This SALE only happens once a year and is THE BEST time to purchase a new Silhouette crafting machine!

We cover all details on the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale for Silhouette products below!

Silhouette Black Friday Deals 2020

If you are looking for a new Silhouette CAMEO, the absolute best time to buy is during the Black Friday sales.  Both Silhouette America and Amazon have the best prices you will see all year long.

There are bundles on the newest machines like the Silhouette CAMEO4, and Alta, as well as, older machine bundles they are clearing out at deep discounts.

We have been anxiously awaiting the news on what the sale would be this year and 2019 may just be the best year yet! There are some great finds both for those who need a new Silhouette machine and those who just need materials, accessories, software or designs.

When does the Silhouette Black Friday Sale Start?

The Silhouette Black Friday sales start in two cycles. There is an Early Access sale and the official Silhouette Black Friday sale.

• Silhouette Early Access Sale starts Wednesday 11/25 at 8:00 am MST.
• Silhouette Black Friday Sale starts Thursday 11/26 at 6:00 pm MST.

How can I go to the Early Access Sale?

This year, Silhouette has given their long time partners (like me) the ability to share the sale with my followers (that is you!) one day early.

Anyone who is going through a partner can access the sale one day early, but you MUST use my coupon code PINNING to get the Black Friday Price and free shipping!

This is really great news because each year, Silhouette sells out of the most popular bundles quickly. My advice is that if you have your eye on something specific, buy it quickly!

Find EARLY ACCESS SALE HERE.

Black Friday Deal Highlights

I am going to share all of the details I know with you here. Please note, that I am sharing the info given to me by Silhouette to the best of my knowledge and you will have to verify all deals with the Silhouette America website, in case of changed in stock and availability.

Here is the highlights of what to expect:

• You will need a coupon code to access many of the best deals and free shipping on some items. USE Silhouette COUPON CODE: PINNING
• Sale will run from 8:00 am MST on 11/25. Discount Code PINNING will work for the entirety of the sale.
• There will be an early access period starting 11/27. —CLICK HERE TO SEE SILHOUETTE Black Friday Presale—You will need to use PINNING as coupon code to get sales during this period.
• The sales will be the same for Black Friday through Cyber Monday. There will be no special or separate Cyber Monday discounts. What you see here is what the machines will be priced at until stock is sold out or the sale ends.
• There will be several bundle options for Silhouette CAMEO 4 machines in multiple color options. There is no pink Cameo available for Black Friday
• $5 shipping will be available for ALL orders! This is replacing the free shipping on orders over $100 they have done in previous years, but being able to get a discount on shipping directly from Silhouette is RARE so it is a BIG DEAL. You will need to use coupon code PINNING to get the free shipping offer.
• For the first time ever Silhouette will be offering a deal on the Alta, Silhouette’s 3-D Printer! Again, limited stock — and they are so fun!
• Many deals will be limited stock so make sure if you want it, to grab it while you can.
• You will need a coupon code to get the best prices, and in some cases $5 shipping. USE CODE PINNING at check out.
• If you already own a machine, they are offering some mega deals on software and supplies. Don’t miss it!
• There will be no deals offered this year for Black Friday or Cyber Monday on the new 24″ Silhouette CAMEO Pro.
• Find the Silhouette Black Friday Sale here {Must use coupon code PINNING for black Friday deals}

Black Friday Sale from Silhouette

The official Silhouette Black Friday Sale will start for EARLY ACCESS at 8:00 am MST, Wednesday, November 25, 2020.

You will need coupon code—  PINNING  —to access the deals for the sale.

Click here to see Early Access Silhouette Black Friday Sale! Starts at 8:00 AM MST 11/25.

Click here to access the main Silhouette Black Friday Deals! Starts 6:00 pm MST 11/26.

What is the Coupon Code for Silhouette CAMEO Black Friday Deals?

Use Coupon Code PINNING to get all discounts and $5 Shipping on all bundles for the Silhouette CAMEO 4 and most other bundles for the Silhouette Black Friday Sale.

Silhouette CAMEO Bundle Black Friday Deals 2020

You can expect to see big savings for Black Friday on Silhouette CAMEO 4 machine bundles in 2020.  These feature a cutting machine, and a variety of different options including materials, software, manuals, digital downloads, dust covers etc.

The most exciting thing to note is $5 SHIPPING on all of the Silhouette Machine bundles. This almost NEVER happens from the Silhouette website so it is big news and something to jump on!

You can click here to access the all the details on the Silhouette Black Friday Sale.

Here are some of the Silhouette CAMEO Bundles you can expect to see:

Black Friday Cameo 4 White Bundle

Black Friday Price- $299 (with Coupon Code PINNING)

Includes:

• White Silhouette Cameo 4 machine
• • $25 Download Card to the Design Store (Digital)
• • 100 exclusive Winter Themed Silhouette Designs (Digital)
• • 100 exclusive Winter Themed Lori Whitlock Designs (Digital)
• • Designer Edition
• • Silhouette Mint

➡️Get this deal here!

Black Friday Silhouette CAMEO 4 Black Bundle

Black Friday Price- $299 (with Coupon Code PINNING)

Includes:

• Black Silhouette Cameo 4
• $25 Download Card to the Design Store (Digital)
• 100 exclusive Winter Themed Silhouette Designs (Digital)
• 100 exclusive Winter Themed Lori Whitlock Designs (Digital)
• Designer Edition
• Silhouette Mint
• $5 shipping

➡️Get this deal here!

Black Friday Silhouette Portrait 3 Bundle

Black Friday Price- $199 (with Coupon Code PINNING)

Includes:

• Portrait 3
• Designer Edition
• $25 download card to the Design Store (Digital)
• 100 exclusive winter themed Silhouette Designs (Digital)
• 100 exclusive winter themed Lori Whitlock designs (Digital)
• $5 SHIPPING

➡️Get this deal here!

Black Friday Silhouette Alta Plus 3D Printer Bundle

Black Friday Price- $199 (with Coupon Code PINNING)

Includes:

• Alta Plus
• Yellow Filament
• $25 Download Card to the Design Store

➡️Get this deal here!

Black Friday Silhouette CAMEO 4 – Machine Only

Original Price- $400

Black Friday Price- $279.99 (with Coupon Code PINNING)

Includes:

• White or Black Cameo 4
• 100 exclusive Winter Themed Silhouette Designs (Digital)
• 100 exclusive Winter Themed Lori Whitlock Designs (Digital)

➡️Get this deal here!

Black Friday Silhouette MINT Stamp Maker Bundle

Black Friday Price- $79.99 (with Coupon Code PINNING)

Includes:

• Mint Machine
• Ash Blue Mint Ink
• Ash Pink Mint Ink
• Brown Mint Ink
• Green Mint Ink
• Gray Mint Ink
• Lavender Mint Ink
• Magenta Mint Ink
• Navy Mint Ink
• Orchid Mint Ink
• Orange Mint Ink
• Pink Mint Ink
• Purple Mint Ink
• Walnut Mink Ink
• Stamp Kit (15mm X 15mm)
• Stamp Kit (15mm X 30 mm)
• Stamp Kit (30mm X 60 mm)
• Stamp Kit (45mm X 45mm)
• Stamp Kit (45mm X 90mm)

➡️Get this deal here!

Silhouette Printable Media Bundle

Black Friday Price- $24.99 (with Coupon Code PINNING)

Includes:

• Silver Glitter Sticker Sheets
• Scratch-off Sticker Printable Sheets
• Magnet Paper Printable
• Sticker Sampler Pack
• Copper Foil Transfer Sheets

➡️Get this deal here!

Silhouette Tattoo Paper Bundle

Black Friday Price- $19.99 (with Coupon Code PINNING)

Includes:

• Gold Tattoo Paper
• Silver Tattoo Paper
• Temporary Tattoo Paper

➡️Get this deal here!

Other 2020 Black Friday Deals from Silhouette

A couple other deals not to be missed from Silhouette on Black Friday are:

• Software- Almost all software will be hlaf off.  You can upgrade to designer or business edition for 50% off (see explanation of Silhoeutte softwares here)
• Designs from Silhouette Design Store– These are often 50% off during the Black Friday Sale. Stock up on shapes, designs, svg files, etc.
• Digital Download Cards– You can many times get cards worth $25, $50, $100 etc for half price on the sale.
• 50% off– most things that aren’t packaged as a bundle will be 50% off during the sale if you have your eye on something specific!

See Silhouette Black Friday Deals here! Use Coupon Code PINNING at Check out!

AMAZON Silhouette CAMEO Black Friday Sale 2020

I have no insider knowledge on what the Silhouette deals will be on Amazon this year. I can tell you in the past we have seen bundles go on deep discounts during the Black Friday to Cyber Monday time frame.

Sometimes we have seen better deals on the Silhouette CAMEO bundle on Amazon, but last year with the addition of free shipping, it made the bundles you could buy from Silhouette directly much more competitive and possibly a better deal based on what you were looking for.

Silhouette will continue doing free shipping on their machine bundles only for Black Friday, so I would definitely check both places and see where you can find the best package for you!

One thing you can find on Amazon, that you won’t find with Silhouette directly, is the Silhouette Machine packaged with Silhouette School guides. If you are a beginner these can be really helpful.

You can check out all of the deals on Amazon Silhouette CAMEO for Black Friday here!

Find all Black Friday Vinyl Deals on Amazon here.

Other Silhouette Black Friday Deals- 2020

Above are the two biggest deals we generally see each year. If you are on the fence about buying, I would highly recommend taking the leap during the Black Friday promotions because it is generally the best deal you will see until the next year at this time.

There are a few other places worth checking to see if any special deals have been negotiated for Black Friday

• Expressions Vinyl Black Friday Sales here
• Joann’s Craft Store
• Michael’s Craft store
• Cricut Black Friday Deals– I know we are talking about Silhouette, but sometimes Cricut does great deals on their materials and accessories! It is definitely worth checking out!

If you know of other deals, please feel free to let me and other readers know in the comments.

Which Silhouette Bundle Should I Buy?

If you are new to Silhouette or cutting machines, it is an investment, so you might be wondering, “which is the best Silhouette bundle?” or “which bundle is the best deal?”

The best answer for you is based on what you want to do with your machine.

The Silhouette CAMEO 4 is the newest machine so it will by far be the most popular, and the choice of most people buying.

That said, if you just want a cutting machine and it doesn’t have to be the newest model, the Curio bundle above is a KILLER price! I was so surprised when they sent that deal out!

If you do want the Silhouette CAMEO 4, it is a GREAT choice. I generally recommend a machine bundle with a vinyl sampler pack because it can be used for so many beginner and advanced projects with your Silhouette.

My favorite choices out of the Black Friday bundles that Silhouette is offering this year are:

(remember to use coupon code PINNING to get the discount!)

• CAMEO 4 White Bundle -OR- CAMEO 4 Black Bundle depending on your color preference
• Printable Media Bundle– so much cool stuff for a great price!
• Silhouette Mint Bundle – Such a steal if you have ever wanted to make custom stamps!
• Silhouette Software – if you already have a machine and need to upgrade your software. NOW IS THE TIME!

I think the patterned bundles will go fast, so again, I just want to reiterate, that if you want it, try to grab it quick so you can get exactly what you have your heart set on before it goes out of stock.

Which bundle will you be getting this year?! Let me know in the comments!

The post Silhouette CAMEO 4 BLACK FRIDAY Sale 2020 {Everything you need to know!} appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

      

 

 

This post is sponsored by Minerva Dairy. All recipes and thoughts are created here at The Pinning Mama!

Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce – The EASY Way!

There are few things that are more incredibly delicious or as entirely simple that pasta with butter.

I can remember stirring butter into noodles as young as 4 years old. There is some magic that happens when salty butter melts over hot pasta. And as a tiny girl, I would help my mom stir, and she soon learned never to leave me unattended because I once ate the whole pot of pasta while she went to check something in the other room! We still laugh about that today.

That magic is the inspiration for our recipe today as we take those delicious flavors and turn them into a complete family meal.

What makes this Garlic Butter Pasta with Chicken, Bacon, and Asparagus so great is:

• It is still super effortless, with simply seasoned chicken, a 3 ingredient sauce and all of the flavors at their best
• Made with everyday ingredients – You may even have everything you need already in your fridge or pantry!
• 30 minute meal – This recipe goes from fridge to fork in under 30 minutes for the busiest weeknights!
• Filling and delicious! You have protein, starch, veggies, all in one home run dinner.
• Family Friendly– This is one the kids and adults can both agree on!

Recipe Notes

This Garlic Butter Pasta with Chicken, Bacon, and Asparagus recipe is as simple as promised! Just a few every day ingredients for a family friendly meal.

In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use when making this recipe to get the absolute best and most delicious results.

Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.

Ingredients + Substitutions

For the Chicken

• Chicken breast– It is important to use thin chicken breasts, pound, or cut the chicken breast horizontally so that it is thin. I usually aim for about 1/2 inch thick. This will help the chicken cook quickly, evenly, and completely in the skillet.
  
  Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins can be substituted.
  
• Seasonings: Equal parts salt, black pepper and garlic powder make up the seasoning for the chicken.
  
• Olive oil – or your choice of cooking oil. Vegetable oil or can also work in this recipe

For the Sauce

• Minerva Sea Salt Butter– This is where the MAGIC happens! Salted butter is a must for this recipe and Minerva is absolutely the best.
  
  For over 5 generations, Minerva Dairy has produced 85% butterfat, slow-churned, butter made in the U.S. They make it the traditional way, using farm fresh milk. When you taste it, you just think, “Now THIS is butter!”
  
  I was so excited about this partnership with Minerva Dairy because I am a huge butter fanatic. My friends often hear me say “Butter safe than sorry!” as I incorporate butter into most things I make.
  
  When you use butter, it should be DELICIOUS. Not okay, or pretty good, but amazing. Using quality ingredients often gives you more flavor in every bite, and Minerva butter is no exception. Since they use 85% butterfat, the butter is richer, creamier, and more flavorful.
  
  This recipe calls for Minerva Sea Salt Butter , however you could also use the Minerva Garlic Herb Butter in this recipe as well. Minerva Dairy usually carries seasonal flavors that would be a fun twist too, so make sure to check their website and see what they are offering right now!
  
• Fresh garlic– It really needs to be fresh for the best flavor! It seems like a lot of garlic, but it cooks to the perfect flavor for the pasta.
  
• Crispy crumbled bacon– You can prepare the bacon in any method you prefer. Oven, skillet, or even microwaved bacon can work well in this dish.

For the Pasta

• Penne pasta- I like penne because it is easy for the kids to eat without making a mess, but you can make mix this garlic butter sauce with any pasta variety you have on hand.
  
• Asparagus– I recommend using 1 pound, but you can use more or less based on preference. The best part is that the asparagus can cook right along with the pasta, making this recipe so quick and easy!
  
  Other vegetables can also be used in place of asparagus such as broccoli, spinach, zucchini, etc. If you use a different veggie, the cooking time or method may vary.
  
• Parmesan cheese– This finishes the dish. I like to use grated over shredded because you can use less and get the flavor throughout more easily.
  
  Romano cheese can be used in place of parmesan based on personal preference.
  
• Salt– This is a really important finish for the dish. Salt will bring all of the flavors and and meld them together. Start with 1/2 tsp and season with more to taste.

Recipe Tips

1. Prep first. Make sure to read the recipe start to finish and prep all of the ingredients before you start cooking. This recipe moves FAST, so having everything ready to go keeps it moving, and helps to prevent any delays or mistakes along the way.
   
2. Use a LARGE pan. The need for a large pan is two-fold. First it makes cooking the chicken easier, as you don’t want to over-crowd the pan. The chicken should have enough room to cook without touching.
   
   Second, you will use the same pan to combine the pasta with the garlic sauce, chicken, asparagus and bacon. Once you put it all together, you will still need some room to toss the pasta, so a large pan is a must.
   
3. Use Good Butter– In a recipe called Garlic Butter Pasta with Chicken, Bacon, and Asparagus, you know butter is going to be the star! It is important to use a high quality butter for the best flavor.
   
   Things that make butter above average are using farm fresh milk, 85% butter fat, and a slow churned process. As America’s oldest family owned creamery, Minerva Dairy has been doing these things to prefect the flavor of perfect butter for over 125 years!
   
4. Half or Double- This Garlic Butter Pasta recipe will feed a crowd. The recipe as written makes 8 servings. If you need less, the recipe can be halved by simply cutting the ingredient quantities in half.
   
   If you need to feed even more, I recommend making the pasta in batches so it would be hard to cook more than this at one time without a commercial kitchen.

What to Serve with Butter Garlic Pasta

Since this recipe has pasta, veggies, two kinds of meat and dairy all in one dish, you really don’t need anything else! You can feel good about serving this as an all inclusive dinner.

If you want to stretch the meal or round it out with a few extras, you can add a side dish or two.

Garlic Butter Pasta with Chicken, Bacon and Asparagus has classic comforting flavors, so it will pair well with many of your favorite traditional side dishes.

Side Dish Ideas

• Salad with balsamic vinaigrette– This balsamic dressing makes the salad almost steal the show! It only takes 5 minutes to make!
• Garlic Bread– The secret to this is in the garlic bread spread (and make sure to use good butter here too!)
• Sautéed Spinach– This is a go to healthy side for our family.
• Antipasto Salad– Not your traditional salad, this one is filled with meats and cheeses galore!
• Roasted Veggies – If you want a more vegetable heavy meal, these make a perfect compliment to pasta.

You can choose one or add a few sides to make a wholesome, well rounded dinner. 

Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce Leftovers

If you have leftovers after making this recipe, they make a perfect hot lunch for the next day! The Garlic Butter Pasta with Chicken can save and reheat well, and can makes a great hot lunch for the next day.

To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:

• in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
• in the freezer up to a month

More Easy Pasta Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!

You can check out all of my Easy Pasta recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.

• Italian Sausage Tortellini
• Easy Fettuccini Alfredo
• Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
• Brown Butter Tortellini with Spinach

Print

Garlic Butter Pasta with Chicken Bacon and Asparagus

This Garlic Butter Pasta with Chicken, Bacon and Asparagus has five star flavor in an easy to make weeknight meal all made in under 30 minutes!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword asparagus, bacon, Garlic butter pasta

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 437kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into thin pieces or cutlets
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Sauce

• 8 tbsp Minerva Sea Salt Butter
• 6 cloves fresh garlic or more if they are small
• 1/3 cup crispy crumbled bacon about 4-6 slices

For the Pasta

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 1 lb asparagus
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping optional
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

For the chicken

• Heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Season the chicken breast on both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Place the chicken flat in the skillet once hot, and cook on each side for about 2 minutes until lightly browned. Then reduce the heat to low and cover until the chicken is cooked through, about 4-6 minutes depending thickness. (165˚F internal temperature)
• Remove from heat and chop into small bite sized pieces.

To prepare the sauce

• Press the garlic through a garlic press.
• In the same skillet over low heat, add the Minerva Sea Salt Butter and garlic and stir occasionally, cooking for about 3-5 minutes. As you stir, scrape the bottom of the pan to release any bits cooked on from the chicken.
• The butter should be melted and starting to bubble, and the garlic will soften and take on a dark brown color as the flavors from cooking the chicken release from the bottom of the pan.
• Once the butter starts to bubble, add the crumbled bacon in and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat.

To prepare the pasta

• Prepare the asparagus by removing the woody stems, then cutting the remaining asparagus into 1 inch pieces.
• Cook penne pasta per package directions. During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add the asparagus pieces to the boiling water. Then drain once done.
• Add the pasta, asparagus, salt and parmesan cheese to the garlic butter sauce and toss to coat. Then stir in the chicken. Serve warm, topping with extra parmesan if desired!

Nutrition

Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 651mg | Potassium: 460mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 823IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Garlic Butter Pasta with Chicken, Bacon and Asparagus appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

       

Comments

• We loved this dinner! The thing I did different was use ... by Krystal
• This sounds great. We are not an asparagus family. Could ... by Marsha Jo
• In reply to Marsha Jo. Absolutely! I think it would go well ... by Kimber

 

 

It is also an extremely family friendly destination full amazing experiences that you can experience together . Take it from me, we are local and have done it all, and today I am sharing some of our favorites with you!

This post is created in partnership with Destin Ft Walton Beach and the tour showcased was provided free of charge. All advices and opinions are straight from our family’s experience.

What to do in Destin with Kids

Whether you are local to the gulf coast, or visiting for a few days or more, Destin Ft Walton Beach has so much to offer that will not only keep your kids entertained, but have your family making memories together that will last a lifetime!

One of the best and easiest ways to experience a fun family day on the water is through the Destin Ft Walton Beach Venture Out packages. These pair an adventure on the water with food from a local eatery, so you get to experience the BEST of the area through food and fun. For example, we were able to book a Deep Sea Fishing trip where they cleaned our fish and we got to eat it immediately at a wonderful local restaurant.

They give you the inside ticket on the adventures that are REALLY worth it, that take you to see, do, and eat the things that the locals do!

Sometimes the hardest part of getting out is just knowing where to find a vendor, or which one to pick. After all, when you have kids in tow, it isn’t always so simple, especially if you are out on the water! You need something that:

• Meets and exceeds safety standards
• Can guide you through what to do if you aren’t familiar with the process (like with driving a boat, or fishing)
• Is good with kids and understands the need for snacks, potty breaks, and lots of patience
• Can maximize the experience in the time you have

All of the partners in the Venture Out program have been vetted to ensure they not only do all of these things, but have everything in place to make sure you have the time of your life on your adventure! Make sure and read through our experience below to show you how each and every one of these were exceeded on our recent Fish and Feast family trip!

Water Adventures for Toddlers to Teens

The Venture Out packages offer an amazing value for visitors, but also a unique opportunity for locals to take advantage of all our Gulf Coast has to offer!

There are so many opportunities to get out and try something new with your kids for a daytime excursion, or part of a vacation or staycation in Destin Ft Walton Beach.

One of the things I love most is that these are NOT huge group tours where you are lumped in with crowds of people, but adventures you can take just with your family so that you can live your best life, all while staying safe!

A few of my favorites adventures from the Venture Out program are:

• Fish & Feast – Set course for an adventurous afternoon of private charter fishing with Hey Baby, and then let Harbor Docks cook your catch to perfection and serve it in style with sides to be enjoyed dockside or poolside back at your hotel.  This is great for older kids who can be out on the water longer.
  
  This is the adventure we chose, and I am sharing below all about how the adventure went and what to expect on this type of family outing below.
  
• Float & Feast – In this adventure, you will rent a pontoon with Island Watersports Company  to explore the harbor and National Seashore of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, and enjoy a to-go lunch of fresh local seafood prepared by Rick’s on the Island.
  
  Perfect for families with kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens since you can choose your own pace, from exploring, to anchoring to swim or lounge in the sun!
  
• Sand Pails & Picnic – Build a castle you’ll never forget with expert guidance from a certified Sandcastle Coach from Beach Sand Sculptures. Take a 2-hour Sandcastle Lesson with your coach and receive a sand sculpting kit to take home. Then enjoy a boxed lunch from Fudpucker’s for a beach picnic in the natural beauty of  Henderson Beach State Park. 
  
  This adventure works well for families with kids of all ages, as even the littlest ones can be set up to comfortably lounge while the lesson takes place for older siblings or mom and dad.
  
• Catch & Cook – Spend the afternoon aboard the  Fifth Day then have Destin Harbor’s newest dining spot, East Pass Seafood & Oyster House cook your catch!
  
  This fishing trip is spent in the bay which makes it wonderful for smaller kids who want to learn to fish since the bay generally boasts calmer waters and easy access to land if needed. 

There are even more adventures to choose, including paddle boarding, camping, and surf fishing. You can explore all of the ways to venture out here!

What is a Deep Sea Fishing Charter like?

To show you exactly the kind of memories you will make with your family, and how perfectly planned these are for your family, I want to share the details from our Deep Sea Fishing Trip with Captain Kevin as a part of the Fish and Feast Venture Out package.

Planning the Trip

Most of the details are are already handled for the trip, leaving you to just schedule the trip. After choosing the date, I worked with Captain Kevin directly to confirm the time we would depart.

Fishing trips generally depart early, as it is when the fish are biting! It was an early morning for the kids, but so worth it, because watching the sun rise over the Destin Harbor as we took off on our trip was really magical.

Captain Kevin has been fishing in these waters since he was 12 years old, so he has several secret fishing spots he travels to for the best fishing. He went over the plan with me on where he wanted to take us based on the weather that day and asked if there was anything special we wanted to do.

How long is a deep sea fishing trip

Our fishing trip was 6 hours in length, which sounds long, but we had so much fun, that we couldn’t believe the time had already come when we were heading back.

Our itinerary looked something like this:

• 6:30 am – Depart on the Hey Baby from Destin Harbor
• 7:00 am – Bait fishing (my kids loved this!)
• 7:45 am – Head to our first fishing spot
• 8:30 am – Start fishing, move between spots
• 11:30 am – Start heading back, while trolling for mackerel
• 1:00 pm – Arrive back at Harbor Docks to clean and enjoy our fish

What to Bring on a Deep Sea Fishing Trip

Most of the things you will need on a deep sea fishing trip will be provided by your fishing charter, however, make sure to pack personal items you will need for the trip.

• Sunscreen
• Appropriate clothing
  • If it is warm, you may want a light long sleeved shirt to protect you from long hours in the sun
  • If it is cold, bring lots of layers so that you can add or remove them as the day warms up, or the weather changes.
  • We wore tennis shoes to keep our feet warm in the cold morning, but brought flip flops to change into if our shoes get wet
• Drinks and snacks
  • We packed water bottles for each of us, although there was water available on the charter
  • We ate a big breakfast before we left, but also packed granola bars, and fruit to eat on the boat since it would be a long day. Pack things that are easy to eat, just in case sea sickness strikes.
• Towel – This is handy if you get splashed with water from a wave, sea spray, or when you are reeling the fish in.
• Hand sanitizer – my kids liked to use this because they wanted to hold the fish they caught and were a little slimy afterward.
• Book/game- If you think your kids will need entertainment while driving for 30-60 min to fishing spots, you may want to bring something extra to do.
• Remedies for sea sickness – If you are prone to sea sickness talk to your doctor about medicines you might could take, or grab over the counter solutions like sea bands.

What do Kids do on a Deep Sea Fishing Trip?

My kids were 10,8, and 5 when we took this trip and they all came home asking to do it again.

The first thing they enjoyed was watching the sun rise as we left through the Harbor. As we pulled out of Destin Pass, we also spotted pods of dolphins, and schools of fish jumping.

Bait Fishing

We went up the beach to bait fish. And this was really fun for the kids. They cast a fishing pole baited with six hooks out into the waters and almost immediately reel it in with 2-6 fish hanging off it! The kids couldn’t get enough and the immediate gratification of seeing all those fish on one line was so rewarding for them.

These fish are dropped in a tank behind the boat until we need them. My littlest thought this was really cool, since it was a little like our own personal aquarium.

Finding a Fishing Spot

After we caught the bait, we headed out to sea to catch the good stuff!

Captain Kevin has a book where he jots down the coordinates of great fishing spots he finds. We headed to a place where there was wreckage under the water and the fish like to congregate.

There are periods of down time from 45 minutes to an hour, when you are traveling to get to your fishing spots where you will be fishing. This is the biggest consideration to me as a parent for if your kids are ready for a deep sea fishing trip.

There is not any entertainment, other than the boat ride and beautiful scenery, so if you think your kids might be bored, you can bring a small toy or game for them to play.

This was also a great time for them to ask questions and learn more about the boat and fishing. We chatted about what kind of fish we would catch, the laws that prevent over-fishing, what types of bait and lures you use for different kinds of fishing, and at our request heard some of the adventures and amazing catches that Captain Kevin and Cade our deck hand had over the year.

Captain Kevin happened to have three kids of his own, all around the ages of ours, so he was patient, kind, and willing to show and tell them about everything their inquisitive minds asked!

Deep Sea Fishing

Once we pulled up in our spot, Captain Kevin gave us a quick lesson on how to use the fishing poles and then baited them up and let us get to work.

I have only been fishing a handful of times in my life, and I remember it as lots of sitting and waiting. This fishing trip wasn’t like that at all!

As soon as we would drop the line, we got a bite and started to reel it in.

The kids loved this most of all. They were entranced in getting the fish in, guessing what kind it would be, talking about how big it felt, and bragging about how fast they caught it.

Not only was the thrill of the catch magical for the kids, but the fun didn’t end. They were able to catch fish, after fish, after fish!

Cade, the deck hand, worked tirelessly to take them off the hooks and either throw them back if they weren’t suitable for keeping, or get them on ice for us to take home.

We traveled between a few spots in the area that Captain Kevin took us, and were able to catch several different kinds of fish including Red Snapper and Trigger fish.

Trolling for Fish

When it was time to head back, the fun wasn’t over. Captain Kevin then set up the boat to troll, so that we had three baited fishing rods off the back of the boat. He explained to us that this is how you catch Mackerel at this time of year.

This was a fun and relaxing way to fish after the excitement of before. We slowly made our way back to shore while we got to watch for marine life. We hit the jack pot and ended up seeing not only dolphins on the way home, but also a GIANT sea turtle!

Kevin knew how excited we were to see it, so he turned the boat and went out of the way so we could get a closer look.

Cleaning the Fish

For me the best part of the day was getting to have all the joy of fishing, and seeing the kids love it, but without having to get my hands dirty.

Once we got back, they started cleaning the fish, which was both interesting and educational to watch.

We left with two huge bags of fish filets! One for the restaurant to cook us, and another to take home and enjoy.

Eating Fresh Seafood on the Water

We pulled back into Destin Harbor and Captain Kevin was kind enough to have saved three fish for the kids to all hold up so we could get a picture of them on the boat with their fish.

Once those were cleaned and unloaded, Captain Kevin walked us in to Harbor Docks, and handed them the fish we would be eating.

They asked us how we would like it prepared and seated us on the water to wait for our feast.

Harbor Docks is a local place, right on the water that both locals and tourists love. They have everything on their menu from local in season fish, to sushi, and a few land bound entrees for those who may prefer them.

Over 90% of the seafood in Florida is actually imported, BUT at Harbor Docks they use fresh local seafood, and none was going to be more fresh than our lunch that day!

You have a choice of ordering your fish prepared in 3 ways:

• Grilled
• Blackened
• Fried

We chose all three! They serve it with all of their side dishes, including:

• Coleslaw
• French fries
• Hush puppies
• Collard Greens
• Grits
• Black eyed peas

As you can see, we had a FEAST and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Life Lessons from Fishing

Our day was magical and I would venture to say, that our kids will all remember this day for the rest of their lives.

Not only was the experience one-of-a-kind, but we had a really unique lesson of working to catch a fish, bringing it in, seeing it cleaned, cooked, and then getting to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

In a world where sometimes kids don’t even realize that a hamburger was once a cow, it was amazing to take our kids on an experience that was not only fun, but taught them a lot about the world around them.

Being local made it even that much better because both fishing and tourism are a huge part of our economy here as well. My daughter had even studied tourism a couple weeks before in social studies and made the connection herself while we were out on the boat. Those kinds of things are just priceless!

Where to Book Deep Sea Fishing

If you are interested in doing a similar adventure with your family, visit the Destin Ft Walton Venture Out website to get more details and book your deep sea fishing or other family adventure on the water!

The post Deep Sea Fishing with Kids in Destin Florida appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

      

 

 

Unicorn Snack Mix is a ULTRA fun snack that your kids will LOVE helping you make! This is just one of many ideas for having a little fun and getting back into a routine no matter what this school year looks like for your family. See just how we make it and incorporate it into our routine below!

Back to School – What does it look like?

Back in the classroom 5 days a week.

All virtual for the first 9 weeks.

Delayed start.

Hybrid model with some days in the classroom.

Deciding to homeschool.

Enrolling in an online program.

There have never been more options or less certainty than we are all facing this year. If there is one thing I know, it is that

There is no one right answer!

This year is definitely going to look different, and will probably keep us on our toes and continue to change and evolve by the day.

Whether we go back, stay at home, or have some combination of the two, to THRIVE instead of just survive, we 100% need a routine in our lives.

Beyond a school routine I have put together a few fun ideas to make my life a little easier as a parent and make sure the kids keep having fun amidst all the changes that can be stressful. Making sure they have FEEL GOOD moments throughout all the changes is so important to us!

My thought is that no matter how many changes we have to face, or how different things look, we can still have fun and have the “Feel-Goods” by keeping a routine that lets us add in some fun!

Keep Easy Snacks + Meals On Hand

Since I may be a full time mom AND a teacher with a full time job too, making sure I have my pantry fridge and freezer stocked with easy, tasty options makes my life SO.MUCH.EASIER.

This takes the stress out of mealtime and also empowers my school aged kids with things that they can grab and make themselves, taking one thing off my over flowing plate. Plus, it also gives them the ability to make choices and empowers them to be able to do something themselves.

My list looks like this:

Hearty Breakfast Ideas:

My kids absolutely LOVE the Odoms Tennessee Pride Sausage Biscuits. We get the 24 count package and to keep it fun we add little extras for different flavors throughout the week.

It would take me forever to make biscuits, sausage, bacon, eggs, etc to put together each morning, but by using the Tennessee Pride Sausage Biscuits, I am able to pop it in the microwave and dress it up in minutes!

These are great because they come in 12 stay-fresh twin packs that keep well in the freezer. We usually use them for breakfast, but they also make great snacks, lunch and occasionally a breakfast for dinner- especially when you load them up! They are still made with the original secret family recipe which is no doubt why they are so tasty!

Here is some inspiration for the unique breakfast sandwich flavors my kids like most!

Extra Yummy Breakfast Sandwich Ideas:

• Maple Bacon Breakfast Sandwich– drizzle bacon with a bit of maple syrup while cooking and layer it onto the sandwich
• Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich– Add fried or scrambled egg and a slice of cheese
• Avocado, Egg & Everything Bagel Seasoning Breakfast Sandwich– This sandwich is filled with avocado slices, egg, and everything bagel seasoning.
• Cheddar Salsa Breakfast Sandwich– Add a slice of cheddar and a scoop of salsa for an extra yummy boost on even the busiest morning
• BLT & Egg Breakfast Sandwich– A little bacon, lettuce and tomato make everything more delicious!

Power Snacks

I like to keep a bin full of single serve options my kids can grab and go with. This allows me to have “mom-approved” snacks where the kids can get them anytime they need a little pick me up between meals.

Some things I like to stock this with are:

• Dried fruits
• Nuts
• Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn Popcorn (comes in a 6-pack of 1 oz bags (sold at Walmart!)
• Apple sauce
• Pretzels
• Hard boiled eggs

Quick + Filling Lunch

We love to utilize high quality frozen meals, especially at lunch time. Why? I will give you 3 really great reasons!

1. Saves time- quickly get back to the next thing
2. Less clean up – and the kids can do it 100% by themselves!
3. Offers choice – you know the kids never want the same thing

With two growing, and VERY hungry boys, one of our favorites is the Banquet Mega Bowls Country Fried Chicken. These bowls are packed with flavors and FOOD! My oldest is 10, and will frequently eat a whole meal and still want more, but these fill him up. For example, this one is a warm and hearty dish with a combination of chicken breast fritters and creamy mashed potatoes topped with savory homestyle gravy, corn, and shredded cheese.

Mid Afternoon Snack

At this point in the day we definitely have the wiggles. I try to let the kids choose something fun.

They LOVE the SNACK PACK Fanta Orange Juicy Gels Cups. It is two of their favorite treats in one! Plus, they are packed in a 6-pack of single serve containers so no extra dishes and they can be taken on the go.

If we have extra time, I like to let them get creative with something like this Unicorn Snack Mix!

This is extra fun and an occasional treat. You only need a handful of things to make it!

Unicorn Snack Mix Ingredients:

•  Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn Popcorn
• Dried blueberries
• Dried cherries
• Peanuts
• Rainbow cereal
• Marshmallows
• Rainbow licorice (for the unicorn horns!)

With just a few things that are easy to keep on hand, you can mix up this fun snack mix. Jump down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full instructions.

Family-Friendly Easy Dinners

By the end of the day we aren’t always at our best, but everyone still needs to eat. Easy recipes have always been my jam. Just because I love to cook, doesn’t mean that it is easy for me every day.

I still struggle with “what should I make for dinner?!” and keeping it new and interesting in the kitchen.

One thing that is really helpful to me is keeping prepared ground beef and shredded chicken in the fridge or freezer.

This allows me to have a head start on dinner, using it to quickly prepare meal by adding a few ingredients!

Here are a few family-friendly favorites that are perfect for this pre-prepped method:

• Southwest Sloppy Joe Skillet
• BBQ Chicken Casserole
• Queso Chicken Casserole

Adding a sauce like Manwich to your precooked meat, makes dinner nearly effortless – AND THE KIDS LOVE IT! Made with a tomato base and seasonings, Manwich Original Sloppy Joe Sauce is great on tacos, meatloaf, and sandwiches. Just mix this delicious sauce with lean ground beef or ground turkey, then heat and serve.

Keep it new and exciting by mixing up the flavors like I did in the Southwest Sloppy Joes above, or try all Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce varieties. Thick & Chunky, Bold and Bourbon BBQ are all fun flavors you can buy with your online grocery order at Walmart.

Sweet Treats

On days when we have extra time in the evenings there is nothing better than a sweet treat!

While we love a homemade treat, we also keep some fast and fun treats on hand.

Duncan Hines Unicorn Cake Cup Vanilla Cake Mix with Sprinkles is ALWAYS my daughter’s choice! They are a colorful, single-serve kid dessert that come with shimmer sprinkles and cookie crumbles for a colorful dessert kids will love. Best of all, these easy dessert cups are ready in minutes. Just add water and stir. They also come in Mermaid Vanilla Cake Cups and Galaxy Chocolate Cake Cups!

My boys love the Duncan Hines Mega Cookie Chocolate Chunk Pan Cookie Mix. Preparation is quick and easy. Just combine the cookie mix, melted butter and water and press it in the included cookie pan. Bake it in the oven or prepare it in the microwave. Again, no extra dishes and it can be done in MINUTES! Plus what’s better than digging into a warm, giant cookie?! … Okay, well maybe if it’s topped with ice cream!

All the Feel Goods!

Hopefully sharing a little bit of our routine, plus some of the extra fun treats we enjoy give you some ideas for how to BOTH keep your sanity, and keep your kids having those feel good moments throughout the day.

BONUS- Everything I shared here today can be picked up via an online grocery order at Walmart to make your life just a little bit easier! Serve up extra love this year with Conagra’s favorite back-to-school options at Walmart!

Let me know what you do to keep your kids feeling good and having fun in the comments below!

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Unicorn Snack Mix

This super fun snack mix is filled with fluffy popcorn, rainbow cereal, dried fruits and nuts, and of course colorful "unicorn horns!" Make it for a snack or party treat!

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword kids, party, snack mix, unicorn

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn Popcorn
• 1 cup rainbow cereal
• 1 cup marshmallows
• 1/2 cup dried blueberries
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup peanuts
• 5 pieces rainbow licorice cut in 2" pieces

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl and mix.
• Enjoy! Store extra in a zip top bag or other airtight container.

The post Unicorn Snack Mix + More Fun for Back to School appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

      

 

 

This post is sponsored by Conagra All recipes and opinions are cooked up right here at the Pinning Mama.

Southwest Sloppy Joes- The EASY Way

With all the time we have been spending at home one of things I have really enjoyed is getting creative in the kitchen with what I have at home in my pantry. Meals using pantry staples don’t have to be tired and boring, they can easily be spruced up by combining new flavors in unexpected ways.

Sloppy Joes have always been a family favorite, and this mash up with Southwestern flavors gives it a new and exciting twist making pantry staples anything but boring.

By making it in one big skillet each person can serve it up how they like it whether it is on a bun, with chips or even as a salad topping.

Whether you need to feed a small family or have a bunch of kids to please, this Southwest Sloppy Joe has got you covered!

• App or Entree! It is hearty enough for a main dish if you are around mealtime but is just as delicious scooped onto a plate to eat with chips.

• Couldn’t be easier! With just one skillet and as little 20 minutes including cook time, this dish defines quick and easy!

• Crowd pleaser! Loaded with southwest flavors, this is a favorite of kids and grown-ups.

Not only is this recipe amazingly delicious, but it is also amazingly simple! The secret weapon is using Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce!

You may be familiar with this classic, family favorite, but if not, Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce is a tangy tomato-based sauce with seasonings already included. It gives us a ton of flavor by just pouring in the can. Since it only has 35 calories and 0 fat per serving, it helps us to pack a punch in flavor while still keeping things light. You really can’t get the same amazing flavor without using Manwich®.

Most importantly, it makes this recipe so quick and easy to make! Even though the whole recipe comes together in as little as 20 minutes, since most of the flavor is already cooked right in the Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce.

You can order Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce for online grocery pick up. It really doesn’t get any easier than that! Ordering with Walmart Online Grocery means that you don’t have to go into the store to get your Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce. Just order online and pickup without having to get into your car. So easy!

Click here for a short cut to the ingredients!!

How to Serve Southwest Sloppy Joe Skillet

If you have been a reader for a while, you probably know that I LOVE recipes that you can use in multiple ways to fit whatever need you have that day/moment/time.

This recipe MASTERS that!

Appetizer Options

If you are using the Southwest Sloppy Joe Skillet as an appetizer you can try a variety of different things to serve it with depending on how hearty you want it to be. From a dip to a sandwich, or anything in between.

Here are some of our favorite serving options:

• Chips
• Slider buns
• Veggies – hollowed out mini peppers, carrot chips, etc
• Sliced baguette

Dinner Options

If game time falls at meal time, or if your family lives this as much as mine and demands it on the regular, you can serve it in a variety of ways.

• In a bowl, topped with lettuce tomato and cheese
• On buns
• In a bread bowl
• Stuffed into avocados or tomatoes
• Wrapped in a tortilla

If this doesn’t make your stomach start to growl… I don’t know what will!

Recipe Tips

Making this recipe is as simple as promised, however, I am going to share a few tips here to help answer any questions that may come up while cooking.

Ingredients

You only need a handful. I am going to go over my preferences and substitutions you can use here.

• Ground beef – the leaner the better! This will make it less greasy and give you better flavor. You can also use ground turkey if you prefer.
• Onion- I use yellow onion, but white or red would both work here too.
• Bell pepper- This gives a bit of the southwest flair. If you are in a pinch you can use red, orange or yellow pepper instead.
• Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce – You want to grab the original variety for this recipe. Also make sure you get the bigger 24 oz can. You have to use Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce for the tangy flavor! It can’t be beat in this recipe!
• Taco seasoning- You can use store bought or try this crazy delicious (and easy to make) homemade taco seasoning.
• Black beans- 1 can drained and rinsed. You can substitute pinto based on preference.
• Yellow corn- I use frozen, but canned corn that has been drained will work well too!
• Chopped green chilis- Just one small can will give you amazing flavor! Don’t worry, these don’t have much heat!

Method

Really this is a cook and dump recipe. It doesn’t get much easier!

The keys here are:

1. Cook the ground beef with the onion and pepper to save time. They should take around the same time to cook.
2. I recommend chopping the peppers and onions relatively small to make sure they cook evenly, plus it makes it easier to eat when served as a dip or appetizer.
3. Drain the beef well. This keeps your sloppy joes nice, thick, and hearty. If you don’t drain it, the sauce will end up more thin and greasy.
4. Use a BIG skillet and dump in the rest! Once the meat is done, you can dump in the rest of ingredients. This recipe feeds a crowd so make sure that you use a skillet that is 15″ or larger.
5. Simmer to perfection. The last step allows all the flavors to meld together. It only takes a few minutes, but if you need to keep it warm longer, you can cover it and keep it on low for up to 30 minutes.

Scaling the Recipe

This recipe feeds a crowd, so if you need less, you can half the recipe with great results.

If you are having a large party or gathering, you can also make more!  I recommend making the recipe in two batches since unless you have access to a commercial kitchen it is hard to cook evenly in a skillet big enough to double the recipe. You can easily make 2 or even 3 batches though side by side on the stove top.

Recipe Short Cuts

The Southwest Sloppy Joe Skillet is already fast, but if you are really in a time crunch before party time, there are a few short cuts you can use to make this recipe come together even faster.

• Precut the veggies. Prep the onions, peppers, corn and black beans ahead of time. Or purchase pre-chopped veggies.
• Pre-cook the beef. You can cook the beef with the onions and peppers up to 3 days in advance and keep it in the refrigerator.
• Prep the whole meal! To take it a step further, you can actually not only prepare the beef, but mix in the seasonings and veggies, then store in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve it, just simmer for 10-20 minutes and it will be ready to go!

Leftover Ideas

If you end up with leftovers of these sloppy joes, which may be rare, you are in luck! This recipe saves and reheats wonderfully and there are a bunch of delicious ways to eat the leftovers.

To save leftovers, divide into serving sized portions and place in the:

• refrigerator for 3-4 days
• freezer for up to a month

f you end up with leftovers of these Southwest Sloppy Joes, which may be rare, you are in luck! This recipe saves and reheats wonderfully and there are a bunch of delicious ways to eat the leftovers.

To save leftovers, divide into serving sized portions and place in the:

• refrigerator for 3-4 days
• freezer for up to a month

Once you are ready to eat them, you can take out the leftovers and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

RECIPE IDEAS

Here are a few ways to get creative with your Southwestern Sloppy Joe leftovers to make it into a new and exciting meal.

• Sloppy Joe Stuffed Baked Potatoes- Slice pre-baked potatoes and stuff with sloppy joe mixture. Top with cheese and bake for 15-20 min or until heated through. Top with sour cream and green onions.
• Sloppy Joe Quesadillas- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Spread sloppy joe mixture over half of a tortilla, add cheese, and fold. Grill each side on a buttered skillet until golden. Serve with salsa and sour cream.
• SW Sloppy Joe Nachos- Spread tortilla chips over a sheet pan. Sprinkle sloppy joe meat mixture over the chips and top with cheese. Bake at 425˚F for 8-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the meat is heated through.

This recipe is a little bit messy and A LOT of delicious! I sure hope you enjoy these Southwest Sloppy Joes as much as our family does!

Don’t forget… you can grab Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce with your online grocery order at Walmart.

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Southwest Sloppy Joe Skillet

Southwest Sloppy Joe Skillet is a hearty dinner and a crowd pleaser! Green chiles, black beans, corn and all of the best flavors of the southwest are enveloped in a tangy sloppy joe sauce for the ultimate one skillet dinner.

Course Dinner

Cuisine Southwestern

Keyword ground beef, skillet, sloppy joe, southwest

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 274kcal

Ingredients

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1/2 onion diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 24 oz Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce (1 large can)
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed (1 can)
• 1 cup sweet yellow corn
• 4.5 oz chopped green chiles (1 small can)

Toppings (optional)

• shredded lettuce
• diced tomato
• colby jack cheese shredded

Instructions

• Brown the ground beef in a large skillet with the onion and bell pepper over medium high heat. Break up the meat as you cook and continue until it is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat or moisture from the beef and return to skillet.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add in the Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce, taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and chopped green chiles to the ground beef mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and serve in a bowl or on buns topped with your choice of shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cheese. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cups | Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 819mg | Potassium: 826mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 143IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 5mg

The post Southwest Sloppy Joe Skillet appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

       

Comments

• Another winner! Highly recommend for an easy, filling, and ... by Lisa Halsteter

 

 

This post is sponsored by Conagra. All recipes and ideas are cooked up right here at The Pinning Mama.

The BEST Comfort Food Recipe!

Born and raised in Texas, there is nothing I get more excited about than Mexican food. With Cinco de Mayo coming up we love to load up the table with all of our BEST, MOST CRAVEABLE dishes both old and new.

Some of our old favorites include: Mexican Rice, Taco Salad, Pico de Gallo, Mexican Shredded Beef, and Jalapeno Ranch Dressing.

This year we’re adding Queso Chicken Casserole. And not only we will be having this on Cinco de Mayo but my kids all agree that we will be eating this on a regular rotation.

This Chicken Casserole combines warm melted queso with tender chicken corn, and of course Rotel® Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies for a little bite with bite!  All of that is baked right on top of creamy Rosarita® Traditional Refried Beans for so much flavor, it might actually knock your socks off!

My 10-year-old son tried this for the first time and said, “Mom, what is this?! It is AMAZING!” And he is hard to please my friends, so whether you have picky kids, or a room full of hungry adults watching sports, this dish will be a crowd pleaser.

How to Serve Queso Chicken Casserole

Like many of my recipes here, this recipe works well in a few different ways.  Since it is a casserole, it of course makes a great family meal.

But since it is loaded with ingredients such as queso, chicken, and refried beans (to name a few, it also makes a pretty killer dip or appetizer!

However, you decide to serve it, one thing is for sure… it will be a hit!

Served as an Appetizer

When serving as an appetizer, really all you need is the casserole dish full of the Queso Chicken Casserole, and a big bowl of chips. That will keep a crowd happy for sure!

If you want to get a little fancier, you can add veggies such as mini bell peppers or celery or add a pile of soft tortillas which make a great dipper for this dish.

Served as a Main Dish

Queso Chicken Casserole served as a main dish, makes a great family friendly dinner. It comes together quickly and is a filling meal.  Here are a few of our favorite ways to dish it up:

• Over rice
• Rolled in tortillas
• In a bowl topped with shredded lettuce and pico de gallo
• In an avocado
• With a side of cornbread

Each of these make a great way to enjoy this casserole. Let me know in the comments which you decide to try.

Recipe Tips

This recipe is as easy to make as I promised! I am going to share a few tips and tricks here to help you get the very best out of this recipe, as well as, answer any questions that may come up while cooking.

Make sure to find the FULL recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients

• Rosarita® Traditional Refried Beans– These are creamy and filled with authentic Mexican flavors! Rosarita® has been making delicious Mexican products and their beans never disappoint. Starting with a great tasting refried bean is super important to making this dish great.
• Rotel® Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies– Rotel® is my secret weapon in so many recipes. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably see me cooking with it a lot. I love that it has the convenience of canned tomatoes but packs in the flavor of green chiles and spices. These will up the flavor of anything you cook with!
• Onion
• Processed melting cheese– This type of cheese melts smoothly and allows you to maximize the cheesiness while preventing it becoming greasy.
• Shredded chicken– You can use chicken breast, leftover chicken, or most frequently, I use a rotisserie chicken I grab at the store and pull the meat off of. In a pinch you can even use canned chicken.
• Corn– I generally use frozen, although canned or fresh will work as well.
• Cilantro– adding cilantro gives the whole casserole fresh flavor!
• Shredded cheese- This is optional; however, it makes a nice topping for the casserole.

(Find a short cut to the ingredients here!)

Method

This recipe is as easy as 1-2-3! It comes together in no time at all. Just:

1. Spread the refried beans in the casserole dish. Note: make sure you have 2 small cans, or 1 big can!
2. Heat the onions, Rotel® Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles and processed cheese until nice and melty. No need to drain the Rotel®. You want all the delicious flavor in there. Then you can add in the chicken, corn, and cilantro and pour it over the beans.
3. Top with shredded cheese (two kind of cheese… what?!) and bake the casserole to perfection! The casserole really just needs to heat so a minimal time in the oven is okay, but if your company is late, or dinner gets pushed back, you can cover it with foil and leave it in the oven for up to an hour.

Garnish

Garnish is optional, but this casserole is really delicious with a variety of toppings. Here are a few favorites to try:

• Pico de Gallo
• Guacamole
• Sour Cream
• Extra cilantro
• Crushed tortilla chips

Scaling the recipe

If you need to feed more… or less, this recipe can easily scale up or down. You can directly half the recipe ingredients to make a smaller casserole, or you can double the recipe ingredients to make enough to feed a small army!

Just make sure you have a pan big enough to put it in, otherwise, I recommend making 2 batches and using 2 9×13 pans.

Rotel Chicken Casserole Leftovers

Once you are finished, if you happen to have leftovers, they will save very well.

Just package them up by placing plastic wrap over the casserole dish or transferring them to an airtight container.

Place the leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to a month.

When you are ready to eat them, reheat in the microwave or in a covered baking dish in the oven.

I sure hope that you and your family love this easy chicken casserole as much as me and my family have!

Don’t forget… you can grab the Rosarita® Traditional Refried Beans and Rotel® Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles with your online grocery order at Walmart. Click here for a shortcut to the ingredients!

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Queso Chicken Casserole

This drool-worthy chicken casserole is packed with tender shredded chicken, queso, Rotel tomatoes with green chiles and refried beans. All of this comes together for a casserole that will define delicious comfort food!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Chicken Casserole, mexican, queso, rotel

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 340kcal

Ingredients

• 32 oz Rosarita® Traditional Refried Beans (2 small cans)
• 10 oz Rotel® Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles (1 can)
• 1/2 onion diced
• 12 oz processed melting cheese cubed
• 4 cups shredded chicken
• 1 cup corn
• 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
• 1/2 cup Mexican cheese blend shredded

Garnish (Optional)

• Pico de Gallo

Instructions

• Spread refried beans in the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
• In a skillet heat the onions, Rotel tomatoes with green chiles, and processed melting cheese together over medium heat, stirring regularly. Cook about 3-5 minutes or until completely melted. Stir in the chicken, corn and cilantro and mix until combined.
• Remove cheese mixture from the heat and carefully pour over the beans in the casserole dish. Top evenly with shredded Mexican blend cheese.
• Bake at 350˚F for 20-30 minutes or until heated through. Then garnish with pico de gallo if desired and serve warm. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 1432mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 746IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 349mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Queso Chicken Casserole appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

       

Comments

• This is so easy, good comfort food. Delish! by Donna Frost
• Can I use Salsa instead of Rotel in this recipe? by Janet Bradley
• In reply to Janet Bradley. 👍 Yes! That should work! by Kimber
• We love this recipe, so yummy! I added a can of black beans to ... by Mary
• Can this be permafrost and frozen? by D
• Plus 3 more...

 

 

I have got those answers and more as we explore exactly what the hype is on the new Silhouette Cameo 4.

Silhouette sent me a Cameo 4 for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Silhouette Cameo 4

The Silhouette Cameo 4 was announced in May 2019 and is now available and shipping in 2020.

This new machine is bringing several new highly anticipated features to the cutting machine. As someone that has cut with almost every machine Silhouette has ever produced, so far, I am impressed!

Below we will go through some key features, differences from previous models and what is coming next!

If you are a crafter, the Silhouette Cameo 4 is definitely the best machine on the market for cutting vinyl, fabric, leather, wood, felt, magnetic material, and so many other types of media.

Key Features

The Cameo 4 is bringing some highly anticipated, user requested features to the machine.

• Cuts more materials! The re-vamped dual carriage tool holder will now work with a rotery blade for cutting fabric, and a kraft blade to cut thicker materials like felt or balsawood.
• Easier to use! With a roll feeder and cross cutter built in, it makes working with longer pieces of vinyl easy.
• Touch Panel– The touch screen interface is smooth, sleek and responsive.
• Retractable Lid– The lid now folds up and back to the top of the machine to take up less space and stay out of the way.
• Bluetooth communication– transfer designs from your computer to the machine without the hassle of wires.

What is different from the CAMEO 3?

If you are wondering what the differences are between the older model Silhouette Cameo 3 and the new Cameo 4, and whether it is worth upgrading, it will depend on your needs for the machine.

There are quite a few differences in the newer machine and some rank as pretty major upgrades!

Here are the biggest highlights:

• Faster– The Cameo 4 has the fastest cut of any machine in its class at 30 cm/sec.
  From my experience, the machine is fast, but it is still smooth and precise.
• Most Powerful– Not only is it the fastest, but also the most powerful with additional downward force at 5000 g.
  This is really important if you work with thick materials like felt, leather, or wood.
• New Tools– The new carriage design allows for tools that cut additional materials more precisely, like the rotary blade which allows you to cut fabric without a stabilizer.
  NOTE: The Silhouette Cameo 4 comes with adapters to allow you to use tools from older machines with it. The tools made for the CAMEO 4 cannot be used on older machines.
  
• Built in Roll Feeder– The integral roll feeder folds out from the bottom of the machine for when it is needed to cut longer pieces of vinyl, and tucks back in seamlessly and completely out of the way when not in use.
  I really like this because the external roll feeder is really bulky and a pain to store. Having it built in is very handy for anyone who works with vinyl often.
• Higher Clearance– Along with the increased force and new Kraft blade, the Silhouette Cameo 4 now has a 3mm clearance for materials allowing you to cut thicker materials than the Cameo 3 at 2mm.
  This makes a big difference for those using felt, leather, and wood in their machines!

These are a few of the biggest differences you will see off the bat. There are other differences as well, such as the design, the lid that tucks back into the machine, and the touch panel. The things that will have the biggest impact on your crafting though, in my opinion are listed above.

So, is it worth it to upgrade?

It depends on how you use your Silhouette Cameo! There are certainly many compelling reasons if you want to be convinced though!

If you work with fabric, in my opinion, an upgrade is a no brainer! If you work with felt, leather or wood, this machine is most definitely the best craft cutting machine on the market.

If you are doing vinyl and work with larger cuts, the roll feeder will be immensely helpful to you as it allows you to keep your vinyl feeding into the machine straight without anything extra to store, set up or find.

Although both the Silhouette Cameo 3 and 4 come with an autoblade, they are actually sized and shaped differently and the blade for the 4 is not compatible with the 3.

Upon my first tests with the machine I did find the new autoblade to be less fickle than the old and produced smooth and precise cuts on the material I was using with minimal adjustments, which means so far I am a big fan!

What comes in the box?

• Silhouette Cameo® 4
• Power cable & USB cable
• 12-inch Cutting Mat
• AutoBlade
• Tool adapters
• Cross cutter
• Ratchet blade key
• 100 exclusive designs (download)
• 1-month Silhouette Design Store subscription (available with tool registration)

You will also need to download the latest version of the Silhouette Studio Software to use this machine. The software can be downloaded for free from the Silhouette America website.

Specs + Tech

If you are into the numbers and tech crunch, here are the stats for the new Silhouette Cameo 4.

• True 12-inch cutting width (when using a cutting mat)
• Matless cutting capabilities*
• Cut up to 10 feet length materials (when using select materials)
• Dual motor system
• Tool detection sensors
• Most powerful force in machine class (5,000 grams force)
• Fastest cutting speed in machine class (up to 30 cm/second)
• Smart tangential mode for cutting fabric without a stabilizer (requires Rotary Blade)
• 3 mm clearance for thicker materials.
• Feather touch responsive panel
• Built-in roll feeder allows you to easily load and cut rolled materials like vinyl and heat transfer.
• Built-in crosscutter lets you trim vinyl or heat transfer right from the roll.
• Sliding lid and backlit touch panel give your machine a sleek, compact aesthetic.
• Bluetooth® connectivity allows wireless cutting.
• Print & Cut registration capability
• PixScan™ compatible
• Driven by free Silhouette Studio® software to give you limitless design options to customize your project.
• Mac/Windows compatible

How much is the Silhouette Cameo 4?

There is a lot to be excited about with all of the new features and technology built into the CAMEO 4. The best part is that they are introducing this crafting machine at the same price point as they have traditionally with older machines instead of raising the price!

The Silhouette Cameo 4 retails at $299 and can be bought in white, pink and black.

Although bundles are not currently available on the Silhouette website, they are generally introduced as promotions seasonally, so keep your eye out if you are hoping for one!

Hopefully this gives you a pretty clear picture of what the Silhouette CAMEO 4 offers and how much you will enjoy it for taking your crafting to the next level.

If you have any questions I missed, make sure and leave them in the comments section below!

The post Silhouette Cameo 4 vs Cameo 3- What’s the Difference? appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

       

Comments

• I loved your review. I am thinking about getting the Cameo, but ... by Audi
• Can the Cameo 4 do regular scoring (not perforations)? Thank ... by Robin Hill
• One comment, the last upgrade for the software took more RAM ... by Nancy

 

 

Delicious Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad

I really really love chicken salad. It is one of my go-to lunches or a quick snack. I always like to have some on hand to eat throughout the week.

One of my favorite things to do is change up my chicken salad flavors. That is how I came up with this recipe. I love cilantro and I wanted to re-create chicken salad with my favorite flavor combinations.

This recipe is healthy and refreshing between the lime and the cilantro. I keep most of these ingredients on hand all of the time. You will not be disappointed when you make this Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad.

This salad is Whole30 compliant and will be a perfect lunch or dinner for you. Make sure you use Whole30 mayonnaise when making this recipe. This recipe is also naturally gluten free and low carb so it’s a win all the way around.

How to serve Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad

I enjoy this salad on its own but I also like to add things to make it a filling and wholesome lunch or dinner. Here are a few of my favorite ways of serving this recipe….not all are Whole30 compliant so you can change it to fit your dietary needs.

• With crackers
• On a sandwich (I love to eat it with seeded bread, croissant, or crusty bread)
• In a wrap with a tortilla
• With chips
• Stuffed in an avocado, bell pepper or tomato
• On top of a green salad
• On cucumber slices
• In a lettuce wrap ( I love butter lettuce, romaine, and green leaf)

Tips and Tricks for making Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad- Whole30 Compliant

The BEST part about this recipe is that it is really super simple! You can find the FULL RECIPE card below, but here I am going to walk through a few tips, tricks and frequently asked questions so that you can get the most out of this recipe!

1. Combine the mayonnaise with garlic, salt, pepper and lime juice.
   • If you are wanting to cut calories or fat you can use plain greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise. It will change the texture and creaminess but I do this most of the time.
2. In a large bowl, stir together chicken, celery, onion, bell pepper, cilantro and mayo mixture until every thing is coated.
   • I like to make sure my veggies are cut up small, for ease of eating and all the flavors mix well.
3. Chill for 1 hour. Serve chilled and Enjoy!!

FAQ’s for Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad

Can I use half greek yogurt and half mayonnaise?

Yes! This will extra an extra level of richness to your salad.

Is this recipe gluten free?

Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten free but make sure you check your labels before buying your spices.

How do I store leftovers for Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad?

This Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad will keep in the refrigerator in an air tight container for 3-4 days and works well for meal prep. If you are making this for a brunch or potluck, I recommend making it the night before. This will give the flavors some time to marinate into the chicken.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. I like to have this in my fridge for quick lunches during the week.

If you do get a chance to try it, I would love it if you let me know!  You can leave me a comment below, or if you post a picture on Instagram, make sure to tag me @easyfamilyrecipesso that I can see what you are cooking up! It makes my day to see others enjoying the recipes that I share!

Oh and before you go!…If you need a regular rotation of recipe inspiration like me, make sure to sign up to get our emails!  I send out my new favorites, the recipes my family has been devouring, and some of the best tried and true recipes.  It is easy and free of course!  You can click here to sign up.

More Chicken Salad Recipes

• Loaded Chicken Salad Recipe
• Greek Chicken Salad
• Ranch Chicken Salad
• Chicken Salad with Grapes

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Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad

This chicken salad is full of bold flavors like cilantro, and lime. Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad is perfect for lunch, dinner or a snack.

Course Lunch

Cuisine Southwestern

Keyword Avocado chicken salad, cilantro lime chicken salad, gluten free, lunch, whole30

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 12 1/2 cup servings

Calories 148kcal

Ingredients

• 3 cups chicken breast shredded or chopped
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup celery finely chopped
• 1/2 cup yellow onion finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
• 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
• 1 lime juiced

Instructions

• Combine the mayonnaise, with the garlic, salt, pepper, and lime juice and mix.
• In a large bowl, stir the chicken, celery, onion, bell pepper, and cilantro with the mayo mixture until everything is coated.
• Chill for 1 hour for flavors to meld.
• Serve chilled.  Enjoy!

Notes

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.  Stir before serving.

https://www.thepinningmama.com/cilantro-lime-chicken-salad--whole30-compliant

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 414IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad- Whole30 Compliant appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

      

 

 

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park

My kids said this park was one of their favorites, in fact they said this was their top zoo. We felt like we were transported to another place enjoying our own safari searching for animals.

This zoo covers a great amount of land so wear your walking shoes. Bring your strollers if you have younger kids. I also recommend taking plenty of water and snacks because it’s a long day there and temperatures can be warm.

Activities at the Safari Park

Africa Tram

Climb aboard a safari vehicle and start exploring African animals. This ride takes approximately 25 minutes. You can explore and get closer and in-depth look at animals in their own habitats.

Animal Encounters

There are many different opportunities to see animals unclose. You can also learn about how their trainers work with them and train them. A few of these encounters include Tiger Keepers Talk, Animal Ambassador Stage, Petting Kraal, Lorikeet Landing, and Lemur Walk.

Balloon Safari

This yellow balloon rises above the zoo up to 400 feet. This ride costs extra but is worth the views. You will be up in the air for approximately 10 minutes. The balloon is attached so you are never unattached but you still feel like you are in a hot air balloon.

Conservation Carousel

I don’t know about you guys but my kids love carousels, so we have to ride one everywhere we go. For only $6 you can ride this carousel unlimited times.

Play Areas

This park is full of fun play areas that are shaded to get relief from sun. One area has water elements but they are turned off during the fall/winter months. Play areas are a great way for kids to run around and be “kids” for a little while.

Shows

My kids love going to shows and watching animals in action. A few of our favorite shows were the bird show, cheetah run and tiger keeper talk. Check your map when entering the park for showtimes each day.

Safari Tours

All of these tours cost extra.

Behind-the-Scenes Safari

The park offers a variety of behind-the-scenes safaris. These safaris let others enter areas that the public are not allowed to see. These safaris are an extra cost on top of your park ticket. Here are the behind-the-scene safaris to choose from elephants and friends, roos & mates, tiger and friends, cheetah and friends, lion and friends, rhinos and friends, and veterinary medical center.

Caravan/Cart Safari

You get to climb aboard an open safari truck to explore the Africa safari with a tour guide. You will get an opportunity to feed giraffes on this tour.

Cheetah Safari

Have you ever wanted to see a cheetah up close and even have him/her walk by you? Well this safari was my daughters dream and she loved second of it. You will experience watching the cheetah run from prime seating on the side lines, then you will be able to meet a cheetah up close for 15 minutes. The minimum age for this tour is 10 years old.

Jungle Ropes Safari

You can feel like you are a jungle animal swinging from the treetops and climbing through safari courses. You can enjoy this challenging ropes course for 90 minutes. This course is very safe because you are in a harness connected during the whole adventure. The minimum weight for this course is 50lbs.

Roar & Snore Safari

Sleeping in the safari park…. count me in… that’s every animal lovers dream. A sleepover at the park includes after hours encounters with animals, dinner, a snack, a campfire with a program, and breakfast in the morning.

Safari Park Hours and Ticket Prices

The safari park is open every day of the year including all holidays. They are open from 9a-5p.

One Day Pass

• Adult 12+ $56
• Child 3-11 $46

Two Day Pass

• Adults 12+ $89.60
• Child 3-11 $79.60

An annual pass includes unlimited admission the Safari Park or the San Diego Zoo. If you live in California this pass is offered at a lower rate.

• Adults 18+ $112
• Child 3-17 $56

If you are an active duty member in the U.S. military the zoo and the safari park offer free admission, all you have to do is show your military ID when entering the park.

Safari Park Zoo Dining

I don’t know about you but I am always on the hunt for good. This zoo offers great food choices and I have a few tips for you. First of all if you purchase the large drink that comes in a reusable plastic cup, don’t throw the cup away after you are done. You can refill the cup during for stay at the zoo and every time you come back to the zoo for $1.09. You can also take your cup to any drink stand and they will fill it with ice cold water for free.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers a large selection of different types of food. You will find everything from sandwiches, pizza, hamburgers, fresh salads, African inspired cuisine, and so much more.

If you have a gluten intolerance they offer gluten free selections at every location. There is also a great selection of coffees, beers, alcoholic drinks and quick eats.

I hope this helps you plan your next trip, and it includes the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The weather is also great and most of all the zoo is full of trees, flowers, and lots of places for shade.

The post The San Diego Zoo Safari Park with Kids appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

      

 

 

The San Diego Zoo

We recently visited San Diego and the zoo was one of our highest priorities. We were blown away by this zoo. As a family we have visited many zoos. This one was by far one of our favorites. It was one of the largest zoos we have been to.

This zoo is focused on animal conservation, the reproduction of those animals that are on the brink of being extinct, and the investigation of why diseases occur.

Ticket Prices, and Zoo Hours

There are a few different options when purchasing tickets. A standard one day zoo pass includes the entrance into the zoo, a guided bus tour around the park, aerial tram ride, and scheduled zoo shows. A two day zoo pass includes the ability to visit the zoo two days in a row or one day at the zoo and one day at the safari park.

One Day Pass

• Adult 12+ $56
• Child 3-11 $46

Two Day Pass

• Adults 12+ $89.60
• Child 3-11 $79.60

An annual pass includes unlimited admission the Safari Park or the San Diego Zoo. If you live in California this pass is offered at a lower rate.

• Adults 18+ $112
• Child 3-17 $56

The San Diego Zoo hours are 9a-6pm. A few weekend nights or holidays the zoo has extended hours of 9a-9pm.

If you are an active duty member in the U.S. military the zoo and the safari park offer free admission, all you have to do is show your military ID when entering the park.

Zoo Attractions

• Guided Bus Tour–  This two decker bus provides a guided tour of the zoo.
• Botanical Tours– Stroll through beautiful gardens full of endangered plant collections known throughout the world.
• Kangaroo Bus– This two decker bus has four different spots throughout the park that you can get on and off the bus. This is perfect for those that need a break from walking.
• Skyfari Aerial Tram– My kids loved this ride. This air tram takes you as high as a bird across the zoo.
• Shows– There are a few shows offered at the zoo. Wild About Animals is a show featuring animal ambassadors and their trainers. The next show is Dr.Zoolittle Explores Africa. This show is full of entertainment and fun.
• 4-D Theater– This theater has only the joys and thrills of a 4-D theater. Shows run daily starting at 1030a.
• Animal Encounters–  You can have many encounters with animals at the zoo. Starting with the front street stage ambassador animals will be featured there all day long. There are also opportunities for the zoo keepers throughout the park to talk about how and what they do to care for the animals.
• Play Areas– There are numerous areas located in the zoo for kids to play and climb on things. Some areas includes fossils to dig up, riddles to solve, and life-size story books.

Animals

Any animal that you have been dreaming to see can be found at this zoo. The San Diego Zoo offers the largest number of koala bears that are housed in a zoo. This was one of our favorite things to see at the zoo because not very many zoos have koala bears.

Another great feature of this zoo is how close you can get to the animals. Each enclosure is so close you can almost touch the animals. This way you can get an unclose and personal look at each species.

Each animals is placed in their own habitat unlike some zoos in which you feel like the animals are just behind cages. This zoo is unique in that you never feel like the animals are in “cages”.

Upgraded Experiences

For an extra charge you can experience more in-depth experiences at the zoo. These experiences range from being able to touch animals, watch them in action, tours of the back areas where the trainers and zoo keepers care for the animals, and private guided tours.

Dining

I don’t know about you but I am always on the hunt for good. This zoo offers great food choices and I have a few tips for you. First of all if you purchase the large drink that comes in a reusable plastic cup, don’t throw the cup away after you are done. You can refill the cup during for stay at the zoo and every time you come back to the zoo for $1.09. You can also take your cup to any drink stand and they will fill it with ice cold water for free.

The San Diego Zoo offers a large selection of different types of food. You will find everything from sandwiches, tacos and burritos, hamburgers, fresh salads, Asian inspired cuisine, and so much more.

If you have a gluten intolerance they offer gluten free selections at every location. There is also a great selection of coffees, beers, alcoholic drinks and quick eats. My kids favorite treat was the unicorn snow cone.

I hope this helps you plan your next trip, and it includes the San Diego Zoo. The weather is also great and most of all the zoo is full of trees, flowers, and lots of places for shade.

The post What to do at the San Diego Zoo with Kids appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

      

 

 

Easy Baked Pesto Chicken and Zucchini

One of my favorite things to do is make healthy meals for my family. Sometimes I find myself getting a little overwhelmed by large lists of ingredients for recipes. I love this recipe because it is so simple and only uses a few ingredients.

I really love to make one dish dinners and especially when I can use produce from my garden. I grew up eating zucchini out of the garden so this dish just made sense to create.

Since this seems to be the time of year when zucchini and squash are over flowing at the stores, and your garden if you are lucky enough to have one, I figured it was about time I made one of these easy chicken bakes with some summer squash.

How to serve Baked Pesto Zucchini Chicken

This dish is very versatile in what you can serve with it. I will list our favorite sides. You can choose 1 of these sides to make it a wholesome meal for your family to enjoy. When I dish up the chicken I usually spoon the sauce over side dish to give it extra flavor.

Traditional Sides:

• Rice
• Mashed Potatoes
• Pasta
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Pasta
• Baked Potatoes

Low Carb Sides:

• Cauliflower Rice
• Sautéed Greens
• Salad
• Roasted Vegetables
• Garlic Green Beans

Tips and Trick for Making Pesto Chicken and Zucchini

I am going to walk through the recipe for this Chicken and Zucchini below.  I like to add all of my notes, along with the tips and tricks I use when making this.  If you just want the quick version, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Chop the zucchini, onion, squash and combine.
   • Cut the zucchini and squash in half length-wise, then half each of the halves again length-wise. Then chop into 1 inch pieces.
3. In a large casserole dish, lay the chicken in a single layer and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
   • Make sure the casserole dish is large enough for the chicken to lay flat. They will cook better and more evenly if they are laying flat.
4. Layer the vegetables on top of the chicken. Dollup the pesto over the veggies, then top with cheese.
5. Bake on the middle rack for 35-45 minutes.
   • If you notice the cheese getting too brown, you can loosely cover with aluminum foil.

More One Dish Bakes

• Avocado Smothered Chicken
• Cowboy Chicken
• Low Carb Chicken Casserole 

Print

Baked Pesto Zucchini Chicken

Baked Pesto Zucchini Chicken is a perfect summer meal. This recipe is full of fresh zucchini, yellow squash, pesto and topped bubbly cheese.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Baked, Easy, keto, low carb, Pesto Zucchini Chicken Bake

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 553kcal

Ingredients

• 3-4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 medium zucchini
• 1 medium yellow squash
• 1 medium sweet yellow onion
• 1/2 cup pesto prepared
• 4 oz parmesan cheese
• 4 oz mozzarella cheese

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
• Chop the zucchini, squash, and onion and combine.
• In a large casserole dish, lay the chicken in a flat single layer and season it with the salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Next layer the veggies on and then dollop the pesto over the veggies, then top with the cheeses.
• Bake on the middle rack for 35-45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, 165˚F internal temp. If it starts to brown more than desired, loosely cover with foil until it is done cooking.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

• You can cut the chicken in half, chunks, or use chicken tenderloins in lieu of full chicken breasts to make serving easier. Cooking time may be reduced.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or in the freezer for up to a month.

Dietary Considerations:

This recipe is naturally

• Gluten free (verify on individual brands used)
• Low carb
• Friendly for low carb and keto diets

 

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Nutrition

Serving: 6g | Calories: 553kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 153mg | Sodium: 1275mg | Potassium: 1030mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1285IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 569mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Baked Pesto Chicken and Zucchini appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

     

The BEST Toys for 11 Year Old Boys

You will find expensive to inexpensive toys in this list. These toy ideas are perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or any time in between.

If you are looking for toys for birthdays, Christmas or anytime in-between we have got you covered. Your son is quickly approaching those teen years or treasure this “tween” year a little bit longer.

LEGOs and Building Sets

One of our favorite “toys” in our house is LEGO’s. My kids really love LEGOs and seem to play with them the most out of every toy we have. LEGOs are good for kids of all ages. I also like how they last for a long time and grow with your kids. You may think that your 11 year old is too big for LEGOs but my husband still likes to put together LEGOs so if you love them they never get old.

There are a great deal of great building sets to stimulate their brain to thing and problem solve. These are a few of our favorite sets.

• LEGO Technic WHACK!
• Ravensburger Gravitrax Marble Run and STEM Toy
• LEGO Ideas Ship in a Bottle 
• K’NEX 70 Model Building Set
• Engino Discovering STEM Structures Constructions and Bridges
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Avengers
• DIY Wooden Model Solar Car Kits

All Boy Play

All boy play is one of those sequence of words that sounds exhausting. But trust me these toys will keep your 11 year old boy and his friends out of your hair and playing together.

One of his favorite things to do with friends is have nerf wars. They like to dress up in camouflage to have their wars inside or out. We also have a few different targets which is also a nice options.

• Laser Tag Sets
• Doinkit Darts- Kids Magnetic Dart Board
• Franklin Sports Over the Door Mini Basketball Hoop
• Kids Tactical Vest
• AOKON Walkie Talkies for Kids
• NERF N-Strike Elite DoubleBreach Blaster
• Nerf Modulus Regulator 

BEST Electronics

Electronics can be a tough one, because it feels like now a days everyone is obsessed with electronics. They can be a good thing if you find the right ones for your child.

One of our favorite electronics in our house is an iPad. You can set parameters on them to keep your kids safe from harmful things on the Internet.

• VR Entertainment VR Real Feel Alien Blasters Mobile Gaming
• Potensic Mini Drone for Kids with Camera
• iPad
• Headphones
• AOKES! Remote Control Robot Building Blocks Educational Kit Engineering STEM Toys
• NFL Electronic Football Game
• Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

Fun Cool Gadgets

My boy has been into “cool” gadgets ever since he was a little boy. He loves to figure out how things work and put things back together that he has taken apart.

I really love gadgets that stimulate their brain and make them think a little while they are playing with the toy. These are a few of our favorite cool gadgets for 11 year old boys.

• ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Logic Game and STEM Toy
• SmartLab Toys Smart Circuits
• Engino Discovering Stem: Levers, Linkages & Structures Building Kit
• Small Voice Changer
• OWI Hydraulic Arm Edge Kit
• Spy Gear, Mission Alpha Set
• 4M Insectoid Robot Science Kit

Outdoor Play

I am all about any toy that gets my kids outside to play. I feel when kids are outside their minds are taken to a new place and they get super creative.

One of the big toys that we have purchased that my kids absolutely love is a nice bike. The best thing about bikes at this age is they will grow with your child. We love riding bikes as a family and this purchase will definitely be worth every penny you spend on it.

• Djubi Classic- the Coolest New Twist on the Game of Catch
• Mountain Bike
• Helmet
• Hyper Toss Action Game
• Hoverboard
• Soccer Ball
• Football

Finding toys for kids can be really fun when you have direction.  I hope you find the toy for your 11 year old boy.  I’m just an everyday mom, and I love sharing some of our tried and true tested toys.

If you have any more toy ideas please comment below, I love to hear from my readers.

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The BEST Toys for 11 Year Old Girls

You will find expensive to inexpensive toys in this list. These toy ideas are perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or any time in between.

If you are looking for toys for birthdays, Christmas or anytime in-between we have got you covered. Your daughter is quickly approaching those teen years or treasure this “tween” year a little bit longer. 

Fun Arts & Crafts

My daughter loves everything to do with crafting. At this age crafts requires little to no help from me, and the best part is she is old enough to clean it all up when she is done. 

My daughter loves to create all sorts of projects with art supplies around the house. I love seeing the masterpieces that my children create. Now that she is getting older the crafts are more involved. These crafts are some of my daughters favorite mess free Arts & Crafts. 

• String Art Kit
• 80-Piece Deluxe Art Set
• Fashion Angels Make-Up & Hair Design Sketch Portfolio
• 4M Easy-To-Do Crochet Kit
• Creativity for Kids Flower Crowns
• Doodle Diary: Art Journaling for Girls
• SentoSphere Aquarellum- Paris by Night- Arts and Crafts Watercolor Paint Set 

Electronic Toy Ideas

Electronics are used more and more in schools today. When your kids know how to navigate and use their devices for homework it can be less stressful for them and you. Sometimes I get the feeling that my kids know more about electronics than I do. 

One of our favorite electronics to purchase for our kids is iPads. My husband and I place parameters on them to keep them safe from harmful things that can be found on the Internet.

• Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke
• Bluetooth Speaker
• iPad
• Wireless Headphones
• Waterproof Digital Camera
• Karaoke Machine
• Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera 

The BEST LEGO Sets

You may think your daughter is too old for LEGOs at this age but she is not. My daughter LOVES LEGOs and will play with them for hours and hours. 

LEGOs are worth the money because they never get old or outdated. These different sets are perfect because they range from inexpensive to expensive. These are also great ideas to hand over to Grandma and Grandpa, aunts, uncles and friends since they are easy to find and come in a variety of price points.

• LEGO Friends Friendship House
• LEGO Friends Heartlake City Resort
• LEGO Friends Stephanie’s House
• LEGO Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets Hogwarts Whomping Willow
• LEGO Friends Rescue Mission Boat
• LEGO Friends Snow Resort Ski-Lift 
• LEGO Friends Sunshine Catamaran

Popular Beauty Products

One of my daughters favorite thing to do is walk around beauty product stores with me. I really like that she has taken an interest into starting to care for her skin. 

She also loves to spend hours and hours in Claires. She likes to try on earrings and necklaces. My daughter is also staring to get an idea of what she likes to wear or add to her outfit.This list contains all of her favorite beauty toys and products for 11 year old girls. 

• Hair Chalk for Girls
• ALEX Spa Glow Sketch It Nail Pens
• ULTA Gift Card
• Claire’s Gift Card
• Unicorn Halographic Illuminating Glitter Peel Off Mask
• Facial Cleansing Brush
• Mermaid Makeup Brush Set

Outdoor Toy Ideas

I love having my kids play outside and they love being outside as well. Now that the weather is warm we like to be outside as much as we can. 

If I could tell you one big purchase you should make for your daughter it should be a bike. We love to ride bikes as a family. This is a great way to spend time together and exercise.

• Mountain Bike
• Bike Helmet
• Electric Scooter
• Ring Toss Games for Kids
• Spikeball Pro Kit
• Capture the Flag
• Glow City LED Ring Toss Game

I hope you have found a few toys that spark the interest of your daughter in this list. I try to add a variety of things to fit everyone’s needs.

If you have any additional toys to add for 11 year old girls please comment below, I love to hear from my readers. 

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This post is created in paid partnership with Just Crack an Egg. All ideas and opinions are cooked up here at The Pinning Mama.

Feeling Too Tired Every Morning?

Morning.

Ugh.

If you can feel that tired listless feeling, just hearing the word, then I can SO relate!

This year has been a big adjustment for our family. We moved to a new state, with new schools for all the kids, new schedules for us, and less sleep for everyone.

All of this resulted in less sleep and more demands, for everyone, but especially me. Because mom makes it all happen, you know?

The alarm meant another morning of prying my eyes open by mustering all the will power I have, then not really waking up for hours after I first opened my eyes.

Our life in Florida has been great, so good in fact, that I ask my husband if I had seemed less stressed to him, and he responded with, “Yes much less stressed, but also much more tired.”

Which is when I realized I needed a change.  I started implementing a few simple things that have helped me own the morning instead of the morning owning me.

While the best key, is to make sure you are getting enough sleep at night to wake well rested, these 5 tips, will help you take that rest and turn the morning into a time that is purposeful and sets the tone for the rest of the day.

The best part?  Each of these little tips only takes 5 minutes or less!

I am nothing if not realistic, so here are some things that really can impact your day!

Wash Your Face

This might be the simplest tip, but it is also one that can make a huge impact on going from barely alive, to ready to take on the day in just a minute or two.

After I grudgingly pull myself from the warm haven that is my bed, the first thing I do is wash my face. 

The change in temperature.  The tingle of the soap.  The feeling of being fresh and clean.

All of these work to immediately surge your senses and let them know it is time to conquer the day.

Stock Your Fridge

Make sure your fridge is stocked with quick and wholesome breakfast options so you can start your day with a protein packed breakfast.

Let’s be realistic. If it isn’t quick and easy, there is 100%, absolutely, no way that breakfast is happening for me in the morning.  The kids yes. Me no.

That said, when I can get in breakfast, my morning is smoother. I am less likely to snap at the kids. I feel more alert, and not only am I more awake, I am just generally a happier and more positive person.

To make that happen, I have learned to keep easy breakfast options that I can look forward to like Just Crack an Egg.

I absolutely LOVE these because literally all you do it peel the top back, add an egg (not included) then place all the delicious toppings in, give it a stir and microwave.

Not only is it easy to make, but because you prepare it right in the cup it comes in, there are no dishes!  (This may actually be my favorite part!)

Just Crack an Egg is an easy and convenient breakfast option that doesn’t sacrifice taste or quality. All you have to do is open it up and add 1-2 eggs and the prepped ingredients included, and in less than 2 minutes you have a hot breakfast.

There are several varieties, including three new ones:

• Southwest
• Veggie
• Protein Packed

They are made with no artificial flavors, dyes or preservatives. You can find Just Crack an Egg in the egg aisle in at your local Publix supermarket.

Do a Quick Workout

Now I am not talking an hour at the gym.  I don’t even want you to go to a gym. 

What I mean is to do 25 crunches, or 10 lunges, or a 1 min plank, or some combination of simple quick moves that get your muscles working and the blood flowing.

This shouldn’t take long or get you super sweaty, but instead be a small investment of time that helps to invigorate you in the morning.

Write Down 3 Things You Will Accomplish Today

This is one of my favorite morning activities and the first thing I do when I wake up.

I find that knowing what I need to do and articulating it on paper gives me the purpose and clarity I need to get moving.

The other thing this accomplishes is helping to make each day more productive.

I absolutely love knowing that I did at least 3 important things each day.

Spend Time Focusing on Gratitude or Meditation

Switching gears from productivity, if you can clear just 3-5 minutes in the morning to focus on clearing your mind from the chaos and focusing on gratitude and peacefulness, you may be surprised the impact it will have on you overall! 

I used to wake up and turn off my alarm then immediately start scrolling on Social Media.

Now instead I open the notes on my phone and write down 3-5 things I am thankful for.

I love focusing on the blessings in life and starting my day out in that positive space.

In a Nutshell

To sum it all up, here are 5 very small things you can do to positively impact your mornings, start your day right, and boost your energy.

1. Wash your face
2. Eat a quick breakfast
3. Do a quick workout
4. Write down 3 things you will accomplish today
5. Jot down 3-5 things you are thankful for

Each of these only takes a minute or two to accomplish and together they have really changed my mornings from stress and chaos, to slightly less chaos, but much more energy and a positive attitude to tackle the morning and the day.

Do you have favorite things that you make a part of your morning routine each day?  I would love to hear your ideas on how to energize your morning in the comments!

The post 5 Ways To Have More Energy in the Morning (In 5 min or less!) appeared first on The Pinning Mama.

     

Kid Friendly Bear Lake Activities

The best time to visit this beautiful lake is in the summer. Because the elevation is so high the winter months are too cold and full of snow. There is wildlife, beautiful views, water activities with rentals and lots of good food.

Every time we visit my kids like to unwind and explore this beautiful town. We leave with happy memories and full bellies. I think that’s the best kind of vacation you can have if you ask me. 

1. Raspberry Days– One of the most celebrated weekends in Bear Lake is Raspberry Days. This occurs during the first weekend in August each year. There is so much for kids and families to do. A few activities are parade, kids carnival games, family friendly concerts, a rodeo, and so much more. This time of year is busy, but so worth all of the fun. Make sure you check out the website to ensure you schedule the correct weekend for Raspberry Days. 
2. Minnetonka Cave– This fascinating cave is located just outside of Utah, inside Idaho in St. Charles canyon. As you venture your way through the cave you will see stalactites, stalagmites, and walls draped in travertine. This cave is open mid-June to Labor Day. Make sure you bring coats for you and your kids because the cave is a chilly 40 degrees year round. My kids still talk about exploring this cave today, it was a highlight of our last trip to Bear Lake. 
3. Beach Fun– My kids love splashing in the lake and building sand castles. We love visiting beaches wherever we go. The beaches that surround the lake are perfect for swimming and playing in the sand. The 3 favorite beaches we go to are North Beach State Park located on the Idaho side of Bear Lake, Rendezvous Beach and Bear Lake State Park. Make sure you wear lots of sunscreen at the beach, because of the high altitude you are more likely to get burned. 
4. Watercraft Rentals– One of our favorite things to do on the lake is rent jet skis or wave runners. Boats are also available to rent if you have your boat drivers license. This is a fun way to get on the water and experience Bear Lake from another perspective. The water is a bit chillier than most lakes but it is still refreshing and fun. There is also an option to rent a paddle board or kayaks if you prefer a little more low key experience. 
5. ATV Trails– If you like to explore the mountains but don’t want to hike, ATVs are a great way. There are a large number of trails to follow…. whether you are looking for an all day experience or just a few hours. You will find rentals located in Bear Lake to rent ATVs. 
6. Hiking and Mountain Biking– You will find some beautiful trails to hike along in Bear Lake. These trails offer stunning views of the lake. Temperatures tend to be mild so hiking is one of our favorite past times. If you hike closer to fall, you will experience some of the most beautiful fall leaves nature has to offer. 
7. Food and Drinks– One thing Bear Lake is not missing is great food. There are some of the most delicious restaurants located in this small town. Whether you are looking for fine dining, fast food or snacks… you will not be disappointed. Make sure before you leave that you get yourself a famous raspberry shake. 
8. Pickleville Playhouse– If you are looking for a fun play for the whole family to enjoy this is the place. The playhouse performs two musicals a day from June until September. My kids were entertained the whole time and said it was one of the best shows they have ever seen. They offer popcorn, drinks, snack and delicious homemade cookies for purchase. 

I hope this helps you plan your next trip and that it takes you to Bear Lake in Utah and Idaho. Half of Bear Lake is located in Utah and the other half is in Idaho. 

If you have any additional ideas on things to do in Bear Lake with families please comment below, I love to hear from my readers. 

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