I have discovered a wonderful place to dine with your kids in Las Vegas, especially if you are a fan of Willy Wonka. Max Brenner, aka: Chocolate by the Bald Man, opened a location in the Forum Shops at Caeser’s Palace a few years ago. Though, this was our first time trying the remarkably fun and deliciously exciting cafe!

My daughter was overwhelmed with choices of candy goodness upon opening her menu. A selection of breakfast and lunch/dinner options, as well as drinks and dessert, made for one happy child. She settled on the sliders which are served with waffle-cut fries sprinkled with, what else? Cocoa powder. She was also given a tiny silicone brush to paint the ketchup on her burgers.

Drink selection was a whole other dilemma- for both of us! What to choose? What to choose? From milkshakes, to frappes, to hot and iced beverages…you can add your own shots of chocolate, or none at all. As the a waitress reminded my daughter frequently, “There are no rules here! just have fun!” My little chocolate princess was A-OK with that!

She chose the Make Your Own Hot Chocolate, and me, an Iced Mocha with a shot of dark chocolate. The Hot Chocolate was served on the most interactive tray I’ve ever seen. The mug is kid-sized, with an opening at the top to pour in your milk and add your chocolate. An opening at the bottom made room for a small tea-light which kept the milk warm and the chocolate melted. A crazy cool metal spoon was delivered to scoop, stir and sip. It kept my daughter entertained while we waited for our meals, and gave my husband and I an opportunity to actually chat on a lunch date!

My Iced Mocha was served in the Alice Mug- a uniquely shaped glass with an Alice in Wonderland storyline. The side of the glass demands, “Drink Me,” just like in the story. The straw is slipped down into the “Rabbit’s Hole”  and upon turning the glass towards you, the sly grin of the Cheshire Cat greets you as you sip down this delectable concoction.

Ah! Dessert! Too many choices! Princess of Chocolate just couldn’t take it any more…she had been eyeing the syringe full of chocolate at the boutique (located inside the cafe), and when the waitress asked if she would like one served on a tray surrounded by gummy bears, I thought she was going to jump out of her seat. Maybe she did.

I have to add Max Brenner’s to my list of RockStarMom recommended places to dine in Las Vegas with your kids. The menu selections were perfect- even for the pickiest eaters, and they are great for mom and dad. My husband had a Huevos Rancheros wrap, and I a BLT of sorts. Both were delicious. The restaurant is also very interesting to look at and explore, which keeps the kiddos happy and distracted while waiting for food. The staff was quite pleasant and service was fast. The chef even came out and asked us how our meals were. We are taking the kids to New York in December, and Max Brenner’s is definitely on our list of places to eat. Our son will love it!

RSMLV Tips: 

Max Brenner is located in what us locals refer to as “The old part of the Forum Shops”. Unless you don’t mind the walk from one end of the Forum Shops to the other, then I would suggest valet parking at the “old valet” which is actually underground. The escalator will take you near Spago’s, which you then will head towards the left (when facing the mall). Max Brenner is directly across from H&M.

Reservations are suggested. At lunch on a Monday we had no problem walking in, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially with little ones.

Breakfast is served until 3pm Monday-Friday, and brunch is served until 3pm Saturday and Sunday.

A startling reality hit me when I was at the SITS Girls Bloggy Boot Camp Conference in Las Vegas earlier this October. 1 out of 10 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Why was it so startling? Because as I sat there with my 10 girlfriends at the table, one of us had to stand up. In a room full of women, with 20 tables, one woman from every table of 10 was asked to stand up. There is a lump in my throat even thinking about it right now. Though my friends, they are also daughters, sisters, wives, girlfriends, mothers, aunts, nieces, grandmothers, and cousins. They play a significant role in not only their own lives, but in the lives of others. Could you imagine one of your ten friends or family members, or even yourself, having to go through this life altering illness? Praying every day for a recovery and not the imminent.

As I watched the Ford Warriors in Pink documentary, Bang the Drum, I had to think about who I knew that had been diagnosed with breast cancer. A friend of a friend, a cousin’s girlfriend’s mom- I couldn’t think off the top of my head how it had affected me in any way directly. I couldn’t think about how it affected me. I’m sure most people don’t until it actually happens to them or someone they love. But watching that documentary really got me thinking. It doesn’t have to affect me personally in to do something about it. To make some noise about this disease and how its non-discriminatory tirade affects anyone, including men. One story that stood out to me was a gentleman talking about how his family all went to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in New York City. He stayed behind. They walked for him. There are races and walks to participate in, pink ribbons to sport, and changing of national landmarks and recognized branding to pink are constant reminders of how quickly our lives can change, but we don’t have to take it lying down.

The Ford Warriors in Pink program is designed to build a community of survivors, patients and connected loved ones who are encouraged to stand up, find courage and don’t back down from Breast Cancer. I love how Tina Herold, one of the Warriors, spoke at the SITS conference with confidence. She wasn’t afraid to tell us; she wasn’t afraid to talk about it; and she wasn’t going to leave that room until we all understood the impact of this disease. She made one out of ten of us stand up to prove her point.

“To me the word ‘warrior’ is that inner strength, that inner courage; you just rise up and say, ‘OK, cancer, let’s go.’”

The Ford Motor Company designed and developed the 11 Warriors to spread their knowledge and inspiration about living with breast cancer either in their own personal lives or in those around them. You can be a Warrior, too. Make your mark, Bang your drum, Show your pink! The Warriors in Pink collection offers many options to add to your wardrobe, especially during the month of October. The selection of pieces also seem amenable to anyone who is living with breast cancer and undergoing treatments right now.  My favorite is the Warriors in Pink scarf.

Over the weekend, I was fortunate to celebrate with a colleague her 4th anniversary of being clean from breast cancer. Our tribe sported pink ribbons during our girl’s weekend in her honor.

When the conference was over we were graciously given a Warriors in Pink scarf. I offered it to my aunt who was celebrating her birthday that same day. Immediately, she looked at the package and asked, “Is this the Ford Warriors in Pink scarf?”. I was surprised she had even heard of it. After I confirmed her suspicion she told me how happy she was to get it. Every year she walks in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in honor of a friend’s mother who passed away from Breast Cancer. Every year she buys the scarf to support the Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, due to a scheduling conflict, she was not able to participate, and had not bought the scarf. She put it on right away with pride, showing her support, even though her friend wasn’t there.

I didn’t realize I was surrounded by so many models of courage in the fight against breast cancer. It affects all of us. In some way. Even me.

This October, Ford Warriors in Pink® has launched its first ever produced documentary, “Bang the Drum: Living Out Loud in the Face of Breast Cancer.” The film honors 11 men and women breast cancer survivors who have demonstrated strength and courage in their battle with its “Models of Courage” program. 2012 marks Ford Motor Company’s 18th year of support for the breast cancer cause. In that time, Ford has dedicated more than $115 million to the breast cancer cause.

You too can get involved in this tremendously worthy program! When you buy Ford Warriors in Pink apparel at fordcares.com, 100 percent of the net proceeds go directly to support breast cancer awareness all year long.

To keep connected, be sure to check out Ford Warriors in Pink on Facebook and follow@WarriorsinPink on Twitter.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ford Warriors in Pink. The opinions and text are all mine.

Calling all chefs! Master or Wanna Be…it’s your chance to learn from the best at one of two Macy’s locations, from two world- renowned chefs.

The Macy’s Culinary Council will be hosting Chef Ming Tsai, of the James Beard Award winning restaurant, Blue Ginger; and Chef Emeril Lagasse of New Orleans style cuisine fame. BAM!

To learn how to navigate your way through a sensational palate explosion of taste from ingredients and dishes combining an East meets West cooking demonstration, be sure to look for Chef Ming Tsai at these Macy’s locations in Honolulu, Hawaii. No better place to take in a cooking demo with an Asian inspiration while on the beautiful Island, and make your friends more jealous with your new moves and recipes in the kitchen.

Thursday, October 18th, 6pm
Macy’s Ala Moana
Demonstration Kitchen, Level 4
1450 Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, HI 96814

Saturday, October 20th, 2pm
Macy’s South Coast Plaza
Home Demonstration Kitchen, Level 1
3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

If down-home cooking with a sassy flair is more your thing, Chef Emeril Lagasse will be rocking your world at the Macy’s in Orlando, Florida. I have to admit, I am a bit envious of this one. I’m a true fan and love all of Emeril’s Las Vegas restaurants. And, lucky you, Chef Lagasse is going to teach you how to make some gourmet sandwich recipes for the whole gang!

Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Macy’s Millenia
Home Department, 3rd Floor 4298 Millenia Blvd
Orlando, FL 32839

The Macy’s Culinary Council is a national culinary authority comprising some of the nation’s leading culinary masters, including Rick Bayless, Michelle Bernstein, Cat Cora, Tom Douglas, Todd English, Marc Forgione, Johnny Iuzzini, Emeril Lagasse, Marcus Samuelsson, Tim Scott, Nancy Silverton, Ming Tsai, Wolfgang Puck and Takashi Yagihashi. Launched in 2003, MCC’s team of distinguished chefs serves to inspire the way Macy’s customers shop, cook and eat at home. The chefs are both ambassadors and instructors, providing expert culinary advice and leading cooking demonstrations at Macy’s stores, with the aim of teaching customers how to cook and shop like a master chef.

Both events are complimentary, however, be sure to arrive early to grab a seat. There may be suggested donations to support local charitable organizations and food banks. For more info, be sure to visit the Macy’s Culinary Council website.

Bon Appetit!