Detroit Mommies » Made in Michigan

Review: Simply Suzanne Granola Satisfies

Rebecca — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:29:32 +0000

Simply Suzanne Granola is a tasty treat.

I’m not a natural snacker. Most of the time, at home, I don’t even by snacks because I don’t eat them. I get the things for my children, but while they are in love with Goldfish, I am most definitely not. I can only eat so many Cheez-Its without feeling like a grease-ball. And while I could eat candy all day, I’m 30 now and I have been learning the hard way that my metabolism is slowing down. Then I got the opportunity to try Simply Suzanne Granola and I found my new adult-friendly snack!

I had a wide variety to try. Let’s just say the dark chocolate variety did not last long! It was so awesome. I felt like I was getting a super sugary dose of chocolate but I didn’t feel all sugar-buzzed out afterward and I had some energy to burn rather than completely crashing mid-afternoon.

Since I had so much, I decided to try to use them in a number of different ways. I ate a lot of it plain. So Very Cherry made a great mid-morning snack. I kept the resealable bag on my desk and dipped in whenever I felt a little hungry, had a craving for something a little sweet or just wanted something to munch on. The original granola, with cinnamon and peanuts, was a great filler for my morning vanilla yogurt. And also plain. The chocolate and coffee, mmm, another great one. I added some milk to it and ate it like cereal. Awesome stuff.

Simply Suzanne is made locally here in Detroit. It’s vegan-friendly with no artificial flavoring or preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup, no cholesterol and no trans fat, plus it’s high in protein and a great source of fiber.

To learn more about Simply Suzanne Granola, including all of the types of granola you can get your hands on, visit the Simply Suzanne website.

Free Summer Activities in Metro Detroit

JManriquez — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:34:45 +0000

School is almost out and soon you will be looking for some fun things to do when the kids are home! The Metro Detroit area is full of Summer fun! Check out the listings below for some fun, free events to share with your family!

Borders

http://media.bordersstores.com/pdf/formDoubleDogDare.pdf

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/index.asp

Learn Spanish with Bilingual Fun

www.bilingualfun.com/classes.html/

Michigan Libraries Summer Reading Programs

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-54504_18668_34169—,00.html

EL Johnson Nature Center- Bloomfield Hills

http://naturecenter.bloomfield.org/

Popular Detroit Area Festivals and Concerts

http://www.madmanmike.com/big_events_michigan.html

Kids Concerts Plymouth- Wednesdays at Noon

http://www.plymouthmich.org/events/Good-Old-Fashion-Picnic-Township-Park_ET16.html

Michigan Challenge BalloonFest Howell

http://www.michiganchallenge.com/

Fun Events at the MetroParks

http://www.metroparks.com/calendar.aspx

Pets are the focus of local business

Rebecca — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:53:01 +0000

Kimberly Santini left a software development job in 2001 to be a stay-at-mom to her three children. As an outlet, she started painting during the kids’ nap time. That hobby turned into a business after she had gallery representation and a waiting list of client want custom work, mostly of their pets.

Kimberly Santini made a career out of painting animals and giving back to help animals.

“The first painting I completed was a long-overdue portrait of my brother’s dog. Then I painted a life-sized portrait of my sister-in-law’s horse, and then a couple of other dogs for friends. So, I suppose I was inspired by the love people around me shared for their companion animals,” Santini said.

Santini, is active in the arts in Lake Orion. She volunteers with the schools and the Downtown Development Authority. During Lake Orion’s Dog Days of August, she sponsors a dog-themed event. Santini also teaches children and adults and performs live demonstrations of painting. Her artwork is displayed throughout the metro Detroit area as often as possible. In fact, her art is on display in the Margot’s Gallery in Oxford as well as the Starkweather Gallery in Romeo continuously and can be purchased from those locations as well. However, with the ability to connect globally through the Internet, Santini is able to work with clients from anywhere.

“My actual geographic location in the Detroit area never played a role in my decision to open my studio. Because of the advent of the Internet, I was able to forgo the sorts of logistic-based decision-making that used to be standard fare for small business owners,” Santini said.

Kimberly Santini is commissioned to paint pictures of pets.

Santini grew up in Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in painting and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art history. After getting married, she moved to southern California and worked for The Getty Trust. After her children were born, she and her husband returned to Michigan to raise their kids closer to immediate family and in a quaint, small Midwest town. They ended up in Lake Orion and have been there ever since.

And she gives back to that community.

“I donate 10 percent of my gross to Animal Welfare, most notably, my local shelter in Auburn Hills,” Santini said.

For more information on Santini’s artwork, visit her blog, Painting A Dog Day, where she showcases her daily paintings. Santini’s studio, Turtle Dove Designs, is also online.

Made in Michigan:Distinctive Nurseries

Rebecca — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:48:39 +0000

In 2002, Michelle Torres had a baby with systemic mastocytois, which is a rare blood disease. Suddenly, she found the need to be a stay-at-home-mom to care for her daughter. She wanted to start a business that she could run from her home. She found a lack of designer nursery bedding available through one source, so she started Distinctive Nurseries.

While it was originally based in San Antonio, Texas, Torres and her family relocated to Michigan in 2009 for the better climate, which impacts her daughter’s disease.

“We offer a wide variety of bedding and artwork that is not available locally,” said Torres. From her website, Torres features baby products and unique nursery decor.

Torres encourages Michigan consumers to look for local businesses. It not only helps the economy in Michigan, but sometimes the good are available right around the corner and immediately.

Distinctive Nurseries offers products and information online. The company is launching a Facebook and Twitter in the coming weeks. Distinctive Nurseries is offering Detroit Mommy readers 5 percent off any order of $50 or more with the coupon code DMM5.

Local domestic violence organizations benefit from HopeLine program

Rebecca — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 21:07:54 +0000

In October, challenged all of our readers to submit their old cell phones to the Verizon Wiresless’ HopeLine program. The long-running program collects no-longer-used phones and cell phone equipment to be refurbished and recycled. The refurbished phones are sold and the funds are used to provide wireless phones and airtime to domestic violence survivors. This year, Verizon Wireless was able to donate $100,000 to domestic violence organizations in Michigan.

Verizon's HopeLine program donated $100,000 to domestic violence organizations.

Since the inception of the HopeLine program, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 7,000,000 phones and distributed more than 90,000 with more than 300,000,000 minutes of free wireless service to domestic violence survivors. Through sales and recycling, Verizon has raised more than $7.0 million in cash grants for domestic violence organizations around the United States.

This year, Verizon Wireless has donated thousands of dollars in phones and airtime to domestic violence agencies statewide for use by survivors. The selected organizations were awarded $5,000 at five different Verizon Wireless stores around the state. The organizations receiving HopeLine grants from Verizon Wireless are EVE(Ending Violent Encounters) in Lansing, Looking For My Sister in Detroit, LA CASA in Howell, Safe Haven Ministries in Grand Rapids, and the YWCA of Greater Flint.

There is an environmental factor at play as well. Phones that cannot be refurbished are recycled in an environmentally sound way. Through HopeLine’s recycling efforts, more than 200 tons of electronics waste and batteries have been kept out of landfills.

A lot of focus is on the HopeLine program in October because it is Domestic Violence Awareness month, however, the collection of used phones goes on throughout the year.

For more information on the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, visit the HopeLine website.

5 Places in Metro Detroit to Take Out of Town Guests

Courtney Velasquez — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:00:25 +0000

Frankenmuth

Frankenmuth is such a magical place… at least it looks magical and since it’s Christmas year round, it’s a great place to take out of town guests, especially right before the holidays.

We had out of town guests from California visiting for Thanksgiving and decided to make the hour trip from Rochester to Frankenmuth. We started our venture at the world’s famous Bronner’s Christmas Store. Bronner’s is a Christmas Wonderland, open 361 days of the year and features over 50,000 trims and gifts. I picked up a Little People’s Nativity set for the girls and a few ornaments for the girls to give to their teachers. We then headed over to grab some lunch at the Bavarian Inn.

We wanted some authentic German food and that’s just what we got! I ordered the Bavarian Combo plate and it was delish! It had Smoked Pork Loin, Breaded Loin of Pork and Marinated Beef. It also came with these amazing Potato Cheese Puffs. It was the perfect amount of food and I was glad I got to try a few different things. I ordered the girls the chicken fingers and they were SO good! They also had hot chocolate that was by far the best hot chocolate I have ever tasted in my life!

After lunch we looked through the shops that are in the basement of the Bavarian Inn and then picked up some cheese from a cheese shop and fudge from a fudge shop that were downtown. We had a wonderful trip to Frankenmuth and it was a great way to kick off the holiday season!

Meadow Brook Hall

I feel like I am stepping off of a time machine into the 1800′s every time I step foot into meadow Brook Hall and during the holiday’s it is especially magical with the Dodge/Wilson home decorated top to bottom for the holidays.

The home is a magnificent part of metro Detroit’s history and if you go for a tour, now is the time! We were invited to visit Meadow Brook Hall to kick off the holidays, but this was not our first visit. Even though this was our 3rd visit to the home, every time we visit, we learn a little more about the history that has been preserved so wonderfully. Last year we went to Dinner With Santa and the whole family had a wonderful time!

This year, they opened up the children’s secret playrooms which was a very special treat! I always wondered what they looked like and we finally got a tour!

Cider Mill

Not all, but a lot of the Cider Mills are open year round and on a cold day, a hot cup of cider and a warm donut are just what you need to take off the chill! We took our out of town guests to Yates Cider Mill and got the treat of watching the apples being juiced while we sat and enjoyed our cider and donuts. You can’t visit Michigan without visiting a cider mill!

Great Lakes Crossing

What’s a trip without a little shopping? Great Lakes Crossing has the best line-up of designer discount stores! From Banana Republic to Coach and Lacoste to the Disney Store, there is something for everyone and really great deals!

Big Bright Light Show

This year was the first year we missed the “official” lighting of downtown Rochester. If it hadn’t been for the rain and the sick kids, we would have continued our annual tradition, but poor health got in the way.

The Big Bright Light Show is even bigger this year and attracts visitors from all over metro Detroit and beyond. It’s a treat for kids and adults alike and a must not miss attraction during the holiday season!

Luckily, our friends that were visiting from California during Thanksgiving got to experience the spectacular show! After our Thanksgiving dinner, we took a drive through downtown Rochester, MI for an early showing of the Big Bright Light Show!

Do you have any special places that you take out of town guests when they visit metro Detroit during the holidays?

Review and Giveaway: Kristen’s Custom Creations

Rebecca — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:42:25 +0000

You know those thoughts about your life that you wish you could capture and wear for the whole world to see? Things like “Lucky Mom” or “I Love You to the Moon and Back” or even your kids’ initials. Kristen’s Custom Creations can help you out. Through hand-stamped saying, Kristen’s Custom Creations can put your message on a beautiful necklace, bracelet, earrings, key chains, dog tags and even guitar picks.

Kristen Andrews, a Metro Detroit based work-at-home-mom, started making the custom hand-stamped jewelry as a hobby. As word of her talent spread and more people requested her work, Kristen decided to open a shop on Etsy. Now she’s telling word about her beautiful creations.

Most of the pieces are stamped on sterling silver, but she can stamp on just about anything. Each project takes about 1.5 to 2 weeks to complete.

Kristen sent me a beautiful charm that captures exactly how I feel about my husband and my children. “So this is love,” was stamped on to a circle charm for me. She paired it with a tiny heart-shaped charm. The charm is on one of Kristen’s gorgeous bracelets.

As a mom, this is a perfect gift, but it’s also a great gift for teachers, aunt, godmothers, grandmothers and other caregivers. Kristen’s Custom Creation also has gifts for dads, such as key chains, dog tags and guitar picks that can be customized with any message.

Win it!

One lucky winner will win a $40 gift certificate from Kristen’s Custom Creations is offering a $40 gift certificate!

Entry Requirements

To enter, visit Kristen’s Custom Creations’ Facebook page and “Like” it. Once you have done that, return to Detroit Mommies and leave us a comment to let us know you are a fan of Kristen’s Custom Creations and you want to be entered in the contest.

For Extra Entries:

Share this contest on Twitter and/or Facebook. Copy and paste: Win a $40 gift certificate from Kristen’s Creations @DetroitMommies http://wp.me/pGVE2-1Hg

The Fine Print

Enter by 9 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010. A winner will be selected randomly on Monday, Nov. 15, 2010.

No purchase necessary to enter. Winner will be selected randomly through http://random.org. Detroit Mommies writers and contributors are ineligible to participate. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered. Detroit Mommies is not responsible products shipped from outside vendors or sponsors. Open to participants in the US and Canada 18 years and older. Contest ends at 11/14/2010 at 9:00 p.m. EST.

It’s Cider Mill Time!

Courtney Velasquez — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:34:31 +0000

Photo by Jeffery Lewis Bennett

It’s that time of the year again… hot apple cider and hot donuts…yummy!

Going to the cider mills has become a family tradition for us since we moved here 2 years ago from Southern California. It’s something we did not have living in the warmer climate and cherish now as a family favorite!

I signed up to get the Yates Cider Mill newsletter by email to stay on top of what’s going on and just got information that they have expanded their line of delectable jams, spreads, butters and sauces. Along with their delicious apple butters and apple salsa, they now offer Pumpkin Butter, Cinnamon Apple Jelly, Apple Cherry Butter, Apple Blueberry Butter, Chipotle Apple Raspberry Sauce , Pear Apple Chai and Strawberry Rhubarb Preserve.

Here’s a coupon: http://www.yatescidermill.com/coupons/coupon.pdf

Here is a list of Detroit Mommies favorite cider mills in Metro Detroit: Cider Mills

Chevy Drive to Blue Hill

Courtney Velasquez — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:36:29 +0000

This years BlogHer conference in NYC was jammed packed with special, private events and the first one of many for me was a drive to Blue Hill at Stone Barns in a Chevrolet Cruze.

We departed from the NYC Hilton at about 9am, each 2 person team in their own Cruze. We were armed with a set of directions and an envelope of cash for the toll in and out of the city.

Once we arrived at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, we were split into two groups. My group was lead to the actual field where green beans were grown and we got to experience how to pick green beans. Then, once we were hot and dripping from the sweltering heat, we were lead to the kitchen where we learned how to make raspberry preserves. I couldn’t believe how easy it was and the finished product tasted much better than store bought preserves.

Our next adventure was in the Chevy Volt. What a cool car! The Volt is battery operated and super sporty. We were given a full overview of the ins and outs of the car that has yet to be in production. We got a test drive in the prototype and I was geeked out by all the bells and whistles and cool technology the car possesses. It really is made for the future driver that is ready for a car that fits right into the technology driven world.

After the drive, it was lunch time. We started off with amazing hors d’oeuvres such as polenta fries with spicy vegetables and pancetta wrapped zucchini and non alcoholic, ice cold beverages. Then we moved into the dining room for a wonderful meal of a salad made of summer fruits and vegetables with homemade ricotta and pastured Stone Barns chicken with summer beans and smoked tomato. My mouth was in heaven! Lunch ended with a flaxseed brownie with caramelized strawberries and toaster pine nut ice cream… delectable!

My favorite part of the day were the connections I made with the GM crew. They were there to answer any and all questions about the Volt and the future of Chevrolet as well as connect themselves (the brand) with us (the bloggers/influencers). This connection will put them ahead on loyalty list. They are good people and that makes a huge difference to me.

One more thing I’m not too proud to share, but will was that my driving partner Fiona Bryan and I got lost coming back from Blue Hill at Stone Barns and were trying to find our way through New York. On Star helped us get back on track and find our way back to the Hilton. If you haven’t tried On Star, it totally rocks! I liked being able to talk to a live person… it made me relax in a stressful situation.

Thanks GM for an amazing time!

Movie Casting Call in Michigan

Courtney Velasquez — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:08:10 +0000

WHAT: Home Run Showdown, a movie directed by Oz Scott (Cheetah Girls) is holding an open casting call for boys ages 9-12 who have had some experience playing baseball and who think they have what it takes to star in a kids baseball movie.

Home Run Showdown is set to start filming in early August right here in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Producers are looking for all body types, races/ethnicities and personalities. No acting experience is necessary.

WHEN: Wednesday June 30, 2010, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Ages 9-10, 3-5:30 p.m.
Ages 11-12, 5:30-8 p.m.

WHERE: Westin Hotel
1st Floor
1500 Town Center
Southfield, MI 48075
(Park in the lot or structure)

CONTACT: For more information about the Home Run Showdown casting call, contact Lisa Maas or Wensdy Von Buskirk of Publicity Works at lmaas@publicityworkspr.com or wvonbuskirk@publicityworkspr.com or call 248.691.4466.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Audition doesn’t guarantee a role in the movie. You may be photographed or videotaped for casting purposes only.