Monthly Archives July 2012

Avocado Advice

Avocados are getting a lot of attention these days. They are no longer simply used to mash up and make guacamole. No, now they are made into salads, used in sandwiches, and lots of other creations. TechyDad and I fell in love with an avocado dish while at a conference in the spring.

For some reason, we had never purchased whole avocados to use at home. This all changed this weekend when we bought the following while out shopping:

Avocado Time

The avocados are ripening really quickly thanks to the warm weather. Wednesday night, we knew that we had to pit one of them and get moving. While TechyDad prepared things, I looked to see what we could make.

Avocado ready to go

Thank goodness we had veggie burgers and some tortillas. TechyDad made wraps with the veggie burgers, tomatoes, and avocados. They were delicious.

Avocado with tomato and veggie burger

My questions to you this week:

Are you a fan of avocados? If you are, do you have any good recipes to share?

It's Me

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha Friday by Kailani at An<br<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
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    Island<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
    Life

Aloha #213

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Crocs a Colorado Company with Heart

I am a big fan of buying products from companies that support their community. Our family owns a lot of Crocs. I have sandals, wedges, Mary Janes, and other items. I bought my father a pair with the Dodgers logo and a pair of Yankees ones for TechyDad. I almost always wear one pair or another while visiting Disney World. Recently, we noticed that the boys Mickey Mouse Crocs that we purchased last year were nearly too small. Thanks to this, the kids got fun Crocs.

Lego Crocs

Unfortunately, the ones for JSL were too big. Since we were not close to the outlet to return them, I went online the other night to check out new options. The perfect pair of Toy Story Crocs were available in his size. I ordered them. The following day, I received an e-mail from Crocs that warmed my heart.

Crocs is a company based in Colorado. We all know about the tragedy that happened in the  Aurora, Colorado community. From now until July 31st, Crocs will be donating $5.00 to benefit the Aurora Victim Relief Fund on GivingFirst.org.

So, if you were looking to get new Crocs for the rest of the summer, back to school, or some other occasion – now is the time. I am simply writing this because I wanted to share about company that is reaching out and has in the past across the globe. Now, they are once again helping those within their own state and we can do our part as well.

It's Me

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Tuesday Tales – Battling Reluctant Summer Readers (Giveaway)

As a teacher, I loved helping my students to locate books that THEY wanted to read. Sure there was required reading, but young readers also need to have items that they want to turn the pages of. It is so important to find books that connect with children, especially if they are reluctant readers. I know it may be hard to believe, but some children do not adore reading. Last summer, I battled my own reluctant reader. My son, who had just finished second grade, did not want to touch a chapter book. Thanks to online resources, we found books that helped us to crack this problem.

Recently, SourceBook contacted me with a fun new campaign:

Your mission this summer, should you choose to accept it: Combat The Reluctant Reader Epidemic that is sweeping the nation. The only cure: books that disguise reading as something fun for unsuspecting kids!

Reluctant Readers Road to Recovery Guide

To help parents, teachers, and children out, they have created a Field Guide to Young Readers. Included in this are the four readers shown above and others. They then point people to a book suggestion that would fit their styles.

The Make-Believer has more imagination frequent flier miles than a Pan Am stewardess! The best cure for this case of Reluctant Reading is Elliot and the Last Underworld War by Jennifer Nielsen (Author of The False Prince). The Make-Believer will be thrilled to join the sarcastically hilarious Elliot in the Underworld. As the King of the Brownies, Elliot has battled Goblins, tricked Pixies, and trapped a Demon. But now, the Demon has escaped and he’s ready for revenge. So, the Pixies, Shapeshifters, Elves, Goblins, and Brownies must join forces to battle the Demon head on before he has the chance to destroy Earth.

Elliot and the Last Underworld War

 

Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire

The Daredevil thinks trick-or-treating should apply to everyday life, especially the tricks! Cure their hunger for trouble with Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire by Francesca Simon. Not even your daredevil will believe what Henry is up to next in these four new wonderful and wacky tales. The international bestselling Horrid Henry series provides readers with a prankster whose relentless antics create a laugh-out-loud read. WARNING: Do not allow daredevils to consume milk while reading or milk may spray from the nose!

 

The BFF has matching bracelets with all her friends and wins Miss Congeniality every year. This is a case of Reluctant Reading that can only be cured with Hailey Twitch and the Wedding Glitch by Lauren Barnholdt. Hailey Twitch and her spirited sprite Maybelle, return in the fourth installment to the fab, fab, fabulous series. The BFF will be delighted to read as Hailey gets ready to be a flower girl in her cousin’s wedding! Maybelle’s mischief and fairy magic is back and might land the duo in trouble!

Hailey Twitch and the Wedding Glitch

 

Jason Steed: Revenge

Bruce Lee 2.0 can quote Enter the Dragon from start to finish and has broken table lamps with leg kicks. The only cure for such readers (and your house) is to follow the UK’s youngest secret agent in Jason Steed: Revenge by Mark A. Cooper. Set in a fast-paced 1970s Britain with non-stop excitement and martial arts fight scenes, Revenge is perfect for kids who aspire to be the next martial arts master and are looking for adventure stories and heroes who aren’t afraid to take action. In the thrilling follow-up to Fledgling Jason is sent on a new undercover mission and must infiltrate a shadowy criminal organization –but his luck is running out.

 

SourceBooks would like to help your family to bust the Reluctant Reader Blues with a chance to win the four books listed above (I am jealous since I have not had a chance to read them yet).

Rules for Giveaway:

  • MAIN RULE – Which category of reader would you and/or your child fit into and why?  (1) EMO Valley, (2) Reluctant Reader, (3) Status Updater, (4) Bruce Lee 2.0, (5) Jake Ryan, (6) Make-Believer, (7) Daredevil, (8) Future Newbery Winner, (9) Mini-Martha Stewart, (10) Gamer, (11) BFF, or (12) Leonardo DaVinci  (Field Guide to Young Readers has more information on these types)

The following Bonus Entries may also be done. Please be sure to leave separate comments for each that you complete below to make sure you get the right number of entries.

  • 1 Bonus Entry – Follow  TheAngelForever on Twitter and leave a comment with your Twitter name below.
  • 1 Bonus Entry – What are you and your family reading this summer?  What have you read recently? Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.
  • 1 Bonus Entry – Tweet the following about the giveaway: #Giveaway for #SummerReading package for reluctant readers from @Sourcebooks @jabberwockykids & @TheAngelForever http://bit.ly/M6YQPK  #win (May be done once a day – leave link to Tweet in comment below for new entry)

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Giveaway begins July 24, 2012 and ends July 31, 2012 at 10:59 EST. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to US and Canada residents only.

It's Me

Disclosure: This post was not compensated in any way. The information about the books was provided by Sourcebooks. As a teacher and parent who has worked with children that are reluctant readers, I wanted to share this information and opportunity with my readers.

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Deal E-mails for Savings and Fun

Raise your hand if you receive daily e-mails from Groupon. My e-mail not only has something from Groupon each and every day, it also has items from Living Social and Double Take Deals. There are probably a few others, but these three seem to have had some great local and national deals in recent weeks.

Just before Passover, I bought the boys subscriptions for the National Wildlife Federation magazines through Living Social. It was a very good deal and was the perfect Afikomen gift. The boys have been keeping up on animals with Big Backyard and Ranger Rick. The best part is they love reading and getting something special in the mail.

Ranger Rick and Big Backyard Magazine

In the past, we have also bought deals for local bakeries to have an extra special treat at Fluffalicious or Sweet Temptations. For a while, nothing really caught my eye. A week or so ago, I saw a half off coupon for a local restaurant that we really enjoy. I bought two of those and we used one of them for lunch this weekend.

This weekend, I bought two other deals. TechyDad and I are hoping to go on a date night one day soon. We have never been to The Melting Pot and have always wanted to try it. Thanks to Living Social, I bought a $30 voucher to use for $15. Not too shabby for a fun and different date.

While looking for something to do with the kids, a Groupon for frozen yogurt store that is new to the area caught my eye. My parents told me that they had tried it while visiting my brother once. We bought a deal and used it for something special after shopping on Sunday. Enter Lemon Tree Frozen Yogurt into our lives.

So many options different froyo flavors and lots and lots of toppings.

Froyo toppings at Lemon Tree

The boys had a lot of fun experimenting with items since we had the amazing Groupon deal. Check out the fun look at Lemon Tree:

Lemon Drop Froyo

The coupon e-mail deals are a great way to try a new location for fun, food, or something else. What deals have you tried and enjoyed with one of these companies? If you know of other great deal websites, please share below.

It's Me

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