Nicole Connerley

Jan 20
2015

Easy, Fun Valentine’s Treats with kids

Valentine’s Day treats are so fun to make, especially with little ones, my son and his friend helped make these treats. Items needed for these treats are:

1 box Oreos (we used Trader Joe’s) Traders has a gluten-free option for these cookies as well
2 bags of Candy Melts
2 to 3 different Valentine’s sprinkles
30 Lollipop sticks
Wrappers and ties if you are giving them out

Candy melts made by Wilton are great for making tons of different types of candy. The most important part of this recipe is to not over cook the candy in the microwave, it we be ruined if you over cook or melt rather.

Microwave for 1 minute on 50% power
Remove from microwave and stir (which will be minimal at this point)
Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power
Remove from microwave and stir
Repeat steps 3 & 4 until tit is smooth

Carefully remove one half of the cookie
Use stick to remove some of filling so stick will lay flat in the filling
Add melted chocolate over the stick and filling to reconnect cookie
Let cookies set for 10 minutes so the chocolate and cookie are reconnected completely otherwise cookie will fall apart

Dip both sides of the cookies so completely covered in chocolate
Wipe excess off of the one side (not the side you are going to use sprinkles on)
Dip into sprinkles
Set aside on wax paper for an hour or two until firm to the touch

If you are planning on passing these out in your child’s class I would recommend using the treat bags and twist ties. Very inexpensive the 50 treat bags cost $1.99 and the twist ties $.99 both from Michael’s. The chocolates were on sale from $3.99 to $1.99 this week also at Michael’s, the sprinkles I got at Target for a few dollars.

The finished treats! Since it is before Valentine’s Day I brought these into my mom’s chemo nurses’ today and they loved them, I plan on making them again and bringing to my son’s class. Something to note Traders has a gluten-free option for these cookies, which is great because my son’s class has a couple of children who need this option. I love that Trader’s has made it that much easier to make these treats for everyone in his class.

Jan 18
2015

Chicken Tortilla Soup in a Crock Pot

by Nicole Connerley

It is a little chilly today in Southern California (the low 60’s, haha) so I wanted to make something delicious to warm us up. My house smells so good right now because of this soup! I don’t cook a lot with my crock pot, however this recipe is so easy and delicious I had to share. All of the ingredients I purchased are from Trader Joe’s so some of the items are kind of specific. I always buy organic when I have the option but some items at Trader’s are not available in organic yet, like the corn.

4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
30 oz. Organic Low Sodium Chicken Broth
2 Organic Green Onions chopped
1 Small Can Organic Tomato Sauce
1 Small Can Fire Roasted Diced Green Chiles
1 Can Whole Kernel Corn
1 Can Organic Diced Tomatoes
1 Can Organic Black Beans
1 Package Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning Mix
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tablespoon Organic Trader Joe’s Crushed Garlic

Combine all ingredients into your crock pot (except the black beans, add the beans when only 2 hours left) Set the cook time on low for 6-7 hours, after 3-4 hours shred the chicken. Once completely cooked add cilantro, avocado, tortilla chips, shredded cheese and sour cream. Add a lime for garnish and enjoy!

Jan 17
2015

San Elijo Lagoon Center – Wings Over Wetlands

by Nicole Connerley

WINGS OVER WETLANDS at San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center is FREE on January 24 & 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrate the arrival of the feathered friends during the winter bird migration!

Meet live raptors in special presentations
Tour the loop trail and discover interactive wildlife stations
Make binoculars with recycled products
And more

Fun Fact: Approximately 40% of all North American bird species have been observed in San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve.

Bird-themed crafts, face painting, and nature activities are planned for families. Conservancy naturalists will have spotting scopes and binoculars for use along the Loop Trail that overlooks San Elijo Lagoon, with excellent birding views. Kids will enjoy learning about bird migrations and how to recognize common birds.

Winter is peak migration time with birds resting and foraging at one of the few salt marshes remaining along the Pacific Flyway. Winter shorebirds and ducks are here to spend the season, many of which come from the High Arctic. The stout Bufflehead may be seen diving in the channels. Dowitchers have a feeding characteristic described like the rhythm of a sewing machine.

Learn more about birds you’ll see with the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Animal Guide.

To reach staff or volunteers at the Nature Center, please call: (760) 634-3026. Family Discovery Days occurs rain or shine. Directions

Jan 16
2015

San Diego Restaurant Week January 2015

by Nicole Connerley

My favorite time of year is finally here, San Diego Restaurant Week! It is the perfect excuse to try out some restaurants you have been dying to go to but at very reasonable price. In Encinitas you can step into Union Kitchen & Tap and enjoy a three course meal for only $30, at Blue Ribbon Pizza enjoy a three course meal for only $20 (get the butterscotch pudding it is incredible). In Del Mar the always exquisite Pamplemousse Grille is offering a three course meal for $50, the first course you don’t want to miss is the lobster ravioli, it is my favorite!

Experience cuisine that delights your palate and defines the art of dining in San Diego. Held twice annually, this beloved culinary tradition features discounted prix fixe menus from more than 180 of San Diego’s best restaurants in 12 unique regions throughout San Diego County. No tickets or passes are required. Food lovers may simply dine out at as many participating restaurants as they like during San Diego Restaurant Week.

Press Release: San Diego Restaurant Week in it’s 11th year of culinary excellence by offering an entire week of delicious discounted dining at some of San Diego County’s finest restaurants! For ONE WEEK ONLY, Sunday, January 18th through Saturday, January 24th, foodies will be able to eat their hearts out at over 200 participating restaurants that will offer three-course prix-fixe dinner menus for just $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person and/or two-course prix-fixe lunch menus for only $10, $15 or $20 per person. Yes, you read that correctly! Saturday is now included with San Diego Restaurant Week giving you more variety in your dining options! San Diego’s tastiest countywide affair gives epicures the chance to explore scrumptious eats from the beaches to Downtown and from North County to South Bay. Leave the cooking utensils and dirty dishes at home and join over 150,000 diners as we celebrate San Diego County’s thriving and unique culinary scene. Tickets and passes aren’t necessary for this week of discounted dining; show up at any participating location or call ahead to make a reservation to ensure your chance to indulge with these deep discounts. Visit San Diego Restaurant Week on the web for more information and a complete list of restaurants or to make reservations in advance! For all of the foodie details on the go, download the San Diego Restaurant Week mobile app for Android or iPhone!

Jan 16
2015

Helping you keep your Kids Healthy during cold & flu season

by Nicole Connerley

With the recent outbreak of measles in Southern California it got me thinking about what we as parents can do to keep our children healthy. While choosing to vaccinate your child or not is a very personal decision most people only see their point of view. If you are for vaccinations it is hard to see why someone wouldn’t, however if you are against it you don’t understand why someone would. I personally can see both points of view and could write for days about it, but I just want to remind you of some ways to keep your children healthy during this season if they are vaccinated or not.

While visiting an amusement park remember you are visiting with people from all over the world, and their germs. Planning ahead will be your biggest life saver while visiting an amusement park. Bring alcohol based hand sanitizer, baby wipes and disinfecting wipes for every surface especially one you and your family will be eating from, or use a disposable place mat.

Remember to have the entire family wash their hands specifically before eating. If you grab a churro (and how could you not, they are delicious) remember to at least use hand sanitizer to clean all their little hands. Cold and flu virus are NOT airborne, but if someone sneezes into their hand and then touches a door with their virus covered hand, and minutes later your child touches the same door and then eats a churro he just ate a churro virus treat. Anything that falls on the ground at an amusement park is now covered in every germs from every person. There is no five second rule, if it falls on the floor it needs to go into the trash.

Wash hands
Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap.
Sing the ABC’s twice while washing hands
Wash hands before any meal
Wash hands after using the restroom
Teach kids to sneeze into a tissue but as this is usually not something a child carries, the crook of their elbow is the best way to avoid the spread of germs
Do not put bags down on the floor, the floor is the dirtiest place at an amusement park

Tips for keeping kids healthy at home, school/daycare and outside the home:

Have kids wash hands when they arrive at school
Likewise when they come home from school
Keep your children home when they are sick
Tell children not to share food or drinks
At the grocery store use the anti bacterial wipes to clean any area your child my touch of the cart
Clean baby carriers every few days, especially the bottom of the carrier if you place it on the floor ever
Bring extra pacifiers for any that drop on the floor, do not give a dirty pacifier back to your baby

orion baby

Jan 15
2015

Why you should sponsor a child when you can

by Nicole Connerley

Why you should sponsor a child when you can

There’s a song that goes something like, “I believe that children are our future” and that is a universal fact. No matter where they come from, what culture they grew up in, and how their personalities differ from one another, they will shape the future of the world as we know it one day.

Unfortunately, not everyone is given the chance to live a life that can prepare them in shaping the world one day. A lot of children live in fear because of diseases such as Ebola, political turmoil that causes war, and other problems caused by the lack of good governance.

Thankfully, there is a way for parents who care to help children in need. Today, helping kids break out of poverty and hunger is easy and inexpensive thanks to a program called sponsorship.

Sponsorship is different than giving a one-time monetary donation to someone. It is a long-time commitment in providing a child with basic necessities, such as food and education, until he or she is old enough to work. If you’ve never heard about sponsorship but are interested to help a marginalized kid living in fear, here are a few reasons to get you interested.

Child sponsorship acts as shield to the susceptible and defenseless

Have you seen some of the news photos circulating around the web that shows classrooms in the Middle East caving in because of attacks? They’re very depressing. The sad thing about war is that even if the adults started it, it’s the children that pay the ultimate price. Children are vulnerable to hunger, thirst, and homelessness because of war, and without funds, no one will be able to help them. Unakids, a charity that helps deprived children due to the consequences of war, has helped hundreds of children cope with today’s reality. It is charities like it that provide a safe haven for our future’s generation.

Sponsorship develops long-term positive effects

A lot of kids who benefited from sponsorship give back to society. Many of them don’t forget where they came from and are very much committed in changing the world like you. In addition, sponsorship slowly cures the causes of poverty, disease, hunger, and bad environmental impacts done by bad people. By developing programs that make the world a better place for children, charities act as catalysts in making the world a better place and you can be a part of it.

Seeing your sponsored child grow into a wonderful adult is a great feeling

Most kid-oriented charities allow patrons to send gifts or letters to their sponsored children. Seeing pictures of how grateful they are can be a life-changing experience. By sponsoring, you are giving children hope, encouragement, and love. In return, you get these feelings from the children you support.

According to Science, giving help has great benefits to a person’s well-being, including having a lower blood pressure, better pain management, and longer lifespan. So if you want to feel good inside and out, try reaching out to those who can benefit greatly from your extra buck.

Remember, today’s children will one day become leaders and it is how we mold them as people that will affect everyone’s living conditions.