Thursday, May 03, 2012

Music, Puppets, Bubbles & Kidville. All Aboard!

Have you been outside lately? Have you been outside with your kids lately? The time has come to buy stock in sunscreen and full body swim gear. The time has also come to look into a engaging, fun and new activities for the kids to do inside this summer. Through Vegas Bloggers, I had the opportunity to take my boys to Rockin Railroad. Mayor Melissa Weiner contacted Vegas Bloggers to take part some of their programs being offered this Spring/Summer at Kidville. This program is for ages newborn to 5 so my two boys (2.5 and 1.5) would surely enjoy it. They are all about wheels, motion and most of all music.  


Kidville at Trivoli Village, is located in Summerlin. This area of Vegas, is one of my favorite communities. However, this would be my first visit to Trivoli Village. I have heard great reviews about the food, boutiques, coffee and Kidville, just never ventured that way. With two small children, I stick to my routine, which it seems we go to the same spots. So I was excited to try something new. On our way there, my kids were doing their best to sit still in their seats. 

We parked in the self park area and took an elevator straight to their entrance. My boys love to roam so we they got hands on with all the toys in the boutique. Never seen so much Melissa & Doug toys. My favorite! Plus, little did I know, Kidville has their own children salon. The kids can pick which car they want to drive while watching TV. Seems like a nice place to go for some styling, cuts and trims. After trying to drive all the cars, I took a peak at the latest fashion in boys clothing. Kidville really is a one stop shop and play area. What a pleasant surprise. 


After venturing around the boutique, we headed upstairs to find our class. The room is inviting, fresh, and cheerful. My boys warm up when they are ready so it was fun to them get going immediately.  I am not sure if it was the live guitar, piano or drums playing, the attentive staff or how my boys got their very own train ticket to hold. The only thing missing was a live train. The class takes you on an adventure with music, hands on instrument playing, bubbles, and some pretty cool neighborhood puppets. 








What I really enjoyed was the conductor and co-conductor got the level of the kids. They made things easy to understand, and fun way to learn. Plus, just when you thought they might be losing my boys attention span, bubbles appeared on the train ride. The program understand children and how they learn. My children left there pretty excited. Loved hearing them tell me all about it, even days after. 




Kidville offers many different programs for your children and also parents. The 3 and up classes offer drop off/pick up. So you can take in Trivoli Village or maybe get some pampering done. The kids will be well taken care of since Kidville is all about kids, fun and the great activity of play. Rockin Railroad even provides birthday parties which includes a Rockin Railroad performance. The friendly, always smiling staff will handle it all. You can view all of Kidville offers for your children, this summer, by visiting here. Spring/Summer classes are starting May 7th and they go for 16 weeks ending August 20th.


GIVEAWAY from Kidville. Mayor Melissa is giving away a $25 gift card to use for a class, in the boutique or the salon. It is easy to enter. Don't fret though, if you don't win the giveaway. She is giving also giving 5 FREE play spaces ($50 value) when you sign up for a Summer Camp session or Semester of classes by July 1st. Just remember to tell her that Vegas Bloggers sent you. Let the playtime begin. 












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Sunday, February 19, 2012

Meal Planning Lineup #15: 30+ Recipes Which Don't Come From A Box

Making any meal to some is not easy. Maybe you grew up in a house where meals where made out of a box or found at a local restaurant. You might of grown up in a house where the TV was the center of your day and not gathering at the table. 


Following any recipe is not hard, it just takes time. Time away from the computer, TV, iPhone and work. Yes making your own meals is harder than stopping by McDonalds or Applebees. You have to make an effort but the end result is so rewarding. I love making our meals because I know exactly what I am getting. Yes, 3 out of 10 times it does not turn out right. Darn recipes sometimes need a little tweaking, but at least I made it. What do you enjoy about making your own meals? What do you struggle with? Maybe I can help get you on your way to home prepared, delicious, nutrient dense and enjoyable meals. 


This week I have found over 30 meals which keep to the tradition of healthy, unprocessed ingredients. I am loving the snack and treats section. Plus I have included four Helpful Links which might make your heart race with excitement. You can find those below the recipes. 




Meal #1 


Tasty Trials
&
The Perfect Pantry




Meal #2


Oh She Glows
&
The Cooking Photographer





Meal #3


Wishful Chef





Meal #4


The Taste of Koko
 &
The CopyCat Cook






Meal #5


Meghan Telpner



Ezra Pound Cake







Worth Trying


Drinks {3}


Raw Food Recipes


101 Cookbooks


For The Love of Food



Breakfast {5}
Joy the Baker



Lauren's Latest


The CopyCat Cook


101 Cookbooks


Family Fresh Cooking
(Gluten Free)






Lunch {2}
For The Love of Food


Joy the Baker




Dinner {3}


Jess Thomson


Gooseberry Mooseberry



Snacks/Treats {5}


The Kitchen Addiction
(there is 1 c sugar in this and powdered sugar for cream. If anyone would like to share in comments some alternatives to these ingredients please do so. I would use applesauce for the sugar but I have not researched a good alternative, other than tofu for the powdered sugar)


Raw Food Recipes



Food Doodles


Burpees in the Kitchen


Cooking Classy
Healthy Cookies -Applesauce, cranberries, carrots etc)



For The Love of Food 



Sides {3}
The Rawtarian


For The Love of Food


Miss Anthropist's Kitchen



Misc {2}
Vegalicious Recipes



The Two Bite Club



Helpful Links {4}
1. The Alkaline Sisters: Ginger & Hemp Dressing and the benefits of Salad
2. The CopyCat Cook: 6 Ways to Eat Raw without going broke
3. 101 Cookbooks: Build a Natural Foods Pantry
4. Meghan Telpner: Homemade Sunscreen 


On to find more recipe for you to enjoy and share with your friends. Have a wonderful week. Spend time away from the computer, iPhone, TV, work, and enjoy making memories with your friends and family. 


If you would create something,
you must be something.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe



Namaste


Linda Jacobson
The Helpful Sister


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Monday, February 13, 2012

Meal Planning #14. Heart Healthy: Good Food Can Taste Good

Meal Planning #14 is dedicated to the heart. Now don't shy away from this post because you think you will not find delicious, yummy, recipes like this one (Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge.) Oh, you will. Watch out for 11 sinful to savory treat/snack recipes, including another 30+ recipes which will make your heart happy.


Texenarin



You must continue. This lineup is all about showing your loved one(s), secret someone, or newly found hearty thumbing loved one, how and why you feel the way you do about them. Why not show them by making their HEART happy and healthy as well? 


Find ingredients/foods which are good for the heart. Blueberries, oats, fish and greens some of the foods you will find below. Feel great by creating a special meal filled with nutrient rich, irresistible recipes. Pair it with 7 Helpful Links (at bottom, below recipes.)


Meal #1


Just Cook Already


Gluten Free Goddess



Meal #2


Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen


My Dish




Meal #3


Bev Cooks


Delightful Repast





Meal #4


Beantown Baker


Vegalicious Recipes




Meal #5


Cooking in Sens


Simple Recipes





Worth Trying


Breakfast {4}


Because Im Addicted


A la Mode Journals



Skinny Taste



The Weigands



Lunch {5}


Little Wonders' Days



Eating Well


How To-Simplify


Everythingfab.com


Kelly's Face Smells




Dinner {2}


Kelly's Face Smells




Eating Well





Snacks/Treats {11}
Chocolate Covered Kate



Post Punk Kitchen


Kelly's Face Smells



Cafe Johnsonia


Happy Healthy Mama


Recipe Girl



Hidden Ponies


Anja's Food 4 Thought


One Green Planet



Bake at 350


Including Cake




Drinks {5}


Savour Your Senses


Como Water



The Grecian Garden


The Gracious Pantry


Whole Living Daily




Helpful Links


1. Bleubird.com: Bird Food
2. The Urban Baker:Recipe: Raspberry Vinager
3. The V Spot: How to Store Fresh Produce
4.Smitty Baby: Spinach Pops
5.The Family Handman: DIY repair when dishwasher is not cleaning
6.The Hungry Mouse: Never Ending Vanilla Extract
7. Organic Wine Finds: 10 Best Organic Wines without Sulfites

How is your heart feeling? Alive and well? Joyful and content? Did you find something you are going to make tonight or share with a friend?

Your heart will thank you for taking great care of it. Give it what it needs everyday. For example:

  • Take time out and quiet your mind, which in turn creates a sense of well-being for your heart and body.
  • Get out there with your family or friends and get some exercise. 
  • Do something you have wanted or might never have tried. 
  • Eat well, provide your body with nutrient dense foods.
  • Smile at strangers.  

Happy Valentine's Day. Which some say is just another Hallmark Day but to me it is much more. My heart knows what I am talking about.

Share this with someone who means a lot to your heart. See you next week.

Love you!
Linda Jacobson
The Helpful Sister




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