Food, Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Snack Naturally With Sweet Chaos Popcorn

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

If you have been following this blog for any length of time, you know that my family loves to snack. I am always extra excited to discover snacks that use natural ingredients. Sweet Chaos is a company that I recently discovered that makes popcorn in an array of delicious flavors. What makes this popcorn stand out is that they pop their non-GMO popcorn in coconut oil. Sweet Chaos popcorn is gluten-free, as well as free from high fructose corn syrup, trans fat, and artificial colors and flavors.

We had the pleasure of trying Sweet Chaos Popcorn in the following flavors:

  • Sea Salt
  • White Cheddar
  • Kettle Corn
  • Honey Chipotle
  • Chaos Mix
  • Jalapeno Blue Cheese

The sea salt flavor is for the popcorn purist. Sweet Chaos uses real sea salt, and the coconut oil adds a unique richness.

My family’s favorite flavor was the Chaos Mix, which is a mixture of cheddar cheese and caramel. The mixture of sweet and savory is just right!

I like how the kernels are nice and crisp. Sweet Chaos Popcorn is the perfect food to satisfy your next snack craving.

Where To Purchase Sweet Chaos Popcorn

Sweet Chaos Popcorn is available through their online store. They also make decadent-sounding drizzled popcorn if you are looking for a truly sweet treat!

Sweet Chaos Popcorn Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win six bags of Sweet Chaos Popcorn: Kettle Corn, Sea Salt, Honey Chipotle, Jalapeno Blue Cheese, Chaos Mix, and White Cheddar!

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Food, Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Treat Yourself To Blake’s Seed-Based Rice Crispy Treats

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Blake’s Seed Based is another company that I discovered through the Online Nourished Festival. The idea for this company was born as a result of the founder’s own nut allergy. As an athlete, he wanted to create a bar that would provide healthy fuel, without nuts. Since both of my kids are allergic to nuts, I was eager to have them try these products.

I love the bright and fun packaging!

Blake’s Seed-Based Rice Crispy Treats

#MOLDIV

Blake’s Seed-Based Rice Crispy Treats are a treat you can feel good about eating. They come in chocolate chip and strawberry flavors, and both are moist and delicious. These cute bars are made with pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, and brown flax seed. Seeds are a good food to include in your diet because they are nutrient-dense and contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. If food allergies are of a concern to you, it is reassuring that Blake’s Seed-Based products are made in a nut-free and gluten-free facility and are free from peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, soy and sesame.

#MOLDIV

Blake’s Seed-Based Snack Bars

Blake’s Seed Based also makes nut-free snack bars using pumpkin, sunflower and flax seed. They come in the following flavors:

  • Blueberry Lemon
  • Raspberry
  • S’mores
  • Pineapple

We tried the S’mores flavor and it is sure to satisfy any chocolate craving you may have without being overly sweet. The seeds give the bar a heartier texture but they are easy to eat (unlike some bars I have had where nuts are the main ingredient and they almost break your teeth.)

Where To Purchase Blake’s Seed Based Products

Blake’s Seed Based Snack Bars and Rice Crispy Treats are available through their website or at a store near you.

Blake’s Seed-Based Rice Crispy Treats Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win two 6-ct. boxes of Blake’s Seed-Based Rice Crispy Treats!

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Giveaways, Movies, Sponsored

Be Inspired By Colors of Character

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Have you ever heard of an artist named Steve Skipper? After watching a documentary called Colors of Character, I hope that his amazing story and artwork become more well-known. Skipper’s paintings are evidence of God-given talent, and he does indeed give God all of the glory! The movie goes into great detail about his rough and troubled childhood (I think the recommendation of ages 12 and up is appropriate). As painful as the reenactments and personal narrative are to watch, they are an integral part of Skipper’s testimony. Colors of Character is an inspiring story about the redemptive power of God and how He can do great things through those who heed His call.

Synopsis

Steve Skipper is one of the most prolific artists in the realms of sports, civil-rights, equestrian, portraiture, and Christian artwork. Skipper has shattered barriers of race and education in the art world. His works are on permanent display in some of the most hallowed halls in America, including: the Pro Football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, International Sports Halls of Fame, the Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, and has been honored with unveilings at Chelsea Piers in NYC, the MGM Grand and Monte Carlo in Las Vegas, and Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta.
With no formal training, Skipper openly gives credit to Jesus Christ for his gifts and for every opportunity that he has been given. An ex-gang member and drug addict, Skipper was transformed into an internationally respected artist.

How To Watch Colors of Character

Rent/buy Colors of Character on DVD or on demand from the comfort of your own home, and watch wherever you watch movies!

Colors of Character Digital Code Giveaway #ColorsOfCharacterMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a digital code to watch Colors of Character.

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Food, Giveaways, Sponsored

The Ultimate Grain-Free Cookies With Otto’s Naturals

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

One of the many brands that I learned about at the Online Nourished Festival was Otto’s Naturals. This family-run business makes Cassava Flour, which is a grain-free replacement for wheat flour. Cassava flour is made from 100% Yuca root and it is gluten-free, grain-free and nut-free.

Otto’s Naturals sent me some of their Cassava Flour, along with their Grain-Free Ultimate Cookie Mix (which is also made with Cassava Flour).

The Ultimate Cookie Mix is super easy to use. All you have to do is stir together the mix, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of melted butter (or dairy-free alternative), 1 teaspoon of vanilla and up to 1 cup of mix-ins of your choice. I made “Kitchen Sink” cookies by mixing in candy coated chocolates, chocolate chips and broken pretzel pieces-yum! They turned out delicious and no one in my family could tell that I used a different type of flour. I am looking forward to using the Otto’s Naturals Cassava Flour in some pancakes or waffles next.

Where To Purchase Otto’s Naturals Products

Otto’s Naturals products are available online or at a store near you.

Otto’s Naturals Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win two packs of Otto’s Naturals Grain-Free Ultimate Cookie Mix and a branded spoon.

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National Parks, Restaurant Reviews, Vacation

Zion River Walk & Dinner

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We continued on our spring break road trip by driving from Las Vegas to Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah. I want to write a separate post on parking and the shuttle system since it is a little tricky. We rode a shuttle to the Riverside Walk and ate our lunch from Hoodoo’s General Store on a low stone wall.

I am not sure why I placed the stray onions on the sandwich before taking a picture. We were actually pretty impressed with the Hoodoo’s sandwiches–the bread was fresh, and it had a good amount of meat. Our family has had our share of bad sandwiches during national park visits, and these freshly made sandwiches were much better than many of the others.

This was our second time going on the Riverside Walk (1.9 mi. out and back), but unlike our first time, we did not have to bring strollers-ha! I think this is one of the best paved trails that we have been on.

This is the entrance to the Narrows. We had to laugh at the group who was contemplating hiking into the Narrows without any preparation whatsoever. They were wondering if they should just take their shoes off and go in waist-deep. Um, no. There is a company that will rent you the special pants and boots along with a hiking pole, but it is located at the Visitor Center.

Dinner At Zion Pizza & Noodle

We ordered takeout from Zion Pizza & Noodle Co. I highly recommend takeout, as the wait to be seated was about an hour, even at 5 p.m.! I was a little weary of trying this place again since I thought the crust was too soggy last time.

I am happy to report that the pizza was much better this time around! There was one spot where the dough was a little doughy, but overall this was a good pizza experience. There are not many dining options in Springdale, so I am glad that Zion Pizza & Noodle has survived. (I am sorry to say that the same cannot be said about the Bumbleberry Gifts, where had Bumbleberry Pie during our first trip. They had a fire last year and are currently re-building. So sad).

The aptly named Cholesterol Hiker Pizza: Tomato sauce, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Italian sausage, mushrooms, mozzarella & cheddar cheeses.
The White Sun Pizza: Garlic infused Olive Oil, Spinach, Pineapple, Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, cheddar & parmesan cheeses. This was a hit!

Our hotel (Holiday Inn Express-Springdale Zion) had a nice firepit which was nice to sit around in the chilly night air.

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Movies, Sponsored

New Family-Friendly Netflix Movie: A Week Away

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Netflix.

I am always on the lookout for family-friendly movies with a positive message. Therefore, I am excited about a new movie coming out on this Friday, March 26: A Week Away.

Synopsis

Troubled teen Will Hawkins (Kevin Quinn) has a choice to make – go to juvenile detention or attend a Christian summer camp. While at camp, and with the help of his music, new friends and love interest (Bailee Madison), he learns the healing powers of kindness, forgiveness, and faith can be found in the most unlikely of places.

As you can see from the trailer, this movie has a musical format. The upbeat and inspirational songs, along with the choreography, seem like they add a lot of energy to the storyline. It is exciting to see that the movie has “reimagined songs” from For King & Country, Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant.

As a Christian, I am interested to see how the movie portrays Christianity through the lens of a Christian summer camp setting. I personally know how powerful “a week away” can be for someone who is searching for answers to life’s questions. My hope is that watching this movie with my kids will open up some meaningful dialogue about the movie’s themes of kindness, forgiveness and faith. Be sure to be on the lookout for A Week Away on Netflix this Friday, March 26!

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Vacation

Spring Break Visit To Red Rock Canyon

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Happy spring! Our school district’s spring break is relatively early, so we already completed our spring break road trip to Nevada and Utah.

Seven Magic Mountains

The first stop on our itinerary was Seven Magic Mountains, an art installation located just outside of Las Vegas.

The first time we visited, I thought that this place would not be around for much longer. Three years later, it still seems to attract a steady stream of visitors.

I took pictures of k for her newly established IG account. 🙂

Hiking In Red Rock Canyon

Our next stop was Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The first time we tried visiting this park they turned us away because it was too crowded. In November of last year, they instituted an online reservation system for timed entry from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 31. The fee is $15 and it was well worth it.

My plan was for us to do the Calico Tanks hike first, but we ended up stopping at Calico Hills instead.

Looking around, it is quite apparent how this park received its name!

The variety of geological features along this hike is truly amazing.

There are rock climbing opportunities for kids (and adults!) everywhere you turn on this hike.

Lost Creek Children’s Discovery Trail

After exploring Calico Hills, we drove along the Scenic Loop to the Willow Creek picnic area. As usual, we ate sandwiches that we packed from home.

Our next stop was the Lost Creek Children’s Discovery Trail. This is a short hike, at only .80 miles and is rated easy-moderate.

One of the neat features of this hike is a small waterfall.

n looks so young in this picture. He is like a mountain goat and easily scrambles over rocks when we hike.

M Resort & Slater’s 50/50

I found a good deal at the M Resort in Henderson, so it was worth it do a little back-tracking.

The M Resort is now the official Raiders hotel. There was branding everywhere.

The standard rooms are quite spacious, especially the bathroom.

We took turns in the soaking tub and it felt quite luxurious. There is even a television embedded in the bathroom mirror-cool!

For dinner, we splurged (price-wise and calorie-wise) on burgers from Slater’s 50/50. Since I am still not completely comfortable eating at restaurants indoors, we brought our food back to our hotel room. I told n this was his birthday dinner since the food options later in our trip would be limited. It was a tasty dinner, especially after a day of hiking!

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Reviews, Sponsored

Burn Cleaner Candles With Terra Vela

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I recently read about the benefits of burning soy candles, including that they give off less toxic fumes than other traditional candles. So off to Google I went, where I came across Terra Vela Soy Candles. Terra Vela uses 100% natural, biodegradable soy wax and all cotton wicks, along with essential oils and phthalate-free fragrance oils. It was also exciting to learn that this small business is local to me, as the candles are made in Huntington Beach, California.

One of the reasons I like burning candles in my home is because the scent can transport to you another place and time. Terra Vela has a wide range of scents that can evoke memories of a relaxing day at the beach (e.g. Beach House), or a refreshing walk in the forest (e.g. Aspen).

Each Terra Vela candle comes in an individual box made of 100% recycled material. I appreciate how the hand-stamped label gives the candle an extra artisan-touch.

This “Bliss” soy candle was one of my favorite Terra Vela candles that I tried. The box describes the scent as follows: “A sparkling, fruit fragrance with top notes of pineapple, jasmine and grapefruit, finished off with mango and sugared musk”. Since I am a fan of of fruity fragrances, I can see why this candle appeals to me. It also reminds me of the Bath and Body Works Champagne Toast fragrance, if anyone is familiar.

I also really like the clean aesthetic of the Terra Vela Soy Candles. They do not use coloring, as using synthetic petroleum-based colorants would compromise their commitment to using natural ingredients. The simple clear glass container is easily incorporated into any interior. Therefore, these candles would fit anyone’s style and make an easy gift; think housewarming, Easter, Mother’s Day, etc.

Where To Purchase Terra Vela Soy Candles

Terra Vela Soy Candles are available through their online store. They also offer a variety of other natural home fragrance products, including essential oils, diffusers, and soy melts. To receive 20% off your purchase, use the following discount code at checkout: 20

Terra Vela Soy Candles Giveaway

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Food, Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Pretzel Pete Snacks Are Delicious AND Allergen-Safe

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Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Pretzels are one of my family’s favorite snacks to munch on. I recently learned about Pretzel Pete, a family-owned company dedicated to making delicious pretzels with natural ingredients. What makes Pretzel Pete especially stand out to me is that their snacks are made in a peanut and tree nut-free facility. As a parent of two kids with nut allergies, I know how difficult it is to find truly allergen-safe snacks. Even if no one in your family has nut allergies, you probably know someone who does. It is reassuring to know that you can share these snacks with others without worries about cross-contamination.

Pretzel Pete Mini Twists

The shape of the classic twist pretzel reminds me of a friendly hug. The Pretzel Pete Mini Twist Pretzels are light and crisp and have just the right amount of salt. It is also notable that Pretzel Pete offers two gluten-free options for anyone who adheres to a gluten-free diet. Pretzel Pete Mini Twist Pretzels come in the following flavors:

  • Lightly Salted Whole Wheat Mini Twist Pretzels
  • Salted Caramel Mini Twist Pretzels
  • Cheese Pizza Mini Twist Pretzels
  • Gluten-Free Salted Mini Twist Pretzels
  • Gluten-Free Sour Cream Chives Mini Twist Pretzels

Pretzel Pete Nuggets

Pretzel Nuggets are perfect for when you are craving a heartier crunch. The Pretzel Pete Pretzel Nuggets come in the following flavors:

  • Cheddar & Ale Seasoned Pretzel Nuggets
  • Honey Mustard & Onion Seasoned Pretzel Nuggets
  • Garlic & Parmesan Seasoned Pretzel Nuggets

Don’t all of these flavor combinations sound so delectable? My favorite is the Garlic & Parmesan, since I am a big garlic fan. Pretzel Pete “soaks” their pretzels with seasoning instead of just spraying it on like most manufacturers. I have to say that this process really makes a difference in increasing the flavor intensity.

Pretzel Pete Seasoned Pretzel Pieces

I really like Pretzel Pete’s idea of making bags of pretzel pieces. All of the irregular nooks and crannies provide a lot of places for the unique seasoning to permeate. The Pretzel Pete Pretzel Pieces come in the following bold flavors:

  • Smokey Bacon Cheddar Seasoned Pretzel Pieces
  • Buffalo Blue Seasoned Pretzel Pieces
  • Cinnamon Brown Sugar Seasoned Pretzel Pieces

My son likes just about anything with bacon, so of course he wanted to try the Smokey Bacon Cheddar flavor first. He gave them a big thumbs up!

We will definitely be packing Pretzel Pete snacks with us for our spring break excursions!

Where To Purchase Pretzel Pete Snacks

Pretzel Pete products are available through their online store, or at a store near you.

Pretzel Pete Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win an assortment of Pretzel Pete products!

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One Minute Parenting Tips That We Can All Use

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Disclosure: This post is made possible with support from the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, part of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. All opinions are my own.

If you have a teenager at home, you know that communication is key for developing and maintaining a healthy relationship. The Center for Parent and Teen Communication (“CPTC”) uses science-based strategies to help families thrive. To receive the CPTC’s newsletter featuring helpful parenting tips delivered straight to your inbox, sign up here.

One Minute Parenting Tips

CPTC recently published six one-minute animations that I found to be both thought-provoking and helpful as I navigate the parenting journey. 

My favorite CPTC animation is Parenting Style. According to this video, we should strive to be “lighthouse” parents. We need to shine our light on potential issues with our kids to avoid bigger problems.

I can see the benefit of acting as a lighthouse for my son as he started middle school and struggled on a couple of tests. My first instinct was to email his teacher myself. Instead, I encouraged my son to talk to his teacher about study strategies. Now, I see him advocating for himself without my prompting, which will benefit him in the future.

Take a little time (just six minutes total!) to watch these CPTC animations:

Inquire and Listen

Parenting Style

Self-Interested Teens

Monitor Your Teen

Destination, Good Communication

Spot Teen Strengths

These short videos contain valuable nuggets of parenting advice that will help you better understand and communicate with your teen.

Which one is your favorite?  Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know!

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