Spring Cutest Kid Contest 2013 brought to you by Just Peachy {prizes update}

A couple of weeks ago, we told you about a fun Spring Cutest Kid Contest here in Chicagoland. Just Peachy has since announced the prize sponsors for this contest. The sponsors include Language Stars, All Kids Dentristy, LLC, Ohana, Nibbles Play Cafe, A & H Childproofers, Mother's Helpers and, of course, Just Peachy! One lucky little boy and one lucky little girl will win all of these prizes. **All are to be redeemed within Chicago area and its suburbs.** So, if you are in Chicagoland and have a kid between the ages of 2 months and 5-years-old, you may want to enter. You can enter through May 10, 2013. Head over to Just Peachy Photography's website for a full list of rules and prizes as well as directions on how to enter.

Good luck! This is a great contest!

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The Long Grove Confectionery Factory Tour {a sweet time}

Maybe it was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory or maybe it was our deep love of chocolate. However, when we learned about Long Grove Confectionery's factory tours, we knew that we had to go. Plus, the factory is in nearby Buffalo Grove and the tour only costs $2 per person--a perfect adventure for Kat, me and the girls.

The factory is easy to find and is located in an industrial section of Buffalo Grove. To go on a tour, you do need to call ahead and reserve a spot. They do tend to fill up on days when kids are out of school. (A little word of caution.) So, if  you are thinking about a little adventure on a day off,  advanced planning will help. Since tours are only conducted certain days of the week, you cannot just show up and go on one. When planning, be sure to ask if there will be live production. When we went, there was no live production. However, the tour was still very worthwhile.

Mel's take: I have been to the Long Grove Confectionery store in Long Grove while they dipped strawberries. Much enamored with chocolate, Mini Mel watched them for quite some time. So, I thought that she would love to venture to the actual factory and learn more about chocolate production. The tour was absolutely perfect for her (and me as well).

When you enter into the lobby, you are greeted by a large chocolate Statue of Liberty. This is one of the few places that you can take photos. (Unfortunately, mine did not come out very well.) The girls were immediately excited about their adventure. I guess chocolate has that effect on people!

The tour begins with a brief movie about the history of Long Grove Confectionery. The movie actually sheds some light on the history of Long Grove as well. Amazingly, the kids were pretty captivated by the film. In the same room, the Confectionery displays a large chocolate Santa. We learned that the Santa was put in a case after a child nibbled on it. Now, I love chocolate, but who knows how old this Santa is? The girls giggled about this little anecdote.

The tour was very nicely done. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and was great with the kids--not only with answering their questions but keeping them in line! You could also see her pride in the work being done at Long Grove Confectionery. She was a wonderful guide! 

Some tours do not give you a decent peek into production. At Long Grove, there are large windows for viewing the factory. So, when there is live production, the fun will be easy to see.  Additionally, short videos enhance the tour at each stop.

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Raspberry Kale Smoothie {Munchie Monday}

Kat and I had a great kale smoothie last week (story about that to come next week). After that, I became inspired to make one of my own. I scanned the internet for ideas and found a recipe that used raspberries. Since I am a raspberry fanatic, this recipe immediately appealed to me. Fast forward to the day when I am ready to make said smoothie and I cannot locate the recipe. Figures. Good thing I remembered enough of the recipe to make a great smoothie. Here is what I came up with:

Ingredients:

1 cup kale
1/2 bag of frozen raspberries
1/2 apple, chopped
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup water

Directions:

Place the kale, apple and lemon juice in the food processor. Blend until you have room for the remaining ingredients. Blend in the raspberries and water until smooth. Very easy!

I personally cannot drink a big smoothie. So, I kept mine in a glass container in the fridge. It should keep about three days. You also can freeze it.  I love this smoothie because it is an easy way to have kale without all of the bitterness.

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Pure Madness Chocolate {BzzAgent Review}

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary products through my affiliation with BzzAgent in order to make an accurate review. All opinions are 100% my own.

In the past, I have mentioned that I am  BzzAgent. As part of BzzAgent, I get to try some neat things from time to time. This past month, I was selected to sample the truly decadent Pure Madness Chocolate creations. (Lucky girl, I know!) Since we do talk about chocolate quite often on this blog, I knew that I had to report back to you about my findings.



Pure Madness Chocolate was devised by chocolate aficionados looking for their perfect chocolate. Through their discoveries, they have created a chocolate line with interesting and inspiring flavors. Pure Madness currently only maintains an online store. However, this means that it is easy for you to send their indulgent treats to someone special across the country.

When I first opened the box, I have to say I was impressed. I received a box of chocolate truffles and Hawaiian solid chocolate bar. The package looked refined. The truffles were secure within the box, so they had not been destroyed by bobbling around. The truffles were on the smaller side. This is totally perfect for me--I was able to indulge without overdoing it.

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Time to stretch those legs {where we walk in Chicagoland}

Chicago Botanic Garden

There is beautiful weather ahead! Finally, I think that we can say it is spring! With such gorgeous weather coming up, I thought that I would do a little run down of some of the places that we like to walk and play.

Crabtree Nature Center: Crabtree in Barrington is probably our favorite place to hike. The preserve is always picturesque and peaceful. Also, kids can pick up a scavenger hunt at the Nature Center to inspire them along a hike. There is a nice kids exploration area not far from the Nature Center. The preserve is free--so we visit quite often!

Chicago Botanic Garden: The Chicago Botanic Garden is another favorite. Any time of day, the garden is a real treat. There are various sections to walk through, so you can switch it up on each visit. Parking costs $25 per car ($30 per van), admission is free.

Elk Pasture: The Elk Pasture in Elk Grove Village is always a fun place to walk. You can even bring your dogs, which is a plus! Kids (and even the dogs) will love to watch the elk. Plus, you can get some great views of airplanes from the preserve. Totally fun and free!

Volo Bog

Volo Bog: The Volo Bog is truly a natural wonder. (The bog actually has the distinction of being deemed a National Natural Landmark by the Department of the Interior.) You can actually walk on a boardwalk through the bog, which kiddos will love! Plus, there is an interesting progression of ecosystems to observe. More free fun!

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Resvertatrol WineTime Bar--a treat with an antioxidant punch

Resveratrol. This is one of those health buzz words that is continually floating around. Resveratrol is touted as possibly lowering the risk of heart disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a powerful antioxidant that may help prevent damage to blood vessels, lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. Resveratrol is also being studied for cancer prevention benefits, reduction of inflammation, reducing obesity, treating diabetes and improving longevity. Whether resveratrol truly delivers on all of these fronts or not, it is interesting to read about its potential. (Of course, it is fun to think that there is a medical reason for a glass of red wine!) At my age, I have come to realize that everyone's body is different, so what works for one person may have an entirely opposite effect in another. Also, what works for me today may not work tomorrow but may work again in the future. Hopefully, I am one of those people that red wine helps! (In moderation, of course......)

The reason for my recent interest in resveratrol--my husband purchased a chocolate bar with resveratrol in it as a little surprise for me. (He knows how much I love trying new chocolate bars.) I have read a bit about resveratrol in the past, but my new WineTime Chocolate-Raspberry Bar renewed my interest.

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$5 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Gift Card Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Lisa! She has won our $5 Tropical Smoothie Café Gift Card. What an awesome prize just in time for spring! She has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeited.

Thank you to everyone who participated! We appreciate all of the support!

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Island inspired rice bowls from Bahama Breeze {tasty}

**Disclosure: We received complimentary food items in order to perform an accurate review. All opinions are 100% our own.

Last week, we had the opportunity to sample the new rice bowls from Bahama Breeze. So many different bowls, so many different tastes! We are going to present you with a little journey through our experience.

First, I want to say that the staff at the Schaumburg Bahama Breeze is very welcoming and attentive. The manager, Juan, is extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. He actively works with the kitchen trying the dishes and really understands how all of the flavors come together. He is approachable and welcomes customer questions.

To begin our journey, we were treated a cocktail. Being early in the day, I ended up just ordering a Rum Swizzle to sip. The Rum Swizzle was truly tropical and an enjoyable drink for relaxing.

After a little relaxing and chatting, our first rice bowls came out--the Asian Chicken & Vegetable and the Vegetarian Asian Tofu. Neither one of us is a tofu fan, so the tofu dish was a little blah. I have had similar dishes where the tofu is fried, so that may have made a difference. The Asian Chicken & Vegetable was one of our favorite bowls. The sauce was nice and sweet. Everything seemed to blend well. The dish may have been a tad over sauced, but that can easily be remedied. You will notice beautiful veggies in the photos. What a breath of fresh air for veggies to be represented on the plate!

Vegetarian Asian Tofu

Asian Chicken & Vegetable

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Black bean mini patties {munchie Monday}

I love, love, love black beans. They are absolutely a staple in my house. I thought I would try something a little different with them tonight and make some mini patties. They actually came out good! Admittedly, I am a little biased when it comes to black beans! But, these are easy to make and tasty, too!

Ingredients:

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp fresh, chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp fresh, chopped scallion
1/4 cup corn meal
1 egg white
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander

Directions:

After you drain and rinse the black beans, put them in a glass bowl and mash them a bit. Then, add all of the remaining ingredients and mix until you have an even consistency.

Heat a prepared skillet. (I sprayed mine with a little nonstick spray.) Once warm, form little patties and place them on the skillet. Flip once the bottom is a little browned. The patties are ready when the other side is browned. Really easy!

To eat, I just rolled them in tortilla with avocado and yogurt. Yummy and a little easier on the fat!

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Pinecone Research is looking for new members!

I have been a member of Pinecone Research for dare I say over 10 years. Basically, Pinecone polls members about new products and product concepts. Sometimes, you even get to try out some of these new products. I have enjoyed seeing and evaluating new products concepts over the years and have been able to try out many new products myself. Most of the surveys only take about 10 minutes at the most and you are compensated through a points system that you may cash out. If you are interested in joining this program, just click the banner below and you will go to a screening to see if you are eligible for the program. I highly recommend this program. I hope a lot of our readers are accepted!

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Delicious Nutphree's cupcakes for a birthday celebration!

When my daughter's birthday rolled around, we knew the perfect place to get her cupcakes--Nutphree's. We first visited Nutphree's in September. After tasting some of their delicious, moist cupcakes, my daughter was determined to have some of their creations for her birthday. Since my daughter's party was spa-themed, their mini cupcakes seemed the perfect choice.

How can you resist these chocolate cupcakes with birthday sprinkles?

To make our little birthday tier, we added a regular cupcake in the middle of some minis. Perfect for candles!

The girls quickly devoured the cupcakes. What a yummy way to cap off our birthday fun!

If you have not visited Nutphree's in Mount Prospect yet, you should. Nutphree's cupcakes are delicious creations that are not only safe for those with nut allergies to eat but are high quality and irresistible to all. I love that there is a place that makes such delectable cupcakes that those with and without nut allergies can enjoy together without worries! Plus, Nutphree's is always developing new flavors, so you never know what you will find!

For more about Nutphree's, read about our first visit to Nuphree's!

**Disclosure: We were not compensated for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

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Simple changes for Earth Day {we can all make a difference}

Earth Day is quickly approaching! With all of the fun Earth Day activities this weekend, we all have the environment and our impact on our minds. Everyone can make a change to decrease their impact. These changes do not have to be grand, even small ones help! Here are some ideas (and the kiddos can get involved, too!):

• Turn off lights if you are not using them! (Simple, simple--yet we always forget!)
• Appoint someone to make sure the lights are off before leaving the house. I don't know how many times we have left the house with a stray light on! If someone is in charge, they are more likely to remember.
• Think out path for errands before you go out. You can cut out extra trips by planning ahead.
• Keep grocery and necessity lists to shop more efficiently, thereby eliminating unnecessary trips.
• Use reusable bags for shopping. Keep some in your car. They should be washable so that you can wash them to prevent a bacteria haven.

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Spring Cutest Kid Contest 2013 by Just Peachy Photography {for our Chicagoland Fans}

Why not start this spring off with a fun photo contest brought to us by Just Peachy Photography? You know how much we love Erika Williams and Just Peachy Photography, so I am sure that this contest will not only be fun but will have great prizes!

Just Peachy will be running the contest now through May 10, 2013. After May 10, 2013, there will be a voting portion of the contest until May 31, 2013. Just Peachy will be revealing the prizes over the next few days. (How fun!) All prizes will need to be redeemed in the Chicago area and the surrounding suburbs. If you will the photo session, the session must take place within 20 miles of Palatine, Illinois. Other prizes may have stipulations created by the donors.

Here is a quick rundown of some of the rules for entering. Please read Just Peachy's Spring Cutest Kid Contest 2013 post for a full list of rules and conditions for the contest as well as details about the judging portion of the contest.

* One entry per family.
* You must be the parent or legal guardian of the child you enter into the contest.
* Child must be between the ages of 2 months and 5 years old on the date of entry.
* You must have permission/rights to use the photo you enter (cannot be taken by professional).
* Photo must have been taken in the last month.
* Photos will be accepted from Monday, April 15th, 2013 at 12:01AM until  Friday, May 10th, 2013 11:59PM via e-mail.
* Only photos e-mailed to Erika@justpeachyphotog.com with the Subject line JUST PEACHY PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST during the previously mentioned time will be accepted.
* Copy and paste the following information into your email.
-Child’s First Name:
-Child’s Age at time of entry:
-Parent’s Name (first and last):
-Parent’s Home Address and phone number:
-Parent’s Email Address:
-”I give Just Peachy Photography permission to use my child’s photo in the Spring Cutest Kid Contest 2013.  I understand that their photo, first name and age will be posted on the Just Peachy Photography website for voting purposes.  I also understand that I must sign a model release form and return it to Just Peachy Photography by email or mail before voting starts.”

So if you are in Chicagoland and have a cutie between the ages of 2 months and 5 years, you may want to consider entering this contest. Erika is a true talent. Her pictures beautifully capture moments of time. They show kids as they really are. How many other photographers can you say that about? You never know, you may just win a portrait session with Just Peachy by entering your own cute picture in the contest!

You can also keep up with Just Peachy on Facebook and keep up to date on the contest.

Good luck!


**Disclosure: We are receiving a complimentary item for helping spread the word. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own. The Spring Cutest Kid Contest 2013 is being run by Just Peachy Photography. Two Moms, a Little Time, and a Keyboard is not part of the contest.

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A day at Spring Valley Nature Center and Volkening Heritage Farm

We were able to capitalize on the nice weather Sunday and visit the Spring Valley Nature Center and Volkening Heritage Farm in Schaumburg. This area is one of our havens that we enjoy throughout the year. It isn't too far from us, so it is easy to stop by for a hike. This weekend happened to be the Springtime on the Farm event, so we had some added fun.

The Nature Center has recently had some updates. There are a few new places for kids to explore alongside some old favorites. There is a play area and a tree where kids can peek through windows and learn about trees as well as the wildlife that need them. The greenhouse portion is always a favorite because kids love to look for turtles. Take a little peek at the fun:

 

 

It is not too far of a walk from the Nature Center to the Volkening Heritage Farm. Before you leave the Nature Center, there is a silo that you can climb to get a pretty view of the preserve. However, the stairs are narrow, so be careful. The view is impressive! Here is the view we had:

On the way to the farm, you pass through the prairie and wind past a pond. You never know what kind of wildlife you may see and there are signs to help you out! We have seen scores of birds, an otter, frogs, ducks and turtles.

The farm is fun when there is an event. For the spring event, my daughter helped wash clothes and beat a rug. She also played some kids' games from the 1890's and had fun watching the farm animals. There were all sorts of demonstrations going on including a milking demonstration. Such a fun way to learn about history!

 

We always have an enjoyable time at Spring Valley. We love to take a hike and visit familiar spots while noting changes. Plus, the Nature Center is close to much of the shopping in Schaumburg, so we can combine our hikes with errands.

 

Spring Valley Nature Center and Volkening Heritage Farm have a number of events throughout the year. The events are minimal cost while visiting to hike is free! Be sure to check their website to see when the farm is open. The area is fun to walk through during any time of the year. Spring Valley Nature Center is located at 1111 East Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg.

 

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

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Asparagus and Lemon Risotto from Cooking Light {Munchie Monday}

Tonight, we tried the Asparagus and Lemon Risotto recipe from Cooking Light and really enjoyed it. I was not sure how I was going to like the lemon. However, I found it pretty refreshing and it went well with the asparagus.

We followed the recipe pretty much entirely. I did drop the butter down to 1 Tbsp. We only had 2 cups of vegetable broth, so I changed the 3 cups of chicken broth to 2 cups vegetable broth and 1 cup of water.

The recipe was pretty easy. The only complaint that I have is that the entire dish is made in the microwave. We made the risotto in the microwave for the first time but will try stove top the next time. I am always worried about the glass in the microwave even if the glass is microwave safe. Plus, I feel like the flavors meld better on the stove top.

One recommendation---definitely add a little freshly ground black pepper. My husband and I both think that the dish did not need any additional salt, so you can probably omit extra salt from the recipe. Also, I think that mushrooms would also be a nice addition.

Here is a look:

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Mother's Day Celebration at Bloom Salon {Introducing Yapa Events}

There is a new business in Arlington Heights! I recently learned about Yapa Events and am very excited to tell you about this new addition to Arlington Heights. Yapa Events is the creation of Joan Dubnicka who previously brought us the Little Village Playplace. If you remember the Little Village Playplace, it was a fun place for kids to stretch their creativity and imagination while parents, grandparents and caregivers could convene. My daughter visited the Little Village Playplace for a couple of birthday parties and easily could have spent an entire day exploring the venue.

After watching families bond while learning during special events that the Little Village Playplace, Joan was inspired to develop an events organization that would offer captivating events for children and the special adults in their lives. These events will intertwine learning, family bonding and entertainment. Yapa Events launched last week and is hosting its inaguaral event next weekend.

I know that many of you are thinking about Mother's Day and a way to spend special time with your little ones. Yapa Events' first event is a Mother's Day Celebration that will be hosted at Bloom Salon in Arlington Heights next Sunday, April 21, from 1:00PM-3:00PM. The event will include mini-services including manicures, stress relieving activities and hair braiding. Additionally, mothers and daughters will work on a craft to take home and can enjoy tea and snacks together. The event costs $25 per mother/daughter pair.

The event sounds like a lot of fun with a bunch of mother-daughter or grandma-granddaughter bonding time. I have seen a lot of Mother's Day teas in the area, but have not seen an event that combines the tea with mini salon services. Plus, this is a way to experience Yapa Events as well as the new Bloom Salon. You do need to register for the event. Here are more details and information on registering:

Yapa Events presents

Mother’s Day Celebration at Bloom Salon

 

Celebrate Mother’s Day with an afternoon dedicated

to the joys of mother-daughter relationships!

Sunday, April 21^st

1 to 3 pm

 

Relax and be pampered in the beautiful new salon in downtown Arlington Heights – Bloom Salon!  The afternoon includes mini-services, such as manicures, make-up applications and hair braiding and stress relieving services.  Create a keepsake craft together and share tea and snacks at our Mother’s Day Tea.  Recommended for children ages 5 to 10 and all mothers!  $25 per Mother/daughter couple.

 

Register at:

On-line at: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=ob4n7gmab&oeidk=a07e78ktf0zfcd8de8d

By phone at 847-496-0373

Questions?  Email us at Joan@ YapaEvents.com or call 847-496-0373

 

Bloom Salon

20 N. Vail Street, Arlington Heights

 

 

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. We will be receiving complimentary admission to the event in order to facilitate and accurate review. All opinions are 100% my own.
 

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Primanti Brothers: a Pittsburgh classic

No trip to Pittsburgh is complete without visiting Primanti Brothers, especially if it is your first visit. The Primanti Sandwich was born in the 1930's and has been a classic ever since. Any fan of Man vs. Food is most likely acquainted with this sandwich full of meat, French fries, Primanti's cole slaw and tomatoes. While Primanti's has other menu items like soup and salads, how can you not try the sandwich at least once?

We were very lucky to be staying at a hotel near The Strip, a shopping and restaurant district in Pittsburgh. We were able to walk to Primanti Brothers from our hotel. After a pleasant walk, we settled in. The restaurant fills in quite quick in the evening, so you may want to get there a little early. We were there around 4:45PM and by 5PM there was a line for tables. You can also carryout. Here is a look at the cute joint:

There are actually a surprising number of sandwiches to choose from. It took me awhile, but I settled on the turkey. My husband had the pastrami. The staff was very accommodating when it came to my daughter. They made her a ham sandwich with fries and cole slaw on the side. This, of course, made me breath a sigh of relief--you know how picky the little ones can be!

Our sandwiches came quick. Look at the wonderful creation below:

I loved the slaw. It was a tad sweet and not mayonnaisey. I hate when a slaw is drenched in mayo! I felt like there was there right amount of fries on the sandwich. I was worried that there would be too many. Instead, the sandwich seemed balanced. That being said, I only ate half of mine and brought the rest back to the room to nibble on later. The sandwich held up well for later that day.

Some other things to note about Primanti Brothers: The restaurant in The Strip is open 24 hours, perfect for travelers unsure if when they will arrive. Also, it is cash only, so make sure to bring some greenbacks with you. The other locations all appear to have generous hours as well, so you can definitely hit Primanti's anytime you arrive.

We enjoyed our taste of Pittsburgh and will be heading back to Primanti Brothers when we return to the city. Besides the good food, the restaurant also was very lively, giving you the beat of the city. Quite a way to truly be part of Pittsburgh!


**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

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Food Truck 5K & Block Party Family Fun in Arlington Heights {May 11, 2013}

One thing that I love about living in the Chicagoland area is that there are so many unique events to participate in. These events are even better when they support a positive cause. I recently found out about the Food Truck 5K & Block Party coming up on May 11, 2013 and wanted to share the deets with you. These type of events require a little bit of planning, so I wanted to get the info out as soon as I could. The 5K will begin at 5:30PM on May 11 at Recreation Park in Arlington Heights. Registration costs $25 through May 4 and is $30 May 5-11. In addition, there will be a block party at the NW corner of Recreation Park from 5PM-8PM. The block party will include Chicago food trucks and family activities. The proceeds will all go to fund Campus Life's Teen Center in Arlington Heights as well as help their work in neighboring communities.

If you are interested in the 5K, you can sign up here: Signmeup.com/90678

I know that some of our readers like 5Ks, so I thought that I would let you about this event. Plus, I think it is cool that there will a block party with some Chicago food trucks. What a nifty idea! If you are not interested in the 5K, the block party may be worth checking out. Plus the proceeds go to a good cause!

Here is a little more information:

Disclosure: We were not compensated for this post. We enjoy sharing information about positive events in our community. All opinions are 100% my own.

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Website Wednesday: TLC ideas for pets for Earth Day

This is a really quick post. During some brainstorming for some other projects, I thought how can pet lovers and pets celebrate Earth Day? Well, it turns out that TLC has a great list. The list not only gives ideas for those with dogs but also for the parents of cats and other pets. There are ways that all of us can make changes in honor of Earth Day. Head over to TLC and read about their Earth Day ideas for pets!

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$5 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Gift Card Giveaway! {Ends 4/23/13}

So, now that you have read all about our visit to Tropical Smoothie Café, I am some exciting news! Tropical Smoothie Café has given us one $5 gift card to give to one lucky reader. The giveaway will end on 4/23/13 and is open to US residents 18-years-old and older. With so many sunny days ahead, wouldn't you like to visit Tropical Smoothie Café for a cool, fruity smoothie? Enter our giveaway below to win a gift card and try Tropical Smoothie Café for yourself!

**Disclosure: Tropical Smoothie Café provided us with complimentary food items in order to make an accurate review and provided the gift card for this giveaway. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Conscious Box Giveaway Winner

Thank you again to every that entered our Conscious Box Giveaway. The winner of this giveaway is Kristie! I have emailed Kristie and she has 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeited.

Stay tuned because we do have another giveaway starting later today............

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Tropical Smoothie Cafe: so many smoothies to choose from and great food, too! {review}

If there is something that kids love, it is definitely a smoothie! My daughter could probably have a smoothie every day in the spring and summer if I allow her. The good news is that we have a Tropical Smoothie Café nearby. So, it is always easy to fulfill her smoothie needs! (And, anyone with an 8-year-old knows that those needs need to be met!)

For a treat, I have taken my daughter to the Tropical Smoothie Café in Arlington Heights a couple of times. Our smoothies have put smiles on our faces each time!

Tropical Smoothie Café has a warm, tropical atmosphere. The menu is well laid out and the staff is happy to help if you have any questions. There are a lot--and I mean a lot--of smoothies to choose from, so you may have questions. (I know I always do!) The smoothies are conveniently categorized as Low Fat, Indulgent, or Super Charged. This makes it a bit easier to find what you are looking for. Tropical Smoothie Café also has supplements that you can add to your smoothies--so you can boost the health factor!

Those who follow this blog regularly know that I pay particular attention to nutritional information at restaurants when I can. Tropical Smoothie Café has all of its nutritional information conveniently located online, so you can browse before visiting. Plus, the link to their nutritional information is placed prominently on their website, which is sadly not the case at many restaurants. Of course, I came in with a smoothie in mind--the Triple Berry Oat. I also ordered a mango fish taco (which was a limited time offering at the time). My daughter ordered the kids cheese pizza and the Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie.

My daughter sat at our table and chit-chatted for a little. Before we knew it, our smoothie delights arrived. Mine was nice and thick. I enjoyed the berry taste. While you could taste a bit of the whey protein and vitamins, it wasn't overwhelming. I enjoyed the smoothie and felt quite a boost of energy from it. Look at this creation:

Time to eat! My daughter loved her cheese pizza! The pizza was a good size. They have fruit options for a side. However, since my daughter was on Spring Break, I indulged her and let her have a fresh chocolate chip cookie. I love that Tropical Smoothie Cafe's cookies are small. So many places they are too huge! Look at her meal:

Tropical Smoothie Café has special, limited time menu items from time to time. They really freshen up the menu, especially if you are a frequent customer. I tried their mango fish tacos and enjoyed them. I loved that there was plenty of mango salsa on the taco, not just a drip. The taco was fresh and tasty!

We will be visiting Tropical Smoothie Café again. After all, summer will be here before we know it! I love that Tropical Smoothie Café provides me with a more nutritional option for feeding my family when in a hurry. Plus, smoothies are an excellent treat choice with a bit of a nutritional punch.

We visited the Tropical Smoothie Café in Arlington Heights, Illinois. There are many locations throughout the country, so head to their website to find one near you.

**Disclosure: We did receive complimentary food items for the purpose of this review as well as the option for a giveaway. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

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Making sushi at home {Munchie Monday}

My daughter and husband bought me a handy Sushezi sushi maker for Christmas. We have whipped it out a couple of times and it actually is pretty easy to make sushi at home. I thought for today, I would just show you a little about how it works.

Before we start assembling our rolls, we make our rice and prepare our fillings. For this round, we just used vegetables. We cut up carrots, pepper, cucumber and avocado. Then, we fill the contraption with rice. You need to pack it in a bit. Then, we put on the filling.

 

 

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Renaissance Finery

My daughter was thrilled to have a beautiful new dress-up outfit.  The Renaissance costume, “Elegant Lady,” was supplied courtesy of  CostumeDiscounters.com  (disclosure: I received the dress free in exchange for writing an honest product review).

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Lessons in giving from an 8-year-old

Last weekend, we assigned our daughter the task of finding 10 toys for donation. She has drawers and drawers filled to the brim with toys that she rarely, if ever, plays with. This task should have posed no problem. However, instead of quickly pulling out ten toys that she no longer plays with, she proceeded to sit down and get "reaquainted" with her lost friends. Boo!

Eventually, she began to assemble a pile of toys to donate. I went to check on said pile and here is what she came up with:

Yes, she has embraced the trend amongst elementary school kids of donating McDonald's toys. Really, that is all you can come up with, sweetheart? I showed her some more substantial toys that she has not played with in quite some time. Predictably, she coughed up some reason why she needed to keep them.

 As I looked again at her pathetic pile, I began to think more about the world. I began thinking about how we often we give as a little as possible often not truly giving of ourselves at all. In a way, this reflection has recharged me and is pushing me to give to the best of my ability. Life is short and I want to make an impact. This is something that I need to impart upon my daughter. Then, perhaps, just perhaps, she will understand the difference between donating a McDonald's toy and one of her Barbie dolls. Sometimes our kids teach us important lessons. Parenthood goes both ways.

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Klondike Rose Potato and Johnny's Seasonings Giveaway Winners!

I know everyone is ready to start the weekend! So, to start this weekend off, we are going to announce the winners of our Klondike Rose Potato and Johnny's Fine Foods prize backs. The winners are: Chrissy, Hollie, Diamond and Aly. I have already emailed the lucky winners and they have 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeited.

Thank you to all that entered and made this a great giveaway! If you haven't yet, please enter our Conscious Box giveaway. We are giving away a 3-month subscription to Conscious Box! The giveaway ends 4/8/13!

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Historic Wonders at the Heinz History Center {Pittsburgh}

There so many wonderful sites to see in Pittsburgh, so it was difficult to choose what to visit on our past trip. However, when I read about the Heinz History Center, I just knew that we had to visit! You see, it has 6 floors packed full of history! With so much history, there is definitely something everyone will love. We ended up spending over 3 hours there!

At the Heinz History Center, history just jumps out at you. No dusty shelves here! When you enter, you are immediately greeted by interesting vehicles including a steel car, a Conestoga  wagon from the 1700's and a wagon that transported Heinz products back in the day. Already, history is more tangible, perfect for kids to grasp those things that they have read about in books.

Shiny!

Of course, kids need to play! In the Great Hall, you will find Kidsburgh, a two tier play area where kids can learn about Pittsburgh through activity.  Once kids are finished playing in Kidsburgh, they can wind down a red slide back to the main hall. There is a video screen set up so parents can watch their kids in Kidsburgh without having to climb to the top tier themselves. Nice!

I see you!

After experiencing the Great Hall and Kidsburgh, we headed to the special exhibit on 1968. This exhibit and its use of multimedia just blew us away. Each portion of the exhibit showcased important events as well as day to day life in 1968. The exhibit intermixes the difficult events of the year with some more lighthearted pieces of culture. When you first enter the exhibit, you immediately encounter the ominous humming of a medic helicopter like those from Vietnam. However, soon you find yourself greeted by '60's TV screens full of the popular shows of 1968. The Monkees, Laugh-In, or Mission Impossible anyone? My daughter loved that part and probably would have sat in front of the TVs for an hour. Another highlight--the section on Mr. Rogers. What a way to transport some of us back to childhood?

Won't you be my neighbor?

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Klondike Rose Potato and Johnny's Fine Foods Giveaway Ends Today {4/4/13}

Don't forget to enter our Klondike Rose Potato and Johnny's Fine Foods Giveaway! The giveaway ends today! We are giving away 4 of these awesome prize packs:

Head over to our giveaway to enter!

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Free Springtime Storytime and Craft at the new Faith Lutheran Church Preschool April 9

There will be a free Springtime Storytime and Craft at the new Faith Lutheran Church Preschool on Tuesday, April 9th from 9:30AM-11:30AM. It will be some free fun for the little ones and give you the chance to see the preschool if you are interested.

I will be posting some weekend activities later today. However, I thought I would post this local activity separate since it is on Tuesday!

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