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July 26, 2014

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Posted By: Liz | lizrotz.com · In: general

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Hi! I’m Liz! I’m a family & lifestyle blogger living in the Midwest with my husband, Brandon, and three sons, Jude, Ezra, and Luke!

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my life in squares

Boo Fest at @midamericaofficial was the best kind

Boo Fest at @midamericaofficial was the best kind of fall day 🎃👻

Luke was all in on Kid’s Boo Fest while Brandon and the big kids headed straight for the roller coasters. The fall food menu is SO good! We tried the Phantom Pizza and other snacks, and the IV drinks at The Blood Bank were a hit. And it isn’t a trip to the park without a waffle cone! 🍦

We bought season passes this year so we could visit all summer and all fall, and I can’t wait to do it again next year!

🎃 Boo Fest is on Saturdays and Sundays from park open until 6pm. It’s the perfect event for little ones, with their favorite rides, a candy trail, spooky story time, and more!

👻 Want to go after dark? Fright Fest runs select nights from 6pm to 11pm. It’s included with park admission and season passes (haunted houses are a separate add-on) and is geared toward teens and adults. Brandon is taking the big boys to experience it. I’m too chicken! 🙈

Head to the @midamericaofficial website for all the dates, times, and tickets.

Thank you, Mid America Adventure, for having us out to experience Boo Fest for the first time!
[partner] #MidAmericaAdventure #KidsBooFest #FrightFest #stlmom

[AD} This post is sponsored by @MissouriPork #MoPo

[AD} This post is sponsored by @MissouriPork #MoPorkPosse26

Pork is easy to cook, and this one proves it. Slow cooker pork al pastor tacos are smoky, tangy, and full of bold flavor. Dump everything in the slow cooker, then give the pork a quick trip under the broiler for crispy, caramelized edges. With a little bit of prep, It’s an easy weeknight dinner, and it’s big enough to feed a crowd for game day or a taco party. 🌮🍍

INGREDIENTS:
4 pounds pork butt, trimmed and cut into 3-inch chunks
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
4 canned chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped, plus 3 tablespoons adobo sauce
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup beer (Mexican lager works well)
1 cup fresh pineapple, chopped
12 corn tortillas
1/2 cup white onion, finely diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 limes, cut into wedges

DIRECTIONS:
Place the pork in the slow cooker.

Add the garlic salt, cumin, oregano, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, pineapple juice, and beer. Stir to coat the pork evenly with the spices and liquid.

Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. If the pork isn’t fork-tender yet, continue cooking in 30-minute increments until it shreds easily.

Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks, or cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Spread the pork in a single layer on a baking sheet and top with the chopped pineapple. Spoon some of the sauce from the slow cooker over everything.

Broil until the pork and pineapple reach your desired char and texture, watching closely so nothing burns.

Warm the tortillas. Fill them with the pork and pineapple, then top with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Save this one for your next taco night! 📌
Full recipe also up on the blog, link in bio.

#porkalpastor #slowcookerrecipes #easydinner

GOT THE GOODS! 🛍️ And there’s plenty more waiting

GOT THE GOODS! 🛍️ And there’s plenty more waiting for you!

The @JBFSTLMetroEast sale is the place for deals on kids’ clothes, gear, toys, and more!

Thursday early shopping is sold out, but you can still shop early Friday with a bronze ticket. And don’t skip half price day on Sunday!

📅 Sale Dates: October 8-11
📍 Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville, IL
⭐️ Full schedule and details: @JBFSTLMetroEast

[JBFpartner] #stlmoms #ConsignmentSale #KidsResale

Betty Boop® is coming to St. Louis! 🎀✨ BOOP!® The

✨GIVEAWAY!✨ @jbfstlmetroeast starts this week and

✨GIVEAWAY!✨
@jbfstlmetroeast starts this week and I cannot wait to shop!

To celebrate, I’m giving one lucky winner the full VIP experience:
🎟️ 2 Platinum Shopping Passes (already sold out!!)
💸 $25 JBF Bucks for you AND your friend
🛍️ 2 JBF Bags
☕ $10 Venmo from me for your pre-shopping coffee run

HOW TO ENTER:
1️⃣ Follow me + @JBFSTLMetroEast
2️⃣ Like this post + drop a comment
3️⃣ Bonus: Tag a friend (1 tag = 1 entry)
4️⃣ Bonus: Share this post! Leave another comment after you share

📅 Sale Dates: October 8-11
📍 Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville IL
⭐️ Full schedule/details → @JBFSTLMetroEast
-
Giveaway ends Tuesday 10/6/2026 at 11am CST. [JBFpartner] #stlmoms #consignmentsale #kidsconsignment #kidsresale

#ad This post is sponsored by @MissouriPork #MoPor

#ad This post is sponsored by @MissouriPork #MoPorkPosse26

Weeknight dinner win right here! These ground pork lettuce wraps come together in about 30 minutes and disappear just as fast once they hit the table. Crisp lettuce, a savory sweet sauce, and just the right amount of crunch from the water chestnuts and carrots. This is one of those recipes that proves pork is easy to cook and endlessly versatile, whether it’s a busy Tuesday or you’re feeding a crowd!

Save this one, you’ll want to make it again.

GROUND PORK LETTUCE WRAPS
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground pork
1 medium sweet or yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 cup shredded carrots
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and diced
2 to 3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated

DIRECTIONS:
Whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and hot sauce. Set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Add ground pork and cook, stirring occasionally to break it into crumbles, until no pink remains.

Stir in shredded carrots and cook a few minutes, until just softened.

Add the sauce and garlic, stirring to combine. Simmer about 5 minutes.

Add water chestnuts, green onions, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 more minutes, until heated through.

Spoon into butter lettuce leaves and enjoy!

Full recipe also up on the blog, link in bio.
#groundporkrecipes #lettucewraps #easyweeknightdinner 30minutemeals

Blues media day in the books! 🏒 New merch, delici

A mansion. A murder. A mystery! 🔎 Ezra and I had a

A mansion. A murder. A mystery! 🔎
Ezra and I had a blast at Clue at the Fabulous @FoxTheatreSTL!

It’s a quick 90 minutes with no intermission, so it keeps moving and keeps you guessing (and laughing) the whole time. Pro tip: grab the themed Whodunit cocktail! 🍸

And if you’re headed to the Fox this season, buy a reusable cup and bring it back to every show all season long!

Show Details: 🔎 @clueontour at the Fabulous Fox 🔎 September 22 to October 4 (only a few days left!) 🔎 Tickets at fabulousfox.com

[FoxPartner] #stlmoms #fabulousfox #foxtheatre #ClueOnTour

Schnucks just brought a little bit of Italy to you

Schnucks just brought a little bit of Italy to your everyday dinner table. 🇮🇹

I got a first look at the new Italian Table collection last week and I’m still thinking about it!

We sampled chef-made dishes, appetizers and wine pairings, all made with Culinaria Italian Table items. Of course I had to bring some pasta and sauce home to try! 🍝

What I love most is how easy it is to make an amazing meal with these products. Quality ingredients sourced straight from Italy, no fuss and no hours in the kitchen. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, date night or a table full of friends.

Everything is exclusive to @SchnuckMarkets and 25% off from 9/16 to 10/13, so grab your favorites while you can. 🧀🍷

What are you trying first?

#SchnucksPartner #Schnucks #SchnucksRewards #SimplySchnucks

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Boo Fest at @midamericaofficial was the best kind

Boo Fest at @midamericaofficial was the best kind of fall day 🎃👻

Luke was all in on Kid’s Boo Fest while Brandon and the big kids headed straight for the roller coasters. The fall food menu is SO good! We tried the Phantom Pizza and other snacks, and the IV drinks at The Blood Bank were a hit. And it isn’t a trip to the park without a waffle cone! 🍦

We bought season passes this year so we could visit all summer and all fall, and I can’t wait to do it again next year!

🎃 Boo Fest is on Saturdays and Sundays from park open until 6pm. It’s the perfect event for little ones, with their favorite rides, a candy trail, spooky story time, and more!

👻 Want to go after dark? Fright Fest runs select nights from 6pm to 11pm. It’s included with park admission and season passes (haunted houses are a separate add-on) and is geared toward teens and adults. Brandon is taking the big boys to experience it. I’m too chicken! 🙈

Head to the @midamericaofficial website for all the dates, times, and tickets.

Thank you, Mid America Adventure, for having us out to experience Boo Fest for the first time!
[partner] #MidAmericaAdventure #KidsBooFest #FrightFest #stlmom

[AD} This post is sponsored by @MissouriPork #MoPo

[AD} This post is sponsored by @MissouriPork #MoPorkPosse26

Pork is easy to cook, and this one proves it. Slow cooker pork al pastor tacos are smoky, tangy, and full of bold flavor. Dump everything in the slow cooker, then give the pork a quick trip under the broiler for crispy, caramelized edges. With a little bit of prep, It’s an easy weeknight dinner, and it’s big enough to feed a crowd for game day or a taco party. 🌮🍍

INGREDIENTS:
4 pounds pork butt, trimmed and cut into 3-inch chunks
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
4 canned chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped, plus 3 tablespoons adobo sauce
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup beer (Mexican lager works well)
1 cup fresh pineapple, chopped
12 corn tortillas
1/2 cup white onion, finely diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 limes, cut into wedges

DIRECTIONS:
Place the pork in the slow cooker.

Add the garlic salt, cumin, oregano, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, pineapple juice, and beer. Stir to coat the pork evenly with the spices and liquid.

Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. If the pork isn’t fork-tender yet, continue cooking in 30-minute increments until it shreds easily.

Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks, or cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Spread the pork in a single layer on a baking sheet and top with the chopped pineapple. Spoon some of the sauce from the slow cooker over everything.

Broil until the pork and pineapple reach your desired char and texture, watching closely so nothing burns.

Warm the tortillas. Fill them with the pork and pineapple, then top with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Save this one for your next taco night! 📌
Full recipe also up on the blog, link in bio.

#porkalpastor #slowcookerrecipes #easydinner

GOT THE GOODS! 🛍️ And there’s plenty more waiting

GOT THE GOODS! 🛍️ And there’s plenty more waiting for you!

The @JBFSTLMetroEast sale is the place for deals on kids’ clothes, gear, toys, and more!

Thursday early shopping is sold out, but you can still shop early Friday with a bronze ticket. And don’t skip half price day on Sunday!

📅 Sale Dates: October 8-11
📍 Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville, IL
⭐️ Full schedule and details: @JBFSTLMetroEast

[JBFpartner] #stlmoms #ConsignmentSale #KidsResale

Betty Boop® is coming to St. Louis! 🎀✨ BOOP!® The

✨GIVEAWAY!✨ @jbfstlmetroeast starts this week and

✨GIVEAWAY!✨
@jbfstlmetroeast starts this week and I cannot wait to shop!

To celebrate, I’m giving one lucky winner the full VIP experience:
🎟️ 2 Platinum Shopping Passes (already sold out!!)
💸 $25 JBF Bucks for you AND your friend
🛍️ 2 JBF Bags
☕ $10 Venmo from me for your pre-shopping coffee run

HOW TO ENTER:
1️⃣ Follow me + @JBFSTLMetroEast
2️⃣ Like this post + drop a comment
3️⃣ Bonus: Tag a friend (1 tag = 1 entry)
4️⃣ Bonus: Share this post! Leave another comment after you share

📅 Sale Dates: October 8-11
📍 Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville IL
⭐️ Full schedule/details → @JBFSTLMetroEast
-
Giveaway ends Tuesday 10/6/2026 at 11am CST. [JBFpartner] #stlmoms #consignmentsale #kidsconsignment #kidsresale

#ad This post is sponsored by @MissouriPork #MoPor

#ad This post is sponsored by @MissouriPork #MoPorkPosse26

Weeknight dinner win right here! These ground pork lettuce wraps come together in about 30 minutes and disappear just as fast once they hit the table. Crisp lettuce, a savory sweet sauce, and just the right amount of crunch from the water chestnuts and carrots. This is one of those recipes that proves pork is easy to cook and endlessly versatile, whether it’s a busy Tuesday or you’re feeding a crowd!

Save this one, you’ll want to make it again.

GROUND PORK LETTUCE WRAPS
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground pork
1 medium sweet or yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 cup shredded carrots
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and diced
2 to 3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated

DIRECTIONS:
Whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and hot sauce. Set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Add ground pork and cook, stirring occasionally to break it into crumbles, until no pink remains.

Stir in shredded carrots and cook a few minutes, until just softened.

Add the sauce and garlic, stirring to combine. Simmer about 5 minutes.

Add water chestnuts, green onions, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 more minutes, until heated through.

Spoon into butter lettuce leaves and enjoy!

Full recipe also up on the blog, link in bio.
#groundporkrecipes #lettucewraps #easyweeknightdinner 30minutemeals

Blues media day in the books! 🏒 New merch, delici

A mansion. A murder. A mystery! 🔎 Ezra and I had a

A mansion. A murder. A mystery! 🔎
Ezra and I had a blast at Clue at the Fabulous @FoxTheatreSTL!

It’s a quick 90 minutes with no intermission, so it keeps moving and keeps you guessing (and laughing) the whole time. Pro tip: grab the themed Whodunit cocktail! 🍸

And if you’re headed to the Fox this season, buy a reusable cup and bring it back to every show all season long!

Show Details: 🔎 @clueontour at the Fabulous Fox 🔎 September 22 to October 4 (only a few days left!) 🔎 Tickets at fabulousfox.com

[FoxPartner] #stlmoms #fabulousfox #foxtheatre #ClueOnTour

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