Entertainment

Head on over to the Harvest Festival in Pasadena NOW!!!

Expert Grandma's Corner

Do you have a little munchkin that is a picky eater? Well you're not alone. All around me I see moms that try everything they can to get their children to eat, including myself. Some of us even spend hours on trying to figure out what we can do. 

Well here are some tricks that our Expert Grandma told us to try and YES it works. I'm speaking from experience and was thrilled to see my little angel eating all her meals. Try it and let us know.

1. Take your child by the kitchen sink with their favorite toys. Run the water and have them give their toy a bath or wash their little toys. While they play, you feed them. Works wonders :)

2. Give them Legos to play with. It gets their brain to think about what they're making so you get to feed them the nutritious foods that they need.

3. Sit them on their chair and put their favorite cartoon on. While they're watching, you have a great opportunity to feed them, especially the soups which most children hesitate to eat.

4. Provide paper, crayons and have them draw something for mommy. Not only will they eat their meal but at the same time you will end up with a beautiful art to keep.

5. You know that makeup bag you have with all the beautiful eyeshadows, lipsticks and mascaras. Put it to use!!! Kids love playing with moms makeups. They take everything out of the bag, look at it and put it back. By the time they're done putting everything back, they're also done with their meal :)

Food/Cooking

Since it got a little chilly this past week, I wanted to make a satisfying and delicious soup for the family. I made Bean, Barley and Pea Soup and it turned out great. Below are the ingredients. Try and let us know how you like it.

Ingredients:

2 cups of Bean, Barley and Pea (mix it all together)

2 - 32 oz Vegetable Broth

1 cup onion, chopped

1 cup celery, chopped

1 cup carrot, chopped

1 cup bell pepper, chopper

1 tsp. dried basil

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning

1 cup tomatoes, chopped

1 large potato, peeled cut in little squares

salt and pepper to taste 

Wash the Beans, Barley and Peas then rinse and drain. Pour 4 cups of the vegetable broth into pot with the beans. In a separate pan, cook onion, celery, carrot, pepper, basil and garlic in olive oil until soft. Combine this mixture and remaining ingredients into the bean pot and cover with more broth. Simmer covered for about 1 hour to desired tenderness. Be sure to occasionally check liquid level and add more broth if necessary. Will make about 8 servings.

Featured Unique Products

As a busy mother and wife, I try to provide as much nutritious snacks to my family as I possibly

can. One product that I absolutely love that even comes with us on our family vacations is my 

Magic Bullet.

Anyone that knows me and has been to my house has seen my Magic Bullet on my kitchen 

counter, and has heard me rave about this product all the time. I absolutely love it and can't live 

without it. It truly makes my life a lot simpler, because I know that in 15 seconds I can 

have a delicious and healthy smoothie ready for my girls and make homemade organic and heathy

baby food in less than 30 seconds. You can do so much with this product that the list goes on and 

on, and the best thing about it is that it's so easy to clean and wash. 

My mother gave the Magic Bullet as my very first Mother Day gift and I have thanked her so many times and will be forever grateful for introducing me to such a great product that's a staple in my kitchen.

I needed to share with all of you the amazing and awesome Magic Bullet and hope that you can experience it for yourself and save precious time that you can spend with your family. Magic Bullet Hi-Speed Blender / Mixer System (Google Affiliate Ad)Magic Bullet Hi-Speed Blender / Mixer System (Google Affiliate Ad)Magic Bullet Hi-Speed Blender / Mixer System (Google Affiliate Ad)Magic Bullet Hi-Speed Blender / Mixer System (Google Affiliate Ad)Magic Bullet Hi-Speed Blender / Mixer System (Google Affiliate Ad)

Food/Cooking

If you're looking for a nutritious meal for the entire family that's also so yummy, check out 
our recipe for 
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Almonds.

INGREDIENTS: 

20 oz uncooked Brussels sprouts, trimmed of outer tough leaves and cut in half lengthwise
2 Tbsp olive oil,
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp sliced almonds
Squeeze lemon on sprouts 1 minute before taking it off stove

Enjoy and let us know how you liked it :)

Entertainment

UNIQUE PUMPKIN PATCH FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO ENJOY!!!

Lombardi Ranch has been a great family tradition of ours. We took our girls there last weekend for the third year in a row and they absolutely had a blast. Once you go, 
I guarantee that you will go back every year. A great bonus is their Farm Fresh Produce, 
and don't forget to have their yummy corn on the cob. It's truly delicious and has been our family's favorite food to eat when there. There's so much to do, so make sure you go early and plan on being there for a couple of hours. 
Once there, you can enjoy live bands, petting zoos, wagon rides, face paintings and more! And remember, no child leaves empty handed! Each little one leaves Lombardi Ranch with 
a balloon, sticker, candy, and a smile on their face; and you leave with way too many pumpkins then you anticipated on buying.  LOL

Here's some information about Lombardi Ranch.

For over 30 years, family-operated and owned Lombardi Ranch has been providing family fun for all ages to the Santa Clarita Valley. And today husband and wife Bob and Joanne Lombardi continue that tradition of bringing fun and happiness to everyone. From late summer until early November, you can find plenty of fun activities, contests, field trips and fundraisers to benefit the entire community at Lombardi Ranch. And with Halloween right around the corner, you can pick out the perfect pumpkin to get in the Halloween spirit!

Their address, hours of operation and phone number are below:

29527 Bouquet Canyon Road

Saugus, CA 91390

661-296-8697

Monday - Saturday:  9am - 6pm

Sunday & holidays:  9am - 5pm

Entertainment

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS!!!!

OCTOBER 12, 2012 - 10AM - 4PM @ THE GROVE
SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERY MACHINE TOUR - *FREE*

Scooby-Doo needs the help of kids across the US to solve a mystery! There are clues at each of the Scooby-Doo partner locations, and the crew is recruiting local sleuths to solve the mystery!

At each stop, attendees will be given an activity sheet to gather clues from various activities. Stations will include Crayola coloring, reading lounge, photo activity, games and more! Once all the clues have been collected and the completed activity sheet has been submitted, participants will receive a special prize from Scooby-Doo.

Scooby-Doo will be making an appearance at all the tour stop locations - it’s mystery-solving fun for all!




OCTOBER 13, 2012 - 10AM - 4:30PM @ (Rotart Cenntenial Park) 649 Grandview Twin 
                                                                        Peacks, CA. 92391
THE 5TH ANNUAL PINE CONE FESTIVAL - *FREE*

The Pine Cone Festival is a one of a kind event for the whole family! Did you know that they have the heaviest pine cone in the world growing in the Southern California Mountains, the Coulter Pine Cone, they can weigh up to 10 pounds? It's also the home to the longest pine cone in the world the Sugar Cone, they can grow up to 2 feet long!
Learn all about our beautiful local mountains and their wildlife. There is local entertainment featuring musicians, singers, and animal trainers.
Free to enter are pine cone contests: "The worlds Largest Pine Cone",and a "Pine Cone Craft Contest" (make a unique craft out of one then submit them and win prizes). What would the Pine Cone Festival be with out the "Pine Cone Olympics" for ages 4 to 100. Compete in pine cone archery, hoop toss and shot put. Win great prizes and be an Olympic champion!

OCTOBER 27, 2012 - 11AM - 7PM @ (Dixie Canyon Community Charter School) 4220 Dixie  
                                                                 Canyon Avenue, Sherman Oaks, 91423
THE PUMPKIN FAIR - *FREE*

The Pumpkin Fair is a treat for the whole family! Celebrate the season with a fun-filled day/eve of rides, gigantic bouncies, haunted house, carnival games, raffles, arts and crafts, costume contest, face painting, laser race track, exciting music, amazing prize booth and special surprise flash mob! Over 70 local vendors plus tasty food from local restaurants and MORE!!!! Free Admission - Rides, Food and drink for purchase Proceeds benefit our local public school children. FAMILY FUN, FUN, FUN.



OCTOBER 20-21, 2012

1. Aquarium of the Pacific's Scarium of the Pacific:  Enjoy special programs for children. Activities include a costume contest, coloring contest, magic shows, face painting, and an underwater pumpkin-carving show.


FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, 2012

2. Disneyland Resort's Halloween Time: Experience seasonal "treats" like space Mountain; Ghost Galaxy, the classic attraction with an eerie look, plus favorites like Tower of Terror. My personal favorite is the Ghost ride as it's all decked out for Halloween.

3. Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights: Navigate haunted mazes and Scare Zones, and take a ride on the Terror Tram, which drops guests off on some of the scariest sets on the Universal back lot. A special event ticket is needed. This event is not included with regular park admission. Costumes are not allowed. Not recommended for children under 13.


WEEKENDS IN OCTOBER, 2012

4. Legoland California Resort's Brick-or-Treat: Enjoy two trick or treat trails, a giant Lego pumpkin, themed decor and much more.


5. Sea World San Diego's Halloween Spooktacular: Sea World offers silly and spooky shows, like the Pirate 4-D movie experience and the Search for Captain Lucky's Treasure walk through adventure.

6. Knott's Berry Farm's Snoopy's Costume Party: This non scary daytime event offers shows, activities, and trick or treating geared for kids ages 3-11. Costumes are allowed.


FRIDAYS-SUNDAYS IN OCTOBER, 2012

7. Six Flags Magic Mountain's Fright Fest: The event offers hair raising shows, street entertainment, and haunted houses. Get ready to scream as I can tell you from experience that it's very spooky :)

Health/Wellness

How to Do a Breast Self-Exam and a Cancer Prevention Shopping Guide

As women, wives and mothers we need to make sure we are healthy so that we can take care of our loved ones. What is one of the most effective and easy ways to protect your body? Monthly breast self-exams.
October is national Breast Cancer awareness month. While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, self-exams make you more familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can alert your health care professional if there are any changes.

Maintaining a healthy diet is an essential part of being proactive with your 
health, and eating certain foods can actually help decrease your risk of 
developing breast cancer!

START REDUCING YOUR CANCER RISK TODAY 
BY FILLING YOUR SHOPPING CART WITH THESE 
CANCER-FIGHTING FOODS:

FRUITS

Mixed Berries

(Strawberries, Raspberries,

Blueberries, Blackberries)

Tropical Fruits

(Papaya, Kiwi)

Grapefruit

Oranges

Asparagus

Grapes

Lemons

Apples

Figs

Tomatoes

FRUITS PROTEINS

Brussels Sprouts

Kale

Swiss Chard

Turnip Greens

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Carrots

Sweet Potatoes

Bok Choy

Avocado

Garlic

Mushrooms

Squash 

VEGETABLES

Beans

Cod

Chinook Salmon

Lean Chicken or Turkey

Eggs

Mixed Nuts (unsalted)

GRAINS

Lentils

Brown Rice

Whole Grain Bread

Oatmeal

BEVERAGES

Green Tea

Pomegranate Juice

Skim Milk

SPICES

Flax Seeds

Turmeric

Entertainment

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE 1ST WEEKEND OF OCTOBER:

October 7, 2012  ARMENIAN FESTIVAL;

Costa Mesa

Authentic Armenian food, live music, dancing, shopping, and kids zone. 

Address:    St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church

                  148 22nd Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 

                  949-650-8367

October 4 – October 7, 2012  ORANGE COUNTY INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW: 

Anaheim Convention Center 

Hours:

Thursday, 4 pm – 10 pm

Friday, 12 noon – 10 pm

Saturday, 9 am – 10 pm

Sunday, 9 am – 7 pm

Address:      Anaheim Convention Center 

                    800 W. Katella Ave. Anaheim, CA 91802

                    714-765-8950

October 5-7, 12-14, 2012  ANGEL CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Ford Amphitheater - Hollywood

Outdoor event with jazz musicians from the West Coast and around the world

For more information you can visit angelcityjazzfestival.com

October 6-7, 2012   LA DOLCE VITA ITALIAN FESTIVAL:

Laguna Niguel

Address:  El Lazo Road between Alicia Parkway and La Paz Road 

                949-340-5770

Chalk street painting, Italian food, wine, and beer; a grape stomp; a spaghetti-eating contest; music and entertainment; vendors, and kids playland. 

October 6, 2012   OKTOBERFEST STREET FAIR:

Montrose 

Address:  Honolulu Avenue

                818-249-7171

German bands, dancing, game booths, carnival rides, bingo, entertainment, contests, and authentic German Food.

October 5-7, 2012   CALIFORNIA AVOCADO FESTIVAL:

Carpinteria

Address:  Linden Ave, Downtown Carpinteria

                805-684-0038

This is the worlds largest vat of guacamole, exhibits, contests, food, vendors, entertainment, arts and crafts, and kids activities. Check it out should be great.

Food/Cooking

Do you wake up and juggle numerous tasks only to make sure you get your kids ready on time?

To have a healthy breakfast ready for them, and to make sure you get to work on time? 

If that's you, we have the perfect solution. Check out below what we came up with. It's healthy, cute and puts a smile to your little one's face.

Ingredients: 

1 bagel

2 small walnuts

4 strawberries

you can use the following for the spread in the bagel:  Cream cheese, peanut butter, nutella  

Here's to you and your children :)