I used to hate tomatoes
I used to hate goat cheese
I used to hate spinach

However, this recipe not only has those 3 ingredients, they are pretty much the stars of this delicious appetizer, snack or meal.

It all started when I met one of my friends for lunch at a local restaurant. We decided to order the bruschetta and hesitant at first, I decided that I had a new favorite appetizer.

I have ordered the bruschetta at the restaurant many, many times but decided to try to master it myself. I’d like to think that this recipe produces results that are much better than any restaurant can ever make but that might be a biased opinion so I will leave it for you to decide!

This recipe makes 24 pieces! Not only that, it’s pretty simple to make. Perfect for a party.

You may think the goat cheese/pesto is a weird combination but I promise you… it flows together so perfectly, this recipe will hook you and reel you in!

Goat Cheese Pesto Bruschetta
with Balsamic Vinaigrette Drizzle

Ingredients

4oz Goat Cheese Crumbles (usually found in your local grocery store, in the cheese/deli section)
2 tablespoons Basil Pesto Sauce (I used Classico)
1 Baguette
1 bag of Spring Salad Mix (garnish)
6 or 7 ripe plum/cherry tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinaigrette
6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan

Directions

1. Prepare the tomatoes first. Soak the tomatoes for one minute in boiling water that has just been removed from the burner. Drain. Rinse with cold water. Set aside.

2. Make sure there is a top rack in place in your oven. Turn on the oven to 400°F to preheat.

3. While the oven is heating, chop up the tomatoes finely. Put tomatoes, garlic, 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a bowl and mix. Add the chopped basil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

4. Slice the baguette on a diagonal about 1/2 inch thick slices. Coat one side of each slice with olive oil using a pastry brush or you can pour some olive oil on a plate and dip the bread slices into it before placing them on a cooking sheet, olive oil side down. Toast for 5-6 minutes, until the bread just begins to turn golden brown.

5. While the bread is toasting, dump the goat cheese crumbles and basil pesto in a bowl and mix well until smooth enough to spread.

6. Align the serving platter with a thin layer of the spring salad mix. After that, align the bread on the platter on top of the salad, olive oil side up. Spread a thin layer of the cheese pesto on each slice.

Either place the tomato topping in a bowl separately with a spoon for people to serve themselves over the bread, or place some topping on each slice of bread and serve.

If you top each slice with the tomatoes, do it right before serving or the bread may get soggy.

Top the bruschetta with the shredded parmesan and drizzle with the balsamic vinaigrette.

Serves 6-10 as an appetizer. Yield: Makes 24 small slices.

A timeless backdrop offering guest’s a glimpse into the past, The Renaissance Vinoy® Resort & Golf Club celebrates The Great Gatsby summer blockbuster by inviting rebellious couples to rekindle their love affair with a ROARING 20’S EXPERIENCE, starting at $379*/night. As the lavish parties begin on the May 10th movie debut date, guests can enjoy luxe accommodations for two, prohibition cocktails and a picnic lunch while touring downtown St. Petersburg via horse-drawn carriage, dinner for two each night at Vinoy’s signature restaurant, and a “scandalous” couples swing dance lesson.

ROARING 20’S EXPERIENCE
Starting at $379*/night, May 1 – 31, 2013
Prohibition Cocktails and Picnic while touring the town via Carriage Ride
Couples “Charleston” Dance Lesson with Fred Astaire Dance Studio
Upgraded Bay View Guest Room
Dinner for Two Each Evening from Marchand’s 1925 Classic Dining Menu ($19.25)

Guests of the Vinoy can sip on prohibition cocktails, like a Whiskey Old Fashioned and the Sidecar, just like Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and the entire Great Gatsby cast do, while cozying up and enjoying a customized picnic and tour of downtown St. Petersburg from a horse-drawn carriage. Channeling the era of flappers and speakeasies, twosomes are taught “The Charleston”, a scandalous dance craze banned from dance halls during the 1920s.

Guests experience the feeling of their own personal retreat in upgraded bay view rooms with luxurious amenities and evening turndown service. At the resort’s award-winning restaurant, Marchand’s Bar & Grill, couples indulge in sinfully delicious meals from the 1925 Classic Dining menu, featuring three-courses of delights from crispy pork belly and harrisa lamb shank to dark chocolate waffles with salted caramel gelato and white chocolate ganache.

Originally opened on New Year’s Eve in 1925 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club is the only historic luxury resort on Florida’s west coast that boasts a private 72-slip marina, 18-hole private golf course, 12-court tennis complex and 5,000 sq. ft. fitness center. The seven-story hotel is ideally situated along the water in downtown St. Petersburg overlooking Tampa Bay. Recently renovated, the lounge-like lobby blends modern elegance with Mediterranean Revival architecture featuring bold colors and artwork by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly and artist Renee Dinauer. Updates have been made to all 361 guestrooms, and with more than 61,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor event space, five restaurants, a salon and day spa and amenities that cater to leisure and business travelers, the hotel is St. Petersburg’s premier AAA Four Diamond resort.

For more information or to book THE ROARING 20’S EXPERIENCE, please visit www.vinoyrenaissanceresort.com or call 1-888-303-4430.

* Restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Promo code P51 must be referenced at time of reservation.

Before you know it summer will be here, school will be out and your kids will be blissfully enjoying all this season has to offer. But before your little ones get too far take a look at these tips that will  keep your kids soaking up the sunshine all summer long and out of the emergency room.

Sunburns

Did you know, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, getting one blistering sunburn when you’re a kid doubles your chances of developing melanoma. That makes putting sunscreen on your child seem a little more serious! But sunscreen isn’t just important for your kids, you too must remember to put it on  regardless of your skin type.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone apply a water-resistant sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Be sure to choose a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Apply as much as would fill a shot glass, about every two hours and after swimming or other vigorous activity.

Bites and Stings

Insect repellent is a must to protect against bites and stings from mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and the other bothersome bugs that summer brings. But you can’t just choose any repellent for your child’s skin. Try not to use insect repellents containing DEET on kids because it can be toxic. Never use any repellent on infants. If for some reason you must use repellents containing DEET on your child choose one with 10 to 30 percent concentrations.  Put it on exposed skin, clothing and shoes but do not apply it to little faces or hands.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends repellents that contain picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, both are non-toxic and reduce bites just as well as repellents containing low levels of DEET. Also, if applying both sunscreen and insect repellent on your child use the sunscreen first and follow-up with the repellent.

Bikes

Rule #1, your child must always wear a helmet. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets standards for helmets, so be sure to check out the appropriate fit for your little biker and choose a helmet with a CPSC safety seal on it. Injuries can happen anywhere, in driveways, sidewalks and on bike paths, not just on the street. Children learn best by observing you so set the example: whenever you ride, put on your helmet.

In addition to the correct helmet fit you must remember that kids will outgrow their bikes. If the bike is the appropriate  size, your child will be able to straddle the top bar of his or her bike with both feet flat on the ground with a 1 to 3-inch gap between the bar and your child’s body.

Pools

No matter the age of your kids or how well they can swim, never leave them alone near the pool. If you are lucky enough to have a pool at home, take precautions, install fencing around pools at least 5-feet high, all the way around and with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Also, pool and gate alarms will alert you when the pool water becomes agitated or when the gate is opened.

Crowds

Before you head out to a crowded outdoor concert, fair or sporting event with your family go over some simple items to prevent anything bad from happening. First, identify a safe place where you will meet your children if you get split up. Make sure your kids know to check first before heading anywhere without you and remind them to always take a friend or another sibling. Tell your children to never take anything or go anywhere with strangers without your permission. It is also important to leave clothes displaying your kid’s name at home. Your child may get confused if a stranger yells his or her name.

These tips may seem simple but we sometimes forget them with all the summertime excitement. So take them to heart and enjoy a tear-free summer with the family!

Tips provided by MissionTuition.com, the easiest way to save for your child’s future.

Lounging poolside under a colorful umbrella, sipping an icy cold glass of ginseng-mint-sun tea with fruit-filled ice cubes — it’s summer and time for backyard cookouts. Invite friends and family over for a leisurely cookout where you can while away the afternoon with tasty food, sweet confections and great company. Show off your excellent culinary and grilling skills by planning a summertime soiree.

Seating Arrangements

As guests mingle and sip on a refreshing beverage, provide plenty of seating options or quilts for lounging on the lawn. The juiciest conversations at cookouts also happen while standing around the grill and watching the main course cook. Try to place the grill in an open area that invites wandering guests to take a peak or strike up a conversation with the chef.

Picnic Fare

Your feast should include a main course, two or three side dishes, a sweet finale and kid-friendly foods. Fresh fish and seafood are perfect for stepping outside traditional grilling. Even tuna, shark and salmon make wonderful, sumptuous primary courses. Impress your guests with Guy Fieri’s Grilled Tequila Lime Fish Tacos, featured on “Guy’s Big Bites.” Marinated in tequila and topped with cilantro lime crema, the delicate mahi mahi tacos melt in the mouth and burst with subtle flavor. The combination of cumin, crunchy cabbage, crumbled Cotija cheese and hot sauce add texture and taste to delight the palate.

Provide slices of limes and lemon, salsa, crumbled cheese, grated lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and diced green onion tops for people who want to customize their tacos. And no taco cookout is complete without chips and salsa. Toss these ingredients together for a homemade salsa and refrigerate overnight.

• 5-6 Roma Tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 small onion (diced)
• ½ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 2 minced Serrano or jalapeño peppers (chopped and seeded)
• 1 clove diced garlic
• 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
• Salt and Pepper

For more cookout ideas and themes, check out “Grilling Central” on FoodNetwork.com to get creative! Or check out DirectSpecialTV.com for cable upgrades so you’ll never miss star chefs Guy Fieri’s or Rachael Ray’s latest and hottest dishes.

Colorful Side Kicks

Go for colorful veggies and fruits. Vine-ripened tomatoes, dark green cucumbers and sweet yellow corn provide vibrant and nutritious side dishes. Complement Fieri’s fish tacos with Rachael Ray’s Raw Corn Salad. The zesty lime flavor with a spicy hot green chili kick will have guests coming back for seconds and thirds.

Cut a watermelon in half lengthwise to make a fun and festive watermelon tub. Scoop out all the melon with a small melon scoop. Toss the melon balls inside with a variety of fresh fruits, including casaba melons, pineapple cubes, strawberries, cantaloupe, mango slices and papaya. Serve your fresh fruit in the melon shell for a beautiful and fun twist on the traditional fruit salad.

Keep color in your desserts as well. Grilled fruit burritos and fresh fruit tarts are easy to make and fun to eat. Dana Treat blogs about her delicious Strawberry Tart dessert that bursts with tangy sweetness. The Sweet Shortcrust Pastry and smooth, tart filling will satisfy the sweet tooth of all your guests.

Oh yes, I went there.

Below are 3 essential wardrobe pieces for summer, narrowed down in categories. First up, my favorite.

1. Shoes

You can never have too many shoes and thanks to ShoeDazzle, the possibilities are endless. ShoeDazzle carries their own brand as well as offer designer brands such as: Chinese Laundry, Seychelles, Dolce Vita, Michael Antonio, and Beau+Ashe. They are constantly adding new brands they know their clients will love!

Summer Shoe Favs from ShoeDazzle by ModernDayMoms on Polyvore

Let me tell you a little about ShoeDazzle before we move on. To join, you take a really fun quiz so ShoeDazzle can get to know your style. Based on the results of the quiz, ShoeDazzle gives you your first showroom of shoes and handbags they think you’ll love. At the beginning of every month you will receive a new selection that fits your individual style, and as new styles get added to the site throughout the month, they continue to tailor your personalized recommendations!

Another cool feature: every day, a brand new, on-trend shoe is released on the site. ShoeDazzle tells you why it’s hot and why you have to have it. It’s sold for one-day only pricing with free shipping (Reduced shipping for non-contiguous US)!

You can take the ShoeDazzle quiz to gain access to your showroom with personalized picks just for you. Make a purchase within 2 days of taking the quiz and get 25% off your order.

2. Handbags

You can never go wrong with a closet full of handbags – Me.

Summer Style: Handbags from ShoeDazzle by ModernDayMoms on Polyvore

3. Jewelry

It’s amazing what a little jewelry can do to brighten up a wardrobe! Here are some of my favorites for summer time!

Accessory Must-Haves from ShoeDazzle by moderndaymoms on Polyvore

What do you usually do to brighten up your wardobe? I always find myself adding bright purses and sandals to the mix when I wear a maxi dress and I loooove it.

Thanks to ShoeDazzle for sponsoring today’s discussion!

Ingredients

Coarse salt
12 ounces spaghetti
1 1/2 cups finely shredded Pecorino Romano cheese (4 ounces)
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain pasta; return to pot.
To pasta in pot, add 1 cup reserved pasta water. Gradually add 1 cup Pecorino, tossing constantly with tongs until cheese is melted; add pepper. Toss to coat pasta lightly; if desired, gradually add a little more pasta water to thin. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, and serve immediately.
Cook’s Note

Make sure to freshly shred the cheese, as it will melt more easily.

We have some new favorite products that we wanted to share with you! I can't live without the Tree Hut foot cream and let me tell you why.

Tree Hut Hand & Foot Care products are developed to keep hands and feet feeling smooth and healthy. Certified Organic Shea Butter and Natural oils and extracts make skin smooth and soft.

Foot Cream:
• Certified Organic Shea Butter: skin repairing & moisturizing, anti-aging, promotes elasticity
• Argan Oil: natural anti-aging properties
• Rose Hip Oil: natural anti-aging properties
• Non-greasy formula
• Paraben Free and No DMDM
• Made in the USA
• Do not test on animals

Hand Cream:
• Certified Organic Shea Butter: skin repairing & moisturizing, anti-aging, promotes elasticity
• Aloe Vera: Nature’s soothing moisturizer
• Peppermint Oil: Moisturizes skin
• Paraben Free and No DMDM
• Made in the USA
• Do not test on animals

Foot Scrub:
• Certified Organic Shea Butter: skin repairing & moisturizing, anti-aging, promotes elasticity
• Real Sugar: Natural sugar exfoliates skin smooth
• Peppermint Oil: Moisturizes skin
• Paraben Free and No DMDM
• Made in the USA
• Do not test on animals

I have been carrying these products around with me… and using the foot scrub for our DIY pedicures that we do. 

We are holding a Pin-it-to-Win-it contest in conjunction with your blog post. We are giving away 1 Tree Hut set of lotions (hand cream, foot cream and foot scrub) to one lucky reader.

Method of Entry: Create a style board of an outfit that showcases your #NaturalBeauty via Polyvore (or similar site) and pin that style board via our Pinterest account with the hashtag #NaturalBeauty. Leave a comment on this blog post linking back to your Pinterest pin!

You can follow Tree Hut on Twitter and like Tree Hut on Facebook! You can also find the products at Walmart too!

Casa de Campo, the 7,000-acre luxury resort on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, invites guests to celebrate and immerse in Dominican Republic culture at Casa de Campo’s first annual Spring Festival from May 23 – 26 at Altos de Chavon, a vibrant artisan village on resort grounds modeled after a 16th-century Mediterranean village. Special room rates for Festival guests start at $295 per person, per night and visitors booking before May 15 receive the third night free and a 20 percent discount on golf tee-times and spa appointments.

The Spring Festival program includes a wide variety of enriching events for families, couples and friends alike ranging from traditional folkloric dance workshops and string poetry recitals back-dropped with classical music by the Mirabal String Quintet, to street theater plays demonstrating the pirate-infused history of Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital city. The stunning 5,000-seat Grecian-style amphitheater in Altos de Chavon hosts a magical performance by the National School of Dance and National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the famed Maestro José Antonio Molina. Available every evening during the festival, craft-lovers hone their skills on the pottery wheel side-by-side with local artisans and mold personal masterpieces to take home as keepsakes.

Perched on a cliff 300-feet above the winding Chavon River, Altos de Chavon boasts arts and crafts workshops, fine dining and chic lounges, charming boutiques, art galleries and the Altos de Chavon School of Design, affiliated with Parson’s School of Design in New York. Moreover, the archeological museum offers one of the largest collections of Taino Indians artifacts on the island (native to the land) and a 5,000-seat Grecian-style amphitheater hosting international touring concerts year-around.

Casa de Campo, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, is internationally-known known as a posh escape attractingfinancial moguls, politicos and Hollywood’s elite with spacious hotel accommodations and extravagant villa homes. Additional draws range from five Pete Dye-designed golf courses (including famed Teeth of the Dog), a renowned Polo & Equestrian Center, 350-slip Marina & Yacht Club and a 245-acre Shooting Center, to The Casa de Campo Spa, and La Terraza Tennis Club – deemed “Wimbledon of the Caribbean” – with 13 Har-Tru tennis courts situated on a bluff overlooking the entire resort and Caribbean Sea beyond.

For ease of arrival, the resort’s Casa de Campo / La Romana International Airport (LRM) is just eight minutes from check-in and is serviced by: JetBlue Airways direct flights on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and American Airlines with daily non-stop service from Miami International Airport (MIA). A quick 45-minute drive, Santo Domingo International Airport (SDQ) and Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) operate daily direct flights from all major U.S. airports.

For more information on Casa de Campo contact a preferred travel professional, call 1 (855) 255-1229, visitcasadecampo.com.do or follow all the action on Facebook.com/casadecamporesort or on Twitter at @casadecampo.

Hilary Duff has joined the campaign to support Johnson’s Baby Cares partnership with Save the Children for the second year in a row. The actress recently visited the Save the Children early childhood education school in Yucca Valley, California – where she met with families who benefit from the program.

Celebrity Baby Scoop recently had a chance to catch up with Hilary about the Johnson’s Baby Cares program, her 1-year-old son Luca, and her biggest motherhood rewards.

CBS: Tell us about partnering with Johnson’s Baby for Johnson’s Baby Cares. What’s it all about? Why did you get involved?

HD: “I can’t believe I have my first year as a mom under my belt – time flies. Looking back on it, I’ve been thinking a lot about the support I received from my family, friends and fans over the past year, and how their words of encouragement really helped me get through some challenging days.

Unfortunately not all moms have the same support system or even basic everyday resources to help them with motherhood. That’s why I’m proud to partner with Johnson’s Baby Cares for the second year on its newest campaign centered around Johnson’s Baby “Care Cards” – which is helping to deliver encouragement and positive support to moms across the country, while also raising funds for families and babies assisted by Save the Children.

Now, everyone can help in an easy and fun way! Visit www.johnsonsbabycares.com to send a digital Care Card filled with love and inspiration to a special mom in your life. For every card sent, shared or liked Johnson’s Baby will donate $1 to Save the Children to benefit early parenting and childhood education programs.

CBS: How’s baby Luca doing? Is he into everything these days now that he’s walking?

HD: “Luca’s incredible!  I can’t believe he is already 13 months old.  He’s certainly an active boy and yes, even more so now that he is walking. In fact, he basically skipped the walking stage and went straight to “speed walking.”  I spend my days on my feet trailing him around the house and yard!”

CBS: How has your life changed in the last year since you’ve become a mother? What are the greatest rewards of motherhood? Biggest challenges?

HD: “I really love being a mom. Motherhood changes the way you see the world.  I’ve always been passionate about giving back, but now I’m more passionate about supporting causes that help other moms and babies, like Johnson’s Baby Cares.

I’m rewarded by Luca every day, whether it’s with a new smile or an accomplished milestone, but the biggest reward has to be discovering this tremendous newfound love that I had no idea existed within me. Every day brings new challenges, but you learn to trust yourself and your instincts to help get through them.

CBS: You seem to have the ‘perfect’ life with a great career and family life. But do you think women can REALLY ‘have it all’? Have you had to make sacrifices now that you’re a mom?

HD: Nobody’s life is perfect but in this day and age women are able to find a balance between work and home life. Of course my life has changed but I don’t think of them as sacrifices because I was ready for this new chapter!

CBS: We saw you and Mike enjoying Coachella. Comment on the importance of making time as a couple. Do you think it’s important? Do you have regular date nights?

HD: Yes of course it’s important to make time to focus on your relationship. But it’s not always easy! We aren’t huge planners, we tend to do things last minute but we enjoy going out for nice dinners or spending time with friends.

- – -

CelebrityBabyScoop.com is one of the most popular blogs on the topic and the foremost provider of everything celebrity-baby, featuring baby fashion, baby names, baby trends and up-to-the-minute celebrity baby gossip and pics. Get all the latest news, updates, and photos about Hollywood’s most beloved celebrity moms, dads and their babies. Who’s the latest Tinseltown baby? Who’s due next and who just announced a pregnancy? It’s all on Celebrity Baby Scoop.

The air is crisp.  There are still droplets of dew catching the rising sun’s glimmer in their tiny worlds as they slide off the sheen of green leaves, flower petals, and blades of fresh cut grass.  Birds are singing their testament to the good day that I’m about to embark upon.  Early morning is the right time for my daughter and me to begin our exploration of our favorite beach spot.  The only way to make this good day better, this good day to a great day is to brew up some of the best selling coffee for my Keurig: a Green Mountain Coffee K-Cup.  My true fuel for the hike, climb and wading toward a secret spot on the beach.

We park along a narrow corridor, my daughter with sunglasses and her favorite stuffed chipmunk and me, a camera to catch every new and exciting discovery and my thermos filled with my coffee fuel.

“Lift me onto the wall,” she says as I sweep her up and place her on the sea wall we both have to scale before entering the calm sea down a broken set of stairs, that drop us off into the sea.  Around this corner is 100 yards, north and south of limestone ledges, tide pools with conch, crabs, and the occasional visiting fish.  Anglers are patiently waiting for a snapper, or the occasional threat of a fighting shark, and snorkelers are exploring this natural reef that is hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the public beach area.

I take another sip from my coffee mug and take it all in.  Green Mountain Coffee is exceptionally smooth and perfectly balanced for a harmonious blend of flavor, body and aroma.   And spending a day exploring and admiring the world we live in with my little girl is the perfect way to spend my morning.  Watching her with eager eyes as she finds out that crabs do pinch, conch live in every pretty shell she wishes she could take home and that fish wouldn’t make a good pet because they don’t like to cuddle, is a truly good day for us both.   This is the perfect spot to go shelling.  So many shells brought to the shore and tops of the rocks by the tide.  Everyone is a masterpiece of its own, and neither her nor I have enough room in our pockets to cherish them all.

After a full morning, the sun starts beating down on our heads and backs and we make our trek back to where we began.  I take the last sip of my cup and know how lucky we really are to have such beautiful creations of nature right at our fingertips.  It’s was a great day for her and she’s inspired to explore every last tide pool on the way back home as well.

Having some Green Mountain Coffee is just a way to make a good day a little bit better. My advice would be, brew yourself up a cup and embark on an adventure of your own.

Thank you to Green Mountain Coffee and Technorati for being sponsors of this article. All opinions expressed here are my own.