Family-Friendly Summer Activities at San Diego Children's Discover Museum‏

Hey San Diegans, So Cal and out of town visitors! Here's a great activity to check out when visiting or passing through North County!

San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum (SDCDM) is planning an exciting summer season for families. Now in its second year at the new facility (320 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025) the museum has a new array of on-site activities, programs, and promotions that make SDCDM a top destination for families all summer long. Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to visit and experience the museum’s wide variety of new attractions starting this June.

New! Open Mondays and Increased Hours
As of June 1st, the SDCDM will be open seven days a week (no longer closed on Mondays), and increase the hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Active Military & Veterans Get FREE Admission this Summer
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, SDCDM will be participating in the Blue Star Museums campaign—a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, The Department of Defense and more than 1,800 museums across America—to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families. SDCDM is also offering free admission to all U.S. Military veterans and their families as a way to say thank you for their service to our country.

Summer Discovery Camp for Ages 5-8
Summer Discovery Camp will take place at SDCDM from June 17th through August 16th, allowing kids from age 5-8 opportunities to learn about science, arts, and world cultures outside of the classroom. This summer’s themes range from Imagination Creations, where campers explore work from famous artists and discover how creative you can be using different mediums, to Grossology, where campers explore the chemistry, biology, and environmental science behind all things “gross.” The cost for Discovery Camp is $175 per week for SDCDM members and $250 for non-members. For a full list of Discovery Camp themes and to register visit www.sdcdm.org.

KPBS Kids Workshops
Throughout the summer SDCDM will host a KPBS Kids Workshop from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. which will include engaging hands-on activities for children ages 3 and up to explore the many worlds of favorite childhood characters like Curious George, Cat in the Hat, Clifford and many more! Workshops and activities will take place at 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. and will last approximately a half hour to 45 minutes. KPBS Kids Workshop will take place June 8th, July 13th, and August 10th.

Beat the Summer Heat Inside or Outside
For families looking for a cool way to beat the summer heat, SDCDM invites them to its air-conditioned indoor exhibit area featuring exhibits such as wind tunnels showing kids how wind energy works, Kids Global Village encouraging children to learn about daily life in different cultures, building with Imagination Playground, early childhood development activities in the Toddler Tide Pool, and endless journeys of imagination on the Explorer Discovery Sailboat. Families can also play, relax, picnic, and enjoy the outdoors in the Children’s Discovery Garden.

For further details on San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, visit: www.sdcdm.org.

I was offered complimentary tickets for my family to visit the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum this summer, once we get settled into our new place. We are excited because it'll be close by. Please be sure to watch my instagram for photos of our visit. (I will repost some here as well)


SDCDM was founded as a non-profit organization in 2001 as Escondido Children's Museum, with the focus of learning through play and inspiring children from newborn to age 12 to learn about our world through exploration, imagination and experimentation. Admission costs at the new location are $6 per person, $3 for military and disabled and free for children 12 months and younger. Memberships, group discounts, birthday parties and spring and summer camps are available. San Diego Children's Discovery Museum is affiliated with the Association of Children's Museums.


*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum . The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Product info and stock images if any are provided by PR or Co.

Mini Donuts: 100 Bite-Sized Donut Recipes to Sweeten Your "Hole" Day by Jessica Segarra

Mini Donuts: 100 Bite-Sized Donut Recipes to Sweeten Your "Hole" Day by Jessica Segarra has a book to brighten your day! Yep, donuts not just for breakfast, anytime! She's got all the traditional faves we all like and some new fun flavors too. You'll find helpful step by step instructions and lots of recipes in Mini Donuts. What are your favorite donuts? Comment below and let me know!

Uh oh!! I could be in trouble here! This is the cutest book of mini donut recipes, and because I didn't want to be left out, I adapted the recipes we've tried so far to be gluten free. Oh my, they were good! So, if you happen to have a mini donut pan, or an electric donut maker or a big skillet to fry in, you're in luck and need to get yourself this recipe book.

apple fritters

The decisions on what to make were almost impossible! Well ok, I was limited since I could only fry them (I promise to get myself a donut pan, and when I do you can see updates on my Instagram & Facebook with hashtags #minidonuts #mommyimhungry). But gosh, fried? Oh well, I workout plus doing so helps manage my diabetes, so I can sneak a few mini donuts lol. I made her Dr Pepper Fried Mini Donut and Apple Fritter recipes.

To make them gluten free, I just subbed in a gluten free flour blend (from No Gluten, No Problem) and thankfully they turned out delicious!

GF Apple Fritters, nice & soft inside

I have many pages marked to make such as, snickerdoodle fried mini donuts, salted caramel mini donuts, my oldest would like these the winnie the pooh honey glazed fried mini donuts, glazed fried mini donuts, Mr. would love the reese's pb cup mini donuts, coconut lime mini donuts, chocolate bacon maple mini donuts...and there's so much more!

This book is available as hardcover and kindle edition in your bookstores and online. Please follow along with Jessica on her blog, The Novice Chef, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, she's real friendly! :)

Dr Pepper Fried Mini Donuts {gluten free}

 



 

  *Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Mini Donuts . The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.

Swagbuck's 5th Birthday Swag Code Extravaganza 2/25!

Swagbucks has some big things in store for their 5th Birthday this year - they're giving out five $1000 cash prizes and holding a HUGE Swag Code Extravaganza where you can earn 135 Swag Bucks worth of codes! There are also some huge games planned, and while the party doesn't happen until February 25th, on Monday the 11th you'll get more info, including how you can win one of those $1000 prizes!

Haven't joined Swagbucks yet? Click here to join and use the Swag Code 5THBIRTHDAY during registration - you'll start with 120 Swag Bucks instead of the usual 30. To date, I've earned 59,526 from using Swagbucks and you can too!



*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Swagbuck's blogger program. Info provided to me.

Shari’s Berries Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Shari's Berries is a wonderful source for delicious edible gift giving gifts for whatever the occasion. They offer chocolate dipped strawberries, cookies, pretzels, cakes, apples, gift baskets and more. Their strawberries are some of the largest on the market, and these are BIG strawberries too. Ordering online through their website is very easy and they even offer coupon discounts as well as fast shipping to ensure your berries arrive fresh. Valentine's Day is coming up, perhaps have a look at what they have to offer for your sweetie!

We reviewed the Gourmet Dipped Fancy Strawberries found here which has strawberries dipped in milk chocolate with chopped almonds, dipped in dark chocolate with chocolate chips and dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate swizzles. They arrived safe and sound in a styrofoam cooler/box with a freezer cold pack and extra foam padding on top of the strawberries. Each strawberry lays on a protective tissue to catch any little juice that may leak from the berries. Each berry is dipped fully into chocolate, leaves were cut off, so they do not look quite the same as on the website, though very delicious still. Our berries were sweet, ripe and juicy, and the chocolates were delicious though a little messy as you took a bite it would crumble off the berry.

hmm, which one do I want?

yum!

*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Shari's Berries. I was given the chance to review a complimentary product from Berries.com with a gift card. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.
 

Cooking with Love: Comfort Food That Hugs You by Carla Hall Cookbook Review

Chef Carla Hall was voted Fan Favorite of the 2011 Top Chef All-Stars season. Hall now co-hosts ABC’s daily lifestyle series The Chew. Hall believes that the only way you can make memorable and nourishing food is to cook it from the heart.

From country classics with a fresh spin like Country Greens and Chicken Pot Pie to simple, savory dishes like Rustic Mushroom Tart and Curried Beef Dumplings, to very special dessert offerings such as Butterscotch Mousse with Vanilla Salt served in Almond Tuiles. COOKING WITH LOVE has something for everyone with Hall’s beautiful, delicious, easy, and affordable recipes that revolutionize comfort food in healthful and surprising ways. And her enthusiasm for her work is evident from the first page and the fun “Catering Like Carla” tips that are peppered throughout. Comfort food has never tasted so good!

For my review I decided I'd make a dinner menu from her book. Chicken, potatoes and carrots a nice Sunday dinner. Everything was delicious and I'll be adding the potatoes to our meals more often.

Sunday Roast Chicken, page 100

This recipe had brine of brown sugar and water. Whole chicken, garlic, lemon zest, thyme, butter, lemon, white wine and pepper. I roasted it at my normal roast time (450' 40 mins, then 350' 40 mins), it was delicious.

brining in my crock dish

Smashed Herbed Potatoes, page 97
These were fantastic! I'll be making these again for sure. The whole new baby potatoes are cooked in the seasoned onion broth, lightly smashed (not whipped up, but smashed with the bottom of a cup just until they break open) then cooked again with some butter and more seasoning. YUM! 

smash with a small jar, just until they burst open

Roasted Carrots, page 101  
This recipe called for the baby carrots with the green tops and are like 5" long, but I just used regular cut up carrots. These were tossed in olive oil, kosher salt, garlic, thyme then roasted and drizzled with a cider vinegar and honey mixture.

ready to eat

*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Cooking with Love. The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.

Cooking Italian with the Cake Boss Cookbook Review

Cooking Italian with the Cake Boss: Family Favorites as Only Buddy Can Serve Them Up, introduces 100 of Buddy’s delicious, essential Italian-American recipes from his grandmother’s secret dishes to his personal specialties he makes for his own children with signature touches that make everyday meals into memorable family events. Buddy says, "Food is love, and my favorite family moments involve meals just like the ones I'm sharing here.”

Cooking Italian with the Cake Boss will allow anyone to become the boss of their own kitchen even novice cooks will be able to whip up a tasty and complete meal, from appetizers like stuffed artichokes to satisfying, signature entrees like Grandma Madeline’s Sausage Lasagna or a classic potato gnocchi, family-style. And of course there will be Buddy’s famous “Sunday Gravy” recipe that he’s justifiably proud of (aka tomato sauce) and some brand-new desserts, including an easy chocolate mousse perfect for bringing to parties.

With tips passed down through generations to make Italian favorites even more delicious, along with clear techniques and step-by-step color photos, COOKING ITALIAN WITH THE CAKE BOSS shows that this Cake Boss knows how to bring families together through food. And as he’s working with you on these delicious recipes, he’s telling more stories about himself and his clan’s memorable moments in the kitchen, making you feel like part of the famiglia.

About the Author 
 Buddy Valastro, owner of Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken, New Jersey is the author of the New York Times bestsellers, Cake Boss and Baking with the Cake Boss, and star of the hit TLC series, Cake Boss and Next Great Baker. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and four children.

Potato Gnocchi and Mushroom Sauce

We've all probably watched his show Cake Boss, along with his family being on the show, make you feel like you're there with them. Well now you can eat like them too with this cookbook. He's got Appetizers like Bruschetta, Stuffed Mushrooms and Fried Calamari, Salads like Panzanella and Seafood Salad. Pizzas, breads and sandwiches. Soups, pastas and risottos to main courses like Seafood Fra Diavolo, Osso Buco and Steak Pizzaiola and don't forget Desserts of all sorts! This book is full of photos, recipes, tips and more.

I made his Pizza Sauce & Pizza Margherita on a gluten free crust for a review. This sauce is quite easy, and has a bright flavor to it. I added some fresh mozzarella and basil from my garden for a wonderful lunch.

Pizza sauce ready for use

Pizza Sauce & Pizza Margherita, on a gluten free crust

*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Cooking Italian with the Cake Boss . The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.

Alexia Foods: Alexia Multi-Grain Onion Rings and Alexia House-Cut Julienne Fries Review

There are two new gourmet-inspired side dishes from all-natural food company Alexia Foods in stores now: Alexia Multi-Grain Onion Rings and Alexia House-Cut Julienne Fries.

Alexia Multi-Grain Onion Rings offer a delicious combination of sweet Spanish onions and flavorful multi-grain breading made from natural whole wheat flour, brown rice and corn flour. These crispy, golden onion rings add a burst of gourmet flavor to any meal and work well served next to a homemade dip like a spicy mole ketchup with chipotle pepper or with the homemade ketchup I make.

Alexia House-Cut Julienne Fries are made using just five simple, natural ingredients: farm-fresh potatoes cut with the skin on, canola oil, sea salt, apple juice concentrate and citric acid. Topped with a light dusting of sea salt for a touch of gourmet flavor.

Each premium new product is made from the finest natural ingredients and prepared in the oven in around 20 minutes or so.

Alexia Multi-Grain Onion Rings had wheat flour in them so I could not try them. I can say how amazing they smelled as the baked, mmm. My family enjoyed them alongside their burgers with ketchup I made, they loved the sweet onions in them.

The Alexia House-Cut Julienne Fries I did try out and liked them. They came out cripsy on the outside and fluffy inside, pretty yum! I liked them with this Homemade Ketchup recipe.


*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Alexia Foods . The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.
 

#SimpleSurvivalKit Goodie Box

Sometime ago, I was sent a goodie box full of wonderful products for a #simplesurvivalkit. Goodies included were Food Should Taste Good chips in my fave sweet potato and chocolate flavors, Justin’s peanut butter cups (my new fave!), SmartWool socks, Larabars, Sprout Wellness Basics lip balm, Little Ducks Organics apple and banana fruit snacks and Teatulia teas. I am so sorry, I really forget what the purpose of this goodie box was and I can't find anything in my emails about reviewing them but I know that other bloggers received it also. So thank you companies for the #simplesurvivalkit everything is wonderful!


  *Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about #simplesurvivalkit. The product(s) in this post were provided to me free of cost.. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images if any, provided by PR or Co.

SunRidge Farms: National Cashew Day

November 22 wasn't just Turkey Day this year, did you know that this food-filled holiday also was National Cashew Day? On our snack table for Thanksgiving guests I layed out delicious and nutritious, protein-packed cashews.

Not only do cashews have a much lower fat content than most other nuts, about 75 percent of their fat is unsaturated fatty acids, but also much of the fat is oleic acid - the same heart-healthy fatty acid found in oliveoil. What’s more, cashews naturally contain a significant amount of several essential minerals and enzymes that are necessary for important physiological and chemical reactions in the body, such as copper, magnesium and manganese, amongst a host of several other nutrients.

On National Cashew Day, we munched the below premium cashews from SunRidge Farms:

· Organic Roasted and Salted Cashews – USDA- certified organic whole cashews are roasted to perfection in-house, then lightly tossed with sea salt.
 
· Thai Curry Roasted Cashews – Lightly roasted whole cashews are tossed with the exotic spices cumin, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
 
· Sea Salt& Pepper Cashews – All natural, whole cashews are batch roasted in house and then tossed with sea salt and cracked black pepper.

I saved the Thai Curry Roasted Cashews for us later on, heehee. I loved them, but too many can get spicy. The Black Pepper Cashews weren't over powering with pepper, they were nice as well. As always the regular ones are always a hit.




*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about SunRidge Farms. The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.

No Blogging...

Blogging will be hold until we can get my puter fixed. :/

Tate's Bake Shop Baking for Friends by Kathleen King Review & Contest

 

 

Kathleen King, the creator of Tate’s Bake Shop, recently released her third cookbook Baking for Friends. In this new cookbook she shares over 125 delicious recipes for more of her favorite baked goods, including some gluten free recipes because she loves to share her goodies with friends who have dietary restrictions so they an enjoy dessert time too.

Some of Kathleen's favorites in this book include Maple Bacon and Date Scones, Chocolate Blood Orange Marble Cake, Heart Healthy Chocolate Pie and mine would probably be the Gluten free Chocolate Crinkles, Gluten free Chocolate Raspberry Tart and Gluten free Spice Cake.

In celebration of the highly anticipated release, they've partnered with KitchenAid to sponsor a Baking for Friends Bake-Off on Facebook. Join the Baking for Friends Bake-Off contest on the Tate’s Bake Shop Facebook Page by clicking HERE. Put your own spin on one of Kathleen’s recipes, then supply a photo/recipe for a chance to win $1,000 or a KitchenAid Artisan series stand mixer. Contest ends November 23, 2012 @ 11:59 pm (EST).

As a treat, here is a discount code to purchase the book for only $19.95, use this code BAKEOFF in checkout.

Please follow along with Tates on Facebook and KitchenAid on Facebook.

 

 In this book, Kathleen offers her tips for saving time in the kitchen, such as toasting nuts the day before, make and freeze the streusel ahead of time. Rolled out pie dough can be frozen right in the pie dish (and chilled dough bakes better too! I may do this tip for the Holidays).

 

For my recipe review of this Baking with Friends, I made my family her Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and later turned them into Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiched Cookies. They loved them!

 

These cookies have a soft cake like texture.

 

 

*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Tate's Bake Shop Baking for Friends. The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.

Archer Farms Freeze Dried Snacks & New Lunch Box Ideas

I wanted to share some fresh recipes and on-the-go snacks sure to give kids and adult’s lunchboxes a makeover this fall. Favorite flavors in fun new forms, like Market Pantry Turkey ‘n Cheese Sushi Style and Market Pantry Stuffed “Lun-shell”ables (Hawaiian Shells), will brighten your lunch box. For downloadable recipe cards and mealtime inspirations (including quick, easy dinners), check out the new Target Grocery Look Book.

Market Pantry Stuffed “Lun-shell”ables (Hawaiian Shells)Makes 6 shells

What You’ll Need:
6 Market Pantry jumbo pasta shells, cooked and cooled as directed
2 teaspoons Market Pantry canola oil
½ cup ¼-inch cubes Market Pantry boneless ham
¼ cup Market Pantry pineapple tidbits, cut into thirds
¼ cup ¼-inch cubes Market Pantry Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons Market Pantry honey mustard dressing
2 tablespoons Market Pantry light mayonnaise

What You’ll Do:
1. Prepare shells according to package directions.
2. Rinse in cold water; drain thoroughly.
3. Toss shells with canola oil.
4. Store (tightly covered) in the refrigerator until ready to stuff.
5. When ready to stuff, combine all ingredients except shells in medium bowl.
6. Spoon ham mixture into shells.
7. Chill until ready to serve.

 

We were sent some great snacks for our snack time at school:
Archer Farms Freeze-Dried Banana Slices
Archer Farms Freeze-Dried Pineapple Wedges
Archer Farms Monster Trail Mix

   Archer Farms Freeze Dried Fruit in Banana Slices and Cinnamon Apple Slices ($3.49 each or $7.99 for multipacks)

 

These are great fruit ideas for the lunch box since they won't turn mushy or leave other items in the bag soggy. We loved these and as usual they don't last long around here.

 

*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Archer Farms. The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.

G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popped Corn

Are you all candied out? GH Cretors Chicago Mix is a nice change of snacks. Combining cheese corn and caramel corn in the same bag, this popcorn combo offers delicious hits of sweet, salty, crunchy and cheesy in every bite. The caramel corn is made the old fashioned way: by hand, in copper kettles. Cane sugar, brown rice syrup (a non-GMO alternative to corn syrup with a lower glycemic impact) and real butter is heated over a flame and then stirred slowly by hand to develop its rich complex flavor and crunch. For the cheese corn, real cheddar cheese is melted in special kettles and then gently mixed with locally-grown, air-popped corn. The result is a perfect combination of tastes, two-cheese to one-caramel in every bag. And, this treat is all natural and completely free of GMO’s, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives!

 

GH Cretors sent us a great package of their delicious big fluffy popped corn to review. Five flavors we all enjoyed were:

-Chicago Mix
-Just the Cheese Corn
-Just the Caramel Corn
-Kettlecorn
-Caramel Nut Crunch

G.H. Cretors’ Chicago Mix is currently available at select natural food and mainstream grocery stores across the country for an SRP of $3.99 per 6.5oz bag. All GH Cretors flavors are available for purchase online at amazon.com.

GH Cretors wants to help parents transition their kids from candy to more healthy snacks once the indulgence of Halloween is over.

So, for two weeks after the annual stuff-your-face-with-candy night of stomach aches (Nov 1-17), GH Cretors is offering 10% off any online order for their Facebook fans.

With a lineup of Chicago Mix, caramel, cheddar and kettle corn, G.H. Cretors keeps to tradition by making its popped corn the good old fashioned way (by hand in copper kettles) and adds a new healthy twist, making its snacks completely free of GMO’s, artificial colors or flavors.

Simply “Like” them on Facebook and enter your email address to receive the discount code. We hope you’ll treat yourself to a snack, or perhaps share the offer with your readers if you have a chance.

Ps. at the end of the two weeks, one winner will also receive a complimentary variety pack of GH Cretors.

 

*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about G.H. Cretors. The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.