LanierWorld is the beach and waterpark of Lanier Islands, a 1,500-acre resort in Buford, Georgia. It’s just 45 minutes from downtown Atlanta. We had the opportunity to visit LanierWorld with four-complimentary passes, including the fast-pass and the Thunderbolt Triple Zip ziplines. On the day we planned to visit, the forecast was 67% – 92% chance of thunderstorms for nine out of 13 hours. Since LanierWorld does not offer refunds or rain checks for inclement weather we decided to try to wait it out. With the incessant rain in the upcoming weeks, we felt like we’d be constantly postponing our visit. On the day we finally bit the bullet, scattered thunderstorms were forecast for the late afternoon. It was overcast most of the day. I thought that would bum me out, but while we were there I realized an overcast day is a great day to visit. Of course, with the fast pass, even if it’s a gorgeous day and LanierWorld is packed you can skip the long lines. In addition to admission, there i...
There are a ton of ways to use watermelon, other than trying to slice through the gigantic, wobbly, round thing. If you're like me, you'll buy the watermelon pre-cut. If you're a little more adventurous here are nine original ways to cut a watermelon. Before we move on to the recipe, let's talk a bit about watermelon. Not only is watermelon difficult to work with in it's raw form, but the seeds just irk me. In fact, I literally just gasped when I saw someone eat a watermelon seed in that video. Remember that old wives tale that says a watermelon will grow in your belly if you swallow it? It's easy to look past those two things when you learn all that watermelon has to offer. Watermelon goes a long way and can feed up to three dozen people from just one watermelon. If you slice it right, it's a perfect summer party snack. With the heat, it's important to stay hydrated. Did you know that one big slice of watermelon equals eight ounces of water? W...
Traditional crepes are a popular French dish made with a combination of flour and eggs. This extremely versatile, gluten-free version omits the flour and yields delicious low-carb wraps you can enjoy with your favorite sweet or savory fillings. Savory combinations are a great way to enjoy leftovers the next day. You can use grilled steak, roasted chicken, and/or your favorite cheese and top with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, and/or roasted veggies for a quick and delicious breakfast or lunch. Or, try drizzling fresh strawberries and bananas with a rich balsamic glaze and homemade maple whipped cream for a yummy, sweet treat. Tip: For savory crepes, add salt, black pepper, garlic salt, and/or dried herbs to the batter before cooking. For sweet crepes, try adding some ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and/or a drizzle of maple syrup, instead. Sweet or Savory Flourless “Crepes” Recipe Prep time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Yields 6 c...
I'm all about set it and forget meals, especially on weekdays from September through April. That's when it's not "peak season" (May through September). During peak season the cost of electricity quadruples during certain hours. In the off season, I can use my electric oven any time. Plus, when I use my oven during the off season, the leftover heat from my oven can help heat up the house. Of course if you have a gas oven, this may not be a worry for you in the Summer. This recipe can also be made on the grill in the Summer for folks looking to conserve electricity. These tasty drumsticks are a cinch to prepare and you only need to check on them once during the hour it takes to bake them. Coconut aminos add a touch of sweetness to the balsamic marinade. The dish pairs great with a side of greens and mashed potatoes. Personally, I love this dish with a side of roasted asparagus and Tri-Color Roasted Rosemary Potatoes . Some other options would be corn or gree...
DISCLOSURE : This post contains affiliate or referral links to something I love, but will support the cost of running this site if you click and/or make a purchase. My love is genuine and was not swayed by any form of compensation, if at all. Let's face it. Homework time gets harder with age. I'm not just talking the age of the child, but the age of us parents. The more the education system changes and the more we're further removed from our school days, the harder it gets. Not to mention the fact that after your kid has been at school all day, they don't want to sit down and do more work. I can't decide which is more challenging: getting my son to truly clean his room or do his homework. How can you help your child avoid the hassle? A HOMEWORK AREA A designated homework "area" is the first important element. A desk is ideal, but if you don't have the space the kitchen table, dining room table or even the living room coffee table will work....
When I was a kid, my Dad used to freeze bananas. That's it. Nothing else, but I was totally happy with them. It seemed like a treat to me. Now that I'm older, I appreciate frozen bananas even more, plus I've learned to add even more of a healthy twist with Greek yogurt, nut butter and crushed nuts. My favorite (lately) has been vanilla Greek yogurt, peanut butter and crushed almonds. You can do so many things with this easy frozen banana popsicle recipe. With so many flavors of greek yogurt, like strawberry, coffee flavored, citrus and more, there are endless possibilities. You can even use Chobani Flips in place of the individual ingredients in this recipe. What's your favorite way to enjoy frozen bananas? Greek Yogurt Almond Banana Popsicles Recipe by melsaywhat Use your favorite Greek yogurt flavor, favorite nut butter and favorite crushed nuts to create these refreshing and healthy frozen banana popsicles. Prep time : 10 minutes Freez...
Beet pickled eggs are a delicious and healthy snack that is easy to make at home. Not only are eggs a great source of protein, but pickling them in a beet-based brine also adds a host of health benefits. Eggs are a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and are known to be one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. They are a great source of choline , a nutrient that is important for liver function, brain development and memory. Eggs also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that are important for eye health. Pickling is a great way to preserve food and also add flavor. The process of pickling involves immersing food in a vinegar-based brine, which not only preserves the food but also adds a tangy and delicious flavor. Pickling also has a number of health benefits, as it can help to improve digestion, boost the immune system and even aid in weight loss. Beets are packed with vitamins and minerals, and are known to be particularly high in folate, manganese, and ...
DISCLOSURE: I received something for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Did I like it? Would you like it? Read more below to find out. If I liked it or loved it, this post may contain affiliate or referral links, that will support the cost of this site if you click and/or make a purchase. My opinion is genuine and was not swayed by any form of compensation, including free products or services. Remember the bacon craze? It might even still be going on for all I know. Anyway, in 2014 we had a party. We got some goodies from TABASCO® through HouseParty.com and tried out three recipes using TABASCO®. Since the party, we've made this Zesty Bacon Cheddar Dip over and over again. We've brought it as a Thanksgiving appetizer, a Christmas appetizer, a party with our neighbors at their farm, birthday parties, Spring and Summer parties and even just because. This recipe is so easy to make and it makes a ton on a budget. Aside from the TABASCO®, the key ...
Making a salad isn't really a science, but there are so many things you can do to salad to mix things up. With salads being so inexpensive, I just can't bear to pay for a salad when I'm dining out. Fast food salads are boring and overpriced. The only time I'll pay for a salad at a restaurant is if I'm at Golden Corral. Then it's no longer a salad, but a giant mound of calories. Since the Mr. doesn't eat salads, it's almost like I'm making up for all the times I wish we had a side salad for dinner. I've switched things up a bit and I'm getting my salad fix at lunch. Mixed berries and nuts are just one of the ways I spruce up my salads. Now, I will give credit to Chick-Fil-A. Their Grilled Market Salad is actually edible and kinda worth the money. There is no chicken in this recipe, but you can always add it or your favorite protein. Another thing I could live without is the apple chunks. Aside from the mixed berries, the mint and ho...
Fingerling potatoes are very rich and flavorful. I'd call the flavor earthy and buttery. In this recipe, we use our favorite method to prepare potatoes; roasted with fresh herbs and flavor vegetables. Rosemary, garlic and sauteed onions are the sidekicks to bring out even more flavor. There are several varieties of fingerling potatoes that are rich in Vitamin C and Potassium. They include Purple Peruvian, French Fingerling, Ruby Crescent, and the Russian Banana varieties. Fingerlings are available all year round with a peak season in the late spring and early summer. They're a bit more pricey than your average spud, but totally worth it. This Tri-Color Roasted Rosemary Potatoes recipe is best in the cooler months if you're looking to conserve electricity. Fingerlings can be prepared in a number of ways; baked, boiled, roasted or even grilled. They really dress up your dinner plate and make a great holiday dish. Serve them along side your favorite protein, whether...
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, though I never eat it during the week and I'm too lazy to make it on the weekend. We used to pick up donuts and things from fast food or semi-fast food joints, but that just didn't satiate my taste buds. We tried Waffle House and Diners, but that became too expensive. There is nothing like a home-cooked breakfast. I've recently had the pleasure of making my own ham, egg and cheese sandwiches on an english muffin since we moved into the house, but for Father's Day I figured I could do a little more for Travis on Father's Day ( as an honorary soon-to-be Step Father ) for being such a positive influence in Nicholas's life. He'll be off this year, so I'm definitely shooting for a breakfast in bed. The hard part will be deciding which one of these 10 breakfast recipes to serve for Father's Day. As an anti-vegetarian, aka he hates vegetables , breakfast is actually one of the meals here I can sneak them in. I m...
