• Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Family
  • Life
  • Travel
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Mama Harris' Kitchen

Bringing you tasty, family-style recipes with fresh local ingredients!

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Recent Posts
  • About
    • About Me – Mama Harris’ Kitchen
    • Press
    • Family Life
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Advertise / Sponsor
    • Privacy Policy

#Disneyontheroad #DisneySMMoms conference conferences Disney Disney on the road Disney Social Media Moms travel

A Rainy Day with Disney On-The-Road!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Conference on the Road Tour in the San Francisco Bay Area.

For those unfamiliar with what, exactly, that is – let me explain. Each year Disney holds a small, exclusive conference for hand selected moms that are active in social media. Usually this would be bloggers and the like. To be honest, I was unaware of it until someone sent me a link saying the On-The-Road tour would be landing near me, and I should apply for a spot. I did, not sure if I would even be selected. I mean, I’m a food blogger and while I have a large family and we love Disney movies, Disneyland, and of course Disney games and toys.. well, my blog isn’t really devoted to Disney (some of the bloggers I met though, have entire blogs devoted to EVERYTHING Disney! Imagine that!) You can imagine my surprise when I got the email with the official invitation to attend!

This event was held at the beautiful Claremont Hotel in Berkeley. It was a strange week in weather for the Bay Area, pouring rain and storming! The Claremont Hotel reminded me of a castle, which is probably why Disney decided to hold their SF Bay Area leg of their tour there, it ties in well with the castles and impressive architecture that Disney has become known for.

Once inside (and dry) we met many other bloggers in the lobby of the hotel, where we each got our lanyards and our bags that were gifted to us for being a guest. Very sweet! I met many more Bay Area bloggers that I’ve known online for a while, as well as some that traveled from out of town, or even out of state! After a bit of socializing the doors opened and in we went to experience a few hours of Disney magic!

Once inside the meeting room, we all found a seat and socialized a bit more as breakfast was served. In the center of each table was adorable Monsters University plush toys that would be raffled off later throughout the day, as well as luggage, a Britax car seat, and Disney themed Build-A-Bears.

We were served miniature quiche, along with fresh fruit and plenty of coffee, tea, and refreshments. Also at each place setting was a cute rice krispies treat in the shape of Mickey’s ears. Of course the sweet tooth in me would catch a photo of that, and not the rest of the meal!

Once we all got situated a bit, we were introduced to our host for the day, Maria Bailey from Mom Talk Radio and CEO of BSM Media. Maria went on to speak about her experience with Moms in social media and what a powerful voice we lend to brands and companies. She also had a few words of encouragement to the moms that experience “mom guilt” when we work so hard, as we all do! One of my favorite quotes, “There is no room for guilt in your career!” and also “When you’re following you passion, your kids pick that up!” Oh yes, these both spoke to me!

Next up we were shown the various Disney parks, activities, vacations, cruises, and a plethora of other ways to be active and a part of Disney. I hadn’t even realized there was so much! Of course, it excited me and I was already beginning to plan our next family vacation, to Disney of course!
Mindee Doney of Juicebox Consulting, who co-created Boogie Wipes®, was the keynote speaker. Me, having come into this whole mini-conference with an open mind and no expectations ended up in tears. Mindee spoke about the rise of her career and fall of her personal life and the journey from there. Mindee had a way of speaking to us, where it felt like we were talking to a friend. I was very moved and think of Mindee’s story daily in my own life since. It’s refreshing to receive that kind of honesty and experience the lessons that come along with creating a business that just takes off. One of my favorite quotes from Mindee that made the whole room laugh, “Motherhood is a government conspiracy!” and on being (and feeling) overworked – “People’s expectations of you and your work are YOUR FAULT.” These lessons can be applied in many ways to many different kinds of careers, and sometimes you just have to remind yourself to enjoy the moments of your lives too. 
After we gave Mindee a standing ovation (yes, she was that good) we were presented a panel of moms in different stages of their own businesses that had all received grants from the Huggies Mom Inspired Program.  Erin Kelly – inventor of Hulabye Happy Changer, Alma Moussa – inventor of Babee Covee, and Romy Taormina – inventor of Psi Bands. Each of these women discussed their a-ha moments of how they came up with their own products, the inception, marketing, funding and getting the product to the masses. While each of their journeys were different, they all shared the common bond of being a mother, a businesswoman and an entrepreneur. The session was informative and engaging, and it inspired me to want to develop my own products!
Throughout the morning the raffles were ongoing, there were a lot of winners as well as fun and laughter. I even won a Snow White Build-A-Bear (who my 13 year old daughter cuddles up with every night!) It was an exciting, emotional and informative morning that was jam-packed with information. Once the speakers were done we got to meet with them and chat, take photos and give hugs.

I’m glad I went with no expectations, not sure what I would get out of it because never would I have guessed it would be such an emotional experience! I walked away with a new appreciation for mom entrepreneurs (or Mom-preneurs as we call it), as well as new ideas on how to better balance my own time as a mother, wife, and food blogger. I also had a lot of fun with my fellow bloggers, seeing the familiar faces and friends as well as meeting some new ones! I would definitely recommend heading to this On-The-Road conference if it ever comes near your way, and I would love to participate in future Disney events as well!

My good friend Sabz, from the Eclectic Grab Bag was in attendance as well!
Mindee and I. I was so thrilled to be able to give her a great, big hug! Seriously, great speaker!

If you loved this here's more..

  • Witches Brew Halloween Pudding CupsWitches Brew Halloween Pudding Cups
  • Launching Partner Announcement!Launching Partner Announcement!
  • Coconut Cherry Kiss CookiesCoconut Cherry Kiss Cookies
  • Pull-Apart Garlic Cheesy BreadPull-Apart Garlic Cheesy Bread

Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • WhatsApp


Previous Post: « Mango Chutney over Broiled Tilapia
Next Post: My Blog is ONE!! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sabz says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:52 am

    Such a great time! Mindee was fabulous. I loved the whole experience and glad that we were there together! 🙂

  2. Life by Cynthia says

    July 11, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    Good times! Thank you & Sabz for letting me hang with you ladies! I hope that we get to meet up at future events!

Primary Sidebar


Read ALL about me here or you can email me at dawn@mamaharriskitchen.com
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Stay Updated!

Get all the latest tasty goodness straight to your inbox!

Privacy Policy

Seasonal Recipes

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Wings #ChicksWingIt #WingItWednesday | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Wings

Street Style Grilled Hot Dogs with Hebrew National #HebrewNationalSummer #ad | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Street Style Grilled Hot Dogs

Popular Categories

  • Main Dish Recipes
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Kid-Friendly Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes
  • Veggie Recipes

Search by Category

Popular This Month

Savory Crepes with Turkey, Mushroom and Swiss Cheese | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Savory Crepes with Turkey, Mushroom and Swiss Cheese

Sunrise Moscato Mimosas | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Sunrise Moscato Mimosas

Quick Pan-Fried Tilapia | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Quick Pan-Fried Tilapia

Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Cream | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Cream

Weeknight Dinner Idea: Quick & Easy Chicken Teriyaki Bowl | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Quick & Easy Chicken Teriyaki Bowl

mamaharriskitchen

mamaharriskitchen
Open
[Sponsored]: Summertime is coming and will be here before we know it! You all know that I love easy meals during the warmer months, and I also love a good meal in a bowl. It’s also Vidalia Onion season 🧅 so I paired this seasonal favorite with pan-seared shrimp and veggies as a light rice bowl using your choice of grains.☺️This meal is an absolute delight!

Get the recipe and all the Vidalia Onion details by clicking the link in my profile or desktop users can click here for the recipe >> https://mamaharriskitchen.com/2021/06/pan-seared-shrimp-veggie-rice-bowl-vidalia-onions/ .

Also make sure to grab some Vidalia Onions from your local grocer before they are out of season in late August/early September.☀️
Open
This time of year I love warm, comforting recipes that are super easy and delish. This ridiculously easy Chicken Tortilla Soup is a one pot meal, ready in under 30 minutes and uses already prepared rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor (and ease)! With a tasty blend of flavors and textures, it’s like a bowl full of comfort. 

Get the recipe by clicking the link in profile at @mamaharriskitchen or just google “Mama Harris Kitchen Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup” 🍲 Enjoy!
Open
(AD) There has been a lot of cooking going on this year, so I’ve tried to make life a bit easier by getting creative with my leftovers. These pulled pork totchos are a great example of leftovers with a few key ingredients to create something new to keep our meals exciting. Adding a few key ingredients like @lamorenausa adobo peppers and jalapeños and carrots definitely livens up something simple. La Morena peppers are hand selected, using only the highest quality peppers to bring you authentic home style flavors of Mexico. I purchased my La Morena items from my local Safeway, but you can find them at your favorite grocery store in the international food section. #PayItForwardwithLM #VivaLaMorena #WeCanWithLaMorena 
 
INGREDIENTS:
- 32 oz tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheese (Mexican blend + Pepper Jack)
- 2 cups prepared bbq pulled pork (check my pulled pork sliders recipe!)
- 1/2 can La Morena Adobo Peppers & Sauce
- 2 tablespoons sour cream 
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- 1 cup pico de Gallo
- 1/2 cup guacamole
- 3 chopped green onions 
- 3-4 La Morena jalapeños and carrots, sliced

INSTRUCTIONS:
Prepare tater tots as instructed, in air fryer or oven. Heat oven to 450°. 
Cover the bottom of a large cast iron skillet with the cooked tater tots. 
Top with 1 1/2 cup of cheese. 
Combine the chopped adobo peppers and sauce with the prepared bbq pulled pork. Spread the pulled pork mixture on top of the tater tots, then top with the remaining cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.
Top with sour cream, ranch, pico de Gallo, guacamole, green onions, and sliced jalapeños and carrots.

Enjoy!! 😋
Open
✨Growth✨
Open
Happy December, all!! 🎄Since it’s basically Christmas now, it’s time to share ALL the holiday cookies! 

Every year I join my friend @natashanicholes as she heads up her #HousefulofCookies virtual cookie swap, where many of us share some sweet treats for the holiday season. 

This year I’ve created Cranberry Pistachio Citrus Cookies to share as my contribution. 🍪 I know that a lot of things have turned “virtual” throughout this year, but a little virtual bake-off is a fun way to connect with some of your favorite people!

For this recipe and many more, click the link in my profile at @mamaharriskitchen ❤️
Open
🚨This recipe is always popular after Thanksgiving! 🍗 
To find out how to make these delicious savory crêpes filled with sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese and leftover shredded Turkey click the link in profile at @mamaharriskitchen 😋
Open
So Thanksgiving is next week and we’re well into soup season, but I’m not willing to give up my Taco Tuesdays. 🌮 At this point we are choosing whatever makes us happy to get through the weeks, am I right? ❤️

If you’re looking for a quick dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes, on taco Tuesday or any other day really, try my baked Turkey tacos with black beans plus all the toppings that your heart desires! 😘
Click the link in bio at @mamaharriskitchen for the recipe!
Open
Hello Instagram fam! 💖 There’s some new faces around here and it’s been a while since I showed mine!

I’m Dawn, creator of Mama Harris’ Kitchen, and I’m so glad you’re here with me! In this space I share my family-friendly recipes for all occasions, whether it be a 30-minute meal for those busy weeknight dinners or a full spread for entertaining a crowd - and everything in between.

Mama Harris’ Kitchen began back in 2012, in fact it’s 8 years this month! 🥳  What started as a way to document my newfound cooking hobby while managing my “new” life as a stay-at-home wife and mom to a 1 and 3 year along with teens and preteens, and it quickly grew into what it is now - a recipe resource for busy families like mine that enjoy flavorful and comforting home-cooking using pantry staples along with fresh and local ingredients as often as possible. 

🍿Five fun facts about me:
1. I LOVE elephants! 🐘 I collect a lot of elephant items, whether it’s trinkets or  artwork, notepads etc. I love what elephants symbolize and I truly love anything elephant related.
2. I’m a total plant lady! 🌱 I have about 35 houseplants, give or take, and there’s still more on the list of wants. Plants have become such a peaceful outlet for me, and I feel that they really center me within my space. I love the element plants bring to your space and the feel of your home with them in it, and new leaves are so exciting!
3. I have seven tattoos and I have plans for about eight more. 💉 Those that know me aren’t surprised, but those that follow me here tend to find it a bit surprising. 🙃
4. I’ve been a mother for a long time, over half my life! I’ve also been a lot of different “types” of mom - teen mom, single mom, working mom, stepmom, stay at home mom, PROUD mom, military mom, mother in law - the list goes on. No matter what, motherhood looks different for everyone and there’s unique challenges and experiences each mother faces. Please be gentle with yourself! ❤️At the end of the day we’re all just trying our best!
5. I’m a bit of an introvert, and often struggle with the “social” aspect of social media. I tend to go silent sometimes, but I’m working on it.

☀️Thank you for joining me here!
Open
Did you know that the third Sunday of July is considered National Ice Cream Day? 🍦Not that we need an excuse to enjoy our favorite treat! You can make any day one to celebrate with my Birthday Cake Ice Cream! Full of rich creamy flavor, colorful sprinkles and maraschino cherries. 🍒 No “official” birthday needed to treat yourself!

Get the recipe now! Click the link in my profile at @mamaharriskitchen ✨
Load More Follow on Instagram

Get all the latest recipes straight to your inbox!

Footer

You Might Also Like

Southwest Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad with Chipotle Ranch (ad) #BTBGrillingRecipes #IC | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Southwest Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad

Chili Rubbed Ribeye Tacos with Esquites (Elote Salad) #SaveMartSummer AD | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Chili Rubbed Ribeye Tacos with Esquites (Elote Salad)

Fresh Lentil Bean Salad AD #LoveALentil #LetsLentil | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Fresh Lentil Bean Salad

Grilled Pineapple Asparagus Salad | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Grilled Pineapple Asparagus Salad

Crunchy Broccoli-Apple Salad with Creamy Raspberry Poppy Seed Dressing #BetterWithCraisins AD | Mama Harris' Kitchen

Crunchy Broccoli-Apple Salad with Creamy Raspberry Poppy Seed Dressing

- View More Recipes Like This -

my foodgawker galleryEverywhere Society Member

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Snapchat
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Mama Harris Kitchen

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in