Enjoy a fun family movie night with Disney’s Moana and some Sweet Pineapple Bread! #MoanaOnDigital

***Thanks to Disney for giving me a free movie night kit to host an in-home viewing of Moana. All opinions are my own***

Have you had the chance to see the hit Disney film Moana? This amazing movie is about family friends and traditions and how they shape who you are, and who you are meant to be. This past weekend we had a little family get together to just spend time together and see Moana, Maui, Heihei, Pua and all of our other friends from Motunui on Digital HD! Moana is available on DVD on March 7, Moana is available on Blu-ray and Disney Movies Anywhere now. 

Getting my family together for parties, dinners and movie nights is so very important to me. Family is #1 and we want to be sure to spend quality time together and one of the quality times we love to have is movie night. During our most recent movie night we enjoyed the Disney movie Moana. We had some great Moana goodies, all available at the Disney Store, to get the party started. From plush items, to great toys to fun cups for the family.  

I love that this movie had such a large focus on family and connecting with your ancestors. Growing up I was very fortunate to have 4 grandparents and 2 great-grandparents. Our family was large and we were often together. 
I loved spending time and learning as much as I could from my grandparents, and now that most have passed on I am so very grateful that I had the time that I had with them. I want to show to be sure my daughter appreciates and connect with the family she has, they are a part of her past and will be a part of her future. Embrace family traditions, and your family history. 

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows exactly why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder.                 

Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa‘i, “Moana” sails into DVD on Tuesday, March 7, and is available on Blu-ray and Disney Movies Anywhere NOW.

In the spirit of family traditions and things that are passed down, I would love to share with you all a family recipe that my great-grandmother picked up at a ladies luncheon many many years ago, a recipe my family loves and has been passed down for generations. Sweet Pineapple Bread, this recipe is easy and it yield a sweet moist and delicious pineapple bread that the whole family will love, I know mine sure does.

Sweet Pineapple Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup crushed pineapple with juice
• ¾ cup brown sugar  
• ½  cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2 ¼  cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½  teaspoons baking powder
• ½  tsp. salt

• ¾  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼  teaspoon nutmeg

• ¾  teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon of Almond Extract

Topping:

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients, then add eggs almond extract, oil and pineapple (with the juice) and stir well. Spray nonstick loaf pan. In a separate bowl combine ingredients for the topping. Add wet mixed mixture into loaf pan, then top with the cinnamon sugar topping. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Cool then slice and serve. This will last for one week if stored in an airtight container.

The original recipe called for shredded sweetened coconut to top the bread (instead of the cinnamon sugar) but my immediate family (my husband and my daughter) are not fans of coconut so I adjusted to fit their likes with the cinnamon sugar topping. But if you are a coconut fan, try this recipe with some sweetened coconut sprinkled on top before baking. You can also use fresh pineapple, this was also in the original recipe but I adapted this for the canned because of my busy lifestyle and it tastes just as great with the canned. If you opt for the fresh, make sure the pineapple is sweet and ripe, and use 1 ½ cups.

My family has loved this bread for years, I remember my great-grandmother, then my grandmother then my mom making this for many occasions from holidays to picnics, this was always a favorite sweet treat for us. I hope you can make this bread for your family and they enjoy this too! My daughter is growing up so fast, and I want to enjoy the time we have together because I know in a blink of an eye she will be off to college (what happened to my little baby?) and be all grown up. 

                

Are there extras on the Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray & Digital 3D/HD/SD. Well of course! there are plenty! Disney always gives you a great gift of extras with their films. We loved the mini movie, and the fun facts and behind the scene looks. 

Extras on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray & Digital 3D/HD/SD:

• Theatrical Short Film: “Inner Workings” – With introduction by the filmmakers, is the story of the internal struggle between a man’s pragmatic, logical side and his free-spirited, adventurous half. Created by a small team at Walt Disney Animation Studios in a unique, fast-paced style that blends CG and traditional hand-drawn animation, the short explores the importance of finding balance in daily life. 
• Maui Mini-Movie: “Gone Fishing” – When Maui decides it’s time to take charge of the ocean and catch his next meal, Moana must show him the error of his ways … with a little help from her friends!
• Voice of the Islands – An in-depth look at how Pacific Island people and cultures inspired the filmmakers to create the story of “Moana.” 
• Things You Didn’t Know About …
• Meet the stars of “Moana” in this dynamic Q&A featuring Dwayne Johnson, newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho, and famed animation directors Ron and John. 
• Meet the musical team behind “Moana” in this fascinating Q&A featuring Opetaia Foa‘i, Mark Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

• Island Fashion – Find out how costume designer Neysa Bové took on the unique challenge of creating costumes using materials and techniques native to the islands of Oceania.
• They Know the Way: Making the Music of “Moana” – Musicians Opetaia Foa‘I, Marc Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda take us on a personal journey through their involvement in the movie and how it changed their lives.
• Fishing for Easter Eggs – Dive deep into the ocean and fish for the Easter Eggs hidden by the animators at Walt Disney Animation Studios.
• The Elements of … – This series of four mini-docs explores the technical achievements behind some of the ground-breaking effects used in the film.
• Mini Maui – Meet “Mini Maui,” Maui’s tattoo sidekick. Animated by legendary hand-drawn animator Eric Goldberg, we explore how the 2D world collides with CG animation to bring the demigod’s tattoos to life.
• Water – In the movie, the ocean is a character. This piece explores how the water is given a personality, along with the technical feats of creating a believable ocean landscape farther than the eye can see.
• Lava – Te Kā is a creature made of lava, smoke and fire. This piece dives into the challenges of making an animated creature of massive scale brought to fiery life by character, technical and effects animators.
• Hair – One of the greatest technical achievements of the film was the animation of the beautiful, curly hair on Moana and Maui. Take a look at the hair-raising detail that goes into animating each strand, adding performance to the movie that has never been seen before.

• Deleted Song: “Warrior Face” – With introduction by songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda.
• Deleted Scenes – Ron and John introduce the following deleted scenes:  Race the Wind/Ties that Bind; Discussing Moana’s Future; Under the Sea; Grandmother’s Warning/Legend of Maui; Education of Moana; Father, Daughter, Boat; and Canoe Race.
• Music Video: “How Far I’ll Go” – Performed by Alessia Cara.
• “How Far I’ll Go Around the World” – Multi-language reel of the song “How Far I’ll Go.”
• Audio Commentary – With directors Ron and John.

Extras on DVD:

• Theatrical Short Film: “Inner Workings,” Music Video: “How Far I’ll Go” and Audio Commentary

We loved the movie from the amazing animation (from the hair to the tattoos, they looked real!) to the great songs and story line. This is a movie we will watch and enjoy again and again, such an instant classic! Why not plan a family Moana movie night too? It is a great way to get the kids away from their electronic devices, and just take the time to be laugh and cry and be entertained together as a family, watching Disney’s Moana. You can purchase Moana on DVD on March 7, Moana is available on Blu-ray and Disney Movies Anywhere now.

Buy it:

You can purchase Moana on DVD on March 7, Moana is available on Blu-ray and Disney Movies Anywhere NOW

Are you excited to see Moana?

Disclosure: The reviews and or opinions on this blog are my own opinions . No monitory compensation was received. I was not required to write a positive review. Your experience may differ. The opinions I have expressed are my own I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement and Testimonials in Advertising .