Holiday Tips & Recipes from Midwest Dairy ~ Giveaway

This season, Midwest Dairy is focused on helping families celebrate the holidays together over delicious and nutritious food. In preparation for mealtime and celebrations this holiday season, they polled a few dairy farm moms to ask what tips they'd like to share for those preparing for the holiday season.

Midwestern dairy farm moms believe mealtime provides a cherished opportunity to create family memories. I couldn't agree more, which is why I wanted to pass along a couple tips they gave on how to maximize family time during the busy season.

“We use holiday mealtime to have real conversations as a family. No cell phones are allowed! Sit down at the table (not in front of the TV), share a tasty meal and talk about your day or the things you are most thankful for.” — Susan Anglin, Anglin Dairy

“To squeeze in extra family bonding during busy days, I encourage my kids to get in the kitchen and help out. Don’t worry about making a mess; it’s creating traditions and memories that are most important.” — Shannon Squibb, Topwinds Dairy

And, when it comes time to preparing for those fun holiday celebrations with friends and family, the dairy farm moms had some great tips (and recipes) as well:

“Cheese trays make a tasty and nutritious appetizer. To add seasonal flair, buy cheese in block form and use holiday cookie cutters to create festive shapes; save the scraps for casseroles.” — Barb Liebenstein, Wolf Creek Dairy

“My holiday guests always seem to be craving something pumpkin flavored. I have a few go-to recipes that are fresh and unexpected: Pumpkin Cheesecake Shake, Pumpkin Pancakes, and my personal favorite, Pumpkin Pie Squares.” — Susan Anglin, Anglin Dairy

I love spending time with my family and preparing for the holidays. It's such a fun time of year! As I get ready for the many get togethers we will have in the coming weeks, I have enjoyed visiting DairyMakesSense.com for some great recipes. There were several that caught my eye, including the Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine. Doesn't it look yummy?!

And, being the chocolate lover that I am, I have been drooling over the Dairyman's VERY Chocolate Cake! I am considering making this for our family Christmas in a couple of weeks.

If you're looking for great recipes and more tips, I would definitely recommend heading over to DairyMakesSense.com! And, Midwest Dairy is making it easy for one lucky reader to make their favorite dish or try out a new recipe because...

Win It: One very lucky person is going to win a bundle of goodies including: a festive Crate & Barrel Baking Dish ($30 value), a Dairy Makes Cents Hot Pad and Pumpkin Pie Squares recipe card!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Dairy Makes Sense and leave a comment letting me know something you learned or a recipe you like.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Follow Midwest Dairy on Twitter

2. 1 extra entry- Like Midwest Dairy on Facebook

3. 3 extra entries- blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and DairyMakesSense.com) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

Make your favorite recipe this holiday season! #WIN a prize pack (Crate & Barrel Baking Dish, etc) from @MidwestDairy http://bit.ly/w3V76f

5. 2 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

6. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

7. 2 extra entries- Like A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

8. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

9. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end December 29th and is open to the US Only

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided at no cost by Midwest Dairy Council. All opinions found here are my own. The opinions and experiences of others may differ from my own**