Hawaii Mom Blog: March 2015

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March 31, 2015

Off the Wall Craft Desserts & Kitchen

After an evening of great eats at a media event, @hiteastyle and I still had room for dessert, so we headed to Off the Wall Craft Desserts & Kitchen.

Haupia Bread Pudding Brulee

Kabocha Pumpkin Crunch
The desserts were divine!

Although the serving sizes were smaller than I had expected, they were actually the perfect size since we were nearly stuffed from dinner.

The Kabocha Pumpkin Crunch was delicious.  There was a nice contrast between the slow-roasted kabocha filling and the crunchy cornmeal grahama cracker crumble.

The Bread Pudding was my favorite (and @hiteastyle's fave) dessert of the two.  The thick, dense bread pudding had just the right amount of sweetness, and the brulee finish left a thin, caramalized coating that made it one of the best bread puddings I've ever had.

Off the Wall Craft Desserts & Kitchen was a great place for just desserts, and I can't wait to try out their other food items!

Off the Wall Craft Desserts & Kitchen
1272 S King St
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 591-9255
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Brio Ice Cream Review

 

 
My children are ice cream monsters.  When I read a review for Brio, advertised as a smart ice cream and packed with 24 essential vitamins and minerals, including antioxidant Vitamins A, C, E and selenium as well as calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D, I thought awesome!  An ice cream that is good for you!  
 
When I brought home the samples for the family to try, I have to be honest and say that I had my doubts.  While I don’t stock ice cream in my freezer, I still have my favorites and anything low fat or skinny in the label does not come home with me from the store.  As a result, my kids favor creamy and rich ice cream.  I was skeptical if Brio, which on average when compared to similar flavors of super premium ice creams has approximately 25 percent fewer calories per 4 ounce serving, half the total fat, and 10 percent less sugar, would make the grade.
 
Brio is actually labeled a frozen dairy dessert because it has only 3 grams of milk fat in a 4 fluid ounce (100 gram) serving.  To be officially labeled “ice cream” the FDA requires 10 percent milk fat or 10 grams.  With only a third of the milk fat, Brio tastes just like ice cream.  The kids loved it and my husband and I were very pleasantly surprised that something so good for you, tasted just as rich and creamy as the “bad” stuff.   
 
Brio is available in 5 different flavors:  coffee latte, strawberry, vanilla-caramel, mellow dark chocolate, and tropical mango.  My daughter favored the vanilla-caramel and the coffee while my son bogarted both the strawberry and tropical mango.  The chocolate wasn’t sweet enough for me, but I loved the vanilla-caramel.  My husband really enjoyed the mellow dark chocolate.  It was great that we each easily found our favorite flavor.  It was awesome to find a dessert that the family enjoyed and knowing that it’s good for you is an added bonus! 
 
You’ll be happy to know that Brio is low glycemic, gluten-free, and uses only fresh milk that is r-BST-free, which means no synthetic hormones.  Brio is a good source of protein and its ingredients are sourced to be GMO-free. Brio use real mangoes, strawberries, coffee extract and vanilla, as well as other natural ingredients for flavoring. There are no artificial flavors, sweeteners or colors in Brio.
 
Brio is brought to you by Arnie and Ron Koss, the co-founders of Earth's Best Baby Food.  Their team of flavor developers included past Ben & Jerry's employees as well as top nutritionists and dietitians in the United States. 
 
Brio is distributed by Meadow Gold Dairy and is now available statewide at stores including Foodland, Foodland Farms, Sack N Save, KTA Super Stores, Pukalani Superette and the Waikoloa Village Market.  Pick some up for your family and be confident knowing you are serving them more than a delicious treat. 



The 4oz snack sizes are perfect for little (greedy) hands.


See how he is positioning the ice creams closer to him?


The ice cream monsters have taken control of their favorite flavors.


Happy ice cream monsters.
Thank you to Brio for the complimentary samples!  All opinions are my own. 



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It's a Fiesta at KFC Hawaii with New Chicken and Rice Bowls

Forget the messy fingers and the crumpled napkins this summer – at KFC Hawaii, the Bowl is a thing of Beauty. Starting April 13, 2015, we’re throwing a fiesta for your taste buds with two new Chicken and Rice Bowls, where you’re just a spoonful away from authentic Tex Mex and BBQ flavors, debuting for a limited time only at participating KFC Hawaii stores. For just $6, both bowls come with your choice of a drink and a chocolate chip cookie, as part of KFC Hawaii’s $6 Fill Ups menu.

#HowDoYouKFC with the Zesty Tex Mex for just $6? Here’s how: It’s all about the layers. There’s tomatoes, purple and green onions, shredded cheese, popcorn nugget chicken, and (the crowning glory), a top-secret KFC zesty sauce. If you’re in the mood for Sweet n’ Spicy BBQ, think outside the bowl with KFC’s signature shredded chicken, topped with chopped green onions, shredded cheese, and a Sweet n’ Spicy BBQ sauce, all layered over a bed of fresh rice. Hearty and filling, and even more satisfying when paired with a drink and cookie, both $6 bowls are the best way to KFC, fiesta-style!

For more information, visit KFCHawaii.com. Customers can sign up for free special email offers for deep discounts, and visit KFC Hawaii on Facebook (facebook.com/KFCHawaii) and Twitter (@KFCHawaii). Hashtag your KFC experience with #HowDoYouKFC for a chance to be featured on the national website at KFC.com.
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Visit Las Vegas: Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar

At Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar, the saying is "Go Big or Go Home," so naturally, we went "big" and ordered 3 huge dishes for our family to share. 

Shortbread Pancake & Berry "Pot Pie"

Maple Bacon French Toast

Chicken Fried Bacon, Biscuits, & Gravy
The Chicken-Fried Bacon was amazing.  The coating was seasoned perfectly, and the bacon was just oh-so-delicious!  When eaten with the Buttermilk Sage Biscuit, Eggs, and Sausage Gravy, it was just truly an indulgence.  

The Pot Pie was very good.  I don't normally care for sweet breakfasts, but I would definitely order this again in the future.  The Vanilla Shortbread Pancakes were light, fluffy, and flavorful, and the berry filling was just right - not too tart, not too sweet.

The Mable Bacon French Toast, which consisted of House-Baked Brioche soaked in a Maple Syrup Custard and griddled, and then topped with candied bacon & bruleed bananas, was quite a treat too!  

Every dish was great, and service was great too.

Guy Fieri's was the perfect spot for an amazing breakfast.

Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar
The LINQ Las Vegas Resort & Casino
3535 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(800) 351-7400
    Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen + Bar on Urbanspoon
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    March 30, 2015

    Visit Orange County: Ramada Maingate at the Park

    We recently visited Disneyland again, which meant we stayed at the Ramada Maingate at the Park once more.  There are so many reasons why I love staying at the Ramada Maingate at the Park - the proximity to Disneyland, the great customer service, and the renovated rooms are just a few of the reasons why I love staying there (you can read my complete list here).

    With the exception of the implementation of a parking fee ($5), not much else has changed since our last visit a few months ago, and soon the new building, which will house a fitness center, meeting space, retail outlets, and more, will be completed!

    Room
    We stayed in a Superior 2 Queen Beds Room. 
    2 Queen Beds

    Table and chairs
    TV, microwave, refrigerator

    My son loves the artwork!

    Double sinks

    Bathroom

    The room was clean and nicely-sized. The beds were comfortable, and the air conditioning did a great job in cooling down the room quickly (thank goodness since it was unseasonably warm during our visit!).

    The refrigerator came in very handy for chilling all of our water bottles and storing any leftover food, and I love that there were plenty of outlets so we could charge all of our electronics.

    We slept soundly, and the ongoing construction was not a hindrance at all. We couldn't hear any of the construction while we slept in the morning, or during the day when we napped.

    Dining
    Ramada Maingate at the Park offers a complimentary Continental breakfast. Options included donuts (my kids love the Chocolate donuts!), bagels and cream cheese, fruit, hard-boiled eggs, biscuits, gravy, oatmeal, cereals, and drinks.  
    Breakfast is served in the pool house, and although there is some seating in the pool area to eat breakfast, many guests opt to use their in-room tray to transport food back to their rooms (the building that is currently under construction will house a new breakfast room!).

    For lunch or dinner (or even for breakfast, if you prefer more hot options), you can go to a number of dining venues nearby - many within walking distance!

    Other Services and Amenities
    • Disneyland ticket sales
    • Gift mart selling souvenirs, toiletries, and more
    • Pool with kids splash zone
    • Hot tub
    Click here for a list of more services and amenities.

    Final Thoughts
    Our family experienced another wonderful stay at Ramada Maingate at the Park.

    The room was clean and comfortable, the free continental breakfast fueled us up for a long day at Disneyland, and we didn't have to walk very far to get to the "Happiest Place on Earth."

    In just a few more months the new building will be complete, and I can't wait to see it!
    Construction of new building


    Ramada Maingate at the Park
    1650 S Harbor Blvd
    Anaheim, CA 92802
    (714)772-0440.
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    Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market

    I enjoy dining at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market.  The service and food are always good, we usually always get seated right away, and the kids meals are just the cutest!

    Texas Cajun Chicken Sandwich

    Dixie Fishwich

    Holy Moly Macaroni & Cheese Pleeze
    Mama Gump's Chicken Strips

    Mama's Bread Pudding

    I had the Texas Cajun Chicken Sandwich, which is usually my "go-to" meal at Bubba Gump. A Cajun-grilled chicken breast is topped with bacon, cheese, and guacamole (how can anything with bacon and guacamole not be good?).

    My husband enjoyed the fish sandwich, which was southern-fried and topped with cheese and Louisiana Special Sauce.

    I love that the kids meals are reasonably-priced and come with orange slices, French fries, and gelatin.  They also come in cute shrimp boat containers!

    And for the first time, we ordered dessert at Bubba Gump.

    Mama's Bread Pudding did not disappoint!

    The food and service were great, and Bubba Gump is definitely one of my family's favorite places to dine in Ala Moana Center.

    Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market
    1450 Ala Moana Blvd #3253
    Honolulu, HI 96814
    (808) 949-4867 Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on Urbanspoon
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    March 27, 2015

    Elle's Corner Cafe

    I recently went to Elle's Corner Cafe in Waipahu, which opened at the beginning of this year.
    Fried Noodles

    Korean Fried Chicken

    Grilled Cheese with Fries
    Elle's Corner Cafe offers a very extensive menu that is available all day, so if you're craving breakfast for lunch or a burger for breakfast, you can easily satisfy your craving at Elle's.

    My husband and I both ordered lunch items.

    I had the Fried Noodles, which tasted under-seasoned.  I also thought the portion was small for the price ($7.25).  I could easily finish the noodles in one sitting, whereas at other places, I get enough noodles for at least two meals for the same price I paid at Elle's.

    The Korean Fried Chicken was very flavorful, but we were surprised that bone-in chicken was used, and there were just 4 pieces (the plate cost just under $9).

    Service was friendly, and even though I didn't really care for the fried noodles, and wished they gave bigger portions, I'd definitely try Elle's Corner Cafe again, but next time I'll try something other than the Fried Noodles.

    Elle's Corner Cafe
    94-256 Waipahu Depot St
    Waipahu, HI 96797
    (808) 671-9977 Elle’s Corner Cafe on Urbanspoon
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    Visit Las Vegas: Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

    When researching kid-friendly Las Vegas attractions, one that I read about was Madame Tussauds Las Vegas.  I knew my kids would get a kick out of seeing wax figures of their favorite actors, singers, and even super heroes, so I couldn't wait to take them to Madame Tussauds!

    With over 100 wax figures, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, which is located on the Las Vegas Strip in front of the Venetian, is divided into eight rooms, including the Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience:

    Club Tussauds: Here you'll find A-list celebrities in the hottest nightclub!

    George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matthew McConaughey
    Sports Arena:  Interact with some iconic sports stars.
    Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

    Tiger Woods & Jack Nicklaus

    Babe Ruth

    TV Studio: Here you'll find your favorite stars from TV!

    Kathy Griffin

    Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester from Glee
    Oprah Winfrey

    Music Room:  From current pop starts to musical legends, a variety of celebrities can be found in the Music Room!
    Stevie Wonder
    Lady Gaga & Katy Perry
    Madonna
    The Hangover Experience: Step into scenes from this popular movie set in Las Vegas.

    Bradley Cooper as Phil

    Viva Las Vegas:  Iconic Las Vegas acts that have made their name in the famous city are found in this room.
    The Rat Pack

    Evel Knievel
    Siegfried & Roy
    Marvel Super Heroes & 4D Movie: Here you'll find a few of your favorite Marvel Super Heroes, as well as an animated 4D Movie.
    The Incredible Hulk

    Spider-Man
    Although there were a handful of celebrities I didn't initially recognize, I was quite impressed with how realistic most of the wax figures were.  The details were all there  - from the dimples on Bradley Cooper, to Oprah Winfrey's popular interview pose, to George Clooney's streaks of gray (check out the video below to see how Lady Gaga's wax figure was created).  We saw (and took photos with) Will Smith, Michael Jackson, Robert De Niro, and so many other celebrities.

    My kids had fun posing with the different celebrities (even though they didn't recognize some of them) and they especially enjoyed the Marvel wax figures. 

    We all wished there were more Marvel characters (there were only 4), but the awesome 4D Movie at the end of the tour made up for the lack of Marvel wax figures. 

    We've seen quite a few 4D movies, and this was one of the best.  The effects, sounds, and animation made for a really fun and memorable experience.  My kids really felt like they were a part of the movie (my middle son was often screaming or moving to avoid "flying" parts).

    I thought it was great that there were fun photo-ops throughout the museum, as well as many interactive exhibits.  The kids could sit on a replica Harley Davidson XR-750 alongside Evel Knievel, or putt on a green as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus watched.  Grownups could go head to head with Shaquille O'Neal or sit in the room made famous in The Hangover.

    We arrived shortly after the museum opened, which was a good time, since the crowd was minimal, and we didn't have to wait too long for photo ops or try out the various exhibits.

    As the day went on, it became more and more crowded, which meant a longer wait for photo ops (some people were taking a really long time taking photos, posing in multiple positions with each wax figure). 

    Regardless of what time of day you go to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, it's a really fun experience getting to mingle and interact with all of the celebrities.  




    Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
    The Grand Canal Shoppes
    3377 S Las Vegas Blvd
    Las Vegas, NV 89109
    (702) 862-7800

    Thank you to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas for hosting our visit.
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    March 26, 2015

    Visit Las Vegas: Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino

    For our family's first trip to Las Vegas, we wanted to stay somewhere that was family-friendly and that had a focus on great customer service.  After doing a lot of research, we opted for the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly a part of Red Lion Hotel's Leo Collection).

    Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
    The former LVH- Las Vegas Hotel and Casino was acquired in 2014 by Westgate Resorts.  The current Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, which has over 2900 rooms,  has been undergoing some major renovations.  

    We were hosted in a very nice, recently renovated Signature 2 Double Beds Room, which included new Cameo carpet, a flat-screen TV, a Keurig Coffee Maker, a refrigerator, and a large work desk.

    2 Double Beds

    Flat-screen TV, dresser, coffee maker
    Chair

    Large work desk

    Sink

    Shower

    Although we did have a broken/missing towel bar in our room, and there didn't seem to be enough lighting even with the curtains wide open (the room was very dark at night even with the lamps on) and outlets (having outlets at or near the huge desk would've come in very handy), the room was still spacious and sufficient for our needs.

    The room was clean and the beds were very comfortable, and we had a great view of the Las Vegas Country Club golf course.

    Stunning view!
    The pool, spa, fitness center, and tennis courts are currently being renovated, but there are so many other things to do on property.

    Of course there is the Casino, including the world's largest Race & Sports Book: The Superbook, but there are also shows, shops, and a variety of eateries (you can read my review of Sid's Cafe here, and of Benihana here).
    Casino
    The Superbook

    The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is also known as Elvis Presley's former home (the "King"  performed for 837 consecutive sold out shows at the resort), and throughout the hotel you'll find several exhibits paying homage to the King (a new Elvis Exhibition at the resort will open up next month!).

    Elvis statue


    And if you wish to go to the famous Las Vegas Strip, just step outside to catch the Las Vegas Monorail. The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is a stop along the Las Vegas Monorail route, which makes it so convenient to get to many destinations along the Strip, as well as to the Las Vegas Convention Center, which is adjacent to the resort.

    The Las Vegas Monorail stops at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino

    There is also a business center and wedding chapel on site, complimentary lemonade in the lobby, and plenty of free parking.

    Service was also great - everyone we interacted with was polite and helpful.

    Complimentary Lemonade in Lobby
    Because Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino offers Vacation Ownership, as does the other Westgate resorts, a few times employees did try and talk to us about timeshare ownership.  Since we were not interested, we'd politely decline, and never felt any pressure from anyone to get more information. 

    I'd definitely stay at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino again.

    The clean & comfortable room, numerous dining options, convenience of monorail, numerous amenities, and great customer service made Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino an ideal place to stay for our family.

    It hasn't even been a year into the transformation yet, and the Westgate Las Vegas has many more new things planned - a new steakhouse, remodeled convention space, and more! I can't wait to see all the new renovations that are yet to come!

    Mahalo Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino for a great stay!


    Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino

    3000 Paradise Rd
    Las Vegas, NV
    (702) 732-5111
    Thank you to Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino for hosting our stay.  Gratuities were paid on my own.

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