Sponsored: Netflix For Kids Has So Many Great Options!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX. As always all opinions expressed are my own.

My youngest watching Jake the Pirate on Netflix

My youngest son made a discovery this week. He came running into the kitchen and informed me that he had found a great new thing to watch on Netflix, Jake and the Never Land Pirates. I had never heard of the show so I went in to see what all the commotion was about. Now my son is very smart. He is 4 and can figure out how to watch Netflix on my phone, the TV and three different tablets. I love that Netflix is easy enough that he can find things on his own and I can add shows that are age appropriate into the Instant Queue. Netflix has made family viewing very easy. The dedicated kids section has family favorites appropriate for children ages 2- 12. All content is selected with help from Common Sense Media to provide ratings, reviews and information so parents can easily make choices for their kids!

My kids have fallen in love with the new kids section and watch it when they have family TV viewing time.  Plus you aren't limited to watching shows just on the television. You can watch your favorite TV shows and movies anywhere, anytime you want. Netflix is available on hundreds of devices, which you probably already have at home! Even better with the streaming options you can download the free app on your iPad, click on the Netflix app on any gaming device or visit Netflix.com on your computer – and you’re in business. It really is easy. Plus it's great when you have access to free wifi such as at doctor's offices. It makes those long wait times much more bearable. I love being able to take out my phone and let my youngest son watch a short tv show while I wait at the bank, doctors office etc.

The various devices that we stream Netflix

We try to make television viewing a family event. That way I can enjoy time with my kids and they can watch some of their favorite television shows. We have our favorite movie snacks (buttered popcorn with Worcestershire sauce-it really is delicious) and all curl up on our favorite chairs to watch together as a family. Right now my oldest is in love with Transformers Prime and ParaNorman, while my youngest son's favorite Netflix shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Plus the nice thing with Netflix is that they are always adding new great shows. Their current favorite shows are all thanks to new shows and movies being added to Netflix from Hasbro, Disney Jr. and the Cartoon Network. There are great new shows to choose from that my kids love.

My kids watching Netflix together on their tablet

What are you watching on TV with your family? Netflix has family favorites from Disney, Disney Jr., Hasbro, Cartoon Network and Dreamworks that are available to stream anytime, anywhere.

And streaming is easier than you think! Download the free app on your iPad, click on the Netflix app on any gaming device, go to the website on your computer – and you’re in business. Check it out here!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX.

Sponsored Post: Michael Buble's To Be Loved Album Review

I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. I received a free copy of the album to facilitate my review. By posting, I am eligible for incentives. All opinions stated are my own.

Album Cover

 I have to admit that when I first heard Michael Buble I wasn't a fan. It might have been my age, or the fact that it just wasn't the style of music that I liked to listen to. Whatever the reason I would turn the radio dial when he came on. Now that I am older I listen to a far greater variety of music. The only thing that I draw the line at is listening to my youngest son's Disney songs, they can drive me a little crazy after a while. I have also discovered that as I've gotten older I have begun to appreciate older music. The music that my parents loved has more meaning and connection than it did when I was younger. So I was intrigued when I was recently given the opportunity by One2One Network to listen and review the new Michael Buble album To Be Loved.

Here is the list of tracks on the album:

To Be Loved Track Listing:

1. "You Make Me Feel So Young"

2. "It's a Beautiful Day"

3. "To Love Somebody"

4. "Who's Lovin You"

5. "Something Stupid" (featuring Reese Witherspoon)

6. "Come Dance with Me"

7. "Close Your Eyes"

8. "After All" (featuring Bryan Adams)

9. "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" (with Naturally 7)

10. "To Be Loved"

11. "You've Got a Friend in Me"

12. "Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You)" (featuring The Puppini Sisters)

13. "I Got It Easy"

14. "Young at Heart"

Michael's new album is different from his previous albums. With this album he has ventured into songwriting as well as his renditions of classic American songs. "To Be Loved, out now, finds the Grammy winner covering songs by Frank Sinatra, the Bee Gees, Jackson 5, Elvis Presley, Van Morrison, and more. In the mix of golden standards are four original songs co-written by Bublé, dipping into his personal life for inspiration." Here is my list of pros and cons about the new album:

Pros:

• Album has a variety of songs to chose from
• I liked both "Come Dance with Me" and "Young at Heart"
• Album was easy to listen to

 Cons:

• Most of the songs are slow, there isn't a lot of variety of types of music
• As with a lot of Michael Buble music, the songs are all sung very similarly (which many people like so this wouldn't necessarily be a con for everyone)
• A number of the songs are very drawn out
• There is no stand out single like previous albums

To buy the album or a few songs for yourself go to the following links: 

• iTunes
• Amazon

Easy 10 Minute Recipe for Spicy Shrimp Marinara

Spicy Shrimp Marinara Over Spaghetti

Tomorrow will mark the first day of summer for me. My oldest son will have his last day of school and I will no longer have to do the daily running out the door before we are late for school routine (at least for a couple of months). Plus there will be trips to my in-laws house and peace and quiet for me for at least a few days. I might actually be able to catch up on some reading and get ahead on blog posts. However, my oldest claims that I am a mean mommy since I insist on work books throughout the summer months. I have high expectations for my children and I hate the idea of them losing knowledge through the summer. Another sign of summer in my house is the arrival of lots of seafood dishes. My kids are big fans of shrimp and I try to make it at least once every couple of weeks, especially during the warmer months. Last week I tried a new recipe for Spicy Shrimp Marinara from the Everyday Food insert of Martha Stewart Living magazine.

This recipe has three ingredients in the marinara and five in the main recipe. It takes 10 minutes of total time (not including the time to make the marinara), all of which is active and makes 4 servings. I did make a few changes to the original recipe. First since I was serving 6 people (my in-laws were in town) I doubled the recipe. I also chose to leave out the red pepper flakes and add them at the table for individual servings. My father-in-law doesn't enjoy spicy foods, so doing the red pepper flakes in this manner allowed everyone to eat the recipe. I served my portion over gluten free ziti and the rest of the servings over spaghetti for the remainder of my family.

Everyone that tried this recipe loved it. The flavors were delicious and the recipe is beyond easy. I allowed my garlic to caramelize, which created a nice undertone to the dish. For anyone trying this recipe I would suggest doing this modification as well. This is a nice simple recipe that would work well year round.

For the recipe go to Spicy Shrimp Marinara.

Guest Post: 5 Things to Bring to Your Memorial Day Picnic

5 Things to Bring to Your Memorial Day Picnic

Memorial Day is a very special day of the year. While we pause to remember those who have given their lives for our country we also use the day as a time to gather with our friends and family and celebrate the beginning of summer. People all across the country commute to beaches, parks, and backyards to enjoy a special day of rest. In order to make sure that your celebration is a success here are five things to bring to your Memorial Day outing.

1. Grill - The center piece for all activity during Memorial Day is the grill. People accumulate wherever the grill is. Make sure that your grill is prepared and ready to go. BBQ food is essential on a day like this. Consider barbeque wings, burgers, hot dogs, or sloppy joes. Make sure that you have enough food to feed everyone. It will also be important that you have tasty sauces and side dishes. A good grilling experience makes the day that much better.

2. Fun Activities – Fun activities include outdoor games or sports. Bring footballs, baseball or softball equipment, or outdoor games such as bags. It is common amongst many groups of people to have some sort of competition during the day. Having some sort of fun activity can really add to Memorial Day. Don’t forget the kids either. The kids will require their own set of fun activities. Consider organizing a series of games for the kids or perhaps even arts and crafts

3. Drinks – Drinks of all kinds are a must on Memorial Day. Make sure that you have coolers and ice and that you have drinks that can suit all parties involved. That means kids drinks, non-alcoholic options for those who don’t prefer something stronger and a variety of adult beverages. Variety is key for a successful event or party. Be sure to include plenty of options for those who might want something different.

4. Eating Utensils – Of course you need to bring the right eating utensils. An important question to ask yourself is what sort of clean-up process you will have at the end of your event. Most people prefer to have an easy clean up. Consider using eating utensils that are easily disposable. Paper plates, plastics spoons forks and knives, paper napkins, and plastic cups are all essential items to keep in mind for an event such as this.

5. Picnic Gear – Make sure you have picnic gear such as umbrellas, tables, and blankets or sheets for the ground. If you have kids or elderly people in attendance it will be essential to find both shade and a place for them to sit. Orient your picnic area around both your location and who you plan on having in attendance.

This post was written by James P. on behalf of Manwich. For great Memorial Day food ideas such as SloppyJoe Recipes, GroundBeef Recipes, GroundTurkey Recipes, or tips for making great SloppyJoes visit the Manwich website.

Recipe for Fresh Oregano and Chive Crusted Chicken with Fresh Strawberry Relish

Fresh Oregano and Chive Crusted Chicken with Fresh Strawberry Relish

I love strawberries. Berries in general are high on my list of favorite foods, but strawberries are at the top. Since they are now available frozen year round I am able to enjoy my strawberry smoothies even in the dead of winter. However, there is something so quintessentially summer about eating fresh strawberries. I love using them in desserts, but they are equally great for adding a hint of sweetness to savory dishes. Whatever the preparation method, any dish with strawberries rarely lasts more than a few hours. Last night I tried a new recipe for Herb Crusted Chicken with Fresh Strawberry Relish from the June 2013 issue of Eating Well magazine.

This recipe has 10 ingredients. It takes 1 1/4 hours of total time, 30 minutes of which is active and makes 4 servings. I only made a few changes to the original recipe. Since my herb garden is finally thriving I was able to use fresh oregano from my garden. My 4 thighs weighed exactly 2 pounds and I served the dish over white rice. I added 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar since it has great flavor and I love using it with strawberries. Make sure to buy a high quality balsamic vinegar, there really is a difference between the cheap low-quality brands and the top-shelf varieties.

The relish in this recipe was delicious. It had even better flavor after sitting in the fridge overnight. Combined with the herb crusted chicken the flavors made a nice sweet-savory taste. My kids loved the relish, so the recipe is a nice option to get kids to eat fruit in a new way.

For the recipe go to Herb Crusted Chicken with Fresh Strawberry Relish.

Recipe for Tuscan Turkey Burgers with Fresh Basil

Tuscan Turkey Burgers with Fresh Basil and Tomatoes

I was so happy that tonight I was able to use fresh herbs from my herb garden for my dinner recipe. My herbs are doing better than I expected and will save me so much money this summer. Growing my own basil is one way that I know that I will save money since I use basil at least once a week for dinner. The herbs available at the grocery store are over priced and start to brown by the time I am able to use them. Being able to just go out and cut the amount that I need is so nice. Plus the flavor is noticeably better than store bought. One food I love adding fresh basil to is burgers. It can take a regular burger from ordinary to something memorable. Last week I tried a new recipe for Tuscan Turkey Burgers from Redbook magazine.

This recipe has 10 ingredients. It takes 30 minutes of total time, 10 minutes of which is active and makes 4 servings. I did make a few changes to the original recipe. First since I eat gluten free I made gluten free biscuits and then made bread crumbs in my food processor. I also used my indoor grill to cook the burgers, which helped to reduce the fat without reducing the flavor. For my serving I ate the burger between two gluten free biscuits, for the rest of my family I made homemade hamburger buns.

These burgers have a tendency to crumble when you try to flip them over so be careful. I actually waited until the next day to take the photo. After sitting in the fridge the burgers were much firmer and easier to deal with. It might be a good idea to place the burgers in the fridge to firm before cooking them. I thought these burgers were great without lettuce so if you are unable to find Boston lettuce you can leave it out. Overall these burgers turned out very moist and were enjoyed by my whole family.

For the recipe go to Tuscan Turkey Burgers.

Recipe for Sour Cherry Rice Pudding

Sour Cherry Rice Pudding

I love to read. Growing up my mother never watched TV, instead she spent all of her free time curled up on the side of the couch with a book. It was thanks to her that I read War and Peace in middle school. She always expected me to read for joy, not grade level and challenged me to read everything I could get my hands on. In college I already had a major when on a whim I decided to tack on a second major, English Literature. This love of reading has followed me to the current day when I have been known to stay up all night finishing a great book. Most of you also know that I love to cook. Cookbooks and food magazines are always all over my house. There is something great about finding a new recipe to try and scouring through pages to find the perfect fit for dinner. Slow cooker recipes are some of my favorites and last week I tried a new recipe for Sour Cherry Rice Pudding from the June 2013 issue of Family Circle magazine.

This recipe has 9 ingredients. It takes 6 hours and 35 minutes of total time, 10 minutes of which is active and makes 4 servings. I did make changes to the original recipe. First since I have a larger crock-pot I doubled the recipe. I used fat free evaporated milk and 100 percent cherry juice for the ingredients. For whatever reason my crock-pot never works with rice pudding on low. Instead I decreased the time and cooked the recipe on high for a little under 3 hours. After the pudding has sat to cool it will need to be fluffed back up and you can add more evaporated milk if necessary.

Using fat free evaporated milk worked well in this recipe and I like that there is 11 grams of protein per serving. My kids ate their servings with homemade whipped cream, which was a nice combination. If you want a richer pudding this would be delicious with shaved dark chocolate on top.

For the recipe go to Sour Cherry Rice Pudding.