Top

Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

Tips for Hosting Your First Game Day Homegating Party

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #UltimateHomegating #CollectiveBias

When we moved into our new house in the summer, we were thrilled about finally have a large enough space to host friends and family for events like the Big Game. We have yet to host friends for a big occasion, so we would like to take the opportunity for the game! While we’ve hosted parties in the past, we haven’t had a chance to host one for a football game, so lately I’ve been thinking of and researching ways to make such an event easier and fun. I hope these inspire your own Big Game parties!

First-time homegating party tips:

Cater to both meat eaters and vegetarians. This is my biggest tip for any party. I have been to so many events where I have no vegetarian options to enjoy, so I try to always have something for everyone when I host. This is why I suggest heading to Jewel-Osco. The deli has game-day staples like a bucket of wings.

 

For vegetarians, I made a three-ingredient recipe for Coke Red-marinated BBQ meatballs. With veggie meatballs from Jewel-Osco’s frozen meatless section, a bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce and a Coke Red bottle, you can make a delicious entree that vegetarian and meat lovers will both enjoy.

To make the veggie meatballs, you need:

  • Frozen veggie meatballs (I made 16.)
  • 16 ounces of barbecue sauce.
  • 8 ounces of Coke Red (Cola-Cola Classic).

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker for 30 minutes and enjoy! I made sliders with mine by cutting rolls in half.

You can’t go wrong with dips. Jewel-Osco’s deli also offers a delicious taco dip and buffalo chicken dip. The dips come in various sizes so you have enough no matter the size of your party. Other game-day favorites to consider: spinach-artichoke dip, guacamole and salsa, as well as queso. Don’t forget to pick up Jewel-Osco tortilla chips! All of these dips pair perfectly with Coca-Cola products.

Have a variety of drinks from the range of Coke products to cater to all tastes. I also choose the Coke Red (Coca-Cola Classic) along with options like Sprite and Coke Zero Sugar. Always have water available, too! I don’t mind serving beverages in my own glassware, but choose paper cups if you prefer. You don’t have to walk far because Coca-Cola products are also available in the deli in the 1.25L size. Other sizes are in the beverage aisle.

Set up activities for kids to make it family-friendly and pick easy-to-eat snacks. You can use a table for children to color or play games while adults watch football. If the budget allows you can also have a sitter to entertain kids so guests can enjoy the party worry-free.

Set up a bingo game to keep the game-watching interesting. You can either search for printable bingo cards online or create your own. You could also give out prizes!

Dress for the part. Go all out with your game-day gear. The local team may not be in the big game, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear the colors or your favorite jersey! You can also paint your nails in team colors.

Set up a fondue/dessert station for a sweet treat to end the day. It doesn’t have to be fondue, of course, but it’s so easy! Treats can include marshallows, graham crackers, strawberries, brownie bites, apples, bananas, krispy treats, pretzels and waffers to dip into the chocolate. Otherwise provide your favorite desserts. This dessert bar can cheer up anyone disappointed by the game’s outcome.

What tips do you have for first-time homegating party hosts? Share them with me in the comments!

Find a Jewel-Osco near you!

CONNECT WITH ME:

INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | PINTEREST

Time-Saving Tips

** This post contains affiliate link. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise!

Time is a precious commodity right now. Well, let’s face it, it always has been, but especially now with two kids, a full-time job and blogging. I’ve been focusing on finding ways to spend my time more intentionally lately and I want to share some of what’s been working for me.

Ways to save time:

  • Sign up for subscriptions for things you buy all the time, especially if there’s a discount. I have a subscription for diapers that I set to ship every four weeks so that I don’t even need to think about it.
  • Prioritize and then use time blocking for similar tasks. I do this for cleaning and blogging, but it can work for any aspect of your life. I put off cleaning certain parts of the house until I have a free window of time and try not to stress about not it.
  • Declutter and shop less. The less stuff you have, the less time you spend maintaining, cleaning and organizing it. Too much of our time is spent putting things away or trying to find our stuff.
  • Simplify your time commitments. Analyze whether you can cut back on activities. Is there anything you can cancel?
  • Outsource tasks if you can afford it. Or divide and conquer with time blocking or with other people in your household. Graham and I do this with household tasks or even with taking care of both girls. He might get V ready for bed, for example, while I get A to sleep.
  • Meal plan or cook easy meals. I am not a meal planner but of course it can save time during the week. I choose to save time by simplifying my meals so I’m not spending more than 20 minutes preparing dinner. I have tried a meal delivery service in the past and enjoyed it.
  • Use services like Shipt when needed. Maybe shopping this week is the task you need to outsource. I’ve recently been using Shipt to order essentials from stores like Target. You can order from other stores as well. I have used Shipt several times in the past months and it’s been a life saver, especially when Graham would take the car to work but I needed some things from the store. (We are a single car household.) You can search for the items you need or put in a spcial request if you don’t see it online. Once your cart is complete, you select an available one-hour time window for delivery. A shopper then claims your delivery and you receive a text from him/her. While shopping, he or she might send a text if an item is not in stock. The shopper can select a substitution with your permission, or you can skip that item. Then he or she checks out and lets you know he or she is on the way. Easy! My drivers have been courteous and so friendly. I was carrying the baby, so they set my items on my table or counter for me. A tip is not required but is always appreciated. (You can add it online once you rate the shopper afterward.) By the way, Shipt is available in 170 cities and counting. Also, my membership was free for six months with a promotion at a store and shipping is free with orders over $35. I only order if I need that much.

Try Shipt**:

 

Click the image to sign up for Shipt.

 

CONNECT WITH ME:

INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | PINTEREST

Easy Thanksgiving Recipes I’ve Tried

Is it too early to talk about Thanksgiving? I sure hope not! I wanted to share Thanksgiving recipes I have found on Pinterest and tried, and what I thought about them. I tend to look for easy recipes that don’t take a lot of time, because who wants to spend all day in the kitchen? Not me! Last year I made Thanksgiving dinner for Graham, Victoria and me all by myself, the first time I have ever done it. It was the only Thanksgiving holiday we have celebrated just as an immediate family instead of visiting Phoenix or Louisville, where we are from.

These are the recipes I tried (with links to the pin I saved and tried):

  • Green Bean Casserole:  I had never made this before, but I was obsessed. I think the fried onions make the dish.

  • Apple Pie by Grandma Ople (AllRecipes.com): I have made this several times for Thanksgiving, and it is amazing! I highly suggest this recipe. The Granny Smith apples make a huge difference. When I used organic the pie was even better!

Have you started to think about what to make for Thanksgiving dinner? What is your favorite dish to eat? Let me know in the comments!

Related post:

Thanksgiving in Louisville

Pin this Post:

Cheesy Vegetarian Puff Pastries & Crystal Farms® Giveaway

** This post is sponsored by Crystal Farms Cheese® but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I recently have been craving empanadas, but I have never made them! So instead I decided to make a cheese vegetarian puff pastry filled with mozzarella, my favorite beefless crumbles and chopped sweet peppers. It’s super easy to make and can feed six people of all ages with one large pastry each that can be a meal on-the-go!

Moving to the Midwest has opened my eyes to the delicious cheese products from Crystal Farms® Cheese, based in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Crystal Farms® Whole MIlk Mozzarella Cheese is made by cheese lovers, for cheese lovers with few preservatives. Their cheese products are rich in calcium and gluten-free.

Crystal Farms® Cheese Puff Pastries

You will need:

  • 8-10 small sweet peppers
  • Salt and pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • 2 cups beefless crumbles (your favorite brand or use ground beef for non-vegetarian version)
  • Two packages of your favorite brand of puff pastry dough
  • One package of Crystal Farms® Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese (2 cups)
  • 1 egg, beaten

Crystal Farms® Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese is available in the refrigerated dairy section.

Time: 25 minutes

Chop the sweet peppers and saute them until soft. Season them as desired with salt and pepper and garlic powder. Add crumbles and continue cooking on medium heat for about 8 minutes or as directed on the package. Stir occassionally and set aside when thoroughly cooked.

Unroll two packages of puff pastry, which usually comes with eight perforated sections. Seal the edges and roll with a rolling pin to be as thin as possible. Then use a knife to cut six-inch by six-inch squares (Size doesn’t need to be exact.). Then cut each of the six squares into two triangles.

 

Pour the Crystal Farms® cheese into a large mixing bowl. Add the beefless crumbles and peppers and stir. Scoop at least a quarter cup (more if it will fit) of the mixture onto a triangle and top with the opposing triangle piece of puff pastry. Seal the edges with a fork or your fingers. Poke two mini holes on top of each puff pastry with a toothpick or a fork. Repeat with the five other puff pastries. Brush each pastry with egg.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden brown on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Enjoy!

Connect with Crystal Farms® Cheese:

Visit Crystal Farms® Cheese website for more recipes!

Crystal Farms Giveaway!

Enter for a chance to win three free Crystal Farms product coupons by commenting below! Simply answer the question: What’s your favorite cheese?
Rules: Valid only in the U.S. for ages 18 and older.

Phoenix Eats: Farm and Craft

We squeezed in our first family brunch while visiting Phoenix this month and we weren’t disappointed in our choice of spot. We like to try new restaurants every time we visit our old neighborhood, which is constantly changing and becoming home to more hip eateries. This time we went to Farm & Craft, located in the space vacated by the Herb Box.

We chose the best seat in the house underneath this 100 percent accurate neon sign. I loved the decor inside Farm & Craft, especially the chairs!

Farm and Craft, Phoenix

We visited on a weekday, so we ordered at the hostess station. (Or you can order at the bar.) You also pour your own drink at the coffee/beverage station.

 

Victoria ordered the cheese pizza from the kids menu while I picked the salmon bowl with veggies and mac and cheese. Graham ate the protein blueberry pancakes (not pictured). I loved it all, especially the perfectly cooked salmon.

Farm and Craft, Phoenix

Farm and Craft, Phoenix

If it’s a nice non-summer day, consider the patio, which had palm-leaf print seating I was obsessed with. (Although there were misters to keep you cool.)

Connect With Farm & Craft:

Farm & Craft, Phoenix

Related post:

Pure Sushi

How Decluttering Led to Our Family Fondue Night Tradition

While decluttering in the kitchen recently I came across our fondue set. We purchased it for $6 at a yard sale six years ago and had never used it. Ever. It didn’t cost a fortune, so why were we holding onto it? I said to Graham that we needed to either use or donate it. I was sick of it taking up space for no reason. His response was to start doing fondue nights! We picked Sundays because it helps combat the Sunday Scaries.

We picked up our fondue supplies and prepped our little feast! Our fondue night picks:

  • Peeps (We’ll use marshmallows after Easter season)
  • Pretzels
  • Strawberries
  • Bananas
  • Cinnamon (or regular) graham crackers
  • Rice Krispies Treats
  • Chocolate straws

My favorite was dipping the Rice Krispies Treats, but I also really enjoyed making s’mores out of a chocolate-dipped Peep and a graham cracker. YUM!

The point of this post is to share how decluttering has helped me think about what has a purpose or meaning in my home, as well as discover new traditions! Fondue night is now something I look forward to rather than dreading the conclusion of the weekend. The fondue set went from being a waste of space to a tool we use to make memories together and taste some delicious treats.

Have you discovered or rediscovered something you love through decluttering?

You can find great recipes and product reviews from our friends at the Village Bakery.

Related posts:

Decluttering Update/Items I Regret Buying
End-of-Summer Cleaning/Decluttering List

Trying Blue Apron

** Blue Apron provided complimentary meals for this post. This post also contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise!

Just about a week before giving birth to Adelina I decided to give Blue Apron a try. I was looking for easy meals for me to make in my final three to four weeks of pregnancy, and I just didn’t have the energy or desire to meal plan. Little did I know that the day my meals were delivered was the day I would be in labor and delivery. In our first week home from the hospital I did manage to make a couple of the meals, though!

Spicy Fusilli Pasta & Broccoli

I really liked this pasta. I didn’t use all the chili paste because I thought it might be too much, but I probably could have.

Spicy Fusilli Pasta & Broccoli Blue Apron

Spicy Fusilli Pasta & Broccoli Blue Apron

Spicy Fusilli Pasta & Broccoli Blue Apron

Spicy Fusilli Pasta & Broccoli Blue Apron

 

Apple & Cheddar Grilled Cheese With Pickled Pepper Salad

I am typically not a Dijon mustard and sourdough person, but I really enjoyed this grilled cheese. I would never think to put apple slices in it, but it was delicious! I also really like the pickled pepper salad on the side.

Apple & Cheddar Grilled Cheese With Pickled Pepper Salad

Apple & Cheddar Grilled Cheese With Pickled Pepper Salad

Thoughts on Blue Apron:

Pros 

  • Meals are relatively quick to make.
  • You can select vegetarian meal plans.
  • The meals were tasty and I wouldn’t have thought to make the second recipe.

Cons

Have you tried Blue Apron? What did you think?

Try Blue Apron:

Blue Apron: 5 Meals Free With Your First 2 Orders! (April Only)

Blue Apron: $50 Off! ($25 Off Each Week)

Hawaii Eats: Restaurants on the Big Island

Probably my favorite thing to do on vacation is try local restaurants. I’m excited to share the delicious food we had at Hawaii restaurants! We try to mix it up between more casual dining and restaurants that a bit pricier. In Hawaii, we found that most places were more expensive than the mainland, which is to be expected. Here are most of my meals (with some of G’s also pictured), plus where the restaurants are on the Big Island of Hawaii. Note: Most of these are pescatarian rather than vegetarian because when in a place with good seafood, I tend to go for it. In my daily life I am mostly veggie, though.

Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona

We stopped at Island Lava Java for breakfast and were not disappointed. I devoured every bite of this Waipio Stack Breakfast ($14), plus some of V’s chocolate pancakes. It contained two eggs, which I ordered over hard, wheat toast, fresh avocado, tomato, arugula and chipotle aioli. (It typically comes with bacon, but I don’t eat that.) Served with fresh fruit I paired it with a vanilla frappe. SO good.

Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Basik Cafe, Kailua-Kona

Basik Cafe was mostly an acai bowl restaurant. I enjoyed the Islander ($11, small), which was acai, hemp milk, granola, banana, strawberries, goji berries, coco shavings and honey. Yum!

 

Basik Cafe, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Basik Cafe, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kona Coffee & Tea Company, Kailua-Kona

We visited Kona Coffee  & Tea Co. twice to pick up a quick breakfast before doing other activities. The first time we all got bagels ($2.59) and yogurt and granola. The second time I ordered a spinach tart ($6.49), which was OK. I really liked the vanilla cold brew though!

Kona Coffee & Tea Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kona Coffee & Tea Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

We were starving when we arrived at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so we decided to try one of the restaurants. Volcano House was the closest option. I ordered the fish and chips ($14) while G had Asian barbecue prawns ($16). They weren’t the best fish and chips I’ve had but they did the trick. This place is more about the view! You can see the crater from your table.

Volcano House, Hawaii

Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

 

Boat Landing Cantina, Waikoloa

While staying at the Hilton Waikola Village, we dined at Boat Landing Cantina, which was just underneath our tower. We also ordered some to-go on another night when we were too tired to actually dine there. I wasn’t disappointed with the nachos ($14) or the fish tacos ($19). The prices are high for what you get, but the resort is so large that it’s super inconvenient to leave to grab food, especially when you’re an exhausted pregnant person.

Boat Landing Cantina, Waikoloa, Hawaii

 

Boat Landing Cantina, Waikoloa, Hawaii

Cafe Pesto, Hilo

After working up an appetite on a helicopter tour, we explored downtown Hilo looking for a lunch option. We stumbled across Cafe Pesto. I loved every bite of the crab cakes ($16), which came with salad. V enjoyed her pasta with veggies and G had a pizza luau pizza ($14).

Cafe Pesto, Hilo, Hawaii

Cafe Pesto, Hilo, Hawaii

Cafe Pesto, Hilo, Hawaii

Kope Lani, Kailua-Kona

We couldn’t go without ice cream for dessert, especially on a warm Hawaii afternoon. I loved the Kona coffee flavored cone I had at Kope Lani!

Kope Lani ice cream, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Big Island Burritos, Waikoloa

On our last night we wanted something casual again, so we opted for takeout from Big Island Burritos. Shown below is a burrito bowl for G ($12) and more tacos for me ($12).

Big Island Burritos, Waikoloa

Big Island Burritos, Waikoloa

 

Waikoloa Coffee, Waikoloa

Breakfast came from Waikoloa Coffee a couple times because it was conveniently located under our hotel tower. It was pricey for what it was ($40 for two coffees, a juice and breakfast sandwiches), but it was tasty coffee.

Waikoloa Coffee, Hawaii

 

Do you see anything you’d like to try on this list? What are some of your favorite recent restaurant meals? Let me know in the comments!

My Safari-Theme Baby Shower

Safari Theme Baby Shower

My older sister (and family) hosted the most adorable safari-theme baby shower and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! The decorations were darling and I wanted to share some of the details for those looking for baby shower inspiration.

I learned tt takes a village to put together a baby shower. First, my aunt made baby shower buttons for us to wear.

She also made a baby diaper cake also using blankets, rattles and plush toys.

My sister’s friend made diaper trees using tissue paper, ribbon and animal cutouts. They were on each of the tables. My sister found safari-theme candy boxes as favors, along with animal cookies and candy.

My sister ordered the safari-theme baby shower cake from Sam’s Club. The top tier was chocolate and the bottom tier was vanilla. It was almost too pretty to eat, but it was delicious!

I loved the idea to use Zebra Cakes as treats as well, along with animal crackers. She also decorated the cake table with a photo board that she gifted to me. For food we had sandwiches, shrimp (cooked) cocktail, potato salad, chips and salsa, veggies and ranch dip, macaroni salad and ambrosia. The non-preggos could also drink my aunt’s sangria.

One of the games we played was the pin game in which you have to avoid saying baby so you don’t get your pin stolen. I have no idea what happened to my pin. haha

We also played two rounds of baby shower bingo. As you can see, I didn’t win.

One the gift table she had another diaper tree, safari decorations and gift bags to give as prizes for the games. We also had envelopes to fill out for thank-you cards.

Our baby girl was gifted some precious things! I can’t wait to use them!

Hope you’ll save some of these ideas on Pinterest for any baby shower planning needs! Other unphotographed details: The e-invitations were also safari theme. Other animal decor hung on the walls and the table covers were pink and white. The prizes for the baby shower games were Bath & Body Works products.

Also, watch our new short video on my YouTube channel! (Please subscribe!)

 

Related posts:

Baby Girl Clothing Haul
Drone Gender Reveal

 

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau | Kid- and Vegetarian-Friendly Option in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

 

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

When choosing a family-friendly activity to do on the Big Island, a luau was an easy option. Why? It can keep a toddler entertained! We selected the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau at the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

A bonus is that you don’t need to pay for a separate ticket for children who are 5 and younger! (Tickets for adults were $72 each for us.)

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

To be honest, I don’t really think I need to go to another luau in Hawaii every time I visit, but it’s good for first-timers and kids. We didn’t upgrade our seats to the front tables, but I found that it wasn’t necessary. We could see just fine. My only complaint: We were the last table to grab our food. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem but I’m pregnant, so I am constantly hungry! Actually, I would probably still be hungry even if not pregnant, who am I kidding?

Tip: Arrive early to check into the luau. People were in line by 4:15, even though the confirmation tells you to arrive by 4:45. General seating is first come, first served.

Another bonus is that a luau experience can cater to meat and veggie eaters alike.

What to eat as a pescatarian/vegetarian at Voyagers of the Pacific Luau:

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

You might not think a luau is the place to go if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, but it’s possible to eat well at one. This is what I ate as a pescatarian/mostly vegetarian at the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau:

  • Garden salad
  • Potato mac salad
  • Hawaiian sweet roll
  • Three-bean salad
  • Island fish (for pescatarians)
  • Hawaii sweet potato
  • Pineapple chunks
  • Coconut cake
  • Pineapple upside-down cake

Note: The website says they can prepare a gluten-free or vegan option if notified 24 hours in advance.

After the show, which lasts until 8 p.m., you can purchase your souvenir arrival photo for $20 if you want, but we skipped that. You can also take photos with the dancers. V really wanted to see two of them, and we were happy to do so.

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Have you been to a luau in Hawaii? What did you think?

Watch our video of the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau:

 

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Related posts:

Royal Lahaina Luau, Maui
Exploring Hilo, Hawaii

 

); ga('require', 'displayfeatures'); ga('require', 'linkid', 'linkid.js'); ga('set', 'anonymizeIp', true); ga('send', 'pageview');