Vacation

A Walking Tour of the National Monuments in Washington D.C.

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After exploring the National Museum of American History, our next stop was lunch. We ate at District Taco, which received reviews of “ok” to “pretty good” from the members of our family.

I believe we ordered one chicken burrito, carne asada nachos, and two fish tacos for the four of us.

White House

The next stop on our walking tour was 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, aka The White House. Unfortunately, tours are still not being given, so we had to settle with this obstructed view through an understandably tall fence.

It does not appear that taxpayer money is being spent on lawn upkeep.

World War II Memorial

Water was also nowhere to be seen at the World War II Memorial. I am sure it is much more spectacular when the central fountain is running.

Lincoln Memorial

Our next stop was the larger-than-life Lincoln Memorial.

It was amazing to see this magnificent statue up close.

Although there were a good number of people milling around, we were able to stand in a short line to take some pictures without anyone else in the frame. It was also nice and cool (because of the marble?) so we took a short rest inside.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

I know the design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was controversial, but I think it does a nice job honoring those who sacrificed their lives.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

I found the Korean War Veterans Memorial to have an eerie vibe.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

This was the first time any of us had seen the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. I like the inspiring inscription: “Out of the Mountain of Despair, a Stone of Hope”

This is how the cherry blossom buds looked on the day we arrived.

I hope the kids will remember seeing all of these significant monuments for years to come!

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Food, Reviews

Trying Trader Joe’s: Ube Mochi Waffles

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Scanning the aisles for new and/or limited time items at Trader Joe’s is always fun. I have been reading the Trader Joe’s Frequent Flyer since I was a kid, before I was ever in charge of grocery shopping for a household. My son and I enjoy also listening to the podcast Inside Trader Joe’s, which often inspires me to look for new products.

Today I am sharing our thoughts about Trader Joe’s Ube Mochi Pancake & Waffle Mix. This seasonal item has appeared on shelves during the late spring for the past couple of years. I am not sure about the reason behind the timing; I don’t believe ube (purple yam that is popular in the Philippines) is seasonal,, but I could be wrong.

First of all, I am a fan of the cheery packaging and bubble letter font. This would make a nice addition to a breakfast-themed gift basket.

Clear directions on the back of the box.

Nutritional facts and ingredients for those who care…

I poured the mix into the mixing bowls and added water, eggs and oil (butter can also be used instead). Interestingly, the ratios are the same for making pancakes or waffles. Given a choice, I usually choose to make waffles because they I find them to be less finicky and I adore crisp edges.

After quick whisk, the batter turns into a pretty purple color, presumably from the purple yam puree and vegetable juice.

The aroma of these waffles wafted through our home and brought my teenage kids downstairs for a lazy Saturday breakfast.

As you can see, the waffles had a nice golden exterior, with a light purplish hue on the inside. Everyone in my family enjoyed these Ube Mochi waffles. The ube flavor was present, but subtle. My favorite aspect of these waffles was the chewy consistency thanks to the sweet rice flour. Hats off to Trader Joe’s for once again allowing us to take an international culinary journey while still wearing our pajamas.

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Vacation

Our First Stop in DC: National Museum of American History

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I scheduled us to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of American History as one of our first stops because it was one of the few museums that was open on Tuesdays (at least at the time).

As soon as you walk in, the first must-see exhibit features THE Star-Spangled Banner. No photos are allowed, but take our word for it that this huge flag is impressive.

Industrial Revolution

The exhibits are set up to be a walk-thru of American history, although we did not always find ourselves looking at everything in chronological order.

This picture of a U.S. Customs uniform is for my dad.

Did my mom used to have one of these yogurt machines, or was it just my imagination?

This touch-sensitive wall lets you leave your mark, at least temporarily.

The Greensboro Lunch Counter Exhibit was a powerful reminder of America’s history of racial segregation. (We watched the short documentary film from these comfy chairs).

Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers have their own separate wing in the museum.

The ruby slippers don’t actually look too glamorous up close, but they are still neat to see in person.

Can you imagine riding this bicycle around town?

I was excited to see my beloved Fisher Price Little People house on display. I used to love the ringing doorbell and rearranging the furniture.

This miniature dollhouse was fun to look at-so many details!

A replica of Julia Child’s kitchen is a main attraction in the FOOD: Transforming the American Table exhibit.

I ended up watching the 2021 Julia documentary on the plane ride home. Julia Child was quite a fascinating character in American history.

There was a small room that honored the birth of jazz. As a former jazz trombonist, I had to stop and take a picture.

This old school computer reminded me of the computers we used at my elementary school. It was fun to walk down memory lane!

n tried his hand at spinning, which was pretty cool.

I really enjoyed the National Museum of American History because we do not really have anything like it here in Southern California. If you are in DC, I would highly recommend making this one of your stops!

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Going Wild For Wild Planet Foods Sustainable Seafood

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

I have been trying to increase our family’s intake of DHA Omega‑3s, which are linked to reduced inflammation, improved blood flow as well as optimized heart and brain health. Therefore, I was excited to learn more about Wild Planet Foods, which specializes in canned seafood that cares about the planet. Read more about their commitment to sustainable fishing practices here.

Wild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna

When I opened my first can of Wild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna, I could immediately tell a difference between Wild Planet and other brands of canned tuna. The directions say not to drain it, because the tuna is only packed with the natural juices from the tuna itself (no extra water or oil is added).

My son made a quick tuna salad for a picnic lunch by simply adding some olive oil-based mayo and relish to the Wild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna.

I remember my mom making tuna salad sandwiches for dinner on the days we had piano lessons because there was no time to cook! Having some cans of Wild Planet tuna ready to go in your pantry can definitely be a timesaver.

Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna

One of my kids’ favorite snacks is onigiri, which are Japanese rice balls with filling. We recently bought tuna and salmon onigiri from a grocery store in Little Tokyo, so I thought why not make them at home?

I mixed a can of Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna with a tablespoon of mayo and a couple of squirts of sriracha.

Using my onigiri mold (this can also be done with your hands), I scooped in some rice, layered some of the tuna mixture and topped it with more rice. The mold helps you achieve the perfect traditional triangle shape.

Serve with some sheets of nori (seaweed) for a quick and easy snack! One can of Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna and two cups of rice (before cooking) was enough to make eight onigiri.

Wild Planet Tuna Ready-To-Eat Meals

Wild Planet also sent me a few of their Wild Tuna Ready-To-Eat Meals. These meals are perfect for eating on the go because they do not require any refrigeration, heating, cooking or additional preparation. They would be perfect for my son and husband to pack for their next Boy Scout camping trip.

The Wild Planet Ready-To-Eat Meals come in three flavors:

  • Wild Tuna Pasta Salad
  • Wild Tuna White Bean Salad
  • Wild Tuna, Bean & Corn Salad

I brought the Wild Tuna Pasta Salad along on our picnic. The chunks of tuna were sizable and the flavors from the tomatoes, red peppers, olives and pasta melded well together. It was surprisingly filling!

Where To Purchase Wild Planet Foods

Wild Planet Foods are available online, Sprouts, Ralphs, and a store near you. I have also been stocking up on cans of Wild Planet tuna at my local Costco!

Wild Planet Foods Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win an assortment of Wild Planet Foods!

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Summertime Fun With Horizon Group USA STEM and Art Kits

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Disclosure: I received samples in partnership with Horizon Group USA. 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.

Summer vacation means more time at home with the kids, which means more time for hands-on activities. Horizon Group offers a wide variety of STEM and art kits that will inspire hours of play.

Nature Adventure Kit

This Nature Adventure Pack contains a lot of neat tools that young scientists can use to explore the outdoors.

The mini hard plastic backpack contains the materials for 14+ different activities, including creating bug mobiles, bug houses, scavenger hunts, and an animal tracks memory game. This toy is perfect for budding biologists or entomologists and is recommended for ages 4+.

Made By Me Explore + Create Sensory Bin

Full disclosure: I am usually not a fan of toys that create a lot of mess. My kids had very limited access to slime when it was a trend. I was never even a fan of Play-Doh! (Does that make me an un-fun mom?) However, this Made By Me Explore + Create Sensory Bin was a pleasant surprise. The “sand” is a natural color Aqua Splash sand that is stretchable and moldable. It does not smell and stays nicely contained in the high-quality storage case.

I tested it outside (just to be safe) and I can see why it received rave reviews on Amazon. It is easy and satisfying to mold the Aqua Splash sand into the different shapes. The kit also comes with cool-looking expanding water beads, which can be reused over and over again. This kit is recommended for ages 3+.

Donut Worries Positivity Jewelry

This Donut Worries Positivity Jewelry kit is positively adorable. If you know any crafty kids, they will be into this line of Just My Style toys. This particular kit is recommended for ages 6+. As someone who worked in a second grade classroom, I can attest to the popularity of this type of activity.

Each \kit contains enough components to make three bracelets. I like that the donut carrying case can be used as a key chain when you’re done making the bracelets as well.

I think these bracelets turned out pretty cute! They are a good reminder for kids to stay positive and shine their light to the world.

Where to Purchase Horizon Group USA STEM and Art Kits

Horizon Group USA makes many different STEM and Art kits that are both educational and fun. Check out more of their offerings at their Amazon store here.

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Make Summer Memories With Classic Wham-O Toys

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

Summer break is just a couple of days away for us, and that means more free time to spend outdoors. In addition to board games, Winning Moves offers Classic Wham-O Toys that provide hours of outdoor entertainment.

Classic Wham-O Hacky Sack

Back when D and I were in college in the 90’s, we remember certain people playing with a hacky sack everyday in the quad. I am not sure if they were students, as they seemed to have an awfully large amount of free time. Maybe the hacky sack was just their preferred method of stress relief?

My son the soccer player is a natural with the hacky sack since he practices juggling a soccer ball with his feet.

D wanted to try it out as well. The appeal of the hacky sack has officially lasted multiple decades. According to the package, it has been around since the 1970’s and is “a great way to improve your motor control, coordination, strength and balance”.

Classic Wham-O Superball

An even older classic Wham-O toy is the Superball, which first came out in the 1960’s. This bouncy ball contains 50,000 pounds of compressed energy.

This Superball definitely has impressive bouncing capability. Kids will have fun seeing how high they can bounce it!

@limbylim

♬ NOTHING – Westover

Classic Wham-O Frisbee

A high-quality frisbee is a fun toy to have around, whether you are playing at a park, a beach, or anywhere with wide open space.

The retro design of the Classic Wham-O Frisbee is cool and simple. This Frisbee has a 141 gram weight that is ideal for throwing and catching. The cheap freebie flying discs do not compare.

Have you mastered the different Frisbee throwing techniques? Curve It, Overhand It, Sidearm It, Skip It and Backhand It?

Where to Purchase Winning Moves Classic Wham-O Toys

Winning Moves games and toys are available on their website, Amazon and other retailers near you.

Winning Moves Classic Wham-O Toys Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Classic Wham-O Hacky Sack, Superball and Frisbee!

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Pop Daddy Pretzels and Popcorn Pack A Punch

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

One of my favorite finds from Expo West 2022 was Pop Daddy Snacks. Their boldly flavored pretzels and popcorn are highly snackable (and difficult to stop eating!). Their motto is “Bold Snacks made with Big Heart,” and this care is evident in the quality of their products.

Pop Daddy Pretzels

Pretzels are one of my favorite snacks in the salty category. However, Pop Daddy really elevates the pretzel experience with their innovative and delicious flavors.

Pop Daddy pretzels are available in the following flavors:

  • Yellow Mustard
  • Dill Pickle
  • Cinnamon Sugar
  • Garlic Parmesan
  • Perrin Beer Cheese
  • Hot Sauce
  • Peppercorn Ranch
  • Smoked Gouda
  • Maple & Brown Butter

That’s quite a lineup, right? When I was at their booth at Expo West, I had a difficult time choosing which flavors to sample since they all sounded so good. Pop Daddy uses natural ingredients and each flavor really comes through with their pretzels. Each individual pretzel is coated with just the right amount of seasoning, which results in a craveable and crunchy snack.

This guy gives the Pop Daddy Garlic Parmesan pretzels his seal of approval!

Pop Daddy Popcorn

As its name would suggest, Pop Daddy’s original product was popcorn. The founder wanted to make a healthier alternative to microwave popcorn which can contain questionable chemicals and artificial flavors. Pop Daddy popcorn uses pure olive oil and natural ingredients, so you do not have to feel guilty about munching away. Pop Daddy popcorn is available in the following flavors:

  • Original
  • Kettle
  • Butter
  • White Cheddar
  • Dill Pickle
  • Chipotle BBQ
  • Hot Sauce
  • Black Pepper
  • Smoked Gouda
  • Garlic

Pop Daddy uses non-GMO kernels grown on family farms in Michigan and Indiana. As soon as I opened the bag I immediately noticed that each piece of popcorn is fluffy and tender. It turns out that Pop Daddy uses a special type of popcorn with little hull, so there is less of the often annoying hard part of the kernel. Just as with their pretzels, Pop Daddy popcorn’s flavors are bold and addictive!

Where To Purchase Pop Daddy Snacks

Pop Daddy Snacks are available for purchase through their online store or at a store near you.

Pop Daddy Snacks Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win an assortment of Pop Daddy snacks!

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Snack Better With Brave Good Kind Tender Chicken Bites

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

My son is starting to have a growth spurt and it seems like he is constantly on the search for something to eat. The challenge for me is to find non-junky snacks that will help fill him up. At Expo West I found a delicious snack for him with natural ingredients: Brave Good Kind Tender Chicken Bites.

When I first heard about these chicken bites, I was a little skeptical. While I am a fan of beef jerky, I have never tried a chicken version. However, we found these Tender Chicken Bites to be quite tasty. They really are tender, unlike many other types of tough jerky that can be difficult to chew. Each bite is very flavorful-my son could not stop eating them!

Brave Good Kind Tender Chicken Bites are available in three flavors:

  • Original
  • Hot Honey
  • Teriyaki

We enjoyed all of the flavors, but the Hot Honey was our favorite. It was not too spicy (at least to our palate), but had a nice little bite.

Brave Good Kind products have all-natural ingredients that are minimally processed. The chicken they use is raised without antibiotics. Each serving of the Tender Chicken Bites contains 9-10 grams of protein, which makes it a great snack choice to keep you satiated. These snacks are also gluten-free and do not contain MSG. If you are looking for a healthier version of jerky, I would definitely check out Brave Good Kind!

Where To Purchase Brave Good Kind Products

Brave Good Kind products are available through their online store or at a store near you.

Brave Good Kind Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win SIX packages of Brave Good Kind Tender Chicken Bites!

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Vacation

Spring Break in D.C.

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Our school district had their spring break early (mid-March), so our trip to Washington D.C. almost seems like a distant memory. I will try my best to blog about our trip so that the memories last longer.

I booked a red eye flight on United out of LAX to Dulles on a Monday night in order to maximize our time. We used LAX’s new economy parking lot, which turned out to be pretty convenient. We reserved a spot online ahead of time and took a shuttle to the airport. The kids were excited to have screens on the back of the seats. Too bad I was the mean mom who would not let them watch any movies since our flight left around 11:30 p.m.! Once we arrived in D.C. at around 7 a.m., we caught the 5A bus from the airport to L’Enfant Plaza, which was close to our hotel. We dropped our bags off and started our first day in D.C. on probably around two hours of sleep!

We needed to grab some breakfast, so we stopped at West Wing Cafe. This was more a choice of convenience than anything else.

Our breakfast burritos and sandwiches were not bad, but not really worth seeking out.

Smithsonian Castle

After breakfast we started walking towards the National Mall. The first building that caught our eye was the Smithsonian Castle. The Castle serves as a Visitors Center and museum for all of the different Smithsonian museums.

This is where we first saw these orange statutes of notable women in history (I believe they were on display in honor of Women’s History Month). The statues appeared throughout many of the museums we visited later on in the week as well.

Washington Monument Tickets Fail

As we made our way to the Smithsonian Museum of National History, we had our first glimpse of the Washington Monument. I had tried to procure tickets to ride the elevator to the top through their online ticket system. This can be done one day before arrival, starting at 10 a.m. EST. I was logged into my recreation.gov account, with my finger on my mouse, ready to go. However, it was not meant to be, as the tickets were literally gone within 5 seconds! Thus, we could only admire the monument from the outside.

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Exercise Your Brain With Winning Moves Games

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

After reviewing several games from Winning Moves, I find that they always provide a fun way to spend time with family. Today I am reviewing two of their “classic” games–Checkers & Chinese Checkers, along with a new game called Snail Mail. All three of these games are a smart way to engage your brain and have fun at the same time.

Checkers

Checkers is a perennial favorite, but would you believe we have never actually owned a version of this game? The Winning Moves version contains everything you would expect, including a durable game board and black and red plastic checkers. Checkers is a necessity for any home game collection! This game is recommended for ages 6+.

Chinese Checkers

I am not sure how Chinese Checkers earned its name (did it actually come from China?) but I would also consider it one of those “classic” games that everyone should have in their game closet. The Winning Moves version includes a sturdy cardboard platform and sixty glass marbles. Playing with theses marbles brought back fond childhood memories of my marble collection.

The object of the game is to move all of their marbles to the opposite triangle first. It requires strategy and thinking ahead, which are useful skills for anyone to hone. Chinese Checkers is recommended for 2-6 players, ages 7+.

Snail Mail

The object of Snail Mail is to help your Snail Mail carrier make deliveries by matching your Mail Cards to different delivery requirements. The first player to complete six deliveries wins the game. The four plastic snails are so cute, and I also found the mail cards to be charming.

Snail Mail is for 2-4 players, ages 7+. This is a great game for kids because it encourages them to think about numbers, colors and following directions.

Where To Buy Winning Moves Games

Winning Moves games and toys are available on their website, Amazon and other retailers near you.

Winning Moves Games Giveaway

Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win Checkers, Chinese Checkers AND Snail Mail!

*This giveaway is open to US residents only, not including Alaska or Hawaii.

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