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Try a2 Milk® for FREE + Enter to Win a Trip to Australia

May 23, 2016 / Food, Product Reviews

This post was sponsored by a2 Milk® as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

I recently shared the news about my partnership with The a2 Milk Company™ and why I was so excited for the opportunity to be an a2 Milk® Ambassador. If you aren’t familiar yet with a2 Milk®, lean in, because you’re going to want to hear all about it! Also, I’ll let you in on how you can try a2 Milk® for FREE! Like so many others I know, I spent years as a self-diagnosed lactose-intolerant person because every time I’d drink milk, I’d have “tummy issues” afterwards. From early childhood, I was a milk lover and grew up drinking it every day. When I had to stop, it was truly heartbreaking for me. After reading an independent study that showed 25% of Americans have discomfort after drinking milk, I realized I wasn’t alone. (that’s a lot of people!) That same study also showed that only 5-7% of the population has been clinically diagnosed with a lactose intolerance medical condition though.

So why does this happen to so many people when they drink milk?
The “Post-Dairy Digestive Discomfort” is due to the A1 protein which is currently present in all conventional & organic milks on the U.S. Market. The a2 Milk Company™ has partnered with U.S. family dairy farmers in upstate New York and the Midwest to expand the specially selected a2 herd. a2 cows naturally produce milk free from the A1 protein. a2 Milk® only comes from these specially selected cows, ‘the way mother nature intended.’
It’s now been a couple of months since my family and I began enjoying a2 Milk® in our home. I am so happy that I have the option to have milk again in my cereal, with toast, and in my morning coffee. As a mom, I am very concerned about what I serve my family, especially what my daughter is putting into her body. a2 Milk® is something I know won’t affect her in a negative way and I’m grateful for the option. Right now, you can try out a2 Milk® yourself for FREE through a receipt-redemption offer.. Just visit a select retailer that sells a2 Milk®!, purchase some, and visit their site here for details about their receipt-redemption offer. It’s really easy. Also, while you’re on the site, enter for the chance to win a trip to Australia courtesy of a2 Milk®!

Have you had the opportunity to try a2 Milk® yet? If so, please share about your experience with me in the comments.

Yogurtland’s 4th Annual “Flavor Quest” Returns Through June 1

May 6, 2016 / Food, Let's Eat!, Uncategorized

One of our favorite places to go for a treat is Yogurtland. Have you visited a location yet? They always have so many delicious flavors, that it’s hard to decide on just a few. (luckily the cups accommodate more than 2 flavors at a time!)

On a recent after school trip to Yogurtland, we got to experience something extra special happening. Their 4th Annual “Flavor Quest” is happening now through June1! Yogurtland’s “Flavor Quest” will take fans on a global culinary journey with nine hand crafted, custom flavors and three new toppings, in honor of nine countries around the world. A new flavor launches each week and will be available for two weeks.

The fourth annual Flavor Quest special flavors and toppings are:

Indonesian Chocolate Java Cake: This decadent dessert takes the cake with rich chocolate and subtle notes of coffee to create this Indonesian-inspired perfection.
English Toffee: Blended with real butter toffee sauce, this rich gourmet sweetness will bring out your British side.
Thailand Mango Coconut Tart: Taste a true tropical treat from Thailand and one of the country’s most beloved culinary combos. This flavor pairs two of the best mango varietals in the world and blended it with coconut water for a lightly tart flavor that refreshes your taste buds.
Austrian Apple Strudel with Caramel: A new take on the classic Austrian dessert, this flavor blends real caramel, apples and notes of cinnamon for a delectable treat.
Middle Eastern Fig & Honey Gelato: To create this sweet combination, figs, a staple from the Middle East, are paired with a touch of honey to create a rich and sophisticated gelato.
Mexican Horchata: With real cinnamon and almonds, this creamy treat is an authentic spoonful of the deliciously sweet and popular Mexican rice drink.
Argentinian Dulce De Leche Cookie: Creamy dulce de leche is combined with shortbread cookies to create an irresistible South American flavor.
New Zealand Kiwi Raspberry Sorbet: This flavor-packed sorbet blends real raspberries and kiwi fruit to create a naturally sweet and crisp combination.
American Peanut Butter Parfait: Enjoy a taste of true Southern comfort food without the guilt. This no sugar added flavor combines rich vanilla with real peanut butter for a delicious spoonful of flavor.
Flavor Quest will also feature three new toppings: light French Galette cookies, rich and creamy Venetian Chocolate Truffles, and buttery Mini Shortbread Fingers.

So far we’ve tried 5 of the 9 flavors. We loved each one for a different reason so please don’t ask me to choose my most favorite! If you haven’t visited Yogurtland during their “Flavor Quest”, you should do so before it ends on June 1st!

I was provided with a media tasting in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

My Culinary Adventure At Tempo Urban Kitchen in Brea

May 2, 2016 / Food, Restaurant Reviews

Tempo Urban Kitchen in Brea was the place to be the night I was invited to join an eclectic group of local foodies, for a special media menu tasting. The unique eatery, owned by Restaurateur Jorge Cueva, serves up Modern American Cuisine with an urban twist, that’s completely unique from anything else I’ve ever experienced.The Brea location is run by Head Chef Chris Tzorin. If Chris’ face looks familiar to you, it may be because he’s appeared on the Food Network several times, most recently winning on Guy Fieri’s show “Guy’s Groceries“!

Chris says “Food is his therapy“, but he isn’t referring to eating it, himself. He puts an immeasurable amount of passion into creating innovative culinary dishes in his kitchen and seems to gage his own success by others’ satisfaction and enjoyment of his food. If you have the chance to hang out with Chris, you’ll pick up on his frequent mentions of his children, Armani and “Little Chris”, and the immense love he has for them. He’s one of the proudest dads you’ll meet and he attributes his drive and success in the industry to how much his children have motivated him to strive for his dreams. On the evening of my great culinary adventure at Tempo Urban Kitchen, guests were treated to a meal collaboratively created by not 1 but 3 well-know chefs. Joining Chef Chris were also Chef Charly Urban and Chef Salvador Carrillo. The dishes they each prepared for us that night could be described as “campestre” or “farm-to-table” creations, incorporating the freshest ingredients and boldest combinations of flavors. Before the food even started to roll out, we were served these amazing handcrafted Mango Serrano-Infused Margaritas with Tajin on the rims. They were so smooth, mine didn’t last very long. Tempo has an extensive bar and I definitely recommend you visit it at some point, for some drinks and even happy hour one day during the week. The first dish of the night was a delicious Grilled Octopus with house-made Chipotle Aioli, plated on a wooden plank, and served on a bed of micro-greens. The tender pieces of octopus were so delightful and tender and it was obvious that the room was been filled with seafood lovers because it got really quiet during this course.Next, we were served a “Deconstructed Korean Taco“. This Asian-inspired dish was made with the most tender, pork belly I’ve ever tried. It was seared just enough to have a slightly crispy top and the soy-lime and Serrano flavors enhanced it even more. It practically melted on its own in my mouth. The plate was beautifully garnished with a real mango roll, which I devoured in about a second. The third course in our meal was a Slow-Cooked Short Rib topped with Vegan Caviar. (aka Mustard Seeds). The plate was so colorfully garnished with beet sauce and prosciutto. I definitely enjoy beef and this dish was outstanding!

After dinner, all 3 chefs created something extra special for our dessert. They utilized giant KitchenAid mixers. We waited as patiently as we possibly could while they combined fresh ingredients in the bowl. Then they wow-ed us as they brought out the Liquid Nitrogen and turned the mixture into fresh, delicious ice cream! I loved it! We were each served a generous scoop of ice cream served on a delicious waffle cone. I felt like a kid in a candy store. It was the perfect ending to our meal! I loved the subliminal message in the backround too. “La Familia es Todo!” (Family is everything!) As a guest at Tempo Urban Kitchen that evening, I was definitely made to feel like part of their family!

Tempo Urban Kitchen is located at:
1060 E Imperial Hwy
Brea, CA 92821

You should connect with Tempo Urban Kitchen on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

I was invited to a media dinner as a guest of Tempo Urban Kitchen in order to write about my experience. All opinions are 100% my own.

The World’s First “Would You Like That Burrito’d? Event at Farrell’s

April 20, 2016 / Food, Let's Eat!

Farrell’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlours is celebrating Cinco De Mayo with the world’s first (as far as we know) “Would You Like That Burrito’d?” event. From May 1 through May 15 almost anything on the Farrell’s menu can be burrito’d. The process of burrito’ing something is to take an item and wrap it in a large tortilla. The concept is pretty simple, but the results are lots of fun and, with most food items, surprisingly delicious!

When the idea first came up we all thought it was really funny, but after tasting some of our burrito’d items, they are really, really yummy! A few of my favorites were the Burrito’d BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, Chili Cheese Fries, and Gastro sandwich. We hope our guests have as much fun with this promotion as we did when creating the different burrito’d items. – Farrell’s CEO, Michael Fleming

Even through Farrell’s will provide guests with a handout that explains the promotion and makes recommendations of food items to burrito, they say they will burrito just about anything on their menu. Some items they recommend not burrito’ing include fried pickle appetizers, pizzas, or any soup (for obvious reasons). They do recommend burrito’ing any of their burgers or salads and many of their sandwiches and appetizers.

Farrell’s locations participating in this promotion include Brea, Buena Park, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, and Sacramento. For specific store address, hours, or to make an on-line reservation visit FarrellsUSA.com.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images are property of Farrell’s.

16th Annual Taste of Huntington Beach on April 24th

April 11, 2016 / Food, Lifestyle, Orange County

The 16th Annual Taste of Huntington Beach will take place this year on Sunday, April 24th, from 12 to 4 p.m., at the HB Sports Complex. The event has become one of “Surf City’s” community traditions and is an exciting gathering featuring food, drink, live music, and fun. This year, Taste of Huntington Beach is presented by The Friends of the Children’s Library (FOTCL) and proceeds benefit the Children’s Department of the Huntington Beach Public Library.

Here’s a video highlighting last year’s event:

Tickets are available for purchase online at tastehb.com and in person at the Children’s Desk at the Huntington Beach Central Library. General Admission tickets are $70 and include four fun-filled hours of:

Unlimited tastes of food from 50 of the best local eateries
Sips from California and boutique wineries
Samples from premium and craft breweries
Live entertainment, silent auction and raffle
Free parking at the HB Sports Complex

VIP tickets are $90 and include all the General Admission perks plus:

An exclusive VIP reception from 11 a.m. – 12 noon
Distinctive hors d’oeuvres and varieties of champagnes
VIP tote bag, party plate and other special VIP giveaways
20-minute early entry into the main Taste tent

Reduced price General Admission and VIP tickets are available for bulk purchases (10 + tickets at one time) A Designated Driver General Admission Tickets is also available for purchase online. (must be 21+ to enter with a designated driver ticket). To purchase tickets for The Taste of Huntington Beach, click here.

Here is the latest list of participating restaurants, wineries, and breweries:

2nd Floor HB
Avila’s El Ranchito
Albertson’s/Vons Newland Center
BLK
Duke’s Huntington Beach
Gallaghers
Huntington Terrace
Imola Restaurant and Bar
Lazy Dog
Lemonade Pacific City
Lou’s Brews and BBW
Market Broiler
Rita’s Italian Ice
Saint Marc Pub and Cafe
Shades Restaurant/ Waterfront Beach Resort
Simply Layered
Slapfish
Solita
Red Table
The Longboard
Thunderburgerz
Traditional Twist Bakery
Ways and Means Oyster HouseWineries:
Cholame Vineyards
Christian Lazo Winery
Graveyard Vineyards
Pedroncelli Vineyards
Pomar Junction
San Marcos Creek Winery
Wilson Creek Winery
Breweries:
Baja Brewing Co.
Brewbakers
Four Sons Brewing
Firestone Walker
Green Flash
Merchant du Vin
Sierra Nevada Brew Co.
Non-alcoholic Beverage:
Surf City Soda
XS Energy Drinks

For more information about the 2016 Taste of Huntington Beach, visit their site at http://www.tasteofhb.com.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and video are property of the Taste of HB.

Celebrate Spring with Boudin Bakery’s Fabulous New Salads

April 6, 2016 / Food, Let's Eat!, Restaurant Reviews

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Boudin SF Bakery! Obviously, I love their famous Sourdough bread but I also love all of their delicious sandwiches, fresh salads and homemade soups! My daughter is also loves their kids menu.If you peeked at my Instagram recently, you may have noticed me posting pics of some of their latest Spring limited-time offerings a few weeks back. I was invited to a media tasting of the limited-time items at Boudin’s Huntington Beach location. I never pass up a chance to try their new items, especially with Boudin’s Corporate Chef Alan Skversky there to talk us through each one. He is so passionate about creating recipes that are trendy and healthy and that incorporate only the freshest ingredients in them. Starting March 23, Boudin gave all of us 4 more reasons to stop by and dine! First of all, they brought back a highly requested favorite, The Lemony Couscous! The Lemony Couscous is made with Israeli Couscous, garbanzo beans, diced cucumbers, grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, roasted red bell pepper, feta cheese, and drizzled with creamy lemon dressing. It’s absolutely delicious and they brought it back because so many people were asking for it.

This Spring, Boudin added 3 new Limited-Time offerings to the menu and you’re going to love all three! Each of the salads is made fresh-to-order and served with some of Boudin’s freshly-baked sourdough bread. They are perfect for lunch or dinner and can be enjoyed in the restaurant or taken “to go”. Check these out:

Bacon, Blue & Beets – This salad is made with spring mix, all natural chicken, red onion, roasted golden and red beets, green beans, Applewood smoked bacon, blue cheese, spiced walnuts and tossed in ranch dressing.

Mango & Red Quinoa Salad – Made with crisp chiffonade romaine and spicy baby arugula lettuces, red quinoa, refreshing mango, red grapes, red onion, almonds and goat cheese, all tossed in house-made mango citrus vinaigrette. You have the option to add chicken for $2.29. Forbidden Rice & Chicken Sesame Salad – This salad is made with baby spinach, black rice, all natural chicken, Granny Smith apples, garbanzo beans, pickled red onion, goat cheese and house-made sesame dressing.

The timing of these additions to the menu, couldn’t be more perfect for me! I was just starting to get myself on a better daily routine and these delicious seasonal salads just made my own personal “Get Ready for Summer” meal plan even easier! These refreshing Spring salads are available at all 9 Boudin SF Southern California locations. To find a location nearest you, click here.

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to a menu tasting in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Mom Talk: 5 Things I’m Doing For ME Now + Free Daily Printable

March 21, 2016 / Food, Motherhood

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveDoveFruits #CollectiveBias

At the start of the new year, I met with a life coach and have worked really hard to make some changes to the way I divide up my time and energy. I made a promise to myself, to start doing more for me and doing more to take care of me.. I also learned not to be so hard on myself and to realize that it’s ok not to get everything on my never-ending “to do” list done before taking care of me. It’s also OK to reward myself daily. One of the ways I like to reward myself is with a small treat each day and my latest favorite snacks are the DOVE® Chocolate Fruit & Nut . Have you tried these yet? I found these different varieties on the candy aisle at Walmart:

DOVE® Dark Chocolate Strawberry & Cocoa Almond
DOVE® Dark Chocolate Blueberry & Vanilla Cashew
DOVE® Dark Chocolate Raspberry & Honey Roasted Almond
DOVE® Dark Chocolate Cranberries
DOVE® Dark Chocolate Blueberries
DOVE® Dark Chocolate

I still can’t decide which is my favorite!They’re all really yummy and something I enjoy in moderation each day. They combine the wellness benefits of dark chocolate with fruits while satisfying my craving for something sweet and keep me in line with my goals for the New Year.

Trying to keep up with being a mom and working a full-time job, in addition to all of life’s other things that keep me busy, is a lot to juggle. I feel like on most days, I fail at fitting it all in. I find myself doing everything for everyone else at home or at work and leaving very little time to take care of me. I will totally admit that in the last few years, I’ve gotten in the habit of practicing “Mom Self-Neglect” on myself. I know there are other moms like me who can relate. What happens is that I’m left at the end of the day with zero energy or extremely exhausted and a feeling unaccomplished.

I started using a daily printable (see below to print out your own copy) to keep track of my days. I keep it nearby on a clipboard.. It allows me to see my accomplishments, no matter how small they are, as well as look back on previous days to see how well I’m doing. One of the strategies I discussed with the life coach was treating each day as a new beginning. It’s hard to make changes and sometimes I feel like I want to be perfect, so when I’m less than perfect, it makes me feel frustrated. By starting fresh each day, it’s a new chance to achieve the goals. Reward yourself.

Here are 5 little things I’m working on improving this year:

Drink More Water – I seriously need to drink more water! I don’t know why it’s so difficult for me to do this but I know I’d feel better if I did it. There are just so many benefits to drinking a lot of water. On some days, I actually find myself carrying around a water bottle around and not even drinking it! I set a goal of 6 small water bottles a day, so I’m keeping track with tally marks.
Eat Better – One of my biggest downfalls, is failing to prepare food and snacks for myself. To be perfectly honest, sometimes I’m just too busy to pack my own lunch and opt to just skip a meal or grab something on the go, which isn’t always the best option. Carrying more snacks with me to eat during the day is a goal for me.
Get Movin’ – Although I am active at my job and am constantly on the go, I need to make an effort get out walking or to the gym to do some cardio, even if it’s just for 30 minutes a day or so. There are many benefits to exercising regularly.
Take Time For Me EVERY Day – It’s important to set time aside for yourself each day, even if it’s just 20 or 30 minutes to read or watch TV or do something you enjoy, which allows you to unwind. Ultimately, this makes you feel like you’ve done something for yourself.
Acknowledge the good in every day – Since I’ve taken on the viewpoint that each day is a chance to start again, I’m also trying to think about the good in each day, no matter how small it may be. It’s helpful to write down something positive that happened or that I did on my log.

So far this year, I feel like my new outlook, along with my daily log, has really helped me stay more positive and keep more focused. It’s nice to be able to look back and see that I actually have accomplished things on a daily basis. The link to this free printable is right below the image.

Print out this free printable by clicking here.

So, what are you doing to take care of yourself? Have you set any goals this year for your own well-being? Have you tried the DOVE® Chocolate Fruit & Nut yet? To print out a coupon, click here. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Easy To Make Cupcake “Sundaes” For Your Easter Brunch

March 16, 2016 / Food, Recipes

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SweeterEaster #CollectiveBias Easter is arriving a little early this year and I couldn’t be more excited about it! I love all of the pops of colors and festive treats you find in stores this time of year, especially in the Easter section. It’s so fun for me to shop for special goodies to fill Easter baskets and I enjoy planning our annual Easter family brunch, from the tablescape to the menu. I made a special trip to Walmart the other day to grab a bunch of the things I’ll need for Easter. On the Seasonal aisle I discovered M&M’s® Easter Sundae! These delicious candies have a white center, surrounded by milk chocolate and are only available for a limited time, exclusively at Walmart. The bag includes hot pink ones! They’re my favorite color! Not only will they be perfect for Easter baskets, but I also used them in my Cupcake “Sundaes” recipe which will be part of the dessert bar at our family’s Easter Sunday brunch. I tossed an 8oz bag of the M&M’s® Easter Sundae into my cart, along some other goodies for Easter including:

a Starburst® Original Jellybeans
a 12oz DOVE® Milk Chocolate Easter Bunny (for that “wow” factor!)
a 4.5oz DOVE® Milk Chocolate Easter Bunny
a couple of Skittles® $1 eggs
a Hubba Bubba® $1 Bubble Tape, for good “measure”, of course.
a package of plastic carrot-shaped eggs (to fill with candies)
some green “grass” for the baskets
an adorable white wicker Easter basket with lavender accents

Some other Easter basket fillers you can also find at Walmart (not pictured) include:

23.5oz Easter Mixed Brand Chocolates (package includes SNICKERS®, DOVE®, M&M’s®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, 3 Musketeers®)
11oz Easter M&M’s® Milk Chocolate
Skittles® $1 tube

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make Cupcake “Sundaes”:

one package of your favorite cake mix
one container of white frosting
one package of M&M’s® Easter Sundae chocolate candies (or any variety of M&M’s®)
rainbow sprinkles
treat cups to bake the cupcakes in
some colorful plastic spoons

Simple Instructions for Preparation of the Cupcake “Sundaes”

Preheat your oven to the temperature recommended on the cake mix package.
Mix together the cake mix as directed.
Prepare a cookie sheet with the treat cups on it that you’ll be baking your cupcakes in.
Pour mix into each treat cup, filling about 1/3 full. I highly recommend using a measuring cup with a spout to pour. (to avoid messy edges)
Bake as directed on box, watching them carefully until you see they’re slightly golden.
Allow cupcakes to completely cool down.
Frost each cupcake, making it look about as full as a sundae would be.
Sprinkle each one with an ample amount of sprinkles. Remember, you can never have too many sprinkles!
Top each sundae with “a cherry”! (a.k.a. an M&M’s® Easter Sundae candy)
Serve with a colorful spoon already in the “sundae” and enjoy!

If you haven’t cruised down Walmart’s Seasonal aisle for Easter supplies yet, you should “hop to it” soon.

What kind of candy and treats will you be filling baskets with this year? Do you have any fun recipes that you like to make for Easter? Share with me in the comments!

Look Who’s Drinking Milk Again: THIS Mom!

March 4, 2016 / Food, Product Reviews

This post was sponsored by a2 Milk® as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review

Up until about a month ago, I hadn’t been able to drink milk for a really long time. It was something I stopped drinking on my own and not by doctor’s orders, but I pretty much self diagnosed myself “unable” to drink it because the after affects weren’t pleasant! (aka I would experience “Post-Dairy Digestive Discomfort”)

As a kid, I LOVED drinking milk every day, even multiple times a day. I literally had milk with every meal! I’ve raised my own daughter to have a love of milk, too. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that I get been pretty jealous watching her drink milk on a daily basis.

I recently tried out a2 Milk® pure farm fresh milk after I was selected to be part of the a2 Milk® Ambassador Program. (By the way, I’m super excited to be a part of this ambassador program!) From the very first sip, I just knew it was going to be game changer for me!

Have you heard about how different from ordinary milk it is? Basically, ordinary milk contains an a1 protein, which is the cause of “tummy troubles” related to milk drinking. An independent study actually showed 1 in 4 Americans have discomfort after drinking milk, so I know I wasn’t imagining when I knew something was going on in my body after drinking ordinary milk. Scary enough, the a1 protein is found in all conventional & organic milks on the U.S. market. a2 Milk® only comes from heirloom a2 cows that produce milk which is naturally free from the a1 protein type.

If you are wondering about the taste of a2 Milk®, it doesn’t taste anything other than delicious! My daughter can’t even tell that I swapped it out in our fridge! I was pleased to find that you can purchase a2 Milk® in all of the varieties because we’re a fat-free milk type of household! I am beyond ecstatic to be able to enjoy milk again without any of the symptoms! Yay me!

To find a store near you that sells a2 Milk® products, click here. Connect with a2 Milk® on Facebook and Twitter.