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Couldn’t Be Easier: Delicious London Broil

As parents, we hope to instill in our children the importance of traditions. Many of our family traditions revolve around food. For example, our Sunday evening tradition has become a London broil dinner. All my kids love this meal — which is quite a miracle — and I hope it might become a tradition in your home, too.

After many years of juggling my kids and their activities, homework and tantrums, I have finally mastered a way to serve a fabulous meal with little effort and few ingredients. My recipes are simple and delicious, using no more than six ingredients and under six minutes of prep time.  It will look like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen with help from Momma Chef. Prepare to impress, starting with this delicious four ingredient London broil recipe. 

Couldn’t Be Easier: Delicious London broil

1 ½-2 lb. London broil

¾ cup Italian dressing

¼ cup soy sauce

¼ cup honey

Mix Italian dressing, honey and soy sauce in a large Ziploc bag. Add London broil to bag and, if possible, let it marinate several hours in the refrigerator.

Grill on low heat 12 minutes each side (4 minute longer per side if you like it well done . . . but who likes it well done?!). Can you believe that’s all it takes? Enjoy!

Tips:

  • This is a great recipe to quickly throw together in the morning and let marinate in the refrigerator during the day. Just put the meat in the oven or grill it when you get home.
  • If you are living a cold climate and aren’t brave enough to grill in the winter, then preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bake the London broil on the lowest rack uncovered in a disposable pan for 1 hour.
  • As always with red meat, let it sit for 5-10 minutes after cooking before cutting to seal in the juice.

About Momma Chef

I am a mom of three active boys (ages 12, 8 and 5).  Although I often feel like I’m struggling with some aspect of parenting, my one sanctuary is the kitchen. My children like different foods and constantly request a variety of things for dinner. I used to tell them, “I am not an octopus with eight arms who can make eight different meals.” Over time, I figured out a way to make meals they all love by developing easy, quick recipes. That led to the creation of my blog, Momma Chef, for parents like me.

A Barrage of Half-Truths: Navigating the World of Advertising

Mom, we all do it. We let the kids watch television while we accomplish some task, make a phone call, or get a shower. But in some circles I run in, “children and television” are two words that immediately bring a glare of judgment. I mean the two words in combination, not separately… just to be clear. There is no doubt that television effects children whether they watch hours a day or only a few hours a month. There have been countless studies done on the subject by universities and independent organizations.

Now can television be a positive for children too? Sure. For example, my kids love to watch Cyberchase on PBS. This show has a strong emphasis on math skill and I can tell that it has been as much about learning as it is entertainment for my young ones. But lately, I’ve been disturbed by the commercials that my kids have repeated nearly verbatim.

“Mom, did you know that [this toy] can fly 100 feet into the air?” You and I both know that toy is going nowhere near 100 feet in the air. If we even get it 20 feet in the air it’s sure to end up in a tree or on the roof.

“Mom, [that gadget] can hang on the wall in the bathroom and squeeze your toothpaste out for you!” Boy, that must save at least three seconds of your life. A real deal for just $25 plus shipping and handling.

“Mom, if you shop at [this store] you’ll save up to 70% this weekend.” I’ll save 100% by not going at all.

The advertisers are getting to them. And we’ve worked hard to be sure our kids watch very little television at all. In fact, 95% of what they do watch doesn’t have commercials at all. (Yeah, I know PBS, Disney and Nick Jr. are all selling my kids on Chuck E Cheese , but believe me, they’d want to go anyway.) So their ability to repeat nearly word for word what the commercials boasts is genuinely shocking.

Commercials are designed to make me want something that I don’t need. Everything about them, if done well, either makes me remember the product or create a desire to have whatever product they are selling. Which begs the questions: 1) Do I want to subject my children to this? 2) Since I don’t have much choice, how do I help them to understand the trick that is being played on them?

Unless you are an advertising executive, I think the answer to the first questions is a simple “no.” Of course we don’t want our children to be subjected to a barrage of half-truths that will create confusion about reality and a skewed understanding of “needs.” So how do we address the issue of helping them to understand? I’ll admit that I have been known to make a purchase based on advertising! I’m betting you have too. Why? Because we suddenly think we need IT. What we forget is that for hundreds and thousands of years the human race lived without the conveniences that we are told are necessity.

I guess I would offer two simple pieces of advice. First, if your children are under five years old, don’t let them view television with commercials. Stick to kid-centered channels with no commercial advertisements or videos that you have previewed. If kids are older than five, start talking to them about what commercials are and why they are on television. Explain to them that, just like television programming, not everything they see is TRUTH. Commercials are created to sell you something and they are betting that you will want it. Watch some commercials together and point out the falsities and ask the question, “Is that something our family would need?” It’s okay if the answer is “yes.”

For example, do you need laundry detergent? Sure. Do you have to purchase a particular brand? Not really, but this is great conversation starter with older kids. You may prefer a certain brand, but you could wash your family’s clothes with any number of brand-name or generic detergents. Talk about how you choose what to use based on price, environmental impact, scent, and other factors.

Just like everything else in life, it’s our job to help our kids to navigate their way through the world. Television is bound to be a part of it. As they get older, it will be advertisements on the radio or in magazines (Lord, have mercy on mothers with daughters), and we will have to continue the discussions.

Have you navigated this issue with your kids already? We’d love to hear your wisdom!

-Jenna  Hallock

(Stock photo by plasti20)

19 things to do in Denver this week

Spring Break in Denver is alive and well. We have 19 events this week that include the Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival, free days, a kite festival and much more. See our event calendar for additional details. 

Spring Break at the Denver Art Museum
Mar 24 – Apr 2 
Spring into family fun at the Denver Art Museum during Spring Break! The Costume Studio, in-gallery Create-n-Takes and the Family Activity Cart are open every day of Spring Break, and special performances of the family play Art Emergency 2.

Boulder Arts Week
Mar 31  – Apr 8
Boulder Arts Week is Boulder’s only large-scale, inclusive celebration of our community’s vibrant arts and cultural offerings. This citywide event highlights Boulder’s distinguished arts and cultural programming and includes art walks, First Friday, exhibitions, performances, dance, music, theatre, artist demonstrations, lectures, readings, workshops, and symposia.

The Vintage Whites Market at the National Western Complex 
Mar 31 – Apr 1
Do you LOVE vintage? Come to this event to shop over 100+ vendors from in and out of Colorado — all in ONE place! Architectural salvage, shabby chic, vintage industrial…you name it. There will also be LIVE music, food, coffee, artisan workshops, a fashion show and MORE. Kids 12 and under are free.

Family Tour at the Clyfford Still Museum 
Mar 31, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Enjoy an art adventure designed for the whole family! Family Tours are full of games, art making and close looking in the galleries. Their professional team of gallery teachers leads these tours designed for the young (ages 5 to 10) and young at heart. Each child must be accompanied by at least one adult. Maximum two adults per child.

Boulder Bach Festival Performance at the Wow! Children’s Museum 
Mar 31, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Enjoy a fun and interactive classical music performance by the musicians of the Boulder Bach Festival! Boulder Bach Festival celebrates the music of Johann Sebastian Bach by providing high quality performances and educational opportunities.

The Little Mermaid at the June Swaner Gates Concert Hall at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts 
Mar 31 – Apr 2 
Colorado Ballet will close out its 2016-2017 season with the children’s classic The Little Mermaid, with choreography by Tony Award nominated choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett and original music by composer Michael Moric.

Free Day at the Denver Art Museum 
Apr 1, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
General admission is free on the first Saturday of the month thanks to Your 6 Hometown Toyota Stores and the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

Easter Limited Edition Event at Bloom Portraits 
Apr 1, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
This event will feature LIVE BABY CHICKS that your little ones will be pictured with. What’s Included: *15 minute photoshoot with same day online ordering *Designed Easter Themed sets in the studio *Treats and goodies to enjoy after your shoot *Up to 50% off regular-priced prints, digitals and art products.

Kite Festival at Barr Lake State Park 
Apr 1, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Get a FREE kite sponsored by the Friends of Barr Lake. Check out other kites and meet experts from other kite clubs. Please RSVP 303-659-6005.

Play Minecraft in a movie theatre at Century 16 Boulder 
Apr 1, 10:30 am – 12:15 pm
Welcome to Week 1 of Super League’s Minecraft City Champs! Come prepared to build and battle in order to determine your ranking. Top players from the qualifiers will advance to represent their city team in the playoffs to determine the national champions of this season.

Elemental: A Family Concert
Apr 1, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
A one hour celebration of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water for the whole family, with dragons, story-telling, and selections from their It’s Elemental! concert with choral music spanning seven centuries.

Justin Roberts Lemonade Concert at Swallow Hill at Swallow Hill
Apr 1, 11:00 am
Twice GRAMMY Nominated, Justin Roberts is truly one of the “all-stars” of the indie family music scene. USA Today calls him “hands down the best songwriter in the genre,” and his prolific output is celebrated with a new Best Of Justin Roberts album and a brand new disc of original tunes titled, Lemonade. Paste Magazine called Lemonade “an absolute gem.” With numerous national awards and recognition and a devoted fan base, Justin dishes out unexpectedly intelligent and whimsically rocking music for kids and their parents.

Spring Tea at Byers-Evans House Museum 
Apr 1, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Join a knowledgeable guide for an hour-long tour of the historic Byers-Evans House, then enjoy a three-course tea with fresh fruit, scones, tea sandwiches and desserts. All food is prepared off-site by a caterer. Limited food restrictions can be accommodated and special requests must be made at the time reservations are made.

Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music in Denver at Bellco Theater
Apr 1 – 2 
When the new music teacher’s instruments go missing, Elmo, Abby, Big Bird and more come to the rescue and discover instruments they didn’t know existed. Children learn everyone can play and make beautiful music together.

Music Train Family Concert Series 
Apr 1, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
All age family friendly concerts! Join your friends, families and neighbors for an afternoon of great music, BBQ, wine, beer, juice boxes and fun.

Free Day at Denver Botanic Gardens York Street 
Apr 2, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Free Days occur throughout the year at both York Street and Chatfield Farms, thanks to funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). No tickets are needed for admission to Free Days. Free Days are for regular Gardens hours only and do not include ticketed events.

2017 Macaroni Kid Douglas County Summer Camp & Activities Fair at CU South Denver 
Apr 2,  10:00 am – 2:00 pm
The 2017 Macaroni Kid Douglas County Summer Camp & Activities Fair is a one-stop community-focused event for families in and around Douglas County. Meet representatives from 40+ summer camps and activities from the Douglas County area plus enjoy special offers, door prizes, access to The Wildlife Experience exhibits and galleries, and LOTS of great giveaways!

Eagle Express, Barr Lake State Park 
Apr 2, 10:00 am
Make a date to come to Barr Lake for bald eagle viewing! If all goes well, eaglets hatch in late March. As of 2016, Barr Lake bald eagles have fledged 54 young.

A Symphonic Beauty and the Beast at Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Apr 2, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Tale as old as time, this fairytale concert brings your family together for an afternoon of magical music that inspires this all-time favorite children’s classics. Featuring music from Beauty and the Beast and other wondrous legends that inspire your inner child, this is a must-not-miss program for your little prince, princess, or beast. Costumes encouraged and be sure to arrive early for family fun.

Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival at Pearl Street Mall 
Apr 2, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Spring officially arrives in Downtown Boulder when the vibrant Tulip Fairy, along with pint-sized fairies and elves, parade around the Pearl Street Mall ‘welcoming the tulips’. This beloved springtime tradition features performances and activities for girls and boys and celebrates the more than 15,000 tulips that adorn the world renowned Pearl Street Mall throughout the spring season.

Mega Wedgie Slides into Elitch Gardens

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park announced that it will open three new extreme speed slides this summer called Mega Wedgie. Once you stop giggling about the name, it’s time to get serious for a truly sensational sliding experience. On the all-new Mega Wedgie, riders will plunge off a six-story tower at 40 mph down a choice of three body slides! By the time you rush to the bottom, you’ll understand why this soaking attraction got its name, but we know you’ll be hiking back to the top to ride these bad boys over and over again.
 
“At Elitch Gardens we are driven to always provide more family fun and thrills for our guests and this season we are adding a phenomenal wet and wild combination of rides: first the 17-story Star Flyerand now the exhilarating Mega Wedgie,” says Karl Traeger, Elitch Gardens Director of Marketing.

Mega Wedgie and Star Flyer are the two latest investments the park is making as part of its $4 million capital improvement program. Mega Wedgie is the eighth new attraction introduced in the past six years and will help ensure that Elitch Gardens continues to be the premiere theme and water park in the Rocky Mountain West.

The 2017 Season Pass is $69.99 for 131 days of fun and includes free tickets for friends, free parking, free concerts, free movies and unlimited rides and slides. The park kicks off the season on April 29, with Island Kingdom Water Park opening Memorial Day Weekend, May 27.

 
To learn more about Elitch Gardens’ all-new speed slides, visitwww.ElitchGardens.com/MegaWedgie

Ten Tips for Decluttering Your Home for Spring

It’s time to come out of hibernation! Of course, with Denver winter weather, we never know if we are supposed to be hibernating or having a picnic in the park! Whatever the case may be, the blossoms and budding leaves on the trees indicate that spring is on its way!

With the coming of spring comes the desire to clean and clear out our homes to make room for all that fresh air and sunshine!

Here are ten tips to help you get your home organized for spring:

1. Gather all your winter clothes (coats, hats, gloves, etc.) Go through them all and pick out the ones you really like. Donate or discard the rest. Wash what you have chosen to keep and store it in a see-through plastic bucket. It’s really important that you pack these in a transparent container, because it will make it so much easier to find your winter clothes the next time the weather turns chilly.

2. Gather your winter boots or other winter footwear. Go through them and decide which ones you love (or that you really need for shoveling snow or hiking around in the winter). Take a damp cloth and wipe off any dirt or mud, then store those in a see-through plastic bucket.

3. To get ready for your “spring cleaning,” go through all your cleaning supplies. Go around the house and gather them all into one place. Pull out all the ones you enjoy using. Get rid of the rest. (You know there are some cleaning supplies that are just plain ineffective or annoying or dangerous to use. Dispose of those in a safe manner). Store all the cleaning supplies you are keeping in ONE place. Do not distribute them under sinks around the house. You know that cleaning supplies get moved around from sink to sink, and then you spend a lot of time looking for the toilet cleaner and glass cleaner that have mysteriously disappeared. If your cleaning supplies are kept and returned to one place, you will greatly cut down on your frustration and the amount of time you waste looking for them.

4. Gather all your medicine and first aid supplies in one place. Go through all of them and keep the medicine and supplies that are effective. Get rid of any you no longer use (like medicine for diaper rash if you no longer have a baby). Also get rid of medicine that has expired or is ineffective. Again, dispose of these things safely. Put all the medicine and supplies you have saved in one or two small plastic baskets that you store in a cupboard or closet away from the reach of children. Storing all the medicine in a basket allows you to quickly remove your supplies, choose what you need, and put the basket back. You won’t be knocking bottles down in your cupboard in the middle of the night as you try to find that cough syrup.

5. Gather all your catalogs, magazines and newspapers. Make sure to look all through your house and get them all. Then recycle them all. Everything you find in a catalog or newspaper can be found online, so there is no reason to keep a paper edition.

6. Find all your bedding, including blankets and comforters. Go through each item and decide which ones you really like. Wash them and store any that are for winter use. Again, put these in plastic see-through containers or in shelves in closets or linen closets. Donate or discard any that are stained (perhaps from animals). If you have blankets that are covered in animal hair, either remove the hair or get rid of the blanket. If you have overnight guests, be sensitive to the fact that some of them may be allergic to animals.

7. Grab all your towels. Wash any that are dirty. Go through them all and get rid of any that are threadbare or have strings hanging off the ends. 

8. Take everything out of your pantry, shelf by shelf. Throw out any food that has expired. Donate any unopened food your family will not eat. Get some plastic baskets and store like-items together. Then you can easily pull out a basket, take out what you need, and put the basket back in the pantry. This way, you won’t be knocking things over and causing disorganization in your pantry.

9. Go through all your hair and beauty supplies. Choose the things you love (makeup, shampoo, lotion, skincare, etc). Throw the rest away. No use keeping things you don’t like and will never use! Donate most of your mini bottles of shampoo and body wash (that you most likely picked up from hotels) to a homeless shelter. Chances are, they need those supplies much more than you do!

10. Get large baskets or buckets and designate one for each member of your family. As you go through your house, put family members’ items inside each of their buckets. At the end of each day, have them take their buckets to their rooms and empty them. Don’t worry too much about whether or not they put away their things right away. You can deal with that later! Your main goal is to have a home where public, shared areas are clean and organized!

These ten tips should have you well on your way to a clean, comfortable home for spring. And if you want to REALLY clean out your closet (and keep it clean, decluttered, and organized forever), sign up for the free online class, “5 Simple Steps to Organize Your Wardrobe Permanently.” The class will be offered April 5th and 6th, 2017. Click here to sign up and reserve your spot!

Melissa blogs at Ice Cream and Inspiration where she shares delicious recipes, inspiring makeovers, and home organization tips. She loves trying new restaurants, being an awesome mom (says her oldest daughter), and learning all kinds of new things. Check out her brand new course, Transform Your Home, Transform Your Life, which will help you declutter and organize your entire home for good.

Deals: Spring Break Fun, Kite Festival & More

We didn’t go anywhere for spring break this year. It was a staycation. However, I did treat my 15 year old daughter to her first facial at Ella Bliss Salon. She loved it – and I created another monster! We have a fun giveaway so you can find your own bliss!

FabFitFun Box. I seriously love getting goodies in the mail. I have several friends who are in different “of the month” clubs – everything from Glossy Box to Bark Box (for my friend who is a crazy dog mom). But my personal favorite is the FabFitFun box. It only comes quarterly – but it has a TON of stuff in it and it’s always worth well over $200 (but costs only $39.99 for the first box with a coupon code – this time use “Bunnies”). This box has all kinds of stuff from cool kitchy stuff.

Going in Style Movie. You’re never too old to get even. You and a guest are invited to a special advance screening of GOING IN STYLE on Monday, April 3rd in Denver. Visit www.wbtickets.com/MHMGIS for a chance to download complimentary passes. (Passes do not guarantee admission as theater is overbooked. ARRIVE EARLY!) #GoingInStyle in theaters April 7th. Oscar winners Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”), Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules,” “Hannah and Her Sisters”) and Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine”) team up as lifelong buddies Willie, Joe and Al, who decide to buck retirement and step off the straight-and-narrow for the first time in their lives when their pension fund becomes a corporate casualty. Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, the three risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money. 

Arvada Kite Festival. On Saturday, April 2 – See soaring kites! Colorful kites! Majestic kites! Come join this free, fun, family event at the Stenger Complex in Arvada (11200 W 58th Ave) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Whether you’re flying or watching kites, get outside with your family and enjoy all the exciting outdoor activities the festival has to offer!

Tulip and Elf Fairy Festival. You know spring has officially arrived when you see the tulips peeking out of the ground. Nothing quite celebrates that as much as the Tulip and Elf Fairy Festival on Pearl Street in Boulder. Saturday, April 2, from 1 p.m .to 5 p.m. your boys and girls can dress as fairies or elves (costumes encouraged) and be a part of the parade down Pearl Street. Performances, parad and activities like foam sword dueling, dino dig, art projects, face painting, nature activities and wildlife safety, cookie decorating and more!

Get Deals with Cyphr. Did you know that companies like Groupon give customers a great deal but may actually hurt businesses by taking 50% of the profits? There’s a new kid in down who has figured out a fun way to support local businesses AND be rewarded for it! With Cyphr’s free app, you unlock local businesses you choose. Those businesses send you time-sensitive “Secrets.” If you see a Secret you want to use later, you just press the “lock” button and it saves in your vault. At that point, it becomes like a mobile coupon you use before the expiration date. From five star restaurants in downtown Denver to nail salons to pet food, companies include Denver Bouldering Club, A Kneaded Touch Massage Therapy, Blowout Hair Studio, Bonnie Brae’s Tavern, Max’s Wine Dive, in-Tea, Nixons Coffee House and Outlaw

Recycled Robots.  eXL Learning is excited to invite you to “Recycled Robots”, a mash-up celebration of National Robotics Week (April 8-16) and Earth Day (April 22).  This free family event will engage kids, in engineering their very own robotic creations utilizing recycled materials. The event takes places at  eXL Learning @ Lowry (Lowry Town Center) and MindCraft makerspace @ Stanley (Stanley Marketplace) on  April 15th 10 am  to 12 pm 

Denver Art Museum. Enjoy Spring Break,  through April 2, 2017, at the Denver Art Museum (DAM), kids can make art in the galleries, enjoy a special presentation of a family-friendly play and learn about costume design in the Costume Studio, all for free. The Backpack Cart and in-gallery Create-n-Takes will be available every day for visiting families to get creative and discover art in the DAM’s permanent collection in new ways. Kids and families can also take a unique journey into the Star Wars™universe as characters are brought to life through a dramatic presentation of more than 70 original costumes. A special exhibition ticket is required for Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume, and tickets are only $5 for youth 6-18 years old and free for youth 0-5 years old. 

Bicycle Village offers Kid’s Trade Up program. As kids grow – so should their bikes.  Get up to 50 percent credit when you trade in a previous Bicycle Village purchase for a new junior bike within two years of first purchase. As kids grow, they can ride on the newest bikes with the latest technology and safety features while being on the right size bike for their height and weight. Each year, kids are measured and fitted to assure proper fit and the new bike gets a free tune to assure it is cleaned, oiled, adjusted and ready to roll. 

 Don’t miss free days at the following attractions:

Consignment Sales. MileHighMamas has compiled a full list of all the great consignment sales this spring. The highlights of this week are:

  • April 1-2. New to You. Times: Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-noon ( half price sale)
    $2 admission at Christ Lutheran Church, 8997 S Broadway, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
    org
  • April 2. MOPS Annual Consignment Sale.Times: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Admission is $3 at Grace Hill Community Church, 3900 Grace Boulevard, Highlands Ranch. http://chcc.org/opportunities/mops-annual-consignment-sale/
  • April 3-7. Rhea Lana-Southeast Denver. Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Monday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (half-price sale) at Cottonwood Square Shopping Center, 17888 Cottonwood Dr, Parker CO.

Spring in Ski Country. One of the best times to get your tushie to the mountains is in the spring. Warmer weather and still great snow….plus, great fun events. Arapahoe Basin will have afternoon concerts, Cooper will have $30 Thursdays (lift tickets just $30) and afternoon concerts; Copper Mountain hosts the world’s largest Easter Egg Hunt April 16; Steamboat has concerts planned every Saturday through April 8 and Winter Park celebrates Springtopia with concerts including the April 22 appearance of Michael Franti.

YMCA of the Rockies. Don’t delay planning your summer or fall getaway to YMCA of the Rockies! Online reservations start April 5 at 12:01 a.m. and family cabins fill quickly. One of Colorado’s most affordable family vacations has something for everyone, from baseball to archery. Trails lead to waterfalls and expansive views. And, the night skies from your deck are out of this world. https://ymcarockies.org/

The Rocky Mountain Super Pass + re-launched their Kids Ski Free Program for the 2017/2018 Season. Yeah, you read that right- FREE! With the purchase of a qualifying adult pass, like the RMSP+ which costs $529, you get a free child’s season pass for kids 12 and under. That’s a savings of up to $319 per pass, and offering significant savings, with a family of four (two kids/two adults) paying just $1058 for entertainment November through April.  Ride unlimited at Winter Park Resort, Copper Mountain, and Eldora Mountain, with six days at Steamboat, three days at Crested Butte, and three days at Alyeska Resort.

Epic Ski Kids. The free pass from Vail Resorts is back. It allows kids kindergarten through 5th grade (next year’s school year – since the pass is for next ski season) to ski for free at each of their Colorado Resorts including: Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and Beaver Creek. Four times at each resort, a free beginner level lesson and equipment rental on the day of that lesson. Sign up now at a local Ski and Golf location (or Ski and Sport by Park Meadows or Boulder Ski Deals in Boulder). It is free with no strings attached.

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Email me if you know of any great Denver deals!

Don’t want to miss any of Mile High Mamas’ contests and events? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter so you can forward these great deals to your friends.

If you’re on Twitter follow me on Twitter (GeeWhy93).  If I find a great deal during the week, I’ll tweet it out.

My Wedding Day and Jewish Sasha Fierce

I picked out my white Marilyn Monroe style wedding dress, the pearl baby’s breath hair pins, and an understated cubic zirconium round cut pendant.  My choices were more limited as the wedding planner presented my fiancé and I with a small menu of options for the bouquet, the boutonniere and the celebrant.  This was a fancy elopement – vows taken on a gondola in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.  We contemplated Elvis marrying us but neither one of us were big enough fans of the Pelvis to warrant that.
 
I’m Jewish and my husband is agnostic and since we were getting married on a Saturday, the rabbi wasn’t available (yes, they actually will provide one at the Venetian).  We decided on a civil  ceremony, and agreed to a secular sermon complete with phrases about the joyous union of two people and a man and woman facing the world stronger together. God was not involved.
 
Unfortunately, when we arrived at the designated meeting spot, the pastor asked me if he could say the word God during the ceremony.  I honestly thought he would mention God only once, maybe twice.  I hesitated, and against my better judgement said yes but he could not mention Jesus.  He snidely commented “OK, I won’t try to baptize you either.”  At that point, I should have rescheduled the wedding but the gondolier called our name to embark on our journey to marriage.
 
Before the wedding day, I familiarized myself with the passages he would read.  However, as we floated down the fake Venetian canal on our wedding day, my head started to spin.  The pastor not only brought up God several times, he went completely off book and referenced the Bible and the Lord.  The pastor had co-opted my wedding!
 
I sat there torn between looking deeply into my almost husband’s eyes and pushing the pastor overboard.  I hated the fact that I was angry during my wedding ceremony.  I hated the fact that someone else imposed his beliefs on one of the most special days of my life.   I hated the pastor at the moment I was to profess my everlasting love to my fiancé.
 
I sat there wondering if I should speak up but decided not to because I did not want to cause a scene during our wedding.  My husband had no idea what was going on in my head as this was the one time I stayed quiet while deeply upset.  I didn’t want to ruin our special day, yet I let this selfish pastor ruin it for me.
 
You might think, “how apocalyptic to say RUIN your special day.”  My husband said later “It’s not about the ceremony, it’s about marriage.” as I cried to him how disgusted I was with the pastor and insulted by his arrogance.  While I understand these sentiments, a bride has expectations.  She is the queen for the day and an insolent pastor has no right to fuck with that.  I complained to the wedding planner and told her she should never let that man officiate for a civil or non-Christian wedding ever again.
 
Four months later we invited a few friends to celebrate our matrimony at a dinner party.  Before the meal, each person took a turn to read one of The Seven Blessings, a Jewish ritual from ancient rabbinic teachings.
 
In reality, I am not a religious Jew, however, when the pastor turned my secular wedding into a Baptist oration, I felt betrayed.  I don’t keep kosher or stop writing on the Sabbath (I am writing this on a Saturday morning) but incorporating Jesus into one of my life’s key events felt like heresy.  My Jewish Sasha Fierce had arrived.
 
Nancy Fingerhood is a writer, filmmaker and performer originally from New Jersey.  In her blog, Confessions of a Middle Aged Woman Gone Wild, she combines her humorous and honest writing style to discuss relationships, parenting, aging and anything else that catches her attention. She is currently the co-owner of Vivid Impressions Productions, a photography and videography services company based in Westminster. 

Skillet Shepard’s Pie Recipe

Introducing Momma Chef

Fabulous recipes using less than 6 ingredients

and under 6 minutes of prep time!

How easy is it to make dinner while holding a 4-year-old on your hip, calming a 7-year-old throwing a tantrum and helping a 12-year-old with his homework? Sound familiar? Well I have finally mastered a way to serve fabulous meals with little effort and few ingredients.

I will be contributing my recipes to Mile High Mamas as Momma Chef. My recipes are simple and delicious, using no more than six ingredients and under six minutes of prep time. It will look like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen with help from Momma Chef. Prepare to impress starting with this delicious Shepard’s Pie!

Skillet Shepard’s Pie  (serves 6 or more)

1 lb. ground beef

1 12 oz. bag cauliflower florets

1 container Trader Joe’s Mirepoix mix (contains chopped onions, carrots and celery)

2 tbsp. salt

2 tbsp. chopped rosemary

1 tbsp. olive oil

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Steam cauliflower florets in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.
  • While the cauliflower is steaming, in a separate oven-safe skillet heat 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium high heat.
  • Add in ground meat and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Then add in Trader Joe’s Mirepoix mix, 1 tbsp. salt and the chopped rosemary. Cook another 2 minutes, mixing everything together.
  • When cauliflower is soft, mash with a fork and add in 1 tbsp. salt.
  • Remove the meat from heat, spread the cauliflower mash over the mixture in the skillet and bake for 25 minutes.

Tips:

  • If you can’t find the Mirepoix mix, you can use 1/2 onion, 3 carrots and 3 celery stalks – all chopped.
  • If you prefer mashed potatoes over cauliflower mash, substitute 3 cups mashed potatoes.
  • I normally like to make my dishes in one pot, but this one is so ridiculously delicious that it’s worth using the extra pot! It is best made in a cast-iron skillet. If you don’t already own one, it’s worth buying. I got mine at a discount store like Home Goods, and I use it all the time.

 

About Momma Chef

I am a mother of three active boys (ages 12, 8 and 5).  Although I often feel like I’m struggling with some aspect of parenting, my one sanctuary is the kitchen. My children like different foods and constantly request a variety of things. I used to tell them, “I am not an octopus with eight arms who can make eight different meals!”

Over time, I figured out a way to make dishes they all love by developing easy, quick recipes. That led to the creation of my blog, Momma Chef, for parents like me. My recipes are simple and delicious, using no more than six ingredients and under six minutes of prep time.  It will look like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen with help from Momma Chef. Connect with Momma Chef on Facebook!

New 81-acre Clear Creek Valley Park Now Open!

There’s a new place to play in Federal Heights!

Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District announced the opening of the new 81-acre Clear Creek Valley Park, located at 5900 Tennyson Street in Adams County.

Clear Creek Valley Park features pedestrian trails, an adult exercise station with nine workout challenges, a 200+ vehicle parking lot, restrooms, a large 24-plot community garden, and the park already has grass growing on its multi-use sports fields.

A major feature is the new and unique “destination playground” that offers creative play arenas for 2-5 year olds and much more for the older kids as well. There is a climbing tree house with whimsical animal features like a peeking fox, curious turtle, frogs and butterflies. In keeping with the agricultural history of the area, the playground also offers a celery-shaped slide, a carrot bench, large pepper pod seating areas, a giant watering can playhouse, water play area with hand pumps and check dams, diversion troughs, and a zip line.

It also has traditional fare such as sand boxes, swings and a spinner. Two catch-and-release fishing ponds will soon be stocked for the sport as well.

Hyland Hills spokesperson Joann Cortéz said, “This park is 15 years in the making and is the result of strong collaboration involving Hyland Hills District residents, Adams County, neighboring cities, community groups, and some very talented, creative park consultants.”

A summertime public “hot dog day” in the park is scheduled for June.

 

25 Pranks to Become a Certified “April Fool”

The first day of April, not a legal holiday, but who can resist the fun of a little tease or prank just one day out of the year? This silly tradition has been around for centuries, with the first recorded account in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, dating back to 1392. Some countries end the fun at the noon hour – after that you’d be considered an “April Fool” for trying! Thankfully, in the U.S. we can act silly all day long, so why not start extra early this year…like 3:00 a.m. (Check out prank numbers 12 & 13.)