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Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

July 15, 2017

Rich chocolate cookies, maraschino cherries and creamy chocolate ganache combine in a delectable treat – Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies from LoveandConfections.com

I am a big cookie fan. I like all types, from cut out sugar cookies to biscotti and everything in between. As soon as I saw this recipe for Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies, I knew it would be an instant hit with my family.

This is such an easy recipe and perfect for when you want a delicious chocolate cookie. I love maraschino cherries, but usually only use them for sundaes and pineapple upside-down cakes. I never thought to use them in a thumbprint-style cookie. They add just the right amount of sweetness and love the color too.

Now, let’s talk about the chocolate ganache drizzle. This is seriously delicious! I love how creamy and sweet it is. The recipe says to use semisweet chips, but I think you can get away with dark chocolate chips too, since the sweetened condensed milk is so sweet. Just thinking about these chocolate cookies make me want to whip up another batch again.

Some of my favorite kitchen tools are my dishers, or ice cream scoops. I rarely use them for ice cream though. They come in so many different sizes and are perfect for portioning out batters. I use them for cookies, cupcakes, pancakes, macaroons, and even meatballs. It’s great because everything you make is uniform and cooks more evenly. I usually use a size 40 (purple) or 30 (black) disher for cookies, depending on how big I want them to be. Here’s some links to a few of my favorites – they are Amazon affiliate links, which means if you purchase them, at no additional cost to you, I receive a portion of the purchase.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

By Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens
Published 07/15/2017

Rich chocolate cookies, maraschino cherries and creamy chocolate ganache combine in a delectable treat.

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Maraschino cherries, no stem and blotted dry
6 ounces semisweet or dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons reserved maraschino cherry juice, optional

Instructions

Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats, and set aside. Heat oven to 350F.
Cream together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl then beat in egg and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Slowly add to butter mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, and mix until just combined. Using a small cookie scoop, shape cookie balls then place on cookie sheets. Using the scoop, spoon or your fingers, make a slight indentation in each cookie then place a cherry into each cookie ball.
Bake for 8-11. Remove cookie sheets from oven and allow cookies to rest for 5 minutes before placing them on wire racks to cool completely
While cookies are cooling, combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a small saucepan on low heat, whisking constantly. If needed, add reserved cherry juice to thin our chocolate. Drizzle or pipe over cooled cookies. Store in an airtight container.

Yield: 28-35 cookies

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

Strawberry Peach Pound Cake Trifle

July 11, 2017

Homemade pound cake, strawberries, peaches and a vanilla cream filling make this trifle over-the-top, refreshing and easy to make for any summer gathering.

This recipe is sponsored by Dixie Crystals

Strawberry Peach Pound Cake Trifle from LoveandConfections.com

Trifles are such a fun Summer dessert where many flavors are delicious. Strawberries, peaches, vanilla cream filling and homemade pound cake is a great fruit-filled and creamy combination. There really is no right or wrong way to make a trifle and you can pick and choose what fruits, cake and fillings you want. You can even go one step further and do a chocolate trifle with cookies or brownies – now that sounds delicious!!

…

Key Lime Strawberry Poke Cake

July 6, 2017

Homemade vanilla poke cake with key lime and strawberry fillings and topped with whipped cream is a taste of the tropics at home. Tart and sweet combine in a delicious and fun summer treat.

This recipe is sponsored by Dixie Crystals

Key Lime Strawberry Poke Cake from LoveandConfections.com

Poke cakes are so fun and festive. They can be as easy or intricate as you like, but any way you make it is delicious! Key lime and strawberry are such a great flavor combination. Add a homemade vanilla cake and you will have an amazing dessert!

Poke cakes are usually made with a box mix, packaged gelatin and frozen whipped topping. This cake is much better. I created a key lime filling that is tart and sweet and perfect. Strawberry topping is one of my favorite things ever! It spreads on top of the cake and key lime filling for a fantastic pop of color and delicious strawberry taste. I use a similar strawberry filling for my Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bars too!

Creme Chantilly tops off this dessert and it so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you even buy the frozen stuff. Make sure you have enough limes and strawberries set aside for garnish. I hope you enjoy my Key Lime Strawberry Poke Cake and have a sweet day!

Click here for the FULL RECIPE:

KEY LIME STRAWBERRY POKE CAKE

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

I have an ongoing relationship with Dixie Crystals as a recipe developer and brand ambassador. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Love and Confections possible. As always, all opinions are my own.

Easy Toddler Fairy Garden #SnackSnapShare #SnackStories

July 3, 2017

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

Fairy Gardens are an easy and interactive DIY to get your toddler outdoors this Summer and help ignite their imagination.

Easy Toddler Fairy Garden from LoveandConfections.com #SnackSnapShare #SnackStories

Even before having my little one, I have loved the idea of fairy gardens. They can come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you prefer rustic, traditional, or anything in between, there is a fairy garden for everyone – including toddlers. When we play outside, I always remember to bring extra water and have snacks handy, like Cape Cod® Potato Chips and Snack Factory® Pretzel Crips®.

Fairy gardens are the perfect Summer project for little hands. With parental help, a fairy garden can be created very easily and supply endless hours of fun. I decided on getting a few pre-made fairy elements and mixing with live plants for our outdoor garden. Nowadays you can find almost anything in craft stores or online for fairy gardens.

We went to the local craft store and local hardware store for our supplies. I already had potting soil on hand from my herb garden, but if you don’t, you will need to purchase some of that as well. My daughter had fun picking out some small plants and flowers for her garden. The fairy house was a surprise and I added it while she napped, telling her that a fairy moved in while she was sleeping.

I will eventually drill a small hole in the house and get an LED candle or small light strand for nighttime. When it gets dark, my daughter can watch for when the fairy comes home and the lights turn on. She hasn’t met her fairy yet, but every day we talk about what she might look like, and what her name is. It is great for little imaginations. We are also practicing our math skills by counting the teeny mushrooms and stone walkway. I am definitely going to continue adding to the garden, maybe even make another one for a second fairy soon and enjoy more family time outside, playing in the dirt and using our imaginations.

Easy Toddler Fairy Garden

Supplies:

1 wide pot with drainage holes, if using live plants

potting soil

gloves and trowel

greenery & flowers

fairy house

vase filler or stepping stones

mini mushrooms

optional additional accessories and lights

Fairy Garden Assembly

Gather all your supplies and prepare a work space.

Fill pots halfway with potting soil. Read directions regarding sunlight and spacing for your plants and plant them accordingly. Fill in remaining area with soil.

Place pot where you’d like the garden to stay and water briefly so soil compacts a bit.

Decide where you’d like the fairy house placed so it will not get in the way of plant growth.

Arrange vase filler, or stepping stones, to create a path for the fairy.

Accessorize with miniature mushrooms on florist wire, or other miniature furniture and lights.

Enjoy your very own fairy garden!

I can’t remember how long ago I was introduced to Cape Cod® Potato Chips by my dad, but they have been a family favorite for a long while. I didn’t even realize how many flavors there are now. Original and Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper are my favorites, and I want to try the Waffle Cut varieties, Infused Mediterranean, and limited editions like Roasted Black Garlic. With so many variations for snacking with Cape Cod® Potato Chips, there really is a flavor for everyone and every occasion – from sharing together during family time to parties, barbecues and cookouts all Summer long. My toddler is learning to “share” but it is sometimes a back and forth struggle. She has no problem sharing snacks though.

If I were to enter, I’d definitely use this photo of some of my favorite Summer snacks – Cape Cod® Potato Chips, Snack Factory® Pretzel Crips® and ice cold lemonade!

Snack Better Together Sweepstakes

#SnackSnapShare #Sweepstakes (5/30 to 7/25)

Enter the sweepstakes by sharing snack stories and submitting photos of you, your family or friends in snacking moment using hashtag #SnackSnapShare
(1) Grand prize- $10,000 cash prize for a family vacation of the winner’s choosing.
(8) Weekly Winners- One weekly winner will win a year’s worth of snacks so they can continue to share the love all year long.
(57) Daily Winners- winners will receive a $50 prepaid Visa gift card to stock up on snacks at their favorite retailer

I hope you have an enjoyable Summer outside with family and friends, playing, building fairy gardens and sharing delicious snacks together! Don’t forget to enter the sweepstakes above!

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

Almond Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Yogurt Dressing #StonyfieldBlogger

June 30, 2017

One of my favorite appetizers has been transformed into a delicious salad. Almond Chicken Salad is topped with homemade Honey Mustard Yogurt Dressing for a delicious everyday meal.

Thank you Stonyfield and Taylor Farms for sponsoring this post.

Almond Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Yogurt Dressing from LoveandConfections.com #StonyfieldBlogger

My mom used to make this amazing almond-crusted chicken when I was little. It was usually an appetizer at a party, but I would fill my plate with them and could have it as my meal. I haven’t had it in a while and knew that it would be the perfect topping to my salad.

Stonyfield tasked us with creating a yogurt-based dressing to go along with Taylor Farms salad greens. So many options sprung through my head, and I had a hard time narrowing it down. I eat Taylor Farms quite often so coming up with a new salad took a little time thinking, and a little bit of craving.

I hadn’t had my mom’s almond chicken since childhood. Since I have a toddler (going on teenager), lately I have been thinking about all the delicious recipes my mom used to make for us as kids. I cook almost every night, but I want to cook more of the recipes I grew up with too. So, my mom and I made this chicken and I used it in my salad the next day. It is best when freshly made, but crisped up just fine in the oven too!

Homemade honey mustard is so easy to make. I had all the ingredients already in my pantry and whipped it up in less than 2 minutes. Homemade dressings are easy to make and it feels great knowing exactly what goes into them.

I love using Stonyfield Organic Yogurt in my dressings for that rich creamy texture. Greek yogurt is good for a dressing with body and when I want a tangy taste. Stonyfield’s Smooth & Creamy is also a great choice if you can’t find the Greek yogurt. I hope you try my almond chicken salad and homemade honey mustard yogurt dressing soon!

Almond Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Yogurt Dressing

By Love and Confections
Published 06/30/2017

Ingredients

Taylor Farms 50/50 Spring Mix and Sweet Baby Lettuce
Almond Beer-Battered Chicken Fingers
Tomato, diced
1/2 cup Stonyfield Whole Milk Greek Yogurt
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Place salad greens in bowl. Top with sliced almond chicken and tomatoes.
In small bowl, mix yogurt, mustards, honey, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour desired amount over salad. Alternately, cut chicken tenders and coat with dressing, then add to salad.

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

I have an ongoing relationship with Stonyfield Yogurt as a recipe developer and brand ambassador. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products.

Almond Beer-Battered Chicken Fingers

June 29, 2017

Almond Beer-Battered Chicken Fingers are a delicious addition as a party appetizer, or great protein for any meal, salad or wrap.

Almond Beer-Battered Chicken Fingers from LoveandConfections.com

My mom used to make these amazing slivered almond, beer-battered chicken tenders when I was little. They were mostly as an appetizer for parties, but I would fill my plate with them and could have it as my meal.

Dipping sauces for them varied, but basically anything tastes amazing with them. Barbecue sauce, honey mustard dressing, or ranch are perfect accompaniments. You can even take a twist with dips like sweet chili, peanut sauce, or hoisin.

These chicken fingers take a little bit of prep work, but the results are amazing. The easiest way to make them is with a deep fryer. You can definitely fry these on the stove in a dutch oven, but to avoid splattering and making a mess, we have always friend them outside in an electric fryer. This Cuisinart CDF-100 Compact 1.1-Liter Deep Fryer, Brushed Stainless Steel would be a great option

We usually make a big batch when preparing these, so I scaled down the recipe a bit. If you have leftovers, they can be crisped up in the oven for another meal too. I will even eat these chilled right from the fridge (even though they are best eaten when freshly made) because I love them so much.

When making almond chicken for appetizers, you can cut a breast into 6 bite-sized pieces, or if you prefer strips, use chicken tenderloins, but make sure you remove the white tendon before coating in the batter. The chicken fingers are great on their own, but they are great on a salad or in a wrap! I hope you enjoy a family favorite and make my Almond Beer-Battered Chicken Fingers for your next gathering.

Almond Beer-Battered Chicken Fingers

By Love and Confections
Published 06/29/2017

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
6-8 ounces light beer
2 pounds chicken tenders, cut in half
10 ounce bag sliced almonds
peanut oil for frying

Instructions

Combine flour, salt, pepper and baking powder in medium bowl. Whisk in light beer until batter is a little thicker than what a box cake mix looks like.
Line sheet tray with foil and spread half of the almonds on it. Dredge chicken in batter then lay on almond-covered sheet tray. Spread remaining almonds on top.
Heat fryer to 400F. In batches, fry chicken 2-2 1/2 minutes, or until cooked throughout.
Spread chicken on clean sheet tray lined with paper towels. Eat immediately.

Here are some great dip choices from fellow bloggers:

Berry Barbecue Sauce from Honey and Birch

Easy Homemade Ketchup from Strength & Sunshine

Buffalo Ranch Dressing from Peace, Love and Low Carb

Skinny Bang Bang Sauce from Trial and Eater

5 amazing Fry Sauces from Around My Family Table

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

This post contains affiliate links.

Vanilla Bean and Mint Layered Smoothie #StonyfieldBlogger

June 23, 2017

Vanilla bean and mint smoothie is a refreshing and fun layered drink. Flecks of vanilla bean float in one layer while mint combines with spinach for a beautiful green layer.

Thank you Stonyfield and Walmart for sponsoring this post.

Vanilla Bean and Mint Layered Smoothie from LoveandConfections.com #StonyfieldBlogger

Toddler LnC and I usually have a smoothie every day, and recently I have been wanting to play around with different fruits and vegetables, so we have a variety. A layered smoothie is not only pretty, but a great way to have different flavors.

Green smoothies are great for adding extra veggie goodness to your smoothies. Sometimes the toddler will drink a green smoothie, but sometimes I have to camouflage it, and mint seems to be a new favorite. Spinach doesn’t have too much flavor, so when it’s blended with some home-grown mint, it creates a refreshing and vibrant green layer.

Walmart as started to carry quite a few organic products, including Stonyfield Yogurt! I try to eat organic, but it isn’t always wallet-friendly. Luckily, now that Walmart is carrying more organic products, my family can eat healthier and I don’t have to worry about taking out a loan for groceries.

In my latest haul, I purchased a good amount of organic food from Walmart. Stonyfield Yogurt is always on our shopping list. I also bought organic sugar cookie mix, cereal and macaroni & cheese for the toddler. Some other organic produce, like spinach for smoothies, and carrots and green onions for dinner that night. I always keep a good supply of organic dark chocolate chips and unsweetened coconut flakes on hand in case I need them for baking. I also stocked up on a few organic canned pantry items.

I hope you try a layered smoothie soon, and don’t forget to check out all my Smoothie recipes!

Vanilla Bean and Mint Layered Smoothie

By Love and Confections
Published 06/23/2017

Ingredients

10-20 mint leaves
1/2 cup packed baby spinach
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
1 frozen banana
1 cup Stonyfield Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt
1 cup milk
1 cup Stonyfield Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
1 frozen banana

Instructions

Place ingredients for green smoothie in high-powered blender. Blend until combined then divide between glasses. Freeze for 20+ minutes so distinct layers are made
Blend ingredients for vanilla smoothie. Top green smoothie and enjoy!

Yield: 2

Until next time,

LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

I have an ongoing relationship with Stonyfield Yogurt as a recipe developer and brand ambassador. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products.

https://www.loveandconfections.com/2017/06/vanilla-bean-and-mint-layered-smoothie.html

Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowls

June 4, 2017

Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowls are not only pretty and delicious, but will also leave you fueled and energized for your day ahead!

This post is sponsored by Florida Dairy Farmers in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowls from LoveandConfections.com #SundaySupper #JuneDairyMonth

Smoothies are an almost every day event here, but recently I have jumped on the smoothie bowl bandwagon. I’m sure you’ve seen these gorgeous bowls all over Instagram and Pinterest, with their colorful hues and beautiful fruits, nuts and seeds.

Most of the smoothies we make are drinkable, but the ingredients are a bit different for the perfectly spoon-able smoothie bowl. I usually try to make my smoothie bowls a little on the thick side and use milk as my liquid of choice. Frozen fruit is key for the ingredients – that way the smoothie stays nice and thick.

Milk isn’t just for your cereal or smoothie bowl. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in cooking and baking throughout the day, from breakfast to dessert, and everything in between. This is my second year participating in June Dairy Month, and I love working with Florida Milk and learning about Florida’s dairy farmers. Florida is home to more than 100 farm families who work every day to produce fresh, quality milk from their farm to your refrigerator.

Did you know that more than 120,000 dairy cows live in Florida and collectively produce over 270 million gallons of fresh milk per year? You can find delicious Florida Milk recipes and more on their website, and at these links and by following them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowls

By Love and Confections
Published 06/04/2017

Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowls are not only pretty and delicious, but will also leave you fueled and energized for your day ahead!

Ingredients

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
1 medium banana, frozen and sliced
1/2 cup strawberries, frozen and diced
2 cups frozen cubed dragon fruit
Banana, strawberries, blueberries and chia seeds to garnish

Instructions

In a high power blender or food processor, add all ingredients and blend until combined. Divide between bowls and top with garnishes

Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 05 mins.

Total time: 5 mins.

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

Recipes Using Milk

Milk Recipes for Breakfast

Crustless Spinach Quiche with Cheddar Cheese by Recipes Food & Cooking
Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl by Love & Confections
Easy Baked Grits with Sausage Gravy by Sunday Supper Movement
Fresh Fruit-Topped Mini Pancakes by Girl Abroad

Milk Recipes for Lunch

Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Soup by Life Tastes Good
Creamy Spinach and Cauliflower Rice by Family Foodie
Savory Caprese Oatmeal Bowl by Go Epicurista
Vegetarian Croque Monsieur by Helpful Homemade

Milk Recipes for Dinner

Gouda Grits with Creamy Asparagus and Crab Sauce by Soulfully Made
Milk Poached Chicken with Pesto by Cricket’s Confections
Potato Stack by Healing Tomato
Triple Cheddar Chicken Pasta by Authentically Candace

Milk Recipes for Dessert

Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream by Flour On My Face
Coconut Flan by Desserts Required
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Popsicles by Casa de Crews
Mini Boston Cream Cakes by The Crumby Cupcake

This post is sponsored by Florida Dairy Farmers in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

Easy Springtime Vegetable Pasta Primavera #ForWhatMattersMost

May 31, 2017

I have received information and materials from ©Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. 2017. The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post. #ForWhatMattersMost #CollectiveBias

Pasta Primavera is an easy and versatile Springtime dish. Sauteed vegetables and pasta are topped with lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Any protein can be added for a heartier dish.

Easy Springtime Vegetable Pasta Primavera from LoveandConfections.com #ForWhatMattersMost

As the weather gets warmer, my family and I are outside more often. Whether it’s playing in the yard, going in the pool, or tending to our plants, we are enjoying the warm sunshine. We have an amazing herb garden that I absolutely love. Fresh herbs are essential in my cooking and baking, and Spring is a great time to get an herb garden started.

We have basil, Italian and curly parsley, rosemary, oregano, and mint. Nothing compares to the taste of fresh herbs in your dishes, but they have to start somewhere. After getting soil, plants, and seeds, it takes a little bit of work to get your garden set up. Sometimes I get a little too overzealous outside and have a sore back, but Extra Strength TYLENOL® from Target helps me get back into the garden with powerful relief of headaches, back pain and more.

My pasta primavera would not be complete without some delicious herbs from my garden. It is easy to customize the flavors, herbs and spices to your liking. I used parsley in my dish, but basil and oregano could easily be added for more flavor. I created this with just vegetables, as an easy side dish or stand alone meal, but chicken, beef, pork or shrimp can be added easily.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or learning something new, it’s always good to read up on proper care of your herbs. Make sure you don’t over water them, they are in the correct amount of sunlight, and in a pot or bed big enough for them to grow. Take care of your herbs, and you will have a delicious garden to cook with!

I hope you enjoy my easy and delicious pasta primavera. When used as directed, for adults and children 12 years and older, Extra Strength TYLENOL® temporarily relieves minor aches and pains and temporarily reduces fever. Get out there and garden this Spring with help from TYLENOL®!

Easy Springtime Vegetable Pasta Primavera

By Love and Confections
Published 05/31/2017

Pasta Primavera is an easy and versatile Springtime dish. Sauteed vegetables and pasta are topped with lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Any protein can be added for a heartier dish.

Ingredients

1 pound pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
1 cup matchstick carrots
1 cup roughly chopped spinach
1 cup diced grape tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Juice from half a lemon
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Parmesan cheese and parsley to garnish

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package, reserving some pasta water.
While pasta cooks, saute broccoli, asparagus and carrots in a large skillet with tight fitting lid in 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Place lid on and cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Add half the pasta water an the spinach and tomatoes. Cook another 3-5 minutes until all the vegetables are cooked through.
Add in cooked pasta, seasonings and lemon juice. Stir to combine and heat through. Top with parmesan and parsley and serve

Yield: 4-6 servings
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 5 mins.

Cook time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.
Total time: 15 mins.

Until next time,

LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

I am not a medical expert, and this post is not medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. ©Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. 2017. The third party trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Central Florida Zoo #StonyfieldBlogger

May 19, 2017

A trip to the zoo through the eyes of a child is one of the best experiences. Seeing new animals, feeding giraffes, and playing in the splash pad were the highlights of the day.

I have an ongoing relationship with Stonyfield Yogurt as a recipe developer and brand ambassador. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products.

I recently wrote about Stonyfield Organic partnering with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Stonyfield is the country’s leading organic yogurt maker, and focuses on conservation and sustainability, so it comes as no surprise that Stonyfield partnered with the AZA.

Stonyfield provided a 4-pack of tickets for us to visit an AZA zoo. The toddler and I went to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens and had an amazing time. I had never been to that zoo, even though I have lived in Central Florida for nearly 15 years – unbelievable. I researched the zoo and was happy to find out that there was plenty of shade around the zoo and a splash pad too!

We planned to go and see the animals, have lunch, then let the toddlers play in the water to cool down. The highlight of our visit was being able to feed the giraffes. I had never done that, and to experience my toddler beaming from ear to ear after giving a giraffe some lettuce melts my heart. They were so excited and I cannot wait to go back to visit the giraffes again!

Through Stonyfield YoKids you can also find an offer for a FREE kids ticket (with the purchase of an adult ticket) for one of the hundreds of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in your community when you purchase 2 specially-marked Stonyfield YoKids multi-packs.

The AZA SAFE program (Saving Animals From Extinction) has 232 accredited zoos and aquariums in 47 states with over 750,000 animals in the care of zoo and aquarium professionals. There are about 1,000 threatened or endangered species in these AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums.

Some of the 10 Signature Species (African penguin, Asian elephant, black rhinoceros, cheetah, gorilla, sea turtle, sharks, vaquita, Western pond turtle, and whooping crane) can be seen on the Stonyfield YoKid’s packaging this year.

I hope you are able to enjoy a zoo or aquarium trip this Summer with your family or friends, and don’t forget to grab some Stonyfield Yogurt!

Until next time,

LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

I have an ongoing relationship with Stonyfield Yogurt as a recipe developer and brand ambassador. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Love and Confections possible. As always, all opinions are my own.