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The Waffle Maker that’s Changed How I Make Breakfast

| kristencastillo

Crispy texture; drizzling, warm syrup; and the sweet smell can only mean one thing — this is your sign to make waffles.

Over the years I’ve used a traditional waffle maker, but it was hard to clean and only made a standard waffle. Then I found what I really needed: a versatile multi maker waffle maker.

This DASH waffle maker fits my needs. The 4-inch plates are removable so you can make both traditional waffles and seasonal waffles, like these pumpkin ones, as well as Santa and snowman waffles. It also has griddle plates for making pancakes and eggs. 

The waffle maker is easy to clean too because the plated are removable and even dishwasher safe. The maker also comes with a storage case so you can keep all the waffle plates together. 

You’re not limited to these designs though. The DASH product line includes so many other waffle designs that are interchangeable, like these festive gingerbread and snowflake waffles, and these adorable Disney-themed Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse waffles.

Watch my Instagram video below to see the waffle maker in action!

My kids love waffles and having a variety of designs makes eating a family breakfast very enjoyable.


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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of NATAS-PSW’s Emmy Awards

| kristencastillo

Another successful Emmy Awards! We had a great time celebrating the 50th anniversary of the NATAS-PSW annual awards. Congrats to all the nominees and recipients. 

Wearing gold for the golden anniversary of NATAS-PSW’s Emmy Awards.

As an Emmy committee volunteer (I’m also a former president and board member of the chapter), our committee we spent months curating this golden anniversary event.

Here’s the crew — all volunteers — who made the 50th annual Emmy Awards a success.

The event is enjoyable every year. Plus, I’m always appreciative and learning so much from my Emmy Awards’ peers, awards co-chair MaryEllen Eagelston and show director, Donn Johnson. Shout out to my husband, Frank for all his help and support.

with MaryEllen Eagelston
with Donn Johnson
Frank and I on the red carpet

The event featured a yummy dinner, swag bags with lots of goodies, and lots of red carpet fun. The planning for next year’s show is already underway. 

Emmy Awards program
Emmy Awards dinner table
Setting up for the big event

Happy 50th anniversary Fleet Science Center!

| kristencastillo

The Fleet Science Center is celebrating 50 years with a blast!  They’ve been celebrating science since the museum opened in 1973 in Balboa Park. Since then, 26 million people have visited the Fleet, which has interactive exhibits and an IMAX theatre. Their mission is, “to realize a San Diego where everyone is connected to the power of science.”  

Today they kicked off the anniversary with a science experiment featuring liquid nitrogen (at -321 degrees F) and warm water topped with colorful playground balls. They put the liquid nitrogen in a 2-liter bottle and sealed it tightly. The pressure built and boom!

As part of the celebration, the museum is offering special pricing and events throughout the year. Here are some photos of the museum over the years.

exploring a Home Design Store

| kristencastillo

I write often about home decor and design so it was inspiring to go to a Home Depot Design center,  here in San Diego.  There are only three The Home Depot Design Centers — one stop shops for kitchen and bath design — in the country.  

They recently invited me to attend their “festive fete” and it was a dream for anyone who loves decor and design. There were so many colors and options for household appliances from stoves and pizza ovens to washing machines and refrigerators, to cabinetry, and draw pulls, bathroom hardware, and more. 

One of my faves? The working wall display of shower heads demonstrating water pressure for various models. So visual and fun!

How many times have been shopping for household items and wonder how well they actually work!? This lets shoppers test the household items before buying.

The celebration included getting a custom wreath, made right in front of me.

A monster of a good time

| kristencastillo

This Halloween, we made a dessert that’s all treats, no tricks! 

My kids and I had fun making Monster Chocolate Pops from tinyB Chocolate. The San Francisco based company gifted me the family friendly kit.

We made the chocolate pops at home in our kitchen using everything that was included in the kits: white and dark chocolate for the outside of the pops, two types of brigadeiro (Brazilian truffle filling) one in dark chocolate and the other pumpkin spice; popsicle sticks; and fun toppings including bright sprinkles, googly eyes and mini marshmallows. 

We heated and tempered the chocolate before filling the popsicle mold shell, which is included in the kit. The kids decided to make two vanilla, one chocolate, and one marble pop.

We decorated them with the toppings and placed the pops in the freezer for 30 minutes to set. Then they were ready to eat. 

This was a fun and tasty activity for the kids and it wasn’t very messy. A win-win! Order the pops by October 26 so you can make them for Halloween.

Snow cool

| kristencastillo

You know what’s cool for the summer?

The new Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact interactive exhibit at the Fleet Science Center in San Diego. My kids and I got a preview of Snow, which opens today.

The exhibit, which focuses on the global impact of snow on climate and human culture, has 12 interactive learning opportunities.

Ours faves were a digital wall where you can “catch” crystals during different kinds of snowstorms; watching marbles fall down a mountain comparing the impact of rain versus snow and the impact that water has on climate at different times; solving a matching puzzle of snow crystals; making our own paper snowflakes; and building (and knocking over) a snowman. 

The exhibit is open through September 5.

Telehealth and how it’s helping patients manage their mental health, especially during the pandemic

| kristencastillo

It’s Mental Health Awareness month. During the pandemic, there’s been a growing demand for mental health services including telehealth — virtual appointments via technology including video, phones and apps. My Mediaplanet article explains the benefits of this high tech approach to mental health.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Even before the pandemic, getting access to good mental healthcare in a timely manner could be really challenging,” says Dr. Shore, noting patients can wait six to 12 weeks for their first appointment, making it tough for those who want help right away.

Factors impacting the ability to get an appointment can include if the provider has availability, if they’re accepting new patients, or if insurance covers the provider’s services.

Telemedicine may help reduce some patients’ barriers to care, including lack of transportation, convenience if they can’t take time off from work, or if they have family responsibilities.

Read the full article below:

How Telehealth Is Helping Patients Access Mental Health

How to keep pests out of your garden

| kristencastillo

It’s National Gardening Day. My Creators Syndicate article has tips on how to keep pests out of your garden.

Here’s an excerpt:

“‘Garden pests seem to make it their mission to undo all of our hard work,'” says Marjory Wildcraft, the founder and owner of The Grow Network, noting that signs of pests include wilted leaves, black spots, shriveled growth and bumps on fruits.

“Be on the lookout for these garden foes: caterpillars that eat foliage, stems and stalks; mealybugs, which suck the sap and the life out of plants and cause them to develop moldy leaves; and slugs and snails, which prefer low-hanging plants with damp soil in shady areas and eat holes in plant leaves.”

Read the full article below:

https://www.creators.com/special-sections/spring-lawn-and-garden-2022/319755

What you need to know about hair transplant surgery

| kristencastillo

Model Chrissy Teigen shared she recently had eyebrow transplant surgery. In an Instagram post, she explained she’s tired of wearing makeup to fill in her eyebrows. For her eyebrow transplant surgery, her surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond transplanted hairs from the back of her head to her brow area.


Want to know what’s involved in hair restoration?


I interviewed International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) president Dr. Paul McAndrews for this Mediaplanet article. He explains how the procedure works and questions patients should ask.

According to a 2019 practice census survey, ISHRS members treated more men than women – 84.2% men, compared to 15.8% women – for surgical hair restoration procedures.  Over half of all surgical patients worldwide were ages 30 to 49 years old.

Hair transplant surgery helps restore naturally growing hair by surgically taking hair from the sides or back of the scalp and moving it to areas that are thinning or bald. Surgical hair transplants are permanent and can be used on the scalp, as well as eyelashes, eyebrows, and other facial or body hair.

Read the full article here.