SoCalSavvyMom | SoCal Savvy Mom

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

“Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families”

by Robyn Lass

It’s inevitable—your children will embarrass you in public. You know it’s Karma right? We’re all expecting it to happen since, of course, we embarrassed our own parents. But when it happens, you still can’t help but wish that invisibility power you’ve always hoped for would magically kick in.

The two most embarassing moments of my parental life have both been when, standing in line to board an airplane, my son ask in a not so quiet voice, why I’m divorced. Larry David couldn’t have scripted a more precise setup to evoke the pinnacle of awkwardness.

Whether it was the “Mommy, why don’t you have a husband?” as we stood wedged in between two male passengers, or the plain old “Mommy, why did you divorce from daddy?” as we handed our boarding passes to the attendant. Yep, that actually happened. Whichever way you slice it I realized he needed some answers.

First thing to note, I did my research back in the early days when my ex and I split up. My son was two and a half, so I was relieved to find that many therapists do NOT recommend sitting down with a young child and having some big, overwhelming “we’re getting divorced” talk. I discovered it is much easier on young children to share the information in terms they understand at their current age, and then expand on the concept and the language as they grow older and ask new questions.

I’m not claiming to be a child psychologist so please, if you are going through a divorce, do your own research and find a therapist you trust to help you and your kids through this transition. You don’t want to create fear, regret or even self-destructive behavior due to lack of understanding. Kids need to know both parents love them and a divorce is their fault.

This leads me to the real point of this post. My own therapist recommended a book called “Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide For Changing Families,” by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown. It’s simple, has interesting pictures and can shed light on the changes kids experience both externally and internally. It has been an amazing resource for me. So when my son asks me “Mommy, don’t you like daddy?” I can lean on this book to help guide the conversation (or steer it away from unproductive ideas) to ensure my own grown up feelings don’t mistakenly rear themselves in a way that might hurt my relationship with my son.

I did some additional searching recently and found there are plenty of other age-appropriate books out there that can help kids through the transition of divorce. Do a quick search on Amazon to find one to help with the challenges facing your family. Plus, it’s always nice to let someone else do the talking, and books are perfect for that!

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 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.