This weekend I'm taking a trip to the 100 Acre Wood - And so can YOU!

I'll be attending the New York Screening of Winnie The Pooh this weekend, and I just can't wait! Winnie was one of my favorites, and I couldn't get enough of his adventures! Now I share that love with my younger niece and nephews.

Sometimes my nephews are much like Tigger, bouncy, adventurous, silly and fun!

While I can't take you all to the screening with me, I can leave you with some fun activities to try out with your little ones!

While I know it's a Tad early to be thinking Halloween, one of the activities that I thought was super cute, is a Winnie The Pooh Mask!

Winnie The Pooh Mask

No one says a Halloween costume has to be scary. Here's a cute disguise inspired by a honey of a bear who makes it his bees-ness to eat as much of the golden syrup as he can get his paws on. The sweetest part is how quick and easy this mask is to assemble.

Materials:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Winnie the Pooh Mask template

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Scissors

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Thin cardboard

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cardstock or scrapbook paper - (two shades of golden yellow, black, and red)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Glue stick

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pencil

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Paper hole punch

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Craft knife

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Thin black sewing elastic
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Stapler

Instructions:

1. Print out the template (pages 3 and 4) and cut out the pieces to use as patterns. First, cut out a head from the thin cardboard and set it aside (you'll use this to back the mask later). From the lighter shade of golden yellow paper, cut a second head and a muzzle. Cut the face shadow and the inner ears pieces out of the second shade of golden yellow. Then cut out eyes, eyebrows, a nose, and a mouth from black paper and a tongue from red paper.

2. To create the mask, start by gluing the inner ears in place on the paper head. Next, glue on the face shadow, positioning the top of it about 1 1/2 inches from the top of the head. Attach the eyebrows right above the face shadow.

3. Next, glue the nose onto the muzzle. Then glue the muzzle in place so that the lower edges match up with the bottom of the head and the top overlaps the face shadow. Glue on the mouth, positioning it about 1 3/4 inches up from the chin, and then stick on the tongue.

4. Place (but do not glue) the eyes on the mask and lightly trace around them. Remove the eyes and use the craft knife to cut a hole through the head within the lines of each tracing. Don't make the holes as big as the eyes -- instead, leave a 1/8-inch border between the hole and the pencil line.

5. Now punch a hole in the center of each of the black paper eyes to create a pair of black rings, and glue them in place around the eyeholes in the mask. At this point, have your child hold the mask up to his face to make sure he can see well. If not, use the craft knife to make the eyeholes larger.

6. Place the mask atop the cardboard backing to mark where the eyeholes are. Then cut matching holes in the cardboard.

7. Cut a piece of black sewing elastic to a length that's just a bit longer than needed to fit around the back of your child's head. Knot the elastic ends and staple them to the sides of the mask backing.

8. Finally, glue the mask onto the backing, matching up all the edges, and it's ready to wear.

Not much the arts and crafts type but love to bake? Then you will definitely want to try out this fun recipe. Who doesn't want to pull something Pooh inspired out of the oven? (OK stop giggling over there, I see you! Yes YOU!)

Sweet Beehive Cake

Create some buzz at your little honey’s garden-, flower-, or bug-themed party with this simple cake and its cookie swarm.

Materials:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - 8-inch round cake
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 6-inch round cake
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Half-sphere cake baked in a 2-cup ovenproof bowl
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 3 ½ cups yellow frosting
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 13 round cookies
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 ½ cups light-blue frosting
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 12 Twix Minis
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 12 marshmallows
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Chocolate frosting
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Large yellow gumdrop

Instructions:

1. Use a long serrated knife to trim the tops of the round cakes flat, if needed. To get the smooth look, first stack the three cakes on a wire rack over a cookie sheet. Heat 3 cups of the yellow frosting in the microwave until it liquefies, about 20 seconds (remember microwave wattages vary so you may need to adjust this). Stir the frosting, then slowly pour it over the top of the cakes, covering them completely. Refrigerate the stack for about 30 minutes to harden the frosting.

2. Meanwhile, frost 12 of the cookies light blue and place a Twix in the center of each. Use scissors to cut the ends from the marshmallows and press on these ends, sticky side down, for wings.

3. Carefully transfer the cake to a platter. To add a door, trim one edge of the remaining cookie, cover both sides with chocolate frosting, then press it onto the hive. Spoon the rest of the yellow frosting into a resealable sandwich bag, snip off a corner, and pipe markings onto the bees and hive. Top the hive with the gumdrop and arrange the bees around it. Serves 12.

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FTC Disclosure: This is a NON-Sponsored Post. Permissions have been granted by @Disney to share the craft, recipe and photos with my readers!

Healthify Your Summer with Fage!

Last week yours truly had the opportunity to attend a hands on afternoon of cooking at the International Culinary Council in New York City thanks to Fage Greek Yogurt! Ascending Butterfly alongside many fantastic New York City Bloggers had the chance to learn how to make simple recipe substitutions to favorite recipes, making them a whole lot leaner and much healthier! As you guys know I am down 26 pounds this year and when presented with the opportunity to make my favorite recipes even healthier you know I jumped at the chance.

I want to share with you each recipe that I prepared that day, since there were quite a few, I'm going to present you guys with one per week until I've shared them all!

I'm going to start with a summertime favorite that I'm sure many of you enjoyed over the Independence Day Holiday Weekend, Fried Chicken. Yes I know what you are thinking because I thought the same thing, Fried Chicken + 'Healthy' = I don't think so, right? But you can make substitutions to make this recipe a lot more heart AND hips friendly!

FAGE (pronounced “fah-yeh”) is known for Total, the authentic Greek strained yogurt. This summer, Ascending Butterfly and FAGE Total takes you on a mouthwatering journey from plainly plain to plain extraordinary!

FAGE FRIED CHICKEN

Serves: 4 – 6

Directions:

Marinade Ingredients:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 cups FAGE Total

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 teaspoon Salt
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Two 3 ½ - 4 pound Chickens

In large mixing bowl, combine all marinade ingredients.

Remove wing tips and backs from chickens. Cut each chicken into 8 pieces for 2 legs, 2 thighs, and each breast half-cut into 2 (breast/wing and breast). Combine chicken with marinade and marinate 6-12 hours.

Ingredients:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Marinated Chicken pieces – wipe until as dry as possible
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 cups All-Purpose
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 teaspoon Dried Basil

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 teaspoons Ground Cumin

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 teaspoons Salt

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Ground Allspice

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 cups Canola Oil

Directions:

Mix all dry ingredients, then combine with the chicken pieces in a large bag and shake to coat thoroughly. Remove from bag and shake off excess flour.

Preheat oven to 350*.

Heat the oil in a large skillet. Oil should be about an inch deep. When oil is shimmering, carefully lower the legs and thighs into the hot oil. Cook slowly until golden brown, turning to give the chicken an even golden color. When well browned and cooked, 8 – 10 minutes, remove and drain on paper towels.

Then place on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven for 15 minutes to complete cooking.

When finished with the dark meat, repeat procedure with the breast pieces.

Check pieces for doneness and serve hot from the oven.

Oven Fried Option:

Replace All-Purpose flour with Panko bread crumbs. Season and “bread” the chicken pieces as described.

After coating chicken pieces with bread crumbs, place on a foil lined baking sheet. Spray chicken pieces with a “Pam-like” spray or an oil mister. Bake at 350* for 15 minutes, turn pieces over, re-mist and return to oven for 10 – 15 minutes. Check for doneness and serve hot from the oven.

Recipe created by Edward Magel on behalf of Fage Total Greek Yogurt

Want to connect with Fage?

Follow them on Twittter @fageUSA
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FTC Disclosure Information: I attended a hands on cooking session at the International Culinary Council as a guest of Fage Total Yogurt, I was taught how to make the recipes I am sharing on my blog, I am under no obligation to do so. This is a non-compensated post. This is a non-sponsored post.

Ascending Butterfly puts GreenPan to the Test + Tipsy Salmon Recipe!

Have you ever seen the TV show 'Pimp My Ride'? Well the fine folks at GreenPan, 'pimped my roaster'. And I couldn't be happier!

I absolutely love to cook, I'm an adventurous cook and love trying out new recipes. (And adapting them drastically thereby making them 'my own'). My all time favorite roaster to use was my Grandmother's Roaster. I loved using it because it felt like a part of her was still with me. Even though I can't cook for her, using her roaster made me feel like I was still cooking with her. (Her Roaster is the one on the right).

Unfortunately the roaster had seen better days and I knew it was time to let it go. I'm pretty hard on my roasters and use them often. I started doing research on replacements and will admit I had been procrastinating a bit because I really didn't want to get rid of my favorite roaster!

As you can see from the photo my old roaster really needed to go! I reached out to GreenPan as I had heard really good things about their cookware. I knew going in that non-stick was super important to me, and I wanted something really durable!

I was sent the GreenPan Dubai Ovenware Roasting Tin, and right from the begining I will tell you they blew me away with the presentation, in that gift bag (pictured in the top photo), was the Roasting Tin, a frying pan, silicone trivet, an oven mitt, and a cleaning sponge! I really loved the presentation and decided to put my new Roaster to the test right away with one of my favorite recipes!

Tipsy Salmon

Please Note: You have the option to make a non-tipsy version by removing the White Wine altogether (and it will taste just as good without it as it does with!)

Ingredients:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Salmon Fillets - (my cooking time is based on Two 1 pound Fillets, adjust based on the amount and pound weight you desire) - You can also use Salmon Steaks if you prefer that cut to the Fillet.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dry Rub (mixture of seasonings, dash of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 Tbsp of Worcestshire Sauce + Soy Sauce + Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup butter, melted

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 cup of chopped parsley, basil and dill

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 cup chopped capers

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 cup of  2008 Bixler Vineyards Union Island White Table Wine (this one is my preference, feel free to use whatever white wine you prefer!)

Directions:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Rub the salmon fillets with Dry Rub, then marinate them in the lemon juice, White Wine and melted butter (remember if you prefer a non-tipsy version then feel free to omit the wine).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Arrange in GreenPan Dubai Ovenware Roasting Tin and bake in preheated hot oven (425°F) for about 20 minutes, basting with a combination of melted butter, White Wine and lemon juice every 5 minutes. You do not have to turn (but I prefer to turn them at the 10 minute mark).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Mix the pan juices with the chopped parsley, basil, dill and capers, and pour over the fillets.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If additional liquid is needed, add a little dry vermouth or more white wine. (If you are making a non tipsy, just add more lemon juice and melted butter to the recipe to render enough liquid)

Serve the remaining White Wine with dinner and VOILA! BON APPETIT!

Ah yes, my observant butterflies, my table was very much a Rick James song (Super Freak), that is incense, Wine and Candles on the table! :)

The first thing I can tell you I loved the most about the Roasting Tin, is that it actually shaved time from this recipe, I use very thick Fillets and it used to take me almost 10 minutes longer to bake in my old Roaster! Total PERK!

As I'm the dishwasher (because I don't own a dishwasher), what I was wondering most about was clean up. And much to my surprise clean up was a total breeze, no more letting it soak for awhile and then coming back and using a scouring pad to clean up the roaster. It came clean super easy! Will it last as long as Grandma's Roaster? Who knows. But for now, I'm enjoying faster cook times on all my favorite recipes (including Lasagna, baked chicken and more), and the easy clean up, I'd say GreenPan is a 5 out of 5 butterfly rating in my book!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a NON-Compensated Post. While the cookware was provided by GreenPan for my evaluation and consideration, all opinions (and recipe) is my own!