Samantha, Author at Have Sippy Will Travel

SmashBurger’s new better-for-you Kids Meal Menu

September 15, 2015 by Samantha 7 Comments

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SmashBurger has become one of my favorite burger places, and one that is rapidly growing in my home state of NJ. While it is a chain, many in this area are owned by a local husband and wife team, who take their restaurants very seriously. When you walk into Smashburger, you order at the counter as you would from a fast food restaurant, and then you are given a number to place on your table. A server brings the food to your table once it has been properly smashed (or cooked).

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The burgers start on a butter greaser grill to sear in a delicate butter flavor. This butter flavor is seared into Angus certified beef, which is fresh (never frozen) and shaped into a loose ball. The ball is then smashed with a special masher which caramelizes the burger’s bottom and brings its juices to the surface. As each burger is cooked to perfection, a medley of spices are added to the top of it to bring out the burger’s flavor.

My fella trying out the new kids meal with fried chicken and fries (and a chocolate milk drink). They also gave him a cup of BBQ sauce, which is his favorite.

The burger itself is then dressed in a variety of options from the traditional burger to avocado, bacon, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, Swiss cheese, onions, etc. For a change of pace, make up your own burger, with any sauce you wish, add cheese, and etc to your liking.

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The sides at Smash burger are very good as well and includes fried pickles and light flavorful Smash fries.

All those all those options sound great for the adult patrons, but kids may not be as easily impressed. For them there is the kids menu, which includes chicken strips, now available in grilled or crispy, the kids mash burger, hot dog, or grilled cheese with your choice of sides including Musselman’s Unsweetened Squeezable Apple Sauce. The newest additions to the kids menu are the better for you options available (the grilled chicken strips and the unsweetened apple sauce).

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I would suggest going and checking out a Smash Burger today, because not only is there a good burger with your name on it, but your kids will like it as well.

Filed Under: food, review Tagged With: food, NJ

Bears For Humanity Plush Teddy Bears @bears4humanity

September 14, 2015 by Samantha 26 Comments

A simple Teddy Bear can make the world a better place, one bear at a time.

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How, you may be asking, can a stuffed bear do such a thing? The gift of a teddy bear can be a soft friend to snuggle with at night, and make their days and nights a bit better, but with Bears For Humanity they take this idea of helping a step further, for every bear purchased another bear is given to a child in need through on of the following non profit groups:

· Toys for Tots

· Expect Miracles Foundation

· Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital

· One Simple Wish

· Save the Children

· Semper Fi

This is both refreshing and incredibly fulfilling when buying. Instead of simply getting a soft, snugly, well made plush, you are also improving a child’s life just by purchasing the bear you wanted anyway.

The positive aspects don’t stop there, either. Each bear is also made of certified organic cotton and hemp, so they are naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial, so you can feel great giving this toy to your child. The process to make a soft plush from organic materials was not easy, but Bears for Humanity stuck to it and took 3 years developing a process to make their bears organic instead of plastic based. Each bear is also made in the USA at CalWORKs in Northern California.

I have to be honest with you- these bears are very cute and very soft, to the point you do not want to put it down. My son is a plush enthusiast, and he loves it. I love it too, to the point I was tempted to keep it. Honestly. Each bear is well put together and they are available in two sizes and five colors, including blue, pink, white, brown, and black.

The larger sized premium bears retail for $39.99 and the smaller baby bears retail for $19.99.

Follow Bears for Humanity on their social media channels-

https://www.facebook.com/Bears4Humanity?fref=ts

https://instagram.com/bearsforhumanity/

https://twitter.com/bears4humanity

One of you can win a bear as well- feel free to use the RC form below to enter. Good luck! Ends Oct. 10, 2015.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: giveaway, review, toys Tagged With: toys

Muller Yogurt’s – New Dessert Inspired flavors #YogurtWithBenefits

September 14, 2015 by Samantha 5 Comments

Disclosure- The below has been provided in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest.

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Muller yogurt are known for their delicious and nutritious yogurts and their new line of dessert inspired flavors are no different. Muller yogurt’s new Dessert Inspired flavors provide a satisfying, self-indulgent moment you deserve. Dessert Inspired flavors feature creamy, signature Muller yogurt on top of a layer of fruit or caramel sauce and are served with delicious crunchy goodies on the side. The dreamy new varieties include Strawberry Cheesecake, Raspberry Brownie Supreme, Dulce De Leche Delight and Peach Cobbler. Muller Dessert Inspired flavors offer a decadent sweet treat you can feel good about:
• Provide a good source of protein and calcium
• Made with no high fructose corn syrup,
artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives
• Contain 220 calories or less

Each flavor tastes just like you’d expect, from the rich creamy strawberry cheesecake, to the decadent raspberry brownie, to the fruity peach cobbler- each flavor brings a new delight to your taste buds. The Dessert Inspired flavors feature creamy, signature Muller yogurt on top of a layer of fruit or caramel, and are served with delicious crunchy goodies on the side. What we really like about these is the fact that they each contain 220 calories or less per serving so they can act as that mid afternoon treat when your sweet tooth is kicking in. I honestly really like these, and have bought them since this review (and plan to continue buying them- they are a perfect snack or dessert alternative).

Muller Dessert Inspired yogurt varieties are now available at participating retailers nationwide for a
suggested retail price of $1.25.
Look for the black Muller packaging in the yogurt aisle.
Follow Müller Yogurt USA on Facebook and use the hashtag #YogurtWithBenefits to join the conversation on Twitter.

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Filed Under: food, review Tagged With: food, yogurt

LANGHAM PLACE PARTNERS WITH FAMILY FITNESS EXPERT STEVE ETTINGER @langhamplaceny

September 13, 2015 by Samantha 2 Comments

Langham Place, New York, Fifth Avenue is pleased to announce the expansion of its family offerings through a unique partnership with New York-based family fitness expert Steve Ettinger. This partnership offers guests traveling with children three years of age and older the opportunity to incorporate both outdoor and in-room fitness options into their Manhattan vacation.

Scones made on site

Ettinger has created itineraries for use by all guests staying at Langham Place, based around a customized walking map of Midtown Manhattan and incorporating local landmarks – the HighLine, Bryant Park, Central Park – with stops along the way to optimize sightseeing as well as outdoor fitness for the family. Rainy day tips for staying active that can be done in one of the spacious Family Place or Family One Bedroom Suites at Langham Place are also included.

Guests who book the Family Fun & Fitness package at Langham Place also receive a specially curated gift bag, created by Ettinger, which includes a branded nylon backpack, water bottle and a copy of “Wallie Exercises”, a children’s book written by Steve with art by Pete Proctor. The package includes accommodations in either a Family Place room, a spacious oversize room with two queen beds and space for an additional rollaway for larger families; or Family One Bedroom Suite, which includes a separate king-sized master bedroom, a full living room equipped with a queen-sized sleeper sofa and a kitchen with Miele appliances, including a stovetop, oven, refrigerator and breakfast bar. Family Fun & Fit guests will also receive a specially curated menu of healthy treats at turn-down, created by hotel Executive Chef David Vandenabeele especially for them; and can also book individual training sessions with Steve for the whole family for $175 per hour.

View from the room

“Our guests are looking to experience the best of New York City,” said Robin Flanz, Director of Sales & Marketing of Langham Place. “We want to be able to offer them a robust array of experiences, including how to experience the city in a healthy and active way with their children. For that reason we are so happy to have Steve as our expert partner for family fitness at Langham Place.”

“I’m thrilled to be able to share my knowledge with the guests at Langham Place, New York,” said Ettinger. “I’ve been working with kids and families in New York and around the country for a long time. It’s so important to learn healthy habits from a young age and when approached as a family, it not only has a lasting impact, but is a great way to spend quality time together.”

Family Fun & Fitness is the latest addition to family programming at Langham Place. Last year, Langham Place introduced Cultured Kids, a specially-curated menu of family-friendly add-ons, allowing even the youngest guests to take full advantage of the cultural offerings available at the hotel and throughout the city, including art galleries in Chelsea, the architectural wonder of the Empire State Building, the tradition of Afternoon Tea at Measure Lounge or five-star dining at Michelin-starred Ai Fiori.

Visit http://newyork.langhamplacehotels.com to book your stay.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Nintendo Celebrates National Video Games Day with Fun Mario Facts

September 13, 2015 by Samantha 3 Comments

National Video Games day is fast approaching on Sept. 12, and what better way to celebrate than with a day of Mario! He is, after all, one of the most recognized video game characters of all time.

Super Mario Maker launches exclusively for Wii U on the 11th of September, so it’s the perfect day to play, create and share the Super Mario Bros. levels of your dreams! Mario is one of the most iconic faces in video games, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES.

To make your celebration of National Video Games Day complete, here are 10 fun facts about Mario and the Super Mario Bros. franchise that you might not know!

Fact 1: Mario has appeared in more than 200 video games.

Fact 2: Super Mario Bros. launched 30 years ago on Sept. 13, 1985.

Fact 3: In Super Mario Land, Mario has to pilot a submarine and an airplane to save Princess Daisy. Who knew he had his pilot license?

Fact 4: Nintendo composer Koji Kondo provided the iconic soundtrack to Super Mario Bros.

Fact 5: Since 1995, the voice of

Mario has been provided by American voice actor Charles Martinet. He also voices Mario‘s twin brother, Luigi, and nemesis, Wario.

Fact 6: Mario‘s first appearance was in the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game. And he wasn’t trying to rescue Princess Peach like in Super Mario Bros. It was actually his friend Pauline.

Fact 7: While the original Super Mario Bros. incorporated classic items like the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower, Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced a host of iconic power-ups for Mario to pick up like the Super Leaf, Tanooki Suit and Goomba’s Shoe. Ever since, creative power-ups and transformations have become a staple of the Super Mario Bros. series.

Fact 8: Mario was originally known as “Jumpman” in Donkey Kong.

Fact 9: Mario actually didn’t appear in Donkey Kong 3, but he did make his return to the series in Donkey Kong for Game Boy.

Fact 10: Some Mario games actually break the space-time continuum by having Mario interact with his younger baby self.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Nintendo

Super Mario Maker has a GameTruck

September 13, 2015 by Samantha 2 Comments

After providing a truckload of ink-flying action to parties across the country this summer with the Splatoon game, GameTruck is once again partnering with Nintendo to bring the Super Mario Maker game to its fleet of game trucks. Starting on Sept. 18, more than 100 GameTruck vehicles will feature the upcoming game, launching exclusively for Wii U consoles on the 11^th of September. Super Mario Maker lets players create their own Super Mario Bros. levels, share them online and play a near-limitless number of levels from people all over the world.

GameTruck delivers a fun video game experience to major metropolitan areas in 27 states around the country. The trucks bring gaming experiences directly to private consumer events and parties with more than 100 trucks fully equipped with the latest video games. There are even game experts on board to give tips, tricks and training. The trucks roll right up to the location of the party to provide a no-hassle way for party planners to give their attendees a fun experience they’ll never forget. To date, GameTruck has brought the Splatoon game in all of its inky glory to more than 5,000 parties and nearly 1,500 large events, while entertaining a total of over 600,000 guests.

Party guests who play Super Mario Maker in the trucks will experience a variety of imaginative levels created by people all over the world – even some created by Nintendo! GameTruck’s onboard experts will guide party guests through the level-creation process so they can get a taste of how easy and fun it is to create the Super Mario Bros. levels of their dreams. Attendees will even be able to submit their best levels to GameTruck at the end of their party, for a chance to have their level shared across the country. Once a month, GameTruck and Nintendo will select the best created level and feature it on http://play.nintendo.com.

The trucks with Super Mario Maker won’t hit the road until Sept. 18, but party planners can start reserving them now. For more information about how to reserve a GameTruck featuring Super Mario Maker, please visit http://gametruckparty.com. For more information about Super Mario Maker, visit http://supermariomaker.nintendo.com/.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: gaming, Nintendo, video games

Adding fun with Fisher Nut Exactly Snack Bites #FisherNutExactly

September 11, 2015 by Samantha 9 Comments

It is now fall and since schools have school started, activities start as well. Schedules which were previously filled with “I’m bored” are now filled with car rides and chauffeuring the kids around. One of the most difficult things to figure into your schedule is even a little bit of ‘me’ time. That time during the day when you breath and take a step back, without anyone demanding things of you. Some use lunch time to do this, others take small breaks through out the day.

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It really helps your sanity, and patience. Hey- it can mean the world just to have a few minutes without someone or something literally or figuratively climbing on your back, yes? You can bring some fun into your day with a little snack break and new Fisher Nut Exactly, which are the new 15 to 16 calorie per bite snacks. These won’t pack on the pounds, and are not only delicious but also fairly good for you.

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Fisher Nut Exactly is a combination of roasted nuts and whole grain popcorn, rolled into a bite-sized snack that’s dipped in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, peanut butter, or salted caramel. We were given the chance to sample the peanut popcorn with peanut butter, almond popcorn with milk chocolate, and pecan popcorn with salted caramel. Each bite is a mouthful of nuts, popcorn, and a topping on one side. This is a nice way to snack without the guilt, and has no artificial preservatives ( a great way to snack). Instead of wondering what a serving size is, its easy- one bite is 15 or 16 calories each. Just add it up as you have more, and you will know exactly how much you have consumed.

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Fisher Nut Exactly are the perfect combination of salty, sweet, and nutty, and are available nationwide in a Walmart near you. For more information about Nut Exactly flavors and product availability, check out www.FisherNutExactly.com. Show us how you’re enjoying Fisher NUT EXACTLY with the #FisherNutExactly hashtag on social media.

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Filed Under: food, review

My Friend Cayla – there’s an app for this doll

September 10, 2015 by Samantha 4 Comments

Welcome to the new age of toys. No longer are there just smart TV’s and phones, now just about anything can be ‘smarter’ with a connection to the internet and some ingenuity.

With this in mind, we are taking a look at My Friend Cayla from Genesis Toys. This doll is 18 inches tall and has a plethora of nifty features some of which include: answering just about any question, telling you a story, playing a game, discussing photos with you, speaking Spanish, and telling you about the weather to name a few of her talents. Cayla is a doll for the digital age- she interfaces with a free app. Which after a quick install onto your smart phone or tablet, which is both iOS and Android supported, it acts as both an interface with Cayla and an internet connection. The phone or tablet then allows you to read a story with Cayla, play games and even go through her photos, all of which work seamlessly and easily at distances up to 30 feet.

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Cayla does connect to your device via Bluetooth, so be sure that option is enabled on your phone/tablet. Once Cayla is connected to your device, you can choose for her to use the internet to help answer questions or simply work offline if that is your preference. The more you play with Cayla, the more intuitive play time gets and the better she gets to “know” your child. I especially like the interactive aspect of her speech patterns, where instead of simply talking about candy, (for example) she will ask your child if they like treats, what their favorite is, and then tell them what her favorite candy is. Your child will know when its time for them to talk by the charm on Cayla’s neck lighting up or the heart on the app page turning yellow.