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    Gluten-Free Wild Salmon Patties and Green Salad

    August 6th, 2014

    Have you had your fill of salads this summer? Even though the weather has not been consistently warm in our neck of the woods we have been trying to salads as our main meals. My husband and I agreed at one point last week that we have not been eating as much fish as we had last year so I decided to change that up.

    I am big about not preparing separate meals for the girls so I really try to make something that the girls will enjoy especially with some sort of dipping sauce. The girls know what a dipping sauce is and enjoy having something on the side so I decided to make some quick salmon patties using canned Wild Alaska Pink Salmon. Even though I would like to use fresh fish I have been trying to use quick pantry items for quick weeknight meals.


    I was able to make these patties gluten-free by mixing coconut flour as the binding agent along with some eggs. The flavors were amazing especially since I added a new seasoning called Sunny Paris Salt-Free Seasoning from The Spice House. What was in this special seasoning?  Freeze-dried shallots, ground Mysore green peppercorns, dill weed, freeze-dried scallions, French basil, French tarragon, French chervil, and finely minced parsley flakes. While you could substitute any spices you like close to this mix you should really get your hands on this gourmet mix. If gave these salmon patties some pizzazz!


    While my oldest daughter enjoyed the patties the youngest was not so excited but I attributed it to teething because I know she is a great eater. While I served it to the girls with a side of pasta and veggies I made ours to go with a large salad. You can use any salad mix but I would recommend a mix of arugula and romaine with chopped English cucumbers, fresh corn, red onions and chopped tomatoes tossed lightly with Ranch dressing. 


    Have you ever made salmon patties? What is your quickest pantry meal on a weekday?

    Gluten-Free Wild Salmon Patties and Green Salad

    by Noelle Kelly
    Prep Time: 20min
    Cook Time: 40 min

    Ingredients (16 patties)

      Salmon Patties

      • Two – 14-ounce cans Bumble Bee Wild Alaska Pink Salmon
      • 1/3 cup coconut flour
      • 2 eggs
      • 1 1/2 Tablespoon Sunny Paris Seasoning
      • (see below for substitution)
      • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
      • 2 garlic cloves, minced
      • 3 Tablespoons coconut oil

      Green Salad

      • (for 2 people or 2 portions)
      • 2 cups fresh arugula
      • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
      • 1 cup English cucumber, chopped
      • 1 tomato, chopped
      • 1/2 cup corn kernels, canned and drained
      • 1/2 cup whole Kalamata olives

      Ranch dressing

      • or 
      • Lemon and Olive Oil Vinaigrette
      Instructions

      Salmon Patties

      Empty salmon into medium mixing bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients into the bowl and mix until blended well. Using a 1/4 cup measuring spoon, scoop fish and form into patties until you have 16 patties.

      Heat a non-stick pan on medium-high heat. Cook the patties 7 minutes on each side. They will look golden brown. Flip gently.

      *spice sub* 1 tsp crushed black pepper, 3 Tablespoons parsley, dried – 3 Tablespoons shallots, chopped – 1 Tablespoon chervil or green onion, chopped- 1/2 teaspoon dill

      Serve 2-4 patties on top of salad.

      Salad

      Gather all salad ingredients and toss in a salad bowl. Toss with desired salad dressing and serve on 2 plates. Add patties on top.
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      Mason Entertaining with Aladdin Products {Giveaway}

      August 5th, 2014
      Disclosure: I was sent a Summer Entertaining kit to review. All opinions are my own.


      Our family enjoys entertaining guests and while we have not entertained as much this summer we know that we can continue throughout the year. When we entertain we decide to have families over that we do not know too well to get a chance to know them. Even though I feel like the habit or joy of entertaining has almost gone out of style, my husband and I think it is essential for us.


      The last few times we have had people over I have been able to use the Limited Edition Mason Party Kit by Aladdin which came out this summer that includes the following:
          • 2.5-quart Classic Mason Pitcher
          • 20oz Insulated Mason Tumbler
          • Four 16oz Straws
          • 1 x Shaker Lid (fits on the 20oz Tumbler) 
          •  4 x 16oz Mason Cups 

       
      On one occasion I made margaritas for friends and on another we made a lovely sangria that was super tasty. The set made the informal gathering very cute and fun. While mason jars are fun to use, these are all made of durable and BPA free plastic that do not crack, break or stain. So cool!


      I like the durable straws and the fact that once the straws are in place with the lids, there is no way my kids can take the straws out because there is a wider portion of the straw that prevents it. Score!

      While I enjoy making drinks or pitchers of delicious herbal teas for our family we also enjoy smoothies and have been enjoying them in the insulated mason tumbler. The girls have been using the smaller cups and my oldest has been enjoying the colorful cups.


      The lovely folks at Aladdin have been generous to offer one of my readers a chance to win their own party kit to use for the rest of the summer. If you do not want to wait, they have a a great promotion going on:


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      Chiquita Snack Bites Review + Giveaway #ChiquitaMomsRule

      August 4th, 2014
      Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the manufacturer.  I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog.  My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the manufacturer of the product.


      I am always looking for new snacks or snacks that are healthy and quick to pick up. There are just some days I just want to grab and go when we are heading to the park or to a play date.

      My girls are always asking for a snack and so these apple snacks were a delightful surprise ready to give to my girls after their naps or when on outings. One of the favorite bags were the apple slices with the caramel sauce. It was definitely considered a special treat for my girls.

      My youngest liked the small bags of apple slices and grapes combination just for the grapes but I explained that it was the full combo! Chiquita snacks also packages larger bags of apples for separate recipes. I dipped some in peanut butter or chocolate tahini butter, making them a perfect afternoon snack. Here is an example of a fun recipe:


      These would be good for any kid! Of course, these would not last in my home at all! I am just glad I get to try the carrots with ranch next! Why not have healthy treats for your kids? I am glad we have the option to have these in our fridge.



      Chiquita Bites are available in convenient sizes, including single-serve bags, multipacks and family packs. They’re great for lunches, salads, recipes and sharing!

      • Washed and ready to eat 
      • 30-80 calories per serving 
      • A half-cup of fruit or vegetables per serving
      • A great source of nutrition

      For more nutritional information visit us at: 
      http://www.chiquita.com/Products/Healthy-Snacks/Chiquita-Bites.aspx

      How about helpful tips for making the process of going back to school easier? Here are some tips for getting back to school:

      1. Reintroduce a school year bedtime now to help make mornings easier when school starts again. Each night have your kids go to bed 15 minutes earlier until you’ve reached their school year bedtime.

      2. Promote healthy snacking by keeping pre-portioned snacks easily accessible for your little one – keep fruits, veggies and lunch meat in snack portion baggies on a low shelf in the fridge.

      3. Get organized for the school year by clearing out a small space to dedicate to backpacks, jackets and other school gear.

      4. Cookie cutters are a simple way to spice up lunch or snack time!

      5. Prepare your kids for the mental demands of the school year by incorporating “pop quizzes” throughout the day. Have them spell “banana” as they eat their snack!

      6. Toothpicks make perfect bite-size skewers – they’re easy to eat and your kids will love them! Stack various fruits, cheeses and veggies for a convenient, fun lunch.

      7. Beat homework blues by designating a special area for homework, make sure it’s quite and stocked with all the supplies your little students may need.

      8. Take a minute to surprise your son or daughter with a fun note in their lunch. They’re great for lunches, salads, recipes and sharing!


      Chiquita is running a Moms Rule Back to School Contest currently running on Facebook. Participants may enter for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree and a year’s worth of Chiquita Bites by commenting on the page with a tip or trick that has made getting ready for school easier. For official contest rules, click here.

      And in addition to the giveaway on Facebook there is a giveaway for all my readers. There is a Thirty One bag available to one US reader thanks to Chiquita. Enter below!

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      August series: Buy Theirs, Get Ours Free Challenge at Giant Food + Giveaway

      August 1st, 2014
      Disclosure: This is a sponsored post through GIANT. All opinions are my own.

      Earlier last month I posted Giant Food Stores Challenge for summer featuring their store brand. Did you enter? Did you check out the deals? Well here is another chance for you to try their brands and at the same time get brand name products for free to test the difference.

      In time for summer travel, products included in the summer’s Buy Theirs, Get Ours Free promotion are lunch meats, snacks and more! On average, customers can expect to save 10-35% by purchasing GIANT’s Own Brands instead of the national brand. For customers who may want to try before they buy, GIANT stores will sample select Own Brands products in-store on weekends.


      Week of July 27th – August 2nd 2014
      • Buy Velveeta Shells & Cheese ( 12 oz.), get GIANT Brand Shells & Cheese (12 oz.) FREE
      • Buy Juicy Juice (64 oz.), get GIANT Brand 100% Juice (64 oz.) FREE
      • Buy Goldfish Crackers (6.6 oz.) , Get GIANT Brand Penguin Crackers (6.6 oz.) FREE
      • Buy Kleenex (80 ct) , Get GIANT Brand Tissues (80 ct) FREE
      Week of August 3rd – August 9th 2014
      • Buy Perdue Fully Cooked Chicken Nuggets or Patties (28.8 – 29 oz.), get GIANT Brand Frozen Breaded Chicken (32 oz.) FREE
      • Buy Cheez-Its (9.7 – 13 oz), get GIANT Brand Cheese Squares (11.5 – 13.7 oz.) FREE
      • Buy Kellogg’s Corn Flakes (18 oz.) , get GIANT Brand Corn Flakes (18 oz.) FREE
      • Buy Listerine mouthwash (33.8 oz.) , get GIANT Brand Mouthwash (33.8 oz.) FREE

      All GIANT Own Brand products are subject to a rigorous testing program, which includes customer feedback to ensure that the grocer is consistently delivering quality and value.


      Check out this neat little recipe using one of their deals!


      While a lot of the products offered are not ones we usually eat, we tried other product offerings that would save us money. How about entering to win a gift card?
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      Family-Friendly Activities in Chestnut Hill Area + Giveaway

      July 31st, 2014
      This is the third part of our weekend spent in Chestnut Hill. Read our stay at Chestnut Hill Hotel and our restaurant experience at Cantina Avenida.


      When we go on vacation we really really try to stay strict to our girls’ schedule because if we do not then our whole experience is just a mess. Who wants to regret going on a staycation? I looked back at all the activities it did not seem like we did a lot but then again, I realized that we are with small children who need their rest and their breaks. It worked well how we planned it and we were happy.

      Here are a few places we enjoyed visiting and we hope you put it on your list. 

      Jenks Playground
      This playground belongs to the school but is open to the public at specific hours during the school year and open all the time during the summer. It is a fun playground in the form of a fort or castle. There is a larger one for older kids and a smaller version for the toddlers that is perfect. It even had a sand box which I personally do not like. 

      There was one set of swings that allowed my oldest daughter to stay there all afternoon. Musical spots were located in the younger kids section and was a big hit with my girls. We went to that park at least 3 times that whole weekend.

      Morris Arboretum
      Even though I do not have photos, (my pictures did not save), this place for running and discovering. I have to be very careful in telling my girls that we’re going to a park because they think we are going to a play ground but then I mean a green spot for running. A lot of disappointment happened on that weekend. 

      My oldest has taken to eating random foliage so we had to take that she was not eating random stuff, but then we kept them engaged with the sights and the occasional squirrel sighting. There is an excellent tree house and bridge for all families that allows kids to climb on ropes. It is very nice.

      Awbury Arboretum
      I am used to going to quiet places just to walk but you add kids and it is different. This arboretum is 10-12 minutes from Chestnut Hill but it is very different from Morris Arboretum. It is the only 50 acres of open space in that part of the city. There are open ponds, meadows and various trails that are mostly unguided. We had a map and a ball for the girls and we did a lot of roaming before having to find a playground for the girls to have more entertainment.

      Farmer’s Market
      A random farmer’s market is my secret pleasure. Well, it is not any secret but it is just a must-do in any town, city or state. I like seeing the local vendors, fresh produce, and the people enjoying local goods. My girls like it as long as we can get a treat. I bought a pint of fresh blueberries that were enjoyed for lunch a little after.

      Bredenbeck’s Bakery
      We were encouraged to check out this bakery for its delicious treats and pastries but we had not had lunch yet so we bought an assortment of cookies for all of us to have after lunch. Well, scratch that, we ended up giving cookies before lunch and were devoured rapidly.


       There were delicious cakes on display and a number of other goodies that were very enticing. Outside the bakery was a beautiful mural that is part of the murals around the city. There is a murals tour available to see all the murals around Center City and it’s outskirts. That will be on our next trip.



      Market at the Fareway
      Right beside the Chestnut Hill Hotel is this market open daily at 9am. There are 10 vendors either selling produce, meats, or prepared meals to take or to enjoy in the courtyard.


       It really is ideal and we enjoyed a delicious fennel pretzel from Metropolitan Bakery and a combo meal that included a large wrap with chips and drinks.


       It was very economical and perfect because we wanted to enjoy something laid back and not sit at a restaurant again. 



      In-room activities and shopping
      There are only so many things one can do with real little ones and so we returned to the rooms and let them cool down and unwind with puzzles, books and a little snack before going to bed for an afternoon nap. It worked really well. While the girls settled in bed, I took the first shift of their nap time so that my husband could explore the Germantown avenue in Chestnut Hill. We really were not going to feel bad about it since it was more precious to have our girls down for their naps.



      After an hour and a half my husband took the second shift of the girls’ nap and I went out on my own. It was just so nice because I really have not had time to just relax and walk around shops for a long time. There were so many local toy shops selling wooden clothes or boutique clothing shops tantalizing me with cute outfits, but I stuck to my likes by checking out Penzey’s Spices, Greene Street Consignment, Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop and more!

      Iron Hill Brewery
      Located in the heart of Chestnut Hill is Iron Hill Brewery known for its locally made brews is definitely a kid-friendly establishment. It is always packed in the evenings and there is enough noise to dispel occasional excitement from kids. There was definitely enough distraction and the food was super delicious too. I liked the variety of food on the kids menu because I know my kids get tired of the same choices.

      The kids ate fish and chips with steamed broccoli and we enjoyed a delicious French onion soup, crab quesadillas and French dip Sandwich. It was all so fresh and super tasty. 



      Even after our weekend was over I knew that I looked forward coming back to Chestnut Hill because there are several festivals, like the Fall for the Arts Festival, that occurs during the fall that intrigued me. I know that this area would be gorgeous during the fall so we look forward coming back.

      Have you ever been to this area? If so, do you recommend somewhere else to visit?

      If you have never been then here is your chance. I am giving away a $25 gift card for anyone to use at any shop in Chestnut Hill courtesy of the Visitor’s Center in Chestnut Hill + 2 passes to Morris Arboretum + a $10 gift card to Statement Boutique all located in the area.

      Leave a comment below telling me what is your idea of a staycation? Giveaway ends on 8/15.

      Winner has been picked: Congrats Ashley K.!

      Disclosure: We were given passes to visit area attractions through Visit Philly. Gifts all provided by Chestnut Hill Visitors Center.

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