Knott's Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

We Love +Knott's Berry Farm but we adore them when they go PINK!

PC: Knott's Berry Farm

Going Pink for Breast Cancer awareness is not only just "Joe Cool" but it really hits home to a lot of us so it is just simply special!

We have had cancer in our family and we have had dear friends and family fight, win and lose against Breast Cancer. It is a tough fight for anyone and everyone that has to watch someone go through it. 

We are blessed with a community that cares. Since Knott's always does their part to give back they are once again running their Knott's Pink promotion. You can get all the details HERE but here are some of the highlights:

* Now through March 18, Knott’s Berry Farm and Susan G. Komen Orange County are working together for the third year to raise money for breast cancer awareness, services and research by offering special “Pink Tickets” and commemorative Knott's for the Cure t-shirts.

* 75% of the funds raised for Susan G. Komen are used to provide local services throughout Orange County:

• * Breast cancer detection and treatment education
• * Information and support for breast cancer survivors and families
• * Funding for free mammograms for uninsured and underserved women

* 25% of the funds raised for Susan G. Komen support national research to discover the cure for breast cancer.

* Special Merchandise is adorable too!

PC: Knott;s Berry Farm

We attended this awesome event last year and supported our friend Jaime who is in remission! Power of prayer... Read all about that touching day here. 

Buy tickets on line here. 

Don't forget to use the hash tag #KnottsPink to show your support when you tag your loved ones on social media too!

Prayers and positive vibes for all those fighting! Praises for all those who have won! Blessings for those who lost and love for all. 

The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them.  I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.  

Irvine Park Railroad Turns 20 - Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Irvine Park Railroad!

This year +IrvineParkRailroad is celebrating their 20th anniversary.

We are so excited to celebrate with them all and visit as often as we can. 

I am sure this year's seasonal activities will be super special. 

There is so much to do at Irvine Park Railroad year round. Get all the details on the special events for Easter, Halloween, Christmas and more HERE!

Make sure you pick up a calendar and get your dates set for all the fun Irvine Park Railroad has to offer this year!

You can always check out our experiences on my blog - HERE.

Best wishes in 2016 everyone. Why not kick off 2016 with a train ride in nature!

Harbor Breeze Cruises and Aquarium of the Pacific Advise Conservation While Whale Watching!

First Time Whale Watching a Success!

Thank you to the Aquarium of the Pacific for the invite to board the Ocean Breeze Cruise boat Triumph for whale watching yesterday.

I have always wanted to go whale watching but have never had the opportunity to go and yesterday I was able to take my kids as well.

Usually on outings like this I like that my husband comes along but because he was not able to go I decided that it would be worth it because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to not only see Gray Whales but possibly catch an Orca too!

We were scheduled to leave about 11 and return at 1. I myself could stay out at sea for a half day if not more but I thought this was perfect for family time or even a date.

2 Easy Dinners for the Same Night!

Two super fast and easy meals for same day dinner!

I know right, what am I even talking about two dinners for one meal but yes that is what I said and did tonight!

Well, because I have a picky eater and someone who will eat anything, tonight I decided to try chicken strips.

I had three strips of chicken, skinless and boneless left in my fridge for my picky eater who is now eating home made chicken nuggets again!!

I also had all the goodies to make a vegetarian chili for the rest of us.

Chicken Strips - Easy Peasy

Toss Chicken Strips into and coat with a bread crumb mix with garlic salt, lemon pepper, salt, pepper and then just toss it into a pot of oil that is going to fry them on the stove top. Make sure the chicken heats to temp and ready to eat. Mine took about 11 mins for three pieces to fry and cook ready to eat. 

Vegetarian Chili - First Time Meatless (serves 6)

1 Large Can of Pinto Beans

1 Large Can of Black Beans

1 Large Can of Crushed Tomatoes 

2 Pieces of fresh garlic chopped 

Half a medium white onion

1 Can of Corn

1 Packet of Chili Seasoning medium and beef up the sauce with:

    * Turmeric (2 table spoons)

    * Cumin (2 table spoons) 

    * Fennel Seed crushed 

    * Cinnamon (a pinch)

    * Adobo Chili (season to heat level preferred) 

    * Fresh Ground Chili (season to heat level preferred)

Let all of this simmer for 25 mins and serve. 

Add a little cheese and sour cream to the top and finish with fresh chopped onion and enjoy! 

Chili is one of my most favorite meals ever. In the winter it becomes one of my most cooked. I love to toss all of this with ground beef into the crock pot too but this time it was vegetarian so it was easy to do stove top and fast!

The best part of tonight's dinner is that the chicken strips turned nuggets are GONE and there is just enough Chili to send my hubs to work with. Chili is always better on the second day!

Night!

#Chili #Vegetarian #Spicy #Loveit #Foodie #Dinner #ChickenStrips #Homemade #FreshandEasy #Dinnerformyfamily #MadeFresh #LiveWell #DinnerIdeas 

Kicking off 2016 With Some GOALS!

Goals, Resolutions and more for 2016!

Super excited for this year already. There are many things in the works and to work on. 

Today's rain bring me to my desk and with a few moments to reflect on what I want to get done in 2016, short term, long term and NOW. 

I have a lot to catch up on for my blog. I have been wanting to update a few things and also learn a few more things to keep it fresh, organized and up to date. 

I want to updated a daily check off to do chart for my kids. They each have their routines and daily activities and it is getting harder to keep track of it all on my own. With this I hope to teach them that they too can handle a check list and make it happen to help mama! Thanks for the idea Jen over at Balancing the Chaos blog. 

With meal prep I hope to get some new ideas in the mix. I have my favs that the family loves but I need more and I would love it to be multi cultural! Ideas... drop me a comment below and Ill try it out and reply back!

Be more social on Live streaming. I love that my blog is video friendly... I love to snap vids, do live coverage and be goofy all the time. I hope to get the opportunity to do more of this with my daughter Zoe. 

Family time. This is always a priority but with my husband working so much it is totally a hit and miss. Usually I am with the kids and he gets to join us here and there. I want to appreciate those here and there moments more and know that he is doing his best to give us what we need and the moments we are all together are a gift of time to make memories so we will do just that!

Exciting news, we welcomed our new Nephew into the world with my amazingly strong sister in law Miriam. May God bless you and your family of 4 now. 

There is so much more that I hope to add to this list as I figure out what the next step for each challenge or event may be but I am eagerly looking forward to the positive blessings that I will give and that will come within this new year. 

Keep an eye out for my son's +Pretend City Children's Museum Birthday review, we had a blast and are still recovering from all the EduFun that was had for over 4 hours! 

Happy New year and Three Kings Day tomorrow everyone!

#NewYear #Blessings #Goals #Motivation #LetsDoThis #baby #Newborn +Pretend City Children's Museum  #Family #NewYearNewYou #ResolutionsandGoals #makeItHappen