1/9/19

What if you could trade a paperclip for a house? | Kyle MacDonald | TEDx...

This is an incredible story of creativity. Kyle MacDonald traded over and over again until he ends up with a house. This is a must watch to get you inspired to do something great this year. Happy New Year!!!!
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1/8/19

Pick your own oranges this weekend.

Pick your own oranges in the city of La Verne opens this weekend. This is a small orchard that has been around for many years. This orchard is only open to the public a few days a season to pick fresh oranges. We go every year and bring home several bags of their famous fruit. The kids love to get outside and pick their own sweet treat.
Bring cash as they do not accept credit or debit cards. We suggest to bring at least $40.00 dollars because they also sell other delicious products. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for this adventure.  Don't wait, this orchard sells out fast.

The address is 5001 Vía De Mansion, La Verne, CA 91750
Learn more about this wonderful place.  2018 Family Field Trip 
http://www.fieldtripmom.com/2018/01/family-field-trip-orange-picking-in.html
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Location: 5001 Vía De Mansion, La Verne, CA 91750, USA

Award-winning olives are grown here in Southern California.

Southern California is a beautiful state filled with many farms and orchards. This past November, we had the opportunity to tour Macala Orchards during Pomegranate season. Macala Orchards is located in Hemet, California, approximately 75 miles from South Orange County. It is one of two farms known for Olive Oil and is the only Pomegranate farm we could find near Orange County that would allow tours. The twenty-acre orchard is filled with 500 Olive Trees, 172 Pomegranate Trees, 35 Guava Trees, 9 Fig Trees and an herb garden. It is a peaceful place, far away from the city lights and heavy traffic. Perfect for growing award-winning olives!  Interested in camping in the orchards?  Macala Orchards is host to several tent camping spots with beautiful views and amazing star lit nights.
How we arranged a tour: Months before the pomegranate season began, we reached out to the orchard. Nina Morton, Vice President of Macala Orchards, replied to us with their tour availability.  To schedule a tour or find out more information about the orchard, you can contact her at nmorton@macalacompanies.com.
Macala Orchards is located at 40785 Benji Ln, Hemet, CA 92544. The orchard is not too far from the San Jacinto Mountains.  
What we experienced: The Orchard owner, Rich, gave us a tour of the orchard, where we sampled a few guavas, their cold pressed olive oil and some pomegranates. It was a week before their olive harvest and we could see the beautiful olives taking in the sun. Among the beautiful orchard, we explored their tent camping sites which gave us a real sense of peace and serenity. As we visited each section of the property, we could see the love and care that they place on their trees and campsites.  Love lives at Macala Orchard. 
Why you should visit: The twenty-acre orchard is very family friendly and allows for tent camping on site among the gorgeous olive trees. Reservations for your tent camping spot can be made online via the Hip Camp website. While you camp, you can enjoy the San Jacinto Mountain Views and the fresh air. 
The entire experience was very special and unforgettable. When we returned home, we had a box full of pomegranates and a bottle of their finest award-winning olive oil. We ate a big box of pomegranates all by ourselves. They were so tasty and juicy. We will certainly buy more pomegranates next season and will be ordering more olive oil on their website soon. 

Source: Macala website -"Award-Winning information: Macala Sicilian Blend EVOO and Macala Itrana Blend EVOO both received a Gold Medal in the OC Fair 2018 California Olive Oil Competition! Additionally Macala Sicilian Blend EVOO received a Silver Medal from the California Olive Oil Council in their Annual Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition!"
We recommend you visit a local farm or orchard and experience fresh produce and foods. Our experience has always been extremely positive and very educational. We hope that you find great foods and travel in 2019. If Hemet, CA is not close to you, visit a farm or orchard near you, please check out the list below for reference:
CENTRAL COAST

Alta Cresta Olive Oil, Inc
6075 High Ridge Rd
Paso Robles
805-227-4751
http://www.altacresta.com
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By Appointment
Grove

Bobcat Ridge
27479 Schulte Road
Carmel
510-517-7789
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Cloud 9 Orchard
61969 Argyle Rd.
King City
may@cloud9orchard.com
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Foxdale Farm
6850 E Highway 41
Templeton
805-440-8959
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill

La Panza Ranch
5909 E. Pozo Rd
Santa Margarita
805-438-380
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill

Moonshadow Grove
7865 Airport Road
Paso Robles
530-282-9094
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Ojai Olive Oil
1811 Ladera Road
Ojai
805-646-5964
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
Grove/Tasting Room

Pasolivo
8530 Vineyard Drive
Paso Robles
805-227-0186
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
Grove/Mill/Tasting Room

Spanish Oaks Ranch
225 Spanish Oak Lane
Templeton
650-245-9279
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Templeton Olive Oil
6710 El Pomar Dr.
Templeton
805-704-5090
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

The Groves on
414455 East Highway 41
Templeton
805-466-1542
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill/Tasting Room

Tiber Canyon
280 W Ormonde Rd
San Luis Obispo
805-781-0827
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove


CENTRAL VALLEY
Bozzano Olive Ranch
6880 E. Navone Road
Stockton
209-451-3665
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill

California Gold Olive Oil Company
12418 Claribel Road
Oakdale
209-847-1852
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By Appointment
Grove

Calivirgin & Lodi Olive Oil
Coldani Olive Ranch
13950 N Thornton Rd
Lodi
209-210-3162
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
M-F 9am-5pm; Sat 11am-4pm
Grove/Mill/Tasting Room


Rosenthal Olive Ranch
29268 Avenue 9
Madera
559-674-4418
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: N
Grove

Sutter Buttes Olive Oil Co.
2204 California Street
Sutter
530-763-7921
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: N
Grove/Tasting Room

The Mill at King’s River
15111 E. Goodfellow Ave.
Sanger
559-875-7800
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill
INLAND EMPIRE

Ramona Gold
16988 Sky Valley Drive
Ramona
760-445-2365
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Macala Orchards
40785 Benji Lane
Hemet
951-898-8384
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

NORTH BAY
Calolea Olive Oil
11343 Choctaw Trail
Loma Rica
530-749-1240
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill/Tasting Room

Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill
5625 Gaddy Lane
Kelseyville
707-279-2995
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill/Tasting Room


Grove 
454320 Chiles Pope Valley Road
St. Helena
707-965-1544
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Jordan Vineyard & Winery
474 Alexander Valley Rd
Healdsburg
800-654-1213
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Tasting Room

KATZ Farm
101 S Coombs St Y-3
Napa
707-291-7866
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Long Meadow Ranch
738 Main Street
Saint Helena
707-963-4555
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill/Tasting Room

McEvoy Ranch
5935 Red Hill Rd.
Petaluma
707-778-2307
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
Grove/Mill/Tasting Room

Prince Olive Estancia
1999 Sage Canyon Road
St. Helena
510-719-9968
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Round Pond Estate
875 Rutherford Road
Rutherford
888-302-2575
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill/Tasting Room

Silverado Vineyards
6121 Silverado Trail
Napa
707-257-1770
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: N
Grove/Tasting Room

The Olive Press
24724 Arnold Drive
Sonoma
707-939-8900
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill/Tasting Room

The Villa Barone
21825 Jerussalem Grade Road
707-987-8823
Middletown
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By Appointment
Grove

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Apollo Olive Oil
12575 Rices Crossing Rd.
Oregon House
877-776-0703
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill

Bamford Family Farms
4288 Highway 70
Oroville
530-370-8640
http://bamfordfamilyfarms.net
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: N
Grove

Berkeley Olive Grove 
19138 Rocky Drive
Oroville
530-533-1814
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Bondolio Olive Oil
9352 Campbell Road
Winters
916-715-9007
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Tasting Room

 Boundary Bend Olives, Inc. (Cobram Estate)
455 Harter Ave.
Woodland
530-669-6921 ext. 101
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By Appointment
Grove/Mill

Butte View Olive Company
2950 Louis Ave.
Oroville
530-534-8320
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Capay Gold Olive Oil
714 College Street
Woodland
530-668-7979
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Tasting Room

Grumpy Goats Farm
23946 State Hwy 16
Capay
530-796-000
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove


Mangini Ranch
5420 Highway 12
Wallace
209-763-1033
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove & Mill

Mooney Farms
1220 Fortress Street
Chico
530-899-2661
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: N
Tasting Room

Olica
7885 State Highway 16
Brooks
707-480-0551
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill

Olive Fantastic | Wild Groves | Gourmet Fantastic
9385 Old State Hwy, Unit #4
New Castle
530-514-4006
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Tasting Room

Olive Pit
2156 Solano Street
Corning
530-824-4667
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: N
Tasting Room

Organic Roots
4334 Old Hwy 99 W
Maxwell
530-438-2759
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By Appointment
Grove/Mill

Pacific Sun
22880 Gerber Rd
Gerber
530-385-1475
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill

Séka Hills
19326 County Road 78
Brooks
530-796-2810
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove/Mill/Tasting Room

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Frantoio Grove
10756 Green Valley Drive
Gilroy
408-391-0013
Tasting Room: N
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

The Olivina
Livermore
945-455-8710
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
By appointment
Grove

Wente Family Estates
5565 Tesla Road
Livermore
925-456-2305
Tasting Room: Y
Tours: Y
Grove/Tasting Room

 Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. All meals and foods were paid by FieldTripMom. Sources: California Olive Oil Council, Visit California and California U pick farms. Please call ahead before visiting any location as times and dates are subject to change. 
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Location: 40785 Benji Ln, Hemet, CA 92544, USA

12/16/18

Donate your Used Bike to a Great Cause - The Bicycle Tree

This Holiday Season will bring new bikes to children across the Nation.  Many already have a bike but have out grown it.  Nobody wants to collect a garage full of unused bikes just sitting and collecting dust.  You might be able to sale your old outgrown bikes on a local used online ad site but many end up being donated to a local thrift store.  Why not donate your unwanted bicycle to an amazing non-profit cause.

The Bicycle Tree not only donates bikes to the less fortunate who rely on it as their source of work & school transportation, but also educates the community on bicycle repair and maintenance.  The Bicycle Tree is a community of volunteer and bicycle enthusiasts who help those in need repair their only source of transportation and teach them how to complete repairs.  Through the organizations Wrench and Ride program, participants choose a bike and learn how to complete all of the necessary repair and maintenance on the bike.  Many who have bicycle repair issues typically discard the bike however those who go through the program find a deeper respect for the mechanics taking better care of the bike after completing the program.

Are you looking for a great organization for you or your teen to volunteer?  Contact The Bicycle Tree to see how you can help.  As a non profit organization, they are in constant need of monetary donations as well as labor.  Volunteer times are typically Friday afternoon and evenings but call ahead to see what they may need help with at any other time.  The organization is looking for experienced bike mechanics but even if your skills aren't that sharp, you can always hand a wrench or grabbing parts from the storage bins.  Listen, there are tons of helpful tasks to complete from putting parts away to organizing the shop, outreach and marketing assistance, grant seeking and fund raising and graphic design and flyer distribution for a variety of hosted events and rides.

Today, we donated our older BMX bike because let's face it, kids grow up and they need a proper fitting bike.  These are some of the friendliest individuals.  You can see and hear the passion when talking with them.  We are very proud of what this organization is doing for the community and hope you will help with a monetary or bicycle donation.

The 2018 Tax season is coming, if you are needing to make some last minute tax deductable donations, please help this amazing organization.

To donate with a card or debit card, visit their website at http://www.thebicycletree.org/donate/ or you can make check donations out to:

"SEE" - with The Bicycle Tree in the memo line

Send your check donation to:

Social and Environmental Enterprenuers
23532 Calabasas Rd., Suite A
Calabasas, CA 91302

To visit their Orange County shop, you can find them at 702 W. 17th Street Unit C Santa Ana, CA 92706.  Call 714-760-4681 or visit their website at www.thebicycletree.org

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. We are not tax experts, please consult your accountant for tax advise. Field Trip Mom wishes you an amazing holiday season. 
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Location: 702 W 17th St Unit C, Santa Ana, CA 92706, USA

3 Hours of Christmas Music Classics and Holiday Scenery

Christmas songs that will keep you happy for three hours.
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Holiday Favorite Dish - Chicken Pozole made with love

Making Chicken Pozole is super easy. If you have ever made soup for the winter, then you can make Pozole with no trouble. What is Pozole you ask? It is a hearty Mexican style soup or stew. To start, I cook the chicken with onions, garlic, fresh oregano and chicken broth separately from the hominy. While I am cooking the chicken, I steam the chiles for 15 minutes or until the stem can be removed easily from the body of the Chiles. The Chiles are then placed into the blender and well blended into a smooth sauce. This sauce can be changed by adding different types of dried Chiles, onion, garlic and spices to give a different flavor profile. Once your Chile sauce is well strained into a smooth sauce, add it to the hominy that is cooking separately. The chicken broth and Chile sauce will blend together and make a delicious meal. Don’t forget your garnishes. Choose fresh cabbage, dried oregano seasoning, and a fresh wedge of lime or lemon juice, finely chopped white onions and sliced radishes. Slice your cabbage into fine ribbons or chop finely. Slice large radishes into thin round circles and dice a white onion which will all be used later for garnishing.
I usually cook my Pozole without measuring. I am the type of Mexican-American cook who can cook by sight and taste. So, I highly recommend that you taste the soup as you add ingredients. Here are the ingredients and detailed cooking instructions.
Chicken Pozole with Red Chile
1 whole Chicken cut up approximately 3 to 4 lbs.
1 Can of Hominy (I used Juanita’s 110 OZ or 6 lbs 14 OZ can)
4 large white onions (peeled and cut into halves)
3 dried Guajillo chiles (steamed and seeded)
3 dried California Chiles (Steamed and seeded)
Dried Oregano and fresh
3 small garlic cloves
2 chicken bouillon cubes
Menudo Seasoning-salt, coriander, oregano, the crushed red pepper, and black pepper
1 radish bunch
1 medium size cabbage

Tips and suggestions:
Most Menudo Seasoning include  salt, coriander, oregano, the crushed red pepper, and black pepper read the package before purchasing because not all have the same ingredients. 

Dried Chiles to consider for sauce - California (Mild heat) , Guajillo, New Mexico and Pasilla  and Hatch. 
Garnish options - shredded purple cabbage, shredded lettuce, Sliced Avocado 
Side options - Corn Tortillas, flour Tortillas, Tostadas
Wash the chicken well and place in a stock pot with 12 cups of cold water, (1) coarsely chopped onion, (2) small peeled garlic cloves, (1) chicken bouillon cube, (2) sprigs of fresh oregano and a pinch of dried oregano.  Cook the chicken for 30 minutes.  In a separate stock pot, add the other chicken bouillon cube, (1) coarsely chopped onion, (5) cups of water, the strained stock broth from your cooked chicken, and an extra-large can (6 lb. 14 oz. can) of strained Hominy.  The cooked chicken should be placed in a bowl to be added later. While the hominy is cooking in the chicken stock, let’s work on the Chile sauce. In a separate pot, add 2 cups of water to steam the Guajillo and California chiles for 15 minutes.   While you are cooking the Chiles, get the blender read by adding (1) peeled garlic, (1) coarsely chopped white onion, a good pinch of menudo seasoning and (1) cup of chicken broth from the hominy pot.   Once the chiles are soft, remove the stem and seeds.  Add the steamed and cleaned chiles into the blender and blend until smooth.  After the Chile is blended, use a fine strainer to strain the sauce well before adding to the hominy soup.  Once you have added the Chile sauce to the cooking hominy, stir and bring back to a boil.  Allow the hominy to hard boil for 20 minutes.  The chicken should have now cooled enough to handle to the touch.  Start shredding the chicken and add to the hominy when you are ready to serve to prevent the chicken from being over-cooked.  As an option, you may add or remove the skin of the chicken dependent on your preference.
Pork red sauce Pozole
Don’t forget to garnish your Pozole dish with shredded cabbage, sliced radishes, diced onions and dried seasoning. My family usually adds fresh chopped cabbage and lime juice only. I love to add fresh shredded cabbage, sliced radishes, dried oregano seasoning and finely cut onions along with lemon juice to my hot Pozole. 

We want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!!!!



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Location: Irvine, CA, USA

12/11/18

Third Chance Pet

We adopted a "Third Chance Pet." Originally, we wanted a kitten but when we saw her sitting there looking so sad and lonely our hearts spoke to us. She was a medium size white cat with brown spots. She was 18 month old according to her biography. Kitty aka Cookie was at the bottom of all the cages. In order to see her, you needed to bend down and sit on the floor. She was hard to find. Our first visit was not good. She scratched and was a bit wild. Everything about her that day said that she had been through something traumatic. We were impulsive and said, "YES," we will take her to a forever home.

What followed next was amazing. The first six months, we cared for her with compassion and kindness. Cookie was extremely clean, followed bedtime routines and food schedules but was still shy and would scratch us here and there. We would have family over for visits and she would come out to greet them by nudging up to them on their legs. Friends that had visited would get a "let me check you out" sniff and nudging. As time has gone by Cookie and our family have formed a bond that is incredible. We love her so much that we talk to her as though she is another person. The fun thing is that she talks back to us. Cookie has transform how we see animals and the "Third Chance Pets."  
Cookie is loving now in her own special way.  She talks to us with quick, short "PRRRR" growl when you enter a room, she meows aggressively when she is out of food and she runs up to the patio slider, sits down, places one paw on the door and turns with a "RRROOOAAWW" when she wants out on the patio to sun herself.  We can leave the door open and she doesn't leave, she knows home.  If she does walk out the door, it only takes a call by name for her to come running back inside looking guilty and apologetic.  Cookie isn't a lap cat by any means however occasionally she jumps up on the kids beds to cozy up for the night. 
We are extremely thankful that we found her.   

If you are in the market for a pet, consider looking into The Third Chance program.

The city of Irvine Animal Care Center has so many pets waiting for a forever loving home. Please visit their website to get more information. http://www.cityofirvine.org/irvine-animal-care-center/programs-services#third
"The Third Chance for Pets program transfers animals from overcrowded Southern California shelters where they may have limited chances for adoption, and brings them to the center for a chance at finding their forever home. Over the years the program has expanded to include rescuing animals from hoarders and disaster situations. Since these animals come from outside of Irvine, their care is partially funded through donations. Why the name Third Chance? Their first home was their first chance, the shelter they were brought to was their second chance, and the center is their Third Chance."
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Location: 6443 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
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