Zoo To You 2016

Yes, it's that time once again. When our family ventures out to one of our favorite summer time spots, The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, and then report back to all of you what's going on at one of the country's BEST zoos! 

We are always so excited to visit the zoo, see all of our favorite animals and check out everything new they have going on; and this summer there are definitely new and adventurous attractions to see. Plus this year, we were extra lucky because Maa Ma got to join us for our day of fun!

Now for us, part of exploring the zoo is seeing what new food/menu options they might have added since our last visit; and to best do that, we decided to ask Chef Matt, the zoo's executive chef some questions we had about what we saw. We were lucky enough to meet Chef Matt in person last year and wanted to follow up on a couple things, and had some new thoughts too.

1. Last year when we spoke, you mentioned you had some new ideas you were looking to develop for this season. Have you been able to implement any of those?

  I did work on some new ideas for this season unfortunately a lot of them were put on the back burner. This tends to happen a lot in our environment. We did work on other projects such as building more shelves and storage for product, revamping the line at Rays by pulling out the registers and adding a grab and go cooler, adding a second soft serve machine to Matilda’s, adding an Icee mix up station in Africa, and purchased some much needed equipment for all the stands. I did get a chance to play with Mt. Dew ice cream. It turned out great and we run it on occasion and on holiday weekends. Right now I am working on doing something fun for Zoo Brew.

 2. We noticed a family meal available at the Tree Tops Cafe and were wondering if there are any other family options we didn't see. 

 Unfortunately at this time Tree Tops is the only place we offer family meals. 

 
3. Have you ever considered having daily lunch specials (especially sat Ray's Grille)? 

We do run specials quite a bit. I have not made it a mandatory daily thing at this point, but I can tell you that Ray’s has ran Krab Rolls, Strawberry Short Cake, and Banana Pudding with Nilla wafer cups. In other locations we have done Chicken and Waffles, Specialty Pizzas, Pizza Fries, Pizza Pretzels, Deep Fried Cookie Dough, and Brownie Sundaes.

 4. What is your biggest meal seller? We realize popcorn and ice cream are crowd favorites, but besides those. 

Chicken Tenders Baskets, Burger Baskets, Pizza, then Ice Cream…… In that order.

 
5. Have you ever looked into offering Lemonade Shake Ups? We love them and know they are a hit at other places we enjoy during the warm months. Just a suggestion :) 

  Funny you asked this. This was one of the concepts that got put on the back burner, but yes I have the concept all drawn up and was looking at putting it in Africa. Bees are always a problem with a concept like this especially at a zoo. So for now it’s still just a concept, but it is still on my radar and something I’d like to do. 

If you don't know about all the new and exciting things going on at the zoo this summer, you have to check out the completely remodeled Australian Adventure. Part of this was finished last year when we were there, but not Sting Ray Bay is open, where you can actually pet a sting ray! Not to mention a gorgeous outdoor eating area perfect to grab some shade and rest. Plus, there are plenty of great photo opportunities as well.

Oh, and while you are there, you have to take a ride on the new Crocodile Adventure River Ride. If you've been before, it's the log ride we all loved as kids, but even better! So relaxing, but still exciting too! 

And of course no trip to "our" zoo is complete without seeing our favorite exhibits as well. For us, it doesn't get better than watching the Sea Lions play. Seriously, we could sit and watch these adorable friends all day long. They are definitely the boy's favorite!

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo has been a family favorite since I was a little girl. If you live in our neck of the woods, and haven't planned your summer trip yet, you MUST! Or even if you live within a couple hours, it is definitely worth the drive. You won't regret it! To learn more, buy tickets or plan your visit, be sure to check them out online, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Follow along for all the zoo fun!

Disclaimer: I received free tickets in exchange for this feature. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  

On The Go Summer Snacking with Smithfield {A Feature}

We have less than a week of school left. I can't tell you who is more excited, me or the boy, but there is definitely excitement in our house. 

The only downside to having him home with me every single day (and believe me, it's a very small one) is I have to feed him! This kid wants three meals per day, plus snacks in between! And even though it is summer, so of course we treat ourselves now and again, as a mom I also want snacks I can feel good about giving him too. Plus, if they are ones he can enjoy on the go during our busy days, even better. This is where my friends at Smithfield come in.  

Their new line of Ready, Snack, Go! snack packs are exactly what we look for in a convenient, tasty and feed good snack all summer long. They come in 6 flavor varieties of Smithfield lunchmeat paired with fresh cheese. Plus, with a low MSRP of $1, they are budget friendly too! 

My son loves all the flavor combos and different options. He can grab one out of the fridge anytime instead of having to say "Mom, what can I have for a snack?" I love that I can throw some in a cooler for a trip to the splashpad or pool! 

Oh, and they can help with easy lunches and summer time picnic menus too, with Smithfield Anytime Favorites. The quarter boneless sliced ham comes pre-sliced, so it's super easy to use for sandwiches or easy weeknight meal prep. I'm thinking ham salad for our next summer time picnic! 

If summer time snacks and meals have you scratching your head, look no further than these delicious and easy new products from Smithfield for all of your sunny day, on the go, treat needs! 

Disclaimer: I received free samples in exchange for this feature. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Meatballs Made Easy with Aidells®

I was recently asked by  Aidells® to create a recipe and share their product using it.

As a busy mom, I know how hard it is to find the time to put good food on the table...fast. We all want to feel good about the meals we give our families, but none of us have the time to spend all day in the kitchen. So what's a lady to do? Well, this is when I look to the store for a little help; and this time that meant a trip to my local Meijer store and my new friends at Aidells®.

Aidells® packaged Sausage Links and Meatballs come in unique, bold flavors, have incredible taste, and are made from hand picked ingredients. These aren't your everyday meats! They are also gluten free, contain NO nitrates, and have NO added hormones. For home cooks like me who care about what they see on the ingredient label, that is like icing on the cake! 

I cant' wait to try the sausages too, but this time around I was focusing on meatballs, which come in three tasty varieties, so it's easy to find the one that compliments the dish you're making. 

Aidells®  Meatballs Terriyaki and Pineapple (12oz)

Aidells®  Meatballs Italian Style with Mozzarella (12oz) 

Aidells®  Meatballs Caramelized Onion (12oz)

For me, they were super easy to find at Meijer, next to the " butcher" counter, not too far from the other packaged meats. 

 Oh, and right now you can get a $1/1 coupon through mPerks to make these even more budget friendly! This promotion runs from 5/1-5/28, so make sure you get to Meijer quick! Plus, on 5/1 there will be live in-store demos as well!

So, now that I have your attention, and probably drooling, I know you are wondering what did I choose to make with these yummy meatballs. Well, I had a rustic, hearty, but still simple meal on the brain, so I decided to try the Italian Style with Mozzarella.

This dish will have your family convinced you were sweating over the stove all day, when in reality you can have it on the table in about an hour. You can even make the sauce the day ahead to save even more time! (See notes in recipe.) Plus, since the meatballs are fully cooked, once the sauce is ready, you simply have to warm them in it for about 10 minutes to have a finished marinara with meatballs ready to go! 

So, if you're looking for a way to get dinner on the table in an easy, time friendly, but still delicious way, that you can feel good about...be sure to download that mPerks offer, head to Meijer and bring some Aidells® meatballs home today! 

Gnocchi with Meatballs

 2 (1 lb.) packages potato gnocchi

2 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes

2 (12 oz.) packages Aidells® Italian Style Meatballs

2 celery stalks, cut in half

2 carrots, peeled and cut in half

2 garlic cloves, peeled

1 medium white onion, peeled, left whole

2 dry bay leaves

2 TBS butter

Salt and Pepper to taste

Dried Parsley

Parmesan cheese

In a large pot or dutch oven, combine tomatoes, onion, celery, carrots, bay leaves, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cook on low for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add butter, stir well. Add meatballs and allow to cook for 8-10 minutes. Meanwhile, bring another large pot of water to boil. Cook gnocchi according to package directions. Drain well. Serve meatball sauce over gnocchi. Garnish with dried parsley. Serve Parmesan cheese on side. *NOTE* You can make the sauce a day ahead, cool and refrigerate. When ready, warm on stove top over low, add meatballs and follow remainder of recipe.

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Tyson. The opinions and text are all mine.

Game Day Fun with Dr Pepper® and Kroger {Part 2}

It's Game Day! Grab your favorite team apparel, load up the car (or grab the remote) and get the tailgating/pre-game party started!

For our family, as much as we love College Football (ALL football really) we have discovered we don't have to be at the game or even with a huge group of people to have fun. See, the three of us can make a pretty big ruckus ourselves, and do it right from the comfort of our living room!

As a busy mom, I have to make sure I can plan our day of football fun around everything else we've got going on, and one way I make it convenient for myself is by stocking up on our favorite snacks and drinks at Kroger. I am already there doing my weekly grocery shopping, so why not grab some favorites, like Dr Pepper® and let the party planning begin! For us, there needs to be lots of food, from main dishes like sandwiches, to sides, such as good ol' tater salad, to snacks we can munch on the entire game.

 For our at home football feasts, I still put out enough food to feed an army, even if it is just the 3 of us enjoying the game. I want us to be able to eat all day/evening long, and keep going back for more and more. The "spreads" I put out for these low key, in our own living room parties, have kinda become famous. Everyone is always so amazed at the amount of work I put into something that nobody but us will enjoy, but I always want it to be extra special, extra fun and of course, extra delicious.

One of the ways I make sure we can enjoy our tasty buffet all day long is to utilize one of my favorite kitchen appliances...my crock pot! Food stays warm all through the game and we can go back for seconds, thirds and fourths, as much as we crave!

So this time, with my crock pot and Dr Pepper®, I became inspired right away. Adding one of our favorite sodas, to one of our favorite dishes, barbecue, was a no brainer! The Dr Pepper® really blends with the barbecue sauce to make this barbecued pork like you've never tasted before! So unique. So tasty. Dripping with amazing flavor, they are sure to please even the hungriest of football fans.

If you are heading out to the game to party down in the parking lot, have fun! But if you are like us, and are enjoying your favorite team from your recliner, make sure you have just as much fun! Lots of food to keep you energized until the last down has been played!!

Oh, and while you're at Kroger stocking up on your game day essentials, look for the in-store sweepstakes from Miller Coors®/Kellogg’s®/Dr Pepper® for fly away trips to Rivalry Games! See store for details. Heck, maybe if your team comes up short, you can still be a winner!

Crock Pot Dr Pepper® Barbecued Pork

2 lbs. leftover roast pork, shredded

1 (19 oz.) bottle barbecue sauce

1 (12 oz.) can Dr Pepper®

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 medium white onion, thinly sliced

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Pretzel Buns

Sliced Pickles

Spray Crock Pot with nonstick spray. Add pork, onion, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Pour barbecue sauce over. Add a little Dr Pepper® to empty barbecue sauce bottle, put lid on and shake. Add to pork mix. Add rest of soda to pork. Stir well. Cook on LOW for 6 hours. Serve on pretzel buns with pickles.

Shared at Weekend Potluck

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dr Pepper®. Game Day Greats brought to you by Kroger. The opinions and text are all mine

Classic Cut in Half {A Post for Earth Fare}

I love meatloaf. Wait, let me start over. I love my mom's meatloaf. It is the best, and one of my favorite things on the face of the Earth. (Really only topped by her Beef n Noodles.)

For a long time, I could never make it to the level of perfection she does, but I finally mastered it, thank goodness. (But it still always tastes better when she makes it!) It is a favorite of my husband and son as well, so it shows up on our dinner table as much as possible.

Unfortunately though, it hasn't been able to make an appearance in a while. Why? Because of our crazy schedule! We are so busy there are days I don't know if I am coming or going; and days like that don't lend themselves to the time I need to give mom's perfect recipe the attention it deserves.

However, now I can take that recipe and cut the time by over half and have the flavor I adore in an even easier meal! Kids will love these, they are just their size! I think they would be fantastic at a party too, or even tailgating at the big game!

Nothing will ever take the place of mom's meatloaf in my heart. The original will always be the best, but at least this way I can enjoy it more often in today's busy world!

Meatloaf Muffins

2 lbs. ground beef

2 eggs, beaten

1 medium white onion, finely minced

1 cup. bread crumbs*

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/4 c. ketchup

Dried Parsley for garnish

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray. In a large bowl combine beef, eggs, bread crumbs, onion, salt and pepper. Using hands, combine well. Fill each well of muffin tin to top with a meat ball. Press down a little to obtain muffin shape. Place ketchup in plastic bag. Snip one edge. Pipe ketchup on top of muffins. Bake for 25 minutes. Increase heat to 400. Bake 10-15 minutes more until internal temp reaches 165. Let sit 2 minutes before removing. Garnish with parsley. *NOTE* If mixture doesn't seem to be coming together with 1 cup breadcrumbs, feel free to add more. It will depend on the moisture level of your mix. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Disclaimer: I received a gift card in exchange for this post. All thoughts, opinions and the recipe are all mine.

Game Day Fun with Dr Pepper® and Kroger

It's here! It's here! It's here! Do I sound like a kid on Christmas morning? That's because around here we welcome the return of College Football season with almost as much gusto! 

Football season is not just a fad in our house. It's a time honored tradition. We are either watching in person, on television or listening to the radio, each week, cheering on our favorite teams. And in our house, those are different, so we are a house divided, but the rivalries only add to the fun. 

One thing I've learned is a fun football party doesn't have to include a house full of people. I can make the game into a fantastic party with just the three of us, in our living room. And now thanks to Dr Pepper® and Kroger, it's even easier! 

When I'm doing my regular weekly grocery shopping at Kroger, it is so convenient to load up on all our favorite game day treats, including Dr Pepper®. The little guy loves

to open up a can of Dr Pepper® while he snacks and yells at the refs! The bold flavor is so refreshing when your throat is dry from armchair quarter-backing!

After I've got the drinks covered, it's time to move onto snacks. The food is almost as important as the game itself! Even if it is just the three of us hanging out I want a big spread we can eat from all day/night long! There is no rule that says a terrific tailgating party can't be indoors! 

So, whether you are planning a football bash in your own living room, or packing up the cooler to head out to the huge party in the parking lot before the game, College Football is not the same without great friends, great fun, and great food/drinks! Be sure to swing by your local Kroger to pick up all the Dr Pepper® and snacks you will need!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dr Pepper®. Game Day Greats brought to you by Kroger. The opinions and text are all mine.

General Mills® Box Tops™ Spirit Week

So you've went to the store. You've bought Box Tops™ products. You cut them out, send them to school with your child and you're done. Right? Not so fast! 

With the BONUS Box Tops™ you can earn right now at Walmart, it got me thinking about how we could get parents and kids at our school to really step up their Box Tops™ game! 

Little Man and I started brainstorming and thought what if the school dedicated an entire week to Box Tops™? A Spirit Week, let's call it. But one that doubles as a Box Tops™ drive? Each day, kids that bring in Box Tops™ get something a little extra! It's all about motivation! Our school has actually done these kinds of things for other charities and they are always a huge success!

So this is the Spirit Week we came up with for our school, but you could easily adapt them for things you know would work well at yours!

1. Hat Day

Kids love to be able to wear things at school they don't normally get to. If you bring in Box Tops ™, you then get to wear a hat at school all day long! This one is always a big hit for kids at our school.

2. Extra Milk At Lunch

Extra thirsty at lunchtime? Your Box Tops™ get you a coupon for an extra milk! Our school always has extra milks for kids to purchase anyway, so this way they are actually getting paid instead! 

3. Extra 10 Minutes of Recess

YAY!! Every child who brings in Box Tops™ on this day get to stay outside for an extra 10 minutes and run off a little more energy. That's a win win for both teachers and students! 

4. Popcorn Day

Once a month our school has popcorn the students can buy for $.50 per bag. Our thought was Box Tops™ could be traded for one of those bags of popcorn instead! 

5. Movie Day

At the end of the week, any child who has brought in Box Tops™ during Spirit Week are invited to watch a movie in the gym. Pop in a DVD and reward these kids for all their hard Box Tops™ work! 

I know if we gave these incentives to kids at our school, they would be dragging their parents to Walmart to look for all those BONUS Box Tops™ products! Giving back makes us parents feel so good, so why not make sure the kids are having fun participating as well? It's a terrific way for them to learn about charity, school spirit and the importance of appreciating everything our schools do for them every single day. 

Getting into the Box Tops™ spirit is easier than ever with the BONUS Box Tops™ at Walmart. So get out there and find a way to get even more Box Tops™ into your school! I would love to hear what spirit days you think would be a hit at your school. Leave me comments with your ideas!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of General Mills®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Easy Family Dinner with Hamburger Helper #freebeef #helper #ad

You know I am the biggest advocate for taking a little help from the store where you can. I think there is absolutely no shame in it. We have all been there, and will be again. It's supper time, but there is no time. You need something fast, but still tasty.  Quick family meals are where Hamburger Helper comes in! 

Something from our childhood, made new again with some great new flavors! Plus, did you know you can feed your family with one box and one pound of ground beef? Yep, you read that correctly! And now, with the ground beef rebate (more about that in a minute) you can get dinner on the table for about $1.50! Almost too good to be true, I know. But it is!!

Helper is a great dinnertime solution because not only is it convenient, but it is a crowd pleaser. Watch it be gobbled up. Or if there does happen to be some leftovers, that's okay too...lunch the next day! 

Launched in the 1970's, Helper has always been a brand synonymous with value. It gives you the ability to stretch your dollar while giving your family a yummy and hearty meal. Oh, and let's not forget it gives you something else we all love...a chance for a "one pot wonder" supper! 

About that rebate! Right now, when you buy 3 boxes of Helper, you can go online and print out a rebate form for a free pound of ground beef! FREE!! How much do we love that word??!! 

I picked a variety I knew my family would love, something with an Italian flare. Then I decided to add a few extra veggies just for good measure, and ramp up the flavor even more. Plus, it lets me still only use one pound of beef for two boxes, because the veggies kind of act like "filler" instead of more meat.  In the end, it was a big skillet of a pasta that tasted like pizza...how can you go wrong? Plus, you can easily add your favorite pizza toppings! I think black and green olives would be delicious. Oh, and banana peppers. See, the possibilities are endless! Just remember to go and get the great rebate offer so you can feed your family on the cheap too!

One Skillet Pizza Shells
2 boxes Hamburger Helper Cheesy Italian Shells
Milk and Water, check box for amounts
1 pound ground beef
8 oz. button mushrooms, sliced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
Dried Parsley
Salt and Pepper to taste

In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown beef until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper. When beef is almost done, add mushrooms and peppers. Stir to mix. Continue cooking until veggies are tender and beef is cooked through. Drain if necessary. Season with garlic powder and red pepper flakes. Add water and milk, per package instructions. Add pasta. Stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta is tender. Sprinkle with cheese and dried parsley. Replace lid. Allow to sit for about 5-7 minutes until cheese melts and sets.

Shared on The Country Cook April 24, 2015

$50 Dollar Challenge Month #1 {Indiana Family of Farmers}

I am super excited to bring you this new series from my great friends over at Indiana Family of Farmers. Each month, for the next 4, we are going to explore exactly how many meals we can make for $50. I will share my meal plan, the inspiration behind each one, and a new recipe too! Plus, I want to hear from you and what you can do in the kitchen with $50. Here are the rules (don't worry, there are only 2!) 

1. The meals can be breakfast, lunch, dinner or a combo of all three.

2. Each one must include one meat protein. 

That's it! Easy, right? Well, maybe not so much for some of you, but that's why we are doing this. To learn, to share and to make our hard earned dollars stretch farther. So, without further adieu, let's get to it.

For April, my meal plan is based on one thing. Leftovers. More specifically, Easter Leftovers. See, this is how my brain works. Whenever I know there is a big holiday coming, I buy too much, I make too much, but in the back of my mind, I don't worry about it because I know one way or the other it will all get used. Rather I simply serve the same dishes later in the week, transform them into something new, or use extra ingredients I bought to make new things, in the end it all works out. Plus, I can make my weekly grocery budget stretch if I'm combining the holiday meal with my weekly menu. 

Here is my menu, and my thought process behind each meal.

Meal #1

Baked Ham Sandwiches

Double Cheese Mac n Cheese

Fresh Pineapple

** Even though I normally make the sandwiches with deli ham, there is no doubt they would taste even better with some leftover Easter ham! Oh, and the pineapple? It always goes on sale around this time because so many use it with their ham, so it's a great time to use it as a fresh side too! 

Meal #2

Butter Bean Soup

Dinner Rolls

**This soup is a great way to use up extra produce you have laying in the crisper drawer. Let's face it, what holiday is complete without a veggie tray? And the extras can easily be turned into a soup the next day. And even though the original recipe doesn't call for meat, you could easily add leftover ham for a delicious new flavor! Dinner rolls are always something we have leftover after a holiday too! 

Meal #3

Copy Cat Cracker Barrel French Toast

Bacon

** Can't figure out where the leftovers come into play here? EGGS! I always buy extra for dying and then making deviled eggs too. So when I have an extra dozen...or two...laying around, breakfast for supper is always on the menu! 

Meal #4

Hamburgers

Egg and Olive potato salad*

Baked Beans

** This a great time to explain one big way I keep my grocery bill down. We have freezer beef on hands at all times. Sure, the initial cost is a little pricey, but then it saves us $$$ every single week. The potato salad is actually a new recipe (see below) and just like the soup, it's based on those extra veggies I'm going to have laying around. Not to mention the extra potatoes too! Oh, and baked beans? Those will simply be a reheated leftover from the holiday! 

So there you have it. My first $50 challenge! I get such a thrill when I'm able to save money; and when I can feed my family at the same time, well that's just icing on the cake!

Don't forget to comment with how YOU would feed your family for $50. How many meals can you make? Have any great tips? Share them, please!!!

Egg and Olive Potato Salad

4 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

4 hard boiled eggs, chopped

1 large rib celery, finely chopped

1 (5.75 oz.) jar green olives, chopped

1 1/4 c. mayo

1 TBS white vinegar

1 heaping TBS yellow mustard

1/2 tsp. onion powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Paprika for garnish

Place potatoes in large pot and cover with cold water. Add some salt. Bring to a boil and cook until just fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Allow to cool. In a large bowl combine potatoes, olives, and celery. Toss to combine. In a medium bowl combine mayo, mustard, vinegar, onion powder, salt and pepper. Mix well. Pour over potato mixture. Stir to combine. Chill until serving. Sprinkle with paprika.