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Fun Food Friday: Trader …

March 28, 2014 By admin

Trader Joe’s sells so many yummy things but one item that wows everyone in my family is Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter spread. Originating from Belgium, Speculoos is a type of spiced shortbread cookie traditionally baked around Christimas time. The popular cookies have now found their way into an array of delicious spreads, cookie butters and ice cream flavorings (Belgium’s version of our Cookies and Cream).

Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter is delicious on toast, as a sandwich spread or just straight out of the jar. It doesn’t contain nuts so its lunchbox friendly and I love to use it as “skin” when I make funny face apples or as “sauce” when I make dessert pizza. Its so popular there actually a Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter page on Facebook. Who knew?

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Globetrotting Mommy Fun Food Friday: Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Spread offers up a taste of Belgium

So, here are your options, assuming you live near one of the many Trader Joe’s stores in the U.S. Looking for a store near you? Check out the new Trader Joe’s app.

– Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Spread: the original flavor with a consistency of smooth peanut butter.

– Trader Joe’s Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter Spread: the same flavor as the original with crunchy cookies mixed in.

– Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie & Cocoa Swirl: this one mixes the original flavor with a smooth cocoa stripe for those craving a little chocolate with their cookies.

Which one is your favorite?

Cool Apps Tuesday: Get around …

March 18, 2014 By admin

Looking for a cool app to help you find places and information when you’re home or away? You’ll love AroundMe, a cool app that helps you find the closest restaurant, movie theatre, bank, and more by just using your fingertips.

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Cool App Tuesday: Get around town with the Around Me App

Categories include Banks/ATM, Bars, Coffee Shops, Deals, Gas Stations, Hospitals, Hotels, Local Guides, Movie Theaters, Movies, Nearby, Parking, Pharmacies, Pubs, Restaurants, Supermarkets, Taxis, and Theaters. There is also a favorites category where you can store your most used hotspots.

This app is super fast and when you click on a category, you get an array of listings and details. For example, when you select movies, it lists movies and theaters where that selection is playing. If you click on a movie title, it takes you to a synapsis page where you can read movie reviews, watch trailers, see showtimes and buy tickets. Its similar for the hotel and restaurant tabs as well.

Getting lost is a thing of the past because it integrates with Google Maps and Foursquare and shows you exactly how to find the place you’ve selected. Make dinner reservations, book a hotel, buy theater tickets, get gas and find a pharmacy all in a few easy swipes.

AroundMe is one of the best free apps I’ve tried on my iPhone for local searches. This is true lifesaver when you’re traveling to an unfamiliar town or even at home. Give it a shot at home and see what you think. And if you hate the adds you can pay the $2.99 for the ad-free version.

Are we there yet? A new iPad …

November 27, 2013 By admin

If you’re heading out of town for Thanksgiving, you’ll want to download the Map the World iPad app before you go. It’s free, its fun, its educational and it”s a great app for traveling since it will keep the whole family entertained.

Globetrotting Mommy – Travelzoo’s Map the World iPad app review

This new iPad app, launched as part of Travelzoo‘s 15th birthday celebration, offers up nine puzzles for kids and adults to hone their geography knowledge. You simply drag the colorful puzzle pieces into the matching spot while recordings of the place’s names help you learn how to pronounce them.

Globetrotting Mommy – Map the World iPad App

I did a few puzzles and they were quite challenging (I’m talking to you Oceans and Seas). I really thought it would be too hard for my 4-year old but when I set her up with the United States puzzle, I was pleasantly surprised to see her finish it (in 10 minutes but still…). If you’re traveling with grandparents, I think this would be an easy app to get them working on their techie skills since its pretty self explanatory and they’ll enjoy the congratulatory prompts along the way.

The new iPad game also introduces players to one of the world’s poorest countries, Malawi. Through a giving-back program, Travelzoo is encouraging parents to donate $1 or more to Open Arms Malawi, a charitable organization that provides medical attention, shelter, education, food and love to some of Malawi’s 1,000,000 orphaned and abandoned children. A nice touch to go along with giving thanks this season.

What’s your favorite app for traveling?

Flying with kids? Check out …

November 4, 2013 By admin

Once upon a time, when I was a little girl, in-flight entertainment meant a coloring book, stickers and a Rubik’s cube. Flying with kids has changed a lot and parents (and kids) will be thrilled to know that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) now says portable electronic devices can be used during all phases of the flight!

Globetrotting Mommy – Flying with Kids?

No more announcements telling passengers to power down cell phones, no more waiting patiently to reach 10,000 feet before turning on that IPad or Kindle, and no more bored kids during take off and landing! According the FAA, implementation will vary among airlines but most carries are expected to be onboard with the new rule by the end of year. Flying with kids who can’t wait to read e-books, play games and watch videos all flight long? Delta and Jet Blue have already gone through the approval process so start there first.

Electronic devices still need to be used in airplane mode or have cellular service disabled and phones cannot be used for talking or texting. But if an airline offers WiFi or Bluetooth, that may be accessed.

Here is the FAA’s list of 10 things you should know about the expanded use of personal electronic devices (PED) on flights:

Make safety your first priority.
Changes to PED policies will not happen immediately and will vary by airline. Check with your airline to see if and when you can use your PED.
Current PED policies remain in effect until an airline completes a safety assessment, gets FAA approval, and changes its PED policy.
Cell phones may not be used for voice communications.
Devices must be used in airplane mode or with the cellular connection disabled. You may use the WiFi connection on your device if the plane has an installed WiFi system and the airline allows its use. You can also continue to use short-range Bluetooth accessories, like wireless keyboards.
Properly stow heavier devices under seats or in the overhead bins during takeoff and landing. These items could impede evacuation of an aircraft or may injure you or someone else in the event of turbulence or an accident.
During the safety briefing, put down electronic devices, books and newspapers and listen to the crewmember’s instructions.
It only takes a few minutes to secure items according to the crew’s instructions during takeoff and landing.
In some instances of low visibility – about one percent of flights – some landing systems may not be proved PED tolerant, so you may be asked to turn off your device.
Always follow crew instructions and immediately turn off your device if asked.

For more details, check out the FAA’s press release.

Bon voyage!