Sriracha Factory Field Trip IrwindaIe , California.

Sriracha factory tour / family field trip in Irwindale, California is a spicy event. Huy Fong Foods, maker of the famous Sriracha spicy sauce, opens it's doors every fall during their harvest. This year we signed up for the fall tour months and months before the big event. The family field trip proved to be exciting and filled with hands-on learning. We witnessed how red jalapenos go from delivery to Sriracha sauce in a few minutes.  

The plant is approximately 650,000 square feet in size. As you walk through the factory you can smell the spicy sauce. 

The Sriracha Factory, owned by Huy Fong Foods, opens it's doors to the public during the jalapeno harvest. They have sign-ups months in advance for this exciting event. This year's Fall tour was filled with music, food and free gifts. My family and I enjoyed the drums of the Dragon Dance performance. The Dragon performance and music followed the visitors throughout the factory engaging the public. The tour was very festive with high energy.

We walked through the factory and followed how they make Sriracha Sauce. It started with trucks filled with mature jalapenos that are red in color. Large machines and bins throughout the factory washed, cut, ground and mixed ingredients.  
We saw first hand how the sauce goes from large blue storage containers into the plastic bottles that consumers use. The process is streamlined and one bottle of sauce is produced in under 5 minutes from beginning to packaging. Note: Inside the plant, near the jalapeno unloading and sauce production, you will need to cover your nose because it can be very spicy.

Sriracha celebrated their 35 years in business by giving everyone a bottle of sauce, one T-shirt and food samples. We all felt very welcomed with all the gifts and food. The food samples that we were offered were Srirach chips, popcorn, beef jerk, chocolate and Ice cream. All of the food had a small spicy Sriracha bite but were delicious. The hands-on experience gave us a new way to look at Jalapenos. 

Tours are available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Visitors must call customer service at (626) 286-8328 to schedule an appointment.

Read more on the spicy sauce:
http://www.huyfong.com/tours/ 
4800 Azusa Canyon Rd, Irwindale, CA 91706
(626) 502-1503

Inside Out Movie printables

Inside Outis coming out on DVD this November 3rd, 2015.  It is a great movie for the entire family to see. A movie about Emotions who have emotions, gives this movie a great story plot. Meet Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Fear and Anger, all of them are the main characters in this funny and relatable story. Each character will help you understand what an 11 year old girl feels, when she moves into a new home. Her emotional struggle is brought to life as we see Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Fear and Anger work together to navigate a new city and a new school. In the end, the story takes a turn and everyone will be surprised to see what makes the difference in turning things around. 

Disgust is a very strong emotion. In the movie, she keeps Riley(the main character), way from danger and broccoli. She is very opinionated and extremely honest. Please take a moment and print this printable for your child to enjoy. 

Meet Bing Bong, the lovable imaginary friend, who is part elephant,part cat and part dolphin. This printable will keep the kids engaged. 

More printable's to keep the kids entertained. Joy and Sadness work together to save the day. (Spoiler alert.) 

Last minute idea for this Halloween Holiday. Get inspired and dress-up like the characters of the movie this Halloween. 

Find more pictures and fun activities.
https://www.facebook.com/PixarInsideOut

Disclaimer: alliedhispanic partnership. All thoughts and ideas are all my own. 

JT Schmid's Restaurant & Brewery in Tustin, California.

American Cuisine: JT Schmid's Restaurant & Brewery in Tustin, CA hosted a private food tasting event which included many bloggers and foodies.  The event proved to be successful as the food was delicious and the company was very friendly.  My husband and I made it a date night and we enjoyed a few of their handcrafted beers with our Chilean Sea Bass, Ceviche Tacos, Jalapeno Mac & Cheese, Buffalo Boneless Wings and Chicken and Avocado Egg Rolls.  The food tasting was full of  many great dishes.  All of the dishes were served family style where several items were placed on each table to sample.  Everyone in attendance tried a little bite of everything, walking from table to table grabbing a little of this and a lot of that.  This made it easy to try many more dishes than expected. 

B

We all shared Ceviche Tacos made with fresh avocado, marinated shrimp, cilantro, red cabbage and onions then pared with the handcrafted beer, "714 I.P.A.".  The tacos are part of their small plate menu and were fresh and delicious.  The menu has another delicious plate, their "Brussel Sprouts", sauteed in a light truffle oil and tossed with Parmesan cheese. 

The Chilean Sea Bass marinated in a sweet, ginger soy and served with fresh, sauteed spinach and steamed rice was served next.  The dish is savory and full of taste.  The mix of ingredients screams have another bite and then another.  It is a great fish plate that should be tried at least once.

One of the house specialties is their Jalapeno Mac and Cheese.  The line-up of ingredients includes diced grilled chicken, tomatoes, bacon and Radiatore Pasta mixed in a creamy ale sauce.  The sauce is made from their very own in-house beer, jack, cheddar, pepper jack cheeses and the famous jalapeno chili pepper.  Hot, cheesy and yummy.  Next, we tasted the Chicken & Avocado Egg Rolls, which you see in the picture above.  They were filled with chicken breast, fresh avocado & sun-dried tomatoes all wrapped in a crispy, fried won ton.  Our final stop was the Boneless Buffalo Wings; breaded chicken breasts fried nice and crispy then tossed in spicy wing sauce.  Of course, we paired all of the above dishes with several homemade handcrafted beer samplers.  It was one of our most delicious adventures in Orange County.

JT Schmid's is located in The District sits on the Old Tustin Marine Base.  The restaurant has an open floor plan where one can sit and watch the brew master and chef work their magic.  Host to indoor and outdoor seating, the restaurant has a warm, friendly brewery atmosphere.  The perfect place suitable for corporate events, birthday parties, family meals, date night or simply a beer and watching the game.  With a casual dress and dining experience, this restaurant is host to a wide variety of great cuisine and delicious house beers. Ready for a few rounds and some incredible eats, grab your friends and give JT Schmid's a try for lunch or dinner.  You won't be disappointed!

Location:

2415 Park Ave.
Tustin, CA 92782
Phone: 714-258-0333 

Hours of Operation:

Mon-Thur.: 11am (Food Ends 10pm) – 10pm or Later Fri & Sat: 11am (Food Ends 11:30pm) – 12 am or Later Sun: 11am (Food Ends 9pm) – 9pm or Later

Tustin Happy Hours Monday—Friday 3:00 pm—6:00 pm Late Night Monday—Thursday 10:00 pm—Close

info@jtrestaurants.com

Start your holiday party planning:

Cassidy’s Room

Optional private patio with fire-pit creates the perfect setting.Accommodates up 80 guests•

Brewmaster’s Room
Meetings and large groups, perfect for Christmas Parties.Accommodates up to 100 guests

JT Schmid’s Offers:
On-Site Event Coordinator
​• Valet Parking Available •Private Patio Space• Linens Available

To make a reservation please contact our banquet manager: Phone: 714-258-0333 

Fax: 714-258-1333

It is Pumpkin season at Trader Joe's.

It was family movie night at home.  We packed the kids into the car and off we went to Trader Joe's to indulge in some snacks.  As we entered the store, we found the absolute best prices on pumpkins, ready for carving.  For only $2.99, you can pick a medium size pumpkin perfect for cooking or decorating this harvest season.  Along with the the best priced pumpkins in town, there were many other pumpkin products ready for customers to buy.  Let me tell you about a few of the items we discovered.  Pumpkin O's cereal, Pumpkin Butter, Organic Pumpkin Toaster Pastries, Pumpkin Spiced Seeds, and Pumpkin Pancake Mix, just to name a few. Continue reading.....

The best part about our trip to Trader Joe's was all of the great pumpkin treats we found.  It felt as thought each aisle had a pumpkin product that called our name.  We purchased Pumpkin Butter, Pumpkin Cereal and Pumpkin Toasted Pastries.  These were not snacks for our movie adventure but they seemed to be calling our name.  So, in the shopping basket they went to be brought home and tested by our expert taste testers.

Shown above: Pumpkin O's cereal, Pumpkin Butter, toaster pastries with pumpkin lined the aisles ready for a great breakfast.  Yum, Yum, what a great way to wake up. 

Chocolate and pumpkin makes every evening a celebration.  We couldn't believe our eyes when we saw these sweet treats.  Pumpkin Brittle, Iced Pumpkin Scone cookies and Assorted Belgium Chocolates with Pumpkin.  They looked so good they would even be perfect to give as gifts.

Another great pumpkin find was the Oatmeal with pecans and pumpkin.  This instant oatmeal looks perfect for people who want a quick bite of the Fall season.

Fall would not be complete without the crunch of chips and pumpkin seeds.  In the chip isle, we found Pumpkin Tortilla chips and Pita Crisps.  Near the registers, they dispalyed Sweet Pumpkin Seeds to pack as a snack.  All looked crunchy and delicious. 

The trip to the store was supposed to be a junk-food adventure for our family movie night.  With all of the Trader Joe's options, it made us think about fun, nutritious foods that are currently in season.  Head over to your local Trader Joe's for some of these great seasonal culinary items. 

The 50 States Book by Gabrielle Balkan Illustrated by Sol Linero

Come explore "The 50 States Book" with me.  If you travel, road trip or field trip, this is the book for you.  Inside, you will find over 100 pages filled with maps, fun state facts and colorful information that will engage every traveler. Start your adventure with the "Welcome Box" to get a quick overview of each state.  Then, continue your journey with the "Inspiring People” section where the book tells its readers information about important people of the State.  As you visit the rest of the pages, you will also find three other sections that will help you explore each state.  These sections include "Key Facts", "Region Spotlight", as well as "Moments to Remember".  In addition to these sections, don't forget the map itself of all (50) states.  In total, the book breaks each state into seven sections with bright, fun and happy illustrations.  The book is great for ages 7 to 100 years old.  Just take a peek at some of the colorful and informative pages through this blog. 

Start with the, "Welcome Box" to help you navigate the 50 states.  This section has a short introduction about each state.  For example, the California welcome box discusses the many famous attractions and parks that the state currently hosts. 

As you turn each page, you will find a section that covers "Key Facts" about each state.  They include what the state is named for, Postal code, statehood date, region, main time zone, statehood order, and the tree and the state flower.  Each section will include vivid illustrations to help you remember the information. 

The “Inspiring People” section of the book is a favorite of ours because we found some surprises.  Every reader will meet six people that hold a connection to that specific state.  For example: Illinois has Carl Sandburg, who is a person of interest for his award winning writing.  Then there is Richard J. Daley, who was the Mayor of Chicago for 21 years.  You will find fun facts in each page you read. 

This book tells a brief story of each state to help you understand maps and the United States.  The writer clearly wants to inspire you to go beyond what you are reading and ask more questions.  Just look through the section titled, “Moments to Remember" and "Region Spotlight”, to understand how each state is unique and very interesting.  

The book includes two addition sections: Presidents of the United States of America and State Flags of the United States of America.  They are both informative and colorful to read.  We are really enjoying our copy of the book. We hope that you find, “The 50 States Book,” as interesting as we did.

 

Book information:

• Age Range: 7 - 10 years
• Grade Level: 2 - 5
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions (October 1, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847807119
• ISBN-13: 978-1847807113
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 0.8 x 13.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds

Thank you for stopping by and reading the blog. 

The Bosek Family

En-saladas by Del Taco are now being served.

Travel and food go together because who doesn't get hungry while exploring. This season Del Taco is making your travel and food adventures more exciting by introducing, "Ensaladas".  Salads full of fresh ingredients that will keep you fueled for a better travel experience. The menu includes the Chicken Bacon Avocado Salad, Mexican Chopped Chicken Salad and Signature Taco Salad. These new choices will delight your doctor because your fast food visit will include fresh veggies. Here is a list of ingredients for Del Taco's new handcrafted Ensaladas:

Travel and food go together because who doesn't get hungry while exploring. This season Del Taco is making your travel and food adventures more exciting by introducing, "Ensaladas".  Salads full of fresh ingredients that will keep you fueled for a better travel experience. The menu includes the Chicken Bacon Avocado Salad, Mexican Chopped Chicken Salad and Signature Taco Salad. These new choices will delight your doctor because your fast food visit will include fresh veggies. Here is a list of ingredients for Del Taco's new handcrafted Ensaladas:

Chicken Bacon Avocado Salad: features freshly grilled marinated chicken, fresh sliced Hass avocado, crispy hand-chopped bacon, handmade pico de gallo salsa, chopped cilantro, and fresh house-made tortilla chips atop a mix of fresh crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce. Served with new cilantro pepita ranch dressing and only 590 calories.

Mexican Chopped Chicken Salad: include a fresh blend of romaine and iceberg lettuce topped with fresh sliced Hass avocado, handmade pico de gallospicy jack cheese, seasoned black beans and freshly grilled marinated chicken. Served with salsa casera and only 510 calories.


Signature Taco Salad: features seasoned beef, freshly sliced Hass avocado, handmade pico de gallo salsa, cheddar cheese freshly grated from 40-pound blocks, chopped cilantro, seasoned black beans, fresh house-made tortilla chips and real sour cream on a mix romaine and iceberg lettuce. Served with salsa casera and only 540 calories.

You read the ingredients correctly!!! Just under 600 calories to help you stay in balance with nutrition. Give it a try and let me know what you think. 

Space Racers Parent & Educator Toolkit

Space Racers™ is a new animated TV series giving children exposure to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) curriculum.  Now available for families and educators, they have produced a DVD and CD ROM collection in collaboration with NASA experts.  The show presents young spaceship cadets including Eagle, Hawk, Robyn, Starling, and Raven flying through the solar system, learning about the power of scientific investigation and observation, space exploration, and teamwork.

Instructional lesson plans, family activities and kids printables were developed by WNET New York Public Media.  WNET’s educators worked with the Space Racers™ team to create fun learning experiences for children.  This toolkit is a fun and engaging way to start children discovering STEM educational learning.  Additional information can be found on the website at www.SpaceRacers.org. 

Based on the popular children’s television show Space Racers, this DVD includes 13 animated episodes, four live-action segments as well as a CD-ROM which is filled with corresponding STEM Lesson Plans and Family Activities.  The material is perfect for kids in grades Pre-K through 3rd grade.  Space Racers airs on public television stations across the country and is streaming on Netflix. 

DVD Episodes include:

• A Simple Re-Quest
• Careering Off Course
• Cranberry Crater
• Dodo in Distress
• Here Comes the Sun
• Mine, Mine, Mine!
• Sick Day
• Star Signs
• Starling Discovers the Moon
• The Hawk Factor
• Vulture's Statue
• Vulture's Volcano
• Where Are We?

Segments included:

• Create a Constellation
• How a Crater is Formed
• How to Fly
• Star Signs Music Video

CD-Rom Lesson Plans and Activities include:

• Engaging lessons for educators to use with students to explore the educational themes presented in Space Racers.
• Hands-on, fun activities designed to help children and families explore topics like constellations, phases of the moon, and planets.
• Individual copies of activity sheets presented in the lesson plans and family activities.

Our sponsor has provided us with a copy to giveaway to one of our readers.  To enter, please leave a comment below or share on your Facebook page.  A winner will be randomly selected on October 15th.