Posts by admin:
- EARTHDAY40 for 40% off your FIRST purchase
- EARTHDAY20 for 20% off for returning customers.
- Some exclusions apply and only valid for first time shoppers.
- Discount code expires June 30, 2018
- Alaska Pollock Burrito Bowl
- Alaska Cod Reuben
- Alaska Halibut Enchiladas Salsa Verde
- Alaska Sole Sliders
- Thyme-Crusted Alaska Sablefish
- Alaska Seafood Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alaskaseafood
- Alaska Seafood Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alaska_Seafood
- Alaska Seafood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alaskaseafood/
- Alaska Seafood Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alaskaseafood/
- 2 Meyer lemons, juiced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 24-ounces Alaska halibut, sliced in 4-ounce pieces
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can white beans, drained reserving 1 Tbsp liquid
- 1 Tbsp tahini
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 roasted red peppers from jar
- 2 1/2 pound beef roast, cut in half
- season roast with 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons Himalayan salt
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bottle Cucina Antica Tomato Basil cooking sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/3 cup baby carrots, chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 Tablespoon honey
For Parents: “Like Arrows” Movie Review
April 25th, 2018I recently had the pleasure of previewing FamilyLife’s first feature film, Like Arrows, which explores the hardships and joys of parenting. This movie was produced by brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick known for “Courageous” and “The War Room” as well as FamilyLife’s Dennis and Barbara Rainey, and Bob Lepine.
My husband and I have been parents for 6 years and we can both easily say that it is a challenging journey. Nothing compares to being a parent and no previous experience, like babysitting or nannying, can ever prepare for what we are to expect. Throughout our journey we have relied on asking family, friends and our church family for advice. That never goes away which is why I was really happy to learn about this movie.
FamilyLife and “Like Arrows”
While there are plenty of books about parenting, there are no movies really focusing on the journey of parenting. FamilyLife, an online resource for biblical help in marriage and other family relationships, decided to release the film as part of a significant new parenting initiative called FamilyLife’s Art of Parenting™, which will also include a free online video series and an eight-session small group series.
“Like Arrows” focuses on Charlie and Alice, a couple who after dealing with conflict, rebellion, and resentment in their family, are forced to rethink their parenting strategy. In the process, they realize how critical it is being intentional. They focus then on shaping and molding the young lives that were entrusted to them by God. Through a journey that unfolds over 50 years, Charlie and Alice discover the unmistakable power of family. Together, they learn that knowing and living by God’s Word is what brings transformation and hope to any family.
My thoughts
I enjoyed the film and even thought there was a clear before and after with the parents when they realized that simply attending church and doing the best they could was not enough. They realized having accountability and being intentional by being in God’s word was essential for the whole family.
The length of the film is average to most films so the progression of events can seem rushed but I believe it is only to give an idea of what life could be after a change of perspective. I would have gladly sat through a 3 hour film about parenting if you ask me but it was clear that the parents’ change through the movie happened quickly for time’s sake. Heart change and accountability comes through time.
There is a lot to say about the movie being realistic. It shows the challenges, the hardships, the stress between the couple, and the effects of correct parenting towards the children. It gives a hard look into many pitfalls that parents go through. Essentially I loved the fact that nothing can really happen without the father making a change.
It was not apparent that either couple were believers to begin so I would have loved to hear a little more background story or a life being rededicated to God. Either way, the head of the household starts taking a stand to be the spiritual leader in the home and it comes with accountability.
I definitely recommend all parents in every stage of parenthood to watch this film. I was involved with every actor throughout the movie which made it believeable. Take some friends with you and some tissues because it will make you tear up in different parts. When you see parenthood through eyes of others it puts things into perspective. I am looking forward learning about the free online video series.
When does the film release?
This film is not being released nationwide and is only being released in select theaters on May 1st and May 3rd. Here is a link to check a theater near you.
Parenting Resources
If you are interested more in the new series FamilyLife’s Art of Parenting™, please check out this snippet. There are more amazing resources from the movie and notes that parents in every stage of parenting would receive well. I know I did because I know that it is a daily journey and one that I am quickly learning time and time again that I have not control over.
Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification
Sharing is Caring!
Swap your Clothes for Earth Day {Promo code included}
April 20th, 2018I received a credit from Swap.com to shop and to find options for lessening the clothing battle in our closets. Earth Day reminds us to be less wasteful by finding other means to solve the issues.
As a family of five, I am quickly feeling like we have accumulated so many things, especially since having kids. My goals of downsizing or organizing myself have been futile with such a busy daily schedule. Since we stopped having kids, I thought rotating clothes out of the house would have been easier, but somehow I still end up having more containers of clothing than I would like.
How about those clothes you do not fit into anymore? I have some containers of clothing, hoping I will reach my goal weight. Last year, when I started my clean eating lifestyle, I knew that I would have to get arid of a lot of clothing. I also did not have any in between clothing but I was determined to make ends meet.
How do Americans wear their clothing?
As part of Earth Day, I recently learned that the average American throws away 85% of their clothes each year. YIKES. That was very astonishing. Even though I have had piles of clothing to get rid of, I have never thrown any in the trash but I guess I never realized what happened after I dropped clothing at donation centers.
What’s more is that this is about 65 pounds of textiles/person heading to landfills and a total of 14.3 million tons of textile waste in landfills each year. What a shocking number! I was glad to find that places like Swap.com is committed to changing this fact every day of the year.
Easy online consignment shopping
Have you ever heard of Swap.com? I think I remember a friend mentioning it to me, but with my brain, I forgot. Swap.com is the largest online thrift and consignment shop that offers shoppers a sustainable way to shop AND save by keeping clothing out of landfills and giving them a second life.
I would be the last person to shop online for clothing because I dislike exchanging and really never have any luck with sizes, but since I enjoy consignment shopping in my local area, I thought I would give it a shop and see how much easier it was than having to get in the car and check several locations.
I loved how easy it was to search through categories based on sizes, color, style and more. I actually spent a lot of time just looking through EVERYTHING the site offered. It was actually hard to choose especially since Swap.com was generous to offer a credit to shop. Hey, I would enjoy shopping even more if given that incentive.
What did I buy?
I found two dresses for the girls for church and a pair of sandals since both my girls are outgrowing everything at the moment. I decided that one of the dresses was not a great fit for either child. The shoes, on the other hand, were perfect.
This shopping adventure came in perfect timing because I recently realized that I have no shoes that fit. Because I twisted both ankles last year, my feet somehow have expanded and I went from a size 8 1/2 to a 10-11. What a shocking change, right? I chose some cute sandals, for when the weather actually decided to cooperate, and I found some cute black flats for casual and fun outings.
I was afraid of choosing a dress but I decided to try to see how it would fit. I love long tunics to go with leggings or pants so I found a few causal and dressy tops. I loved trying on my items when they arrived as did my girls.
My experience
I was really satisfied with the way the items were delivered and packaged. Everything was individually packaged and labeled in case I needed to return.
Out of the 9 items I ordered I only ended up returning 3 items. I would say that was pretty good! The dress I chose was too big and the tunic that I tried on multiple times, I decided that it was too big as well. I always seem to be in between sizes but with a place like Swap.com, I am looking forward shopping online A LOT more often.
Want to try?
Swap.com has also decided to let my readers have a little shopping adventure.
Use the discount code:
Sharing is Caring!
How to Enjoy New York City in 36 hours
March 21st, 2018Last week I was able to travel to New York on my own for 36 hours. Three weeks ago I found out that my husband was sending me to New York for my birthday. He presented me with multiple little gifts and one by one I found I was going to be attending an opera performance at The Metropolitan Opera. My husband is definitely getting better at the element of surprise.
I had 1 1/2 weeks to prepare how to travel into New York and what to do while I was there in addition to attending the opera. My hotel was already booked at the 4 Points Sheraton at Midtown West so I needed to plan and map how I was going to go about enjoying my quick stay.
I ended up deciding to go with Megabus because I like quick, easy, and affordable. I booked my tickets online and decided to park my car in the city. In the long run, between driving, tolls and travel it ended up better for me. I love using the Best Parking App because it literally saves me money with the best rate. I saved $20 using the app, so that made me happy.
I left at 8am on Wednesday morning and arrived in New York at 10:30am between 7th Ave and 28th. I took opportunity to walk towards my hotel to enjoy the sunshine despite it being cold. I decided to stop for brunch on the way at Citizens of Chelsea. What does a mom do when she is alone? A mimosa and brunch!!!
On the way to the hotel I took advantage of experiencing The High Line, a popular park that is above street level on an old rail line, with river & city views. I loved it!!
I finally made it to the hotel where I was able to check in early and freshen up before I headed to the Greenwich Village Food Tour with Free Tours by Foot. I had come across these tours through Google and decided since I did not know Greenwich Village quite well, it was ideal.
Free Tours by Foot are tours given by a tour guide, Lori, with no cost up front. We had 7 stops and at each we paid $1-1.50 per sample. By the end of the tour, we were all more than satisfied.
All the samples were 3-5 bites so it was impressive. At the end of the tour, our group paid Lori what we thought was deserved. It was impressive because she did a fabulous job! After 2.5 hours, I felt like wanted to know even more about the area.
After the tour, I sat at Molly’s Cupcakes and enjoyed an americano and a mini cupcake and recharged before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the opera. I passed by the apartment where Friends was filmed. I loved walking through the neighborhood so much. I ended up buying a $9.00 subway pass in order to rest my feet. I got to the hotel in time to freshen up and rest for about 45 minutes.
I watched Semiramide and had a chance to catch up with an old friend and even saw a friend performing in the opera itself. I didn’t get back to the hotel until midnight. Talk about an adventure! It was nice to sleep in a nice bed and to sleep in the next day.
The next day I took my time getting up but I had coffee and checked out of the hotel before heading to an architectural and food tour around the Flatiron District. Thursday was a lot of windier and gustier despite the sunny day but I am glad I had an extra jacket and gloves to keep warm as we walked around the area for 3 hours. I had a chance to check Eataly for a bit but I totally would go back to have a bite to eat or just people watch.
Since we did plenty of walking through Flatiron District and Union Square I decided to walk back towards the Javit Convention Center because I was leaving with Megabus in that area. I took my time walking and people watching before catching a bite to eat at Best Bagel & More.
I had the biggest bagel sandwich with cream cheese and lox that I have ever seen. There is definitely a HUGE amount of options where to eat while walking in New York. Since I am a huge Instagram lurker, I find inspiration and ideas through there and Yelp.
I definitely stuck with trying new places but I definitely do not think I overdid it. My second food tour gave me a glimpse of areas to eat next time, but I did not have the time to sit at a restaurant. Ideally, I wanted to travel to NYC with a friend but it did not work. Truthfully, I was a bit anxious about going to NYC by myself even though I have been twice before. It is hard to travel without my little family knowing they are always with me. If I had my husband or a girl friend, I think I would have relaxed a little more. I look forward returning in May to celebrate our 10th anniversary.
I returned back home in time to meet a friend at a new pub which then completed the 36 hours. Thankful to have an adventure especially being able to log in 17 miles over those 36 hours. Best exercise ever.
Sharing is Caring!
Citrus Herb Alaska Halibut with Red Pepper Hummus
March 19th, 2018
I enjoy creating different meals for my family on a daily basis. As much as I try to stick to the same meals on particular days, like Taco Tuesday, I rarely ever do because I like variety. This year I have been focusing on different ways of serving fish to my kids and my husband and thankfully, the response has been well received. I have been very intentional not to make kid-specific meals but to create meals that my whole family will enjoy like my Citrus Herb Alaska Halibut with Red Pepper Hummus.
When I decided I wanted to include a lot more fish in our eating lifestyle I knew it was important for me to incorporate wild-caught whitefish such as Alaska halibut, sablefish (black cod), sole, Alaska pollock and cod. I found that the whitefish varieties were heartier and flavorful especially when it came to marinating and grilling.
I quickly learned that Alaska’s cold and pristine waters lead to the high-quality seafood that I consistently found in either the frozen section or at my local fish market. It is pretty incredible that Alaska’s wild fisheries contribute 60% of all seafood harvested in the United States! Knowing where my food comes from makes a huge impact on how I prepare and present.
I have to admit that I have never cooked with Alaska halibut but I was excited to create a simple dish that our family could enjoy. Sometimes I get my kids to help in the kitchen but when it comes to raw food, I have them help with chopping or blending, like adding the ingredients in a food processor.
I marinated the Alaska halibut in a homemade marinade consisting of Meyer lemons, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, cumin, and onion powder for about 30 minutes. Since there five people in our family, I prepared about 4 ounces of Alaska halibut. While the fish marinated, I prepared the red pepper hummus.
My girls love hummus so I love pairing two delicious proteins to make for a satisfying meal, especially when it comes to Mediterranean food. Once the Alaska halibut finished marinating, I removed and grilled on a pan with olive oil. The fish cooked very quickly but even so I used a meat thermometer to make sure I did not overcook.
Once the internal temperature reached 145 degrees Fahrenheit, I removed to a separate plate and cooked the remaining fish. Each fish portion took about 5-7 minutes total on medium heat. My oven was on a low setting in order to keep the fish warm. In the same pan where I grilled the fish, I added cubed zucchini, orange peppers, red onions, mushrooms and sautéed the veggies with a little more olive oil for about 10 minutes.
I added about 1/4 cup of hummus to each plate and placed 4 ounces of grilled Alaska halibut on top of the hummus. Since we lead a low-carb lifestyle, my husband and I ate the fish with a side of sautéed vegetables but I added roasted potatoes to the girls plates.
The response was unanimous. All three girls loved their meal especially my husband. Fish is definitely something we are making more around here and I love hearing the response and seeing clean plates! I like being adventurous even if it means creating something my kids might not eat but it really depends on the palate I am consistently creating by sharing all kinds of foods with my kids.
Having trouble finding Alaska whitefish? These varieties are sold fresh and frozen year-round making it possible for all home cooks to have a wide-range of seafood possibilities and healthful options.
Visit www.wildalaskaseafood.com for hundreds of Alaska seafood recipes, cooking techniques and tips, and to learn why it is important to #AskForAlaska at the seafood counter and in restaurants. Here are a few recipes for inspiration:
Check out Alaska Seafood on social media for more information, ideas, and inspiration:
Citrus Herb Alaska Halibut with Red Pepper Hummus
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients (6 servings)
For Alaska halibut marinade
For Grilling
Red Pepper Hummus
Instructions
For marinade
Place lemon juice with herbs and spices. Mix well. Place Alaska halibut in a glass dish, 9×9, and pour marinade over fish. Place in fridge for 30 minutes.
After 15 minutes, flip fish over and finish marinating. Prepare hummus.
In a food processor, add all hummus ingredients and blend well until smooth. Adjust salt to taste.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat a non-stick pan with 1 Tablespoon olive oil on medium heat. Remove fish from marinade and add 2-3 pieces at a time and cook 4 minutes on each side. Use a meat thermometer to check temperature. It should read 145 degrees Fahrenheit when ready.
After fish is cooked, place the cooked fish in the oven to keep warm while cooking the rest of the fish.
To plate each dish, add 1/4 cup of hummus on each plate and add 4-ounces fish on top of hummus. Serve with sauteed vegetable medley.
Sharing is Caring!
Instant Pot South American Meat Sauce
March 12th, 2018I have been enjoying my Instant Pot but am saddened I have not been sharing my recipes as much because life happens. It took a snow storm and some inspiration to get this recipe to you.
Where does my inspiration come from? Sometimes it comes from memories. Other times I am inspired by feelings or what ingredients I have on hand. This time around I was inspired by my desire to recreate my Chilean grandmother’s recipe for Tallarines Rojos or Red Spaghetti.
My grandmother would use pappardelle pasta and this meat sauce with cubed carrots mixed with crushed tomatoes, chopped beef roast with an essence of orange. It was intoxicating. The problem ended up being that my grandmother never wrote anything down. She just wanted me to learn by watching.
Here I am a home cook with a passion for cooking and I get a chance to create and develop recipes.
I am a brand ambassador for Cucina Antica, a company that has developed cooking sauces, pasta sauces, salad dressings and condiments that are Non-GMO verified, gluten-free, free of sugar and preservatives.
I started with the Tomato Basil Cooking Sauce that uses imported San Marzano tomatoes making it a premium and gourmet sauce ready to be used. I loved having a bottled sauce that did not have added sugars because it is hard finding a sauce without extra unnecessary ingredients living a clean eating lifestyle.
I made a lovely Chilean Meat Sauce using a pot roast because I am always looking for new ideas for a pot roast. While my grandmother chopped her beef I decided to shred my after cooking it in the Instant Pot. After 60 minutes in the Instant Pot with a 3-pound beef roast, Cucina Antica Tomato Basil Cooking Sauce, carrots, and spices, I had my lovely meat sauce. I served it on top of Carba-Nada Egg Fettucine Noodles which are ideal for a low-carb lifestyle.
Want to learn about Cucina Antica? I received their sauces to experience and create. Chef Neil makes the products through an artisanal production method that allows consumers to cook the sauces without losing any flavor.
Check out their social media pages:
https://www.facebook.com/CucinaAnticaFoods/
https://twitter.com/CucinaAntica
https://www.instagram.com/cucinaantica/
Instant Pot South American Meat Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients (8-10 servings)
roast
Add to Instant Pot
Instructions
Heat Instant Pot on the Saute function. Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil.
Pat roast dry and rub seasonings over each half.
Sear the meat in the pot for 2 minutes on each side.
Add the sliced onions and garlic then add 1 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar.
Add remaining ingredients.
Turn off Instant Pot and seal pot with venting knob in correct position. Set on manual for 50 minutes and allow to naturally release. Shred beef and mix well within the sauce.
Serve over noodles and garnish with chopped parsley and Parmesan.
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post.
