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March 22, 2020

Easy Peanut Butter Snack

I received this product free for purposes of my review.

These delicious bnutty Gourmet Peanut Butters arrived just in time for everyone to be stuck at home. So, I made one of our favorite snacks.

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Crackers

Ingredients:

Ritz Crackers
Chocolate Chips (or other meltable chocolate)
bnutty Peanut Butter

Directions:

Spread peanut butter thinly on 1 cracker and top with 2nd cracker
Prepare about a dozen of these
Melt chocolate at 15 second intervals in the microwave, stirring each time
Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, dip 1/2 of each peanut butter cracker sandwich into the chocolate
Set on a pan lined with wax paper to cool and harden
Share some with your family!

These are so easy to make, so tasty, and are loved by adults and kids! And the bnutty gourmet peanut butters make these especially delicious!

bnutty Review

I’m just loving bnutty Gourmet Peanut Butters! These delicious peanut butters are available for purchase on their Website. I was sent 6 different bnutty peanut butters to test and they’re all delicious.

And the Totally Toffee is definitely my favorite! It’s crunchy and not too sweet!

Blissful Blueberry is a close second though. I could just sit down and eat this one with a spoon – LOL.

Irresistible Pretzel is crunchy and salty. So delicious! Especially if you’re wanting something more salty than sweet.

Cinnamon Sugar Cookie is like a dessert peanut butter. In fact, I could probably just eat it for dessert!

Simply Salted Caramel is like a caramel peanut butter.

And skinny dip is like peanut butter with granola in it. Probably the most filling of the 6 peanut butters.

Basically, they’re all delicious and especially since we’re stuck at home, it’s nice to have a special treat that everyone can enjoy!

March 20, 2020March 20, 2020

Keep Kids Smart with ART

Starting this Friday, March 20, the Boca Raton Museum of Art is launching a new series of free Online Community Art Initiatives for all ages at this link. Featuring the new Keep Kids Smart with ART series to help parents and their children who are home from school.

The Museum has always provided the community the added benefit of an Art School campus with an innovative art faculty, since its very beginnings in 1950. These art educators are using their expertise to develop online resources using the power of art. Also for seniors who are keeping social distance and who might feel isolated.

This series will provide art-oriented ways for people to creatively utilize their new free-time at home. Online art lessons, tips for parents to use art-making and creativity with their kids at home, and activities for all ages.

The resources on this landing page will evolve as time passes, as the art teachers receive feedback and reactions from families about their needs. It will also branch out to the Museum’s social media channels for ongoing activities — #BocaMuseumatHome.

Mirror, Mirror; Mulatta Seeking Inner Negress II – Alison Saar

New Exhibit: The Ultimate Collection of “Selfies” by America’s Leading Artists: from 1901 through 2015.

The term self-conscious takes on a whole new meaning in today’s social media era.

At a time when millions of selfies are posted every day and identity is proving to be more fluid, this exhibition from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery shines a new light on self-portraiture and representation.

The show was created to commemorate the National Portrait Gallery’s 50th anniversary, celebrating the artists who make the NPG Collection so extraordinary.

Eye to I brings together the work of major artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. The powerful works are from every decade, starting in 1901 and continuing through 2015.

The Museum is launching a new series of free Online Community Initiatives for all ages, including Keep Kids Smart with ART that will aim to help parents and their children who are home from school.

These free Online Community Initiatives will also reach out to seniors who are keeping social distance and who might feel isolated.

Starting on Friday, March 20 the Museum’s website will provide regularly updated links to new ongoing activities here, including live interactive streaming and tips for parents.

Quote from the Museum Director:“Art, culture, and creativity have always made a difference in powerful ways, especially during challenging times,” said Irvin Lippman, the executive director of the Boca Raton Museum of Art. “While the Museum is temporarily closed, we will continue to give back to the community. Being inspired and creative have not been canceled. These artists in our new exhibition, “Eye to I: Self Portraits from the National Portrait Gallery,” made a lasting mirror effect of themselves, cutting across time and creating a very personal art that engages us – the viewer.” adds Lippman.

According to the National School Boards Association, kids who study art are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.

Studies show that art helps kids earn higher report card grades because skills developed through art lead to better learning in other areas.

Tips for parents and students on using art in your home:

Provide a special “creative zone” at home.
Make sure that your “creative zone” is mess-friendly and able to stand up well to spills and art-related fun.
Focus on the fun process, not on the outcome.
Create a special area to showcase your child’s artwork.
Watch and encourage your children as they work on their art.
Ask them questions to engage them while they create.

Check out Boca Raton Museum of Art’s online art today!

March 11, 2020

ZOKU Stainless Steel Bottle – Review and Giveaway

Thanks to ZOKU for 3 amazing products! Check out my reviews of their Stackable Containers and Pocket Straw if you haven’t read them already.

This month, I get to give away a Zoku Reusable Stainless Steel Bottle. This bottle arrived at my house and my 6yr old son tried to swipe it before I even got any pictures!

He’s basically claimed it as his own and takes it everywhere with him. School, park, back yard, bed, etc. It’s quite sturdy and has held up really well to the drops and bumps of being carted everywhere by a little boy.

Check it out on Amazon!

A couple of our favorite features:

Stainless steel – it’s basically impossible to damage!
Insulated – ice water stays cold for a really long time. This is really important to my son, he’s all about ice in his water!
Wide opening – it’s impossible to get ice cubes in a tiny opening. Really, Ice is SO important. It would also be great for adding cucumbers or lemon to your water. It’s large enough to get these things in AND out. Though, I wouldn’t know, because he won’t even share with me…
Blue Lid – I tried to convince him to use a carabiner to clip the water bottle to his backpack, but he prefers to stick it in a pocket. Either way, the blue strap makes it easy to identify the bottle as his, and it makes it easier to grab out of his backpack pocket.
Secure Lid – The lid screws on tight but not too tight. It’s easy to get off when you want it off but it isn’t going to come off on its own. So a 6yr old can safely toss it in his backpack with everything else and I don’t have to worry about water leaking everywhere!

Check out Zoku on Social:

Zoku on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

This giveaway runs until March 29th. Winner will be notified by the sponsor.

Win Zoku’s Reusable Stainless Steel Bottle #6

February 10, 2020February 12, 2020

Fun Valentine Gift List

*This is a Sponsored Post*

Valentines day is a week away and this year I’ve been looking for unusual Valentine gifts. My kids love Valentines day, we have little mailboxes, valentine cards, chocolate, and a tea party for dinner. But for me, let’s be honest, hubby and I are a bit tired of the usual chocolate and roses every year. So, I’ve rounded up some family friendly, unique Valentine gifts for this year!

1. Sunglasses from Sunglass Warehouse – Summer is just around the corner so what better way to say “I love you” than with a cool new pair of sunglasses? Sunglass Warehouse has sunglasses that are fun and inexpensive. So I can gift something useful and fun without breaking the bank!

I’m loving these Oversize Cat Eyed Sunglasses – Bianca by Foster Grant. They’re so much fun! And this pink Daisy case is perfect for keeping them safe!

And check out the “Superman” glasses that I got for my husband. They remind me of the glasses Clark Kent wears. For some reason I’ve always loved this style on my hubby! They’re actually called Castle Rock, and they’re Polarized Retro Square Sunglasses. My husband saw them when I was taking pictures and stole them right away (I almost didn’t get pictures), couldn’t even wait for Valentines Day. And at $15 they’re practically a steal. He stuck these glasses in the soft case with a cleaning cloth, and he’s good to go.

2. Glow Battle from Starlux Games – I have 4 kids and this makes a perfect group gift for them! They’re basically light up foam swords and the kids love them! Even the 2 yr old insists on being in on the action.

They have a switch for turning them on and off and have a replaceable battery so they’re amazing for multiple uses. The foam is soft and covered with a plastic sheet that is sword patterned.

There’s 10 swords (5 blue, 5 green), 10 bracelets (5 blue, 5 green), a whole stack of game ideas, and 8 beacons (4 blue, 4 green). From just running around the yard and sword fighting, to capture the flag with the beacons, they’re having a blast. And we’re planning a back yard evening with friends as soon as the weather warms up so we can use all 10 swords at once!

I am loving how Starlux games has replaceable batteries because I know we’re going to go through a lot of them this summer!

3. Umbrella from La Bella Umbrella – I’m just loving this “Love at Sunset” umbrella from La Bella Umbrella. They have a variety of umbrella designs and styles to choose from. From animals, to food, to paintings. And considering the amount of rain we’ve gotten so far this February, this is the best Valentine Gift yet!

While the hand shaped heart is perfect for a Valentine Gift to my husband, it’s also a great gift for my girls, who love pictures with hearts and love umbrellas. In fact, I chose the stick umbrella because it’s their favorite style!

This umbrella is sturdy, large, and so cute! If you don’t want hearts they have many other fun designs. And they have umbrella styles from stick to automatic so there’s easily something for everyone.

It’s so hard to not just claim this umbrella as my own. I’m just loving the white handle! It’s large, soft, and has a terrific grip making it a lot easier to hold on to.

And, it comes in a carrying case with a strap so I can tote it around hands free if I want it along but don’t need it yet!

With these gifts, we’re basically all set for spring! Sunglasses, umbrella, back yard game! Because once Valentines day is over, I’m hoping for some early spring weather!

February 5, 2020

Beyond the Equator Seed Butter Recipes

* This is a sponsored post *

With 4 kids, the probability is really high that more than one of them is in a classroom, group, or event with another child who has a peanut allergy. Because we love peanut butter, and my kids really don’t want to give up their favorite peanut butter foods, I’ve tried a LOT of other nut butters and seed butters. Most of these butters have been quickly rejected by my kids. They just don’t taste like what they’re used to. And while I personally love cashew butter, it’s still a nut. And I can have it some places and not others.

So…I was excited and not excited to try a new brand of seed butters. One thing that made me optimistic about Beyond the Equator was that they’re a 5 seed butter. Because, let me tell you, I cannot stand the taste of sunflower seed butter! And I’ve tried at least 10 of them. So, I promise you, it’s not the fault of the person making the butter, it’s the sunflower.

Beyond the Equator sent me their 3 5 Seed Butter Butters. (Say that 5 times fast!). These butters have Chai, Flax, Pumpkin, Sunflower, and Hemp seeds. No nuts. And they come in 3 varieties, Crunchy, Creamy, and Unsweetened.

If you’re eating the butters straight out of the jar, they all have the texture of a natural peanut butter. The unsweetened, I can definitely taste the sunflower seeds in, so I don’t really like it plain. But on a sandwich or in a recipe, it’s perfect.

The Creamy really is the closest to my kid’s favorite peanut butter that I’ve found in a nut butter. And best of all, my kids don’t mind eating it!

The crunchy isn’t quite as sweet as the creamy but still sweeter than the unsweetened. This jar is mine, because my kids don’t like crunchy. Which is fine by me. It tastes great and makes a terrific PB&J – all for me.

Muddy Buddies

One snack my kids are constantly sad they can’t take to events is Muddy Buddies. Because, if you have anyone allergic to nuts, these are basically terrible. So, we took the unsweetened Beyond the Equator 5 Seed Butter and gave it a try.

My kids devoured these just like they do our usual recipe, and we even shared them with guests and no one knew they were made with “special butter” until we told them! My kids are definitely planning to make these again AND take them to share with friends!

Ingredients

8 Cups chex cereal – I prefer the rice chex because they have very little flavor

1 cup chocolate chips – I like milk chocolate

1/2 cup Beyond the Equator 5 Seed Butter – I like the unsweetened

1/4 cup Butter – melted

2 Cups powdered sugar

Directions

Put chocolate, butter, and 5 seed butter in a bowl. Microwave at 15 second increments, stirring between, until everything is melted and mixed together.
Pour 8 cups chex in a bowl. Pour chocolate mixture over chex and stir until all chex are covered in chocolate
Pour 2 cups of powdered sugar over chocolate covered chex and stir until everything is white.
Dump mixture onto a cookie sheet to cool
Try not to eat it all yourself!

Nut Butter Protein Balls

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups oats

3/4 cup Beyond the Equator 5 Seed Butter – if this isn’t enough add a few tablespoons at a time until the mixture is the right consistency

3 Tbst honey or molasses

1/4 cup m&ms

Directions

Pulse oats in a food processor until coarsely ground
Mix oats, seed butter, and honey until well mixed and you can form balls with them. If they aren’t sticky enough, add a little more seed butter. Especially if you’re using the crunchy seed butter, you’ll probably need a little more.
Mix in m&ms or other desired mixin
Form into balls and set out to dry.

February 1, 2020January 31, 2020

Zoku Stackable Containers – Review and Giveaway

Thanks to Zoku for sending these awesome containers for me to review! AND, I get to give away a full set as well. So, keep reading, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom.

I’m loving these Zoku 11-pc Neat Stack stackable containers. They all stack together to fit well in my cupboard. They come in 4 different sizes and there’s even a freezer pack that clips inside one of the large lids – perfect for those days that I pack a salad! You almost can’t tell that the freezer pack is there. It looks like part of the lid.

I love that the lids clip on on 4 sides. They’re easy to clip down and the clips are large enough that it’s easy to grab them and open them when I want to open the container. They also have a nice seal on the inside edge so when the container is closed, it’s sealed. Perfect for packing lunches that I’m worried about spilling everywhere.

I can put soup in these, lock down the lid, and shake them up, and nothing spills. How awesome is that!

My Favorite Features:

Locking Lids – they snap open and shut and stay shut when I shut them. It’s basically impossible not to love a container with a good lid.
Inner Seal – there’s a seal in the lid. So, when it’s shut, it’s shut tight. Perfect for soup, salad with dressing, pasta with sauce, etc.
Fun Colors – I do love the different colored containers, because colors are just so much fun!
Ice Pack – I really hate eating warm salad for lunch. I mean, I stick it in an insulated lunch box but it’s just not that cold by lunch time. The ice pack is absolutely amazing!
Stackable – They all stack neatly together, lids on the bottom, bowls on top. And it all fits in my cupboard without taking up a lot of room.

Pretty much everyone needs new plastic containers. Honestly, I probably need to throw out all my old ones and just restock with a bunch of these. And you can buy your own Zoku 11-pc Neat Stack Set on Amazon. You can also enter the giveaway for a chance to win your own!

Follow Zoku on social media:
Pinterest
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Now for the fun part! Enter below for your chance to win your very own Zoku Stackable Containers!

January 31, 2020January 31, 2020

National Fun at Work Day

What do we do for Fun?

One Fun thing about being an entrepreneur is being in charge of the office. Our employees often have the option of working from home, and they often do that. So, I’m always excited about days that make it fun to be in the office.

We’re kind of in the midst of the winter blues here so something fun is definitely needed.

National Fun at Work Day is today and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve brought in some of my favorite cookies and we’re encouraging employees to have some fun. Even if that’s just one extra foos ball break.

Wait, what is a foos ball break, you ask? Well, we have a foos table in the office. And when employees need a break, they are encouraged to bring along another employee – who may or may not need a break – to join them in a little fun competition.

It’s kind of like a water cooler, just louder.

For today, we’ll even break out the scoreboard and see who we can crown foos champion at the end of the day!

What is National Fun at Work Day?

Well, it’s a day for having fun at work. Not that you don’t already. At least I hope you do. But it’s a special day for having more fun that usual. And this year, it falls on a Friday, which makes it even more fun. Let’s just see how many more times I can say fun in this paragraph, because its, well…fun!

Did you know that 1963 was when the first cubicles were introduced? Can’t say that I find that fun. But, you can find this and other fun facts about having fun at the office at the official National Fun At Work Day page.

Also check out top global if you’re needing some help marketing your fun day at work.

*this is a sponsored post

January 28, 2020

Katari Beauty – Review

Katari Beauty sent me 2 beauty products to review. Hoba Oil and Rosewater.

I’m kind of a skincare enthusiast. I love trying new products and rarely stick with the same brand for long. And these days, I’m super excited about all the great new products that are out there. I just need to try them all!

Katari Beauty – Mediterranean is a simple-ingredient skincare routine. There are 2 products. Hoba Oil and Rosewater. For moisturizing and toning.

I wash my face with water. This is my preferred cleansing routine as many facial cleansers tend to dry out my skin.
The Hoba Oil is 100% pure JOJOBA OIL – it’s a natural primer, moisturizer, hair, beard & scalp conditioner. And perfect for sensitive skin. While I don’t necessarily have sensitive skin, I prefer to use products that are gentle on my skin because harsh products do tend to irritate. I just put some on my fingers and rub it in on my face. Since this is an oil, it tends to drip a little so I always have a tad left on my hands that I just rub in – because my hands need moisturizing too.
The Rosweater spray (Roseau) comes in a spray bottle. After rubbing in the Hoba oil, I just add 2 sprays of this to my face. It is 100% pure Rose Water (vapor-distilled rose petal hydrosol), perfect for all skin types. As an added plus, I absolutely LOVE the smell of Rose Water, making this the perfect finish to my facial care routine. Not only is is good for my skin, it smells amazing!

I am loving how simple this routine is and how simple the ingredients are. They’re high quality facial products without a bunch of added ingredients. And after almost 2 weeks of using them, my facial skin is holding up well to the cold winter that we’re having.

Want to check these out for yourself? Head to their website: Katari Beauty and use code 50offcleanbeauty for 50% off your purchase!

January 21, 2020

Hyland’s Baby & Children’s Products – Review

We’re fully immersed in Cough & Cold season and Hyland’s natural homeopathic products can help! Hyland’s sent me a box of their terrific products to review. Cough and cold for kids. Ear ache. And my favorite, with growing kids, Leg Pain Relief. I remember leg cramps as a kid, and especially in winter, my kids seem to get them as well. This is an easy, natural way to help relieve pain.

I have several Hyland’s products that I already love, so I was super excited to try out everything else!

For example, I discovered Hyland’s Tiny Cold Tablets last year when my little guy had a cold at Thanksgiving while we were out of town. Talk about rough! I browsed the baby isle at Kroger, desperate for something that would help him feel better and that he would take.

He loves these. Actually gets mad at me for not just handing over the entire bottle – LOL. They’re teeny, tiny, little tablets that basically dissolve before the baby can decide if he actually wants them or not. I followed the dosage instructions and these really do a great job of easing the baby’s cold symptoms. I’m excited to have a bunch on hand for this year!

When the symptoms get rough this cold and flu season, reach for Hyland’s–the safe and gentle line of homeopathic medicines that parents have trusted since 1903.

Their proprietary formulas are developed by pharmacists using natural active ingredients that are strong in relieving symptoms, but gentle in the way they work.

With so few options available to parents for comforting little ones, Hyland’s makes it easy for parents to find a safe solution that’s just right for their child’s age and ailment so the whole family can get the rest they need.

These Oral Pain Relief tablets are one of my favorites. Not only do they help with teething pain – once again, they’re a quick dissolving tablet that my baby is happy to take – my tween uses them for gum pain right after her braces are adjusted. I feel so much better about her taking these as needed than I do about giving her pain medicine for a couple of days. The tiny bottle fits easily in my purse, or in her’s so it’s easy to have on hand for those rough days.

Hyland’s is great for keeping on hand for winter vacations, just in case, too! The products that come in tablet form are especially convenient during travel. And with 4 kids, it’s basically impossible to go anywhere without needing something!

For babies, Hyland’s also has Mucus & Cold Relief and Cough syrup. It’s so frustrating to me that most companies don’t make products for my baby’s cold symptoms. He’s coughing and coughing and I’m trying to convince him to eat honey because it’s the only thing in my house safe for him to consume.

Hyland’s Cough and Hyland’s Mucus & Cold are products that I hadn’t tried previously. And I’m not disappointed. The same high quality as their other products and gentle enough for my baby, yet, they do actually provide some symptom relief for him so that he can be more comfortable. A win win for everyone.

With a baby and children in my house, Hyland’s products are terrific to have on hand for all their sniffles and aches.

January 12, 2020

Fly Fly Again – Review

Fly Fly Again by Katie Jaffe and Jennifer Lawson. I’ve always loved flight. From building paper airplanes and flying kites as a kid to showing my kids how to do all these awesome things. Of course, we’ve added stomp rockets and drones to our flight arsenal.

So, I was excited to check out and review this cute book.

Review:

The other day, one of my kids asked me what sand dunes are (6yr old is working on 2 vowel words and read the word “dune” but didn’t know what it was). And I remembered a family trip to Kitty Hawk to explore the dunes where flight got it’s start. It’s always awesome to think of how many times people had to try before flight was actually achieved. This book does a great job of capturing that optimism and try try again mentality of someone who is truly passionate about what they want to accomplish.

She even enlists some help in her flight attempts. This really is a fun, and beautifully illustrated book about flight, friendship, and perseverance. Showing that if you just try again, eventually you’ll succeed.

This 15 page book was created for 5 to 10 year olds, but my 2yr old loves the pictures, even if he doesn’t understand the concept of perseverance.

And if you think about it. With over 600,000 pilots around the world, it’s amazing what just trying again and again can accomplish!

About the Authors:

Katie Jaffe: With a passion for children’s causes, Katie has committed herself to several charities, helping children around the world. As Creative Director and Design Consultant of Aviation for Spectre Air Capital, Katie has aided in the design of several high profile aircraft. Currently, she is leading the marketing and design effort of an overseas airline. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband–who is a pilot– and their three children who like to fly.

Jennifer Lawson: Lifelong educator and advocate of the Childrens’ Literacy Program. Jennifer seeks to bring knowledge to students through creative curriculum and technology on a global level. As Owner and President of Decision Tree Technologies, she is currently endeavoring to teach using technologically advanced solutions that excite today’s students. She lives in Austin, Texas with her family.

Author Q&A:

Where did you grow up /live now? I grew up in El Paso, Texas and moved to Austin to attend UT. I currently live in Austin with my husband and three children.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I have always wanted to be a writer.
Do you have kids and/or pets? Yes, I have 3 children and 2 dogs
What first inspired you to write? Since I was very young, I have always loved to write. I have also had a passion for children’s causes from a very young age, and writing this book was a great way to give back to children’s education with our proceeds benefiting UNICEF and Buzz Aldrin Ventures.
What inspired your story? Our story was inspired by my husband Jordan who has had a love of flight since he was a child. Our family is in the aviation industry and our 3 children have also developed a love for flying. We are constantly teaching them the basics of flight in our day to day life, and this book was the perfect way to do so for all kids that may be interested in flying.