Ice Cream Expedition Launches Nationwide Tour in Partnership with National Geographic

Eco Living

This is a sponsored post

National Geographic has always been a part of my life. As a Baby Boomer, I remember as a kid repeatedly poring over every issue of the monthly magazine my Daddy filed chronologically on a massive bookshelf in his study. In fact, in the days before the Internet, computers and smartphones, "traveling" to every continent of the world framed by the famous magazine's yellow borders was an adventure like none other for me. 

Image from National Geographic

With that kind of personal history, and the fact that July is National Ice Cream Month, I couldn't be more thrilled to share some really big news that parents and kids are going to appreciate. National Geographic Kids has partnered with The Ice Cream Expedition, a new modern day cross country adventure for today's kids launching July 17 to inspire the next generation to explore and protect the world we live in.

This extract from a National Geographic Kids News Release sums up the story...

WASHINGTON (July 10, 2014)—On a mission to inspire the next generation to explore and protect their world, three recent college graduates will be driving a biodiesel ice cream truck across the country this summer, giving out free ice cream to children and encouraging them to take a conservation pledge. Caleb Kruse, Cameron Kruse and Jordan Fatke will embark next week on an Ice Cream Expedition and will be filming a documentary about how conservation is seen from a child’s point of view. The expedition received funding from a National Geographic Young Explorers Grant, and the trio is partnering with National Geographic Kids to spread the word and share the journey digitally with kids around the world.

Image Courtesy of Jordan Fatke, Cameron Kruse, Caleb Kruse

The Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California in San Diego is the starting point of this unconventional national tour which involves the trio of Young Explorers driving an ice cream truck they retrofitted themselves to run on vegetable oil through 33 states. 

Along the way there will be many scheduled stops at parks, museums, aquariums and other places where kids play and learn to give out free scoops of Magnolia Tropical Ice Cream to literally and figuratively break the ice with kids to get the conversation started talking about the importance of exploration and ways they can work to preserve nature. The trio will also be encouraging children to sign a pledge to explore and protect a special place in their own lives, like a local pond or backyard garden.

This trip from sea to shining sea begins in San Diego and concludes as summer comes to a close in New York City in September. Kids and parents can follow along as the Young Explorers share photos and updates on The Ice Cream Expedition blog as well as by tracking their posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the #icecreamexpedition hashtag.

Image by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Tentative Schedule

• San Diego, July 17
• Los Angeles, July 18
• San Francisco, July 20
• Portland, OR, July 23
• Seattle, July 25
• Boulder, CO, Aug. 2
• Colorado Springs, CO, Aug. 3
• Lincoln, NE, Aug. 6
• Austin, TX, Aug. 10
• New Orleans, Aug. 16
• Tallahassee, FL, Aug. 24
• Charlotte, NC, Aug. 30
• Chicago, Sept. 6
• Washington, D.C., Sept. 12
• Boston, Sept. 20
• New York City, Sept. 23

* Locations and dates are subject to change. 

The public is invited to view the detailed trip itinerary, and take the conservation pledge on National Geographic Kids' Ice Cream Expedition Home Page. National Geographic Kids magazine will feature highlights from this summer's Ice Cream Expedition in the September 2014 issue.

Image from Magnolia

Magnolia Tropical Ice Cream -- a third generation, family run business in Northern California for more than 40 years, will be donating all the ice cream for this ultimate adventure trip, offering tropical flavors including avocado, mango, guava and purple yam and coconut blend.

About National Geographic Young Explorers Grant
Since 2007, the Young Explorers Grants program has contributed to the field project costs for more than 350 young adults, ages 18-25 to pursue field-based research, conservation and exploration projects in line with National Geographic's existing grant programs.

About National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world through award-winning magazines, books, apps, games, toys, videos, events and a website. It is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core. National Geographic Kids magazine (10 issues/year) and Little Kids magazine (6 issues/year) are photo-driven publications available on newsstands or by subscription in print and digital. For more informaiton as well as lots of free hands-on learning activities for your child, visit the award-winning National Geographic Kids website. You are also invited to learn more by following the brand on Twitter and Facebook.

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I am a National Geographic Kids Insider and as a brand ambassador and have received a variety of products and publications from National Geographic Kids to aid my involvement. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Sex Tape Comedy Review Cameron Diaz Jason Segel Talk About the Movie Opening 7/18

Movies

This is a sponsored post 

#SexTapeMovie Mom Blogger Character on Big Screen

Enter to WIN the Sex Tape Swag Sweepstakes Giveaway

Jason Segel & Cameron Diaz at Four Seasons, Photo by SPE/Charlie Gallay

What a whirlwind week. Last Tuesday I screened the upcoming big screen comedy Sex Tape, which opens in theaters nationwide on July 18th. Then a few days later at the Four Seasons at Beverly Hills Hotel, I sat down to interview the new film's stars Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel and their director, Jake Kasdan. This is the latest motion picture to portray a mom who blogs, joining other major movies reviewed on MBE like Motherhood (2009) which featured Uma Thurman in the lead role of mommy blogger.

It's so true that art really imitates life because this is a very real phenomenon. Since 2000, mothers identifying as mommy bloggers have grown exponentially to 3.9 million, according to a 2012 Scarborough Research study reported on Mashable. That's about 14% of all mommies with at least one child living at home who are mom blogging. With such a substantial demographic, it's no surprise that mommy blogger personas are increasingly popping up in movies and on television.

Jay, Annie & Kids in the comedy Sex Tape, Photo by Claire Folger, 2014 CTMG

After seeing Sex Tape myself, as a lifestyle blogger and mother of four teens who were born within a year,  I have to say it's the funniest I've seen in this growing sub genre in the movie making world.

The story opens with ambitious mommy blogger Annie, brilliantly played by Cameron Diaz, on the verge of making it big by selling her wholesome and legitimate parenting blog to a national toy company headed by the mysterious and quirky Hank (Rob Lowe). 

Check out the trailer to see how funny this is...




Just when Annie's close to signing the ultimate contract that real life bloggers like me only dream of, she and hubbie Jay (portrayed by Jason Segel) get into an unthinkable mess. One that keeps getting messier as the script moves forward. Eventually the big chase also involves the flustered couple's young children and friends as well as Howard, a kid villain played by child actor Harrison Holzer, who at times steals the show from the leading man and lady.

Here's the interchange Harrison and I had on Twitter after the Premiere

@MommyBlogExpert @SexTapeMovie thank you so much! So glad you liked it.
— Harrison Holzer (@HarryHolzer27) July 11, 2014

Annie and Jay wonder: How did this all happen? It started innocently enough with the infamous sex tape this fictious married couple playfully made for their own private use simply to rekindle their romance that has waned since the arrival of two children. 

Diaz comments on the making of the sex tape which is successfully downplayed in the film to direct attention instead toward the hilarity that results to get it back. "It's just silly -- we're making a comedy," she says. "We're not actually naked in those sequences because we wear modesty garments similar to a bikini. In fact, the hardest thing was trying to get through the whole take without laughing," the actress recalls.

The actors with director Jake Kasdan, Photo by Claire Folger, 2014 CTMG

As the plot thickens, things go awry when the couples' personal tape isn't erased by Jay and instead gets accidentally uploaded to the Internet for the whole world to see. From then on, the movie focuses not on the tape itself but on all the crazy and preposterous shenanigans their posse goes through to try to get it back.

Director Jake Kasdan and dad of three young kids says, "In the movie it's an outrageous thing they do to make that sex tape -- they really can't believe they're doing it. It's a universal concept, though, that parents can identify with. My life is now overwhelming with babies and little kids and my relationship has changed with the person I love. What happened? I love being a parent, but I also love what we had before."

Lowe and Diaz roar with laughter in the cocaine scene, Photo by Claire Folger, 2014 CTMG

This film is not only very funny, it will inspire couples to think more deeply about their relationships with those they love. "After seeing it with your date, husband or wife at first you'll probably laugh about the movie together," predicts Jason Segel, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Kate Angelo and Nicholas Stoller. "Then they'll be a silent pause for a few moments before the real conversation begins."

Sony Official Movie Poster

I viewed this movie with my hubbie and our chat on the way home after seeing it definitely followed that line of thinking -- at least from my perspective as a wife, mother and lifestyle blogger. What does my husband think of Sex Tape? He says he absolutely loved the uncredited cameo appearance of the talented actor Jack Black. There were some pretty great comedic performances, too, by Diaz, Segel and Lowe, including a side-splitting cocaine snorting scene with Diaz and Lowe while Segel was engaged in a super silly mad dog chase sequence.

Director & Cast at the LA Premiere in Westwood, Photo by SPE Inc./Eric Charbonneau

Plain and simple this film is a fun summer comedy that movie goers will likely enjoy -- whether you're in a relationship or just in the mood for something light and entertaining.

Me next to Cameron Diaz w/ fellow invited mom bloggers at Four Seasons, Image by Beebs Ashcroft

Sex Tape is presented by Columbia Pictures in association with MRC and LStar Capital an Escape Artists Production. A film by Jake Kasdan and starring Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper, and Rob Lowe. Rated R, in theaters nationwide on July 18, 2014. To stay up to date on all the news about this new movie visit the official site TheyForgottoDeleteIt.com and follow the film on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #SexTapeMovie.

Sex Tape Poster on the Sony Studios Lot, MommyBlogExpert.com

FTC Disclosure: I was invited as a guest of Sony Pictures Studios to screen the movie Sex Tape on the lot in Culver City. I received special privileges and media access to cover this film's big screen release including lunch at Four Seasons Hotel. However, there was no payment or other compensation involved and opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Trip Preparation #BlogHer14 Tips & Dressing for San Jose Weather

BlogHer

For those of you attending with me, we're less than two weeks out from BlogHer 2014 in San Jose, July 24-26. That means a few important things. If you haven't already, it's not only time to decide what to wear and to start packing your bags, it's also time to prepare your family for the days when you'll be out of town and they'll be left fending for themselves.

Me in the BlogHer Expo Hall last year, MommyBlogExpert.com

Don't procrastinate. Take it from someone who knows, I've been there and done that and all it does is cause undue stress. Start packing now, rather than waiting till the last minute, it's as easy as that. To help you with the task, consider some of the trip preparation ideas that have worked for me for the past four years attending this fun and rewarding event where you'll get to meet old friends as well as the bloggers and brands IRL that you may have previously only known virtually.

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?
San Jose, though it is in Northern California and just about 50 miles south of San Francisco, can be flaming hot in summer during the days in the low 90s and a bit cool in the evenings, dropping down into the upper 50s. It doesn't typically rain this time of year, so you probably don't need to worry about that...but you never know for sure. 

Off-site Big Toy Book 2013 Event, MommyBlogExpert.com 

So definitely check the host conference city San Jose, California's on Weather.com being sure to look at not only the current high and low temperatures but also the predictions for the weekend. In fact -- not that the weatherman is always right -- you can get the extended forecast for 5 and 10 days in advance. 

With weather that has a summer temperature range of as much as 40 degrees, and the fact that you'll be indoors and outdoors and maybe walking a bit to various venues around the convention center and your hotel, dressing in layers is the best way to make sure you're covered in all kinds of weather.

Image by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

For more on what to pack and 8 Must Know Packing Tips for BlogHer don't miss this post. Also read this post for some great advice on smartphones, tablets, and cameras and related accessories to make your conference trip productive.

Image provided by BlogHer

I can't wait to say hello to all my old friends as well as get to know new ones in San Jose. So please be sure to say hello, unless I reach out to you first. I really hope we get to finally meet each out in real life!

FTC Disclosure:  I am paying for my own conference pass and travel expenses to attend BlogHer 2014. I did not receive any payment or compensation for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.