What influences what's on your table?

Let's face it - when it comes to the food we eat these days, there are very few people with all the information.  Take a minute and join me today (Monday 11 am Pacific) for an online Twitter party where we can discuss how pop culture does or doesn't affect what we believe about the food we eat.  Here are the details, join us with the hashtag of #FoodD and RSVP if you can (RSVP not necessary!).

What: A Twitter party with the United States Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) to discuss how pop culture affects people’s perception of food. The party will preview a series of panel discussions about the intersection of food and entertainment in society, which will be taking place on USFRA’s Food Dialogues website on June 20 and 21. For insights on this topic, we will be joined by real-life farmer/rancher Chris Chinn and other expert guests who will be participating in the panel discussions.

When: Monday, June 18, 2-3 p.m. ET (11 am-12 Pacific)

Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #FoodD hashtag to track the conversation. You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite: http://twtvite.com/FoodD Hashtag: #FoodD Prizes: USFRA will give away five total prizes including skillets. Winners will be chosen randomly from among participants who respond correctly to trivia questions.

Hosts: @USFRA, @chrischinn; @theMotherhood Other info: USFRA’s Facebook page  USFRA’s website here, where panel discussions about food and pop culture will take place on June 20 and 21

Note:  This is part of a compensated campaign - but all opinions as always are 100% my own.

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Roasting Marshmallows - Summer Bucket List - Wordless Wednesday

Summer Bucket List:  Roast Marshmallows on sticks.  Done!

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Get 2 Free Movie Admissions at Safeway Brand Stores for #JuneDairyMovies

Going to the movies is on our Family Summer Bucket list this year.  There are so many great movies out in theaters right now and many more about to get in to theaters!  We love family movie nights, whether they are at home or at the theater.

Last week I mentioned how by spending $40 on dairy products at Safeway affiliate stores (our local store is Vons), you would get a Catalina coupon for two free movie tickets to see Ice Age - The Continental Drift in theaters this summer. You don't have to purchase them all at once, but be sure to use your club card so it keeps track of the purchases and gives you the Catalina coupon (the ones that the checker hands you with your receipt) once you spend $40.  But with the great deals and club card specials I was able to purchase the $40 and get amazing deals!  All the qualifying items were clearly marked so it was super easy to find more than enough to spend the $40.

I took both my boys with me on the shop and immediately their eyes lit up with excitement when they realized we were going to get Ice Age tickets!  I didn't know but my oldest had set a calendar reminder on his phone counting down the days until the movie was coming out.  He immediately started telling me about tid bits from the movie promos and other fun facts. 

Redeeming the Catalina voucher for the movies is super easy.  You go here once you have your coupon and follow the instructions (enter your email address, name, movie theater you want to redeem at, etc.) and you print out your voucher!  Easy!

For great meal ideas for the dairy products you can go here, or here or to learn more about the June Dairy Movies month you can go here.

Note: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Safeway #CBias #SocialFabric #JuneDairyMovies but all opinions are 100% my own.

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S'mores Cheesecake - June Dairy Month Fun!

Summer is full of fun times in our house!  Barbeques, picnics, campfires, swimming and all sorts of fun family activities.  One of my childhood favorites was roasting s'mores over the campfire.

I recently had the chance to participate in a shop at Safeway brand stores (my local store is Vons) to purchase $40 in participating dairy products to redeem a voucher for two free movie tickets to see Ice Age Continental Drift when it comes out in theaters.  (For more information about this campaign including participating brands and stres you can go here.)  I was super excited because I knew this would be the perfect time to make my S'mores Cheesecake recipe using products from the shop!

It was super easy to track down the items for the shop.  Note that you do not need to purchase all the items at one time like I did to receive the voucher, I just chose to get them all at one time and got some incredible deals!  If you don't get them all at once - be sure to use your Safeway Club card (it will keep track of your June dairy purchases) during the month of June and keep an eye on the Catalina coupons (the ones the checker hands you with your receipt).  It's a great time to stock up on dairy!  I easily saved 37% on my shop using the Vons Just 4 U program and a couple coupons.  Vons is great about labeling all the qualifying items to get the Ice Age movie voucher and also has many of them listed in in the store insert (extras available at the entrance to the store).

Now on to my recipe!

S'mores Cheesecake

 Ingredients
2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese Packages
1 Package Chocolate Chips
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/8 Teaspoon Salt
3/4 Cup Whipping Cream
3 Eggs
1 pre-made graham cracker pie crust (I cheat because I'm not patient enough to make my own!)
1 Package Large Marshmallows (for topping)
You can also drizzle chocolate syrup over the melted marshmallows for added yumminess!


Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix the cream cheese in a mixer bowl (I always use my large Kitchen Aid mixer).  Add in the 3/4 cup of sugar and 1/8 tsp of salt.  While this is mixing, I melt the chocolate chips in a bowl in the microwave, stopping it every 30 seconds to give it a mix.  Add the chocolate in to the mixer once the cream cheese and sugar is smooth.  Then add in the 3/4 cup whipping cream.  Once that is mixed, add in the eggs one at a time.  Mix until smooth.

Then pour in the mix in to the pie crust and place on center rack in the oven.  Bake approximately 55 minutes or until center is set.

Let cool in refrigerator for a few hours. 

Add on a layer of the large marshmallows and put under broiler in oven until they puff up and brown.  For added yumminess, drizzle chocolate syrup over the cooled marshmallows!

Enjoy!


For more great recipes you can go here or the Facebook page here.

Note:  I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Safeway #CBias #SocialFabric  #JuneDairyMovies All opinions and above recipe are 100% my own.  :)

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Summer Bucket List - Beach Day (Semi- Wordless Wednesday)

My boys are out for Summer vacation already!  Loving the early Summer!  Yesterday we had the chance to head down to our favorite beach - Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach.  The boys had tons of fun exploring.

A beach day was number one on our Summer Bucket list.  What's on your list of must do activities for the Summer?  I'd love to hear about them and share them in guest posts!  Send me an email at OCMomActivites (at) Gmail (dot) com.

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Rose Garden Love - Wordless Wednesday

I hope that everyone is having an amazing week!  Happy Wednesday!

Our week is flying by, filled with lots of chaos as the boys school year comes to an end (Friday!).  I snapped this picture the other day in my new planted rose garden and am filled with beautiful memories of my childhood every time I look at it...

What triggers your childhood memories?

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Quick and Easy Steps to #ClearBeauty on a Budget

I sat there on the side walk in tears.  I wanted to tear my skin off with my nails and every tear just increased the stinging.  I have never before felt such intense stinging.  I couldn't run anymore because the sweat from jogging only added to my pain.  Walking back home the last mile was my only choice.

It was at that point I knew something was terribly, terribly wrong.  Over the weeks prior I had noticed an intense acne like rash on my face.  I'd had acne issues as a kid, but absolutely nothing like the flaming inferno I was feeling on my skin.

My first step was to head to the dermatologist.  I found one that came referred by several people, so I thought it would be safe to assume they'd be great. I couldn't have been more wrong!  The doctor looked at my skin from the other side of the room and quickly said "It's acne" and went about writing a prescription for meds.  I was infuriated and explained that I've never heard of people with acne being in such pain that they literally want to tear their skin off!   "I'm the doctor and it's acne."

I stormed out of the office in tears.  Then in more tears because that brought the stinging on.

I immediately went to another dermatologist.  At least this one looked at my skin.  But the same diagnosis came up.  I knew with every fiber of me that it was incorrect.  Why on earth would this start at age 30?  It just didn't make sense.

I had always suspected I had lots of allergies but have never been to a allergist, so I made an appointment to get tested.  I was miserable waiting to get in to see them as my skin stayed inflamed.

The day my appointment came I was nervous, but praying that the testing would begin to answer what was going on with me.  It absolutely did.  The doctor looked at me almost immediately after starting the skin testing and said oh boy, this is gonna be a definitive one.   He looked at me and said, "You eat a lot of oats?"

I said, "um, yeah...  lots, even oatmeal body wash".

"Yeah, don't do that..."

And the mystery was being solved.  I have horrible food allergies as well as environmental and pet allergies.  I break out in hives (that tend to look like acne), have eczema to go along with all the other million "normal" allergy reactions.  He put me on a daily Allegra pill and my skin has been light years better ever since.  I work to avoid as many of the things I am allergic to daily, but the Allegra helps me combat the unexpected ones that pop up or ones that I can't control (like the cat and dog we cherish so much).   My acute onset of symptoms were from the healthy eating kick I had started (and oats are in everything these days) so my body had just reached a sensitivity point that caused it to go crazy.

If you suspect you have any allergies of any kind, I highly recommend seeing an allergist.

Allegra is the most important part of my beauty regime!  I always notice when I go a day without it because I feel like my energy is draining out of me.  I'm so thankful to have those days of inferno skin and acne like skin gone!

I recently had the chance to head down to my local CVS (you can follow along with the Google+ story here) to purchase $25 of products to help me feel fabulous for Spring as a part of the #ClearBeauty campaign. 

I grabbed my Allegra (an absolute must!), a foot scrubber for making my feet feel fab, my favorite Moroccan Hair oil (love paying 1/3 what everyone else pays at the salons!  Shhh), a new lip gloss (oh a must for every girl), and a new vibrant red nail polish so I can be ready for flip flops and sandals! 

During the month of may, you can get a 30 count of Allegra for $17.99 (great deal, especially if you add in a coupon!) with your CVS card!  You can also go here for the Allergy Makeover Game for your chance to win a $50 CVS giftcard!

Want to know more about Allegra?  You can head here, on Twitter here, on Facebook here.

What tips do you have to go from Drab to Fab?  I'd love to hear them!

Note:  I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric but all opinions are completely my own.  I have been using Allegra for years and wouldn't go a day without it if I had a choice!

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Get a Taste of the Top Restaurants in Orange County

How many times have you been in the mood to try a new restaurant but because were afraid it wouldn't be good and ended up just sticking to your normal places?  I've done that more times than I can count.  The Taste of OC is coming up and this is your chance to break that habit and get a taste of 50 of the top restaurants (and chefs!) in Orange County!

There will be chefs' demonstrations, special dinners, farm-to-table dinners, wine and tequila tasting seminars and more.  This two day event (June 16th and 17th) is being held at the Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine.

Click here for an AMAZING deal on tickets for the event through OCSaverTime.com running now through May 31st.  Be sure to grab this deal before it disappears!  For $44 you can get the $89 ticket value which includes the following:

·        40 tasting & drink credits
·         Preferred seats to the OC Star Chef Demos that's hosted by KFWB Talk Radio Host, Chef Jaime Gwen, and showcase demonstrations from Haven Gastropub's Chef Greg Daniels, 370 Common's Chef Ryan Adams, and more.
·         Plenty of live music and entertainment, restaurant tastings, cooking demonstrations, and more
·         Valid for admission on June 16^th (21 and older)   or June 17^th (all ages)
·         Mingle with and taste popular restaurants in Orange County, like 118 Degrees, Tamarind of London, Mastro's, and dozens more, and quench your thirst with great wines, craft beers, and classic cocktails served up by OC Mixologists.

Be sure to note these restrictions:

·         Voucher redeemable starting June 16th.
·         Includes 1-day admission for June 16th or 17th, 40 tasting and drink credits, and chef demo preferred seating.
·         Adults only (21 and over) on June 16th and all ages welcomed on June 17th.
·         Only valid on Saturday, June 16th, 12PM to 10PM or Sunday, June 17th, 12PM to 8PM.
·         Does not include $12 on-site parking fee.
·         Limit 3 vouchers per person.
·         Name on voucher must match photo ID.
·         Rain or shine event; no refunds.
·         Not valid with other offers.
·         Cannot be resold.
·         Valid only for location and date purchased.

* Note this post is part of a sponsored campaign - but all opinions as always are 100% my own.

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Backyard Waterpark - Check!

Summer is almost here and I thought I'd share how we spent last Sunday afternoon... a childhood must - the backyard slip n' slide!

I had forgotten how inexpensive yet totally cool these are.  The kids absolutely loved it! 

We can now check one more childhood experience off the bucket list.  What's on your bucket list for kids to experience at least once?

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7 Cheap Summer Activities for Kids- A Fantastic Guest Post

In the immortal words of Alice Cooper, “school’s out for the summer” and that means kids are ready for a few months of carefree fun in the sun. It also means parents everywhere are asking the question, “what are we going to do for three whole months?” Since summer camp is reserved for those with a sizeable discretionary income, I’ve put together a few cheap and rewarding activities to keep boredom at bay without breaking the bank.

1. Free Ten Pin Escape the summer heat and cultivate teamwork between your kids with some cheap bowling. By participating in the Kids Bowl Free program, bowling centers give back to their communities and offer a safe and fun environment for kids to spend their idle time. Enjoy two free games every day at participating bowling centers by registering at KidsBowlFree.com.

2. Indoor Crafts Sometimes kids get sick of the hot weather or become restless during those rainy summer days. Have a collection of fun crafts available for these times by following my kids’ crafts pinboard on Pinterest. In addition to inspiration from the Internet, get your kids to write down ideas and collect them in a jar. Once the first raindrop hits, have them choose a slip of paper and spend the afternoon embracing creativity.

3. Tag team Grocery Shopping Just because summer is here doesn’t mean Mom and Dad can take a break from the everyday grind. Get kids involved in the weekly grocery shopping excursion by clipping coupons virtually on the Coupon Sherpa grocery page. Once you’ve collected discounts, have them help you track down products and compare prices of desired items. In addition to keeping them occupied, your kids will learn valuable lessons about budgets and stretching your dollar.

4. Summer Cinema Nothing beats a good lineup of summer movies, except maybe cheap summer movies! Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse offers 10 shows for $5 when purchased in advance, or $1 per show when purchased at the box office. Additionally, participating locations of AMC Theatres host “Bring Your Baby Matinees” which offer a judgement-free theatre experience with lower volume, brighter lights and all the breastfeeding and crying your newborn needs.

5. Local Attractions Who says daily deals are just for spa services and restaurant discounts? Sign up for Groupon, LivingSocial and Seize the Deal to receive kid-friendly discounts to local activities. You can also purchase a coupon book at EntertainmentBook.com for local discounts on dining and attractions. Finally, research nearby libraries and museums for kids’ activities that keep them both educated and entertained.

6. Dine Out for Free Before you head out to the restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner, check out this list of over 100 restaurants where kids eat free. Schedule your dining experiences accordingly, and be sure to order a plate for each child in your family so you can take advantage of leftovers for the next day.

7. Give Back There’s no better way to keep your kids occupied and teach them important lessons by getting them to volunteer. See if your local church, soup kitchen or retirement home is in need of volunteers, or check out VolunteerMatch.com to find other opportunities in your community.

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About the author:
Maisie Knowles is a working mother of two with three-year's experience writing on parenting and partner issues. She received a B.A. in Communications from the University of Colorado and co-founded Kinoli Inc., site manager for a family of money-saving websites, with her husband. Maisie currently spends most of her time at home with her two young girls.

For all media inquiries, please contact Maisie Knowles at 970-672-7572 or email maisie@kinoliinc.com.

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