Get a free jalapeno hushpuppies order from Arby’s on February 5, 2015. Just enter your name and print out the coupon! No purchase necessary.
Giveaway: Provo Mardi Gras 2015
Utah Valley! Provo will be holding its very first Mardi Gras Masquerade!
Tuesday, February 17, 7-10 pm
Provo Recreation Center: Dance Hall
Tickets: $10 per person OR $18 per couple
(masks included with ticket courtesy of Google Fiber)
Age: 17+
Food will be served, the first 200 ticket holders will get a free mask for the masquerade, beads will be handed out, but being a parent, hands down the best part about this event is that child care is provided for children 6 months – 8 years old (just make sure you request child care in advance). To find out more about the event, visit Provo City.
Provo Mardi Gras Masquerade Giveaway
Enter to win 2 tickets to attend the Provo Mardi Gras Masquerade! You may enter by leaving a comment on our Facebook post about the giveaway. ‘Like’ the post for another entry. Don’t forget to tag a friend you want to take with you.
Post by Utah Valley Moms.
One winner will be randomly chosen on Tuesday, February 10. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or another winner may be chosen. No purchase necessary. Entrants must be 18 years or older and US residents. Provo City is the sponsor of this giveaway. Facebook does not endorse this giveaway and by entering, you release Facebook from any liability.
Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
I am always shocked at how easy Asian food is to make. And this Sweet & Sour Chicken recipe is hardly difficult. Slightly time consuming if you use a small pot to deep fry the chicken, but even still, it usually takes me about 30 minutes to make.
Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Chicken
- 1 can pineapple chunks, drained with juice reserved (8 ounce)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar (I use brown rice vineagar*)
- 2 drops orange food color (I didn’t have food color so the sauce in the picture is clear)
- 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 1/4 cups self-rising flour
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 quart oil for frying
- 2 bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
Instructions for Sweet and Sour Chicken
- In a saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, and orange food coloring. Heat to boiling. Turn off heat. Combine 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water; slowly stir into saucepan. Continue stirring until mixture thickens.
- Combine flour, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, salt, white pepper, and egg. Add 1 1/2 cups water gradually to make a thick batter. Stir to blend thoroughly. Add chicken pieces, and stir until chicken is well coated.
- Heat oil in skillet or wok to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Fry chicken pieces in hot oil 10 minutes, or until golden. Remove chicken, and drain on paper towels.
- When ready to serve, combine peppers, pineapple, chicken, and sauce. Serve over hot rice.
*I found brown rice vinegar at the local Asian store for cheap and use it whenever I need vinegar for my recipes. I don’t notice a difference.
2015 Shine Tour for The Color Run #weshine
The Color Run for Salt Lake City is coming on August 22, 2015. Tickets go on sale February 5th and special pricing will be available for early registration. Join the VIP list to be first in line!
Everyone in 2015 will receive a limited edition Shine Tour Participant Kit, including: custom race tee, gold finisher’s medal, tricolor headband w/ silver stitching, brand-new shine packet, and shiny tattoos. Talk about “bling” with benefits!
The Color Run is a unique paint race that celebrates happiness, healthiness, and individuality. (Fun fact, it exists in 50+ countries as of 2014!)
So grab your friends and family and sign up now for The Color Run 2015!
Valentine’s Day: Hand-Dipped Pretzels
My 4-year old daughter is the artsy one in the family. She loves singing, dancing, classical music, and deep thinking. To me, it’s exhausting. But thank goodness for her because although she overwhelms me with her artistic side, she also makes sure that (her handmade) pictures decorate the walls, cookies always look cute, and no friend is left behind – almost every single one of them has at least a few pictures she’s colored for them.
I am trying to embrace the artistic side of me by helping her find crafty things we can do for each holiday. With Valentine’s Day coming up, 4 different sprinkle options for only $3 at Target, and a large bag of pretzels sitting in our closet, I helped her make some hand-dipped pretzels for Valentine’s Day.
What you need for hand-dipped pretzels:
- Pretzels
- Chocolate (I use baking chocolate but choose your favorite)
- Sprinkles (optional)
How to make hand-dipped pretzels:
Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove and stir with a rubber spatula. The chocolate should be melting but if stirring the chocolate doesn’t make the chocolate smooth, microwave again for 15 more seconds and stir again. Repeat until the chocolate is melted.
Optional: to melt chocolate, I usually put a pot filled with a small amount of water on the stove (low temperature) with a Pyrex measuring cup in the water. As the water heats up, the chocolate will melt. However, do not allow any water into the chocolate or the chocolate will turn hard. This method allows you to keep the chocolate warm for a long amount of time.
Once the chocolate is melted, dip one side of the pretzel into the chocolate. You can dip the entire pretzel into the chocolate, however, you might want to use tongs, spoon, or other utensil to keep the chocolate on the pretzel and off your hands. Either hold the pretzel up over wax paper and sprinkle the sprinkles onto the pretzel or fill bowls with the sprinkles and dip the pretzels into the bowl-filled sprinkles. The bowl worked well for my kids. Once the sprinkles are on, lay them on wax paper to dry.
For Valentine’s Day, my daughter will be adding her Valentine cards onto a bag full of her pretzels. It’s a perfect treat for her preschool class and neighborhood friends!
Zaycon Foods Review
I’ve used Zaycon Foods before for milk but a couple of months ago, I ordered chicken not really knowing what I was getting myself into.
Zaycon is a company that allows you to buy great food in bulk prices. Once you pay, you are scheduled a day, time, and location that you can go pick up your order. I was scheduled for a rainy morning at 8 am at the Riverwoods. So I pulled up, waited in line near the Zaycon Food truck, and when it was my turn, the Zaycon man was very friendly. I unlocked my trunk and another man put down a plastic bag and then loaded a box of raw chicken.
When I arrived home, I had 40 pounds of chicken! The meat was so yummy and it was nice to order so much so that I still have plenty of chicken left in my freezer!
Order Zaycon Foods
Women’s Auto Care “Knowledge Is Power” Workshops
It’s that time of year again! It’s time for the Women’s Auto Care “Knowledge Is Power” Workshops by Gines Auto Service! The workshop is designed to better acquaint women with vehicle maintenance needs and instill confidence in their ability to manage vehicle service needs.
These classes will be held on Wednesday, April 15 or Thursday, April 16. Registration is free but required.
Gines Auto Service
4261 W 5415 S
Kearns
Register for Workshops
Fire + Ice 2015 at the Riverwoods
The Shops at Riverwoods’ annual Fire + Ice event is on Saturday, February 7 from 4-8 pm. It will include ice sculptures, warm fires, food, and more. Make sure you take 2 cans of food to get supplies for a s’more. One per person.
Free Coffee from Chick-fil-A
Get free coffee all month long from Chick-fil-A. Visit any Chick-fil-A in February and get one free coffee at any time. This offer includes 12 ounce (small) hot or 16 ounce (medium) iced sizes and is available while supplies last. The offer is available anytime during regular restaurant hours and is limited to one cup of coffee per customer, per visit. No additional purchase is necessary and no substitutions are available.
Image from Chick-fil-AGiveaway: Huckleberry Highway T-Shirts
Created locally here in Utah Valley, Huckleberry Highway is a mom and daughter shop with designs created by the highschooler. My favorite shirt is this one:
Huckleberry Highway Giveaway
Enter to win a Mt. Timpanogos shirt by commenting and liking on our Facebook post about this giveaway. Huckleberry Highway is also giving away a shirt so head over there to enter again!
Post by Utah Valley Moms.
Entrants must be 18 years or older and US Residents. No purchase necessary. By entering this giveaway, you release Facebook for liability of this giveaway. One random winner will be chosen on Thursday, February 5, 2015.
Free Yogurtland 2015
Yogurtland is celebrating National Yogurt day by offering FREE yogurt and toppings today from 4:00-7:00 pm. (Monday, February 2, 2015)
Find a location here.
Menchies free day is on Thursday.
February Utah County Activities & Events
These are the February Utah County activities & events that we have found. As always, we appreciate all of the community’s input of local events and activities. To add more and be entered into a monthly drawing, please fill out this form or contact us.
February Utah County Activities & Events
- 2/1: Free Open House for the Super Bowl
- 2/2: Register for Lowe’s Build & Grow
- 2/2: Free Yogurtland
- 2/4: R.E.A.D. (Children will get to read to dogs to help improve ability)
- 2/5: Free Jalapeno Hushpuppies Arby’s
- 2/6: Snowman Building Contest
- 2/6: Free 6 oz Menchies
- 2/7: Fire + Ice Event, Riverwoods
- 2/7: Polar Plunge
- 2/11: Provo Retail Summit
- 2/11: R.E.A.D. (Children will get to read to dogs to help improve ability)
- 2/12: Free Admission to Discovery Gateway (donation required)
- 2/13-14: Monster Jam ($)
- 2/14: Bald Eagle Day
- 2/14-16: Free National Parks Days
- 2/17: Provo Mardi Gras
- 2/18: R.E.A.D. (Children will get to read to dogs to help improve ability)
- 2/24: Free Doughnut from Krispy Kreme
- 2/25: All About Cymbals Class (Salt Lake)
- 2/25: Free Zoo Day
- 2/25: R.E.A.D. (Children will get to read to dogs to help improve ability)
- 2/26: Tell a Fairy Tale
- 2/27: Elsa & Anna Appearance
- 2/27: Community Center Cinema, “Wreck It Ralph”
- 2/27-28: Free Tickets to Home & Garden Show
- 2/27-28: Rare Disease Day events & activities
- 2/27-28: Warehouse Sale
- 2/28: Winter Blues Boutique (free admission, discount on raffle tickets)
- 2/28: Deadline for Amateur Art Show Entries
- 2/28: Gluten-Free on a Budget Book Signing
- 2/28: Group Guitar Lesson (Salt Lake)
- 2/28: Recording Made Easy: Pro Tools (Salt Lake)
Utah County Deals & Other Free Things
- Free Chick-fil-A Coffee all month
- Free Tracy Aviary Day every Wednesday (with $1 donation)
- Sign up to get a free egg roll from Panda Express (before 2/19)
- Free National Parks Days
- Register for Gine’s Auto Service: Women’s Auto Care Workshops
- New Amish Store in Provo
- Sign up for free gardening classes
- Community Gardens + gardening classes
Activities & Events Coming Soon
Free Super Bowl Screening at Big Screen Event Center
Here is an email we received from Big Screen Event Center in Orem:
We Are Watching the Super Bowl on Giant Movie Theater Size Screens and You and Your Friends are invited for FREE
Feel Free to Bring Food and Treats, Pot Luck, I’ll be providing Pizza and Drinks.
I’m Opening The Big Screen Event Center to Family and Friends.
Were located at 1353 W. 760 N. in Orem
Get off the Orem 800 N Freeway Exit, go west for 1 block then south for 1 block. Were located just south of the DMV and BSA
The Game Starts at 4:30 We also have Xbox 360 Games for the Kids.
Please email with approximate numbers of people that will be attending
Thanks Tom
Free National Parks Days 2015
Visit some of your favorite National Parks in 2015 for free! Whether you enter any national park by car, RV, skiing or snowshoeing, the entrance fee will be waived for recreational visits. Here are the free national parks days:
- Feb. 14-16: President’s Day Weekend
- April 18-19: Opening weekend of National Park Week
- Aug. 25: National Park Service’s 99th Birthday
- Sept. 26: National Public Lands’ Day
- Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day
Utah has the following national parks:
- Bryce Canyon
- Zion
- Capitol Reef
- Arches
- Canyonlands
Giveaway: Spartan Race 2015
Utah Valley Moms is giving away a free race entry for the Spartan Race this year!
Along with the great race, there is also a brand new podcast called “Spartan Up!” The topics range from grit to inspiration and interviews with world class athletes to fortune 500 CEOs.
The Spartan Race in Utah is the Salt Lake City Super on June 27, 2015. The super is 8+ miles with 20+ miles. Obstacles will test your physical strength and mental resolve. The Spartan Super is designed to push you to your limits, show you the strength inside, and lead you across the finish line!
Spartan Race Discount
Use the code “spartanblogger” for 10% off any race.
Spartan Race Giveaway
Enter to win an entry into the Spartan Race by ‘liking’ and leaving a comment on our Facebook post about the Spartan Race!
This giveaway is not endorsed or sponsored by Facebook. By entering, you release Facebook from this giveaway of any liability. Entrants must be 18 or older and a US resident. One winner will randomly be chosen and will be able to use the code for any one race in 2015. This giveaway ends 2/1/15 and one winner will be chosen on 2/2/15.
Free Tickets to Morris Murdock Travel Show
Get your free tickets to Morris Murdock Travel Show for this weekend!
This year, the largest travel show in Utah will offer nearly 100 booths featuring more than 80 vendors to help visitors plan their dream vacations. There will be family-friendly entertainment, including performances by troupes of Polynesian and Chinese dancers, On Stage Alaska! and country music singer Rainey Qualley. Visitors can also dance to the beat of a Caribbean Copa Band, try their hand at travel trivia or play travel BINGO.
The Travel Expo also offers a chance to win some amazing giveaways that include a 7-nigh Caribbean cruise with airfare by Royal Caribbean Cruises or 3-night Cancun vacation for two, including airfare. As well, free airline tickets, free hotel stays and gift cards will be given away.
In addition to the vendors, more than 30 travel seminars will be taking place to help guests with travel strategies.
