Last week my family had the opportunity to review the Islands Long Beach Pike location (55 South Pine Avenue) for lunch. This was actually a few days before my birthday and the only reason I mention that fact is because the lunch was just like going out for my birthday! The service was the best! I don’t even think there are enough words to describe how amazing the service was! Our server (Kelli) was simply awesome! I can’t remember ever having better service in a restaurant! But, on to the the food! We started with an appetizer and I have to highly recommend the Spinach and Artichoke Dip!

It is really good! I think that I ate so much of it, that I couldn’t finish my Northshore Tacos. But, don’t worry! I brought the one I couldn’t eat home with me. My son loved the Island Fries and the basket was really big! He was also quite excited about the Unlimited Root Beer (although he could only finish one)! He gives Islands a “thumbs up!”

My husband tried the Hand Shaken Strawberry Daiquiri and was impressed but he was even more impressed with the Kilauea Burger and onion rings! Now, I also tried the Mangortita, which is a Frozen mango flavored Margarita..yum! It was a little strong but delicious! Now, back to the Tacos! I loved the Northshore Tacos! This is just the BEST place to go for lunch with the family. We were really impressed! I thought I wouldn’t have room for dessert but when I heard the words “Chocolate Lava“…well, I couldn’t resist and with my husbands help..I really did eat most of it…yes, it is THAT good! I thought I would be taking it home but it sure didn’t work out that way!

Islands also offers Summertime Happy Hour (Offering Stress Relief as their menu says!) Monday-Friday 3-7 pm in the bar. They offer a variety of appetizers such as Island Fries, Cheddar Fries, Beachside Sliders, Hawaiian Sliders and more! They also offer Drinks of course,  such as the Hand Shaken Strawberry Daiquiri and Beach Margs and they have really great prices! We didn’t go to Happy Hour since Islands was so awesome by letting me bring my son to the review. But, my son did love the Island Fries!

Check out the menu!

2014 Summertime Happy Hour Menu

Islands really is a great place for lunch or dinner with the family and for Happy Hour!

Self Disclosure: My family received free lunch as compensation to review this Islands Restaurant but all opinions expressed are honest and truthful. We can’t wait to go back! Photo Credit: Islands/SoCal City Kids.

Looking for the perfect place to go for Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch this Mother’s Day? Panera Bread is the place to go! I have to admit that I have only been there in the past for the bagels. But, I had the opportunity today to go there (Torrance location) to experience more than my favorite bagels.  I tried the Egg White, Avocado & Spinach Breakfast Power Sandwich and it is sooo good! Egg whites, slice of Vermont White Cheddar, fresh avocado, fresh baby spinach and tomato on a sprouted grain bagel flat…it was simply delicious!

My son prefers their chocolate chip bagels with cream cheese. I think I have already said I love their bagels! They also have Baseball Shortbread Cookies that children (and grownups) will love! My son had to have one of these to go! Panera Bread does have a great menu with Soups, Sandwiches, Salads, Pasta and more. There really is something for everyone. I admit I had to go off my diet a bit and get the Cinnamon Crunch Scone to go! It is so good with cinnamon chips, cinnamon crunch and a white icing glaze! But, my ultimate favorite is the Strawberry Poppyseed & Chicken Salad! This is just delicious! It has chicken, romaine lettuce, fresh strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges and pecans with fat-free poppyseed dressing. It’s just too good to be a salad!

I really also need to point out that you really should join the MyPanera Rewards. I just joined online prior to my visit and you really do earn rewards. I received a complimentary bakery item and a Frozen Caramel Smoothie drink because I had signed up. It’s really a great reward program! You can sign up online by visiting their website. You can also see their menu and find locations near you. I highly recommend Panera Bread for Mother’s Day!

Self Disclosure: I received a complimentary visit to Panera Bread to facilitate this feature. (Thank you Panera Bread!) But, any opinions expressed are 100% truthful and honest. Photo Credit: SoCal City Kids and Panera Bread.

Some facts and tips – Thrively’s Strength Explorer was developed by two of California’s seven board-certified Pediatric  Neuropsychologists.   It’s the first and only comprehensive online Strength Assessment specifically designed for children.   After your kid takes the Strength Assessment, there are two main things you should check out:  first,  look through the activities that are recommended.  Some are local, some are online, and some are really unique things you would potentially travel for – we saw an amazing summer program at Johns Hopkins University, for example.  Next, you really have to watch the inspirational videos – there is a wide variety of content in there, from overview pieces on what it’s like to pursue certain kinds of jobs (there’s a cool one on marine biology we watched), to videos of kids doing truly incredible things at a very young age to just really inspiring speakers.  Another one that my son enjoyed watching was titled “How to Find Your Passion and Inner Awesomeness.”

The Strength Profile experience was probably the highlight, but I have to say it was pretty amazing to see all of the activities that are out there, and specifically the ones my son would be well-suited for.   My son is not into sports, so it’s been hard for us to find things he can get excited about.  But he loves Thrively because it shows a huge range of things that have nothing to do with sports and that he (and we) had just never considered.  Things like video game design and development programs, online apps and projects, robotics stuff… I’d be very surprised if you don’t find a half dozen things you’d never considered but suddenly jump to the top of the wish list. 

One final point – Thrively is deep.  Supposedly, you can explore over 100,000 activities on the website, though obviously that’s more than any of us would need in a lifetime!   And you can add activities as well.  There are also some really useful social features, like sharing activities and content just within your Thrively social circle.  Bottom line – give it a try.  It’s definitely a cool experience and an essential tool for our family now!

Self Disclosure: Thively sponsored post. Photo Credit: Thrively.