Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
One of the many interesting brands I discovered at Expo West this year was Whoa! Dough. These bars will appeal to anyone who is prone to sneaking a lick of the the spoon when making cookies or brownies. It seems like eating cookie dough has become more socially acceptable, most notably in the form of cookie dough ice cream.
Whoa! dough bars improves the edible dough concept even more by offering plant-based cookie dough bars that are gluten-free, dairy free, egg free, soy free. These vegan bars use all-natural ingredients such as gluten-free whole grain oat flour and chickpea flour.
Whoa! Dough comes in a variety of appealing flavors:
Oatmeal Cookie
Chocolate Chip
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
Sprinkle Sugar Cookie
Brownie Batter
Peanut Butter
Sugar Cookie
Here is a close-up of the Brownie Batter Whoa! Dough bar. It has a pleasant soft texture, and the chocolate-y flavor really shines through.
These bars are a nice addition to the stash of bars that we keep on hand for snacking on the go.
If you or someone you know enjoys cookie dough, be sure to give Whoa! Dough bars a try!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Apple TV+
Kids who love animals will love a new series called “Jane” coming to Apple TV+ this Friday, April 14. Jane is a 10-episode mission-driven series for kids and families inspired by the work of Dr. Jane Goodall.
Ava Louise Murchison (“Reacher”) stars as Jane Garcia, a 9-year-old budding environmentalist on a quest to save endangered animals. Using her powerful imagination, Jane takes her best friends David, played by Mason Blomberg (“Shameless”), and Greybeard the chimpanzee on epic adventures to help protect wild animals all around the world because, according to her idol Dr. Jane Goodall: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, can they be saved.”
Cast also includes Tamara Almeida (“Secrets at the Inn”), Dan Abramovici (“Wayne”), newcomer Jazz Allen and Sam Marra (“Stumptown”).
“I’m excited about this opportunity and relationship with Apple and Sinking Ship. The program ‘Jane’ spreads a message of hope and reminds children that the environment is something that we all have to be concerned about while also inspiring them and their parents to make a difference,” said Dr. Jane Goodall.
From Sinking Ship Entertainment, “Jane,” a live-action/CGI-blended series, is created by company partner J.J. Johnson who executive produces alongside Christin Simms, Blair Powers, Matt Bishop and the Jane Goodall Institute’s Andria Teather. Rated G
Jane is a series full of exciting animal adventures that are both imaginative and inspiring. “Quality” screen time can be difficult to find for kids these days, but this is a show that you should check out starting on April 14th!
Mother’s Day, a day when we celebrate all mothers, is coming up on May 14th. While gifts are always nice, a heartfelt handwritten note is also much appreciated. If you are looking for unique Mother’s Day cards that show that you care, check out Lovepop. Lovepop has an amazing selection of 3D cards featuring beautiful artwork. From nature to pop culture designs, Lovepop has a card that will make your recipient feel recognized and special. The following are just a few of the Lovepop online offerings that caught my eye:
This gorgeous Cherry Blossom card evokes spring, which also happens to correlate with Mother’s Day.
Dog moms will appreciate this adorable Dog Mom card.
Want to win over $200 worth of Lovepop products to spoil mom (or yourself) with the most magical Mother’s Day cards and pop-up paper art?
From stunning 3D cards to intricate paper flowers, Lovepop has beautiful keepsakes to make any mom feel loved and cherished. They’re running their biggest giveaway yet, offering a lucky winner the ultimate Lovepop bundle to spread a little Mother’s Day Magic this year. Whether you’re a mama ready to treat yourself, or you’re looking for a special way to shower the moms in your life with a little extra love this year, enter to win Lovepop’s Mother’s Day giveaway by 5th of May, 2023.
For spring break, our family took a cruise to the Mexican Riviera via the Carnival Panorama. We originally booked a similar cruise for winter of 2020 with Norwegian Cruise Line, but we all know why we had to cancel that one. When I was looking to rebook this cruise for spring break 2023, I have to admit that Carnival was not my first choice. Both D and I had preconceived notions that Carnival was only for those into the crazy party scene (not us) and honestly, that it was kind of cheesy. However, when comparing the prices and itineraries, I decided to book the seven night Carnival Cruise to Mexico.
Now that we have experienced a Carnival Cruise firsthand, I can definitely recommend it, especially this particular ship and itinerary. This series of blog posts will hopefully preserve our family’s memories, as well as offer tips and tricks for anyone else planning a similar trip.
Our Carnival Panorama Itinerary
Our cruise departed from Long Beach on a Saturday in March and returned the next Saturday. The itinerary was as follows:
Saturday: Departure from Long Beach
Sunday: Sea Day
Monday: Sea Day
Tuesday: Puerto Vallarta (9 a.m.-9 p.m.)*
Wednesday: Mazatlan (9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.)*
Thursday: Cabo San Lucas (6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.)*
Friday: Sea Day
Saturday: Return to Long Beach
*These are the times listed on the Carnival website. The actual times varied a little, but we were pretty much on track until the very last day (more on that later).
Carnival Panorama Embarkation
No matter how much preparation and planning I have done, I am always a little nervous on travel days. There are just so many opportunities for things to go wrong which can cause stress. However, our trip to the Long Beach cruise terminal and embarkation was smooth sailing (pun intended).
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is only about a forty minute drive from us. (Since I grew up in Seal Beach, I tend to still think that Long Beach is only about twenty minutes away-ha). We drove and parked in the cruise terminal lot ($23/day, I believe) and it was quite convenient. I joined the Facebook group for our cruise (highly recommended) and I saw that our fellow passengers were flying in from all over the country (as well as a few outside of the U.S.). They were dealing with booking flights and hotel stays before and after the cruise, so our short drive seemed like nothing in comparison. If you live in Southern California, do not take having Long Beach Cruise Terminal in your backyard for granted. It is a highly sought-after destination that you should take advantage of!
This picture was taken from the Starboard side of the Carnival Panorama after we boarded. It was a little overcast, but not too cold.
This dome is where Carnival Cruise passengers go through the embarkation process and wait before boarding. To the right is the Queen Mary, which I heard is just reopening for tourists. This might make for an interesting activity if you are looking for something to do before or after the cruise.
Online check-in starts 14 days before your cruise. If you are on the west coast, you can check-in at 9 p.m. the night before the 14 day window, instead of staying up until midnight, which is nice. This is when you choose your actual check-in time at the terminal. The first slot is 10 a.m., but be aware that they won’t start letting people actually board the ship until around noon. Of course, I wanted to board the ship as early as possible, so we were in line by 10. This necessitated some waiting, but there was plenty of bench seating. We dropped off our luggage with the porter in the parking lot, so we just had our carry-on bags. I recommend bringing a book to make the waiting time go by faster. Also, make sure that you have downloaded the Carnival app before you board the ship. It will definitely make your cruise life much easier.
We were able to bring water in our Hydroflasks without being stopped by security, but I heard that sometimes they make you throw it out. Pre-packaged snacks are also allowed in your carry-on, so keep this mind if you anticipate people in your party from becoming hangry. There are also restrooms in the terminal, so that is not a problem.
Also note that you will not receive your Sail & Sign card (which also acts as your room key) until you go to your room on the ship. This was unlike other cruises we have been on, and it seemed to cause some confusion. One gentleman in particular was very concerned about it. So just sit back, relax, and wait for your group number to be called to board.
I thought this Carnival ship model on display right before your board was pretty cool.
First Lunch Stop on the Carnival Panorama: Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que
I believe we were on the ship by around 12:15. Since the staterooms are not accessible until 1:30, our first order of business was lunch. While the crew members will advise that you go to the Lido deck for the lunch buffet, insiders know that this is is not your only option. I decided to have us try out Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que, a BBQ restaurant which is open for complimentary lunch, including embarkation day. Our family has a tradition of watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives when flipping channels in hotel rooms, so we are quite familiar with Guy Fieri. It was fun to try out BBQ that he has put his name behind.
The food is served cafeteria-style, so you just point to what you want and the crew member will dish it out for you. The meat choices included Championship Pork Butt, Smoked Round of Beef, Smoked Andouille Sausage and Blue Ribbon Chicken. Sides included Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad and Collard Greens. I wanted to try a little of everything, and this is what my plate looked like. Of course, you can go for seconds, or ask for more or less of a certain item. I thought everything tasted delicious, but everyone in our family had a different favorite. D and n like the pork, k liked the beef and I liked the chicken best. The selection of signature BBQ sauces also added an extra layer of flavor.
Unfortunately, the service here was a little curt/rushed and did not make the best first impression. We were one of the first in line, so it was not even busy at the time. However, this hospitality experience was an anomaly, as most of the staff we encountered throughout the week were friendly and accommodating.
Lunch Stop #2: Lido Marketplace (aka Buffet)
After finishing our BBQ, we headed up to the Lido Marketplace to check out the lunch buffet. I mainly wanted to try the gelato, but we could not help trying out some of their salads and fruit offerings as well.
The gelato station is located within the Lido Marketplace during lunch. This became a must-stop for us every day of the cruise!
There was a rotation of two flavors that changed daily. The first day we tried both the coffee and mango flavors (I would recommend separate cups as these flavors do not play well together). The gelato had a wonderfully smooth and creamy consistency. I can see why they have a worker in charge of doling out the scoops, since I can imagine some people going to town if left to their own devices. There is also a toppings bar, but I thought the gelato was excellent on its own.
The Convenience of Self-Mustering
After lunch stop #2, we headed to our assigned muster station to do the safety briefing. Carnival currently leaves the timing of completing this up to the passenger, as long as it is before departure. (Of course, the earlier in the day the better, so everyone is not waiting on you in the end). One tip is to figure out where your assigned muster station is before you board. There is a code provided to you once you check-in online. Each code (such as C4) correlates with a different part of the ship, (such as the Limelight Lounge). A quick google search done at home should tell you where to go.
Our safety briefing consisted of us checking in with a crew member and being asked if we wanted a life jacket demonstration. This was so much less painful than other muster station drills where we had to wait with thousands of other passengers at the exact same time in order to be cleared.
Once we were done with the self-muster, it was time to check out our stateroom!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
Snack bars are a way of life for me. The kids in my classroom know that I bring some type of bar practically everyday for my mid-morning snack. However, the ingredient list for many seemingly healthy snack bars are not actually always that good for you. Simple Bars are the result of one person’s quest to make delicious snack bars with only simple and clean ingredients.
Simple Bars are currently available in four unique flavors:
This is a close up of the Chocolate sea salt bar, my personal flavor. As you can see, these bars contain large pieces of fresh-tasting almonds and peanuts, as well as a sprinkling of chia seeds and a touch of sea salt. In this particular bar, the nuts are held together with just the right amount of dark chocolate. Although Simple Bars are crunchy, I did not feel like they would break my teeth like some other bars that I have tried.
Simple Bars are the perfect snack for when you need a little pick me up. They are also conveniently packaged for on-the-go snacking.
Simple Bars contain no sugar alcohols, stevia or artificial flavors. All of their bars are gluten-free, non-gmo and vegan. They are a simply satisfying snack!
Where To Purchase Simple Bars
Simple Bars are available for purchase through their online store. Hopefully they will become more widely available soon.
Simple Bars Variety Pack Giveaway
Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a Simple Bars Variety Pack!
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this 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.
Who remembers setting up a Slip’n Slide in your backyard on a hot summer day? I have distinct memories of attaching our hose to the plastic mat, running barefoot and trying to slide as far as we could on our stomachs down the slick yellow runway. I would inevitably be frustrated by the pieces of grass that would end up sticking to the mat. However, it was a small price to pay for the ability to cool down on a water slide without owning a pool!
Well, I am pleased to report that the Slip’n Slide lives on and is now available through Winning Moves.
The part I do not recall about the Slip’n Slide is the numerous directions and warnings associated with it. According to the box, the slide is 19 feet long, but is to be used with a ten feet safety area before and after the slide. The directions also warn that it is only to be used by children 5-12 years of age that are under five feet tall and weigh under 110 pounds. Since those requirements disqualifiy everyone in my family, I thought it best not to post pictures of any of us actually using the Slip’n Slide. Safety first!
Always loved the refreshing splash at the end!
The Wham-O Retro Slip’n Slide delivers all of the fun of the original and is sure to make memories for the next generation.
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.
This Top Secret Spy Science Kit is perfect for kids who like to solve mysteries. I remember my mom showing me how to write top secret letters with lemon juice. This kit takes that idea of fun to a whole different level.
I know that eight year old me would have been very excited by the special black light pen and fingerprint analysis activities included in this kit. If you have an aspiring detective in your life, consider surprising them with this Young Scientists Club kit.
For the artistic set, this D.I.Y. Geode Canvas kit would be a fun activity. I have reviewed several STMT (Simple Trendy Modern Touch) kits now, and am always impressed with their designs. This kit is recommended for ages 14 and up, but I am sure a younger person could do it (with adult supervision, of course).
I really like this idea of a Wooden Gingerbread House. While edible gingerbread houses decorated with frosting and candy are fun to make, I always feel a little guilty about having to throw them away in the end. This wooden gingerbread house could be displayed year after year (at least for a while-ha!). I always like to see how much my kids artistic skills have developed over time. This house has outstanding reviews on Amazon, and is recommended for ages 6+.
Disclosure: I received samples in order to facilitate this 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.
My family and I always enjoy games that make you think. Winning Moves offers a wide variety of toys and games that do just that, while also being fun at the same time.
Twistables is a new line of hand-held puzzles that have a range of difficulty. These cubes come in a 2x2x2, 3x3x3 and 4x4x4 versions. The vibrant colors and satisfying clicking that occurs as you twist the cube make Twistables entertaining for everyone.
Once we start twisting and turning, I am not sure we will ever be able to match the colors again! I know there is some algorithm that is the key to solving these types of puzzles, but my brain does not work that way. It is still fun trying, though!
This 4x4x4 Twistable would be a good challenge for anyone that has already mastered a 3x3x3. I like these types of toys because they are easy to transport and store. They are also suitable for all age levels (This one is recommended for ages 8 and up).
Another new game introduced by Winning Moves is Insert Card Here. In this fast-paced game, players take turns inserting one of their number cards with a value between two other number cards that have already been played. The tricky part is that the number gap is constantly changing. There are also Wild and Reverse cards that make the game even more challenging. The first player to play all of their cards wins. This would be a handy game to have for a game night with family or friends. Insert Card Here is recommended for 2-5 players, 8 years and older.
Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. This post may contain affiliate links.
Although many associate giving chocolate with Valentine’s Day, I like to look for chocolate-giving opportunities year-round. I found a great treat for a springtime basket: GATSBY Almond Dark chocolate bars (see the literary reference?).
GATSBY chocolate is unique because of its low sugar and fat content (90% less sugar and fat than premium chocolate brands). This innovative line of chocolate is also Keto-friendly, with only 1–2 grams of net carbs per serving, or 6 grams of net carbs for an entire bar. If you are familiar with Halo Top ice cream, GATSBY was started by the same people!
Here is the nutritional information so you can take a closer look for yourself.
The outer packaging of the GATSBY chocolate bars have a luxurious look that make them feel like a special indulgence. In addition, the inner gold foil wrapper definitely gives off Willy Wonka vibes!
So how does this better-for-you brand of chocolate taste? Well, if you enjoy dark chocolate, the GATSBY Almond Dark bar will definitely satisfy. The chocolate itself has a rich premium flavor that is not overly sweet, while the bits of almond add just the right crunch. I would challenge anyone to guess that this bar is low in calories and fat.
I cannot wait to try some of GATSBY’s other varieties, including Sea Salt Extra Dark, Cookies & Cream, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
Where to Purchase GATSBY Chocolate
GATSBY Chocolate is available to purchase at Sprouts Farmers Market, Safeway, Albertsons, and in stores and online at Walmart. To find GATSBY Chocolate near you, visit gatsbychocolate.com/pages/store-locator.
Disclosure: 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.
This year I would like to share more about some of the recipes that I try out at home. One of my favorite categories of books to read is cookbooks. This may be strange to some, but I enjoy reading the little blurbs explaining how a recipe came about and what makes it special. Although I often feel inspired to make new recipes, only rarely do I make the effort to gather ingredients and bookmark recipes for later use.
I even had Maldon salt that I had ordered from Amazon already on hand. Flaky sea salt is listed as an optional ingredient, but it really adds a nice textural crunch and flavor. (This salt cellar is from the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collection from Target, which we received as a gift).
Aren’t those flakes of salt so pretty? Rolling the dough into balls as instructed in the recipe also resulted in perfectly shaped, round cookies. This recipe is a keeper!
