Kids Digital Video Camera Helmet Board Mount Sports Action Review + $300 Val GIVEAWAY

Cameras
See Giveaway below review, ends 1/4/13

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Here's a great gift idea for active kids ages 7 and up and adults that are into sports like cycling, rip sticking, skateboarding, snow boarding, skiing and even those who get their kicks from traversing zip lines and other extreme thrill activities. Come to think of it, the Action Shot Digital Video Camera from Jakks Pacific is so much fun for tweens and teens to use to capture all the action and stunts that you might even be able to get a sedentary child off the couch and outside to get some fresh air as well as increase their physical fitness movement if you give them this Christmas present.

Image from Action Shot

The Action Shot Camera is a portable mini-camera that not only can be mounted to a helmet, but also can be attached to bike bars and boards for a unique action-packed first person perspective. This is ideal for documenting cycling sports like motorcycling, BMX, motocross, road biking, and unicycle as well as just about any extreme sports where you wear a helmet like zip lining, rock climbing, skating, snow boarding and downhill and cross country skiing.

My own kids -- triplets, age 15-1/2 and big brother just one year older -- are all athletic so this is a blast for them to get to test drive for this review. My oldest son has already tried it while road biking and my daughter is going to be rip sticking with this over the weekend.

Also my hubbie and I can't wait to take turns with our children seeing what the Action Shot Digital Video Camera can do the next time we go on a zipline and whilst we are skiing and snowboarding later this season at Mammoth Mountain, California, our favorite family haunt for Winter sports.

The dual purpose camera shoots video at 30 frames per second in Standard Def or 60 frames per second via its compact QVGA Resolution 24mm lens. After kids are done recording their live action adventures and have Wi-Fi access on a Mac or PC computer or laptop, they can upload the footage, editing with free online software and then posting and sharing the excitement with friends and family. Users can also capture maximum still 640 x 380 res photos in standard mode or shoot several images at once with the stop frame mode. 

Priced at just $49.99, the highly functional Action Shot Camera that we tested is a great alternative to much more pricey cameras in this category. This digital video camera comes boxed with 128MB onboard memory and includes the Click & Grip Mounting Case, Mini USB to USB Connector & Charger, head/helmet mounting kit with strap and board mount with adhesive.

Image from Action Shot

I also received the Micro SD Card (sold separately) that's recommended to increase the camera memory. If you need help with finding the correct removable micro media card see How to Choose the Right SD Memory Card. The other product I received for this review is the Action Shot Mounting Accessories Kit which sells for $24.99 and includes a bike mount, an angle mount, a carrying storage bag, two board mounts and adhesive for attaching mounts.

Other Action Shot products include

• HD Action Shot Camera $99.99
• Portable Video Viewer Attachment $29.99
• Water Proof Case $19.99
• High Impact Protective Case $9.99

Stay tuned. I'll be posting some footage from this camera later, after the kids have time to edit their work during the holiday school break.

Meanwhile: Guess what? I've got some really great news for you. You're in luck because right now Action Shot is holding an awesome Holiday Giveaway to win an impressive prize package!

Image from Action Shot Facebook Contest

Win this $300 value prize package 
personally selected by Motorsports Celebrity Travis Pastrana 

Enter Action Shot Cam's Holiday Prize Pack Giveaway

HERE 

Visit the Action Shot Camera site for more information about their complete product line and where you can buy it. To stay up to date on the latest news from the brand, you can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

FTC Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom SparkMedia. Thoughts are my own. I received an Action Shot Camera and this separate Action Shot Mounting Kit for the purpose of this review. 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.

Potato Pancake Latkes with Hazelnut Rustic Carmelized Apple Sauce Chanukah Recipe

Celebrations
Hanukkah 2012 ~ December 8-16

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Each night of Hanukkah I was planning on sharing a new original homemade latke potato pancake recipe that I've created for this Jewish holiday. This eight night festival has been flying by way too fast... tonight is the fifth night already causing me to be way behind schedule in publishing all the latke recipes I've been dreaming up. 

So I'm trying to play catch up today to deliver the kosher Latke recipe I made on the second night for Mommy Blog Expert's 8 Nights of Latke Recipes series. The rustic apple sauce that's served with these actually tastes like baked apples and is absolutely heavenly. I hope you enjoy the unusual, but scrumptious combination as much as my family did.

2nd Night Crispy Latkes with Hazelnut Rustic Carmelized Apple Sauce

by Janis Brett Elspas, Mommy Blog Expert

Serves 8. Total preparation time about 40 minutes

Potato Latkes

8 peeled potatoes

1/4 of a yellow onion

3 eggs

1/4 cup flour

1 t. salt

1/4 t. black pepper

Olive oil for frying

The secret to crispy, golden brown delicious latkes: Make sure your pan and oil is nice and hot before you put the potato pancakes in to fry. Also be certain to space them out in the frying pan to ensure even browning as well for that to die-for crispy brown result.

1. Preheat a large frying pan lightly coated with olive oil over medium heat.

2. Immediately after peeling potatoes immerse them in a pot of cold water to keep from turning brown.

3. Hand grate potatoes the old-fashioned or using a food processor for grating.

4. Finely chop onion.

5. Mix all ingredients together, except the oil, in a large mixing bowl until blended.

6. Turn heat up under frying pan to high and spoon potato mixer into hot oil flattening each latke slightly. Do this carefully so oil doesn't spatter. Also don't crowd latkes in pan to ensure the best result -- instead cook in batches.

7. Fry to golden brown then gently use spatula to turn and brown the other side.

8. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.

Rustic Apple Sauce

4 Granny Smith Apples, sliced with skin on

2 T. butter or margarine

2 T. brown sugar

3 T. raisins

1 T. Torani Hazelnut Syrup*

¼ cup sliced almonds

*OK-D kosher certified ~ Most varieties of Torani are parve but this one and a few others are Dairy

While the latkes are frying, start making the rustic applesauce as follows:

1. In a second fry pan melt butter or margarine.

2. Add sliced apples and sprinkle with the brown sugar, cooking over medium heat, stirring gently occasionally, till lightly brown, about 10 minutes.

3. Turn off heat and add raisins and drizzle on Torani syrup, tossing gently so apple slices aren’t mashed up. Set aside.

4. When the latkes are ready, spoon the rustic applesauce onto each individual plate instead of using jarred applesauce. Then sprinkle the sliced almonds over the apples to garnish.

5. Serve & Enjoy

Don't miss MommyBlogExpert's other 8 Nights of Latkes Recipes:
1st Night: Traditional Crispy Brown Potato Pancakes

FTC Disclosure: No payment was received for this particular post, however I did receive the syrup from Torani to make this. All opinions 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.

Remote Control Helicopter Ideal Choice for Hard to Buy For Teens RC Holiday Toy Gift Review

Technology

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I've got four teens, all born within a year -- girl, girl, boy triplets that are sophomores in high school with a big brother who's in 12th grade. So I know a little something about the sullen hard-to-please stage that most teenagers go through. Simply put, teens aren't always the most gracious gift recipients, are they?

By personal fire-and-brimstone experience, I've truly gotten a keen awareness of how hard it can be to find the perfect gift, other than a gift card or a brand new car, that will cause a teen son or daughter to jump up and down with joy when you give it to them. If you have one or more teens at your house, I wouldn't be surprised if you are experiencing the same exact thing during the holiday season with your own family. Hey, misery loves company, LOL!

S107G Metal RC Mini Helicopter and Controls

RC controlled toys are among the hottest selling Holiday 2012 gifts for teenagers whether for Hanukkah or Christmas. That's where the Gyroscopes System S107G Metal Series 3 Channels Infrared RC Mini Helicopter comes in that our family received for review. This is a big kid and adult dream toy manufactured by Syma for ages 14 and up that is built with technology based on the same concept as the gyroscope. 

Intended for indoor use only, this must be handled carefully to avoid damaging it. It's a much better quality, though, than the commonly made plastic RC planes and helicopters that some other brands make and with proper care and safe usage this will likely provide many hours of wholesome family entertainment. For all those reasons this makes a wonderful gift idea for fun-loving, but often also cynical teenagers who are too old for toys that are intended for younger children.

3 of my teens have a go at test flying the S107G

S107G Features include

• Helicopter measures 5" L x 2" W x 3" high
• Special indoor design
• 3-way precision controller
• Adjustable trim control
• Front headlight that blinks red and blue in flight
• One Charge provides 6-7 minutes flying time
• Travels a maximum distance of 20-40 feet
• Rechargeable LI-Poly Battery
• 19 replacement parts available
• Comes in 3 colors: Red, Yellow & Blue
• Retails for $49.99 but sells for $29.99 at XenonProject

In this video clip I shot, watch how this cool helicopter's front headlight flashes red and blue whether on the ground or inflight.

 

Look at all the slick maneuvers you can do with this RC helicopter, too. Here, with my 17 year-old son at the controls, you can see that you can make this go up, down, forward, backward, turn, hover, land and take off.


 
As you can see from the images and video I shot for this post, my kids really are having a blast with this whether for a deserved homework break, to temporarily relieve the stress of studying for a big test or to just fool around for the sake of it. 

 

Not only do my kids have fun playing with the helicopter individually. Instead of fighting over it they've been taking turns at the controls and are enjoying some quality time with their siblings. What's more is that this is a toy that beckons moms and dads -- and in our case our family dog Dexter the Miniature Pinscher  -- to all engage with one another and to bond as a family. 

A note of caution though: Be careful with this around pets as well as small children as there are plenty of small pieces they might choke on. Also you don't want tiny hands or little paws to touch this either.

Forget the shopping anxiety about not finding a present that your teenager will really be excited to receive. If your surly teen likes the RC Gyroscopes System Syma S107G Helicopter as much as my kids do, they might even crack a smile when you give them this for Hanukkah or Christmas this year.

Image from XenonProject

The Syma S107G RC Helicopter and a variety of other of this season's most sought-after sophisticated RC toys are available online from XenonProject.com. Xenon Project, based in El Segundo, California, is an online toy and hobby company dedicated to the RC enthusiast. In addition an extensive RC helicopter collection they also offer a huge array of RC buggies, cars, boats, airplanes and tanks.

FTC Disclosure: This sponsored post was made possible by Xenon Project and I received the product featured to facilitate this review. However opinions 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.

Twitter Party Calendar This Week With Prizes Details December 9-15 Updated Continuously

Twitter Parties

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Updated 12/14/12  - Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, December 9

Duracell What Powers You Twitter Party at 4 pm ET during the Dolphins vs the 49ers Football Game with @360smiley. Prizes: Win one of 50 footballs signed by Patrick Willis, linebacker with San Francisco 49ers.  #WhatPowersYou RSVP

Sin City Rules Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @LanaFuchs. #SinCityRules RSVP

Be the Boss Twitter Party at 11 pm ET with @TheMeltingPot @CleverGirlsColl. Prizes include THREE (3) fondue gift sets and FOUR (4) $100 gift cards to The Melting Pot fondue restaurant. #CleverBetheBoss RSVP 

Monday, December 10

Time 4 Family Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lomargie @plussizemommy. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart Gift Cards. #cbias #Time4family RSVP

Frito-Lay Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @Pizzazzerie. Prizes: FOUR (4) runner up prizes that include asst Frito-Lay products + chip & dip bowl, FIVE (5) First Place prizes include same as above plus $50 American Express gift card, ONE (1) Grand Prize includes same prizes as runner up prize + $100 AmEx GC.  RSVP

Holiday Lights & Travel Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @FlightCenterUSA @DiscCruisesUSA @HotCaribDeals @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando @DebMomof3 and others. Prize: ONE (1) iPad Mini #52Lights #TMOM RSVP

Cravebox Holiday Spruce Up Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cravebox @zipporahs @lisasamples @stacieinatlanta @conniefoggles @mommaDjane @rockonmommies. Prizes: FIVE (5) $25 Visa Giftcards, plus assorted prizes from the current Cravebox and TWO (2) full Craveboxes will be given away. #HolidaySpruceUp RSVP

Coffee Lovers Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cravebox @zipporahs. Lots of prizes!  #coffeecravers RSVP

Girls Night Out FTD Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @FTDflowers @momitforward. Prize: ONE (1) iPad (ARV $400). #FTDFlowers #gno Details

Tuesday, December 11

Full Core Stop Snacking Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @MsMissy62 @tsue1136. Prizes: Visa Gift Cards one winner each in the following denominations: $25, $50, $75 and $100. #cbias #stopsnacking RSVP

Festive Fashion Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @ShopYourWay @Sears. Prizes: $200 to award. #FestiveFashion RSVP

CareZone Organizing Family Tech Tea Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Techlicious @suzannekantra @c2cmom @carezoneteam and others. Prizes: ONE (1) iPad Mini and FOUR (4) $25 iTunes gift cards. #TechTea #carezone RSVP

Hassle Free Holidays Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @UPS. Prizes: Fairytale Brownies and gift cards. Use hashtag to participate #HassleFreeHolidays Details

Recalls Plus Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @shespeaksup @zipporahs @LisaSamples @StacieinAtlanta. $650 in prizes including a $200 Amazon giftcard plus more GCs from Amazon and Toys R Us. #RecallsPlus RSVP

Abreva Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @momcentral @momcentralchat. Prizes: SIX (6) $50 Amazon Gift Codes. #Abreva RSVP

Hassle Free Holidays Twitter Party at 4 pm ET with @UPS. Prizes: Fairytale Brownies and gift cards. Use hashtag to participate #HassleFree Details

Fisher Nuts Tuesday Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @guarnaschelli @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @TroyPattee @MomItForward #simpletwists #gno RSVP

Merry Green Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TheEcoChic @EFFBlog @VZWraps @TotLogic, @thefashionfoot and others. Prizes: Many eco friendly prizes too numerous to list. #MerryGreen RSVP

Wednesday, December 12

Degree Strong Holiday Twitter party at Noon ET with @DegreeWomen. They're giving away prizes TBA to thank followers for a great 2012. Participate by following hashtag #DegreeStrong #Holidays 

Eyes Lips Face Twitter Party at 1 pm ET to celebrate e.l.f. cosmetics with @somedayilllearn. Prizes: e.l.f. giftcards in the following denominations $25, $50, $75 and $100. #eyeslipsface #cbias RSVP

Crock in USA Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @smiley360. FIFTY (50) winners will each receive two packages of product. #CrockinUSA RSVP

ASPCA Santa Paws Holiday Trivia Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with . Prizes: Swag filled Christmas stocking to be given away every 5 minutes. ONE (1) Grand Prize winner will receive a Diamond Paw Pendant from Zales Jewelers. Plus all party guests will receive a secret code good for 25% off the ASPCA online store.  #SantaPaws Details 

GMO Free Your Holiday Twitter Party at 8-10 pm ET with @gmoinside @bookieboo and others. Prizes: Lots of giveaways, too numerous to list. #gmoinside RSVP

Ultimate Holiday Guide Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @dawnsandomeno @AudreyMcClellan @VeraSweeney @Partybluprints @collectivebias. Prizes: $1000+ in American Express gift cards including THREE (3) $50 AmEx GCs, FOUR (4) $100 AmEx GCs, ONE (1) $150 AmEx GC, ONE (1) $300 AmEx GC plus $25, $50 and $100 Cookies Kids GCs, and FOUR (4) OtterBox cases. #HolidayGuide RSVP

Bravado Designs Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @BravadoDesigns @resourcefulmom talking about giving back. Prizes: FOUR (4) winners will each receive a limited edition Rebecca Minkoff Nursing Tank and a $25 American Express giftcard. Open to U.S. & Canada  #DesignedforGood RSVP

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET talking about mobile operating systems. Prize: Google Nexus 7 Tablet. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #theonlinemom.

Duracell Power Smiles Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @duracell @lucyhale @shespeaksup. $750 in prizes including the seasons hottest toys and batteries to power them. #PowerSmiles RSVP

HasbroGame Night Holiday Twitter Party at 9 pm ET @HasbroGameNight @Busymommymedia. Prizes: FOUR (4) winners will receive a 4-game prize pack that includes Scrabble Catch Phrase, Jenga, Twister and Yahtzee. #HasbroHappierHolidays RSVP

Baby Chat Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Parenting @Kolcraft. Prizes: $1000+ in baby equipment prizes from Kolcraft. Participate using hashtag #BabyChat Details

Mom Inspirations Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cafeyak talking about holiday travel survival. Family-friendly prizes. RSVP

Bull Market Toys Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @diaperedknights @ecoincognito @bullmarkettoys talking about Bull Market's collection of toys including LEGO, Melissa & Doug and more. THREE (3) gift cards for use instore or online will be given away: one each in the following denominations $25, $30 and $50. Participate with hashtag #BullMarketToys

Baby Kicks Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @JennyMcClamroch @BabyKicksUSA. Prizes: $10 BabyKicks gift certificate and more. #BabyKicks RSVP

Thursday, December 13

Verizon FiOS "I got It" Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @VerizonFiOS @Resourcefulmom. Prizes: SIX (6) $50 Visa gift cards and ONE (1) Grand Prize, a Tablet. RSVP

Cookies Kids Winter Fashion & Toys Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @CookiesKids @KellysLuckyYou @omghada. Prizes: ONE (1) $100 Cookies Kids gift card and THREE (3) $25 GCs. #CookiesKids #cbias RSVP

7 Gen BabyFest Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @themotherhood. FOUR (4) Seventh Generation Baby & Home Care Gift Baskets. ONE (1) Grand Prize of a Baby Massage class in winner's area. #7GenBabyFest RSVP

Latino Bigs Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @latinobigs @urbanjibaro @beinglatino @lostweens and others. Prizes: TWO (2) $100 American Express gift cards. #LatinoBigs RSVP

LifeLock Waiting for Lightning Twitter Party at 1:30 pm ET. Prizes include a Danny Way signed skateboard and Waiting for Lightning The Movie. #LifeLock RSVP

Finish My List Mastercard Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @Mastercard @Somedayilllearn. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Mastercard Gift Cards #FinishMyList #cbias RSVP

Jazwares Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @Jazwares. TEN (10) prizes to be given away during the party. #JazwaresHoliday RSVP

Duda Farm Fresh Foods Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Dandy_Fresh @momspark chatting about Dandy Meyer Lemons and Dandy Celery Celebrations. Prizes: THREE (3) $50 Williams Sonoma gift cards, TEN (10) 1 pound bag of Meyer Lemons winners and a Grand Prize of a $100 Visa GC. In addition Duda Farm Fresh Foods will be donating $5 per participant in this Twitter Party to benefit Seminole County Families in Transition Program @FIT_Seminole up to $1000. #HolidayBest RSVP

Home Goods Gift Giving Twitter Party at 8pm ET hosted by @HomeGoods @CarsonKressley. Prizes: You could win a $50 GC. Participate by following hashtag #CarsonTheGifter

Webkinz Holiday Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Webkinz. Prizes TBA. Participate with hashtag #WebkinzHoliday

Mom Inspirations Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cafeyak. Prizes include Burt's Bees, Glittertoos & more. Participate by following hashtag #Mominspirations

Gift Well Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @SpaFinder @AudreyMcClellan @Crissy @StacieinAtlanta @DagmarBleasdale. Grand Prize: $500 SpaFinder card #GiftWell RSVP

Virtual Piggy Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @VirtualPiggy @Splash_Creative. Prizes: Grand Prize is an iPad Mini. Other items to be given away during party include KNEX Firestorm Free Fall Coaster, $25 Claires gift card and other prizes including a tennis bracelet and up to $50 in O'Neill clothing. #VirtualPiggy RSVP

Holiday Social Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Gowallet @SavvySassyMoms @FashOrganized and others. $3000 in gift cards and prizes to be given away during the party including Tieks Ballet Flats ($325 ARV), $100 Macys GiftCard, Baby Bjorn Cradle (ARV $350) + much more! #HolidaySocial RSVP

Friday, December 14

Kmart Fab 15 Toys Twitter Party at 1 pm ET. Prizes TBA with @Kmart. Participate with hashtag #Fab15Toys

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET talking about great holiday tech gifts. Prizes: ONE (1) Motorola Droid XYBOARD Tablet or ONE (1) Jawbone Hands-Free Bluetooth Headset. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

NEXT WEEK

Monday, December 17

Barilla Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @BarillaUS @JylMomIF @Dadventurous @TroyPattee @MomItForward. Prize: $50 gift pack from Barilla. #BarillaLasagne #gno RSVP

Tuesday, December 18

Holiday Swap Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @MicrosoftCanada @SimplyStacieNet. Prizes include an Xbox 360 Bundle. Canada only, To participate follow hashtag #HolidaySwap

Bloggy Moms Guide to a Better Blog eBook Launch Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @BloggyMoms. Prizes: ONE (1) winner will receive a copy of the new book + $500 Gift Card #BloggyMoms

Wednesday, December 19

Starbucks Delicious Pairings Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @CrazyAdventures @MimiBakerMN @jerranalley. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart giftcards. #DeliciousPairings RSVP

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Thursday, December 20

TBA

Friday, December 21

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


COMING SOON

More parties TBA!

More Twitter Parties constantly be added to this list as soon as they're scheduled so stay tuned by following this blog.  

About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. 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.

Easy Salmon Broiled Sweet Savory with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Healthy Family Friendly Recipe

Good Food

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Broiled Sweet & Savory Salmon with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe below

Go ahead. Take a look inside our liquor cabinet. While you're at it, stick your head in our pantry too. One of the first things you'll probably notice is that our shelves in both places are heavily populated by Torani Syrups. Pomegranate, Green Apple, Macadamian Nut, Coffee, Cherry to name just a few. Then for the diet-conscious we have a variety of sugar-free varieties: Lime, Watermelon, Coconut and many others.

Tip of the iceberg of my family's personal Torani Syrup stash

I guess you could say that all six in our family are huge fans of the Torani brand. For sure we love these a lot and use them quite often for our intimate family meals and also for the frequent entertaining we do with friends and extended family. Hubbie and my four kids like them mixed with club soda to make exotic soft drinks that you'd never be able to find in a can or bottle. On the other hand, I enjoy them in my morning coffee and in the occasional margarita, dacquiri or alcoholic slushie to unwind at the end of a busy day of mom blogging, driving carpool and a seemingly endless list of other tasks I perform daily.

What does all that have to do with a truly unique sweet and savory broiled salmon recipe that you can make at home? Keep reading and you'll soon find out.

When SheSpeaks asked me if I was interested in working on a project to taste and create recipes with some of the new holiday Torani Syrups, it was a no brainer and I said yes right away. What's not to love about getting to write a post about a brand that's already well-ingrained in your family's lifestyle?

I've loved these ever since I was a kid actually. That's because these coffee house inspired Torani Syrups were born in San Francisco in 1925 -- way before even my parents were born. Today they are certified OK kosher and come in a huge wide variety of flavors for every taste -- in fact, more than 100 choices in both regular and sugar free formulations. Keep in mind, though, that some of the company's syrups are kosher dairy such as Torani Pumpkin Pie, Torani Hazelnut and some others so check the bottle carefully before using if you keep kosher like my family does. 

There are a generous amount of Torani drink recipes on the brand's site to mix up some wonderful Italian sodas, cocktails, coffee drinks and flavored lemonades and iced teas. But in true Mommy Blog Expert fashion, I thought outside the box and came up with this original recipe that incorporates Torani's special syrups for the holiday season -- not in another drink -- but to concoct a healthy broiled fresh fish dish that young and old will appreciate year round. 

This can be prepared with a variety of fresh and ocean fish that broil or grill well, so keep an open mind when you go shopping and buy what's available locally at the best price you can find. I couldn't resist making this with fresh salmon fillets for my own family because it was on sale at my neighborhood market for the unheard of price of just $4.99 a pound. Like most of this blog's recipes, this one is family friendly and even finicky kids will like it. So you'll probably want to make extra, because all or most of those you serve this to will likely want seconds -- I know that my own kids gobbled this up. It also refrigerates well and makes a delicious lunch or salad the next day.

Broiled Sweet & Savory Salmon
with Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

3 pounds of salmon fillet or other broil-friendly fresh fish of your choice
4 T. of Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup
1/4 c. roasted pumpkin seeds shelled
1/2 t. dry or 2 T. fresh chopped dill weed
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. coarse fresh-ground black pepper
Fresh baby dill and lemons for garnish

1. Preheat broiler so your oven is at maximum temperature when you pop this in.
2. Rinse fish under cold water & dry gently with paper towels.
3. Place fish skin side down on a rimmed cookie sheet that has been lined with foil.
4. Drizzle the Torani Syrup, a tablespoon at a time, over the fish. 
5. Season with dill, salt and pepper, adding more or less to taste.
6. Broil for about 15-20 minutes until nicely browned.
7. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, sprinkle fish with the pumpkin seeds.
8. Garnish with baby dill and sliced lemons, arranging on a serving platter or individual dinner plates.
9. Scrumptious either hot, served with a vegetable and rice, or cold for lunch or dinner.
9. Leftovers (in the remote event that there are any) will keep well in the refrigerator for several days.

What will I be dreaming up next with the random ingredients pictured below, including Torani Hazelnut Syrup? Stay tuned for another original treat during my series of 8 New Potato Latke recipes when I'll be introducing a new way to make potato pancakes to celebrate each of the eight nights of Chanukah.

Special Savings for

MommyBlogExpert readers

Selected Torani products are available in some markets and liquor stores where drinks are sold. But for the best selection visit Torani.com where you'll find the entire collection. They've got a good deal going for the holidays, too. For a limited time you can save 10% off all Torani Syrups online when you use the special code SHESPEAKS at checkout.

FTC Disclosure: This sponsored post was made possible by SheSpeaks and I received products from Torani Syrups to facilitate this review. 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.