Shutterfly Valentine's Day Cards Giveaway!

Valentine's Day is our 3rd favorite Holiday.  I wasn't a fan till I met my husband.  Chris makes it special for me every year by bringing me beautiful roses and the best card.  Sometimes he makes the card and sometimes he buys it, all that matters to me are his words.  Our Valentine's Day is complete when we go out to lunch or dinner.  Last year was sweet because I was pregnant and Duke was in school so we enjoyed a precious hour of alone time.  But we're funny and rushed over to Duke's school after lunch to surprise him at his Valentine's party.  What can I say... we love our kids and Valentine's Day is a family tradition for us.

With four sons, we hope we're teaching them how to share the love on February 14th and it starts with cards.  I live for choosing the right card.  Yes, I'm a dork like that.  I checked out Shutterfly's Valentine's Day Cards and so excited to order our first personalized cards for family and #culturefanclub!  There are over 50 new styles, fresh color stories, artistic typography and 5 different card sizes!

I couldn't help but check out Shutterfly Photo Gifts and would love a Woven Photo Blanket!  I know my mom would love one with a picture of the boys.  Other fun photo gifts are iPhone cases that can be personalized with photos or monogram - this would be perfect for my sister!  The photo mugs are perfect for my parents - my mom drinks tea and my dad drinks coffee so I was thinking of making a gift basket with teas and coffees with photo mugs of funny pictures of my sons!    

Check out Shutterfly Photo Gifts and tell me your favorite for a chance to win 50 4x5 Cards and 5x5 Desktop Plaque!  
 

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Disclosure:  Shutterfly is providing products in exchange for this post and giveaway.  All thoughts are my own.

Check The Label! #SoyParaSoy

I think it is time for us to start eating healthier.  I'm opposed to resolutions and diets so I'm not saying I'm going on a diet but focusing on changing our current eating habits so that we feel better.  It starts with me cooking healthier.  Studies have shown that eating healthier is more costly but soybean oil offers better-for-you health benefits and is about a tenth of the cost of some competing oils.  I will not let smart eating break my bank!  You are probably already cooking with soybean oil!  Just check the ingredients on your vegetable oil!  Soybean oil is one of the most versatile ingredients that you can use in the kitchen, helping you create all your favorite traditional meals without compromising taste.      

Here are five of my favorite recipes from www.soyconnection.com to show you that cooking healthier is easy on the wallet and in the kitchen! 

• Beef Salad with Ginger Soy Dressing 
• Chocolate Monkey Peanut Shake with Soy 
• Meditteranean Soy Marinade 
• Blueberry Soy Muffins
• Infused Soybean Oils

Did You Know?

• Edamame are fresh young soybeans harvested before the seeds harden
• Steamed or roasted in soybean oil, edamame are snack-friendly and kid-approved (Duke loves edamame!)
• These little green legumes have a mellow, buttery flavor and can be served in a variety of ways in addition to boiled in their fuzzy pods with a pinch of salt

Snack-able Edamame

Toss 2 cups edamame in pods

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/4 teaspoon chili flakes

Broil for 2 minutes and enjoy!

Get Social with United Soybean Board:  Follow @UnitedSoy on Twitter / Like United Soybean Board on Facebook

Disclosure:  This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and the United Soybean Board.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.  

Finding Our Way On The Holidays.

My husband loves the holidays.  When I met him, I was at a point in my life where the holidays were just ehhh.  I mainly did 'em for the kids.  He made me fall in love with Valentine's Day, Halloween and Christmas.  With a deep love for these special days, we don't have traditions.  Sometimes we celebrate Valentine's Day the day before or the day after and we're okay with that.  We never have a set plan for Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas either.  We have ideas in mind but thats about it.  Its not that we're spontaneous because we are both planners by nature but I think its because our families are in Texas and we just leave it up in the air and try new things.  We're still finding our way.

This Christmas we'll be doing it "A Christmas Story" style.  Lunch at our favorite Japanese restaurant.  No duck.  No turkey.  No roast.  I'm excited about it.  We're thinking about venturing up to LA.  One of the best things about living in Southern California is that we cater to tourists.  Disneyland is open.  Area hotels have restaurants that are open.  Chinatown is open.  The Lakers always play on Christmas so LA Live is bound to be open. (I tried to confirm via Twitter but haven't heard back)  And of course movie theaters are open on Christmas.

I won't be taking a break from blogging and social media, I admire those of you that are... I like being connected and so do my husband and the kids.  I have to admit, it is pretty liberating to be non-traditional.  We're cool like that.

Are you traditional or non-traditional?  What are your plans for Christmas?

Breaking tradition in 2009 with our bacon wrapped turkey.

Restaurants that are open on Christmas Day:
Canter's Deli on Fairfax in LA
Keno's on La Palma in Anaheim
All Downtown Disney Dining
El Torito, Marie Callender's, Shakey's, Del Taco, Sizzler, McDonald's - Please call ahead to make sure your location is open.

A Dare & Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe #SoyParaSoy

I dare you to go in your kitchen right now and look at the ingredients of your Vegetable Oil... it will surprise you.

Did you know its Soybean Oil?  I had no idea!  Soybeans are already a beneficial part of your cooking!  Nearly 100% of what's labeled as vegetable oil is actually soybean oil!

Soybean oil has health benefits that make it the perfect choice for family cooking:

• Contains 0g trans fat per serving
• Serves as a principal source of omega-3s which can help reduce blood pressure and prevent heart disease
• Great source of vitamin E which prevents cell damage that may lead to diseases such as cancer and heart disease
• Contains unsaturated fats and when it replaces saturated fats, it may lower cholesterol levels

I made my first tortilla soup about 15 years ago in my Mom's kitchen.  I was always experimenting in her kitchen especially in my teen years.  I had to watch my siblings until my parents got home from work and wasn't the type to just throw something in the microwave.  My grandmothers cooked all day, everyday of the week and I have vivid memories of watching them.  Cooking is a part of who I am.  It is in my blood.  I am thrilled to find out that I have been cooking with soybean oil this whole time.  It makes perfect sense as to why our homemade tortilla chips feel and taste light.

I didn't perfect this recipe until a couple years ago - my husband Chris always asks me to make it.  It could be 97 degrees outside and if I mention I'm making my tortilla soup, he's game!  I don't know all the nutritional technicals about my recipe but I do know that its a very light soup and easy to make but tastes like your grandma slaved away in the kitchen all day.  Known to comfort the soul and chase the sickies away!

Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients:

• 2 Bone-In Chicken Breasts
• 1 27 oz. El Pato yellow can (only use about 20 oz.) 
• 1/2 cup Shredded Cheese
• 1 dozen Corn Tortillas
• 2 tablespoons Chicken Bouillon 
• 1/4 cup chopped Jalapenos with Jalapeno juice
• Vegetable oil
• Water

Directions:

• Drizzle chicken breasts with vegetable oil and bake at 350°F for 60 minutes
• While you are waiting for the chicken, cut a dozen tortillas into quarters (like a pizza), fry tortilla triangles in vegetable oil till crispy, set aside
• Fill a 5 quart pot halfway with water, bring to a boil, add chicken bouillon, bring to a boil again, add jalapenos, juice and El Pato, set heat on low
• Cut baked chicken into chunks or shred (its up to you), add to soup, add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil too
• Simmer for 45 minutes

Ladle soup in bowls, top with tortilla chips and shredded cheese!  You can add cilantro, sour cream, avocado, fresh lime juice, onions, potatoes... go wild!

Get Social with United Soybean Board:  Follow @UnitedSoy on Twitter / Like United Soybean Board on Facebook

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Disclosure:  This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and the United Soybean Board.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.  

Preview Target's Black Friday Ad Now

I can't believe Thanksgiving is already next week.  I love Black Friday, getting the paper on Thanksgiving and going through the ads was a tradition that started with my mom when I was younger.  Last year was a Black Friday for Chris and Duke, we made out like bandits because we planned and strategized.  I doubt we're going to do it this year because of Omar.

Preview Target's Black Friday Ad - Target.com will be dropping deals on Thanksgiving day so don't forget to check-in!


Do you do Black Friday?  What are you looking to score for cheap this Holiday season?

OC Fair Family 4-Pack Giveaway - Start new family traditions!

The theme of this year's OC Fair is "Home Sweet Home" and I'm excited since the "OC" is my home!

I have loved the OC Fair ever since I was a little girl.  My parents used to take my siblings and I every Summer, it was our family tradition.  A couple of the strong points of my parents I have always admired is that they made time for us and did things with us.  They introduced us to people, places, things.  They made sure we were exposed to life, they made sure we were cultured.  And I thank them for that, I'm not sure they understand the impact it made on me.  And here I am, doing the exact same thing with my kids.

There is something for everyone at the fair.  I'm a fan of the handwriting analysis machine.  I love getting my reading.  The kids love the animals, rides and games.  My Husband enjoys the art exhibits.  And we all love the food!  Food snobs be gone!  There will be no talk around here about the disgusting unhealthiness of fair food!  I read there will be a deep fried beer battered bacon wrapped hot dog.  Whoa.  I'm so getting one!    

OC Fair is a great time for our family and yours - so I'm giving away a Family Four-Pack of General Admission tickets to OC Fair!  Create new memories and start new traditions!  Enter on Rafflecopter below - Good Luck!!!

FAIR HOURSJuly 13 – August 12
Open Wednesday – Sunday
Wednesday - Friday: Noon – Midnight
Saturday - Sunday: 10 am – Midnight

ADMISSIONGeneral (13–59) $11
Seniors (60+) $8
Youth (6–12) $6
Children 5 and under FREE every day.


You may bring snacks/beverages into the Fair. No glass bottles, cans, alcohol or hard-sided coolers will be allowed in. Drink bottles must be unopened.


OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California 92626.

Fellow OC Blogger Pattie Cordova is giving away a Family 4-Pack too!  Plus she has awesome money saving tips for OC Fair here.
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Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  I received complimentary tickets to the fair.  Thoughts are my own.