My new favorite sandwich! Yummo! Perfect for summer lunches #ThintoWin

Credit: Sargento

Last month I posted about how I participated in the “Thin to Win” Challenge by Sargento. The challenge was to simplify and “thin out” or life. My challenge was using music to help unwind on my commute and on my many daytrips with the kiddos. I can happily report that even my kiddos now ask to play the “relaxing” music because it helps them relax and mellow out, which in turns makes my commute very enjoyable!

I’ve also challenged myself to thin out other areas of my life, including “thinning out” some of the staples in our diet. One of the simplest and also tastiest ways is by incorporating Sargento’s Ultra Thin Sliced Cheeses in our sandwiches. We tried several of Sargento’s Ultra Thin Sliced Cheeses and recipes and hands down our favorite was the Harvest Turkey and Apple Panini. It is so EASY to make, good for you and so yummy! The kids gobbled it up and not only did it taste good, it also made me feel good that the sandwich was made with good stuff.

Sargento’s Ultra Thin Cheddar

We substituted our regularly sliced cheese with Sargento’s Ulra Thin Cheddar, which is only 45 calories, and the kiddos did not notice a thin. The cheese is just as tasty but without the extra calories. It is the perfect way to thin out our lunches and it will become a constant rotation in our summer lunches. Read about Jimmy John Founder of the famous sandwich joint.

To learn more about the challenge and for other delicious recipes head here.

Fun little giveaway: How do you plan to thin out your lives? Leave a comment and enter to win 3 coupons to try out the new cheese. You’re going to love it! Giveaway ends next Sunday, June 17th at 11:59pm. Winner selected at random. Good luck!

Sky Zone in Anaheim Hills

Credit: Sky Zone

Our Dad Blogger Robert is always trying out new places and shares with us his experience at the new Sky Zone indoor trampoline park.

When I heard that a brand new indoor trampoline park was going to be opening up in Anaheim, I could not wait to take my 5 year old daughter and her friend Sebastian. After the kids tried out Sky Zone, they were immediately begging for a return visit, that’s how much fun they had.

The owners, Jim and Alexis Bellino (of The Real Housewives of Orange County fame) have dubbed Sky Zone in Anaheim “the second happiest place on earth”. Judging from the amount of smiles on kids faces that I saw, its not that outlandish of a statement.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park is in a 35,000 square foot building in Anaheim. Upon entering I was impressed with just how many different, separate areas there are for you and your kids to jump and bounce. There are 4 different courts set up just for dodgeball, a foam pit, a couple basketball hoops so that you can live out your fantasy of doing a double reverse slam dunk (not that was able to do one). For those of you that are really adventurous, they even have many trampolines set up on the walls at 45 degree angles, and also plenty of tamer areas set aside especially for those children who are six and under.

As a parent, it’s important to me that places like this are adequately staffed with employees to make sure that younger kids are able to have fun without having to fear being trampled by older kids. I was pleased to see that there was an abundance of employees stationed throughout the facility to enforce the rules so that everyone had a good time.

Robert and Alexis Bellino, owner and Real Orange County Housewife

I hope to see you and your family at Sky Zone, you will have loads of fun, while getting a good workout without even realizing it.

Helpful Hints

*I HIGHLY recommend visiting their website BEFORE going, weekend times will sell out, reservations are always a good idea at

www.skyzoneanaheim.com

*bring socks, as you will be required to use special shoes that they provide (like at a bowling alley)

*all jumpers or their legal guardians must sign a waiver before jumping

*three different rooms are available for kids parties

*lockers are available for 50 cents

*reasonably priced snack bar on site, no outside food allowed.

*plenty of free parking

*clean bathrooms and drinking fountain and a lounge area for parents to rest and keep an eye on little kids.

*info at 714 441-8999

For additional info head here.

San Diego’s New Children’s Museum

Credit: Carissa Joy

One of my favorite memories from my childhood was the first time I visited the Los Angeles Children’s Museum in Downtown LA. I can still remember how much fun I had and how I didn’t want to leave at the end of the day. Now as an adult and a mom, I love being able to watch my kiddos have a great time at our local children’s museums. Our contributor Carissa had the opportunity to take her daughter to The New Children’s Museum in San Diego and shares all about it.

This past weekend we were in San Diego for a race I was running and we wanted to find something fun to do as a family. We noticed this museum was within walking distance of the race expo so we decided to check it out. What a fun discovery we made in this new museum!

Credit: Carissa Joy

From the moment you walk in the door you are surrounded by interactive exhibits and displays of art and are encouraged to explore it all! Admission is $10 and you can come and go as many times as you’d like throughout the day. Along with admission you get a list of local restaurants that partner with the museum, offering discounts on dining and quick seating.

Credit: Carissa Joy

The museums focus is on trash right now. Many of the exhibits are all about recycling and making use of waste in creative ways. While we were there we made trash monsters out of recyclable objects, painted an old car and tires from top to bottom, created clay creatures, drew chalk murals all over the walls, built towers and houses with blocks, sat inside “monsters”, climbed climbing walls, played in a rain shelter, played with magnets, climbed a playground made with tires and a recycled dumpsters, listened to music and stories in side a complex made of water bottles, and so much more! Everywhere we turned there was something new to do and a new area to explore.

Credit: Carissa Joy

At the entrance to each area/exhibit there are notecards for parents, labeled with different age groups. For each age-group there was a guide for questions to ask, things to do, and ways to discover and explore in that particular area. Loved that! There’s a big lunch area on the mail floor where many families sat and had their lunches that they brought from home. Just outside the museum, across the parking lot is an enclosed children’s playground. There are swings, obstacles to climb, and a few other interactive activities. It seems to me that inside and out, there was plenty to do for all ages!

It seems as though the exhibits may change periodically and new features are constantly being added. We can’t wait to go back again and see what else we can find!

To learn more about the New Children’s Museum in Downtown San Diego head here.

Carissa is a blessed Mommy of a pretty amazing 2 1/2 year old. She works part-time as a Child Life Specialist in the Pediatric Emergency Department at a local children’s hospital. She is excited to share with you some great places she has found and hopefully help provide some really fun family days for you and your little (and big) ones!