Wordless Wednesday: Zollman Zoo

Going to Zollman Zoo in Byron was one of the things I had chosen to do on Mother's Day with my family.

Review: Zola Coconut Water with Pina Colada Protein Smoothie Recipe

To be honest, it had been a while ago since I had requested to do a review for Zola Coconut Water, so when it arrived on my doorstep this morning I was super excited. I had not had breakfast yet and was planning on a protein smoothie and thought I would try out the Zola Coconut Water in it and come up with my own recipe. What a tasty way to enjoy my breakfast smoothie! This make clean eating so enjoyable!

Pina Colada Protein Smoothie Recipe
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
4 slices of canned pineapple
1/4 C pineapple juice
8 oz. Zola Coconut Water
1 C crushed ice

Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy your very generous sized smoothie!

My Thoughts:
I really like the coconut water. It has a very light coconut flavor to and is refreshing to drink. Each can has 2 servings (60 calories in the one with pulp and 55 calories in the one without pulp, per serving). But what you also gain for that serving is a DV of 21% Manganese, 3% Magnesium, 2% Calcium, 2% Phosphorus, and 1g of Protein. The can also claims that it contains more potassium that one banana (which a medium banana has 422mg of potassium). There is no fat or cholesterol in this product. The coconut water is very smooth and water-like, meaning it has the consistency and fluidness (is that a word? can I make it a word?) of water.

The Zola Organic Acai Juice is 93% Juice and there is 1.5 servings in the bottle. Each serving is 125 calories with 2 grams of fat (cholesterol free though! and it's good fat of 1,450mg of Omega EFA 3, 6, 9) and also packs in a DV of 8% Vitamin E, 5% Vitamin A, 4% Vitamin C, 2% Calcium, 2% Iron, 1 g of Dietary Fiber and 1g of Protein. This juice is quite sweet compared to the coconut water. It is almost like a treat, but it's healthy and packs in tons of antioxidants. I really enjoyed the organic acai juice.

It looks like I will be able to buy the Acai juice at pretty much any Whole Foods Market or VitaminShoppe store. At this time it does not appear that the coconut water is available in any retail store within 100 miles of me, but both the coconut water and acai juice are available on Amazon.

You can find out more information about Zola Coconut Water online at:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Instagram

I received the package pictured above from Zola for the purpose of review. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts, opinions and pictures are my own.

Try It Tuesday: Paper Plate Sun Craft

This is a fun and easy project for toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners. I am sure even my 7 year old would love to make this if she were not in school when I made it with my son.

I love paper plate crafts because they are an easy way to make a perfect circle craft. We made this one because I asked my son what he wanted to make for a craft that day and he said he wanted to make the sun, earth and the moon (stay tuned for those paper plate crafts too!)

Supplies needed: 1 paper plate, yellow construction paper, yellow paint, paint brush, glue, googly eyes, pipe cleaner and a button.

First have the child paint a paper plate yellow. While they are painting, you can cut our triangles from the yellow construction paper that they will glue on later. Allow the paint to dry before continuing.

Once it is dry, have them glue on eyes, nose & mouth (we chose a button & pipe cleaner because those were items in our recycled art supplies that he chose from.) Then put a ring of glue around the perimeter of the plate and have them place the triangle pieces on.

Now, didn't it turn out cute!

GIVEAWAY: Boogie Wipes (Multi-Blog)

If you are entering from Save Green Being Green, the first required entry is to follow Cummins Life through GFC.

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GIVEAWAY: James and the Giant Slayer Blu-Ray Combo

Have you seen this movie yet? 

What did you think?

I had thought about taking my kids to see it, but they are 7 and and 3 and I am not sure if a PG-13 movie is appropriate for them. So, that is going to my be my blog comment way of entering to WIN YOUR OWN COPY of the Jack and the Giant Slayer Blu-Ray Combo Pack - what ages do you think this movie is suitable for in your opinion (and we are all granted our own opinions). And while you are at it, please also tell me (in a separate comment for a separate entry) your results from the "How Brave Are You?" Quiz. 

I am a Courageous Warrior!

Although I did answer the last one honestly that I would have chattering teeth and want an elevator to be invented. :) I don't think going up would be much of a problem if I don't look down. It's looking down that gets me!

About Jack the Giant Slayer: Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing Jack (Nicholas Hoult), into the battle of this life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom and its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend... and gets the chance to become a legend himself! Directed by Brian Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns) Starring: Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy), Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Moulin Rouge!), and Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones).

TO WIN A BLU-RAY COMBO PACK OF JACK AND THE GIANT SLAYER,

ENTER RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW

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I am working with Warner Bros. on this promotion. I did not receive any compensation and nothing to review or in exchange for this post. Only my winner will receive a copy of the DVD. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

KIDS BOWL FREE ALL SUMMER!

KIDS BOWL FREE ALL SUMMER!

KIDS BOWL FREE ALL SUMMER! Summer fun is just around the corner, and so are we. Sign-up for Summer Unplugged and Summer Pass now! Free bowling for kids all summer long! Kids registered in the Summer Unplugged program can bowl two games per day, every day, all summer long! Sign up today! 

Make It Monday: Cherry Coconut Bread

I just love breads and muffins and they are generally always well received by my family. You might recognize this recipe as being very similar to my zucchini bread recipe, which it is. Once you have a good base for a muffin or quick bread recipe, it's just a matter of finding the right fruits/vegetables and seasoning to add to it. Yes, you do have to accomodate for the differing water content, so it might not work across the board, but you'll be close.

Cherry Coconut Bread

2 C whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2/3 C raw sugar (honey or maple syrup works too)
1/2 C unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 C chopped cherries
2 T coconut oil, melted
2 T unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 C natural apple sauce
1 whole egg
1 egg white
3/4 C plain greek yogurt
1/4 tsp almond extract

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 
• Spray 1 large loaf pan. 
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda,and cinnamon. 
• In a large mixing bowl, stir together the sugar, coconut, coconut milk, apple sauce, egg and egg white, coconut oil, extract and yogurt. Mix well. 
• Using a wooden spoon, stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture and blend well. 
• Fold in chopped cherries.
• Pour the batter into the loaf pan and place in the oven. 
• Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. 
• Cool and Enjoy!