Cooler Destinations for Summer

Warm days call for cool drinks and snacks, especially when you’re away from home enjoying the sun or getting work done! Our selection of insulated lunch totes, kids’ snack bags and family-sized cooler totes for large parties and gatherings is just the solution you’ve been in search of!

 

We made finding the right size and type of cooler tote easy for you by pairing our recommended styles with popular Summer destinations. Check out our handy graphic to find the best insulated cooler to help you chill out this season!

1. Heading to the beach or pool?

We recommend: The New Horizons Tote + Clear Clip Pouch  The tote will hold your beach towels, book and other “stuff” which the clear clip pouch can keep your suntan lotion from melting in the heat.  I love the canvas fabric on the tote which is also a great solution when hitting the farmer’s markets or flea markets this summer.  The washable fabric makes it easy to care for if it gets dirty.

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Adjustable Sling Backpack: carry essentials hands-free!
• Fresh Market^® Thermal: holds ice to keep food & drinks cold!  This large thermal is also a great way to see your ice cream from melting on the way home from the grocery store.  Pack all of your frozen items in it with the refrigerator items on top and your will be surprised how solid the freezer items still are when you get home even on the hottest days.

 

2. Off to the office?

We recommend: Thermal Tote OR Around the Clock^® Thermal .  Not sure which one to pick, it all depends on what you take for lunch.  A visual is a “6-pack” will fit in the Around the Clock Thermal with some room to spare.  The Thermal Tote is great for the kids for their school lunches.

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Zipper Pouch: great for office supplies, small electronics and more! 
• Everyday Essentials Tote: lots of pockets to keep your work items organized!  This is the NEW favorite for the beach, the gym, school, crafters and teachers.

 

3. Off to a lake cabin? Leaving for a camping trip?

We recommend: Large Utility Tote + Essential Storage Tote   You can never enough of either one of these bags!  The large utility tote is a must have for everyone – beach, grocery shopping, sports equipment, car clutter and so much more.  Did you know TWO Essential Storage Totes will fit in a Zipper Pouch?  This makes them easy to store.

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Journey Backpack: when you want to do a little hiking or biking!  The best part is this has a thermal pocket to keep your drinks and/ or snacks cool.
• Move It All Bag: don’t forget blankets, towels and extra clothes!

 

4. Taking a road trip? Family vacation by car?

We recommend: All Packed^® Duffle +All Packed^® Mini Duffle  Where will you be traveling to this summer?

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Takealong Weekender: more stylish than sporty oversized travel bag!
• Expanding Travel Case: lots of room for your toiletries and cosmetics!

 

5. Family picnic in the park? Neighborhood backyard BBQ?

We recommend: Round About Cooler Tote The NEWEST Thirty One thermal.

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Picnic Thermal Tote: more vertical design holds ice and taller items!
• Fresh Market^® Thermal: Holds ice and is large enough for two 9” x 13” pans! Yes, it can do HOT or COLD!

 

6. Planning a kids’ playdate? Taking the kids to the zoo? 

We recommend:Cinch Sac

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Tiny Utility Tote: a handy storage basket for toys and other playtime essentials!
• Snack & Go Pouch: Food safe snack bag for kids to keep treats in when away for the day!

Not sure which thermal or tote is perfect for you?  I am happy to help you find the right combination for all of your needs.  Believe it or not, each bag has over 31 uses so one bag may actually solve more than one of your dilemmas.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tasty Tuesday: Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies

 

 

Thank you Baker by Nature for today’s recipe….

Prep: 20 minutes     Cook 10 minutes

Cool: 2 hours     Yield: 2 dozen

 

Ingredients

For the Buttered Pecans:

• 1 and 1/2 cups pecan halves, finely chopped
• 1 and 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies:

• 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, melted until browned
• 2 and 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (don’t pack the flour into the measuring cup!)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 Tablespoons bourbon
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 12 ounces semi-sweet OR dark chocolate, roughly chopped into chunks
• 24 pecan halves, for decoration, optional

Instructions

For the Buttered Pecans:

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in chopped pecans and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Set aside until needed.

For the Brown Butter:

1. Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and cook for about 3 minutes – stirring almost constantly – until the butter has browned.
2. Pour the brown butter into a heatproof bowl, being sure to scrape all of the “toasted” bits into the bowl as well.
3. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or until the butter is at room temperature. You’ll know the butter is at room temperature when you press a finger into the top and it makes a slight indentation. It should not be liquid at all.
4. Once the butter is at room temperature, you’re ready to get baking!

For the Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside until needed.
2. In a large bowl combine flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda; whisk well to combine then set aside until needed.
3. In a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine browned butter and both sugars and beat on medium-speed until light and fluffy; about 2 minutes. Add in the vanilla and bourbon and beat until combined. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating for 15 seconds after each addition. Turn mixer off. Using a wooden spoon or sturdy rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour, stirring only until the flour begins to disappear. Fold in the chocolate chunks and buttered pecans.
4. Roll 3 tablespoon sized scoops of dough between your palms to form a ball (they should be big; almost a 1/4 cup), then place on prepared sheets (make sure to leave enough room in between each cookie for inevitable spreading). Continue this process until all the dough has been rolled. Press a pecan on the top of each cookie dough mound, if desired.
5. Place baking sheets in preheated oven, one at a time, and bake for 9 to 10 minutes, or until golden at the edges but still soft in the middle. Repeat with all cookie dough. Sprinkle cookies with sea salt right when they come out of the oven. Let cookies cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire wrack to cool completely.

Remember if you submit a recipe to me and I use it in my blog, YOU will receive a FREE gift from me….What is your favorite recipe during the holiday season?

Pack up those holiday cookies and take them with you as a hostess gift to your next party.  Thirty One’s Little Carry Alls are perfect for this…These novelty Littles Carry-All Caddys are also the perfect solution for organizing the little things in your life. From office supplies to eating utensils and cosmetics, this caddy helps keep your life in order by keeping everything right at your fingertips. Great for gifts, small toys, crafts, office desks, candy and seasonal home décor.  Lots of choices for everyone in the family.  You can even use these as a stocking stuffer instead of traditional stockings.

Tasty Tuesday: Kids’ Snack Ideas

Are your kids involved in team sports?  There are lots of  responsibilities: uniforms, transportation, practices, equipment and – of course – team snacks. Whether it’s tee ball, soccer, football, cheerleading, hockey, volleyball, field hockey or lacrosse, someone has to bring snacks to those all-day tournaments and extra-long practices. Some times it is for the whole team and some times it is just for your kid…..

Never fear! Here are some practical and creative solutions for you to try to make you parent of the year in the eyes of your kids – or at the very least, parent of the week in the eyes of the team.

Healthy snack ideas

It may be tempting to bring treats the kids will love like cookies, chips and soda, BUT you might not get high marks on the nutrition front from the coach or the other kids’ parents. Don’t be known as the “junk food” mom or dad when there are plenty of healthy, delicious snacks the team can enjoy. The idea is to keep them energized during the day, not give them sugary treats that will cause them to crash later on. These healthy options will keep little athletes going strong!

• orange slices
• bananas
• apple slices
• disposable cups filled with berries
• mini boxes of raisins
• grapes
• small bags of carrot sticks
• fruit kebabs on wooden skewers
• watermelon slices
• cucumber slices
• sunflower seeds
• celery sticks with cream cheese
• squeeze-pouch applesauce
• pumpkin seeds
• string cheese
• pretzels

If you want a little variety to your treats, consider creating little sandwich baggy packs or plastic containers with a little bit of everything. Mix berries, grapes, apple slices, cucumber slices and carrot sticks in individual baggies or containers – one for each child. With individual servings, the kids can eat as much as they want and then come back for more later. (Just make sure to bring along a permanent marker to write their names.)

Of course, if you bring fresh fruit or veggie snacks, you’ll want to keep them cool for the long haul, so we recommend packing them up in a roomy insulated cooler that can hold ice. The Fresh Market^® Thermaland our Tote-ally Thermal are perfect options due to their larger size and Leak-Lock^® water-resistant thermal lining that allows for loose ice.

Fresh Market® Thermal

• water-resistant Leak-Lock^® lining allows for ice
• sides unsnap for additional space
• exterior flat pocket holds utensils and more
• zip closure

Tote-ally Thermal

 

• water-resistant Leak-Lock^® lining allows for ice
• exterior flat pocket holds utensils, etc.
• extended straps for easy transport
• zip closure

Team tip: Personalize your favorite family thermal with your child’s sport in his or her team colors. Choose from icons for sports teams, band, hobbies and more in our Personalization Studio. Don’t forget to add your team’s or school’s name for extra spirit!

Creative snack ideas

Now, if you really want to go for the parent-of-the-year award, these fun ideas just might get you there. Your kids and their teammates will love these creative treats that are not only fun to make and look at, but nutritious to eat as well. Click on each treat for directions on how to make them.

• Mango Hedgehogs
• Butterfly Snack Bags
• Fresh Fruit Pops
• Spinach and Turkey Pinwheels
• PB&J Smoothies
• Fruity Peanut Butter Pitas

Healthy drink ideas

Aside from the snacks, make sure your kids teammates have plenty to drink to stay hydrated. Be sure to avoid sugary beverages like soft drinks, fruit punches and sports drinks that are often loaded with sugar and sodium. Here are a few healthy options to consider.

• Bottled water (minis are particularly nice)
• Fruit juice boxes or pouches
• Coconut water or sweet chia water
• Homemade iced tea with lemon
• Homemade lemonade with agave juice instead of sugar

Things to remember

Be conscious of food allergies. Things like nuts, gluten and dairy can keep a kid on the team from getting his or her snack. Check with the coach or other parents to make sure there aren’t any allergies to what you decide to bring.

Consider making extras. Oftentimes, your kids’ teammates will have younger brothers or sisters in attendance who also want to have a snack. Although it’s not your responsibility, it is a nice gesture to make a few extra snacks in case the need arises.

Don’t overdo it. You don’t need to provide the team with a meal. Keep it simple and nutritious without filling them up too much. You don’t want to ruin their lunch or dinner!

There’s nothing wrong with pre-packaged. Some parents may feel a bit uneasy about homemade food and any allergens or germs their kids may encounter. Pre-packaged items like apple slices, carrots, applesauce and nut butters may be the best route. It all depends on how well you know the other parents and your own comfort level. Find out what other parents provide. Pre-packaged doesn’t have to mean unhealthy.

Don’t forget the extras. Be sure to provide napkins, plastic wear, garbage bags and plates as necessary. Sanitary wipes are also a good idea if bathroom facilities are sub-par or far away from the playing field.

What is YOUR kids’ favorite snack?  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tasty Tuesday: S’mores Brownie Pie

 

Thank you Jen from @The Haute Mommy Handbook for today’s recipe….You know those days when you want to curl up with something chocolatey but don’t want the same old thing you usually turn to? How about combining the deliciousness of pie with the fun of s’mores?

This recipe does both, and the longest part of it involves waiting for it in the oven–and for it to cool down already!

Whipped cream is totally optional, but why wouldn’t you use it? It’s whipped cream.

Enjoy making–and more importantly, eating–this s’mores brownie pie! All the fun of camping with no chance of hungry bears!

Time: 1 hr 30 min     Servings: 8-10  

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• brownie mix
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1 Tbsp water
• marshmallows
• whipped cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until incorporated. Press into 9″ pie plate until evenly spread. Bake for 10 minutes at 350° F.
2. For the brownie pie, combine brownie mix with egg, oil, and water, stirring until smooth.
3. When crust is ready, scoop brownie mixture into it. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until knife inserted at 2″ comes out clean.
4. Allow pie to cool for about 30 minutes. Decorate with whipped cream (if desired) and top with marshmallows.
5. Slice into wedges and serve.

Taking your lunch or just want to pack this YUMMY pie as a snack…. Try Thirty One’s Going Places Thermal.  It is actually part of the Outlet Sale happening NOW through January 17th.  The Going Places Thermal has a spacious compartment for lunch or snacks as well as a water-resistant thermal lining. The crossbody strap is ideal for taking snacks on the go for long walks, hikes, or any time when you just need your hands to be free to carry other items. A zip-around closure keeps contents sealed and protected, while an interior mesh pocket and exterior flat pocket provide extra storage spaces for other items like cell phones or keys. Holds up to 10 lbs.!  This is ONE of my favorite thermals..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Tasty Tuesday: On The Go Apple Pies

Fall is here and so is apple season…. I know most of you think of “everything pumpkin” BUT I LOVE apples.  So check out these YUMMY Hungry Girl Apple Pies On the Go.

1/6th of recipe (1 pie): 96 calories, 0.5g total fat (0g sat fat), 162mg sodium, 22.5g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 6.5g sugars, 2g protein      SmartPoints® value 2*

Prep: 15 minutes      Cook: 25 minutes      Cool: 20 minutes     MAKES 6 SERVINGS

Ingredients:

2 tsp. cornstarch
3 cups peeled and chopped Fuji or Gala apples (about 3 apples)
2 packets no-calorie sweetener (like Truvia)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
6 large square egg roll wrappers (stocked with the tofu in the refrigerated section of the market)
Optional topping: powdered sugar

Directions:

1. In a medium nonstick pot, combine cornstarch with 1/2 cup water. Stir to dissolve.
2. Add apples, sweetener, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir well.
3. Set heat to medium. Stirring frequently, cook until apples have slightly softened and mixture is thick and gooey, 8 – 10 minutes.
4. Transfer to a medium bowl. Let cool slightly, about 20 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
6. Lay an egg roll wrapper flat on a dry surface. Evenly distribute 1/6th of apple mixture (about 1/3 cup) on the bottom half of the wrapper.
7. Moisten all four edges by dabbing your fingers in water and going over the edges smoothly. Fold the top half over the mixture so the top edge meets the bottom. Seal edges by pressing firmly with the prongs of a fork.
8. Place on the baking sheet, and repeat to make 5 more pie pockets.
9. Spray with nonstick spray. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

What better way to either keep your apple pie warm or cold then with a Thirty One Cool Clip Thermal.  The Cool Clip Thermal Pouch makes a great addition to any tote, bag or backpack when you need a little extra space or just need to keep items separated and easy to access. Great for snacks, sunscreen, medicine, make-up, valuables, cell phones, baby food, bug spray, first-aid supplies and many other items. Features a washable and wipeable thermal lining, exterior clip, zipper closure and front pocket.

Have a favorite recipe? Share it with us.  If I use it in my blog, you will receive a FREE gift in the mail.  Who doesn’t like “happy mail”?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!