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The Spring of 2021 brought such an exuberant breath of fresh air when we started to travel again. We bought our first RV, (YAAAAAAAAY!) and were able to take Lexi on a few of her first few vacations! 2020 felt like such a pressing year. One of refinement and frustration with many days of cabin fever and travel dreaming. Even through the hardships, there were also many moments of gratitude and family connection. We welcomed our sweet daughter, celebrated her first holidays, celebrated Grey turning 4, celebrated Grey graduating Pre-K and beginning our homeschool elementary school journey and many more sweet moments in between. Once the temps started creeping up in Phoenix, it was time to head North for some cooler weather and I wanted to share one of our very favorite spots.   Williams, AZ has so many things to do for families with kids of all ages. We call it our destination for nature, nostalgia and nurturing connection with one another. Below I share my Top 10 Activities to do in Williams, where we stayed and a collection of our favorite photos!   TOP 10 ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES IN WILLIAMS, AZUpdated January 2022 with the opening of the new coaster park!
We stayed at the Williams Circle Pines KOA with our RV and though it wasn't a top favorite on our favorite campsite list - it did have quite a few fun activities for kids! Some of the activities include: miniature golf, big jumping pillow, playground, bike trails, gold panning, go-kart racing and an on-site store and eatery. Just make sure you check the schedule of events of when you are staying as some of the activities have odd days and hours. We thought we'd be able to Go Kart race during our four day stay and we unfortunately were unable to try that out. It's definitely on our list for our next trip as Grey is old enough and tall enough to ride and we think he would LOVE it.        Have you made a trip down Route 66 or visited Williams, AZ with your family? We would love to know your favorites that we may have missed before we head back!
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This past weekend we were invited to the leading daytime dining concept, First Watch. And it didn't disappoint. In fact, their attention to detail, safe kitchen practices for our food allergy and sensitivity concerns, customer service and taste quality were unmatched. With locations nationwide, First Watch mixes fresh, premium, better-for-you ingredients with a true farmhouse feel throughout their establishments and we can't wait to go back! Below we reviewed the entire new seasonal Spring Menu as well as listed our favorite GF/DF selections.  
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As for my husband, he revisited Fort McDowell Adventures and opted for a 3-hour ATV tour to which he says "was thrilling and so much fun!" He mirrored the same to me, in that the feeling of friendliness and care of the customers experience was apparent and valued.
Other adventures include horseback rides, cowboy cookouts, desert Segway tours, kayaking, and guided mountain bike and hiking tours – there is even an authentic City Slicker Cattle Drive.
We have shared a small snippet below of Doug's day in the desert with Fort McDowell Adventures - more information on booking your own personal or group tour can be obtained at www.fortmcdowelladventures.com.
Other adventures include horseback rides, cowboy cookouts, desert Segway tours, kayaking, and guided mountain bike and hiking tours – there is even an authentic City Slicker Cattle Drive.
We have shared a small snippet below of Doug's day in the desert with Fort McDowell Adventures - more information on booking your own personal or group tour can be obtained at www.fortmcdowelladventures.com.
Our favorite family activity during summer travels is always the pool! Cool inviting waters are always the best way to beat the heat in the summer. The live music was fun and transported me back to cruise ship living and the Caribbean while the smoothies from the drink bar kept us cool. Make sure to hit the pool early on warm days to snag a seat! We got to the pool around 1pm after lunch and we got the last chairs available.
The sparkling water was so inviting, and you can also find putting greens and cornhole. I wish we would have had more days to lounge, swim and enjoy! It was a true haven from the intense heat of June in Arizona.
Also, how adorable in Lexi in her resort pool wear?
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Saving the best for last, the dining was exceptional! With many on-site dining options from their casual quick-serve market inside the casino to the high-end Ember, it was fun to try out and visit all the spots!
For our breakfast dining and for our dinner the first evening we dined at Ahnala. We loved every dish and I've shared what we ordered below. I also made note of the dishes that were gluten and dairy free since that is what I always need when I'm traveling and what I always promise to bring to you all so you can feel safe traveling too!
For our breakfast dining and for our dinner the first evening we dined at Ahnala. We loved every dish and I've shared what we ordered below. I also made note of the dishes that were gluten and dairy free since that is what I always need when I'm traveling and what I always promise to bring to you all so you can feel safe traveling too!
BREAKFAST
 The restaurant is located right off of the hotels atrium and has beautiful views! |  Eggs, Gluten-Free Toast, Hashbrowns and Avocado for my GF/DF meal. |
 Grey opted for decadence on his vacation and ordered the kid's meal Belgian waffle. |  The Oatmeal Bowl was large enough to feed two so Lexi loved sharing! It was also GF/DF and safe for me |
DINNER
 One of the best dinners I've had in a long time. GF/DF safe, their Rib-Eye steak was served with a baked potato and asparagus. The wine was also devine! |  Our niece ordered the chicken and vegetables and it did not dissapoint! And aside from the fries, this dish is also GF/DF. |
 Also a GF option, my husband ordered their steak street tacos and said they were delicious! You can also opt for chicken. |  The boys were excited to share this dessert and it was almost too pretty to eat! |
On our second and last evening at the resort we headed to WKP Sports and Entertainment which was a contrasting atmosphere to Ahnala. Where Ahnala was serene and relaxing with views of the beautiful tribal-inspired atrium, WKP Sports and Entertainment was vibrant, fun and energetic. We enjoyed watching basketball on the big screen, listening to the live band rehearse and the food was beyond incredible for burgers and bar food. They truly took the burger and pizza experience to the next level and we are planning a trip back just to snag a burger and their sweet potato fries!
Two wonderful experiences to mix it up on vacation!
Two wonderful experiences to mix it up on vacation!
 They took great care in making my meal safe! A lettuce wrapped burger (the prettiest lettuce I've ever seen!) and homemade potato chips! |  The stars of the evening were the burgers we ordered. Some of the best burgers we've had in Arizona if not THE best. Doug's featured a buffalo sauce onion ring and melty blue-cheese |
 Grey ordered the kid's menu pizza and loved that they served it on the wood board just like the grown-ups! |  The salads are large portioned and so crisp and delicious! |
Ember needs to be mentioned because if we had had the chance to have a grown-up dinner date, this would have been a top choice for dining. Exceptional wine selection (one of the best in the world with over 100 centurion wines in house!) - I would have opted for their Jerusalem Artichoke Soup and Filet steak.
Overall a fantastic and well-rounded family vacation filled with adventure, relaxation, fun and good eats. A favorite stay-cation spot that we will visit again and again!
Visit We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
One of the many enterprises of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort offers beautiful views of the surrounding Sonoran Desert as well as the sacred Four Peaks mountains (translated as “We-Ko-Pa” in Yavapai.) The casino resort is located off Arizona State Highway 87, within a 30-minute drive of Sky Harbor International Airport and the myriad of attractions, shopping and dining establishments in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.
www.WeKoPaCasinoResort.com
www.WeKoPaCasinoResort.com
This post was posted by my travel affiliate partner Get Away Today. I am sharing this information to inform families of the dates each park plans to reopen.
After months of closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, theme parks across the country are starting to reopen with numerous safety precautions in place. It can be a lot to keep track of, so we’ve compiled a list of our most popular Southern California and Florida theme parks with reopening dates.
When will theme parks reopen?
With so many reopening dates announced, some pending approval, and other theme parks already opened, it’s hard to keep track of them all. We’ve put together a list of our most popular theme parks in Southern California and Florida to help you know when and where you can go. We’ve also included proposed dates that are awaiting approval for planning purposes. If a firm date is listed, that means the dates have been approved. We have listed all attractions in order of opening date - earliest to latest.
When will theme parks reopen?
With so many reopening dates announced, some pending approval, and other theme parks already opened, it’s hard to keep track of them all. We’ve put together a list of our most popular theme parks in Southern California and Florida to help you know when and where you can go. We’ve also included proposed dates that are awaiting approval for planning purposes. If a firm date is listed, that means the dates have been approved. We have listed all attractions in order of opening date - earliest to latest.
To view the schedule of opening dates for Seaworld, Universal, Disney, Knotts and more click through to the full post of dates here.
To get discounted tickets, rooms and vacation packages, visit my page on Get Away Today here. Use my promo code NURTURE10 for an extra $10 off any vacation package.
Last weekend we visited a REALLY fun spot in Arizona. We set out to take Grey because of his love of super heroes and Star Wars, but I was surprised with how impressed WE ALL would be.
'Comic X' Marks The Spot For Superhero Fun In The Valley! Their motto afterall is "Where superheroes grab a bite!"
The 8,000 sq. ft. venue displays life-size figurines of your favorite heroes and villains and the restaurant feels like a dine-in theme park. The creators of the Comic X space did it justice and didn't miss a detail which made it so fun!
You can opt to dine downstairs in the eatery to be surrounded by the likes of Joker, Batman, Spider-Man and Slimer from Ghost Busters, just to name a few. Alternatively you can head upstairs to enter the planet of Tatooine and dine amongst your favorte Star Wars characters. Lastly, you can take a seat in the fully-stocked bar, where you will be transported to the Harry Potter train station and the gaming world of Halo.
'Comic X' Marks The Spot For Superhero Fun In The Valley! Their motto afterall is "Where superheroes grab a bite!"
The 8,000 sq. ft. venue displays life-size figurines of your favorite heroes and villains and the restaurant feels like a dine-in theme park. The creators of the Comic X space did it justice and didn't miss a detail which made it so fun!
You can opt to dine downstairs in the eatery to be surrounded by the likes of Joker, Batman, Spider-Man and Slimer from Ghost Busters, just to name a few. Alternatively you can head upstairs to enter the planet of Tatooine and dine amongst your favorte Star Wars characters. Lastly, you can take a seat in the fully-stocked bar, where you will be transported to the Harry Potter train station and the gaming world of Halo.
We ordered burgers and fries, but the menu is expansive! From pasta and steaks, to tacos and sandwhiches, there's something for every palette and the prices are reasonable. We expected to see higher prices for the experience factor, but were pleasantly surprised. They were GREAT with my allergy concerns and made me a burger with a gluten-free bun, no cheese, a safe salad and their fries are all GF-safe, made in their own fryer.
They unfortunately got crummy reviews on Yelp which is why I really wanted to post our own experience. You may well have a different experience than I, however I really wanted to say we had a lovely time. It was clean, fun, magical for our 3 year old and the food was good. We will be going back! We may even host his birthday party there as you can reserve large tables in the upstairs Star Wars decorated section for parties of 10 or more.
They are working to pare down their wait times by simplifying their menu, as it did take quite a while to get our food, but it was a happening place and there was enough to entertain us such as the decor and the super hero movies and cartoons playing on big screens throughout through the wait so we didn't mind!
Have you been? What did you nosh on? What was your favorite part of your experience? If you haven't or don't live local, what is your favorite immersive dining experience for families?
Comix X is located in Desert Ridge Marketplace at 21001 N Tatum Blvd #95, Phoenix, AZ 85050.
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Hey fellow Disneyland goer, heeeeeeeeey!
If you've landed here you either
A. Love Disneyland like we do and read blog posts about it like we do.
B. You are headed there and wanted to peruse a guide to dairy free treats in the park for ideas.
or
C. You have food allergy kiddos, or have food allergies yourself, and you are seeking super safe ways to enjoy treats in the park.
While I wrote this post for all of the above, my heart writes these posts for the families who feel lost while traveling. Who don't know where to begin and need a friend - one who's gone there before and waded in the unknown waters of navigating menus and taking phone calls with park chefs and testing foods for safety. THAT'S where my passion for this comes from. My hope for you is that you will EMBRACE traveling yourself or with your kids. That you will find MANY options of food you can TRULY enjoy EVERY DAY. Not settling for the plainest one or two options on the menu like I did in the start of my journey.
Today, I'm writing a post on our FAVORITE dairy-free park treats and drinks! And because we are 100% gluten-free all of these items are that as well! A more comprehensive allergen-friendly park food guide is in the works, but we had SO much fun staying cool and sampling dairy free beverages, ice creams and treats in Disneyland and California Adventure that I had to share.
All of the dairy-free delicacies are separated by park + land below to make it easy to navigate the parks with this guide.
Adventureland
- The famous Dole Whip gets an upgrade at the Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland. You can now get the dairy-free soft serve in traditional pineapple, raspberry or orange.
- The TikiJuice bar outside of the TIki Room is still the popular spot to grab a classic Dole Whip.
Tomorrowland
- Quench the thirst of your inner space invader with an Alien Ice (available in strawberry or sour apple) at Alien Pizza Planet.
New Orleans Square
- The Mint Julep Bar offers a delicious taste of New Orleans with their Watermelon Mint Julep.
Frontierland
- Once you exit Winnie The Pooh's ride you'll see a candy and gift shop that offers dairy-free chocolate bars and trail mixes with sweet allergen friendly treats. Enjoy Life sponsors these stations!
Fantasyland
- Edelweiss Snacks offers frozen fruit slushes. We love the frozen apple juice on a hot day!
- Maurice's Treats in Fantasyland serves up a Boysen Apple Freeze. A boysenberry and apple popsicle delight.
Main Street
- Starbucks can make most lattes and mochas with dairy-free milk.
Galaxy's Edge
- Oga's Cantina serves a Tarine Tea - Gold Peak® Unsweetened Tea, Peach, Huckleberry, and Mint.
- Probably the most famous dairy-free treat in the parks currently, the Milk Stand in Galaxy's Edge offers fruity Blue Milk and Green Milk. Made with coconut and rice milk, they both carry a different taste profile. We preferred the Blue Milk hands down!
Toontown
- We loved heading to Clarabelle's for a Strawberry Fruit Bar when my little guy asked for a popsicle. In addition to being dairy free, they were also SO clean with minimal ingredients. The Olaf Frozen Lemonade Strawberry Bar is also dairy free.
Buena Vista Street
- The Wildberry Lemonade at Carthay Circle is a treat!
Cars Land
- You can cool down with a Frozen Lemonade or Fillmore's Fuelin' Groovy' All Natural Lemonade with fruit foam over at the Cozy Cone Motel.
Pixar Pier
- Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats serves a non-dairy lemon soft serve.
Pacific Wharf
- The Tropicool at Rita's Baja Blenders serves up a non-alcoholic drink that looks fit to be served poolside in the Caribbean.
Hollywood Land
- At Fairfax Market you can grab a coconut water for hydration and the health benefits.
This post was sponsored in part by the Howard Johnson Anaheim and may contain affiliate links. All opinions are authentic and my own.
This past week we took Grey to Disneyland to celebrate his third birthday and we were hosted by the cute + retro Howard Johnson hotel in Anaheim. We were also asked to take over their Instagram, and if you followed along their stories on August 20th, you got to see some amazing behind the scenes fun of our Disney day, including our first trip to Galaxy's Edge and tons of gluten free and dairy free park eats!!
We had SUCH a good time and I wanted to write a full post on the top ten best parts of the Hojo Anaheim, because there are a few things we would have missed had we not gone looking and I don't want anyone to miss out if they book a stay!
And speaking of booking a stay, I have partnered with them to offer my readers 15% your stay or 20% off if you're an Annual Pass holder! With their already amazing rates, you can't say no to an extra dose of Disney. Read on to see the hotel highlights and snag the code.
10. The Proximity To Disneyland
When timed, our walk from our room to the gates of Disneyland was just over seven minutes. That was with 4 of us, including a toddler. Amazing. No shuttle cost, no parking costs.
If someone in your party can't walk that distance or if there is inclement weather, there IS a shuttle available from the HoJo Anaheim for a very low and reasonable rate.
If someone in your party can't walk that distance or if there is inclement weather, there IS a shuttle available from the HoJo Anaheim for a very low and reasonable rate.
9. The Perfect Instagram Photo and Cute Merch
Have you eyed cuuuuuute photos taken in the oversized orange HoJo chair? Now YOU and your fam can hop in and say "cheeeeese". Grey LOVED how big it was and I loved getting cute family photos before even getting into the park. It was fun to be able to send family back home postable pics on our first day in the hotel.
8. The Amenities to Make Your Stay Comfortable
As a gluten-free and dairy-free traveler, a kitchen, kitchenette or food prep station is a MUST. We travel often to timeshare resorts or Air B&B's to fit this criteria, however, I was pleasantly suprised to see that the HoJo provided a mini fridge (that was so spacious!), a microwave and a Keurig. I got to start our mornings off with a piping hot cup of coffee (extra flavors, decaf and tea available in the gift shop) and a cup of hot oatmeal and chilled fruit. It was a wonderful start to a busy Disney day!
The shower was also fantastic (I'm a water pressure and temp snob, haha) and they even provided a cute rubber ducky for Grey for post-park bathtime.
In addition to in-room amenities, the gift shop was PACKED with goods. From discounted Mickey Ears and cute HoJo shirts to snacks and all the essentials you may have missed while packing.
The shower was also fantastic (I'm a water pressure and temp snob, haha) and they even provided a cute rubber ducky for Grey for post-park bathtime.
In addition to in-room amenities, the gift shop was PACKED with goods. From discounted Mickey Ears and cute HoJo shirts to snacks and all the essentials you may have missed while packing.
7. The Magic Begins at Check-In
I think I was just as excited as Grey when, upon check-in, the staff greeted him with Disney-worthy enthusiasm, a balloon animal pirate sword and pirate sword!
Grey said "this vacation is so fun!" on the way to our room, so I knew we were off to a good start. They also had temporary "If I'm Lost" tattoos you could add your number too, which helps gives parents a little more peace of mind
Grey said "this vacation is so fun!" on the way to our room, so I knew we were off to a good start. They also had temporary "If I'm Lost" tattoos you could add your number too, which helps gives parents a little more peace of mind
6. The Retro Remodel
There is something about a retro design that makes being near Disneyland that much better. The HoJo Anaheim's Building One (and soon to be building two, three and so on as they roll out more of the renovation) has implemented a retro design that feels both luxuriously modern as well as vintage, reminiscent of Disney in the sixties.
5. The Comfortable Beds
After busy days in Disneyland and at the water park we needed great nights sleep. Their beds, bedding and pillows envelop you and are so extremely comfortable it made it hard to leave to hit the parks early each day. Even my toddler slept wonderful! Thank you HoJo.
4. The Friendly Staff
From booking our room and checking in, to meeting our needs during our stay and through the check out process, the staff was extremely friendly. With how many customers they serve each day, they always had a smile on their face and were willing to help us with what we needed.
3. View of Disneyland + Nightly Fireworks
In the newly renovated Building One, you can request a view of Disneyland. You get a fantastic birds eye view of Matterhorn Mountain and the Guardian's of The Galaxy Tower.
The first night we checked in we snuggled up on the patio in our jammies and watched the fireworks show and it was amazing.
The first night we checked in we snuggled up on the patio in our jammies and watched the fireworks show and it was amazing.
2. The Ease of Booking
It was such a simple booking process and the price was so fair for how close we were to Disneyland! We had our trip booked in under five minutes and we were able to use a fantastic coupon code as Annual Passholders.
I have that coupon code to share with my friends too, so that you guys can start making your magical memories too!
I have that coupon code to share with my friends too, so that you guys can start making your magical memories too!
Book Your Room at the HoJo Anaheim!
Use the code 1000022077 upon check out for 15% off your stay.
If you're an Annual Passholder you can receive 20% off your stay by using the code 1000025935 upon check out.
If you're an Annual Passholder you can receive 20% off your stay by using the code 1000025935 upon check out.
1. Castaway Cove
This was probably one of the BEST hotel additions I've ever experienced in my 30+ years of traveling. I instantly regretted not booking an extra day outside of visiting Disneyland just so we could relax in our hotel and let Grey enjoy a FULL day at Castaway Cove. The hotels on-site water park for little ones of all ages, he spent a good two hours post check-out before we drove home playing with other guests, swimming and using the fun water features.
During our stay at the We Ko Pa Resort in Fountain Hills, Arizona we were escorted by the lovely Gail Manginelli of GM and Associates PR to visit Fort McDowell Adventures. A sprawling adventure and entertainment venue set up two and half miles into the Sonoran Desert.
Set against beautiful mountains, there is something for everyone and I can't wait to share more this fall when we visit to experience what Fort McDowell Adventures has to offer hands on.
Set against beautiful mountains, there is something for everyone and I can't wait to share more this fall when we visit to experience what Fort McDowell Adventures has to offer hands on.
We started off our tour by visiting Rosa's Ranch, a charming Western BBQ cookout venue that can host 50-200 and can be rented for corporate events, family reunions, intimate weddings and more.
The authenticity was on point and I could picture shoot outs, wild horses, roasting s'mores over the open fire pits and the smell of BBQ wafting through the air. There were so many photo opp areas as well which would make for the perfect cookout keepsake.
The second venue we visited, La Puesta del Sol, was a breathtaking wedding, concert and corporate venue. The name means "the setting sun" and it's Arizona's best kept secret for one of the best places to watch the desert sunset.
Walking through you can envision a beautiful ceremony. Twinkle lights, built in stage and dance floor, bar and a fun and whimsical Dirty Docs saloon for photos or bachelor/bachelorette parties, the venue hosts up to 1600 guests.
The authenticity was on point and I could picture shoot outs, wild horses, roasting s'mores over the open fire pits and the smell of BBQ wafting through the air. There were so many photo opp areas as well which would make for the perfect cookout keepsake.
The second venue we visited, La Puesta del Sol, was a breathtaking wedding, concert and corporate venue. The name means "the setting sun" and it's Arizona's best kept secret for one of the best places to watch the desert sunset.
Walking through you can envision a beautiful ceremony. Twinkle lights, built in stage and dance floor, bar and a fun and whimsical Dirty Docs saloon for photos or bachelor/bachelorette parties, the venue hosts up to 1600 guests.
Want to experience adventure in the desert? Beginning in the fall, you can choose where to begin. Take a horseback ride along the Verde River, participate in a real life City Slickers cattle drive, a drive through the desert in a Green Zebra Tomcar or cruise on a segway with a group of friends to experience the local desert plant life.
You can add a lunch or dinner option to any adventure to make it a well-rounded experience and the adventures are perfect for team building.
And for the full vacation experience, you can get a room at the WeKoPa Resort to enjoy a nice meal or a dip in the gorgeous pool to relax after your fun-filled day.
You can read our full post on our stay here, and view the highlight video we captured of the beautiful resort on our channel.
You can add a lunch or dinner option to any adventure to make it a well-rounded experience and the adventures are perfect for team building.
And for the full vacation experience, you can get a room at the WeKoPa Resort to enjoy a nice meal or a dip in the gorgeous pool to relax after your fun-filled day.
You can read our full post on our stay here, and view the highlight video we captured of the beautiful resort on our channel.
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aboutNosh & Nurture was born of this journey I am on to better the health of myself, my family and those around me. What started as a simple compilation of recipes has grown to a all-around lifestyle journal with ways to incorporate organic products into your home, pantry and beauty cabinet. I also include stories on pregnancy, new motherhood, travel, Proverbs 31 marriage, and spiritual health, as I am a Christian who couldn't do any of this without my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. For more of my story you can click here.
All recipes are gluten-free and dairy-free with a lot of soy-free, grain-free, sugar-free options. |
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All content herein is owned by Mandi Pimental,Nosh & Nurture and The Clean Plate with Mandi. Pinning images is allowed, however, reposting blogs, recipes, photos or additional content without a link back to NoshandNurture.com is prohibited.
© 2012-2022 Nosh & Nurture. All Rights Reserved.
Website by Weebly. Photography, Graphics and Content by Mandi Pimental, unless otherwise credited.
© 2012-2022 Nosh & Nurture. All Rights Reserved.
Website by Weebly. Photography, Graphics and Content by Mandi Pimental, unless otherwise credited.