Surf Rodeo takes place July 12th (7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) and 13th (7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) at the Ventura Pierpont Beach.  Visit www.facebook.com/SurfRodeo for up-to-date event information and specials.  Tickets are available now online at http://surfrodeo.festivalsetup.com.  For more information, please visit www.surfrodeo.org or call (805) 628-9083.   

We have teamed up for a giveaway! One winner will win two day passes! To enter , leave a comment below! Next, like the Surf Rodeo Facebook Page! Deadline to enter is July 8th, 2014 at noon. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries!

Self Disclosure: No compensation has been received to post except for the two day passes for the winner. Photo Credit: Surf Rodeo.

This July, join Nielsen-Massey Vanillas as they celebrate National Ice Cream Month, as well as National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 20. What started 30 years ago has grown into a much-anticipated opportunity for kids and adults alike to cool off on warm summer days with ice cream treats of all types, including homemade ice cream sandwiches – currently one of the hottest dessert trends. I don’t know about your family, but we are big fans of ice cream in my house!  My son and I just recently baked cookies and made ice cream sandwiches out of them. One of our favorite things to do is to roll the sides (as mentioned below!) in sprinkles. We love the Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas! (Keep reading for the recipe!)

Whether you want to be a star at the Summer Block Party or you are looking for a fun recipe for baking with kids this summer, making homemade ice cream sandwiches is sure to be a new family favorite.

Following are some tips and shortcuts for making and personalizing your own homemade ice cream sandwiches:

• Dress it up: Roll the sides of finished ice cream sandwiches in mini chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, sprinkles, toasted coconut or nuts to add color and texture.
• Take a shortcut: If you are short on time, purchase bakery cookies to use with the homemade strawberry ice cream recipe, below, to build your own ice cream sandwiches.
• Chill out: Keeping your homemade ice cream cold is the secret to a sandwich that won’t fall apart or get soggy. Take the time to re-freeze ice cream between steps – your patience will be rewarded with perfect sandwiches every time.
• Keep them fresh: Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap immediately after building each sandwich. Keep them in the freezer until just before serving.

This brand-new recipe for Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas celebrates another summer favorite – fresh strawberries. Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract and Pure Lemon Extract add depth to the ice cream and complement the sweet summer strawberries. The ice cream rests between homemade chocolate sandwich cookies bursting with flavor from cardamom, Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Pure Chocolate Extract for an irresistible summer treat that literally melts in your mouth.

Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice Cream
(Yield 1½ Quarts)

Ingredients
1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and washed
¾ cup sugar
2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract
¼ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Lemon Extract
¼ teaspoon salt
1½ cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk

Directions
In a 4 quart glass measuring cup, add berries, sugar, vanilla and lemon extracts, and salt. Smash with a potato masher; stir in cream and milk; set aside.

Assemble ice cream maker. Turn ice cream maker on and pour ice cream mixture into *frozen container. Let mix until ice cream thickens, about 20 minutes.

Transfer ice cream into an air tight container; freeze for several hours, or for a firmer ice cream, freeze overnight. Scoop ice cream, place between 2 cookies and gently press.
Or, for a prefect ice cream round; line a 9×13-inch pan with foil then evenly spread ice cream with a rubber spatula; cover and freeze overnight. Then use a cookie cutter to cut desired diameter of ice cream rounds and place between 2 cookies. 

*Follow manufactures directions for freezing container, 24 hours or longer is ideal.

We have teamed up for a Giveaway! One winner will win their own 2 fl. oz bottle of Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. To enter, leave a comment below telling us your favorite thing about July! Next, “like” Nielsen-Massey Vanillas FB page. For an extra entry, follow them on Twitter! Deadline to enter is July 8th, 2014 at noon. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples of  Nielsen-Massey Vanillas to facilitate this feature. Photo Credit: Nielsen-Massey Vanillas.

This past Spring, Colgate® introduced a new breakthrough product  to the Optic White line, Colgate® Optic White^TM Toothbrush + Whitening Pen. The toothbrush contains a built-in whitening pen for convenient whitening. It’s as simple as BRUSH.WHITEN.GO.™

• Brush: Brush as you normally would with your toothpaste.
• Whiten: Turn dial at bottom of pen and apply gel. It takes only seconds to apply and adhere to your teeth. No waiting, no rinsing.
• Go: Store pen inside brush.

Also new to the Colgate® Optic White® line is the Colgate® Optic White® PLATINUM Whiten and Protect™ Toothpaste which deeply whitens more than three shades while sealing out new stains and the new Colgate® Optic White® WhiteSeal™ mouthwash which protects against future stains with advanced stain prevention technology.

A clinical study shows that using the Colgate® Optic White ^TM Toothbrush + Whitening Pen twice daily will help users achieve whiter teeth in 2 days*. Use with new Colgate® Optic White® PLATINUM Whiten and Protect™ Toothpaste and Colgate® Optic White® WhiteSeal™ Mouthwash for whitening results even faster – brush, rinse, whiten and go – for whiter teeth in 1 day**.

I received samples of the Colgate® Optic White^TM Toothbrush + Whitening Pen, Colgate® Optic White® PLATINUM Whiten and Protect™ Toothpaste and Colgate® Optic White® WhiteSeal™ Mouthwash to review and am very impressed. My teeth really do look whiter and brighter and it’s so easy! I have tried other teeth whitener home products in the past and none have been so simple to use. This really is as simple as just brushing your teeth and it’s even easier than flossing your child’s teeth! 

We have teamed up for a Brighter, Whiter Smile Giveaway! One winner will win all 3 products mentioned above! To enter simply leave a comment below! Deadline to enter is July 2nd, 2014 at noon. One winner will randomly be selected from all entries!

Self Disclosure: I received free products to facilitate this feature but any opinions expressed are truthful and my own and may differ from yours.

Bosco Syrup is making a national comeback in Walmart with a brand new look and two decadent new flavors: Sea Salt Caramel and Fudge Brownie! Yum! We received free coupons and tried the Fudge Brownie (still on the look-out for the Sea Salt Caramel!) and it’s delicious on ice cream! My son likes it in his milk since he’s big chocolate milk drinker! Summer is the perfect time for ice cream with this delicious syrup!

Although Bosco spent 35 years as a regional brand, Bosco is no stranger to the big stage, with “starring” roles in Seinfeld, Shrek, and Laverne & Shirley. With natural cocoa, vitamin B, and the thickest and richest syrup around, Bosco is a simple way for you and your family to enjoy the delicious goodness of chocolate, whether as an ice cream topping or a delicious milk enhancer!

We have teamed up for a giveaway! Two winners will win two free coupons to try the new flavors of Bosco Syrup out for themselves! To enter, leave a comment below telling us your favorite ice cream! Deadline to enter is June 30th, 2014 at noon. Two winners will randomly be selected from all entries!

Self Disclosure: I received free coupons to facilitate this review & giveaway but any opinions expressed are truthful and honest.

Looking for Father’s Day ideas? Shutterfly has some great ones! I realize this is a little close to the day, but these would make terrific gifts any time of the year. I love the 20 oz. Stainless Steel Travel Mugs! I really like how you can personalize a Travel Mug with lots of different photos. The flip top really does prevent spills and this would make a great gift for Dads! My favorite though is the Love the Gallery Monogram iPad Case. You can choose from a range of designs for the iPad cases and personalize with photos and text. The Folio-Style Case has a magnetic closure and protects both front and back. They fit all iPad versions except iPad Air and iPad Mini. You can find out more by visiting Shutterfly !

Now, if you are looking for a quick and easy gift that doesn’t have to ship the Videogram is for you! You can simply create a videogram on Shutterfly for Dad. This one is fun and easy too! All you do is add photos/video clips, select a style/theme and choose the music. There are different prices. We made the 720 p (HD quality) which costs $9.99.

Check out these and so many other great gift ideas on Shutterfly!

We have teamed up for a Father’s Day Giveaway! I know…you won’t win before then but these products would still make a great gift for Dad! Dads really do deserve gifts on other days too! To enter, leave a comment below telling us a favorite thing about either your dad/grandfather or your husband. Deadline to enter is Monday, June 16th at noon. One winner will randomly be selected and win the Travel Mug, iPad Case and the Videogram.

Self Disclosure: I received free products to facilitate this feature but any opinions expressed are 100% truthful and may differ from your opinion.