Rock and Read!

First of all, have you entered my giveaway yet? There is $20 of free Moe's food up for grabs and it could be yours! Click here for more details!

I have a couple of posts that I have been meaning to write, and eventually I will get to all of them, but I wanted to share a little about a wonderful event that took place about two weeks ago: Rock and Read!

If you have been reading for a while, you know I teach Dance-fitness classes (such as Zumba)! Well, two weeks ago, I organized an event that turned out to be pretty amazing. Rock and Read was a special Zumba party benefitting a local organization: the York County Early Learning Partnership. They are a wonderful nonprofit organization that helps promote early literacy in the area. Since my own daughter has benefitted from ELP (she received a book in the mail each month for the first 5 years of her life!), I wanted to be able to give something back.

Class was held at my regular Thursday location, but we packed as many people into the gym as we could, and the only proof admission was a donation of any amount for the ELP.

I was so proud that we raised over $500 that night for York County Early Learning Partnership! It was so successful that I hope we can do it again next year. I love teaching regular Zumba classes, but it is even more wonderful when we are able to do something special to benefit a worthy organization!

 

In other news... It is MAY! How did that happen? Summer is quickly approaching! I think May is often the "crunch-time" month when we really kick our fitness and healthy eating habits into high gear to get ready for June, when many of us will be hitting the pool. Are you kicking up your fitness routines? I am trying to add more walking/running on my non-Zumba nights and also am adding more weights. I have been slack about that lately. I am also planning to spend the month of May in Whole30 mode, just to get the summer off to a fantastic start. If you want to read about some of my Whole30 experiences, click here!

 

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Who Wants Some Moe's? (Local Giveaway!)

So, after you read my last post about our dinners at Moe's... were you craving a burrito? It's ok, you can tell me. I understand.

Well... Today is your lucky day because starting right now...you could win some free Moe's for you and your family or friends! The only catch is that this giveaway is for local readers. This giveaway is for $20 in Moe's Bucks that is good at any of the 13 Charlotte-Area locations!

And seeing as how the Cinco de Mayo is coming up... This is the perfect time to do a Moe's Giveaway!

 

Cinco de Mayo is Cinco de Awesome at Moe's Southwest Grill.

Celebrate Cinco de Moe's with style, flavor and a legendary$5 Homewrecker Burrito with chips and salsa on May 5.

All burritos (original, junior and bowl options) will be $5 all day on Sunday, May 5. You can order online for this through the Moe's App and avoid the line! (The app is free in the App Store. Order what you want and go straight to the cash register!)

Moe's will also offer commemorative 32 oz. Cinco cup from April 4‐May 5.

This is a "bobble head" cup. Guests are encouraged to share their photo on Twitter with their cup using #CincodeMoes !

So... I bet you are wondering... How can you win???

You have three ways to win. You can do one... or two or three to increase your chances!

1. Leave a comment on this blog telling me what you will order if you win the "Moe's Bucks." Visit the Moe's website (www.moes.com) to check out the menu.

2. For a second entry, tweet about this giveaway! Just click on the "Twitter Button" on the bottom of this post to share on Twitter. (Leave a separate comment telling me that you did this.)

3. For a third entry, share this post on Facebook- again, just tap the "Facebook Share Button" at the bottom of this post. (Leave a separate comment telling me that you did this.)

Good luck!!! The winner will be announced on Cinco de Mayo...or Cinco de Moe's! You have until 7:00 p.m. EST on May 5 to get all your entries in!

 

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Welcome to Moe's!

So, you all know that I love to cook. If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, then you already know this. However, sometimes life gets in the way. Can I get an "Amen" from the choir?

In our household, we juggle lots of things like gymnastics lessons, soccer practice and games, church activities, teaching Zumba, and more. It gets a little crazy, and on those days and nights, sometimes we have to eat out.

One of my very favorite places to visit is Moe's Southwest Grill. I love to visit local places, but Moe's is one chain that we LOVE. Our family frequents Moe's, but recently I received a gift certificate from Moe's Charlotte Headquarters and I agreed to write a post about our family's favorite things about Moe's. I actually did a little research and found out some things I didn't know about Moe's, which made me like them even more!

Here are a few things that you might not know about Moe's that I think you should:

• There are over 20 ingredients for burritos (or other menu items)
• The fully customizable menu proudly boasts all-natural, cage-free, white breast meat chicken; steroid-free, grain-fed pulled pork; 100% sirloin, grass-fed steak; and organic tofu
• The are no trans fats or MSG in any of their foods
• If you listen closely to the tunes playing at any Moe's restaurant, you'll notice all of the songs are performed by dead musicians to honor the sweet sounds of the artists who left us too soon.
• Kids eat FREE on Tuesdays! (Holla if you like FREE!)
• You can eat Paleo at Moe's! (See my meal below.)
• You can order online of you download the app from the App Store. Click, click, click...and pick it up!
• You can view all of the nutrition information online. I like that the nutrition info is interactive, so you can remove the toppings you won't be eating and add the ones you will.
• The food is delicious always!

My favorite menu item is the Close Talker salad in a bowl. I usually get mine with shredded lettuce, chicken, pico de gallo, black olives, pickled jalapeños, cilantro, and cucumbers. Sometimes I add guacamole. You don't even need a dressing to go with it, although they do have dressing if you want it.

I also absolutely love the salsa bar. Each time I visit Moe's, I get the free salsa, which is the best green salsa I have had, and I always try one of the red salsas. I like that they always have mild, medium, and hot options. I wish I could turn down tortilla chips, but I can't... Chips and salsa are a weakness. (If you want to stick with Paleo while visiting Moe's, you have to skip the chips, obviously.)

 

Sadie's favorite is the soft taco. We all know how picky kid can be, so it is nice to go somewhere where you can select every single ingredient you want. She loves to order her own and tell them her favorite toppings: lettuce, cheese, and black olives!

If you are looking for a spot where you can eat health(ier) that is kid-friendly, give Moe's a try! Thank you, Moe's of Charlotte for giving our family a chance to have dinner and share our favorites!

So tell me... Have you ever tried Moe's? What's your favorite menu item?

 

 

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Cutest Soccer Player in the World...

 

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Spring Break Festivities (Part 2)

Did you miss Part 1 of my Spring Break Recap? Click here to view!

So, as you know...part of spring break was spent battling a nasty stomach virus. Is it just me, or has there been en excessive amount of this type of virus this year? In our family, we have had at least 3 stomach viruses this school year!

The only positive (or negative?) aspect of being sick was that I had the time to get obsessed with a new TV series.

Oh, Downton Abbey. You took me on such an emotional roller coaster. I actually watched seasons 1, 2, AND 3 during the break. This show is So. Good. I am not usually a fan of a historical fiction mini-series. I tend to like more realistic and modern TV, but I was hooked. There are so many parallel storylines to follow and the characters are so well-developed. I loved it! Now I have to wait for season 4 for who knows how long?!

Besides my Downton Abbey marathon, we had time to ride bikes in the park, eat some fro-yo, and and even hit a Charlotte Bobcats game!

Sadie loved the game. She loved doing all the stomping and clapping and cheering for "our team!"

By the time you read this...it'll be Monday, and we will be back to our regular routines...work...school...soccer practice... I cannot even believe that summer is just about 9 weeks away! Bring on the sunshine and pool time!

Speaking of Pool Time... I am thinking it's about time for another Whole30. Anybody want to join me???

 

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Spring Break Festivities (Part 1)

It's one of the few times of year that the rest of the public is jealous of teachers: it's Spring Break!

Every year, educators everywhere look forward to a much-needed week off from school. We had big plans of lots of relaxing activities, like:

• Cleaning the house
• Redoing the landscaping in the front yard
• Doing all the piles of laundry

Wait... Did I say relaxing? Maybe I should have used a different word to describe Spring break.

 

At any rate, things took a bit of a surprising twist when a nasty stomach virus made its way through our family. I meant to post an Easter recap a few days ago, but was incapacitated for a few days. But now I am better and ready to share!

We made our annual Easter trip to Greenville to see my family. Each year, we have certain traditions that my mom makes us we love to continue...

...like dying Easter eggs...

 

...and making the "bunny cake!"

 

 

We also did a little shopping and had a delicious girls' lunch at Adam's Bistro.

 

 

I decided on the grilled shrimp skewers with sautéed spinach and green beans. Delicious!

 

 

Unfortunately, it was a bit cold and rainy on Easter, so we made our pictures indoors.

 

It was so nice spending time with family! It was also wonderful to have Easter at the beginning of Spring break! It always feels depressing to go back to work on Easter Monday.

Unfortunately... Things fell apart after this photo was taken, and the stomach virus took several of us down for a few days...

Thank goodness that is over!

 

Stay tuned for Spring Break Part 2!

 

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