Datarank Hidden Valley Ranch

July 2, 2015 by 4 Comments

This Post is sponsored by Datarank and Hidden Valley Ranch. All opinions are my own.

We all know how wonderful Hidden Valley Ranch is as a salad dressing, a dip or topping on just about anything that needs a little zip, but did you know Hidden Valley can be used in actual recipes themselves.

Today we are going to take a look at a tasty burger receipt which will leave your guests begging for more. Also, this gives you a good excuse to try out the new Hidden Valley Ranch Flavor in an interesting new way.

pic6

We tried making something new, the Sweet Chili Burger.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground meat of choice (any meat will do, but ground beef or chicken is preferred)

Half cup of Hidden Valley Ranch Sweet Chili

Toppings and rolls

Directions:

In a large bowl mix the half cup Hidden Valley and the meat together, this should be covered then refrigerated at least a few hours before cooking, overnight is best.

Once it is time to start grilling, make your patties as thick or thin as you like then cook to your preference.

You will find the burgers have a slight peppery sweetness to them, but nothing over powering and they will also be one of the juiciest burgers you have ever tasted. There is little to no spice profile in this which should be noted as well.

This recipe works well because the Hidden Valley adds some much needed moisture when cooking while also holding the burger together.

There are also a few other new Hidden Valley Ranch flavors which could be used in place of Sweet Chili. They are Avocado Ranch, Cucumber Ranch light and regular, and Roasted Garlic. Of the ones available Roasted Garlic sounds like a good second pick if Sweet Chili doesn’t float your boat.  Head to Walmart and grab some today!
Click here for a coupon as well!

Filed Under: food, review

Dr. Pepper 4th of July

July 2, 2015 by 1 Comment

Disclosure- This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own and honest.  Please see ” I Disclose” for more information”.

20150517_173817

When throwing a 4th of July barbeque, one of the most fun parts of planning is how to make it memorable, while still keeping within a budget. The key here is “within budget”- its easy to make a memorable day while spending a ton of money on renting outdoor fun stuff like a cotton candy machine, popcorn machine, bouncy house, etc. The real trick is to make memories and fun while being reasonable and money smart. Below are a few tips to help during the coming 4th of July holiday weekend.

– Variety. Variety is the spice of life giving your guests lots of options is key. Have classics like hot dogs and hamburgers, but also things for those vegetarians out there too like portabella mushrooms grilled like hamburgers, lots of salad options, and also some veggie burgers. With options,inted your guests will have a hard time picking just one making them happy and full. If it isn’t feasible for you to foot the bill for this alone have a pot luck barbecue where guests bring salads, sides, desserts, drinks etc. This will work in your favor as long as there is communication, the last thing you want is five people bringing the same potato salad.

– Drinks. Have lots of drinks don’t bank on lemonade and cola. Dr Pepper is a great way to bring about differences in drink options that kids and adults love. This is especially true with Dr Pepper’s new Summer flavors: Dr Pepper Cherry® and Dr Pepper Vanilla Float®. If you are feeling adventurous have a float stand where your guests can make their own ice cream floats using the soda already available and various ice cream varieties like vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. Lots of ice lots of coolers and lots of fun.

20150702_200402

– Ethnic. Food from around the world can add a variety of spices, smells, colors, and most of all variety. Special marinades can help out a ton and also make ethnic cooking incredibly easy. Just be sure to follow directions and keep flavors separate. Try to keep the grill clean as well. Following these guidelines will keep your jerk chicken from tasting like the curry tuna. Another idea for marinates is try something unique, a neat idea which I recent stumbled upon was marinating in Dr. Pepper. The 23 flavors really help meat get tender and juicy while adding a unique flavor that most will not be able to put their finger on until you uncover your secret.

20150702_200344

No matter what your plans are this 4th of July be sure so include Dr. Pepper in your plans even if you are just a guest coming to a barbecue. I promise coming to the party with Dr. Pepper will always be welcome.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. The opinions and text are all mine.

Filed Under: review

Banana Boat® Summer

July 1, 2015 by 2 Comments

When ever you have a Summer activity proper sun screen in necessary. This is not only the healthy way to have Summer fun but also saves your family and yourself with unwanted pain, itching and peeling. And those are some of the short term effects. We all know what is possible without proper sun screen application, so use it.

20150606_105653

Not only are trips to the beach or the pool places where Banana Boat ® is a must, but also when going to places like the park, zoo, carnival, really any place with a chance to be outside. My suggestion would be get a small bottle of Banana Boat® Sport Performance® Lotion Sunscreen with PowerStay Technology™. Did you know proper sun screening should be 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to you and your kids’ entire bodies 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

20150606_105707

Another Summer activity that should not be ignored when reaching to the sun screen is gardening in the yard. Just because it is overcast does not mean the sun is not emitting its harmful rays. Banana Boat® sun care products are tested in seven conditions–sun, pool water, ocean water,wind, sweat, sand and extreme heat–to provide safe and effective broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection for the entire family.

20150618_111659

So whatever your Summer activity is keep it safe and protected and of course have a great time with your family and friends. I’ll be here hoping you get no rain during your festivities.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: ,

Please and Carrots subscription for baby

July 1, 2015 by 7 Comments

In the world of shrinking personal time and increasing workloads, increasing responsibilities having a baby thrown into the mix can turn your world upside down. One of the most fun areas is toys for babies, it’s always fun to try and figure out what toys are best for your child. But which toys are actually best? Which are developmentally stimulating and help your child grow and mature?

06 12 2015 seal cannon cam 001
Please and Carrots is here to help with their new subscription service, where every quarter you receive a box of hand-picked toys and books specially selected for your baby based on their development stage (from ages 0-3). Included with the boxes, there is also an online portal which give parents insight into their child’s developmental stage as well as guidance on baby mile stones and what activities to do with baby.
Each toy and book is chosen by Dr. Susan Bartell, who is a child psychologist. She reviews, approves, and advises on every item to ensure it supports critical skill learning for each stage of your baby’s development.
It’s nice to absolutely know something is just right for your baby, and is developmentally appropriate (age wise). The online portal is a great addition. There is a panel of experts which includes a child psychologist, two pediatricians, a PhD in early childhood development, an educator specializing in teaching deaf children, a principal/educator trained in children with special needs, and a speech therapist. With more experts added on a regular basis, such as a nutritionist and a music therapist, bringing with them new wealth’s of knowledge to share, it is an excellent resource for parents. Online and printable content based on physical, emotional, and intellectual development is also available.
Please and Carrots is the perfect gift during a baby shower for first parents or grandparents.  Check them out and place your order once you are hooked.

Filed Under: baby, review Tagged With:

WIN! Magicforest Presents Trudi – mother and child hand puppets

June 29, 2015 by 23 Comments

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are our own and honest.

Cute plush are fun for the whole family especially at bed time, but some of the most imaginative kinds of plush are hand puppets. With some creativity, a few props, a background, and of course some cute and cuddly puppets, the world is your stage. (Or a small stage is your stage for any scenario you can dream of.) Magic Forest, the distributors of several fine toy lines, have brought straight from Italy a new line of puppets made by Trudi.

20150605_175622
Trudi is an Italian plush company which has been making plush since 1954. In the 1970’s they became renowned for their “Trudi Bear” which has a distinctive snout and to this day is still made in the same way as all their plush. Hand-made, double stitched, and hand combed in the Far East by local artisans in fair and safe working conditions. In Italy, instead of asking for a stuffed animal, kids ask for a ‘Trudi’. Trudi are known for their Puppets, Best Bussi, Baby Bussi, Sweet Collection, Trudi fantasy, and Trudi puzzles.

pic6
Trudi’s most recent addition to their line of wonderful plush are the mother and child hand puppets. The line includes Hen, Penguin, Owl, and Koala hand puppets with parent and child. Each puppet is incredibly soft and so much fun. The child puppet actually fits inside of the mother’s pouch, as well. Each puppet is double stitched, machine washable, and sized for little hands (but mine fit as well, so we can play together). Puppets are great fun for kids but are also useful. They help develop emerging language skills, social skills, and imagination. In babies, the list is skills puppetry improves is quite extensive and includes: gross motor skills, cognitive skills, language skills, vocabulary, curiosity, empathy and feelings expression. All of this while letting your imagination run wild makes for some fun times for kids of all ages.
Trudi Mother and Baby puppets are available in twin plush sets and retail for $25. He sure to check them out at BonjourPetit.com

One of you can win a puppet as well.  Feel free to use the RC form below.  Good luck! Ends July 17, 2015.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: giveaway, review Tagged With:

Jawbone Activity Tracker with Heart Rate Monitor @BestBuy @Jawbone

June 28, 2015 by 7 Comments

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.  All opinions are my own.

One of the newest fitness/tech items are the fitness bands.  Many are available but few live up to the hype.  One of the neatest is UP by Jawbone.  Jawbone are the makers of some of the best bluetooth speakers available in some designer styles and sizes, but today we are looking at UP.  The UP activity tracker and heart rate monitor help keep your fitness and lifestyle choices in clear view one step at a time.

Not only does the tracker know when you are moving but it also interfaces with the UP app and other third party apps as well.  The Up app features Smart Coach to help guide you to the right choices throughout your day.  My favorite description of the app is, “Any activity tracker can give you data. Smart Coach delivers meaning. No one can go it alone – and with Smart Coach by your side, you won’t have to. ”

The trackers helps you better understand you, by tracking your own sleep, eating and exercise.  To properly balance these three during a busy day can be frantic, but with Smart Coach it is easy.

p2

The newest in the line are the UP2 and UP3.  The UP3 being the top of the line and the UP2 a good starting point.  The UP2 is features: measurement of steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, activity vs. inactivity, nutritional intake, sleep quality, hours of sleep, workout intensity and more.  The UP3 measures activity vs. inactivity, calories burned, distance traveled, heart rate, pace, sleep quality, speed and steps taken with bioimpedance sensors.

p1

The UP3 and UP2 are available at a Best Buy near you and online.  The UP3 sells for $179.99 retail and the UP2 sells for $99.99.

Filed Under: review

Fun Ideas for Kids

June 28, 2015 by 4 Comments

Disclosure- The following toys have been awarded the Mr. Dad Seal of Approval.  The items were provided in order to review them.  All opinions are my own and honest.  All photos are my own, with no filters used during or after, or weird photo shoots done- just items in real life (you know, the way they are used).

The Light Up Trace Case by ALEX is a great toy for kids who love to draw. I’m not sure “toy” is an accurate description, perhaps art product? This item is very cool, and good for both boys and girls. The product is rated for children ages 5 and up, but I would say that some younger kids would be able to do this activity as well.  The light box is battery operated, and pre-printed sheets with different backdrops let kids draw their own silly characters onto the backgrounds with traceable bodies, heads, eyes (etc) that they can choose and “mash-up” to create.  It’s fun, easy to do, and kids can really get creative while learning some basic drawing principals. Available for $35 at http://www.alextoys.com/product/light-trace-case/

Get kids outside with the Lazer Light Bug Vacuum.  It’s not as weird as it sounds. Kids like bugs. Kids like checking out things they find in the dirt. Enter the Lazer Light Bug Vacuum from Backyard Safari. This is a pretty cool insect catching tool- it actually sucks up bugs without hurting them into a viewing chamber.  Check them out, study them, and learn about our tiny friends. Release the bugs with an “escape hatch” that opens with an easy twist.  The lazer light makes it easy to see the bugs in dark, dank places (you know, where bugs like to be and where kids go to catch them….gross, kids). This toy- I mean, science equipment- needs 4 ‘AA’ batteries. You can pick this up at http://www.backyardsafari.com/

06 12 2015 seal cannon cam 094

Remember “Creepy Crawlers”?  Those little ovens that would let you make your own wiggly bugs, in the process, giving you burns on the metal cast plates that you can still see on your hands and fingers?  Yes! Those.  OK, well Scientific Explorer Gelly Wiggle Bugs are kind of like that- in the cool way of making your own wiggly bugs, sans the melty-plastic smell and burns, hooray!  You and your kids can make colorful, wiggly insects and bugs by mixing included powders with water and pouring them into molds. Let it set for the allotted time, and viola!  Bugs. The instuctions say to keep them in the airtight container, since they are basically gelatin (don’t eat them!), but we didn’t and they shrank to about half their size, so….word to the wise. You can’t play with them in a container though, so, we stand by our choice. Also, the worm didn’t come out super well- everything else worked out fine. Recommended for ages 6 and up- I think kids a little younger will be OK if you can keep them from trying to eat the bugs.  They look like Jell-o Jigglers.

06 12 2015 seal cannon cam 075

How much more basic can you get?  Not much- but this toy has occupied my son far longer then almost anything else in the past six months. The Citiblocs 200 piece natural color wooden building block set is awesome for kids of just about any age- recommended for ages 3 and up, that seems about right. Build towers, ships, the whole town- anything you (or they) can think of. There is a building guide included, my son and his daddy loved trying to make the creations inside. One of his favorite things to build were complicated staircases- which sounds strange, but they are really cool looking.  He might have found his calling….This block set is made of all natural precision cut wood. Available for $60 at http://poof-slinky.com

06 12 2015 seal cannon cam 112The ZOOB Galax-Z Z-Star Explorer is completely out of this world.  Really!  Look, see?  It is. Construct space ships and saucers to explore outer space, infinity, and beyond. This kit is really cool- and you can create some truly awesome things.  There are included instructions to build a Drifter, Light Speeder, Cosmic Craft, or Z Star Explorer, but kids will have just as much fun making their own vehicles and creations. It also comes with 2 space people, or Zoobonauts, to man your vehicles. This kit is massive, and comes with 304 ZOOB pieces, engine shells, domes, tail wings, shells and blasters, support beams, cockpits, turbines, and 2 helmeted Zoobonauts. The box is reusable for storage as long as you don’t tear it apart opening it- so don’t do that.  Let kids use their imaginations, create, design, and read instructions to build- there is learning potential as well as endless fun in this set. I love it, and you will too.  Available for $15o at http://poof-slinky.com/

Filed Under: kids, review, toys

Skylanders Day Savings!

June 26, 2015 by 6 Comments

This is a sponsored post program with Mums the Word Network and Skylanders. All opinions are my own.

Skylanders was one of the first games to have something to physically play with that you can use in a video game.  The way it works is the player has a figure from Skylanders and puts it onto the portal.  This figure is then a character in the game they are playing, where their improvements and personalization of their Skylander are saved to that figure to be used again.

20150625_182759

My son has loved Skylanders since “Spyro’s Adventure” (the first game) and beat Trap Team all by himself.  He plays with the toys and has a blast playing as the toys in the game.  I like this game because it is easy to play and something we can play together.  With each game in the series growing upon the last, each game is backwards compatible with the toys so your level 10 Spyro from Spyro’s Adventure can be played with in Trap Team.  Also, the ability to jump in and out of the game on the fly is a great feature.  Sure, your kids can sit there for an hour playing games, but Mom or Dad have responsibilities and such so can’t always.  This feature lets you come into the game for a bit then hop out again causing the least amount of intrusion into the game.

20150625_182815

If you are a Skylanders fan or just curious about the game, be sure to check out the local stores in the next coming days to celebrate Skylanders day on June 27th.  There are some stellar deals with buy one get one free on Eon’s Elite characters, Buy a trap get a Water trap free, and also 50% off accessories for Skylanders.  This promotion is a limited time only, so be sure to check it out soon, from 06/24 through 06/30.

8_5x11-SkylandersFlyer-June-Back

Filed Under: review, toys Tagged With: