Elfishki and The Giant Cake Review
By now you all know me and the addiction I have to iPhone apps… Well, the addiction has spread to iPad apps. I know it’s similar, but there are some apps that are only meant for the iPad. This is one of those apps, but boy is it super cute. The best part about this app is that it’s for the kids so it doesn’t draw me in and steal my time from the world of kids belts.
This is one of a series of 7 interactive books from Elka Palka Productions. This is an adorable little story about the Elfishki. They are little fairy tale creatures who live on the beautiful Rainbow Island in the middle of the Sparkling Sea. They can fly like butterflies or swim like mermaids.
The illustrations are beautiful and really vivid. The animations are great for the kiddos. They get the benefit of reading, but the bonus of the interactive screens. Each page not only has animation when you touch it, but each of the fairy tales contains comprehension questions and a game to boost your child’s creativity and imagination.
Don’t fear, if your little one is too young to read, you can choose the “listen” feature and it will read the story to your little one!
Bug and Super Dude really enjoyed the game that comes with this app. This game lets your kids build the most giant unique cake ever with ingredients like peppers, candy, seafood, icing, snails, cookies, bats and candles. When they finish decorating the cake, they can take a picture of their design for safe keeping and then start over! Super Dude likes topping his with all of the creepy crawly ingredients while Bug likes to mix it up.
If you don’t have an iPad, your kids can also enjoy all of the stories online! Here is a great video to show you a little more about Elfishki!
Hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does!
Blessings,
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Chicken Fajita Salad
Who doesn’t love fajitas? I love all Mexican food, but I really love fajitas. What I want to avoid is the calories that come with all of those tortillas and cheese and sour cream.
Although there is nothing more I would love to do after I leave the kids belts office, than go to our favorite little Mexican restaurant and order fajitas, I won’t. I’ll be true to my new healthier lifestyle, and I asked Jen (my resident cheerleader/assistant/nutritionist) for advice and low and behold, she had a recipe to share!
Chicken Fajita Salad
2 Cups Shredded Romaine Lettuce
2 Tbsp Salsa
1/2 Cup Green & Red Peppers Strips
1 Cup Slicked Onions, raw
1 Tbsp Daisy Light Sour Cream
1 Oz Cabot 75% Light Vermont Cheddar
3 Oz Chicken
2 Cloves Garlic
1/2 Tbsp Chili Powder
1/2 Tsp Cumin
3 Tbsp Lime Juice
Fresh Cilantro
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Lite Salt & Pepper to taste
Directions (serves 1):
Slice onions and bell peppers. Cut chicken into strips. Spray your saute pan with non-stick spray. Heat pan and add chicken strips. Season chicken with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. While the chicken is cooking, shred the lettuce and the cheese. When chicken begins to change color, add in onions and peppers. Continue to saute until the chicken is cooked thoroughly and onions and peppers are wilted. Add in garlic and mix completely. Place lettuce on a plate and add the chicken mixture. Top with salsa, sour cream and cheese. In a separate bowl, whisk the lime juice, olive oil, chopped cilantro (to taste) and a little salt to taste and then dress the salad!
Yummy! This was so good and light, but also very filling. This makes a huge salad and is totally satisfying. You could add a little guacamole and crumple a few tortilla chips over the op for some crunch. However, it’s delicious without the additions.
I hope you enjoy!
Blessings,
15 Easy Ways to Cut out Hundreds of Calories a Day
I have lost 6lbs in a week! How awesome is that? I know that the first few lbs are water weight, but as my kids belts assistant tells me, “Don’t belittle your progress! 6lbs is still 6lbs regardless of where it came from!” She’s right… I know it, why is it so hard to be proud of an accomplishment? Instead of saying “I only lost 6lbs and most of that had to be water”, why can’t we train ourselves to think differently and say “I lost 6lbs! Isn’t that great!” I digress…
I have always struggled with my weight, I’ve been up, been down, been in the middle and now working on down again. I want to get it under control before it becomes a health risk. So, on my health and weight loss journey, I have pick up tips here and there that I thought I would share with you. These are so easy, but the calories really add up! There are 3,500 calories in a pound, so if you can cut 500 calories a day, that’s a loss of 1lb a week!
15 Easy Ways to Cut Hundreds of Calories a Day
(Adapted from Spark People’s 50 Easy Ways to Cut Calories)
Breakfast
- Substitute 3 oz. of turkey sausage for a serving of pork sausage. Save 120 calories!
- Top your whole grain bagel with 1.5 oz of fat-free cream cheese in lieu of regular. Save 108 calories!
- Prepare your coffee with 4 oz. of fat-free half and half instead of regular half and half. Save 88 calories!
- Eat a medium orange instead of drinking 12 oz. of fresh orange juice. Save 106 calories!
- Spread your whole grain waffles with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup instead of 1 tablespoon of margarine or butter. Save 110 calories!
- Order a skinless chicken breast instead of chicken with skin. Save 102 calories!
- Choose a slice of thin crust pizza over thick crust pizza. Save 106 calories!
- Add vegetable toppings to your pizza order and say no to pepperoni. Save 100 calories!
- Forget broccoli cheddar soup. A 7-oz portion of vegetable soup is better. Save 119 calories!
- Skip the 5 oz. of Alfredo sauce and eat a whopping 7 oz. of marinara sauce. Save 129 calories!
- Try either cheese or croutons on your salad—not both Save 72-116 calories!
- Enjoy 5 oz. of chocolate milk instead of 5 oz. of a chocolate milkshake Save 110 calories!
- Split a 20 oz. bottle of regular soda with a friend. Save 120 calories!
- Drink 1 cup of diet soda instead of 1 cup of regular soda. Save 97 calories!
- Swap a 12-oz. glass of whole milk for skim milk. Save 96 calories!
Pirate P-arrrrr-ty
Everybody loves Ray… oops… Pirates! It seems like there are pirates everywhere! There are kid pirates (Jake & the Neverland Pirates), adult pirates (Pirates of the Caribbean) and even “Talk Like a Pirate” day (Sept 19th). (What do I have to do to get an official “Keep Your Pants Up” day, sponsored by Dapper Snappers Kids Belts? Wait… we may just have something like that in the near future… Maybe a month of “No Mooning”…) I do like pirates, and I have a son who loves pirates.
Anyway, with the popularity of Pirates, I was thrilled to get the opportunity to review Pirate Party Games by Python Printable Games.
These printable games are super cute and can be used over and over again. There are games for kids and adults. I have listed what the pack includes below. There are a few others included in the pack (13 total), but I’m just listing the ones that are geared for the little ones. I really like that there are not only pirate games included, but also crafts. It’s so hard to plan games while sticking to a theme, but the folks over at Python Printable Games have done it for us! The best part? You don’t have to wait for them to be shipped to you, you get to download them!
The pack includes:
- Balloon Pirate Craft For Kids
- Facebook Pirate Language Game
- Pirate Mad Libs
- Pirate Placemat for Kids
- Pirate Poster for Kids
- Pirate Party Icebreaker
- Printable Treasure Map Template Pirate Craft For Kids
- Pirate Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids
- Pin the Parrot on the Pirate game for Kids
I think I may even let Super Dude invite some friends over for a Pirate Pizza Party just so we don’t have to wait for his birthday next year!
Blessings,
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
No Bake Red, White & Blue Cake
I don’t know if it’s because of the beautiful weather we have had lately, or if it’s because I am bombarded by the amazing aroma of fresh strawberries every time I walk in to the produce section of the grocery store, but I have been craving fruit like crazy. It’s so refreshing on a hot day and I feel like it’s pretty much guilt free.
I am still on my quest to becoming a healthier me, so I am always looking for recipes that are on the healthier side. I also want recipes that aren’t too overly involved, because really who has time for that?
SOOOoooo, I turn to my resident nutrition counselor (slash kids belts assistant), Jen, for some healthier dessert ideas (have I mentioned that she has lost 16lbs so far, averaging a little over 5lbs a month since she started!)
Here is what she came up with and let me just say, it was delicious, easy and fast! It will be perfect for all of the upcoming spring and summer get togethers. Everyone will be uber impressed… 
No Bake Red, White & Blue Cake
*Fresh berries work the best. Frozen berries tend to be too watery.
1 Low-fat or Sugar Free Angel Food Cake (from the Bakery at your local grocery store)
1 Small Container of Fresh Blueberries*
1 Small Container of Fresh Strawberries (Sliced)*
1 Small Container of Fresh Raspberries*
1 Small Container of Fresh Blackberries*
1 Large Container of Low Fat or Fat Free Vanilla Yogurt (any brand)
A few sprigs of Fresh Mint
There are really two ways to prepare this:
- Like you see above: If you want the cake as a centerpiece, pour the contents of the yogurt into the center of the cake and spread across the top of the cake. Then top with all of the fresh berries and garnish with a few mint sprigs. (Note: While this looks beautiful, it serves up a little messy, it’s still delicious, though)
- Like you see below: If you want more of a polished plated presentation, slice the cake up into individual serving sizes. Top each piece with a dollop of the vanilla yogurt and then the berries. Garnish with a mint sprig if the mood suits you! (the one below only has strawberries and blueberries).
Choffy, yes, Choffy
What’s new… what’s new… Ohhh, Choffy, my new love. Yea, I really meant Choffy, not coffee. Haven’t heard of it? Well if you are a lover of all things, you don’t know what you are missing.
This stuff is darn near heaven in a cup for me (and my kids belts assistant, Jen, she’s the one who got me addicted to Choffy).
Choffy is brewed chocolate, yep, you heard me right, brewed chocolate. Instead of brewing ground coffee beans, you brew ground cocoa beans. It’s like drinking a cup of dark chocolate. It’s richer tasting than regular old hot chocolate without the denseness and calories of hot chocolate. In fact, it’s only 20 calories per serving. Jen says she adds a little sweetener to hers and a touch of hazelnut creamer. I, on the other hand, love it with a pinch of cinnamon, sweetener and a little plain creamer.
It’s also good for you because it has all of the health benefits of dark chocolate!
“Choffy is 100% premium cacao (cocoa beans). Cacao is referred to as a superfood for its fantastic health benefits! For example, there are more antioxidants in an 8oz. cup of Choffy than in two servings of blueberries. How’s that for stamping out free-radicals!” DrinkChoffy.com
Plus there is no “caffeine crash”. “Choffy naturally contains a gentle yet long-lasting stimulant called Theobromine. This healthy stimulant provides you with an energy lift by dilating the cardiovascular system, making the heart’s job easier and delivers energy without a crash or the other negative effects of caffeine.” DrinkChoffy.com.
I really do feel like I can tell a difference on the days that I drink Choffy. Caffeine leaves me feeling foggy headed (I know that sounds weird) and my staff can even tell when I have been drinking too much, but Choffy doesn’t do that to me. I quite possibly could drink it by the gallon-full.
Apparently, you can become an independent distributor of the stuff, too (I haven’t, cause I’m pretty sure I have plenty on my plate without adding “Choffy Distributor” to my title!). However, I’m pretty sure that I could meet my minimum quota with just mine and Jen’s orders! In fact, I am enjoying a delicious cup of Choffy as I write this to you!
Are you drooling, yet? Once you try it, I think you will agree that it’s truly delicious! Just don’t blame me when you become truly addicted!
Blessings,
Couponing Made Easy
I am definitely one for being frugal. I love a deal, I mean, who doesn’t. I even got into couponing a few years ago to help save money and fill my need for getting the best deal possible. However, then the kids belts business and family time caught up with me and the couponing fell by the wayside.
Now that I have gotten a better handle on my time management (and, quite frankly, because gas prices have gotten so high, I have to save somewhere), I am getting back into couponing. I know what you are thinking, “it’s takes too much time”, “my coupons expire before I use them”, “I never save that much money, so it’s not worth it.” I use to think those same things, but then I found Florida Coupon Savers.
This site is great because they take the sale flyer, they find the coupons and then they match them all up so you can save the most money possible at the store! I live in Central Florida, so the best part is that they cater to this area. We don’t always get the same coupons or even the same value coupons as some of the bigger metropolitan areas, so when I would go to those sites, I would notice more match-ups, but I could never find the coupons. I would get so frustrated. They cover our major stores; Publix, Winn Dixie, Walgreens, CVS, Target, etc.
Know what’s even better than all of that? It’s a FREE site! They don’t charge for any of it. I have seen coupon sites actually charge a monthly fee for “sharing” their match-ups. I spoke to one of the owners of Florida Coupon Savers, and she said “We don’t feel like you should have to spend money to learn how to SAVE money.” With that being said, they even offer FREE couponing classes in and around Central Florida.
My favorite section is the “Post Your Trips” page. Here they show you their actual shopping trips and how they saved money.
Retail Value $109.10 ONLY Paid $31.98!
How cool is that? I love this site and think that is a great resource. They even post deals on clothing, gifts, shoes, accessories and restaurants!
Are you ready to coupon with me?
Blessings,
More More Please!!!
On this anniversary I like to reflect back at all the wonderful things about my mom. She was a good cook. I remember eating all kinds of things; Liver & Onions (really liked it), Beef Heart (it was delicious!), Fish (accidentally swallowed the bones and got them caught in my throat), Breakfast Potatoes (My mother-in-law makes these for me now), Cream Slurgy on Toast (I’ll tell you about it some other time), and the family favorite More. More of what, you ask? More is the name of this easy and inexpensive meal my mother used to make for us. Today I’m going to share it with you. Mind you, many will say something like….Oh, that’s goulash! But it’s not called that in my home. More is more than a quick meal. More is a memory passed down. So without further ado…
Ingredients:
1 lb hamburger
16 oz Macaroni Noodles
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 can of corn, drained
Brown Hamburger and drain. Boil noodles according to package directions and drain. Pour the sauce, hamburger, and corn into the noodles and simmer until hot. Serve and enjoy!
As I said…easy, inexpensive. Best of all? The kids ask for More More Please!!!
Blessings,
Retailer Spotlight – Mom 4 Life
You all know by now how much I love our kids belts retailers. I really can’t express the amount of gratitude I have for each and every one of them out there for supporting this mom-owned, mom-operated business. You can find a list of all of our retailers on our website.
Speaking of mom-owned and mom-operated businesses, our Retailer spotlight for this month is Mom 4 Life.
Mom 4 Life is one of our newer online stores. They signed up to carry Dapper Snappers back in January and we are happy to have them!
Heather Ledeboer is the mom and owner of Mom 4 Life. While trying to find a way to stay home with her son and still be able to contribute to her family financially, Heather was searching for something she could be passionate about. Since she has a lot of passion for being a mother, she thought helping other moms was a logical place to start.
In October of 2003, she found her first product and Mom 4 Life was born. The first product she carried was the New Native Baby Carrier followed soon after by LilyPadz. She was so excited about these two great products and knew that other moms were sure to love them as much as she did. Shortly thereafter, she started getting recommendations from other moms about products that they knew and loved such as Hooter Hider nursing covers, BabyLegs legwarmers and the Shrinkx Hips postpartum belt. Thus, her inventory began to grow and grow.
Mom 4 Life carries only hand picked, mom owned, mom invented products and donates 10% of their proceeds to moms in need. The products they carry are fantastically fresh, very often brand new to the market and not available in any big-box stores. Heather says that she is proud that Mom 4 Life’s extensive product line is comprised entirely of the handiwork of moms.
“Regardless of how many products I offer or how large my business grows, my primary goal will remain the same: to offer unique products at great prices with exceptional customer service! I am rather picky about customer service: I like to be appreciated as a person rather than viewed as a number. I want to do the same for you! ” Heather Ledeboer, owner, Mom 4 Life.
Be sure to check out Mom 4 Life’s online store where you can read more about the company and all of the moms behind their products (including me and my Dapper Snappers!).
Blessings,
When it rains…
It floods…. literally. Or at least that’s how it has seemed around here at the kids belts office. Jen and I have had no luck at lately!
It started a bout 2 weeks ago, when Super Dude was in the bathroom, “Mommy, I need help.” “Super Dude, what do you need?” His reply? “Mom, there is so much water.”
So, in my mind, I’m thinking that the he flushed too much paper and the water has risen to the top of the bowl. No big deal. Yea, no big deal, except for the fact that when I stepped into the bathroom… *splash*.
Yes, I would have to say, that’s a lot of water. Crud… now what? Hubby wasn’t their so I couldn’t call on my knight in shining armor. CRUD… I have to handle this myself. Step one…. make the water stop. Ok, but how do I do that? I didn’t know which knob to turn so I thought, I’ll put the top off the tank and see if something in there will help. I grab the thingy (yes, that its the technical term) and pull up. It worked. The water stopped running. Now what? If I let go, it will start again, but I really don’t care to stand in a sea of toilet water while I wait for hubby to come home. The water is still spreading…into the bedroom, into the closet…CRUD!!!!!
“Super Dude, can you go get mommy the plunger out of the other bathroom?” He returns with the plunger. Here I stand, one hand holding up the thingy and the other one trying to plunge the toilet. Seriously, did he flush the whole roll? Anyway, if finally worked. and the toilet went back to normal.
I, then, used every dirty and clean towel I could get my hands on to sop up all of this water. About that time, hubby walked in and I looked at him and smiled “Your turn!”
A few days later the condensation line in the AC got stopped up and that leaked everywhere and then the water heater felt left out, so it decided it would leak too and flood the garage. That’s 3 right? Were are done now, right?
Yeah…not so much…
Poor Jen, she had to replace her tires on her truck last week ($300). This week, her power steering hose decided that it had had enough and the very small leak turned into a monsoon of power steering fluid ($100). And finally (hopefully anyway), her timing belt needs to be replaced next week ($500). Just so my car wouldn’t feel left out, it decided to overheat the other day and hold up the pickup line at Super Dude’s school.
Anyone want to contribute the “No More Floods” fund? We sure could use it. Either that, or we need to learn how to play in the rain!
Blessings,