Posts by admin:
- Veggie Fusions Garden Vegetable
- Veggie Fusions Southwestern
- Veggie Fusions Mango Lime
- 16 medium cooked shrimp
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 roasted poblano pepper*, sliced in 1-inch pieces
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons cotija cheese, crumbled
- 2 teaspoons of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon Tajin and more for sprinkling
- smoked paprika for sprinkling
- 1 7-ounce container Sabra Veggie Fusions Mango Lime
- 4 slices sprouted bread, toasted
- Shrimp should be thawed and dabbed with paper to remove all water.
- Add to a bowl.
- In a small pan, cook the red onion on medium heat and cook for 5 minutes until the onions are soft.
- While the onions are cooking, roast the poblanos. Follow asterisk below on how to roast.
- Add onions to the shrimp. Add the poblano slices.
- Add crumbled cotija and a little olive oil.
- Add lime juice and sprinkle with Tajin.
- *!How to roast poblano peppers:
- Place rack on the second highest section. Turn on broiler in oven. Line a sheet with parchment and a place peppers on baking sheet. Lightly spray with olive oil spray. Place in oven and broil for 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and add to a plastic bag and seal to allow pepper to sweat. The outer layer needs to be peeled after 10 minutes. Remove from bag and removed outer skin and slice in 1 inch slices.
- Toast the bread and set aside.
- Spread 2 ounces or 1/4 of the guacamole on the toast.
- Layer the shrimp topping on the guacamole. Each toast should have 4 shrimp.
- Sprinkle each with a little more Tajin and smoked paprika.
- Oatmeal Cereal Single-Grain
- Multi-grain Cereal
- Oatmeal & Banana Cereal
- Lil’ Bits Oatmeal Banana Strawberry
- 1 cup walnuts, coarsely ground
- 10 clear stevia drops
- 4 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/4 cup Gerber Multi-Grain Cereal
- 1 1/4 cups 0% Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup Gerber Lil' Bits Oatmeal Strawberry Banana Cereal
- 1 cup frozen mixed fruit
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Coconut Nectar
- 15 clear stevia drops
- 1 Tablespoon gelatin
- In a food processor, place the walnuts and Gerber cereal, coconut oil and stevia drops.
- Only process until the nuts are coarsely ground, not finely ground.
- Place mini muffin liners in a 24-count tin.
- Add 2 teaspoons of the nut mix and press filling into the bottom of liner.
- In the same food processor, place the yogurt through the gelatin and blend well until smooth.
- Add 2 teaspoons of the yogurt mix into each muffin liner.
- Top each mini tart with a frozen berry of choice and chill in freezer for about 45 minutes and enjoy.
- Leave in freezer to enjoy at own leisure.
Summer Fun for Alex’s Lemonade Stand at Dorney Park
June 23rd, 2016Summer fun has officially started with our family. Last week our family enjoyed a great sunny day at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom for the first time. During the month of June, the park is joining Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in the fight against childhood cancer. Everyone pays kids prices during the month with a portion of the purchase going to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Instead of the regular $57 dollar price, everyone can save $19 by purchasing their tickets online. What a deal.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with Blog Meets Brand. All opinions are my own.
Before I left for our active day at the park, I looked up a map of the park in order to plan how we were to enjoy the park with the girls. Since we have three girls under the age of 5 we really wanted to make the most of the day wisely since our girls were missing their naps. We started with Planet Snoopy at Dorney Park where all the rides are geared for kids of all sizes but many perfect for our girls heights. There was a mini roller coaster that the girls enjoyed that substituted their desire for riding the adult rides.
I quickly learned that day that my girls are fearless when it comes to fast and spinning rides. I did not go to parks like Dorney Park growing up until I was close to eight years old so I know that my girls were experiencing everything earlier. If anything, I find joy watching my girls having a good time. I am sure I am not the only parent that feels the same way. While my 11 month old daughter could not enjoy rides, she did really well observing and taking in all the sights.
After the girls rode several rides in the Planet Snoopy we enjoyed lunch and a bit of shade from the bright sun. After lunch we put on our swimsuits and headed to Wildwater Kingdom to cool off from the heat. There were three areas there were ideal for the girls. Since we went on a Wednesday, I thought the crowds were much lighter so it was easier to keep track of the girls. Going with two parents is ideal because my husband was able to keep track of my older two girls while I played with the baby.
We started out at Kids Cove where there were multiple mini water slides within a colorful submarine that kids could weave through. The girls climbed through the tunnels and steps and thoroughly enjoyed sliding and splashing. My little one at first did not know how to respond but when I put her in the water to wade, she started to splash and play.
We then made our way to Splash Landing and Lollipop Lagoon where we found an assortment of slides, fountains, raining umbrellas or simply lounge areas where the girls could rest. Luckily we did not get asked for too many snack breaks but when the girls started feeling tired my husband and I switched off so we could ride the adult water slides. My husband checked out Boa Blasters which consisted of him riding down a tube slide while holding tightly to a tube. It was his first time ever to go on a water ride so he enjoyed it immensely. I had not enjoyed a ride like that since my Junior High days so I was freaked at first from riding but ended up enjoying it.
While we would have loved to ride more water rides, we kept moving to the next ride for our girls. My girls and I LOVED Runaway River. I placed both girls in life jackets made available for all guests at the park, and I chose tubes for them. We then relaxed and floated through the river where we were met with waterfall surprises or some fast movements down the river. The girls loved it so much that we went on it a second time. It was an ideal time since the baby had fallen asleep in the stroller, so my husband kept her moving.
As dusk approached, the weather started getting cooler so we changed everyone out of their suits and headed back to Dorney Park after we had some Rita’s custard. That was definitely a highlight of the afternoon. We went back to Planet Snoopy to check out other rides the girls had not experienced and then we took a break by walking around and exploring while my husband rode some scary roller coasters. I am so glad he got to enjoy some exciting rides like the Hydra and Steel Force.
When we ready to leave we were happy that we survived a WHOLE day at the park. We left by 7pm and settled everyone in the car ready for dinner. The girls behaved so well and enjoyed every moment of the day including the baby! We created some great memories and we look forward checking out the park in the future. We love enjoying summer fun with our family even at this stage of life!
Remember, “Everyone Pays Kids Price” for the month of June. A portion of ticket proceeds going to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation so why not support a great cause. When you go, make sure you use the hashtag #OneDorneySmileAtATime and Dorney Park will also donate $1 to help make an impact on those children battling who are battling cancer.
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Tex-Mex Shrimp and Guacamole Toast
June 20th, 2016Avocado toast is pretty trendy but imagine changing that up a bit with guacamole toast! No need to worry about calories or fat content because my Tex-Mex Shrimp and Guacamole Toast will be ideal for this summer.
This is a sponsored post with Sabra. All opinions and recipes are my own.
This summer is already a memorable one. We have traveled, had multiple deaths in the family, and with that we have had interesting weather to add to all that mixture. Despite that, life continues sustained in God’s strength. Ideally it would be wonderful to have a personal chef for breaks in this busy season, but it is easier eating lighter or even making simpler meals that require little cooking time.
I always keep avocados in our home for various recipes but usually my girls just eat it by itself and request that I make it salty. So easy, right? When I sit to eat an avocado, I like slicing it and adding it to a toasted piece of sprouted bread. On occasion I will add a fried egg and some slices of fresh tomato. It is such a satisfying meal but not one I do as often.
Lighter Guacamole
Lighter summer meals come in different forms and I like an opened faced sandwiches more than regular sandwiches because I can load them up with toppings. Recently, Sabra released their newest product called Veggie Fusions Guacamole and is considered the first of its kind to reach grocery stores. They have three different options:
Each 7-ounce container of guacamole is made with ripe, fresh, Hass avocados mixed with delicious crisp vegetables for a nutritious dip, rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. In fact, each recipe is made with SEVEN different varieties of veggies!
With this mixture the guacamole has a fresh flavor and the overall fat content is reduced by 30% (3g of fat vs. 5g and 4.5g of fat per serving of the two leading brands of classic guacamole). All three varieties are vegan, kosher, gluten-free and made with the best quality ingredients.
I had a chance to try all three and I really enjoyed all three in different ways. We had company over several weeks back and all 8 kids in the group enjoyed the Veggie Fusions Garden Vegetable with carrots and pretzels! Little did they know they were consuming healthy nutritious dips! The Veggie Fusions Southwestern dip had a nice blend of corn, black beans and veggies. Pairs well with corn chips or great on enchiladas!
Guacamole Toast
The Mango Lime was MY favorite. Since avocado is a fruit, combining it with mango is just so logical and ideal. The dip was both sweet and savory and perfect with my Tex-Mex Shrimp and Guacamole Toast for my lunch. The shrimp is easy to cook while the poblanos roast in the oven. Both my husband and I like keeping ready-made roasted peppers in the fridge for meals.
Hey busy moms! Don’t be intimidated! This recipe worked great prepping the night before and assembling the day of. While your kids have their quick-lunch this quick gourmet lunch makes you feel like you’ve conquered the kitchen while feeding your kids.
Want a chance to try Sabra’s Veggie Fusions line? Head to their site and print the $1 coupon to use at the grocery store. Make sure you head to the deli section to purchase this delicious guacamole.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Chilean Travel Adventures with Baby (Part One)
June 14th, 2016
Chilean travels are definitely an adventure especially when traveling with a baby. I share how I survived and how I made it work through small hiccups through our 5 day trip. Thankful for my Catbird Baby Pikkolo baby carrier & Chicco for helping me travel safely with my 10-month old daughter.
Surprise trip
Back in March my husband surprised me with an airplane ticket to Santiago, Chile to see my grandfather, who I had not seen in more than 15 years. It was the best gift I had ever received for my birthday and I was excited and nervous! As I started to mentally process my trip, 2 weeks later I found out that my grandfather had suffered from a heart attack and I would not be seeing him again. I was SO saddened and confused. I had planned to travel with my 10-month old daughter and introduce her to my grandfather. While it was a shock to receive such news I had to decide what to do. Luckily I had been able to chat with him a few days before he died.
Two months later, after much debate, worry and concern, I decided to travel any way. I knew my grandfather would have loved for me to still go and learn about the country and to see where my father grew up. Most of my nerves revolved around the unknown. Going to a place I knew nothing about AND also traveling with a baby. Many encouraged that it would be great, so I went with my third daughter for a quick 5 day trip while my husband stayed with our older two girls.
Traveling SOLO with an infant
I tried planning ahead like ordering bulkhead seating on my airlines and ordering a crib for my hotel room, which was advertised online on the listing. Always be prepared for hiccups because there were several for sure!
Airplane and bulkhead seating ended up being a great spot because I had plenty of space. Baby girl could crawl on the floor but it was not great because one of the airplanes washed the floors with a cleaner which meant I was not able to let my baby crawl lest she become soaked in chemical.
Bassinet on the airplane. My 10-month old proves to be TOO long when it came time to lie her down for her bedtime. I liked the idea of flying at night so that we kept the baby’s schedule but my daughter was used to her crib, no lights, no sounds and being flat. Wow, she was a particular one, but I guess we trained her well? I ended up holding her in my CatBird Baby Carrier to sleep so I could sleep without dropping her. On the way back I could not sleep so I help her.
Hotel room ended up NOT having a crib as advertised. The owner translated the wrong word on his listing and he meant he had a baby seat for eating purposes, which at the end of it, he really did not have that either. We ended up sleeping in a queen mattress which was lower than usual and I placed her in bed and she zonked out pretty much every evening. I did not rest AS peacefully knowing that she could move around and possible fall but pillows assured me of a soft landing IF that happened. It never did so I am thankful it worked out.
Come to find out that I booked a hotel a street next to my cousin’s house whom I had not contacted yet until the day I arrived and the B&B owner and my cousin knew each other well. Small world!
Sightseeing
I think there were many factors involved with this trip. By the second day my daughter was literally telling me she was all done with the trip. My husband and I had trained her to sleep her naps and bedtime in her crib but we thought that transitioning into a baby carrier and in a stroller would be painless. Boy was I wrong. She was not a happy camper napping in either place. While she DID nap in the stroller, she was done by day three and hardly napped and instead, bellyache.
While we were both up by 7am, we were out of the hotel by 9am ready for sightseeing. Since my 10-month old is 22 pounds, I did not start with baby wearing so I could save my back. She went into my Chicco umbrella stroller for the first half of the morning. Within an hour, she would fall asleep and be awake in 1 to 1.5 hours later depending on the type of activities were doing.
We took the metro (subway) to several parts of the city. There were men and women willing to help but I was glad that there were elevators available. When the baby was cranky I would wear her to give her a different perspective. It was often short-lived but we worked through it. I love baby wearing but I have to admit that I have used more stroller than carrier. I am THANKFUL I had the stroller.
In Retrospect
I traveled as lightly as possible. I had one large luggage stuffed with a small luggage with 2 pairs of pants and tops. Despite the opposite seasons I knew I was going to be warm wearing a baby and also pushing a baby around in a stroller. She was my extra layer. Since I came back with souvenirs, the small luggage ended up being my extra bag on the way back which worked out well.
It was a WHIRLWIND of an experience not only traveling to South America for the very first time but also traveling alone with a baby. I guess I can say I have survived and conquered, right? I definitely needed a few days to recoup.
Stay tuned for another post on what I saw on my trip and what I ate! Thankful for a thoughtful hubby who gave me the most wonderful gift even though it was an adventure. We all need that some time in our lives.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means that if you choose to purchase from my links I will get a small percentage which helps this site grow little by little. Thanks for your support!
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A Quick Chai Latte for a Busy Mom
May 25th, 2016This post was sponsored by Starbucks as part of an Influencer Activation. I received compensation and complimentary products to facilitate my review.
A nice little surprise wrapped so beautifully enticing me to open and try. The new TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods beckoned to be prepared immediately, and quickly did I obey. As I inserted the TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® Pods into my Keurig®, I could hardly wait to have my first sip.
It is a rare moment when I can get a hot cup of anything with three little girls ready for the day to begin. You know it happens to you too! You have all the intention of having the first sip and your babies are seeking for answers, breakfast, or even some cuddle time. Who can deny them, right? For that reason I take advantage of having my choice cup of goodness when nap rolls around. As of recent, I have been enjoying TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods with my Keurig® which has been perfect for the constant rainy afternoons.
My husband can easily attest that I am a tea addict but I rarely can make a choice when it comes time for a cup. When I go out, I rarely have chai tea because they are usually too sweet or they just do not meet my expectations. I have sometimes have had the intention of making my own chai mix and forget about making it.
In less than 30 seconds I had my first chai using the TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods. What a great way to allow me to explore a world of flavor from the comfort of my own home with the creamy blend of black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and vanilla flavor. Steeped in 5,000 years of Indian history, chai is a black tea blend that’s part sweet, part spicy, and totally unexpected. It definitely is the perfect blend of sweet meets spicy.
I simply loved the milk and honey envelope that comes in the TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods box which then blends in smoothly. The sweetness was subtle and it was MY ideal blend of black tea, spices and milk. I enjoyed my first cup with a few thin cookies as an afternoon indulgence while my girls slept.
While I always catch up on work during the nap time, I took some time to simply enjoy, relax and savor the hot drink while I could. Since then I have been enjoying it every afternoon, including tasting the TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods. My opinions have not changed. Glad to know that well-known people like Padma Lakshmi enjoy tea and chai. These two things have always been a part of her life and she is just as excited to celebrate the flavors of chai with TAZO®.
Want to try something other than cookies with your chai? Padma Lakshmi developed recipes that pair perfectly with a cup of chai and you can find them by visiting TAZO.com/chai/pairings. I totally want to dig into these Baked Figs with Manchego Cheese. YUM! Find where to buy TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods at TAZO.com/wheretobuy
How would you enjoy some TAZO® Chai Latte?
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Frozen Berry Yogurt Mini Tarts + $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway
May 23rd, 2016Baby food is no longer just for feeding babies but it is also a great substitute for delicious recipes for your family. These are great options for my baby and for my fun cooking experiments. My Frozen Berry Yogurt Mini Tarts are great treats for your family.
This is a project with The Women Bloggers and Kendal King Group and is a sponsored post with #SoapboxInfluence project
Time flies when you are having fun. Actually, time flies when you have three little girls that are dependent on me and my husband. How much of a blessing it is to have the responsibility to nurture, feed, clothe, and educate our little ones. It is daunting but amazing at the same time.
Since becoming a mother, one of the exciting things for me to see is the transition my girls go from nursing to eating real food. In fact, the challenge is always present to prepare the healthiest and best meals for my girls.
Baby-Led Weaning
When my third daughter was ready to eat solids she was very vocal and I was real surprised that at 5 1/2 months, she wanted to start eating solids. She was keenly aware that her sisters and her parents were eating something different other than breast milk. It was amusing to watch. I started with a few fruits like banana and avocado and then added the cereals as time went by. Recently, Wal-Mart came out with four Nestle Gerber Cereals that helped with transitioning my daughter to eating solids:
As I started feeding my daughter, I also started getting ideas to create recipes with these cereal options especially when she started using her hands to grab. I love that Gerber’s believes that breastfeeding provides the best possible start for babies. They offer prenatal guidance and products to aid moms in each stage of life, especially having products that have healthy ingredients and ensure developmental appropriateness.
My little girl quickly, I mean, quickly transitioned from baby cereal and food to solids, so my challenge quickly approached to start making different recipes for her. Not only did I make fun recipes for her but also for my toddlers and for me and my husband as well.
Baby cereal for the whole family
Baby food for the whole family? It is iron-fortified which is key to healthy growth and development and also has a blend of six B Vitamins, Vitamins E and C, iron, zinc, and calcium called Vitablocks. I used the Lil’ Bits Oatmeal Banana and Strawberry Cereal to make my girls pancakes which ended up being a great hit. I also made some smoothies and added the Multi-grain cereal for a great healthy breakfast.
Frozen Berry Yogurt Mini Tarts
One of the recipes I made that was lots of fun were these Frozen Berry Yogurt Mini Tarts. Not only were they great treats for the whole family, but they were also great for breakfast. I was glad to know that my family was receiving healthy treats with added benefits. These mini tarts have two layers of goodness using two kinds of baby cereal.
The nut crust has some of the multi-grain cereal and the frozen yogurt layer has the Lil’ Bits Oatmeal Banana Strawberry cereal which was pretty much a smoothie placed on top of the nut crust. These were so easy to make and yet healthy, delicious and fun for the whole family.
How to Use
Are you intrigued? I suggest trying the Gerber Cereals at dinner time with Meatballs, Burgers, or even Meatloaf instead of the regular breadcrumbs. Go to Wal-Mart and choose your favorite cereal, then go visit Gerber to read more about their cereals. There are also many recipes to try in addition to mine.
Giveaway
In addition to this yummy recipe, enter below for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card.
Ingredients
Instructions
