Tomorrow the San Diego Zoo will open the new Conrad Prebys Australian Outback. It will feature the largest breeding colony of koalas outside of Australia, wombats, parma wallabies, the short-nosed echidna, and aviaries for Australian birds including the kookaburra, fawn-breasted bowerbird, palm cockatoo, Gouldian finch, and scarlet-chested parrot.

Princess D and I, along with a group of other bloggers and their kids, were able to get a tour of the new exhibit with the San Diego Zoo’s ambassador Rick Schwartz. We started our tour at the Australian totem poles which are unique to the San Diego Zoo. The kookaburra birds welcomed us with their singing which sounds like a monkey or a baby crying.

The Queenslander house is where you will find the koalas sleeping and eating in their trees. The building is designed to look like the architectural style of houses in Queensland, Australia. It includes an education classroom, displays about koala conservation, a window into the koala food preparation kitchen and information about how our keepers and veterinarians care for the koalas.

Of course Princess D loved seeing the female koalas and their babies snuggled up in the trees! If you can’t get to the San Diego Zoo to see these adorable marsupials you should check out the new Koala Cam to see the koala Orana, her daughters, Sooky and Nariah, and a joey in Nariah’s pouch, which was born on July 15, 2012!

Click here to see more photos of our experience at the San Diego Zoo Conrad Prebys Australian Outback. For more information about the exhibit visit sandiegozoo.org or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by the San Diego Zoo. I did not receive any other form of compensation. All statements are my opinion and my opinion only.

The post Explore the Australian Outback at the San Diego Zoo appeared first on Red Lotus Mama.

This month I am participating in the Traveling Mom May Instagram Photo Challenge. Here are the photos from my third week:

Day 15: pink

Day 16: sky

Day 17: work

Day 18: wheel

Day 19: play

Day 20: breakfast

Day 21: us

Follow me on Instagram to see my photos each day. If you are participating in Wordless Wednesday please add your post to the linky below.

The post WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Traveling Mom May Photo Challenge – Week 3 #TMOMPhoto appeared first on Red Lotus Mama.

Since I started Weight Watchers my diet has significantly improved. I am eating fruits and vegetables five times a day. Most of my meals are low calorie and balanced. Unfortunately, as an on-the-go single mom sometimes fast food is the only option making healthy food choices really difficult. Now, McDonald’s has introduced their meal-size Premium McWraps. Three of the new wrap offerings are made up of grilled chicken breast with fresh vegetables, and tasty sauces wrapped in a warm tortilla.

Premium McWrap Sweet Chili Grilled Chicken *my personal favorite
Grilled chicken breast filet, crisp cucumber slices, spring greens, shredded lettuce, drizzled with sweet chili and creamy garlic sauce.
Calories: 360
WW Points: 9

Premium McWrap Grilled Chicken & Ranch
Grilled chicken breast filet with a slice of tomato, cucumber slices, spring greens, shredded lettuce and cheddar jack cheese, drizzled with seasoned rice vinegar and buttermilk ranch sauce.
Calories: 430
WW Points: 11

Premium McWrap Grilled Chicken & Bacon
Grilled chicken breast filet, hickory-smoked bacon, slice of tomato, spring greens, shredded lettuce and cheddar jack cheese, drizzled with a creamy garlic sauce.
Calories: 460
WW Points: 11

Now when Princess D wants to get a McDonald’s Happy Meal for dinner after her dance class or swim lesson I can get myself a wrap for dinner without worrying that I will exceed my Weight Watchers points for the day!

To help promote making healthier fast food choices I am giving away a Premium McWrap Prize Pack which includes:

• McDonald’s tote bag
• Fleece blanket
• USB car plug
• Mini speakers
• MP3 armband
• $10 McDonald’s gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information about McDonald’s visit mcdonalds.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by McDonald’s. I did not receive any other form of compensation. All statements are my opinion and my opinion only.

The post Win a McDonald’s Premium McWrap Prize Pack appeared first on Red Lotus Mama.

This month I am participating in the Traveling Mom May Instagram Photo Challenge. Here are the photos from my second week:

Day 8: what you are reading

Day 9: something you love

Day 10: happiness

Day 11: something new

Day 12: mom

Day 13: light

Day 14: water

Follow me on Instagram to see my photos each day. If you are participating in Wordless Wednesday please add your post to the linky below.

The post WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Traveling Mom May Photo Challenge – Week 2 #TMOMPhoto appeared first on Red Lotus Mama.

Dear Mom,

What could I possibly say that would have the true meaning of what you have been to me? “Thank you and I love you” seems completely insignificant.

You went through hours of painful labor to deliver me. You changed careers to be able to raise me. You stood up to me when I was a defiant teenager. You let me spread my wings to explore the world while keeping me grounded. You held my hand through the darkest time of my life. Even now you continue to support me while I navigate this rocky road.

For almost 8 years I have been a mom. I have never loved anyone as much as I love my daughter, and that is because you taught me that a mother’s love for her child is unconditional. Someday I hope to return all that you have given to me back to you. Someday I hope to be the amazing mom you are.

With unconditional love,
Your cookie

Dear Princess D,

Today I celebrate how blessed I am to be your mother. Everyone says that you are a miniature version of me, but every time I look at you I am amazed that a little angel is my daughter. You have taught me the importance of laughing. You constantly teach me about patience. You remind me that no matter how hard things are we have each other.

I love being able to hold your hand when I walk you to school. I love seeing you grow and learn more every day. I love how you run into my arms when I pick you up at school. I love being your mother!

With unconditional love,
Mama

The post Letters to my mom and daughter on Mother’s Day appeared first on Red Lotus Mama.

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by Invisalign. While I did receive compensation for this post, all statements are my opinion and my opinion only.

That’s me in my 7th grade class picture! Classic 1980s … turned up collars on my IZOD polo and ESPRIT sweater, bangs styled in a wave, and a full on metal mouth smile. Wow.

I had to wear those braces for two years. To this day I can still remember the whole embarrassing, and occasionally painful, experience. How the smell of the glue that was used to stick the metal brackets to my teeth practically singed my nose hairs. How the inside of my lips were raw from the sharp metal that first week the braces were on. How the pain would make my eyes water when one of those tiny rubber bands would break in my mouth. How I was limited in what I could eat or drink because I didn’t want any of the bracekets to pop off. How what I could eat would get stuck in my braces making my smile even more ugly. Or, how about when I was warned to never kiss a boy who was also wearing braces because we could get stuck together!

So, even if I do forget what it was like to wear those metal braces I will always have this totally rad photo to remind me what I looked like back then.

Princess D will probably need braces in 5 years (thanks to bad dental genes), but now there is Invisalign Teen! These removable, lightweight, and clear dental aligners work as effectively as traditional metal braces. The aligners can be removed to eat, brush and floss. The new technology of digital imaging to take 3D dental impressions is precise without the goopy molds. Plus, the cost is about the same as metal braces, but Invisalign usually requires fewer office visits, shorter appointments and no “emergency” visits for broken wires or brackets.

You can bet that when the time comes I will be opting for Princess D to have Invisalign. She will never have go through what I did with braces … or have a school photo like mine!

Now that I have shared my embarrassing 7th grade class picture, I want to know …

Did you have braces growing up? If so, what do you remember of your experience?
Do you think your kids will need braces and have you considered Invisalign as an option?
Do you know someone who has used Invisalign?

For more information about Invisalign visit invisalign.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Braces then, Invisalign now appeared first on Red Lotus Mama.

This month I am participating in the Traveling Mom May Instagram Photo Challenge. Here are the photos from my first week:

Day 1: from where you stand

Day 2: flowers

Day 3: lunch

Day 4: sunset

Day 5: form of transportation

Day 6: bag & Day 7: corner

Follow me on Instagram to see my photos each day. If you are participating in Wordless Wednesday please add your post to the linky below.

The post WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Traveling Mom May Photo Challenge #TMOMPhoto appeared first on Red Lotus Mama.

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by Fashion Valley. I did not receive any other form of compensation. All statements are my opinion and my opinion only.

This Thursday, May 9th, is national Mom’s Nite Out™ … a chance for moms to take the night off! Over 150 social media groups, companies, local playgroups, mommy bloggers and mother social networks celebrate motherhood at local events, mom-organized parties and virtual activities held across the country. Simon Property Group, Inc., the largest operator of regional malls, is a sponsor for National Mom’s Nite Out and is hosting events in over 100 of their locations.

If you are in San Diego, Simon’s Fashion Valley is providing a free evening of relaxation and fun on Thursday. Moms can indulge in mini treatments from beauty specialists like Aveda, Origins and Carlton Hair Salon & Day Spa, special promotions from participating retailers, light bites from eateries such as California Pizza Kitchen, STACKED and Muscle Beach Lemonade, cocktails and more!

Fashion Valley will be giving swag bags containing an bunch of treats to the first 200 moms.

WHEN: Thursday, May 9 from 6–8pm
WHERE: Fashion Valley, near Macy’s Center Court

Rethink Varicose Veins is sponsoring Simon’s Mom’s Nite Out. They want to dispell the myths about varicose veins and encouraging attendees to take a quick self-assessment to determine their risk for varicose veins and CVI. Taking the self-assessment will automatically enter attendees for an opportunity to win a spa getaway weekend at the Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, Nov. 14-17, 2013.

To find out if a Simon® mall near you is participating in this year’s national Mom’s Nite Out™ visit the momsniteout.com site. For more information about Fashion Valley go to simon.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

The post National Mom’s Nite Out at Fashion Valley on May 9th appeared first on Red Lotus Mama.

DISCLOSURE: I was invited to attend an advance screening. I did not receive any other form of compensation. All statements are my opinion and my opinion only.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley, Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” is directed by Shane Black from a screenplay by Drew Pearce & Shane Black and is based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero Iron Man.

Last weekend Princess D was at her dad’s place, so I took the opportunity watch Iron Man and Iron Man 2 in preparation for my advance screening of Iron Man 3. I probably should have added The Avengers to my Marvel marathon, because this new Iron Man movie takes place after it with Tony Stark suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If you haven’t seen The Avengers some of this movie might not make much sense. I am not a superhero comic book nerd, but I do love these movies!

Robert Downey Jr. is one of my favorite male actors and his performance as Tony Stark makes me adore him even more! Tony Stark is narcissistic and patronizing, but RDJ has a way of delivering those one liners so easily and naturally making him charming and sexy. In this movie Tony Stark has finally allowed himself to love someone more than he loves himself. This self transition seems to have compounded with his PTSD. The crisis he finds himself in this movie is because he created enemies along during his rise to power and stardom.

Gwyneth Paltrow kicks some serious butt in this movie while still looking beautiful. Guy Pearce plays an excellent awkward nerd turned villain. Don Cheadle maintains his stiff military upper lip as Iron Patriot. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but for me, Ben Kingsley was the stand out performance (aside from RDJ, of course).

This movie is rated PG-13 because of the violence, like most superhero movies. I personally wouldn’t bring my 7 year old daughter to see it.

One of my biggest pet peeves is how people walk out of movies during the credits. What’s the hurry? If you are a true Marvel movie fan you know that you need to stay until the very end of the credits in order to see one last scene that will give you a hint of what is to come next. Sit. Stay. Trust me, it is worth waiting through all of the credits!

Finally, I highly recommend seeing this movie in 3D. The quality of the special effects is amazing. You feel like you are in the movie!

Iron Man 3 opens in theaters nationwide on today! For more information about it go to IronManMovie3.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

The post MOVIE REVIEW: Marvel’s Iron Man 3 appeared first on Red Lotus Mama.

DISCLOSURE: Weight Watchers gave me a 3 month trial membership. I did not receive any other form of compensation. All statements are my opinion and my opinion only.

I started using Weight Watchers on February 1st. In the past 3 months I have lost:

Pounds: -14.9
Waist: -2
Hips: -1.5
Arms: -1
Bust: -2
Thighs: -1

So what do all of these numbers really mean? I have dropped from a dress size 10 to an 8!

Tracking my food has been a big lifestyle change for me. It has forced me to pay attention to what I want more … that cupcake/wine/ice cream/chips or to lose the weight? It has taught me how to make healthier choices when I go to out to eat, even as far as studying the menu online before hand. I have learned to really savor those indulgent meals or occasional treats. And, I have learned to balance my diet thanks to the “healthy checks” in the eTools app.

Changing the way I eat has only been part of my small success. Yoga has always been my favorite form of exercise. You can find me in the studio 6 days a week. I am still working hard at perfecting poses, especially headstands and handstands. But, my body needs that extra push. For the past 3 weeks I have added in interval training at The Dailey Method two days a week to boost my cardio and it has made a difference!

Dieting is is hard, but Weight Watchers eTools has made it work for me. I am proud of what I have lost so far. At the rate I am going I should reach my goal weight in another 3 months!

So, why do I think Weight Watchers works more than any other diet?

Weight Watchers doesn’t require me to buy their processed food, deprive myself, or take any pills. I already eat healthy foods, but I didn’t know how to control my impulses or balance my diet. I already practiced yoga, but I needed to take classes that boost my cardio. If I have to end my Weight Watchers membership I could still progress with my weight loss knowing how to balance my food throughout the day. If keep using Weight Watchers, once I reach and maintain my goal weight my membership is free!

Weight Watchers is not a diet, it is a lifestyle choice … and it works!

For more information about Weight Watchers go to weightwatchers.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

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