Unique Holiday Recipes Utilizing Big Red

*Disclosure: I was invited by disney on an all expenses paid trip to L.A. to attend the press junket and premiere for Disney’s The Jungle Book, however all experiences and opinions are 100% my own!
Before we had the opportunity to walk the red carpet at “The Jungle Book” world premiere, we had the opportunity to interview Jon Favreau & Neel Sethi & talk auditions, cow bell & more!
So like most we wondered where the idea to do the movie came from…Jon was working on a project called “Magic Kingdom”, and at the same time Disney began doing films like Cinderella, Maleficent, Alice & Pirates all being exploited as their own franchises so they weren’t moving forward with the Magic Kingdom project, but Jon still wanted to do something with live humans but a set that you’re not going to build, but work with special effects instead. He met with Rob Legato to talk visual effects and discuss what you could do with them. Not long after that he got a call from Disney to come in and because Alan Horn loves the Jungle Book they wanted to explore what could happen. Jon wanted to keep it photo real but still give it a dream like quality so you see the whole thing through kid’s eyes. Play with scale a bit and have fun with it.
We also wondered how he knew when he found his Mowgli.
“I can’t take credit for this talented young man. He wasn’t experienced but he had a quality and being a Father, I recognized it, it was confidence. He was a full formed version of himself and so we kind of got who he was very quick, and I think the fact that he wasn’t a kid who was out there looking for acting jobs made it fun for him. It didn’t feel like he was concerned about failing or concerned about getting the part or not.”
What was it like for Neel to beat out 2000 other children for the part?
“2 weeks later, like we flew to LA and we were in the Hotel. The Producer called and were like flipping and jumping and we were so happy. We went out and got my favorite food.”
So what does a new actor get to eat to celebrate? Lobster Ravioli of course!
You might wonder how he acted without having the animal there to interact with…we had the same thoughts. The Jim Henson puppeteers created puppets for him to interact with and Neel had this to say:
“I would just make it normal that it’s not a puppet. It’s like a Bear or a Panther. That’s Baloo. Hi Baloo. And then instead of seeing a Puppet, I would see it like that. That made it a lot easier and sometimes they made them look like Baloo and that helped a lot, and Jon actually got into the puppet sometimes and that helped me interact with him.”
Neel attended a traditional school and had finished 5th grade when he auditioned. So when he went back to traditional school, it was like he never left, he just slipped back in..
“it was just normal again and everybody thought it was cool for like a week and then like all right, enough.”
Have you ever wondered if an actor or director keeps something from a movie they are working on? I know I have! Apparently Harrison Ford kept something from was “Cowboys and Aliens”…He and Daniel Craig took their horses! Well on this movie…Jon said he did keep something and as he was talking we all knew exactly where he was going with it!
“The one I took from this was, um, if you notice when he goes into King Louis, the Temple where King Louis is…”
At this point we all knew! The Cowbell! Keep an eye out for it when you watch this weekend!
“A little more Cowbell.”
What makes a great movie for me, is something that can stand the test of time and can entertain both young and old. Jon Favreau feels the same…
“A great thrill for me is to show the kids and the whole family what we’ve been doing and then you get your first sense by looking in their eyes. And sometimes you show them versions that are almost done because you know their taste and — and I know it from the perspective of me. I’m 49. I have 3 kids that are different ages. Each one of them seeing how scary you could make it, see when they’re scared but they like it, see when they’re laughing. See the jokes that they get or don’t get. Can you make one for the 9 year old that isn’t boring to the 14 year old, and then of course, you know, for my age as well.”
This film has it all…action, adventure, comedy, thrill & heart. You could tell that Jon is proud of this movie as he was beaming through the whole interview. Neel was just trying to take it all in…I don’t think it’s easy to go from a kid next door to the star in a huge Disney blockbuster!
Come back later this week for more interviews with Sir Ben Kingsley, Lupita Nyong’o & Giancarlo Esposito plus “The Jungle Book” movie review!
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Honey, one of natures sweets. Nature Nate’s honey is as nature intended. It’s treated with very low heat, keeping all important enzymes intact. It’s also unfiltered, which means it still contains pollen and retains the best flavor, aroma and nutrition naturally. Lastly, Nature Nate’s is made from 100% American bees, helping to eliminate pesticides, and ensuring a high-quality product.
What’s better to use to make you love a dessert for a Stay At Home Valentines Day Night? I have a perfect one for you to try!
White Chocolate Mousse in a Milk Chocolate Bowl topped with a raspberry!
Milk Chocolate Bowls
yield: 10 or more bowls (make as many as you can, in case some break!)
12 oz milk chocolate bark or candy wafers
Small round water balloons
Melt the chocolate bark/wafers in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating. Once it’s completely melted and smooth, set it aside to cool until it is just barely warm, stirring occasionally. If the coating is too hot, it will cause the balloons to bust, so it’s important that it be nearly room temperature, but still fluid enough to dip.
Blow up the water balloons until they’re about 4”. They should be well inflated but not stretched to their maximum. Your hunny pots will be about the size of the bottom half of the balloon, so use this to judge how much you should inflate them.
Cover a baking sheet with waxed paper. Holding a balloon by the knot at the top, dip it into the barely warm chocolate. I find it easiest to press it down until it’s half-submerged, then twirl it around while pressing down so that the coating comes up around the sides in an even layer. Remove the balloon from the chocolate and let the excess drip back in the bowl, then set it down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with as many balloons as you can make with your candy coating. Refrigerate the tray to set the coating, around 30 minutes.
Once the coating is set, grip a balloon just below the knot, and cut a small hole in the balloon above your fingers. Slowly let the air out, controlling it with your grip. If you let the air out too fast, it’s more likely that the bowl will crack or the balloon will burst or tear, making it harder to remove. When most of the air is out of the balloon, hold it by the bottom and gently pull the balloon from the inside of the bowl. Repeat with the remaining bowls.
White Chocolate Honey Mousse
yield: 8 3/4-cup servings
12 oz white chocolate, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups heavy cream, divided use
6 tbsp honey
2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
3 tbsp
Combine the white chocolate, salt, 3/4 cup heavy cream, and honey in a medium saucepan. Place the pan over low heat and gently warm it up, stirring frequently, until the white chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat, pour it into a large bowl. Let it cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
While you wait for the white chocolate mixture to cool, prepare the gelatin. Whisk together the gelatin and the cold water in a small bowl, and set it aside to let the gelatin absorb the water. When the white chocolate is at room temperature, microwave the bowl of gelatin for 15 seconds, until it is melted. Whisk the melted gelatin and white chocolate together.
Whip the remaining 1 1/4 cups heavy cream to firm peaks. Fold half of the whipped cream into the white chocolate, and once it’s incorporated, fold in the remaining whipped cream. Pour the mousse into 8 3/4-cup chocolate pots, ramekins, or other serving containers. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Mousse can be made several days in advance and kept in the refrigerator until ready to serve. If desired, top mousse with a thin layer of the flavored honey syrup & fresh berries.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

When it comes to buying for baby, there’s just so many options on the market for each item it can be a little overwhelming. You should ask yourself is if it has the necessary function, style, and versatility to make it worth buying. No sense adding something else to the already over-packed room if it doesn’t. Babies outgrow things so very quickly, there’s just no sense in getting something that just won’t last more than a few months.
I have to admit, I was one of those parents that didn’t think a diaper pail was a necessity…mostly because I didn’t want to have to buy the refills and thought it was a bit silly to have a “special” trash can just for diapers…I have a trash can in the kitchen, or the bathroom, that will do…right?…well after 4 kids and many diapers later, I can tell you, having a pail next to the changing area is definitely worth it, but I’m still not a huge fan of wasting money on unnecessary things.
This year I was introduced to the newly launched Bubula Diaper Pail. This pail is made of steel and stands 25″ tall and is slim, fitting nicely into a small space. It’s tall enough that I don’t have to reach down to dispose of a diaper, it locks out odor nicely and can be used with my every day household trash bags!
I was sent the white Bubula because I wanted it to match any decor in the house. But if you’re looking for something a little more colorful, you’re in luck…they have seven colors to choose from…white, sage, purple, blue, grey with white, white with grey.
It’s not very complicated to use at all like some of the other “diaper pails” on the market. With just a tap on one side of the lid, you place the dirty diaper in a compartment and close the door, and then push a button on the other side of the lid which drops it into the pail. This pail has it all, style and function, plus when your done using it for diaper, you can use it as a regular old trash can, great in the bathroom…so it’s also versatile.
If your pregnant, have a young baby or know someone having a baby, I recommend checking out the Bubula Diaper Pail! You can learn more about the new Bubula Diaper Pail on their website.
The Bubula Diaper Pail retails for $89.99 and is currently available on Amazon, Babies “R” Us & buybuyBABY.
Follow Them On FACEBOOK for current happenings: They are currently running a giveaway with a winner being picked on June 15.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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With 4 growing boys it’s not always easy to please everyone or fill their bellies. So when were in the mood for good food and entertainment, we head over to GattiTown!
Never Been?!
GattiTown’s layout is different from other family pizza & game places. There’s a large buffet, three eating areas (one quiet, one with kids shows playing on the screen and another with sports or other adult oriented movie/show), and birthday room are completely separate from the gaming/play area.
When you enter the building you are in line to pay for the buffet. Even if you’re not there to eat, you have to pay to get in. The prices are very reasonable (ages 3 and under are free).
The buffet consists of a salad bar, soup bar, baked potato bar, bread sticks, cheese sticks, spaghetti, alfredo, mac-n-cheese, at least ten different kinds of pizza, brownies, banana pudding, three types of dessert pizza, various fountain drinks, water, and tea.
Also you get a card instead of the tokens like at Chuck E. Cheese. When you buy your buffets, you select the amount of money you wish to put on the card(s). Game prices ranged from $0.25 to $2.00. You swipe your card at each game and the amount is deducted from your card. Most of the games gave out tickets based on your scores. When you are done playing, you feed your tickets into the ticket eater machine and it counts them. After you’ve fed in all of your tickets, you swipe your card and your number of tickets is saved onto the card. You can add more money to the cards anytime you wish & continue to add up tickets until you are ready to spend them.
Gattitown is always a great destination for birthday parties, field trips and other special group events. With over 9,000 square feet of endless games, an all you care-to-eat buffet and spacious dining rooms, one trip and you’ll know why it’s a top destination for family-friendly fun.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”