Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Dole Packaged Foods, LLC. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

I seriously run around like a chicken without a head. Every single second of my day is jammed packed with something to do. I long for extra time to spend with my son since he is on summer vacation and his days are being spent here in the house. Sometimes I just have to stop working, put my phone away and have some one on one time with my baby boy (well he’s not really a baby, he’s about to be 4). I’ve been thinking of different ways to pass our time together in the scorching heat. I signed us up for swimming lessons, and have several big outings planned for the warm weather…. everything from road trips to amusements park adventures, but what should we do on the days when I just need a moment to bond with him? Here’s what I came up with and how I came up with it…..

My son loves popsicles and asks for them every other minute throughout the day, especially in the heat, and I don’t necessarily want him to have all that sugar. He was asking for another popsicle the other day and as I opened the freezer door about to grant him his request,  I saw a Dole Fruit Squish’ems frozen on the top shelve of the freezer… the light bulb went off. I realized he and I could eat the delicious all natural Dole Fruit Squish’ems as our summer bonding treat. He’ll be happy that Mom gave in to his frozen treat whim, and I’ll be thrilled knowing I’m giving my son a BPA, GMO, and Gluten Free snack that is kinda like a frozen slushy. He’ll have his pick of all natual Apple, Mixed Berry, or Strawberry-Apple, and I’ll have the pleasure of squishing him in my arms all summer long!

Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Dole Packaged Foods, LLC. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

The idea of having a bar-b-que doesn’t exist if corn on the cob isn’t thrown on the grill.  I take pleasure in watching people eat their corn.  So many different ways to enjoy each kernel.  Some people eat it like a old typewriter on fast speed….very crickety.  All the way down one side and back at the top again for another go at it. Some people pick each kernel and savor it slowly. Some people just hack away at the corn taking big bites here and there with no rhythm or coordination.  I am a meticulous corn eater, I eat one side and then more on to the next….  never leaving a kernel untouched.  Then you have your funny people that bite a kernel and place them strategically in their teeth and leave them there to resemble messy mouth.  Maybe that last one just happens in my family, I don’t know.  Whichever the case, delight in this corn and eat it the way you know how.

All photos taken by: Nicole Presley

Ingredients for grilled corn on the cob:

Fresh corn on the cob

Kerrygold garlic and herb butter

basil infused olive oil

fresh lime juice

salt and pepper

aluminum foil

Take a piece of aluminum foil (7×7)and place down on  as a work space/wrapper. Place corn on aluminum foil and spread butter around entire corn to cover it.

Then drizzle with olive oil and squeeze with fresh lime juice.

Next season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Then wrap the corn in aluminum foil nice and tight, and start on the next one.  One you finishing wrapping all your cobs. Throw them on a bar-b-que grill and cook on each side for 5 to 6 minutes. A corn has 4 sides…. a total of 20 to 24 minutes.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!

If I could float away into the world of soda and ice cream I would.  I love the foamy substance a float produces up top, it makes scooping out the ice cream with a spoon and gulping down the soda with a straw a heavenly experience.  I’ve been feeling rather peachy lately and it isn’t a coincidence that Melissa’s Produce and I are on the same wave of sentiments.  They were kind enough to send me over a batch of stone fruits. Pictured below.

After sinking my teeth into their skin and marveling over the sweetness of their flesh I wanted to enjoy them as many ways as possible.  I recently had a delicious float and was inspired to make a peach version.  Something to cool down my summer and quench my sweet tooth at the same time.  Peach and cream float with ginger cookie crumbs would definitely do the trick.

Ingredients for Peach & Cream Float:

peach ice cream

1 – peach (cored and sliced)

cream soda

ginger cookies

In a big cup add 3 to 5 scoops of ice cream.

Then take your sliced peaches and add them in!

Then pour cream soda over the top till filled, then crumble ginger cookie on top!

Stick a straw and a spoon in it, and SLURP till your heart’s content!

All photos taken by: Nicole Presley and Mando Lopez

My family gets together for hot summer fun days throughout the warm months of June, July, and August.  You can bet your bottom dollar there will be water balloon fights involved, swimming, and lots of laughter.  The food is always the main highlight of the gathering with an assortment of everyone’s favorite dishes… a smorgasbord if you will.  We have to make sure to have salsa and chips for my Mom, cheeseburgers for the kids, macaroni salad for my Aunts, bar-b-qued ribs for my Uncles, and THE MUST HAVE  for everyone else (me included) is the classic chili dog.  Of course I make my own version of a classic chili dog, and my twist is adding flavorful RO*TEL.

You start off with an exquisite pot of chili beans.  I make mine simple and ultra tasty, with only 5 ingredients.  It’s the RO*TEL that gives them that burst of zesty flavor that makes you lick your chops and eat like there is no tomorrow.  They’re so good you serve them on top of your hot-dogs and serve a little bowl on the side for more chili bean goodness.  I look forward to my summer, getting splashed by the kids in the pool, dodging water balloons, spending quality time with my family and eating chili dogs!

Last one in is a rotten egg!

Ingredients for turkey chorizo chili:

1 – package pork chorizo (casing removed and cooked)

1/2 – cup chopped onion

1 – pound ground turkey (cooked)

5 – cups cooked pinto beans

1 – can RO*TEL (mild)

In a medium sized pot over a medium flame add chorizo and onions and saute for a minute or so.  Then add in cooked turkey meat.  Mix well.  Add in cooked pinto beans, and entire can of mild RO*TEL.  Mix well and allow for mixture to get hot.

Try to resist eating the entire pot…. you still have dogs to grill.  Take a few frankfurters and slice them with a knife, here and there adding some slits.  Then throw them on a hot grill and cook till they are to your liking.  I like mine slightly charred.

Place your warm frankfurter in a bun and top with turkey chorizo chili beans for the best chili dogs ever!

Garnish with cheddar cheese and onions…. Mmmmm my mouth is watering.

Here’s a picture of the “Chili Dog Vulture”… Identify him now and be on the look out, he may show up the next time you are enjoying a chili dog made with RO*TEL and snag your plate. 🙂

All photos taken by: Nicole Presley and Mando Lopez

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.  The recipe and all opinions are my own.