Recipes | SoCal Savvy Mom

Jul 26
2016

Back to school fun with #a2Milk, #IC (ad)

This post was sponsored by a2 Milk® as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

Hard to believe back to school season is upon us, my son has a couple more weeks before he starts back at school. We have started our back to school shopping in fact we are almost finished! With back to school on the mind, I have already started thinking about the dreaded school lunch debate. My son wants over-processed aka junk food and want him to eat fruits and vegetables, in the end we usually meet in the middle. I usually add veggies in muffins with a2 Milk® for a healthy snack during school.

Mornings before school I love to make my son scrambled eggs with the help of a2 Milk®. Or on those morning when we have a little extra time, his favorite is organic pancakes with a2 Milk®. The reasons we enjoy a2 Milk® is because my son and I experience tummy troubles from other milk, but can enjoy a2 Milk® without any symptoms. Before a2 Milk® my son drank organic whole milk, I drank almond milk and my husband coconut milk, now I don’t have to purchase three different types of milk!

How does a2 Milk® do this you ask? Milk has two different proteins, A1 and a2. The A1 protein is the culprit behind many people’s discomfort after consuming dairy, and currently in all conventional and organic milk. The a2 Milk® only comes from specially selected a2 cows, whose milk is naturally free of the A1 protein. a2 Milk® is the real replacement to overly processed alternatives. My days of compromising taste with inferior nut- or bean-based beverages are gone! In the past if I accidentally poured the wrong milk on my son’s cereal it was a huge issue. Now we are a one milk family, it makes my life just a little easier.

For more information and resources click here to visit the Lactose Intolerance section of the a2 Milk website.

a2 Milk® can be found in the dairy section near the ‘organic milk’ to learn more about which stores sell a2 Milk®, see the a2 Milk® Store Locator: https://a2milk.com/find/ For more information please visit the company website a2 Milk®: https://www.a2milk.com/

Apr 24
2016

Say yes to Grass-Fed beef from Jones Creek

by Nicole Connerley

Eating a healthy diet is very important to my family, my husband and I rarely eat any meat that isn’t grass-fed, free range or organic. Which is why I was overjoyed when Jones Creek reached out to ask if I would review some of their steaks. First let me tell you what Jones Creek is about and that is grass-fed, 100% free range, and grass-finished premium beef. Jones Creek cows don’t ever seen the inside of a cage, and they are also fed grass their entire lives. All of the beef has no added hormones and no added steroids.

Jones Creek has a range of products including ground beef, roasts and a full line of steaks. The steaks offered are Top Sirloin, Filet Minion, Ribeye, and New York steaks. I was able to choose 5 steaks, I choose 3 New York steaks and 2 Ribeye steaks. My husband and I prepared and cooked the Ribeye steaks with just salt and pepper and cooked on the grill for a few minutes per side. We were both amazed at the flavor and how tender the steaks were, to say they were delicious would be a huge understatement.

The following week my mother in law was in town and I wanted to see if she could tell the difference between grass-fed and regular steaks. Her and my father in law live in Jacksonville and are big red meat fans. I was excited to see if she would like the steaks, my husband cooked the New York steaks for us which turned out to be perfection. My mother in law Carol loved the steak and asked where we got it and how we prepared it. She was shocked when I told her I picked it up from Walmart. And that Jones Creek Beef has an entire selection of beef to choose from at Walmart stores across the nation. It is sold in store only at very reasonable prices. For more information on Jones Creek Beef you may visit their website here. To find a store near you that has Jones Creek Beef click here for a store locator.

Mar 21
2016

Easter Savings at Food4Less

by Nicole Connerley

Food4Less has some amazing sales going on right now that will help you fill all those Easter baskets without breaking the bank! With some amazing specials on Hershey’s chocolate eggs, your kids will love for you to fill their baskets with these special treats.

The sale is for Hershey’s Reese’s Peanut butter eggs for only $2.99 each. Anything chocolate is my son’s favorite so I will be stopping by Food4Less to pick up a couple of these to fill his Easter basket with. We are hosting three different egg hunts on Sunday, one for toddlers, one for school aged children and per my brother’s girlfriends request an adult hunt as well. So needless to say I need to stock up on candy while I have the chance.

Another sale item you don’t want to miss is the raw shrimp for only $4.99 a pound! I am planning on making some delicious rosemary shrimp on the grill this week. It is so simple to make and always turns out delicious.

To find the specials in your area click here. All of the sale items for Southern California may be found below, happy shopping!

Offers: Green Cabbage $0.39

Great American Tilapia Filets $9.99 ea.

Pasila Peppers $079/lb.

Raw Shrimp $4.99/lb.

Pinto Beans 5 lb. bag $2.99 ea.

Los Altos Oaxaca or Cotija Cheese $3.49 lb.

Hershey’s or Reese’s Peanut Butter Easter Eggs $2.99 ea.

Doritos, Fritos, Cheetos or Bean Dip 3 for $5

Gatorade 32 oz. $0.69 ea.

Mar 20
2016

Fun DIY treats to make with your kids for Easter – As seen on Good Morning San Diego

by Nicole Connerley

Saturday March 19th Nicole Hughes of SoCal Savvy Mom was on Good Morning San Diego sharing the best Easter treats to make with kids. All of the items shown on the TV segment are listed below, enjoy!

Want to learn how to make fun treats with your children for Easter? We’ve got you covered with SoCal Savvy Mom Nicole Hughes!

Good Morning San Diego Segment may be found by clicking here : Fun do-it-yourself treats to make with your kids for Easter

Easter S’mores Recipe

Marshmallow Treats

Easter Egg Nests

Nov 6
2015

Coaster Holiday Express – Ride with Santa 2015

by Nicole Connerley

The 2016 Holiday Coaster Express information may be found here

You and your family are invited to ride on a magical holiday train with Santa Claus and his friends. North County Transit District’s Coaster Holiday Express is a specially decorated train that features photo opportunities with Santa and his friends, classic carol singing for children of ALL ages. Each 65 minute Coaster Holiday Express ride will travel non-stop and roundtrip from Oceanside to Solana Beach. The ride is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10. Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 12 at 8 a.m. and are $8 per passenger (all ages) and must be purchased in advance.

We took our child when he was 6, along with another family with a 5-year-old, and the kids loved it. The parents had hot coffee and we brought some snacks for the kids. I love the pictures on the Holiday Express because there is no extra charge, and you take the pictures yourself. Below is one of the pictures I took of my son with Santa.

The details: The Coaster Holiday Express is ONE day only on Saturday, December 12th. Families will board the train at the Oceanside Transit Center, and all passengers must have a ticket regardless of their age. Tickets sell out very fast and are not available for purchase on the day of the event. The first day to purchase tickets is on Thursday, November 12th.

There are two ways to buy your tickets: Online at GoNCTD.com/eticket or In person, CASH ONLY, at Oceanside Transit Center Customer Service Office
205 S. Tremont St., Oceanside, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sales are “first come, first served.”
Each person may purchase up to six tickets.

Tips:

Plan on eating before the 65 minute train ride; however, small snacks and drinks are permitted. Water bottles are allowed.
• Bring a camera to capture your child’s meeting with Santa.
• This event is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10.
• Plan on arriving at Oceanside Transit Center at least 20 minutes before the train departs to secure parking.
• Strollers and/or bicycles will not be permitted on the train.
• The COASTER Holiday Express will operate rain or shine.

Oct 26
2015

Safe Trick or Treating in San Diego 2015

by Nicole Connerley

Halloween is this weekend, do you have a tradition? Do you love trick or treating in your neighborhood? I love the idea of trick or treating at a shopping center or mall because it feels safer. I am always worried about children on Halloween and being struck by a car, this almost happened to us last year! The driver of the car got an ear full from myself and the other parents with us. This year we will be trick or treating at one of the events listed below. Of course my child and probably yours too LOVES Halloween because of the candy, which is another reason I love this, I know who the candy is coming from. We always end our night watching Charlie Brown as our family tradition. Have a very save Halloween!

Carmel Mountain Plaza Halloween Trick or Treat – Children 12 and under dressed in costumes are invited to trick-or-treat at participating stores from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Parents can enjoy live music with the 80’z All-Stars, or kids can enjoy balloon art, and more! Register near Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Reading Cinemas and receive a Free treat bag, while supplies last.

Carlsbad Forum Celebrate Halloween – Trick or treating for children 12 and younger in costume from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dress up your pups and enjoy the doggie treat and water station outside of Anthropology, for more information click here.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets Halloween Trick-or-Treating – From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. costumed children escorted by their parents are invited to trick-or-treat at Carlsbad Premium Outlets on Halloween. Participating merchants will distribute wrapped candy and treats adding to the fun, for more information click here.

Carlsbad Village Halloween in the Village – Join Carlsbad Causes for Community (C3) at any time between 2 and 6pm for some Halloween fun in the village with our Village merchant Trick-or-Treat event! The fun zone at C3 Headquarters in the Yoga Co-op (2801 Roosevelt Street) is the starting point where you pick up your map of participating businesses! You’ll also find a Jump house, face painting, at free yoga play, prizes, and more! Come visit local businesses as you trick-or-treat through Carlsbad Village more than 40 merchants are offering trick-or-treat surprises and giveaways! Special thanks to our event sponsors: C3, Homelife Village Realtors, Carlsbad Village Yoga Co-op, and Heritage Senior Care!

Chula Vista Village Walk Trick or Treat – Village Walk merchants will provide free treats for children ages 12 and under dressed in costume and accompanied by an adult. Two registration areas, one by HSBC bank and one near the children’s sandbox area next to T.J. Maxx, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, October 30th for more information click here.

Encinitas Safe Trick or Treat – Along a stretch of South Coast Hwy 101, from Encinitas Blvd. to K street, will transform into Pumpkin lane from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be decorated with elaborately carved pumpkins at different viewing locations. Downtown businesses generously participate and join in the fun. Don’t miss the kids zone where children can enjoy games, music and activities at The Lumberyard Courtyard. Downtown merchants hand out candy in a tranquil, safe setting where tricksters of all ages have loads of fun. For more information click here.

Flower Hill Promenade (Del Mar) Stop by for a Halloween bash that caters to children of all ages as well as their doting parents, Flower Hill Promenade will host its annual Trick-or-Treating event. Kids dressed as princesses, pirates, witches, superheroes and any other Halloween character you can imagine can run from store to store filling their baskets with treats and candies galore, parents can meander through Del Mar’s premier open-air shopping, dining and entertainment center collecting goodies of their own. Meanwhile, parents: feel free to drop into your favorite shops to treat yourselves. Pink Soul boutique will be gifting “Mommy Treat Bags” while kids overflow their Halloween bags.

Grossmont Center on October 31st come in your best Halloween costume and trick-or-treat through over one million square feet of stores, restaurants and eateries. Bring your family to a safe place to trick-or-treat this October for a Halloween to remember. The event will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Little Italy’s Trick-or-Treat – Little ghouls, witches and goblins will storm through the streets at Little Italy’s 9th annual Trick-or-Treat on India Street on Friday, October 30 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring their little monsters out in costume attire to this fun and safe Halloween event to enjoy traditional trick-or-treating, as Little Italy businesses along historic India Street open their doors to give out candy and Halloween treats. Sweet and spooky fun will be had by kids of all ages as the beloved and historic Little Italy community puts on this festive tradition. Maps of participating businesses will be available as the trick-or-treat fun happens on India St. and W. Fir St.

Carlsbad Westfield Trick or Treat & Scare Away Hunger – At participating retailers from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. scare away hunger by donating a non-perishable food item at JC Penny to benefit the Salvation Army. Receive a free gift with donation (while supplies last) Children 12 years and younger are invited to hunt for treats, no masks or toy weapons, for more information click here.

Westfield Escondido Halloween Spooktacular – You’re invited to the Westfield Spooktacular at Westfield North County. Bring the kiddos by for some family Trick-or-Treat Halloween fun. Select retailers will be passing out treats from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Halloween night, for more information click here.

Westfield UTC Mall-O-Ween – Stop in for some fun trick or treating with participating retailers at UTC. From 3 p.m. to 7p.m., select retailers will be participating with in-store “carnival” festivities and bounce back deals available for you to use through the weekend. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., more mall retailers will be joining on the festivities, distributing candy for trick-or-treating and Plaza Unplugged performer, Ryan Brolliar, will be joining us in Palm Plaza for musical entertainment! For more information click here.

Westfield Horton Plaza presents HortonHalloween – Horton Plaza is hosting a fun night for kids on Halloween. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. join in for tricks, treats, & awesome beats! There will be a costume contest, Spooktacular Savings, Giveaways & More! Jamba Juice will have FREE smoothies for kids from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for more information click here.