Disclosure: I received a sample in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
During our recent travels, I have noticed that a growing number of restaurants are getting rid of plastic straws. We have all heard how those single-use straws are bad for the environment, so not using them is a step in the right direction. However, sometimes a straw comes in really handy. Enter the Zoku Pocket Straw!
The Zoku Pocket Straw is a reusable stainless steel straw that includes:
1 telescoping straw
1 carrying case
1 cleaning brush
I really like the simple design of this straw. It has a lightweight, “telescope” design which makes it compact and easy to carry on the go. I also appreciate how everything fits in the small carrying case, which features a loop hole for a key ring. The cleaning brush makes it easy to clean, and it is dishwasher-safe. It is also reassuring to know that this straw is BPA and phthalate free.
Make a resolution this year to stop using single-use straws!
Happy 2020! My blogging goal for this year is to have a better balance of sponsored vs. non-sponsored posts. To kick things off, here is a non-sponsored post about our visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
Since I was born in the late 70’s, Ronald Reagan is the first president I can remember. Reagan is my “childhood president”, if you will. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is located in Simi Valley, California. After receiving several recommendations, we added it to our winter break road trip itinerary.
First of all, the grounds are beautiful. The library is perched on a hilltop with a nice view. It was neat to see the flags with all of the past presidents along the road leading up to the library.
The fairly new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument was a nice tribute. It is important to remember the huge sacrifices that military families make.
There was also a Gold Star Memorial Christmas Tree. (We were able to see the Christmas decorations since we visited the day after Christmas.)
n is always willing to pose for the photo ops!
I told the kids they probably should not smile for this picture, but they could not help it.
The Cold War exhibit was eye-opening. It is hard to believe it happened not that long ago. (On another note, have you seen the movie, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas? n read the book for school so we watched the movie as a family. It is so sad and depressing, but does spark important conversations about history. Warning, it definitely deserves the PG-13 rating.)
A piece of the Berlin Wall is on display outside.
There is a replica of The Oval Office. A visit to Washington D.C. is on our list places to visit before the kids graduate from high school.
A definite highlight is walking through the Air Force One that served the presidents from 1973-2001. (We brought our lunch and ate at the tables below).
There was also an exhibit of Christmas Trees Around The World. I thought it appropriate to take a picture of the kids in between the trees from China and Japan-ha!
I also took a picture of D next to the Canada tree, since he was born there.
This portrait captures Reagan’s love of jelly beans. (It’s made from actual jelly beans!) There were a lot of jelly bean items for sale in the gift shop.
D resisted the urge to buy something a souvenir, including a $60 Presidential Tie.
Be sure to go around the side of the library to see the Stealth Fighter outside. We almost missed it.
There is also a rotation of temporary exhibits at the library. There were artifacts from Egypt when we went. However, I would save this part for the end so that you can avoid a long line at Air Force One.
It was pretty chilly that day!
This was our first visit to a Presidential Library and now I want to visit all of them! Next up: Nixon Library.
Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Last night we celebrated k’s 13th birthday at Medieval Times in Buena Park, CA. Medieval Times is a fun place to celebrate because it seems like everyone there is celebrating something. This makes the atmosphere very lively and energetic.
The holiday decorations added another layer of charm to the castle.
The Tournament
The arena is just the right size so everyone has a good view of the action. Little kids do not have to worry about having their view blocked by an adult in front of them, so that is nice.
The show itself is action-packed. It includes trained horses, a falcon, jousting and sword-fighting, along with some humor for good measure.
A Meal Fit For A King (Or Queen)
The Bill of Fare (aka menu) includes:
Tomato Bisque
Toasted Garlic Bread
Roasted Chicken (large portion, we needed a to-go bag)
Sweet Buttered Corn
Herb-Basted Potato
Dessert of the Castle (small cup of vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce)
Beverages (choice of Pepsi (reg. or diet), Sprite, or water)
Coffee (reg. or decaf)
It is fun eating without utensils, but a small wooden spoon is included with the ice cream!
Our waiter was courteous and prompt and provided great service. Be prepared to leave a cash tip at the end!
Discount Code
Medieval Times has nine locations across the United States:
Buena Park, CA
Dallas, TX
Baltimore, MD
Orlando, FL
Atlanta, GA
Lyndhurst, NJ
Myrtle Beach, SC
Chicago, IL
Scottsdale, AZ
Save 40% on Adults & 20% on Kids when you use code USF4020 at www.medievaltimes.com.
Enter Giveaway to Win 4 Tickets to Medieval Times!
Medieval Times is giving away 200 tickets! Five random winners will be selected monthly through September 2020 for a total of 50 winners. Enter giveaway here: https://woobox.com/ajdqrz
Winners will be notified via email during the first week of each month. Tickets will be emailed within two weeks. Not valid Saturdays at the Buena Park, CA castle.
Disclosure: I received compensation in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
It is amazing how much some movie theaters have upgraded the movie-going experience. With more people opting to skip going to movie theaters and watching movies at home, movie theaters realize they need to improve in order to attract audiences. The Century Stadium 25 and XD Theatre in Orange, California has met that challenge!
Yesterday we went as a family to watch Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker during a morning showing. It started at 9:10 a.m.! The time was perfect for our early riser family. It was easy to purchase tickets online and reserve seats weeks ahead of time here. The Century Stadium Theatre is located in the Stadium Promenade just around the corner from the Honda Center.
We made a stop at the concession stand even though it was early in the day. I think movie popcorn tastes good any time of day, right?
The 25 auditoriums are furnished with Cinemark Luxury Loungers – electric-powered, plush, oversize recliners with footrests, cup holders, swivel trays and heat-controlled seats. I do not think there is a “bad” seat in the house!
The swivel trays came in handy to hold our snacks. No more trying to balance a bag of popcorn in your lap! The picture quality and sound were both quite impressive and we had a great time. This is the movie theater to go to in Orange County if you want the ultimate movie experience!
The Century Stadium 25 and XD theatre is located at 1701 W. Katella Ave., Orange CA 92867 within the Stadium Promenade. For more information on showtimes, click here.
Disclosure: I was provided a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
D and I are both in our early 40’s, so we have a way to go until retirement. However, it is always fun to imagine how our life will be once we retire. In the book Reimagine Retirement, C.J. Cagle writes about retirement from a Christian perspective. When thinking about retirement, most people think of having a lot of extra free time, vacationing, etc. while being on a fixed income. In contrast, Cagle urges readers to figure out how we can use the retirement years to glorify God.
This book has three parts, including reimagaining your perspective on retirement, remimagining your plan for retirement, and reimagining your life in retirement. While Cagle does not claim to be a financial professional, he outlines a lot of the basic financial and pragmatic considerations that are necessary to take into account before retiring. I also thought the section about being a good steward of our resources: Time (serving and mentoring); Talents (calling and vocation); Testimony (character and perseverance); and Treasure (stewardship and generosity) was especially thought-provoking. Whether retirement is years away or a current possibility, Reimagine Retirement is a valuable resource.
Disclosure: I received a sample in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Do you prefer your coffee hot or cold? I’m actually a fan of both, depending on what mood I am in. Within the past couple of years, I have been drinking more cold brew coffee at home. I enjoy the taste because it is smoother and less acidic than regular hot coffee.
The process to make cold brew coffee is fairly simple; all you have to do is add water to ground coffee, let it steep for about 12-18 hours and then strain the coffee grounds. However, my method was kind of messy, since I would use a large plastic container, a metal strainer, a coffee filter and a pitcher. There would often be spills or extra grounds that would sneak in to my coffee. Whether you have never tried making cold brew coffee at home, or you make it all of the time, the Zulay Kitchen Cold Brew Coffee Maker streamlines the process. It makes cold brew coffee with minimal effort and mess!
I really like the quality of this cold brew coffee maker. It is made of thick and sturdy glass and stainless steel. The silicone seal at the top ensures freshness, and the silicone bottom provides a sturdy base.
It also features a beautiful, classic and neutral design which I appreciate. Isn’t it pretty?
To make cold brew coffee, all you have to do is fill the stainless steel filter with coffee grounds about 2/3 full. Add water to the 32 oz. line and let it sit in the refrigerator for 12-18 hours. Remove the filter and the cold brew coffee is ready to go in the carafe. It can then be stored in the refrigerator for later use if there is extra. So easy!
The cold brew coffee is pretty concentrated, so I like to add milk. You can also add non-dairy milk such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk, to taste.
The Zulay Kitchen Cold Brew Coffee Maker can also be used to make hot coffee and hot or cold tea. Check out the rave reviews on Amazon!
Giveaway Time
Enter below to win a Zulay Kitchen Cold Brew Coffee Maker:
Dislcosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.
Extra virgin olive oil has become a staple in our kitchen pantry. It is very versatile due to its high smoke point (400 degrees F). It can be used to saute, fry or bake your favorite foods. I also often use it to make homemade salad dressing.
Olitalia believes all great cooking revolves around great oil. Olitalia is the #1 brand most used by chefs in Italy and is now available for home cooking in the US. Look for Olitalia at Eataly locations.
There is a website called Flavor Your Life which provides a lot of useful information regarding European Extra Virgin Olive Oil. For example, did you know that the flavor of olive oil is greatly impacted by the region in which the olive trees are grown? Europe’s diverse climate and soil produce a wide range of olive oil flavor profiles. Here are some key characteristics of the different regions:
Spain: typically golden yellow with a fruity, nutty flavor.
Italy: dark green and has an herbal aroma and a grassy flavor.
Greece: tends to be green, strong flavor and aroma.
The recipe calls for marinating the salmon for thirty minutes.
The super simple dressing consists of 4 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 1 lime, juiced, 1 tsp. honey, 1 T. fresh coriander, minced, and sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
The salad dressing turned out nice and light and complemented the flavor of the salmon well. n gave it a thumbs up! Be sure to visit Flavor Your Life for more recipe ideas using European Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Olitalia extra virgin olive oil is available at Eataly locations.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Gray Away as part of an Influence Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
As I grow older, I am definitely noticing the gray hairs multiplying at an ever-increasing pace. I held off coloring my hair until my 40’s because I did not want to deal with the upkeep. However, I also did not want to look prematurely older! Now that I do color my hair, I still do not really enjoy going to the hair salon. I am not a fan of the whole process: making the appointment, setting aside time in my schedule, etc. Not to mention that frequent salon visits can also add up, financially! However, I have found a great solution for temporarily concealing tell-tale roots: Gray Away Temporary Root Concealer Spray and Root Touch-Up Quick Stick, both of which are available at ULTA Beauty.
I tried both the Gray Away Temporary Root Concealer Spray and the Root Touch-Up Quick Stick in Black/Dark Brown, which is supposed to match black, dark brown, and medium brown hair.
I had never tried products like these to temporarily conceal my roots before, so I was not sure what to expect. The Temporary Root Concealer Spray has a pinpoint applicator, which makes it easy to use and does not require any mixing. Each bottle contains about 40 applications, and the color washes out with shampoo.
Since my gray hairs seem to be concentrated at my temples, the Root Touch-Up Quick Stick is the perfect solution. It can even be used for eyebrows! It has an angled tip on one side for precise application, and a sponge tip on the other side for blending. I found that the color blended in well, and it also washes out with shampoo.
Disclosure: I received a sample in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Kawaii Box is THE subscription box to gift if you are in search of a present for someone who likes all things “kawaii” or “cute”. This Japanese subscription box is filled with fun surprises every month. I received the November 2019 box to review, and the theme was “Magical Kawaii Adventure!”
This Kawaii Box was filled with an assortment of whimsical products, some of which I will highlight below:
This fluffy, pastel octopus plushie comes with a key ring so you can attach it to a backpack, purse or bag. It can even be used as a Christmas ornament, as shown here.
When I first opened the box, I was not exactly sure what this was. Turns out it is a “Magical Anime Girl Wand”. It makes sounds and lights up when you wave it!
These glittery 3-D stickers are great for decorating letters and cards.
This sparkly mermaid hair clip would be an adorable accessory for a little girl.
Additional items in the November Kawaii Box included:
Magical Bunny Pastel Gift Bag
Magical Wish Notes in a Bottle
Metallic Mermaid Tail Pen
Meito Pukupukutai Yumekawa Wafer Snack
Unicorn Heroine Pocket Mirror
A Kawaii Box subscription can be purchased for 1 month, 6 months, or 12 months and ranges from $19.90/month-$21.90/month. The subscription price includes free world-wide shipping, which is a good deal!
Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
The holidays can easily become a time of over-indulgence, food-wise. CompletEats is a line of superfood cookies that feels like a treat, but contains all-natural ingredients such as almond flour, almond butter, chocolate chips, baking soda, chia seeds and dates.
CompleteEats come in five flavors:
Peppermint Cacao Chip Cookie
Banana Bread Cookie
Mocha Chip Cookie
Chocolate Chia Cookie
Cherry Almond Cookie
CompletEats cookies are certified vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and contain no trans-fat or artificial ingredients.
The Peppermint Cacao Chip Cookies are made with organic peppermint oil, organic cacao powder and allergen-friendly chips. The cookies are nice and moist and are just sweet enough to make a satisfying snack.
Also, don’t you just love the packaging of these Peppermint Cacao Chip Cookies? They would make a great gift topper or stocking stuffer!
