Summer vacation or summer staycation? The latter is cheaper, easier and often more convenient for families everywhere. WalletHub just released a new study on the best places for a staycation across the U.S. and cities all around the country made up the top 10. Read on for the full list!

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjBqOv4TCi4

Using 46 key metrics, WalletHub compared more than 180 cities to come up with the best spots to staycation. Recreation (including pools per capita, playgrounds per capita and bike score), food and entertainment (including zoos per capita, movies costs and and museums per capita) and rest and relaxation (including public beaches per capita and idealness of summer weather) all factored into the final scores. The top 10 cities:

  1. Honolulu, HI (65.80 total score)
  2. Orlando, FL (60.87)
  3. San Francisco, CA (59.41)
  4. Charleston, SC (57.40)
  5. Las Vegas, NV (57.13)
  6. Portland, ME (57.11)
  7. Chicago, IL (57.03)
  8. Seattle, WA (56.54)
  9. San Diego, CA (56.53)
  10. Cincinnati, OH (56.33)

Some of the individual scores might surprise you! Cleveland and Philadelphia tied for number of swimming pools per capita. Salt Lake City had the most coffee and tea shops per capita. And Tacoma tied for first in the number of zoos and aquariums per capita.

For the full list of staycation spots, you can read the WalletHub study here. If you need extra ideas for your upcoming break (or rainy day distractions) we’ve got you covered!

––Sarah Shebek

Feature image courtesy of Pixabay

 

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Ree Drummond has done it again. The Pioneer Woman is launching her first even ice cream collection!

Available exclusively at Walmart and just in time for warm weather, the Ice Cream Maker Collection has everything you need to whip up sweet treats at home. You’ll be able to snag a four quart Ice Cream Maker ($34.94), a variety of ice cream mixes ($3.68), rock salt $13.30), ice cream scoop and bowls ($14.96).

While the ice cream maker make look pretty old-timey, its actually powered by an electric motor-driven paddle so you won’t have to wait long for homemade ice cream. It features a real wood exterior, heavy-duty freezing canister, churn paddle, see-through lid and interior plastic liner.

You may recognize some of the flavors when it comes to shopping. Birthday Cake, Salted Carmel, Toffee Caramel and Mint Chip are all fan favorites of Charlie’s Sweet Shop located in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

You can find the entire lineup of new products at Walmart.com.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Pioneer Woman

 

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Why settle for boring butter this spring when you can have bunny butter instead? Say hello to Keller’s Creamery Bunny Shaped Salted Butter!

The adorable spread has landed in stores just in time for your Easter brunch. The $3.99 butter comes in a four ounce package and is rich and creamy.

photo: Red Tricycle

Per the Keller’s website, you can shop their products at Albertson’s, Brookshire Brothers, Golub, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, Jewel Osco, Kroger, Price Chopper, Price Rite, Redner’s, Safeway, ShopRite, Supervalu, Target, Wegman’s and Weis.

Bunny Shaped Salted Butter is only available March and April, so snag a few before next year.

––Karly Wood

 

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Is hiking your new fave family go-to activity? With indoor activities on the outs this year, plenty of parents are looking for outdoor ideas.

Whether you’re on the hunt for a new outdoorsy vaycay spot or just want to get outside for an afternoon of family-friendly fun, LawnStarter put together a list of the top cities in the United States for hiking!

photo: Nina Uhlikova via Pexels

LawnStarter chose 11 key indicators, grouped into four categories, to rank the most hike-able cities in America. These categories include “access” (the key indicators are number of hiking routes, number of camping sites, number of camping stores), “diversity” (the key indicators are variety of route difficulty), “climate” (the key indicators are yearly average number of very cold days), yearly average of very hot days, sunshine, average monthly precipitation, and air quality) and “safety” (the key indicators are natural hazards index and natural/environmental death rate).

After reviewing the stats, LawnStarter ranked the top 10 cities for hiking:

  1. San Francisco, CA
  2. Oakland, CA
  3. Los Angeles, CA
  4. San Diego, CA
  5. Portland, OR
  6. San Jose, CA
  7. Huntington Beach, CA
  8. Moreno, CA
  9. Tucson, AZ
  10. Long Beach, CA

If you’re looking for the city with the most hiking routes, Phoenix, Arizona is the top choice. Hikers who want the best variety of route difficulty will enjoy walking work outs in San Bernardino, California and Salt Lake City, Utah. Fams who aren’t into the chilly weather, should check out the cities with the lowest yearly average number of very cold days—Miami Florida and San Francisco, California.

Get the rest of the stats from the study on LawnStarter’s website here.

—Erica Loop

 

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Make This: Lemon Macaroon Chicks

Morgan-Hass_Lemon-Macaroon-Chicks_s4x3.jpg.rend.sni18col

Your Easter basket usually consists of chocolate eggs, Peeps and candy galore. This year make a new sweet tradition with these Lemon Macaroon Chicks courtesy of FoodNetwork.com. The easy recipe requires only six ingredients and will be a hit with all your little chicks on Easter Sunday.

Total Time: 55 min
Prep: 30 min
Inactive: 5 min
Cook: 20 min
Yield: about 30 chicks
Level: Easy

Ingredients:
One 14-ounce bag sweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup prepared lemon curd
4 large egg whites
Pinch fine salt
15 small orange and/or yellow jelly beans
60 mini chocolate chips (about 2 tablespoons)

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Combine the coconut, lemon curd, egg whites and salt with a spatula in a medium bowl until a uniform consistency.

3. Roll generous tablespoons of the mixture into egg shapes, setting them big-side down onto the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the rest of the mix. Bake until the bottom and a few of the coconut frays turn deep golden brown, about 20 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, cut the jelly beans in half lengthwise and set aside.

5. Remove the macaroons from the oven and let them cool enough to handle, but are still warm, about 5 minutes.

6. Take one of the jelly bean halves and pinch an end to make a pointed beak. Hold the point, shiny-side up, and push the rounded end into the side of a macaroon. Push 2 mini chocolate chips, peak-side in, into the macaroon on either side of the beak for eyes. Repeat with the rest of the macaroons and serve.

Courtesy of Morgan Hass for FoodNetwork.com.

Food-Network-Logo
FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers’ best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and up to 35 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine’s rate base has grown tenfold and is now the second largest monthly magazine on the newsstand, with over 11.6 million readers.  

 

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Vegetarian Restaurants Offering Delivery & Pickup

It’s challenging enough to get the meals you loved before the pandemic. And, if your family, or members of your family are vegetarian or vegan, it may seem next to impossible. The good news is that several local restaurants are offering both vegetarian and vegan dishes for delivery or pickup! Before you decide on your next dinner, read on to find out more.

photo: via pexels

Tiny Moreso

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Tiny Moreso stepped their efforts up and started offering meals for pickup and delivery. They have an amazing menue which features smoothie kids, vegan cheesecake, vegan bowls and so much more. Check out the website to find out the rules and delivery days and times.

4520 NE 42nd Avesweet little spot.
Online: tinymoresopdx.com

photo: Carly S. via Yelps

Happy Day Juice Co.

This lovely little spot is offering free juice delivery to all of Portland. As if we needed another reason to love them! Order up their cold-pressed juices, vegan cheeses, gluten-free granola, and nut milks to keep your family nourished and healthy through these trying times! Even the non-vegans in the family will love them.

4539 NE Fremont St
Online: happydayjuiceco.com/

Doe Donuts

If you love supporting woman-owned, Portland-based businesses, then you’ll want to get your breakfast from this awesome eatery. It specializes in artisan vegan donuts and ice creams, made from scratch with local, fresh and sometimes usual ingredients. We think you’ll love their strawberry rhubarb fritter, salted tahini donut and the pineapple pizza (it’s sweet and savory with fresh pineapple glaze, tomato chutney, Brazil nut parmesan, and red pepper flakes.). Or indulge in their salted vanilla bean ice cream.

4110 NE Sandy Blvd
Online: doedonuts.com/

photo: Ruby T. via Yelp

Whole Bowl

They say that eating one of their bowls is like eating a hug. We do not disagree. One of the most nourishing dishes in town, all bowls are nut, gluten, wheat, hydrogenated oil and guilt free and come with brown rice, black and red beans, avocado, cilantro, black olives, Tillamook cheddar, sour cream, salsa and Tali Sauce. Be careful, they are addictive! They come in Bambino or Big Bowl sizes and you can order them either fully loaded (vegetarian) or veganized! The NW 23rd, Hawthorne, North Portland, and Hollywood locations are open for takeout. And families can also order bowls for delivery through Caviar and bike couriers.

Online: thewholebowl.com/portland

Ditto!

Who doesn’t love a tasty grilled cheese sandwich? This vegan grilled cheese food cart located in the parking lot of Jet Black Coffee Company, is accepting online and call-in orders curbside pickup. We suggest The Teddy with it’s three cheeses all melted on toast. If you want more, try The Jon with basil ricotta, smoked provolone, grilled mushrooms and potato chips!

Online: dittovegan.com

Secret Pizza Society

This local favorite is open for orders with limited hours: 1 to 9 p.m. You can choose from a variety of pies with fun names like the Chalupa Batman, El’ Guapo, and Brother Wilton. There is also a variety of salads to choose from to accompany your slice. Good news, they have options just for kids too!

7201 NE Glisan St
Online: thegsmp.com/

–Annette Benedetti

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Tricking your kids into eating healthy can be a struggle for parents. And finding new and creative ways to fit in fruits and vegetables without getting caught only gets more difficult.

Certified food managers experienced in preparing food for children with special food needs from Tierra Encantada, the leader in Spanish Immersion Early Education developed a variety of recipes that are kid and allergy friendly, nutritious, culturally diverse and easy to make for multiple children. Read on for three great recipes!

Chickadillo

Tierra Encantada

A chicken-y spin on the traditional Latin American favorite, Picadillo!

Ingredients:

- 1 pound chicken breast

- 1 onion

- 1 green pepper

- 1 red pepper

- 2 Potatoes

- 3 cloves of garlic

- 1 can of tomato sauce

½ cup of chicken broth

- 1/3 cup lemon juice 

- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

- 1 bunch asparagus

- 2 bay leaves

- ¼ cup golden raisins

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- Salt

- Pepper

- Fresh cilantro leaves (garnish)

- 2 tablespoons green olives (optional)

- 6-8 corn tortillas

Instructions:

- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, peppers, and garlic, and sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

- Add the chicken cut in small squares and stir-fry for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the chicken has cooked through.

- Add the tomato sauce, chicken broth, lemon juice, cumin, bay leaves, potatoes, asparagus and raisins.

- Cover the pan and reduce the heat. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the chicken is tender.

- Before serving remove the bay leaves and garnish with fresh cilantro and olives.

- Enjoy with corn tortillas, you can even create your own Chickadillo tacos!

Kids love this dish, make it your own by adding cheese and your favorite garnishes!

One Skillet Mexican Quinoa

Tierra Encantada

The perfect meal for when you want to wash as few dishes as possible!

Ingredients:

- 3 tablespoon olive oil

- 3 cloves of garlic

- 1 can black beans

- 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

- 1 cup yellow corn

- 1 cup quinoa

- 1 cups water

- 1 onion

- 2 teaspoons chili powder

- 2 teaspoons cumin

- Salt and black pepper to taste

- 1 lime

- Cilantro

- Avocado (optional garnish)

 

Instructions:

- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic in hot oil until fragrant, about 1 minute.

- Stir black beans, tomatoes, yellow corn, quinoa, and water into skillet, season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. 

- Bring to a boil, cover the skillet with a lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer until quinoa is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed, about 20 minutes. 

- Stir lime juice and cilantro into quinoa until combined.

Make this dish your own by adding meat and other veggies!

Cheesy Ham & Potato Soup

Tierra Encantada

The perfect recipe for this chilly weather!

Ingredients:

- 3 large potatoes, diced

- 3 celery ribs, chopped

- 1 medium onion, chopped

- 3 carrots, chopped

- 8oz of ham, chopped

- 4 cups chicken broth

- Salt (to taste)

- Pepper (to taste)

- 5 tablespoons butter

- 3 tablespoons flour

- 2 cups milk

- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

- Extra cheese to sprinkle on top (optional)

Instructions:

- Melt the butter and sauté the onions and garlic.

- Add ham, celery, carrots, and potatoes.

- Stir in flour.

- Add broth and milk.

- Add salt and pepper.

- Cook over medium heat until potatoes and veggies are tender.

- Add cheese in small amounts, stir until melted, repeat until all your cheese is gone.

 Top with extra cheese and enjoy!

 

This post originally appeared on Tierra Encantada.
Tierra Encantada is a warm, community-oriented Spanish Immersion Daycare and Preschool headquartered in Minneapolis, MN and currently expanding nationwide. We offer quality child care for children ranging from 6 weeks – 6 years of age. We focus on the growth of the whole child and believe children learn best by doing. Our award-winning bilingual education program fosters early cognitive development and teaches a respect for diversity.

Prioritizing Self Care as a Mom

 

Candace Ramirez

I am a mom & Lifestyle blogger from Portland, OR. I teach and empower other mamas that self-care isn't selfish. It is necessary. I love sharing real-life, fashion, and recipes.

I am always busy, and 90% of the time, I am busy taking care of others, making meals, helping with remote learning, cleaning, breastfeeding, or comforting someone. I used to think that to be an exceptional mom meant putting my needs and wants on the back burner. I found the more I ignored my needs the harder it was to be a good mom. I was more irritable with the kids and found it challenging to enjoy motherhood.

Before the pandemic, I considered self-care to be going out and doing activities with my friends, but I now know self-care can be as simple as making sure that I eat during the day or drink water.

I recently added bathes to my self-care routine. I create a relaxing spa-like environment with just a few essentials, candles, a bath bomb, bubbles, a glass of wine, and a good book. When I sink into the warm bath, all my stress eases away, and I can relax.

Whether your self-care is taking a relaxing bath, reading a good book, drinking water, or merely sitting down. I hope all you mamas out there are making sure to prioritize taking care of yourselves.

Check out all the products I use to create a spa-bath at home.

 


1

Luxury Bathtub Tray

Space for all your spa-bath must haves!

$49.97

I love having this tray to set all my essentials on, there are so many cool compartments. You can set a drink on here, an iPod, or book.

BUY NOW

2

Lavender Bath Bombs

Moisturizing bath bombs made with essential oils

$4.99

Made with almond, jojoba, and sunflower oil these bath bombs are gentle and moisturizing.They also smell great.

BUY NOW

3

Epsom Salt

Epsom Salt that helps nourish your skin.

$4.89

Epsom salt has many different benefits, including soothing your skin, reducing muscle soreness, and reducing stress. I always make sure to add some to my baths for the full Spa-like experience.

BUY NOW

4

Queen V Pop the Bubbly Bubble Bath

Perfect Bubble Bath

$26.89

It can be challenging to find a bubble bath that smells great, creates the right amount of bubbles, and is not irritating. Queen V does all of that!

BUY NOW

5

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

$15.99

I received this book from a friend and started reading it in the bath. This is a soulful, powerful memoir, which is the perfect book for a relaxing bath.

BUY NOW

6

What I know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey

This book is full of insightful gems!

$17

This is another one of my favorite books. I often refer back to it; it helps me appreciate the small things in life and reminds me of the importance of gratitude. So at the end of a long day full of motherhood, when I am exhausted and feeling anything but grateful, I like to read this book and reset my mindset.

BUY NOW

7

Balance & Harmony Candle

Water Lily & Pear Scented

$10.99

I love this candle; it smells nice without overwhelming. It also has a slow burn, so it is perfect for a long bath.

BUY NOW

8

Wine Tumbler

Have a glass of wine while enjoying your bath.

$14

This tumbler keeps my wine or drinks nice and cold, and I don't have to worry about a wine glass breaking.

BUY NOW

9

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Moisturizes and protects!

$13.59

After soaking with different scents, I love to use this lotion. It is fragrance-free and makes my skin smooth and hydrated.

BUY NOW

10

Cozy Pajama Set

Soft Pajamas to complete your spa-like experience.

$21.99

The finishing touch to a relaxing spa bath is slipping into my cozy, soft pajamas. These Target PJs are the most comfortable set I have ever owned, and they are affordable.

BUY NOW

With so many people staying at home, now is a great time to bake with your kids. Add a tasty baking craft to your everyday in-door routine with some sticky sweet one-on-one time. Not only is it a fun activity, you also get to eat something yummy when it’s done!

Best of all, what’s better than a DIY twist on the classic candy bars? Take a closer look at two of the top favorite treats from my collection of recipes that are absolute family favorites.

Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Balls 

Are you low on flour? Coconut balls will save the day. They are soft and chewy, and when you dip them in chocolate they are irresistible. You can call these whatever you want but these yummy treats remind me of a Mounds candy bar, only with a citrus zing! I swapped out the honey/maple syrup for 4 Tbsp. of my tangerine marmalade to this recipe I found @pinchofyum.

Ingredients

2 cups dried coconut (I only had the big flaked coconut on hand so pulsed in a food processor until coarse but not too fine)

4 Tbsp Marmalade

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 Tbsp. Coconut oil

Directions:

1. In a medium-size bowl, mix the ingredients until thoroughly combined.

2. Squeeze into small balls and place on a cookie sheet and put in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes.

3. While the little treats are chilling, slowly melt 4 oz dark chocolate in a bowl over hot water. I used chopsticks to roll the balls in the chocolate and lay them on parchment paper. Place them in the refrigerator to chill or just eat them up.

Raspberry Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips or bar broken in pieces

1/2 c. heavy cream

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1/2 c. Just Jan’s Seedless Raspberry Spread

Pinch of salt

Unsweetened cocoa powder (sifted) to coat truffles

Directions:

1. Place chocolate pieces in a bowl.

2. Heat cream and butter together in a heavy bottom saucepan until it comes to a boil.

3. Pour cream and butter over the chocolate and let stand for a minute or so.

4. Stir vigorously until smooth.

5. Add Just Jan’s Seedless Raspberry Spread and pinch of salt.

6. Stir until well combined.

7. Put plastic wrap on top of the chocolate in the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hrs. (may leave it overnight).

8. Sit on counter to warm up a bit before forming the truffles.

9. Using a teaspoon, scoop chocolate mixture into your hand and roll between your hands until you have a ball. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Roll in sifted cocoa powder on a plate.

Ruthi Davis is a the Founder of Ruth Davis Consulting LLC with over two decades of success in advertising/marketing, media/publicity, business development, client relations, and organizational optimization for a variety of clients. Ruthi is a proud mom and influencer in the parenting and family market as founder of the Superfly Supermom brand.

Tesoros Trading Company, a supplier for Trader Joe’s, has recalled certain codes for its Lightly Salted Edamame. The product, which has SKU# 51063 may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall for frozen Trader Joe’s Lightly Salted Edamame only affects three codes for products sold in Arizona, Southern California, Southern Nevada, and Utah stores. Those lot codes are 22LA102 M, 22LA102 N and 22LA102 P.

photo: Trader Joe’s

The edamame comes in a 16-ounce plastic package and is stamped on the back bottom portion of the package with the lot number. Currently, all of the affected product not sold has been removed from stores and destroyed.

If you purchased any of the Lightly Salted Edamame do not eat it and discard the product or return it to Trader Joe’s for a full refund. If you have questions, you can contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 [Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Pacific Time] or send an email.

––Karly Wood

 

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