Archives for December 10, 2015

Celebrate Christmas at the OC Zoo Dec. 12

OC Zoo Bear Christmas

Join OC Parks and the animals of the OC Zoo to celebrate the Christmas season on Saturday, December 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Christmas at the OC Zoo invites children to a special story time with Mrs. Claus and a visit with Jolly Old St. Nicholas. Guests will enjoy seasonally inspired crafts and a photo area. Watch the animals of the OC Zoo receive treat-filled gifts hidden inside of Christmas trees and inside gift boxes throughout the day. Reservations are not required to enjoy Christmas at the OC Zoo. The holiday activities are free with paid zoo admission.

 

While visiting the OC Zoo, shop for a Christmas tree or take a ride on Irvine Park Railroad’s annual Christmas Train through Irvine Regional Park. The Christmas Train runs through December 23. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

 

The holidays are upon us so gather the family and ring in the winter season in celebration with OC Zoo and OC Parks!

 

December 12 – Christmas at the Zoo

10 a.m.4 p.m.

Location: OC Zoo (inside Irvine Regional Park)

1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869

Cost: $2 per person, ages 2 & under are free

Parking: $5 per vehicle

Contact: (714) 973-6847

http://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/

Credit: OC Zoo.

 

The amazing animated Christmas jumper!

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The NEW Morph Costume Christmas Jumper selection has arrived just in time for Save The Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on December 18th. But if you’re after a boring, run-of-the-mill festive knit, forget it.

I received one of these awesome sweaters and it takes Christmas sweaters to a much more fun level! I have never seen anything quite like this! Move over Ugly Christmas sweaters! Now, it is time for fun and awesome!

But, they don’t do ordinary Christmas jumpers at Morph Costumes. By now, you should know they are quite unique!

Thanks to some totally awesome Digital Dudz jumper technology, their NEW 2015 collection of warming woolies is guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd at home, out and about or at the annual office party.

Children and grown ups alike will marvel at the realistic animation we’ve created for each individual design.  And everyone will want one just like yours.

Each Morph Costumes jumper has its own secure pocket space to house your smart phone.  Not only is it a handy little place to keep your handset safe, you also get to impress friends, family and colleagues by downloading their special app. Once you’ve done that, just locate your chosen jumper design and load up the animation that’s going to bring your amazing new festive masterpiece to life.

The full jumper range is online now on both their UK site and their US site  – available while stocks last. This year they’ve come up with a whole host of new designs to get you in the festive mood, from crackling fires and snowy scenes to a cute blinking kitten, cheeky gingerbread man and naughty Moving Mooning Santa.

I received the Gingerbread man and this one is so clever! It actually looks like the Gingerbread Man’s head is nibbled away. I can’t wait to wear it and impress this holiday season!

Each product listed online has a handy video guide to help you get started. Like this one here

Each one will also fit most mobile devices up to 13.6cm x 7cm.  Please note though that the Samsung S6 and iPhone 6+ won’t fit. They’re just a bit too big.

If you have an Apple device make sure it’s running on iOS 8 or greater. Android must be running 4.0 or greater. Download the FREE jumper app here iOS / Android

Here’s something else fun from our friends at Morph Costumes!

 

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And, for even more holiday fun:

Which Christmas movie character are YOU?

Christmas is only 2 weeks away! Twinkling fairy lights are going up everywhere, festive music is playing, ice rinks are heaving and Starbucks are already on it with the Christmasy drink (Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a Gingerbread Latte).

But when it comes to festive celebrations, are you more Buddy the Elf or Scrooge? To find out, take our “Which Christmas Movie Character Are You?” quiz and see which of our favourite famous Christmas icons matches your personality.

You can find it via the link below:

http://www.morphsuits.co.uk/blog/which-christmas-movie-character-are-you/

Happy Holidays and thank you to our friends at Morph Costumes!

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Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. No other compensation was received. 

Peppermint Essential Oil by Simply Earth

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Peppermint Oil can be used for many things! One of my favorites is the Peppermint Essential Oil by Simply Earth – 100% Pure – Non-Toxic – No Additives – Unfiltered and Undiluted with No Fillers. It smells really good and I like that it can be used in scrubs and other recipes. I really also like that peppermint oil has healing properties. This one is quite affordable to. Retails for $6.00 and can be found here.

Self Disclosure: I received a free product in exchange for an unbiased review.

Healthier recipes for the Holiday Season!

Holiday time is usually the time for cookies and other sweets! But here are a couple of healthier recipes to try featuring  Viki’s Granola! I love the taste! Viki’s Granola is nutritious, delicious granola made with 100% all natural ingredients, is Gluten Free with minimal added sugar, and baked with love!

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Viki’s Granola Crisp Chicken Cutlets

Ingredients:

  • 2  Eggs, beaten
  • 1 Cup  Panko crumbs
  • 1/2 Cup  Viki’s Original Honey Granola
  • 1/2 Cup  All-purpose flour
  • 1.25 Pounds Chicken cutlets
  • Vegetable or canola oil
  • Salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Place beaten eggs into a shallow dish.
  2. In a food processor, pulse pulse panko crumbs and Viki’s Original Honey Granola. Place crumb mixture into a separate shallow dish.
  3. Place flour into a third shallow dish.
  4. Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper.
  5. Coat a large frying skillet with 1/8 of an inch of vegetable or canola oil and set over medium heat.
  6. While oil heats, dip/coat cutlets one by one first into flour dish, then into egg dish, and finally into crumb mixture.
  7. Once oil is hot, place cutlets onto frying skillet.
  8. When the bottom is golden brown (approximately 3 minutes), flip cutlets and brown the other side until fully cooked through.
  9. Transfer to a platter lined with paper towels.
  10. Serve and enjoy!

New Granola Munchkinsmm

Viki’s Granola Munchkins

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups Viki’s Granola (any variety)
  • ½ cup of smooth peanut butter
  • ½ cup of mini chocolate chips

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl
  • Chill for 30-40 minutes in the fridge, then roll into balls
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge

Viki’s Granola – Nutritious & delicious granola made with 100% all natural ingredients, Gluten Free, minimal added sugar, and baked with love!  Unlike other granolas on the market that have harder textures and clusters, Viki’s Granola boasts a fresh, soft, chewy texture with ingredients you can pronounce and no artificial aftertaste. Today, Viki’s Granola is available in five delicious flavors (Original Honey, Blueberry Almond and Maple Cranberry, Banana Walnut & Apple Cinnamon)and has a loyal following. Viki’s Foods is dedicated to creating foods made from inspiration and high quality ingredients, with health and happiness at the core.  All of Viki’s recipes are “one of a kind culinary art creations,” with a strong emphasis on taste, presentation, and consistency. The family owned and operated brand prides itself on its approach to maintain traditional, homemade cooking. Sold at retailers nationwide and online at www.VikisFoods.com MSRP: $5.49 / 12oz.

Credit: Viki’s Granola. I received free samples to facilitate this post.

Family Friendly Christmas Festival at Rancho Los Cerritos

Get into the holiday spirit and enjoy 19th century Christmas traditions at Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site on Sunday, December 13, as the Rancho hosts an Old Time Christmas Festival between 1:00 -7:00 p.m. People of all ages can experience and celebrate customs from the California frontier while learning about history in Long Beach’s only National and State Historic Landmark. Admission is $5/person, 3 and under free, and is payable at the door.
The historic adobe home will be festooned with fragrant garlands and wreathes, as well as themed-Christmas trees decorated in 19th century fashion. During the afternoon, children can make old-fashioned holiday decorations and gifts. There will be engaging storytellers to share popular tales from long ago, and opportunities to swing at a piñata and visit with Santa Claus. The Rancho will be filled with joyful holiday music throughout the festival.
As evening descends and oil lamps are lit, guests will have the opportunity to explore the 1844 two-story adobe house by the glow of candlelight. Costumed docents will share holiday traditions from the past and provide stories about the Temples and Bixbys, early owners of the 27,000-acre Rancho.
Light refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon and evening. Decorative ornaments, gourmet jellies, old-fashioned children’s toys, and unique handmade Christmas gifts will be available for purchase in the Museum Shop.

Celebrate an Old Time Christmas at Rancho Los Cerritos
Rancho Los Cerritos is at 4600 Virginia Road in Long Beach. The 1844 adobe home will be adorned with Victorian greenery and decorations throughout the holiday season and can be toured during public hours, Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. The Rancho will be closed December 24, 25 and 31, 2015, and January 1, 2016. For more information please call (562) 206-2040, or visit the website at www.rancholoscerritos.org and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rancholosc.