Super Heroic

Had a nice time at the Hollywood Castle, celebrating the team of Nerf, Footlocker and Super Heroic, a brand centered around kids at play. I don’t know about your childhood, but without aging myself fully, I can honestly testify that electronics weren’t my focus. I was too busy climbing trees, roller blading, riding my bike, swimming, playing tag, and watching friends at the skate park, football field or on the basketball court.

Fast forward to the world of social media, Fortnite and several other avenues of the “operated by batteries-only” lifestyle, the days of walking through your neighborhood and hearing children giggle and play tag or catch, are starting to look like a past time. 

Thankfully, through the creative lens of Super Heroic, they are reintroducing an energy force that is geared around freedom and  enthusiasm to motivate kids to get outside and in tune with an active lifestyle that’s full of adventure! So the only question left, would be, what’s your superpower? 

Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your special event, #superheroic, I had a blast! ⚡️

Simply Glowing: Water Lantern Festival 2019

This past Saturday, I attended the Water Lantern festival.

Hosted by One World LLC., the water lantern festival is a traveling event that plants its stakes into different locations throughout the United States, and is expanding. 

My ticket (presale) was only $25 this year, and well worth the enjoyment and chill vibes felt through the evening air. Strangers were kind, inviting and relaxed. Volunteers and staff of the event were excited to have you, like a long time friend waiting for your arrival to their party.

The event had music, games, food trucks and street vendors selling glow sticks and other fun souvenirs.

The Water Lantern’s guided host counted down the evening’s agenda to the crowd as the time approached the latern launch, and let’s just say, people were full of emotion. As you can decorate each latern to your own choice of words, images or quotes, many were in tears to remember a loved one, or filled with excitement to set intentions for the future. The takeback was rewarding as the feeling of solitude washed over the crowd as they watched their words drift on the water in a warming glow. 

I cherished this evening, and would definitely recommend it to new timers. Go alone, go with friends, family, your boyfriend, girlfriend, or kids, but at least try it, once. It’s definitely a heart-warming experience. 

water lantern festival

Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Recipe

Sunday's are a day of rest; to reflect on your life's journey, count your blessings, and do something that makes you feel happy. While I would have enjoyed a few extra hours of sleep, I had to run a few errands. While waiting in line to purchase some Christmas gifts, I had an idea to try something new today, so I searched up a new cookie recipe, and the rest is history.

Have you ever heard of Hot Chocolate Marshmallow cookies? You heard right, "hot" chocolate.

The name stunned me for a moment as well, until I realized the recipe called for chili powder.  And it all made sense, however at first I was a bit weary, but as it turns out, you can't even taste the chili!

And trust me when I say a few were sampled rather quickly in my home.

If you're up for a challenge, or just want to try something new, follow the directions below and enjoy a batch of your own!

Ingredients:

• 1 roll pillsbury™ refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough 
• 1 cup Nutella® hazelnut spread 
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa 
• 3/4 chili powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon  ground cinnamon 
• Large marshmallows, cut in half 

Directions:

STEP 1 Heat oven to 350 degrees. STEP 2 In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Add hazelnut spread, cocoa, chili powder and cinnamon. Mix with electric mixer on low speed about 5 minutes or until well blended.STEP 3 Shape dough into two-inch balls. Flatten each ball into three-inch round. Add 1 marshmallow half into the dough and cover it completely. Repeat with remaining dough rounds and marshmallows. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.STEP 4 Bake 12-15 minutes or until surface of cookie appears cracked and marshmallow shows through. Cool 5-10 minutes, remove from cookie sheets. Serve warm or store tightly covered. 

Enjoy!

A Grateful Heart

If I was born anywhere else in the world, would I be just as grateful for my life as I am today? As my thoughts prepped for Thanksgiving, the rush of Black Friday, and the events that will follow, I kept thinking of that question. 

In the recent weeks passed, terrorist killed several innocent lives in Paris, but the impact of these actions and losses affected many throughout the world. Peace and Prayer petitions quickly went viral on social media. Many spoke about their recent visit to France and Paris and those who lost someone. In a common thread of prevailing hope and strength, media post spoke about the bond of good, and how it will always be greater than evil. 

(Photo: @Shoesdogsandchocolate) 

In nearly half of deaths (45%) in children under five, poor nutrition is to blame. That's an estimating 3.1 million children each year, according to the World Food Programee (WFP). If you are throwing a lot of food away, think of adding less to your plate before you waste it. Think of how those leftovers you toss out nonchalantly could be a day's worth of food to one child. 

(Photo: @Shoesdogsandchocolate)

Many of us are doing ok, we're getting by. Could things be better? Sure, they can always be better, but if we were without shoes as cherishedfeet.org states '1.2 billion people in the world live in extreme poverty (less than one dollar a day)' are, would we think differently about our situation? Many parasites enter the soles of the feet, and without shoes to cover the steps you take, you are susceptible to many illness or disease. Be grateful for those worn out sandals or broken down running shoes. Perhaps donate them to a local shoe and clothes drive before taking them to the dumpster. 

(Photo: @Shoesdogsandchocolate) 

As Christmas, Hannukah, and the New Year celebrations approach, we will get swept up in the holiday cyclone, elbowing strangers in tight shopping quarters, singing jingle bells and wishing for health, wealth and good cheer and this post you have read will be a thing of the past. Don't let it be. Every day people need people, and hope needs hope. Be of good faith and be bold in your motivations. 

Give food to a stranger, hold the door for someone you don't know and take it easy. Everyone is looking for happiness, some times it starts in a small gesture of giving thanks. 

Bravery, Freedom & Family

"Happy Fourth of July!" My family kept cheering this phrase over and over. This day has always meant something so grand growing up; not only as an American, but as a young girl, and granddaughter to a World War Two United States Airforce Veteran. 

Due to my grandfather's bravery and the GOOD heroic acts done by him, his fellow crew and all the men and women who currently serve--including my sister's boyfriend of the U.S. Coast Guard--I can walk free as a young lady and look however I want, dress however I want, believe in whatever I want, and now, marry whoever I want. 

I'm grateful for a nation that allows families to join together in peace, fellow neighbors willing to help in despair, and the ability to stand on my own front lawn and eat watermelon while simultaneously cheer over a display of fireworks. 

You can't get any better than that! 

But aside from the hamburgers, hotdogs and tasty desserts, it is family that makes any holiday a joyous one. And as I look into my nephew's eyes, I am reminded of peace, love and the future, and how important it is as adults to stay mindful of our actions and pave a positive way for our little ones. 

As my grandfather's generation took care of us, so must our generation take care of the next. 

Remember, freedom is not free, and although we may not have world peace just yet, many GOOD men and women suffered or lost their lives so that YOU can continue to stand. Let's keep moving forward America, and show those who fought and continue to fight for us, that it will never be in vain. 

"THE LAND OF THE FREE, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE."

...I don't know about you, but that is one phrase I will never get tired of saying. 

(Photo credit: EI Medical)