Treats for Kids | SoCal Savvy Mom

Nov 6
2015

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.

Jul 28
2015

Skinny Paleo Banana Almond Muffins

by Nicole Connerley

This is a delicious paleo banana muffin recipe! My husband asked me to make him some muffins for the morning when he is in a rush to get to work and can’t make a full paleo breakfast. I really didn’t know how they would turn out the first time… let’s just say the second and third time were a major improvement. The muffins are peleo, gluten-free, soy-free, grain-free, and there is NO SUGAR! I was most excited that I didn’t have to add any sweetener or butter to make this delicious.

Pre-heat the oven to 350.

4 Ripe Bananas
5 Tablespoons Melted Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Coconut Flour
1/2 Cup Almond Butter
1/2 Cup Sliced Almonds
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/8 Teaspoon Himalayan Sea Salt

Mash the bananas in a medium bowl.

Add in eggs, melted coconut oil, almond butter, and vanilla extract. Next add in coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon,half of the almonds and sea salt.

Oil all muffin tin and fill 3/4 full, sprinkle the other half of the almonds on top of the batter. Cook for 20 minutes and let cool before removing, and enjoy!

Jul 14
2015

Summer Fun for kids, ice cream in a bag!

by Nicole Connerley

Last year on the last day of school we made ice cream in a bag with my son’s class. The kids loved it, and it was surprisingly very simple to make. If you have younger kids like we did (they were in first grade) you may need to help with the shaking. I would recommend wearing a pair of gloves to avoid frostbite! We loved making ice cream in a bag, it is so easy and delicious!

1/2 cup half & half
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 ziplock freezer bag small
1 ziplock gallon size bag (freezer bag works best)
3 cups crushed ice
1/3 cup rock salt

Put first 3 ingredients in the smaller Ziplock bag and seal bag (Make sure it is closed). Put ice and rock salt in the larger bag and then add the filled small bag. Seal the large bag.
Shake and squeeze bag until ice cream is thickened, about 5-10 minutes.
Remove small bag, unseal, and eat out of the bag, poor into a bowl, or put on a cone.
Add any toppings if you wish and enjoy!

Mar 20
2015

We love SusieCakes in La Costa!

by Nicole Connerley

SusieCakes is finally coming to San Diego, they are opening their first ever San Diego location in Carlsbad on March 21st. SusieCakes is an all-American, homestyle bakery specializing in you guessed it cakes! The cakes are all made from scratch with a one-of-a-kind taste without any artificial preservatives and flavors found at most grocery store bakeries. All of the recipes are straight from Susie’s grandmothers original 3×5 recipe cards, and believe me you can taste the difference.

Luscious Lemon Cake

We were lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the new store and all of the amazing treats yesterday. Some of the favorites are of course Susie’s Famous Southern Red Velvet, Carrot Cake and my personal favorite the Tropical Coconut Cake. The Coconut cake is a vanilla cake with layers of pineapple accented with coconut filling, and topped with fluffy coconut buttercream and shredded coconut, there are no words for how delicious it was. My mothers favorite cake was the Luscious Lemon, with layers of vanilla cake filled with smooth and tart lemon curd, topped with vanilla buttercream, it was perfection. The lemon cake was a little much for me (although I’m not a lemon fan to begin with) because chemo has killed some of her taste buds I was so happy to find something she really enjoyed. I’m pretty sure I know which cake I will get her for her birthday! For the full menu of specialty layer cakes, cupcakes, pies, puddings, cheesecakes, cookies, bars and custom layer cakes click here.

Sweetheart Cookies – Two sugar cookies sandwiched together with rich buttercream

This Saturday is the grand opening of SusieCakes in the La Costa Town Square shopping center, located at 7610 Via Campaniele in Carlsbad, CA. The opening celebration will include complimentary desserts, face painting, balloon artists, and kids coloring contest from 1 p.m. to 4 .m. A big reason you will not want to miss this is you could win FREE CAKE FOR A YEAR, yes people, I said a year! This is not some ordinary cake either, it is quite possibly the richest, most mouth-watering cake you will ever have.

Whoopie Pie, Susies Signature Frosting-Filled Cupcake, & Chocolate Chip Cookie all can be customized

If you are unable to make the opening day celebration not to worry SusieCakes has you covered. For the first month of the store opening there will be weekly specials you will not want to miss. On Mondays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. is Cupcake Happy Hour, where if you purchase one cupcake you get another for free. On Wednesdays children 10 and under will receive a free mini cupcake with any purchase. Last but I promise not least on Fridays you can Celebrate Your Sweetie with a buy one slice of cake get another free from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Nicole Hughes Founder SoCalSavvy Mom & Susie Sairch Founder SusieCakes

Don’t forget to stop by SusieCakes this Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for some great family fun, or stop in anytime at the new Carlsbad location in the La Costa Town Square. #SusieCakes

Mar 9
2015

Easy, DIY, Marshmallow Easter Treats

by Nicole Connerley

We had so much fun making these marshmallow treats last night. Not only are they very easy to make, it is a blast making them!

We used white chocolate chips and melted them in the microwave at 30 second increments until it was melted. I added a tbsp of vegetable oil to make it easier to work with, my son wanted to add food dye. The colors he chose didn’t turn out so pretty, I would recommend just sticking with the white melted chocolate and not adding color.

After putting the marshmallows on sticks, pretty self explanatory there, we dipped them into the melted chocolate. Right after dipping in the chocolate we dipped in the sprinkles. We tried different color sprinkles but because it needs to be fully covered for the finished look none turned out that great.

After dipping into the chocolate and the sprinkles, set on wax paper to dry for about ten to fifteen minutes. Be careful with the finished product because the sprinkles like to fall off.

After the treats have set, and are firm to the touch, wrap in any decorative wrap you may have. I found this really cute duck paper at Michael’s for $0.25 a roll a few years back and was able to grab a few rolls of it. Always check Michael’s clearance area, I believe I found it in the middle of summer.

The perfect finishing touch, put in a basket and add a little rubber ducky to pull it all together. I plan on taking these to my mom’s chemo nurses tomorrow, they loved the Valentine’s Oreo treats so much, I hope they like these too!