway by including @4healthyroots and @jesyherron in your tweet.
4. Sign up for The Herron Nest newsletter or let me know that you already subscribe.

Winner will be picked via Random.org and will be notified on 9/16/14. You will have 24 hours to respond to me via email or else I’ll need to pick a new winner. There is only ONE date for this giveaway event, please be sure you an use the tickets. Tickets will be sent via Eventbrite directly to your winner. The Mama Mimi’s gift card will be mailed separately so I’ll need your address if chosen.

Mama Mimi’s, besides being a vendor at this year’s event, is also donating 100% of the money received from purchases at the event directly to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital! Thanks Mama Mimi’s!

Disclaimer: I’ve been given two tickets and a Mama Mimi’s gift card for my family to enjoy as a thank you for helping to promote this event.

{Giveaway} Montagne Jeunesse Clay Spa Face Masques – Carol Wenstrup is the WINNER!

January 29, 2014February 11, 2014 / jesyisms / 13 Comments

Oh yes, you read that right! I’m giving away a set of three Montagne Jeunesse clay spa face masques which I absolutely love. I was a lucky Influenster recipient of the Glacial Clay Spa face mask and it was my absolute favorite product of the Influenster Violet Voxbox package. Here is what I wrote about the masque I was lucky enough to get my hands on:

{Montagne Jeunesse Clay Spa} Hands down, this is by far my favorite product out of all the products I was sent to try. The application was a cinch and it made my skin feel amazing. You didn’t have to dig your fingers into a jar, get mask “stuff” stuck under your nails and make a complete mess of your bathroom sink. You know what I mean! This was a pre-cut mask that fit nicely over your freshly clean face. You wear for about 10-15 minutes, pitch the mask and rinse your face – DONE – and it was literally that easy. The only con was that Ab said I was “scary” and it took her a few minutes to warm up to the idea that mommy was really under the mask.

I’m sure you are salivating at the idea of sending kids back to school (ugh, will that ever happen? Stupid snow and cold weather), filling up the bathtub, filling up the wine glass, and applying one of the three masks you could win for a night of relaxation. Here is a sneak peak at the three clay spa masques that you could win!

Red Earth Clay Spa
Dead Sea Mud Spa
Glacial Clay Spa

Giveaway Details

How you can potentially win the package of three Montagne Jeunesse spa masques:

REQUIRED ENTRY: LIKE Montagne Jeunesse’s NEW US Facebook page: www.facebook.com/montagnejeunesseusa

Once you have LIKED the new Montagne Jeunesse US Facebook page please leave me a comment letting me know. You will not be qualified for the giveaway unless this is complete.

For additional entries do one, or all, of the following (and please be sure to leave a a separate comment for EACH entry in the comment section below to be entered):

Sign up for my newsletter or tell me that you are already signed up (I can verify)
Tweet about this giveaway, including @JesyHerron and @MontagneJeunesse
Follow Montagne Jeunesse Pinterest account (and let me know)
Follow Montagne Jeunesse Instagram account (and let me know)
Tell me about your ideal spa day!

That gives you SIX ways to enter to win the three Montagne Jeunesse spa masques! You must be 18 years old in order to win. The winner is chosen by random using Random.org. Giveaway ends on Tuesday, February 11th at 12 pm. The winner will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to reply back. Once you reply to me, I’ll need to get your physical address and Montagne Jeunesse will send the three masques to you! If I don’t hear from you, you automatically forfeit your win, and another winner will be chosen.

If you or someone you know needs an in-home FREE spa day – enter this giveaway!

Disclosure: I’m doing this giveaway for Montagne Jeunesse USA. I am doing this giveaway as “pro bono” I didn’t receive anything in return.

#BraunTherms VoxBox, Just in Time

December 20, 2013December 20, 2013 / jesyisms / Leave a comment

I am one of the lucky Influenster members that was sent the Braun Thermometer VoxBox this month to use and review. Because I am a member of Influenster, I received this product complimentary, and yes I did receive two voxboxes this month! Double luck-o! If you are also interested in a similar opportunity, you can certainly strut your social media and blogging credentials at www.influenster.com. It did take a little while to get my first package but so worth the wait!

Timing is everything – timing in the sense that something worked out and timing in the sense that I literally have zero extra of and therefore any product that helps save on it is awesome in my book. This is one of those products, it literally fit both of those timing categories. My poor Ab-girl was feeling pretty awful with a bad cough and cold combo. We had noticed that she was getting the flush cheek, potential high temperature look and I was extremely thankful that this brand-spankin-new product showed up at my door.

As I was saying, Ab-girl wasn’t feeling too great so we quickly ripped open the box – read through the Quick Start Guide instructions – and three seconds after pressing the “on” button we were relieved to know that she was okay! It really was quick, almost too-good-to-be-true-quick. I’m not the only mom that instantly fell in love with this forehead thermometer, apparently The Wall Street Journal had an article about how it is the new “must-have” for moms, check out the article here.

Mom thumbs up on this product, it was easy to use overall but also categorized as a need-to-have when you want to do a double check on your child’s temperature in the middle of the night (yes, I do this) and don’t want to wake them up. A quick swipe of the forehead will give you all the confidence you need to sleep better knowing that your little one is fever free and not disrupted in the middle of the night.

Sharing The Gift of Green BEAN Delivery {$15 Off}

December 10, 2013 / jesyisms / 2 Comments

For the past month, The Herron Nest has been receiving fresh, organic, mostly local and super delicious fruits and veggies from Green BEAN Delivery. Deliveries comes weekly in a, well what else, green bin that is insulated with an ice pack to help keep all your goodies fresh. One addition that we always add to our weekly bin is Ab’s favorite milk, Snowville Creamery. Have you had it before?

What else do we get delivered? Since my 2-year-old is a fruit monster I always make sure that we have bananas, avocados, and oranges handy. The other plus is that we are introducing her to other fruits that I wouldn’t normally think to purchase from my local grocery like the cara-cara oranges. Wow, have you tried one of these babies before? They are lower in acid but much sweeter than a naval orange.

I have recently referred GBD to a co-worker and he is loving the bi-weekly (he chose that for his delivery cadence) delivery too. Thought I would share the gift of Green BEAN with my Herron Nest readers too. For each person trying Green BEAN out for the very first time, you will receive $15 off you first order – just make sure to mention my name as your referral source to Green BEAN. Yes, I also get $15 off my next produce bin as well. You can do this at GreenBEANdelivery.com/referrals – okey-dokey-artichokey?

Green-Bean-Delivery

{Other important details about Green BEAN Delivery}

Located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri
Year-round food delivery service
Not just fruits an veggies but other natural groceries too
You manage your delivery schedule and frequency
Super easy to sign up and manage online
Check out all important details at http://www.greenbeandelivery.com/

{Prego with Jack} 22 Weeks Update

November 25, 2013 / jesyisms / 2 Comments

Have to say that before I post any pregnancy update with Jack I typically go back to a similar week that I was pregnant with Abbey to read up, compare and to simply remember. It is so disappointing though at how few updates I’m doing with this pregnancy than what I did with Abbey. I guess I should give myself some slack considering I now have a 2-year old running around the house this time.

One thing I couldn’t help but to notice was the way I looked while prego with Abbey compared to how I look with Jack. I am obviously in a better state of health this time (especially with my weight) but geez! It is almost painful to look at the pictures, I look so uncomfortable. I can’t even tell you how much more active I am during this pregnancy (again, thanks to Ab). Since our basement is pretty empty I’m typically running around with George chasing Abbey, running around playing her new favorite game “duck – duck – goose” and I even walked to downtown Sharonville yesterday heading to the bank. YES – I am much more active for sure!

{Belly Updates}

{How far along?} 22 Weeks 1 day

{Total weight gain} Not really sure at this point because I have stopped keeping a close watch on my weight gain. I’m hoping this doesn’t come back and bite me in the ass later!

{How big is baby?} Abbey was about 13 ounces (+/-) at this time and I can’t remember exactly from Jack’s ultrasound but I thought he was about 8 ounces at the time. I wonder if he will be smaller than Ab when she was born.

{Maternity clothes?} OH hell yes and I love them!

{Sleep?} Sleeping pretty good! I’m a lucky momma that Ab sleeps in till about 8:30 on weekends (don’t hate me).

{Best moment this week?} I think it would have to be when Abbey snuggled in bed with us this morning (8:30) and said good morning to Jack, tickled him via my belly button, shared her binky with him via my belly button then laid her head down on my tummy to snuggle with her baby brother. HEART MELTER!!

{Movement?} I’ve been feeling Jack move quite a bit lately. I tried to have George feel him twice but the little bugger was not cooperative. I really felt a strong kick today which always shocks me but is so very cool when it happens.

{Food cravings?} Just recently I’m craving sweet potatoes – timely with Thanksgiving next week.

{Labor signs?} Nope!

{Belly button in or out?} In

{What I miss} Not going to lie about this one, I.WANT.A.COLD.BEER!!!!

{What I’m looking forward to} Honestly, I just can’t wait to meet Jack. I love saying his name and recognizing him as a real thing. I love the smell of a newborn baby so I can’t wait for that smell again.

{Milestone} Not sure if this is something to be marking as a milestone but hell, it happened. I literally peed myself while sneezing Friday night so that is cool.

The Herron Nest

The life of the Herron family

Health and Wellness

This Taco Pie recipe is a staple for The Herron Nest