I started blogging as a hobby. I still have a full time job, a family and social life. I blog mostly at night or weekends. I mostly blog because I either want to tell people about things or places and I also want to share my journey.

However, even though it is a hobby, I want to be good at it. So for me learning new things and networking is really important. So, when I learned about the Latino Lifestyle Blogger conference, I knew I had to be there.

Unfortunately due to work I was not able to attend the networking cocktail the first day, but I heard comments that it was really good. Not only the food and drinks, but also that it was a great space to get to know other bloggers. You know you need to be social and surround yourself with great people, so you can grow, and opportunities like this are invaluable.

Luckily I was able to attend the other two days full of opportunities for learning. I can tell you that the information provided at the conference was really valuable. The speakers were prepared and they knew their stuff.

The conference took place in a cozy space. It is a one track conference which means that you do not have to choose panels and be sad because you cannot attend something that might be also interesting for you. It is also a great way to network, socialize and learn not only from the speakers but from the questions asked by fellow bloggers.

The food was AWESOME. Good quality food with healthy options. And there was enough food even for seconds.

As I already said, I learned a lot. I am ready to bring my blog to a new level. I know it is going to take a little bit, since I do not have a lot of time, but I will be taking small steps to implement all things I learned.

Here are some great points I have learned:

1. Make sure your social persona represents you well. 
2. Do not be afraid to pitch brands. Do research, learn the brand, and create a good pitch.
3. Have original content. Pay attention to grammar and spelling. (I really need to work on this, I know)
4. Have a disclosure and follow the FTC rules.
5. Make sure you have consistency on your blog.
6. Surround yourself with great people.
7. Have an editorial calendar (my next project to tackle)

If you are looking for a great conference to attend next year make sure you mark your calendar for LALLBLOG14 (March 17-29, 2014)

When I first heard about the project I was really impressed. I think that we are in need of a documentary that shows the country without the stereotypes. We need to hear about the positive things Colombia has to offer. It is more than just coffee. Colombia has beautiful flowers, delicious food and awesome fashion designers. The world has to learn about it.

The people behind the idea of the documentary needs your help. They want to raise money to make this project happen. You can visit their site A Journey to Colombia to learn more and make a donation (which is tax deductible)

So here it is your opportunity to make this great project happen. Your donation wheter it is 10 dollars, 100 dollars or more would make the difference!

This is not a sponsored post. I have received complementary passes to visit the park on opening weekend.

It feels like summer now. The heat and sun have arrived and my family is always looking for ways to have fun while staying cool. What a best way that going to Knott’s Soak City that will be opening May 18th.

Knott's Soak City is one of the favorite things to do in Southern California. One of the best things about the park is that you can find entertaining for everyone in the family.

The ride such as Banzai Falls is my son favorite. He loves the thrill of sliding down from a 41 feet high. I love seating and relaxing by the pools or just cruising around in the Sunset River.

With so many rides and fun, your family will be hungry. You can take your own snacks, or you can also enjoy good food at the park.

And for a more enjoyable day make sure you keep your family safe:

1.    Follow are the rules. Some rides might require that kids use a life west.

2.    Remember that it is slippery around pools. Avoid running. Just walk.

3.    It is going to be hot. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid heat stress

4.    Take your sunscreen and apply it often

5.    Take an umbrella and stay on the shade as much as you can

For more information you can visit Knott's Soak City website  and also be sure to get the Knott's Soak City season pass before May 27, 2013 - because that's when prices go up.

It is time to find the perfect swimming suit and have FUN. You can enter below and win two tickets to Soak City to visit the part with your family. See you at the park!

This is not a sponsored post. I have received complementary tickets to visit the park on opening weekend. All opinions expressed are my own.

Open only to U.S residents 18 years or older. Only one winner per household. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of prize. 

Cinco de Mayo. No, it is not Mexican independence day. It is actually the Battle of Puebla and it is not a common holiday celebrated in Mexico.

However good food, drinks and fun are a reason to celebrate and I have some cool recipes here for you.

In commemoration of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, the talented chef, Isa Souza, created the “Cinco de Minion” salsa recipe.It was especially prepared to celebrate the release of Despicable Me 2, which will be released in theaters July 3, 2013.

“Cinco de Minion" salsa recipe:

Ingredients:

3 yellow bell peppers (2 chopped and reserve the 3rd to serve)

1 small onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, diced

2 tablespoons of sour cream

2 teaspoons of salt

3 tablespoons of olive oil

½ teaspoon of ground cumin

½ teaspoon of ground black pepper

Preparation:

Heat a medium-sized pan at high temperature.  Add the olive oil, followed by the garlic and onion, stirring constantly.

Add yellow bell pepper. Reduce the temperature and season with salt, pepper and cumin. Mix well and let it cook for about 15 minutes on low heat. Stir constantly.

When the yellow bell pepper is well cooked, remove from heat.

Add the sour cream. Pour all into a blender and mix. It will form a thick sauce.

Cut the top of the reserved pepper to serve as a container for the salsa . Remove all seeds.  Pour the salsa in the yellow bell pepper and use the top of the pepper to decorate.

I am pretty sure you know someone that suffers from asthma, either a family member of a friend. Asthma is a very common disease. Asthma is a disease that affects the airways that carry air to and from the lungs. People who suffer from this chronic condition are said to be asthmatic.

People with asthma have airways that are irritated and can be sensitive to asthma triggers that can make their symptoms get worse. Symptoms of the narrowing of the airways include wheezing (a hissing sound during breathing), breathing problems, and coughing. Asthma triggers can even cause an asthma attack. An asthma episode, or an asthma attack, is when symptoms are worse than usual.

If you suffer from asthma you should see your doctor. Your doctor can help you find out what triggers your asthma symptoms and how to avoid them. They can also prescribe medications which will help you manage your asthma.

With time you will learn to keep away from things that irritate your airways (triggers) and know when to take your medication. Effective asthma control allows you to take part in normal everyday activities such as playing outside and exercising.

Asthma awareness month is to raise awareness that asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic disease that can be controlled. Everybody needs to be aware of the resources available us, Latinos, because asthma seems to be very common among Latinos.

In 2010, about 3,600,000 Hispanics reported that they currently have asthma.

Hispanics are 30 percent more likely to visit the hospital for asthma, as compared to non-Hispanic Whites.

You can read more in the report: Luchando por el Aire: the burden of asthma on Hispanics

Lo más probable es que conozcas a alguien que sufre de asma, ya sea un familiar o un amigo. Asma es una enfermedad muy común. El asma es una enfermedad que afecta las vías aéreas que llevan el aire a los pulmones. A las personas que sufren de esta condición crónica se les conoce como asmáticos.

Las personas que sufren de asma tienen vías aéreas que pueden ser sensibles a algunas sustancias que pueden hacer que los síntomas sean peores. Cuando las vías aéreas se contraen, se pueden presentar síntomas como problemas para respirar, respiración con jadeo (silbido en el pecho) y tos. Las sustancias desencadenantes del asma pueden causar un ataque asmático. En el ataque asmático, los síntomas son más severos de lo normal.

Si usted sufre de asma, debe consultar con un doctor. El doctor le puede ayudar a identificar las sustancias desencadenantes del asma y ensenarle como controlarlas. También le pueden dar recetas para medicamentos que le pueden ayudar a manejar los síntomas del asma.

Con el tiempo, usted puede aprender a identificar cuáles son las sustancias que le empeoran el asma y aprender a manejar sus medicamentos. Una vez usted aprenda a controlar el asma podrá realizar actividades de la vida diaria como jugar afuera y hacer ejercicio sin tener ningún síntoma.

El mes de la concientización sobre el asma ha sido creado para aumentar los conocimientos sobre esta enfermedad tan grave, que a veces puede hasta producir muertes. Todas las personas deben tener conocimiento de los recursos disponibles, sobre todo la población Latina, en la que las estadísticas del asma son alarmantes.

En el 2010 aproximadamente 3,600,000 hispanos reportaron que tenían asma

Las visitas al hospital por asma son más comunes en los hispanos.

Si quieren leer mas sobre como el asma afecta a los hispanos pueden leer el reporte: Luchando por el Aire: the burden of asthma on Hispanics

Like IRON MAN 3 on Facebook

Follow IRON MAN 3 on Twitter 

Visit the website: http://marvel.com/ironman3

By day 4 of the conference you can see faces of exhaustion.  Not only the busy schedules and late parties but also the weather change and time change was hard for me. I was also getting sick. When I left California my son was sick and of course I was getting sick too.

It was also my last day at the conference. I had an early morning pick up at the hotel to get back home, so I needed to take advantage of the networking and get to meet people.

It was more a day to recap and make sure you had met the people you wanted to meet (although I still had to meet more people, so I hope I can be there next year too)

I got to meet a very special person for lunch. It is very funny, but we all have social media friends that are very special to us, but we do not get to hug often (or ever). Hispanicize provided me with that experience. I was able to meet and hug in real live two “virtual” friends. Well, I guess they are not virtual anymore. 

Another great thing was able to meet one of my readers that have become my friend too. She is a sweet lady from Colombia and most bloggers that know her, will agree that she support us so much. Thanks Mayito for all your support.

To close the day, we went to Gloria Estefan’s restaurant for some dancing and joy.

It was now time to say until next time. I had a great time, met really amazing people and make great connections. Thank you United HealthCare because without you this would not had been possible.

And to end my adventure, you cannot leave Miami without having some Cuban, so at the Airport I had some Cuban wrap for breakfast. YUM.

Disclosure: I won a contest with United HealthCare to attend the conference. All opinions are my own.

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY releases in theaters on June 21st!

Like MONSTERS UNIVERSITY on Facebook 

Follow Disney/Pixar on Twitter 
 
Visit the website: http://www.Disney.com/MonstersU

It was an early morning on Day 3 for me. The agenda was still pretty busy and a lot of exciting things were happening.

First was the Mañanita Breakfast with MundoFox. Great things coming to MundoFox, which make me, really want to start vloging. But, yes, I am still new and shy, so for now I will see the magic happen and enjoy. My friend (and roommate) Cristiana from @colombianaenca won a Spa Certificate during the session.

The lunch was sponsored by Disney with lots of surprises. I was not the lucky winner of the passes to Disneyworld, but I got to dance and enjoy the music and Disney characters. We also got to hear the story about Beto Perez from Zumba.

My friends @colombianaenca and @ahorradolares are also from Colombia. We were really sad that we did not have a photo opportunity with Beto during lunch time, but we looked for him all over the hotel until we found him. Lucky us!

Not on the agenda, but come on, we needed to eat our treats!

Again, this could not had been possible without United HealthCare. I am so grateful, not only because of the trip but because of all the great resources available for Latinos.

Disclosure: I won a contest with United HealthCare to attend the conference. All opinions are my own.