Review Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Release Highlights Importance of Teamwork

Movies

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In the late 80s and into the 1990s Ninja Turtles were all the rage and could be found everywhere in comic books, on TV, in a movie, as action figure toys and even on backpacks, lunch boxes and lots of other licensed merchandise. I know I can still picture my four kids, who are now teens, wearing their Teenage Ninja Turtle t-shirts and pajamas, glued to the TV watched the series.

Thirty years after those iconic fighting turtles first arrived on the scene they're coming back to the big screen! That's right, the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #TMNT movie, which is rated PG-13, will be released in theaters and RealD 3D on August 8th.

This reboot classic which has endeared generations of audiences for three decades, is based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Characters that Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman created with the screenplay written by Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Evan Daughter. It is produced by Michael Bay, who is well-known for the Transformers franchise, and is directed by Jonathan Lieberman of Wrath of Titans fame.

As fans will recall, the story centers around four loveable teenage turtles named after four great Renaissance artists: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael. Brotherly love is central to who these fellows are and how they work together as a team. Four heads really are better than one and they support and need each other in everything they do. That's such an important lesson that the newest generation of viewers, especially, will be learning from this fun summer film who will be watching with their parents who grew up with the original characters.

When the movie opens New York is under threat by the big bad guy Shredder and his Foot Clan crew. Things look rather hopeless until this motley foursome of skateboarding turtle brothers stumble onto the scene. Actually, when they pop their heads out of the manholes covering the sewers where they having been living.

Here's a sneak peek...



Before the heroic turtles from the sewer and the audience knows it the city is saved thanks to these unsuspecting heroes who have joined forces with gutsy reporter April O'Neil (Megan Fox) and her always funny cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett). The cast also includes William Fichtner, K. Todd Freeman, Danny Woodburn, Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard, Pete Ploszek, Alan Ritchson, Minae Noji.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles opens August 8, in theaters and RealD 3D. To learn more, visit the official movie site. You can also stay up to date on everything about the #TMNT movie on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumbler.

FTC Disclosure: This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Paramount Pictures blogging program. However, opinions are those of MommyBlogExpert alone. 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.

Blueberry Cheese Quesadillas Recipe Light Healthy Summer Dish Kids Will Love

Good Food

Blueberry & Cheese Quesadilla, MommyBlogExpert.com

This Blueberry and Cheese Quesadilla recipe from Jamie Geller of Joy of Kosher looks amazingly delicious. The biggest attraction for me: this uses fresh blueberries and I'm a Jersey girl from the Garden State, so this summer berry is part of my DNA. Long story short is yesterday I made this easy, healthy, low calorie and very summery dish for lunch and you should try it too. 

When I saw this on the Joy of Kosher website I was immediately intrigued. I had all the ingredients on hand that this calls for except for the goat cheese and fresh thyme. To substitute for those two items I used cottage cheese and fresh Greek Basil from my organic home garden instead and it was really good!

Fresh Blueberries & Organic Greek Basil, MommyBlogExpert.com

This is so simple. Just wash the herbs, slice the peach, chop some red onion and mix it all together with the blueberries...

Fresh Blueberries, Peaches, Red Onion, Basil, MommyBlogExpert.com

Then, spread your choice of cheese on half of a whole wheat tortilla, top with the fruit/herb mixture and fold in half again. Then you're ready to warm this up on both sides in a skillet. You don't have to keep kosher to appreciate this. 

Place cheese, then fruit on tortilla, MommyBlogExpert.com

With fresh blueberries and peaches at their peak now, there's no better time to try this light warm weather entree. It's sweet and savory and I think kids as well as adults will enjoy this as much as I did. If you don't have all the ingredients listed in the recipe don't worry, just get creative. I'm sure your results will be equally yummy.

Blueberry & Cheese Quesadilla Recipe

FTC Disclosure:  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.

4 Tips to Protect Summer Skin During the Season When Kids & Adults Are Outside Most

Health

Guest Post 

by Dr. Justin Piasecki
Skin Cancer Expert, Harbor Plastic Surgery Center

Caribbean beach near Cancun, Mexico, Image by MommyBlogExpert.com

Now that summer is in full swing -- with kids out of school and families taking or planning summer vacations -- more and more people are spending lots of free time enjoying the great outdoors. Whether it is riding bikes along a favorite path, hitting tennis balls at the court, or catching waves at the beach, it is estimated that people spend approximately 1-2 hours outside during the day during this season, and can spend up to 5-6 hours outdoors on a weekend.

While being outdoors has its positive effects such as more exercise, increased exposure to Vitamin D, and a more positive outlook, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can have a potentially negative effect on one’s skin. 

MBE Editor Janis Brett Elspas on the court, MommyBlogExpert.com

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 3.5 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, with the incidences of skin cancer outnumbering all cases of breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers combined. 

Those who are most prone to developing skin cancer include individuals with blonde or red hair; those with a family history of melanoma or other skin cancers; and people who possess lighter skin naturally.

There are three common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Of the three, melanoma causes the vast majority of skin cancer-related deaths.

Dr. Justin Piasecki & Family, Image provided by Dr. Piasecki

To help prevent skin cancer, here are some important tips to protect you & your family

• Geography plays a role – Researchers at the University of California, San Diego found that individuals with fair skin who live in northern latitudes (north of Philadelphia or Boulder, Colo.) have a greater chance of being exposed to cancer-causing UVA rays since they’re less likely to feel the “burning” sensation on their skin.

• Skin cancers come in all shapes and sizes – Not all skin cancers look alike, nor do they follow the “typical” protocol. Not all appear black or brown; some are symmetrical and have few colors so it’s important to have a dermatologist examine any odd-looking moles or skin irregularities.

• Wear sunscreen, and often – When using sunscreen, make sure it protects against both UVB and UVA rays, as UVA rays can penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin and cause dangerous cell changes. When choosing a sunscreen, look for ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as they protect against all types of rays.

• Cover up – In addition to wearing sunscreen, experts suggest covering up exposed areas of skin by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses that wrap around the eyes, and appropriate clothing to cover arms and legs. 

Take the proper steps to protect yourself and your children and you'll be maximizing your chances of having as skin safe a summer as possible.

About the Author
The only physician in the world who has completed a Mohs (skin cancer) fellowship and earned board certifications from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Justin Piasecki currently offers cosmetic, skin cancer, and reconstructive procedures to his patients at Harbor Plastic Surgery Center in Gig Harbor, Washington. In May 2014, Dr. Piasecki launched Piasecki, MD first skincare line to utilize a unique organic protein in its products -- sericin silk -- in an effort to create a radiant and youthful appearance while at the same time help to prevent skin cancer development. Additional information can be found at HarborPlasticSurgery.com and PiaseckiMD.com.

FTC Disclosure:  Dr. Justin Piasecki provided the content and one of the images for this post. However, no payment or other compensation was exchanged in connection with 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.