Category: Reviews


Apr
2018

Sipburbia Wine and Beer Festival

categories: Reviews

Calling all So Cal residents!

Have you ever wanted to try UNLIMITED samples of craft beer and wine while hanging out with friends and listening to live music? Then check out Sipurbia Wine and Beer Festival.  Sip + Suburbia = Sipurbia….an incredible afternoon of unlimited tastings of wine and beer from over two dozen local wineries and breweries. And to accommodate all of the swirling and sipping, you can indulge in delicious food from some of the top food trucks around including The Original Grilled Cheese Truck, Fresh Brothers, Spyros Gyros, My Taco Guy, and Parma Pizzeria Napoletana!Delicious food, awesome live bands/DJs, lawn games, and a variety of vendors will round out the day. There’s something for everyone, so gather your friends and come have fun! All tickets include a souvenir tasting cup, UNLIMITED samples of craft beer and wine, and live entertainment all day. Of course an event like this needs some tunes! Rock out to The Spazmatics and 3 Strange Daze. Time of Your Life DJs will keep it going all day long!

For more information and to get your discounted tickets use code MCC for 20% off at checkout.

A portion of the proceeds benefits the BumbleBee Foundation dedicated to helping families impacted by pediatric cancer.Confirmed wine and beer vendors so far! Cielo, Five Threads, Montage Vineyards Ojai Valley Brewery. Cannons Brewing Co., Twisted Oak Tavern, Figueroa Mountain, Ballast Point, Santa Monica Brew Works, Westlake Brewing & Libation and MANY MORE! (Click here for a complete list!)

So grab a friend or a group and come hang out in the burbs where you can find craft breweries and wineries together, with food trucks and live music from every decade that will get you dancing….all for a great cause!


Apr
2018

Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches

categories: Reviews

When we got our assigned date to bring snack at Mommy and Me I looked at the calendar and realized it was only a few days before Jacob’s birthday AND Passover. I knew I wanted to celebrate his birthday at school, but with all the Passover restrictions it made things a bit difficult. After walking around with my little man around the grocery store I figured out our plan. I bought a box of Passover muffins, string cheese and Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches.With Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches you can snack with confidence thanks to the new transparent packaging and design that allows you to see into the pouch before eating it.Another added bonus was that Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches contains no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial flavors or colors. Perfect for Passover and year round!Loved being able to celebrate my little man birthday at mommy and me with food I know is good for him and that he loves!Did you know? Tree Top saves almost 600 million pounds of ugly apples each year from being wasted. Where to purchase?

Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches are available at most major retailers across the country. To find a store near you, click here.

Learn more online:

treetop.com ~ facebook.com/TreeTop ~ twitter.com/treetopinc ~ instagram.com/treetopinc

Disclosure: This post was written as part of my participation in the Moms Meet program. While Tree Top provided me material and necessary resources to complete various activities, the thoughts and statements in this post are my own.


Mar
2018

Flavor Your Life

categories: Food, Reviews

I recently tried a new recipe that I wanted to share.

It is perfect for weeknight meals when you want protein, but don’t want to eat meat or chicken.

Best part, it’s delicious and easy to make!Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp grated lemon zest
  • 2 tsp capers
  • 1 lb cod fillet, cut into four pieces
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, rough chopped

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400º F.
  2. In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil, butter, lemon juice, garlic powder, and lemon zest until butter is melted. Stir in the capers. 
  3. Place cod in an ungreased 13″x 9″ baking dish. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper. Spoon the olive oil/caper mixture over fillets and place in the oven.
  4. Place sliced lemons on top of cod.
  5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
  6. To serve, sprinkle with the fresh chopped parsley and divide onto 4 plates.I served it with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots.

I hope you like this as much as we did! 

For this recipe I used Zucchi Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I feel that when I use EVOO, it brings out the best flavors in my food.

About Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

Olive oil comes from the fruit (known as a drupe) of the plant Olea europaea, or European olive. EVOO is made by pressing without heat or chemicals. It represents the freshest and purest olive oil available. EVOO is virtually free of acidity—below 0.8%. This is to assure its quality rather than its taste, because overly processed and rancid oils contain higher levels of oleic acid. Olive oils are also tested for peroxide values. Lower values indicate fresher oil and more rapid processing, and are required for Extra Virgin designation. Each oil is judged by expert tasters, who must agree that it meets the high flavor standards of an Extra Virgin rating. These experts also test for taste defects and the presence of positive attributes of fruitiness, bitterness and spiciness. If the oil doesn’t have the signature fruity taste and harmonious balance it won’t receive an Extra Virgin rating. Olive oil has a high smoke point (400° F), so it can handle anything from a light sauté to a deep (and deeply flavorful) fry. You can bake with olive oil, as well. Between uses, store your oil someplace dark and cool (around 57° F, if possible), not on a counter or near a stove, and never in the refrigerator. Keep the lid screwed on tight, and use your oil within 6 months of opening, and within 18 months of purchasing.

Why Choose European?

The olive tree has been revered in Europe since Antiquity. Over thousands of years farmers have evolved hundreds of varieties of olive trees (cultivars) and optimized them for different environment conditions and terrains to produce the most delicious yields. The result of this centuries old bond between the people and the land is the nest extra virgin olive in the world. The greatest impact on taste is the type of olive tree (cultivar), region (which affects climate and soil) and time of harvest. Europe offers a vast array of flavor profiles, so keep a variety of oils in your pantry for different occasions. Olives harvested early in the season, late August (varies by region), are under-ripe and produce oils that are greener, more bitter and pungent. Olives harvested at the end of the season, late November into December, are over-ripe and tend to taste mild and buttery. Spanish oil is typically golden yellow with a fruity, nutty flavor. Italian olive oil is often dark green and has an herbal aroma and a grassy flavor. Greek olive oil packs a strong flavor and aroma and tends to be green. French oil is typically pale in color and has a mild flavor.

About Zucchi:

Zucchi is a premier Italian Olive Oil Company delivering traceable and sustainable products that you can trust. You can find Zucchi at Big Y, HEB, King Kullen and Shaw’s.

Learn more online:

Connect with the Flavor Your Life campaign online to learn more about European Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

flavor-your-life.com

facebook.com/ FlavorYourLifeNA

twitter.com/Flavor_YourLife

Disclosure: This post was written as part of my participation in the Moms Meet program. While Moms Meet provided me material and necessary resources to complete various activities, the thoughts and statements in this post are my own.

Cod Piccata With Lemon and Capers
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Ingredients
  1. 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  2. 1 Tbsp butter
  3. 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  4. ½ tsp garlic powder
  5. ¼ tsp grated lemon zest
  6. 2 tsp capers
  7. 1 lb cod fillet, cut into four pieces
  8. 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  9. 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, rough chopped
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400º F.
  2. In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil, butter, lemon juice, garlic powder, and lemon zest until butter is melted. Stir in the capers.
  3. Place cod in an ungreased 13"x 9" baking dish. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper. Spoon the olive oil/caper mixture over fillets and place in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
  4. To serve, sprinkle with the fresh chopped parsley and divide onto 4 plates.
Mama Chit Chat http://www.mamachitchat.com/

Feb
2018

MadeGood Granola Bars

categories: Reviews

After my Whole30 cycle I’m on a mission to only eat food that makes me feel good. However there are times when you just want to snack. Luckily  after some research I found MadeGood Granola Bars. They’re made from whole grains, are low in sugar, and have a taste that my family loves! MadeGood Granola Bars and Minis come in 5 delicious flavors: Chocolate Chip, Mixed Berry, Chocolate Banana, Apple Cinnamon, and Strawberry. My favorite flavor is the mixed berry.MadeGood Granola Bars and Minis are organic, school safe, and contain the nutrients found in one serving of vegetables. These delicious bars contain veggies from six different sources: spinach, broccoli, carrot, tomato, beet, and shiitake mushrooms. 

All products are made in a dedicated nut free facility and are free from the 8 common allergens (peanut, tree nuts, wheat & gluten, soy, dairy, egg, sesame, fish & shellfish).

MadeGood Granola Bars are vegan, kosher, contain ONLY 6 grams of sugar, and are 90 calories each.

A 6-bar box retails for $4.99.

To test the bars out I brought it to mommy and me class a couple weeks ago. We tried Chocolate Chip and Mixed Berry. Both moms and kids loved them! Where to purchase

MadeGood Granola Bars are available to purchase at Kroger, Whole Foods Market and Amazon. To find a store near you, click here.

Learn More Online

Madegoodfoods.com

facebook.com/madegoodfoods

twitter.com/madegoodfoods

instagram.com/MadeGoodFoods

Disclosure: This post was written as part of my participation in the Moms Meet program. While MadeGood Foods provided me material and necessary resources to complete various activities, the thoughts and statements in this post are my own.


Feb
2018

Color Garden

categories: Reviews

On the weekends, my family and I look forward to relaxing, hanging out in our pj’s and eating a big breakfast together. Sometimes it’s waffles, pancakes, or maybe even a breakfast casserole.

To change it up a bit hubby through in some food dye in his pancake batter and surprised the kids with colorful pancakes. The kids squealed with excitement and asked to do it again!

But after breakfast I had an icky feeling that we ingested a whole bunch of unnecessary food dye.

As I was searching for different alternatives, I came across Color Garden.

We separated the batter into 4 bowls. My sous chef, Sarah, added the individual color packets into the bowls.  My two year old wanted to help too!I love when I can make cooking a family event.All the colors are mixed in and ready to cook. So fun! The kids loved all the bright colors and mama was happy we weren’t eating chemicals. Win win!  We sat down for breakfast, drizzled some maple syrup and enjoyed our morning together.    Even though this was an activity for the kids, this mama enjoyed her pancakes (and coffee) too!Each individual packet delivers enough color for one medium-sized cake or approximately 16oz of frosting.

Color Garden’s pure natural food color includes NO artificial ingredients.

It’s made with 100% plant based food colors!

Blue = Red cabbage

Orange and Red = Beet Juice, Turmeric, Annatto

Yellow = Turmeric

Where to Purchase

Color Garden products are sold at natural food stores and Sprouts. To find Color Garden in your area, visit their store locator here.

Learn More Online

Facebook

Twitter

Disclosure: This post was written as part of my participation in the Moms Meet program. While Color Garden provided me material and necessary resources to complete various activities, the thoughts and statements in this post are my own.


Jan
2018

Cal Water H2O Challenge {2017}

categories: Reviews

A couple years ago I made the trip with my mom and aunt to see the Hoover Dam.  It’s always been soemthing I really wanted to do, a Bucket List item as they say. Thankful I was able to take this little girls trip with my family.  It was beautiful and massive!

Yet I couldn’t stop staring at the noticeable water line. It was well below normal. It was frightening!!!Living in California we are always reminded that there is a drought.

At home we do our best to be water conscious.

We turn off the faucet while brushing our teeth, we have our shower heads set to low, and use reusable water bottles.

Join the Cal Water H2O Challenge and learn how to teach your kids about water conservation.

It’s crucial that all Californians, young and old, conserve water in order
to secure a reliable water supply for present and future generations. Cal Water H2O Challenge is a free program teaching kids how to care for water. This timely initiative consists of two separate competitions: the Classroom Challenge and the Individual Challenge.

Cal Water H2O Challenge’s Classroom Challenge is a project-based, environmentally-focused competition for classrooms, grades 4-6, designed in conjunction with NAAEE, the WestEd K-12 Alliance, and Cal Water. It is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and complimentary to the Next Generation Science Standards.

Cal Water H2O Challenge’s Individual Challenge is a media competition in which individual students submit original art, photography, or videos focused on caring for water. Open to individual students in grades 4-12 living in a Cal Water service area, students compete in one of three tiers based on grade level.

About Cal Water H2O Challenge’s Classroom Challenge:

The students of participating classrooms initiate, develop, and implement a 4-8 week-long project (or longer at teacher discretion), focusing on caring for water. This class-based project explores water as a global resource and as a local resource, while tackling a local water problem in an individual and community-based endeavor.

A handbook can be found at challenge.calwater.com/resources, including a guide for the ow of the project, and sample lesson plans.

Upon completion of the project, students create a final portfolio documenting their work. This portfolio, along with accompanying cover sheets, student reflections, and a teacher reflection, constitute the final submission. Sample Portfolios can be found in the resource section.

Early Registration closes Dec. 31, 2017. Final Registration closes Jan 31, 2018. Submissions are due February 28, 2018.

Curriculum Alignment: Common Core State Standards and is complementary to the Next Generation Science Standards. In aligning the curriculum, sample lesson plans were developed incorporating these guidelines.

Project-Based Learning: Developed with the help of the WestEd / K-12 Alliance and the North American Association for Environmental Education, their project-based learning model offers an effective and engaging manner to inspire students to community action while achieving curriculum standards.

Objective Rubric: Judging of the competition will be conducted by a panel of experts working in education and/or an environmental field. It will use an objective rubric, developed with the help of the West Ed / K-12 Alliance. This rubric evaluates the water topic choice, project goals, action plan, and outcomes, long term bene ts, integration with student learning and curriculum, student participation, impact on student learning, presentation, and impact on teacher practice.

Winners of the Cal Water H2O Classroom Challenge will receive amazing prizes! See below.

Grand Prize

Class Celebration: Classroom tent-camping trip to the Santa Monica Mountains with NatureBridge
Class Funding: $3,500 grant

Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student

2nd Place

Class Celebration: A Pizza Party
Class Funding: $2,500 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student

3rd Place

Class Funding: $2,000 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student

4th Place

Class Funding: $1,000 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student

All Participant Prizes

Student Recognition: An official certificate of participation for every student.
Teacher Recognition: A teacher certificate Teacher Gift: An AMEX gift card.

Learn more online

Learn more about the challenge, access the resource center, and read the FAQ section at https://challenge.calwater.com/.

Disclosure: This post was written as part of my participation in the Moms Meet program. While Moms Meet provided me material and necessary resources to complete various activities, the thoughts and statements in this post are my own.


Dec
2017

Kool-Aid Hair

categories: Reviews

Sarah has been asking to her dye her hair for months. So after a random visit to the super market, she picked out a packet of Kool-Aid and we started the process.

Step 1: Boil water with one packet of Kool-Aid according to package. Let cool.

Step 2: Split hair into two sections and place hair in jars. Step 3: Wait 15 minutes and check hair. If you don’t like your results, put it back for another 5 minutes. Sarah picked Pink Lemonade and after we dried her hair we decided it wasn’t what we wanted. Thankfully I had my mama hat on while we were in the store and picked up a packet of Black Cherry Kool-Aid.

We repeated the same steps above with the Black Cherry packet.It came out super bright, but Sarah loved it!Please note Kool-Aid is a permanent hair color. Therefore we decided to only color her ends. When she is over the hair color we will take her to get a haircut. 

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