Not Your Traditional July 4th BBQ

Were were browsing through some fun July 4th traditions, and came across one of America's favorite - Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Every July 4th since 1916 (with the exception of two years as a protest against wars), American's have been tuning into this event to watch 20 individuals compete in the historic 12 minute contest at Nathan's flagship restaurant on Surf Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

The tradition supposedly started when four immigrants had the first hot dog eating contest to decide who was the most patriotic. Ever since then, this has been an annual event to celebrate our independence.

Last year, Joey Chestnut set a new record of eating 68 hot dogs (and buns!)

We thought this was a fun and unusual way to spend the 4th of July - tell us what type of exciting plans you have for this year's celebration.. have you heard of any unusual traditions? do share!

Don't forget your Jambu's™ :)

On July 4th, 1776, the United States declared its independence from Great Britain. This fourth of July, we will be eating smoothie pops. (and I'm so excited about it!) After you slip on your comfortable J-41's, you should follow this simple recipe to make this delicious treat.

What you will need:

• 5 strawberries, washed and hulled
• 1 medium banana
• 4 ice cubes
• 1 cup strawberry yogurt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup fruit juice
• Popsicle sticks

Instructions

1. Slip into your J-41's so that your comfortable while preparing these treats
2. Mix all the ingredients in a blender until smooth
3. Pour into 3 oz. paper cups, cover with plastic wrap, and insert popsicle sticks
4. Freeze for at least 5 hours

This makes 12 pops. We hope that you and your families have a wonderful fourth of July while eating these refreshing pops. :)

Sailing has been around for thousands of years. As summer starts, we would like to give you some ideas for outdoor activities to do with your family. Sailing is a great activity that allows you to get outside, be active while spending time with the ones you love. Although, sailing is not the easiest outdoor adventure, the challenge can be fulfilling. Here's some basic tips to help you and your loved ones have an enjoyable sailing trip.

1. Slip on your J-41's (Maybe our Aquarius Water-Ready shoe!)- these shoes will help your feet grip the boat so that you keep your balance


2. Choose calm, uncrowded waters


3. Choose a small boat


4. Begin on a boat rigged with one sail


5. Follow sailing basics for safety- which include wearing a flotation device and knowing how to swim


6. Research tide, wind and weather conditions


7. Become familiar with sail control- which means taking advantage of the wind and weather conditions. The sail should be flat when there is light or strong wind and angled for moderate wind.


8. Capsize on purpose- this should be done in a controlled environment, this will come in handy when dealing with real-life events


9. Respect the boom- this will help avoid any injuries such as getting knocked in the head


10. Learn basic sailing terms- such as port, startboard and other simple concepts


11. Practice makes perfect!!

We hope that you are comfortable in your J-41's while you sail away with your family!

Sumer outfit Ideas

The J-41™ Saturn's are a great summer shoes. With a peep toe front, and the a cute floral motif, they can really look great with any outfit. They come in a few different colors, so they match your whole closet! Here is a cute casual look, for those days when your adventure is put on hold.

You already have your favorite pair of skinny jeans that you love to wear on a casual day. Add a cute white tank and a boyfriend blazer to complete the look (You'd be surprised how feminine a boyfriend blazer can be!) With the right necklace, and a couple other accessories, you'll be loving you new chic, but casual look =)

Summer Memories

As the summer starts, we would like to pass along some family traditions. (We hope you like them just as much as we do!) This is a simple yet creative way to keep all of your wonderful summer memories together. (You don't want to miss any of course!) A three-ring photo binder is a way to catch your summer adventures without loosing them throughout the years. These simple steps will ensure that you will do just that.

You'll need:

1. A pair (or a couple!) of J-41's™


2. A three-ring binder


3. Photographs


4. Decorations (recycled paper, stickers, jewels, etc.)

Instructions:

There are many ways you can decorate your binder. Some simple tips include hole-punching your pictures into your binder, adding embellishments to both the front and back of your binder and to your pictures, and adding paper to separate the different summer events.

We hope that you continue your adventures in our J-41's™ and have a wonderful summer!

Father's Day Recipe: Make Your Own BBQ Sauce!

We all know how men love their grilling. Father's Day is a great time to get the fire started, and have a family BBQ. We thought we'd share a recipe for homemade Barbecue Sauce. Have your man make it; he'll be proud to have made it himself instead of buying the stuff from the store :)

Yield: 5 Cups

Time: about 45 min

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons dark rum or whiskey
• 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 tablespoon pure chili powder
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 4 cups ketchup
• course salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients, except for the ketchup, in a large, deep sauce pan. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat.

2. Cook until completely dissolved, stirring constantly (about 5 min).

3. Add ketchup and bring to a boil. Lower heat and cook, uncovered, for about 30 min - stir every 5-10 min. The sauce should look dark and thick.

4. Use right away or store in jars and refrigerate. It will last for a few months.

Enjoy this delicious sauce on burgers, ribs, steak, or chicken. Please share any great grilling tips, trick or recipes - We'd love to hear what you do!

Gift Ideas for an Adventurous Father's Day

It seems like every year when Father's Day comes around, gift ideas are always a problem. This year, we wanted to offer some fun gift ideas that will allow the whole family to Adventure On™.

• Get Dad a new bike! Thankfully, Father's Day is in the summer, so there is plenty of time to enjoy a nice family bike ride. A new bike for dad will get everyone excited for a fun day out on the trail.
• You already have your favorite J-41™'s which use Jeep® technology for superior traction. Now would be a great time to get your man a great pair of hiking shoes. Take him to his favorite store, let him choose the best pair - and go hiking! It's a great and fun way to exercise together.
• Another great summer activity is fishing. If he doesn't already have one, get Dad a fishing pole. He'll be happy to bring along the family so he can brag about his "great catch" later :)
• Plan a whitewater rafting trip. Talk about real adventure! Whitewater rafting is one of the most fun ways for a family to bond and work as a team. He won't be able to use this gift next summer, but the laughs and memories will last forever!

Hopefully with these gift ideas, your family will be celebrating Dad in the most adventurous ways possible :)