google.com, pub-8087192757053655, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 Director Jewels: March 2016

Friday, March 25, 2016

Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic {Kansas City Sprint Center Review}

Disclosure: I received media passes to this event. No other compensation has been received. All views expressed are my own. 


Every year, I count down until it's time for Disney on Ice to return to Kansas City! This year's show, 100 Years of Magic, promised to be a real treat - and it did not disappoint. The kids were beyond excited to see "the Mickey ice skating show" again, as they remembered how much fun they had last year at Passport to Adventure.


Due to traffic in Kansas City, we missed the first few minutes of the show. That was a bummer, but the good news was - everything was still incredibly exciting and no one ended up feeling sad that we were late! Thank goodness for non-stop action.

The first half of the show features Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pinocchio, Nemo (and friends), Beauty and the Beast, Princesses, and Frozen. My kids have talked about Nemo and Crush (who was gigantic and awesome) a lot while remembering their favorite parts of the show.

The Beauty and the Beast segment was incredibly condensed, but I was happy to at least see part of my favorite story featured. After Belle and her prince skated together with the familiar tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, the rest of the Disney princesses appeared one at a time with their princes for some magical couple skating! Featured in this section were Cinderella, Ariel, Tiana, Jasmine, Snow White, and Rapunzel. My daughter had chosen a Rapunzel dress to wear for the show - so she was pretty excited to see Rapunzel and Flynn out on the ice.


The second half of Act I was a short version of Frozen. This is not my favorite Disney film, but I know that due to its popularity it's a wise choice for a traveling ice show. It was very well done, and some of the special effects had me scratching my head wondering how they were accomplished (and I have worked tech in theatre).


The falling snow was pretty epic and the story moved along quickly. My daughter was a little worried that there might be a giant snow monster on the ice and she was hesitant to watch at times because of this.


After intermission, we were treated to even more stories. I felt that this Disney on Ice show did a great job of covering a lot of famous tales. I preferred this style to some of the other shows we have seen in the past, where only a handful of shows are presented.


Act II featured Aladdin, Mulan, Toy Story, and The Lion King. Each of these scenes was entertaining, but Mulan was probably my favorite.


The kids have been talking about the show endlessly and I know that next year, they'll be thrilled to return to Disney on Ice again! I can't wait to hear which show is coming next!


As if the magic of the whole event was not good enough, at the very very end when the cast had finished skating, Rapunzel and Flynn ended up right in front of us. My daughter is convinced that Rapunzel waved right at her - and this has basically made her life. Thanks, Disney, for making dreams come true once again.


You can purchase Disney on Ice tickets now, plus make sure you are following along on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest info!

Here are all of the remaining show times this weekend:

Friday, March 25th - 3 PM, & 7 PM
Saturday, March 26th - 11 AM, 3 PM, & 7 PM
Sunday, March 27th - 3 PM

Disclosure: Thanks to Feld Entertainment for providing the passes. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Giveaway Policy and my Disclosure Policy.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub

This post contains affiliate links.

Need more essential oils recipes? Check out our Rosemary and Panaway Esesntial Oil DIY Soap!

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub made with Young Living Essential Oils - DIY Gift Idea

Most of the moms I know could use a little pampering. Okay, that's not true. Most of the moms I know could use a lot of pampering! I'm not a big fan of spending a lot of money on fancy spa treatments or bath products - with a tight budget, there's just not a lot of room for extras like that. So every time I'm able to make something for myself or a friend, I consider that a huge win. Today I'm sharing this amazing Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub recipe with you. It's made with essential oils and ingredients that you probably already have in your home. 

If you're not already using essential oils for wellness in your home, you're missing out! We use Young Living essential oils because of their amazing seed-to-seal promise and have loved seeing the benefits of these oils for the last year. 

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub made with Young Living Essential Oils - DIY Gift Idea

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub
Ingredients
-1/4 cup unrefined coconut oil, melted
-1 1/2 cups white sugar
-10 drops Lime essential oil
-Juice from 1/2 fresh lime
-Lime zest from 1/2 fresh lime, 1 pinch reserved

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub made with Young Living Essential Oils - DIY Gift Idea

How to make it:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small glass bowl. Mix well.

2. Spoon the sugar scrub into a fresh jar. 

3. Sprinkle 1 pinch of lime zest on top.

4. Use within 3 days or refrigerate to store indefinitely. 

Note: When the coconut oil hardens, the scrub will feel dry and crumbly. Once it is massaged into the skin, the oil melts and the scrub smooths and moisturizes skin.

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub made with Young Living Essential Oils - DIY Gift Idea

Yes - it is seriously that easy! Whip up a batch for yourself or for a friend. With the green zest on top, it would even make a cute teacher's gift for St. Patrick's Day! With the fresh lime juice and the essential oil, this stuff smells divine. Citrus is one of my favorite scents.

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub made with Young Living Essential Oils - DIY Gift Idea

What's your favorite way to pamper yourself? 

DC Super Hero Girls + $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

Disclosure: Thanks to DC Entertainment for sponsoring this post. Keep reading for a $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!


When I was a kid, I wasn't crazy about superheros. Crazy, I know - but I admit it. My love of masked crusaders came a bit later, during my teen years. Maybe that had something to do with the lack of strong girl characters in the comic world - it could be possible, right?

I think it's so fun that the newest animated series from DC Entertainment is DC Super Hero Girls - featuring Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, and more DC Comics favorites in all-new adventures! These characters are on a journey to discover the power of their unique abilities and friendships.

Each character is dynamic -from strong and fearless to edgy and fun; there is a super hero girl for everyone.


You can find DC Super Hero Girls on YouTube for more videos and entertainment.

Giveaway

One person will win a $100 Visa Gift Card from DC Entertainment and DC Super Hero Girls. This giveaway is open to US readers only.

To enter the giveaway, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below (you may need Javascript enabled to see the form and it may take a moment to load)! Once you complete the first entry, the other options will open up so that you can complete them as well. All of the "extra entries" are optional - you can do just one, or as many as you want! Winners will be contacted by email. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Disclosure: Thanks to DC Entertainment for sponsoring this post. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Giveaway Policy and my Disclosure Policy.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

Everyone likes muffins. There's no contest. A good muffin has it all. It's basically a cupcake, but you can eat it for breakfast and not even feel guilty because it's not technically cake. You can fill up muffins with fruit or nuts or chocolate, bake them to glorious perfection, then share with family and friends...or just keep them for yourself. The latter will probably be the case with these Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins. If you decide to eat a whole batch of these on your own, I won't rat you out. They're super healthy, have minimal sugar, and give you the option to add some chocolate in case you're having one of those days. These are kind of similar to the Dairy and Egg Free Toddler Muffins I posted a couple years ago - but so much prettier.

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins
Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1/4 cup melted coconut oil (or another oil of your preference - see the end for a note on this)
3/4 cup almond milk (any milk will work if you prefer something different)
1 bag of baby kale & spinach mix (between 4oz and 6oz)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup banana, mashed
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips


You could use nuts instead of chocolate chips if you want it to be even healthier.

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with either silicone or paper liner. Or spray them with non-stick spray.

2. In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients until combined.

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

3. In the blender, add the coconut oil, milk and your green veggies. Blend well on high until completely pureed.  Next add the mashed banana and vanilla and blend again, just to mix, no longer.

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

4. Pour the veggie puree into the dry mixture and fold together until combined. Add the chocolate chips and and fold a few more times until evenly distributed.

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

5. Like any other muffins, fill the muffin cups 2/3 full and bake for 15 minutes. Do the toothpick test, if they are still moist, bake for an extra 3 or 4 minutes - or until the toothpick comes out clean.

** In my oven they were done in about 17 minutes.
** I have made these using canola oil and coconut oil. Both are really delicious, however - with the coconut oil you will notice a slight texture difference once they cool. You should be able to substitute without a problem!

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

What occasion will you invent to make these vegan green muffins? They're perfect for after-school snacks, St. Patrick's treats, or gifts for a health-conscious friend.

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

Pair them with a smoothie and they're perfect!

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

Kale and Spinach Vegan Green Muffins Recipe

Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic Kansas City Ticket Giveaway

Disclosure: I will receive media passes to this event. No other compensation has been received. All views expressed are my own. 


It's one of my favorite times of the year... Disney on Ice is coming to Kansas City! The show is 100 Years of Magic and it features more than 60 characters from over 18 Disney shows. We are so excited!

I love watching the Disney princesses the most, but I think the kids will be happy to see just about every character. We've been to Disney on Ice annually for several years and it is always a fantastic production. Check out my review from Passport to Adventure last year.


Join the celebration as more than 60 of Disney’s unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!  You’ll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and many Disney Princesses.  Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you’ll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!



You can purchase Disney on Ice tickets now, plus make sure you are following along on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest info!

Here are the upcoming show times:

Thursday, March 24th - 7 PM
Friday, March 25th - 10:30 AM, 3 PM, & 7 PM
Saturday, March 26th - 11 AM, 3 PM, & 7 PM
Sunday, March 27th - 3 PM

Due to popular demand, Disney on Ice has just added a 3 PM show on Friday, March 25! Snag your tickets while you can!

Giveaway

One person will win a 4-pack of tickets to Disney on Ice at the Sprint Center on March 24 at 7:00pm. This giveaway is open to US readers only. Winner will be emailed and will have 24 hours to respond or prize will be forfeited.

To enter the giveaway, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below (you may need Javascript enabled to see the form and it may take a moment to load)! Once you complete the first entry, the other options will open up so that you can complete them as well. All of the "extra entries" are optional - you can do just one, or as many as you want! Winners will be contacted by email. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: Thanks to Feld Entertainment for providing the passes. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Giveaway Policy and my Disclosure Policy.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...