Food Fun Family

Celebrate Trolls with a Fun #DreamWorksTrolls Giveaway

Lolli — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 13:39:54 +0000

Trolls is out in theaters and the kids and I are SO excited! I’m excited to offer a fun Trolls prize pack to celebrate the opening of the film in theaters. Prizing and samples courtesy of 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks Animation & Sun-Maid. Amazon links are used within this post. All thoughts are my own.

You know what makes me the most excited about seeing Trolls in the theater? The music! I love that so many talented musicians have collaborated on this film, and I’ve loved everything I’ve heard so far (I’m thinking about downloading the soundtrack before I’ve even seen the movie!). Keep reading to see whose voices and original songs you’ll hear in Trolls!

About TROLLS

From the creators of Shrek comes DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls, a smart, funny and irreverent comedy about the search for happiness, and just how far some will go to get it. This hilarious film transports audiences to a colorful, wondrous world populated by the overly optimistic Trolls, who have a constant dance in their step and a song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomachs.

After the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy (Kendrick), the happiest Troll ever born, and the overly-cautious curmudgeonly Branch (Timberlake) set off on a journey to rescue her friends. Together, this mismatched duo embarks on a rescue mission full of adventure and mishaps – trying to tolerate each other long enough to get the job done.

Utilizing music to further the film’s narrative, the Trolls soundtrack is produced by Justin Timberlake and features five original songs including songs by Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, Anna Kendrick and Gwen Stefani, in addition to a number of classic hits from the ‘60s through the ‘80s.

Check out the official trailer here:

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Russell Brand, Zooey Deschanel, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, Quvenzhané Wallis, with John Cleese and Gwen Stefani
Directed By: Mike Mitchell; Co-Director: Walt Dohrn
Produced By: Gina Shay

Sun-Maid Partners with Trolls

Sun-Maid has partnered with DreamWorks Animation to give away 5,000 pairs of movie tickets, and a home town screening of Trolls. Sun-Maid released special packaging featuring Trolls character stickers and special Trolls character boxes. Sun-Maid also introduced 3 brand-new Trolls-inspired raisin recipes: Poppy’s Perfect Tea Cakes, Hair-Sterical Cupcakes, and Guy Diamond’s Very Special Popcorn Mix!

For more information, visit https://www.sunmaidoffer.com. Promotion ends on December 30, 2016 at 11:59 PM ET.

Connect with Trolls

Visit the Official Site
Like ‘Trolls’ on Facebook
Follow on Twitter and Instagram
#DreamWorksTrolls

Enter to win a Trolls Prize Pack

I’m excited to offer this fun Trolls-themed giveaway! One winner will receive the following Trolls and Sun-Maid prize pack:

$50 Visa gift card to see TROLLS in theaters
Two (2) Sun-Maid spatulas
One (1) Sun-Maid whisk
Three (3) Sun-Maid cookie cutters
Three (3) Trolls recipe cards
Assortment of natural raisins, golden raisins, Trolls vanilla yogurt minis, Trolls natural minis

This giveaway is open to US mailing addresses only. Prizing and samples courtesy of 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks Animation & Sun-Maid.

Giveaway ends on Monday, November 14 at 11:59 PM, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Chicken Tikka Recipe #100FootJourney

Lolli — Sun, 03 Aug 2014 01:39:15 +0000

Have you ever tried cooking for a family of 16? The last week or so, we’ve had my family of seven and my sister’s family of seven staying with my mom and dad. It has been a little crazy…and dinner time has been a huge ordeal.

I am drooling over this new dish inspired by The Hundred Foot Journey, which comes to theaters next week (August 8). Love authentic Indian food? You will LOVE this recipe for chicken tikka (yum, yum!).

Click the recipe above to save to your computer (and print the full size image, if desired).

Fun Fact: Every weekend during production, Om Puri invited his on-screen family to his home where he would cook traditional Indian dishes for them, which brought everyone closer and made their bond on screen more natural and believable.

The Hundred-Foot Journey – “Food Is Memories”

About The Hundred Foot Journey

In “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) is a culinary ingénue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch. Displaced from their native India, the Kadam family, led by Papa (Om Puri), settles in the quaint village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France. Filled with charm, it is both picturesque and elegant – the ideal place to settle down and open an Indian restaurant, Maison Mumbai. That is, until the chilly chef proprietress of Le Saule Pleureur, a Michelin-starred, classical French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Academy Award®-winner Helen Mirren) gets wind of it. Her icy protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred feet from her own escalate into a heated battle between the two establishments until Hassan’s passion for French haute cuisine — and for Madame Mallory’s enchanting sous chef, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon) — combine with his mysteriously-delicious talent to weave magic between their two cultures and imbue Saint-Antonin with the flavors of life that even Madame Mallory cannot ignore. At first Madame Mallory’s culinary rival, she eventually recognizes Hassan’s gift as a chef and takes him under her wing.

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” abounds with flavors that burst across the tongue. A stimulating triumph over exile, blossoming with passion and heart, it is a portrayal of two worlds colliding and one young man’s drive to find the comfort of home, in every pot, wherever he may be.

Connect with THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY

Like THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Facebook
Follow THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Twitter: @the100ftJourney
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehundredfootjourney
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/100FtJourney

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY arrives in theaters everywhere on August 8th!

Celebrate 4th of July with Food! Sizzling Summer Recipes #100FootJourney

Lolli — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 15:09:52 +0000

This collection of summer recipes (for the 4th of July and beyond) is inspired by DreamWorks Pictures’ upcoming movie The Hundred-Foot Journey (be sure to check out my other #100FootJourney recipes. They all just look SO good!). These recipes are provided by Disney/DreamWorks Pictures, but opinions are all my own.

I don’t know about you, buy my initial inclination is to stay out of the kitchen all summer long to avoid the heat…but the fact is, there are so many wonderful colors and flavors that are only available during the summer months that it would be a shame not to take advantage of the fresh veggies and fruits that are available this time of year.

My mouth is watering over these new recipes inspired by The Hundred Foot Journey – from Curry Hot Dog to Raspberry and Blueberry Tarte. From Pasta Salad with Chickpeas to Sparkling Lemonade. Which recipe would you like to try first?

Click any of the recipe images below to save to your computer and print off to try at home.

Enjoy the flavors and colors of the summer!

Sparkling Lemonade

Curry Hot Dog

Raspberry and Blueberry Tarte

Pasta Salad with Chickpeas

About The Hundred-Foot Journey: In DreamWorks Pictures’ “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” the opening of a new Indian restaurant in the south of France next to a famous Michelin-starred eatery is nearly cause for a heated battle between the two establishments, until Le Saule Pleureur’s icy proprietress, Madame Mallory, recognizes her rival’s undeniable brilliance for preparing masterful meals.

Connect with THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY

Like THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Facebook
Follow THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Twitter: @the100ftJourney
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehundredfootjourney
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/100FtJourney

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY arrives in theaters everywhere on August 8th!

Madeleines Recipe

Lolli — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:14:44 +0000

There was once a fancy cookie that I only saw at special get-togethers and celebrations. I did not know the name of this cookie, but I recognized the shape and the unique flavor/texture combination that was somewhere in between cookie and cupcake.

One day I was walking through the kitchen aisle at my favorite thrift store (because wonderful treasures can be found in the kitchen aisle!) and I saw something that caught my eye: that wonderful shell-shape in a baking pan. For a couple of dollars I brought it home and vowed to find a recipe to use to duplicate those delicious special-occasion cookies.

Of course, life happened and I never got around to finding a recipe to use…or rather, I just never found the time to make them.

When the following recipe showed up in my inbox from my Disney buddy, Marshall, I knew it was fate. It was time to dust that cookie pan off and make some Madeleines!

This is not a dump-everything-in-a-bowl and stir kind of recipe. The extra little steps, though, make a difference!

Enjoy! (even if there’s no special occasion – no need to wait!)

Right click the recipe image below to save the full-res image to your computer, then print the recipe to add to your recipe files. Enjoy!

Note: see the type of pan that I used here.

This is the 4th Hundred-Foot Journey recipe that I’ve shared here…and I’m guessing there will be more before the summer is over! (No compensation has been received) Be sure to check out the Quiche Lorraine, Beef Bourguignon, and Tandoori Chicken. Check my previous posts for details on the movie, and be sure to head to the theater on August 8 to see The Hundred Foot Journey!

Now let’s see what you’ve been cooking!

I’m teaming up once again with From Val’s Kitchen and This Mama Loves for our weekly recipe linky.

Please post the direct link to your recipe (not your blog URL) and the name of your recipe below. Then be sure to visit again next Monday for a new recipe and another chance to link up!

Connect with THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY

Like THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Facebook
Follow THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Twitter: @the100ftJourney
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehundredfootjourney
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/100FtJourney

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY arrives in theaters everywhere on August 8th!

Quiche Lorraine Recipe #100FootJourney

Lolli — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 01:41:47 +0000

This Quiche Lorraine recipe is inspired by DreamWorks Pictures’ upcoming movie The Hundred-Foot Journey (this is not the first time I’ve shared a #100FootJourney recipe (you’ve got to check out the Tandoori chicken I posted, too). They all just look SO good! This recipe is provided by Disney/DreamWorks Pictures, but opinions are all my own.

I love eating quiche, but it’s not a dish that I regularly cook on my own. I can’t wait to try this quiche recipe out for my family. It will be the perfect summer brunch or late-weekend breakfast to serve!

What is your favorite type of quiche?

About The Hundred-Foot Journey:

In “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) is a culinary ingénue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch. Displaced from their native India, the Kadam family, led by Papa (Om Puri), settles in the quaint village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France. Filled with charm, it is both picturesque and elegant – the ideal place to settle down and open an Indian restaurant, the Maison Mumbai. That is, until the chilly chef proprietress of Le Saule Pleureur, a Michelin starred, classical French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Academy Award®-winner Helen Mirren), gets wind of it. Her icy protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred feet from her own escalate to all out war between the two establishments – until Hassan’s passion for French haute cuisine and for Mme. Mallory’s enchanting sous chef, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon), combine with his mysteriously delicious talent to weave magic between their two cultures and imbue Saint-Antonin with the flavors of life that even Mme. Mallory cannot ignore. At first Mme. Mallory’s culinary rival, she eventually recognizes Hassan’s gift as a chef and takes him under her wing.

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” abounds with flavors that burst across the tongue. A stimulating triumph over exile, blossoming with passion and heart, with marjoram and madras, it is a portrayal of two worlds colliding and one boy’s drive to find the comfort of home, in every pot, wherever he may be.

Connect with THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY

Like THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Facebook
Follow THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Twitter: @the100ftJourney
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehundredfootjourney
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/100FtJourney

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY arrives in theaters everywhere on August 8th!

How to Train Your Dragon 2 – Coming Soon to Theaters! #HTTYD2

Lolli — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:40:12 +0000

It’s hard to believe that it has been 5 years since How to Train Your Dragon. HTTYD was one of those movies that really resonated with my oldest son, who was about 8 at the time that the movie came out. He couldn’t get enough of it…and at 13 he still considers it one of his favorite movies of all time. He – and the rest of our family – is so excited for How to Train Your Dragon 2 to come to theaters on June 13!!

About How to Train Your Dragon 2:

The thrilling second chapter of the epic HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON trilogy brings us back to the fantastical world of Hiccup and Toothless five years after the two have successfully united dragons and vikings on the island of Berk. While Astrid, Snoutlout and the rest of the gang are challenging each other to dragon races (the island’s new favorite contact sport), the now inseparable pair journey through the skies, charting unmapped territories and exploring new worlds. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace. Now, Hiccup and Toothless must unite to stand up for what they believe while recognizing that only together do they have the power to change the future of both men and dragons.

Starring Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrara, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Ferguson, Kristen Wiig, T.J. Miller | Directed by Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois | Produced by Bonnie Arnold

Dreamworks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon 2 is coming to theaters June 13! Get tickets and showtimes

Explore Dragonpedia

It’s been five years, and all of your favorite Vikings and dragons are back! How much do you know about DreamWorks Dragons? Explore the Dragonpedia to learn more about your favorite fire-breathing friends. Start now!

Connect with HTTYD2:

Visit the official website
Like How to Train your Dragon 2 on Facebook
Follow on Google+ and Tumblr
Follow @DWAnimation on Twitter and Pinterest Hashtag: #HTTYD2

Tandoori Chicken #Recipe #100FootJourney

Lolli — Mon, 26 May 2014 12:46:44 +0000

My husband would eat Indian food every night if he had the choice. So imagine his delight when I announced that I’d be trying out a recipe for Tandoori Chicken for dinner this weekend.

This easy Tandoori chicken recipe is inspired by DreamWorks Pictures’ upcoming movie The Hundred-Foot Journey (yes, yes, I know I shared a #100FootJourney recipe last week, too, but this time second recipe was just too good to NOT share!). The recipe is provided by Disney/DreamWorks, but the photos of the prepared food and opinions are all mine.

Tandoori Chicken

Right click the recipe image below to save the full-res image to your computer, then print the recipe to add to your recipe files. Enjoy!

The only ingredient I had a hard time finding was the garam masala. I have needed garam masala more than once and have never been able to find it. I searched the Indian food aisle. No luck. I searched the spice aisle. No luck. I did the rest of my shopping, remembered I needed to stock up on 2 other spices, and accidentally stumbled upon garam masala, available only by McCormick (in my store, at least). I did a little happy dance – imagine all of the recipes I can make now that I have garam masala!

Heat the dry spices in a small skillet

Mix the cooked spices, yogurt, oil, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper in a bowl.

The yogurt-spice mixture is not pretty to look at, but smells amazing!

Spread yogurt-spice mixture on chicken. Your hands will get dirty. Roll with it. it’s worth it! Cook as directed.

Generously sprinkle cilantro mixture on top of chicken before serving (take my advice – don’t skip the cilantro!). Delicious!

Now let’s see what you’ve been cooking!

I’m teaming up once again with From Val’s Kitchen and This Mama Loves for our weekly recipe linky.

Please post the direct link to your recipe (not your blog URL) and the name of your recipe below. Then be sure to visit again next Monday for a new recipe and another chance to link up!

About The Hundred-Foot Journey:

In “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) is a culinary ingénue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch. Displaced from their native India, the Kadam family, led by Papa (Om Puri), settles in the quaint village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France. Filled with charm, it is both picturesque and elegant – the ideal place to settle down and open an Indian restaurant, the Maison Mumbai. That is, until the chilly chef proprietress of Le Saule Pleureur, a Michelin starred, classical French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Academy Award®-winner Helen Mirren), gets wind of it. Her icy protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred feet from her own escalate to all out war between the two establishments – until Hassan’s passion for French haute cuisine and for Mme. Mallory’s enchanting sous chef, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon), combine with his mysteriously delicious talent to weave magic between their two cultures and imbue Saint-Antonin with the flavors of life that even Mme. Mallory cannot ignore. At first Mme. Mallory’s culinary rival, she eventually recognizes Hassan’s gift as a chef and takes him under her wing.

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” abounds with flavors that burst across the tongue. A stimulating triumph over exile, blossoming with passion and heart, with marjoram and madras, it is a portrayal of two worlds colliding and one boy’s drive to find the comfort of home, in every pot, wherever he may be.

Connect with THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY

Like THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Facebook
Follow THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Twitter: @the100ftJourney
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehundredfootjourney
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/100FtJourney

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY arrives in theaters everywhere on August 8th!

Beef Bourguignon a la Hassan #Recipe #100FootJourney

Lolli — Mon, 19 May 2014 12:06:43 +0000

I’m taking a much-needed break from recipe development (don’t worry…I’ve got a few new recipes that I’ll be sharing later on this week) and instead sharing a super fancy, movie-inspired recipe from DreamWorks Pictures’ upcoming movie The Hundred-Foot Journey instead.

How delicious does this look??

Beef Bourguignon a la Hassan

Right click the recipe image below to save the full-res image to your computer, then print the recipe to add to your recipe files. Enjoy!

Now let’s see what you’ve been cooking!

I’m teaming up once again with From Val’s Kitchen and This Mama Loves for our weekly recipe linky.

Please post the direct link to your recipe (not your blog URL) and the name of your recipe below. Then be sure to visit again next Monday for a new recipe and another chance to link up!

About The Hundred-Foot Journey:

In “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) is a culinary ingénue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch. Displaced from their native India, the Kadam family, led by Papa (Om Puri), settles in the quaint village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France. Filled with charm, it is both picturesque and elegant – the ideal place to settle down and open an Indian restaurant, the Maison Mumbai. That is, until the chilly chef proprietress of Le Saule Pleureur, a Michelin starred, classical French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Academy Award®-winner Helen Mirren), gets wind of it. Her icy protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred feet from her own escalate to all out war between the two establishments – until Hassan’s passion for French haute cuisine and for Mme. Mallory’s enchanting sous chef, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon), combine with his mysteriously delicious talent to weave magic between their two cultures and imbue Saint-Antonin with the flavors of life that even Mme. Mallory cannot ignore. At first Mme. Mallory’s culinary rival, she eventually recognizes Hassan’s gift as a chef and takes him under her wing.

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” abounds with flavors that burst across the tongue. A stimulating triumph over exile, blossoming with passion and heart, with marjoram and madras, it is a portrayal of two worlds colliding and one boy’s drive to find the comfort of home, in every pot, wherever he may be.

Directed by Lasse Hallström, and starring Academy Award-winner Helen Mirren, “The Hundred-Foot Journey” is produced by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Juliet Blake. The executive producers are Caroline Hewitt and Carla Gardini. The screenplay is written by Steven Knight, based on the novel “The Hundred-Foot Journey” by Richard C. Morais.

Check out the trailer:

Connect with THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY

Like THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Facebook
Follow THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY on Twitter: @the100ftJourney
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehundredfootjourney
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/100FtJourney

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY arrives in theaters everywhere on August 8th!

Parenting Tips: How To Manage a Large Family #DeliveryMan

Lolli — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 14:15:20 +0000

I received a review copy of Delivery Man, which came out on DVD/Blu-ray this week. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

My crew of five, circa 2008

I don’t go out with all 5 of my kids very often anymore. Back when they were little – in diapers and strollers and such – I always had them tagging along behind me (and to the side, and 15 feet in front, and hiding under a clothing rack somewhere I couldn’t see…). I can’t tell you how many times I heard the phrase, “Boy, you sure have your hands full!”

Yes, I did. My hands were very full (and it definitely didn’t help any to be reminded of that fact!).

I love this clip from Delivery Man. It sums up how I felt about raising young kids:

After watching Delivery Man again this week, my 5 kids seemed like a walk in the park. Imagine going from being the parent of none to the parent of 533 children overnight. Granted, David Wozniak’s kids are all young adults by the time he meets them. But I love the sense of pride and responsibility towards these kids that he seems to gain almost immediately after getting to know each of them.

How to manage a large family OR Tips for keeping sane when you have lots of kids

In another funny clip from the movie, David and his pregnant girlfriend, Emma, are out shopping for baby supplies. She sarcastically asks the clerk, “Do you have a stroller for 533 children?” When he says no, she replies that having that many kids is not normal, so of course they won’t have a stroller that large.

Some people look at moms with 5, 6, 7 kids the same way. It’s not normal! However, I was raised as the oldest of five and this IS my normal.

Some of the things that helped me manage the early years (and beyond) of parenting such a big crew were:

• Don’t underestimate the need for sleep. Get enough sleep. If that means not being productive during nap time and laying down with the kids, then do it. I can’t tell you how many years I went without sleeping through the night. I was either pregnant or nursing babies for 12 years, I think. I know sleep deprivation. And a sleep deprived mom does not handle the noise and the chaos of little kids very well. Get sleep.

• Buy in bulk. That is one of the concepts that inspired me to name my blog. Not only does bulk shopping cut back on expenses, but it cuts back on time, too. Having to stop by the store to stock up every few days with a bunch of kids in tow is not very fun and it WILL take all day (plus, the kids WILL eat all the food in the house and leave you with shelves full of canned mushrooms and powdered milk if you don’t stay on top of the food shopping).

• Hand-me-downs. Do it! Re-use clothes as much as you can BUT don’t forget to get the younger kids some new items every once in a while. There was one point where some of my friends and I had a clothes-rotation. One friend would give me her kids’ hand-me-downs and then I’d pass my hand-me-down clothes on to another friend with kids younger than mine. Also, the thrift store makes your clothing dollar stretch a whole lot farther.

• Show kids how they can mentor, entertain, and comfort each other. My first daughter was a handful. She required so much of my attention. When my second daughter was born, the baby “stole” some of that attention away. I loved it. I showed my oldest daughter how she could sing to the baby to calm her, or bring her toys to entertain her. As the kids got older, I had the older kids read aloud to the younger ones (this is one of my favorite “two-birds-with-one-stone” tactics – the older child gets reading practice/hours and the younger child is entertained and enriched). Now that they’re all in school, when one child has a question on homework, I like to send them to a sibling to try to work it out together.

• Give your kids responsibility. Teach them to do chores, to help plan and prepare meals, and to take care of simple jobs (and then keep building on those jobs and responsibilities as they get older). Not only will you NEED the help to manage the cleaning and the dishes and the cooking (it’s a whole lot of work with 5 kids, believe me!) but teaching kids to take care of themselves and the messes they create will put them way ahead in life (because, believe it or not, someday they’ll actually be ready to leave home and live on their own!).

• Get out. Take breaks. Don’t try to do it all by yourself. Listen to the experiences and advice of people who have done it before you. Accept help.

Whether you have two kids, five kids, or 533 kids, these tips will work. I promise.

What are your best parenting tips?

Read my previous Delivery Man reviews and interviews:

About Delivery Man:

In this heartwarming comedy, underachiever David Wozniak (Vince Vaughn) learns he’s actually an overachiever — he’s fathered 533 children via donations made twenty years earlier! David soon discovers that the shock of his life might just be the best thing that’s ever happened to him. Along the way he discovers not only his true self, but also the father he could become. Also starring Chris Pratt and Cobie Smulders — and complete with bonus materials, including behind-the-scenes footage — it’s a feel-good movie that really delivers.

Cast: Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers, Couples Retreat) as David Wozniack; Cobie Smulders (Marvel’s The Avengers, TV’s “How I Met Your Mother”) as Emma, David’s Girlfriend & Chris Pratt (Moneyball, The Five-Year Engagement) as Brett, David’s Best Friend

DVD/Blu-ray Release Dates: March 25, 2014
Available Formats: 1-Disc Blu-ray, 1-Disc DVD, Digital HD/SD & On-Demand
Bonus Features: Building Family (Blu-ray & Digital), Vince Vaughn: Off The Cuff (Blu-ray & Digital), “I Got The Part” (Blu-ray & Digital), Bloopers (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital), Deleted Scene: You Are Under Arrest (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital)
Rated: PG-13 (for thematic elements, sexual content, some drug material, brief violence and language)

Connect:
Facebook page Facebook.com/DeliveryManMovie
Follow on Twitter at @deliverymanfilm

Note: Amazon affiliate links used. Help me pay for my next Coke Zero!

Mr. Peabody and Sherman Review

Lolli — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 15:10:31 +0000

Last month, I was invited to attend a press day in New York City for the movie Mr. Peabody and Sherman, which opens in theaters March 7. Travel and accommodations were provided but all thoughts in this Mr. Peabody and Sherman review are my own.

I grew up watching LOTS of cartoons. Saturday mornings were the best. I have fond memories of watching Rocky and Bullwinkle as a kid…but I admit I haven’t thought much about the show until just recently. When I first saw a trailer for Mr. Peabody and Sherman, the memories flooded back. I recognized them immediately.

I was excited to see Mr. Peabody and Sherman, but even my excitement did not prepare me for how much I would enjoy the movie.

What I loved about Mr. Peabody and Sherman

Mr. Peabody is the smartest dog (smartest anybody!) in the world, and his movie is equally intelligent. I loved that the movie was filled with sprinklings of history – it’s the perfect vehicle to get kids excited to learn more about historical events and figures.

When I was a kid, anytime I’d read a book about an historical event or see a famous person from long ago depicted in a TV show or movie, I would be hungry to learn more. I would check out every book I could on the subject from the library and read and read until my curiosity was satisfied. By the end of my history binge, I would often feel like I knew the historical characters as well as I knew my friends.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman inspires that same kind of hunger for knowledge for the younger generation. I love it. I love finding animated movies that are as intelligent as they are entertaining.

I appreciated that while Mr. Peabody and Sherman was “smart” enough for my older kids, the story was appropriate enough for younger kids, too. There are a few “potty-type” jokes, but they are very mild and not crude. There are no scary monsters to give little ones nightmares BUT there is a fair amount of action and suspense so that the whole family stays entertained.

What’s the deal with a dog adopting a boy?

I’ve heard a lot of questions about Mr. Peabody and Sherman’s strange family situation. Mr. Peabody (who is a dog, living in the “normal” world) adopts Sherman, a little human orphan. Yes, typically little boys adopt dogs. But the relationship between Mr. Peabody and Sherman seems totally natural and develops in such a heart-warming way throughout the movie that I was left feeling good about families, no matter what their shape or size. Yes, their strange family might seem odd at first and might get some kids questioning, “Is the dog the daddy?” but you will quickly forget that anything is different about their relationship as you get sucked in to the story.

Should I watch Mr. Peabody and Sherman in 3D?

My screening of Mr. Peabody and Sherman was in 3D and I loved it. And while I would recommend seeing it in 3D, I don’t think it’s completely necessary. Sure, you’ll miss some cool time traveling, spiraling effects, but for the most part you won’t miss anything if you save a few bucks to see it in 2D.

What ages should see Mr. Peabody and Sherman?

While I think that any age would enjoy the movie, I feel like elementary ages and up would appreciate it the most. Younger kids will be fascinated to learn more about what really happened throughout history and older kids will enjoy seeing the things they’ve learned in school acted out in a comical, colorful way. Possibly my favorite sequence was the time travel back to Italy to visit Leonardo DaVinci. The painting of the Mona Lisa provides some of the best laughs (and smiles!) of the movie, and the flying scene is just spectacular.

Connect with Mr. Peabody and Sherman

Visit the official website
Like Mr. Peabody & Sherman on Facebook
Follow @DWAnimation on Twitter
#MrPeabody

Be sure to check out my Mr. Peabody and Sherman Activity Pages and Coloring Sheets as well as my interview with Actors Ty Burrell and Max Charles and Director Rob Minkoff.

Are you excited to see Mr. Peabody and Sherman? If you’ve seen it, what were your thoughts on the movie?