When quarantine first began, my family and I threw on our pajamas, binged our favorite TV shows and enjoyed not having to be tied to our normal daily routines. But as time went on, the walls started getting smaller and this full-time working Mom (and her teens) were getting stir crazy. I started looking for any outlets available for activities to break up the monotony.

Hold on to your hats, Mamas! I’m about to provide you with a solution! Recently, I was introduced to Art Camp 504 and I could mot be more impressed with the concept. Since 2016, Art Camp 504 has connected New Orleans youth with local working artists. But when the pandemic forced everyone to quarantine, the camp unveiled their online platform. Through Zoom, Art Camp 504 instructors provided live instructional classes in the arts providing relief to families struggling to find some sense of normalcy. Imagine the freedom of 90 uninterrupted minutes to get work done while the kids enjoy professional and personalized creative classes!

By providing online classes and hiring local, New Orleans based artists, Art Camp 504 has facilitated sharing New Orleans’ unique culture with kids in more than 36 states. From digital drawing to watercolor, and theater to cooking, Art Camp 504 has something for every interest. Better yet? Art Camp 504 registration is OPEN for their Virtual Spring Break Camps!

Two camp dates are available: March 29-April 2 and April 5-9, 2021. Your student (ages 6-15) will receive quality instruction in their field of choice from real working artists in a small class setting of not more than 6 students. Take some time to read about all of the classes available for Spring Break…you will be amazed at the variety. Let me know what you decide in the comments! Personally, I would love to take the Stop Motion Video class!

Not available for Spring Break? Art Camp 504 also offers weekly after school classes year round.

The post Get Creative during Spring Break with Art Camp 504 appeared first on The Experimental Mommy.

Living in New Orleans certainly has its perks. From toe tapping music to fun festivals and from the resiliency of our people to the neighborhood block parties, I love it all! But, if there is one thing that I love most about living in the Big Easy, it’s the food! My family has lived here for generations which makes for one overstuffed cookbook full of Louisiana recipes sure to make your mouth water. Over time, we have tweaked a few recipes to make them healthier, cost efficient, and time saving. Our favorite Monday dish is traditional Red Beans and Rice which can prepared quickly for our active family in a pressure cooker.

Here’s what you need:

• 1 lb red kidney beans
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 garlic toes, chopped
• 2-3 sticks celery, chopped
• ½ bell pepper, chopped
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp onion powder
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1lb smoked sausage, cut into ½” thick slices
• 7 cups of water (only use 6 cups if you prefer creamy beans)

Here’s how you make it:

1. Soak beans in water overnight with 1 tbsp vegetable oil
2. Chop seasoning (garlic, onion, bell pepper, celery) and slice smoked sausage into ½” thick pieces
3. Heat remaining oil in pressure cooker over medium heat. Add chopped seasoning and cook for 5 minutes
4. Add smoked sausage and cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally
5. Add water, beans, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme and bay leaves
6. Wipe pressure cooker gasket with thin layer of oil. Seal pressure cooker lid onto the pot and cook on medium heat for 25 minutes after the pressure cooker regulator starts to rock (or vent)
7. Remove from heat. Leave regulator on cooker until pressure drops (generally about 30 minutes)
8. Serve over rice. If you prefer creamier beans, smash some beans while dish cools.
9. Enjoy!

One pot of traditional New Orleans red beans goes a long way! My family of four gets at least two meals from just one pot making this not only a great source of fiber and protein, but a very frugal dish as well.

Did you know that according to the Nationwide 2019 Stats*, roughly 500,000 households in Louisiana received SNAP/TANF benefits? And now, the LifeInCheck EBT app helps cardholders manage funds with ease. By simply using the app on a smartphone, it is easy to check SNAP and cash balances, view your next available benefit date and view recent transactions.

Ready to download? Follow these simple steps:

• Search & download LifeInCheck EBT from the App Store
• Register in the app using your date of birth, EBT Card Number, Social Security Number, Email Address, and Phone Number.
• Select your security questions, create a password & select a PIN. That’s it!

Are you excited about using the app? Let me know how much easier it is for you to manage your SNAP and TANF benefits using the app! #LifeInCheck #EBTSNAPapp

The post How to Cook Red Beans and Rice in a Pressure Cooker #LifeInCheck #EBTSNAPapp appeared first on The Experimental Mommy.

While this blog seems like all fun and games, it is definitely hard work. As a Mom of 2 who also works outside the home, you can imagine that I have limited time to put my head down and write. So when a deadline is approaching, I need to concentrate and get the job done with little to no interruptions.

Remember those 2 kids I mentioned? While they aren’t toddlers anymore, the tween and teen are anything but quiet and always seem to multiply when friends come bounding through the door. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my girls AND their friends. But my new Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Headphones are saving my sanity and allowing me to work faster and more efficiently.

I’m totally going to date myself here, but the only headphones I have ever owned are wired and play music. That’s it. I never expected more. I never even thought that headphones could have ANY features but the Jabra Elite 85h is loaded with them! Let’s start with the music. Simply pair the Jabra 85h with your bluetooth enabled Smartphone and start your playlist. You can control the volume directly on the headphones and the song will automatically pause if you remove them from your ears. It’s like magic!

Beyond music, you can even answer your phone using the Jabra 85h. The advanced call technology uses 6 of the headset’s 8 microphones to greatly enhance call quality, blocking out more wind noise and background distractions. And if you need quiet, the Smart Active Noise Cancellation blocks unwanted noise by responding to your environment using the preferences you set up in the Jabra Sound+ app. Plus, the SmartSound feature automatically detects your surroundings adjusts audio quality as needed. This feature is great if you take public transportation or if you are trying to work in a public place.

Because I have been using this headset a lot, I love that it only takes 2 hours to fully charge and gets up to 36 hours of battery life per charge. I never imagined that I would describe headphones as “convenient” but the Jabra 85h has made my life so much easier and has given me back time in my day. Wearing the headset has made working from home easier and more efficient allowing me to spend more time with my family.

If you want to check out the award winning Jabra Elite 85h headphones (13 awards at CES 2019!), you can find them at Best Buy and Amazon.

The post Working from Home with the Jabra Elite 85h Headphones appeared first on The Experimental Mommy.

When my kids were younger, we spent so many days exploring the Louisiana Children’s Museum on Julia St. in New Orleans. When I heard they were not only relocating after 31 years but constructing an entirely new building, I was worried that some of the charm and whimsy of the old location would be lost. I mean, those beautiful blue doors? How could they be replaced?

Fortunately, I got a sneak peek tour of the brand new Louisiana Children’s Museum (now located in New Orleans City Park at 15 Henry Thomas Drive), and I am here to tell you that there is nothing to worry about. It is amazing in every way.

Truly spectacular.

Situated on 8.5 acres, every detail is well planned and impeccably executed from the architecture centered around the arc of the sun in order to conserve energy to the windows that block the heat while not obstructing the gorgeous views. It is easy to see the influence of not only children in the museum design, but the influence of parents AND grandparents, too! Artwork by local children adorns almost every wall and quotes from grandparents make the decor very warm and cozy.

The Louisiana Children’s Museum features five fun and interactive exhibits allowing parents to engage with their kids in new and exciting ways including Play with Me; Follow That Food; Dig Into Nature; Make Your Mark, and Flow with The River.

For museum visitors 4 and under, the Play with Me exhibit features adorable nooks to encourage literacy, a Sensory Lagoon (think giant waterbed), and plenty of active toys. New Orleans natives will be happy to hear some museum favorites remain (and newly re-imagined) such as the Bubble exhibit and the Grocery Store located in the Follow that Food section. My favorite part of “Follow that Food” is the Mr. Okra van complete with actual recordings of Mr. Okra advertising his goods in the streets of New Orleans.

As a scientist, I have had the opportunity to work on coastal restoration projects right here in Louisiana, so I could not have been happier to see the “Dig into Nature” and “Flow with the River” exhibits teaching children about the importance of our environment and how the Mississippi River effects and shapes our community.

Other new museum additions include a life-sized interactive checkers board superimposed with an aerial view of New Orleans. As you move the checker pieces around the board, children are treated to the sounds you might hear in that particular area of the City. For example, placing the checker piece on the Superdome will start the “Who Dat” chant which is music to just about any Saints fan’s ears.

Kids are certain to love the water play area in “Flow with the River!” The 100 foot long mighty Mississippi River model is fully interactive and tells the story of the river’s journey from the Twin Cities all the way to the Port of New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico. Did I mention the kids can even work in the Port and learn how goods are processed?

All of this play makes for some hungry kids (and parents)! Acorn NOLA, a Dickie Brennan & Co. cafe, will serve breakfast including French Truck coffee, lunch and dinner and will be accessible to the public as well. The menu includes traditional kids’ favorites including chicken tenders and grilled cheese, but also many items for the more sophisticated palate. I was impressed with the selection and price points, too.

Before leaving, make sure to check out the Fog Display which runs for 5 minutes every hour. It’s so fun to walk through and a great way to cool off in the New Orleans heat!

Ready to check out the Louisiana Children’s Museum? The Grand Opening will be on August 31, 2019 at noon! The museum will be accessible for a $14 admission rate and will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Birthday parties will still be available and will begin booking in the next few weeks with museum Members receiving first priority.

Looking for more activities in New Orleans City Park? Check out our experience at Celebration in the Oaks!

The post Louisiana Children’s Museum Sneak Peek appeared first on The Experimental Mommy.

As my girls get older, they are becoming more involved in activities and their interest in attending summer camps is growing. While I love to see them develop their interests and friendships, it definitely cut into time available for a summer family vacation. To try to squeeze every ounce of fun out of our summer, I started looking for options nearby and turned to the Gulf Coast. Fortunately, I learned about a new cirque size extravaganza taking center stage at the Beau Rivage Resort called LUNARO.

Deciding to take advantage of all that Beau Rivage has to offer, we hopped in the car early in the morning and took the short 75 minute drive to Biloxi, MS. As we crossed over Biloxi Bay, excitement grew as Beau Rivage Resort is quite the impressive site situated directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Parking was quick, convenient and free and then we headed into the VIP check-in office. We were greeted by friendly faces and free coffee and quickly checked in to our deluxe accommodations on the 19th floor.

Our room was beautiful, clean and comfortable but my girls didn’t want to stay in it long. The massive pool was calling their name so we quickly changed into our bathing suits and headed to find some fun in the sun. Shortly after settling in to our pool-side chairs, we were greeted by Beau Rivage staff offering a menu of delicious food and drinks to be served right at our chairs. We chose some delicious frozen drinks and spent the early afternoon relaxing and spending some quality time together. Heaven.

The LUNARO room packages include deluxe accommodations and two tickets to the show for just $129! Plus, as a LUNARO ticket holder, kids 12 and under eat free at the Beau Rivage buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet. After an afternoon of swimming, we perused the buffet with wide eyes and watering mouths. The selection was amazing and certainly had more than enough to please any palette. And the desserts? Amazing!

With full bellies, we headed to the Beau Rivage Theater to check out the show.  LUNARO is an 80-minute high-energy production that will take guests on a cinematic journey. Audiences of all ages will enjoy the artistry, comedy and heart-stopping excitement! Tickets can be purchased for $12.95, $16.95 or $29.95 plus tax. But for the best value, you can purchase a family four pack for mid-week shows for just $40!

Our seats were so close to the action that we all sat in amazement with mouths wide open in awe of the talent. The show was funny, thrilling and definitely heart-stopping at some points. Acts included tumblers, aerial arts, and archery tricks to name a few. All four of us loved LUNARO and would highly recommend!

LUNARO will be entertaining audiences from June 8-August 7, 2019. Don’t miss it! Want more? Check out our past experiences at Beau Rivage, too!

The post Thrilling Summer Family Fun at Beau Rivage and LUNARO appeared first on The Experimental Mommy.

Stand outside for more than 5 minutes in New Orleans this summer and you will be looking for ways to cool off and escape this summer heat. Our small backyard pool works in a pinch, but sometimes you just need MORE. Fortunately, just a little over an hour away lies a summer escape that is sure delight the whole family. Gulf Islands Waterpark in Gulfport, MS offers miles of thrilling slides, relaxing lazy river, adorable toddler play area and delicious food to make sure your summer is the coolest ever!

To celebrate the start of summer (and my daughter’s birthday), we gathered some of her closest friends and hit the road to check out Gulf Islands Waterpark for ourselves. Upon arrival, we were ushered through group check in which was incredibly easy and escorted to our party pavilion, the Boat House. This double decker pavilion offered a home base for our group that was visible from just about everywhere in the park. Plus, we had an adult perched on the second level who could keep an eye on the kids while enjoying the comfort of the ceiling fans and picnic tables.

The most economical way to feed a large group is to purchase a party package including pizza, drinks and paper products which can be delivered right to your pavilion without having to wait in lines. While you can’t bring food into Gulf Islands Waterpark, you can bring in a cake if you have a party pavilion.

Once everyone was full, our group of tweens were ready to hit the slides. Their favorite was the Riptide Racers where several of our party guests could race down a 45ft high slide for the win! Coming in a close second was the Horn Island Blaster, the Gulf Coast’s first and only water roller coaster. Riding two at time, I definitely heard laughs and screams coming from this one! But if you ask the parents in attendance, the Lazy Pearl River and Wavepool were the overwhelming favorites. Floating around the river, relaxing, chatting and escaping the heat was definitely worth the trip!

Whether you are looking for a great birthday party venue or just a way to cool off this summer, definitely check out Gulf Islands Waterpark in Mississippi! If you love it, consider the great value of the season pass for just $59.99. You won’t be disappointed!

Want more tips for visiting? Check out our Top 5 Travel Tips for Gulf Islands Waterpark!

The post Celebrate Summer at Gulf Islands Waterpark appeared first on The Experimental Mommy.

What is it about summer that makes me want to lay on a raft in a swimming pool, sip a mason jar full of sweet tea and indulge in a plate of delicious barbeque? The only problem? Standing outside for any length of time in the New Orleans heat feels like you are the main course! While my family loves to eat barbeque on the weekends, we do not love melting in the southern heat to obtain said barbeque.

Fortunately, we’ve found the perfect place to indulge our cravings without suffering in the New Orleans heat and humidity. Moe’s Original Bar B Que just opened a location in Metairie, LA and my husband and I were more than happy to taste the menu (in the comfort of the air conditioning, of course).  Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner this 2100 square foot full service restaurant offers original style of Alabama BBQ, fresh seafood, fish and a rotation of more than 60 Southern sides.

Walking up to the doors, we were immediately enticed with the smell of smoked flavors but stepping inside and viewing the entire menu certainly makes the mouth water. We were treated to a sampler platter with a little bit of several items on the menu. Given the fact that Moe’s was awarded one of the Top 10 Rib Joints in the U.S. by Relish, we could not wait to dive in!

In addition to ribs, our platter contained pulled pork, wings, turkey, and chicken smoked over hardwood as well as fried catfish. Everything was cooked to perfection and the sauce was the perfect combination of spice and sweetness. My husband’s favorite was the ribs but I couldn’t get enough of the pulled pork (in fact, I’ve been back twice to purchase pulled pork sandwiches).

Of course, any good barbeque needs the perfect pairing with southern sides. Prepared fresh daily, Moe’s offers a rotation of 60 options ranging from baked beans to collard greens and white bean chili to jambalaya.  Each time we have returned, I have been on the lookout for the Sweet Potato Jojos, which are similar to thick cut sweet potato fries. They are divine!

Our experience at Moe’s Original Bar B Que in Metairie was exceptional. The restaurant is clean and the servers are incredibly friendly and helpful. Since our initial visit, we’ve been back with the kids twice. For just $5.75, the Kid’s Meal includes a sandwich or platter of pork, ribs, chicken or turkey as well as one choice of side and a slice of cornbread. Even my 14 year old was full!

Thanks to Moe’s for a great experience and a chance to enjoy our beloved barbeque without melting in the New Orleans heat! We will be back! Mouth watering from our pictures? Check this location out on Facebook here.

The post Get Your Summer BBQ On at Moe’s Original Bar B Que! appeared first on The Experimental Mommy.

There are many reasons why I love living in New Orleans. We have no shortage of good food, fun festivals, upbeat music and genuinely nice people. Unfortunately, family and friends aren’t the only ones showing up at our parties this Spring. Living in the middle of a swamp, there is also no shortage of uninvited insects who pull up a chair at our crawfish boils, music concerts and block parties. While we pride ourselves on our Southern hospitality, these guests just can’t be tolerated!

There really is no quicker way to ruin the perfect party than to be invaded by pests.  But getting rid of them can cause a dilemma for any party host. On one hand, spraying heavily perfumed toxic chemicals near people and pets is less than ideal. On the other, it is imperative that the product work effectively so the party doesn’t end prematurely. Fortunately, Zevo Insect is a new brand of powerful insect control that believes you shouldn’t have to choose between safety and efficacy.

Because bugs and insects have been around for over 300 million years, they have become quite good at avoiding many types of insect control and developing sophisticated survival tactics. But Zevo Insect is #WaySmarterThanBugs and has developed plant-based products that use a deep understanding of the biology of bugs by targeting nervous system receptors that are only active in bugs. That means that the products are safe (when used as directed) around both people and pets.

I had the opportunity to try out the Zevo Flying Insect Trap Starter Kit and the Zevo Ant, Roach and Fly Multi-Insect Trigger Spray in my own home. As luck would have it, the weather this weekend was beautiful and we spent the majority of the time with our windows and doors wide open. We enjoyed the breeze but did not enjoy the bugs who flew into my kitchen while we were fixing lunch.

My daughter installed the Zevo Flying Insect Trap by simply plugging it in. The trap does not use chemical insecticides but instead uses a multi-spectrum light technology that mimics body heat to attract and eliminate flying insects. No odor, no scary zapping noises and no more bugs!

As it turns out, I am not the only one that thinks dessert is a necessity at any party. Sugar ants promptly found their way into my kitchen but were no match for the Zevo Ant, Roach and Fly Multi-Insect Trigger Spray. By simply spraying the line of ants till they were wet and wiping away with a paper towel, the dessert was safe from being confiscated by our uninvited guests!

We used the new line of Zevo products in our home for the entire weekend and have been pleased with the results. Knowing the products are safe to use around my kids definitely gives me a peace of mind and allows our parties to continue worry-free and pest-free! Get rid of your uninvited party guests by checking out the entire line of Zevo products.

The post Get Rid of Uninvited Pests at Your Next Party with Zevo Insect appeared first on The Experimental Mommy.

1 (11 ounce) box Nilla Wafers

1 (11 ounce) bag Rolos Caramel candies

1 (8 ounce) bag milk chocolate morsels

½ cup chopped pecans

1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening, to improve chocolate consistency

How to Make It:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Place half of the Nilla Wafers in a single layer on baking sheet. Unwrap candies and place one on each cookie.

• Bake for about 5 minutes or until the candies are soft but not runny. Remove from oven and immediately press another Nilla Wafer against the top of each to create a sandwich.

• Melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave on high, stirring every 15 to 20 seconds until melted. Do not overheat as the chocolate will seize. If the chocolate becomes tough, you can add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or vegetable shortening. Do not add water.
• Cover each sandwich in chocolate (using this candy scoop will make it easy), allowing excess to run back into the bowl. Place the cookie on waxed paper.

• While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle with chopped pecans.

• Allow chocolate to set completely before serving. To speed the process, you can place the cookies in the refrigerator or freezer.

The post Turtle Nilla Wafer Sandwiches Recipe appeared first on The Experimental Mommy.

As my blog name suggests, I am a full time scientist and a full time Mom to two beautiful girls. I wear a lot of hats, but none of them include beauty blogger or professional hair stylist. But I have been obsessed with watching hair tutorials featuring L’Ange products so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to try them out for myself.

The L’Ange Ondule 25mm Titanium curling wand is my new best friend. I can wake up and style my hair into an office appropriate look in under 10 minutes. No joke. And the best part? The curls stay in my hair for THREE days. Can you comprehend how much time that saves?!

In the below video, I share my office-ready hair tutorial using the following L’Ange products:

• Ondule Wand: 25mm Titanium
• Root Booster
• Rival Heat Shield
• Salt + Sea Texturizing Spray
• Deja Vu Dry Shampoo

All of the L’Ange products are on MASSIVE sale right now! Make sure you click through my shopping link to get access to the best deals! Let me know what you think of the products!

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