The Best Sausage Comes From Waco!

I love sausage, but I'm picky about which kinds. There are name brands that I won't touch. Texture, flavor (or lack of) and I can't stand sausage having bits of 'hardness' or tendon-like pieces in it. Once, I even had a chip of bone in sausage. It only takes once to ruin me on a brand. My husband is totally opposite of me. He could live without sausage and be just as happy. He and some of his family have never been into eating sausage unless others make it. My children will eat it cooked in things like a casserole or pasta dish. They will also eat the brats that I bake in bbq sauce. 

Through my whole life, I have never found that perfect sausage. Not until now, that is. 

Farmers Market for the win!

We love going to the Farmers Market here in Waco. They meet on Saturdays. Vendors of all types will be there. You can get handmade soaps, peanut butters and treats, special blend coffees and teas, produce and even fresh made meats - just to name a few. My husband and I have GERD, among other things. So we have had to stop eating certain foods. Ground beef was one of those. Until we tried eating fresh made ground beef. We haven't had a single issue since! No abdominal cramping, no torso pains just under the ribs, none of that reflux problem. It is amazing! The meat is straight up meat. Not a bunch of fat and sinew shredded in to add pounds. No artificial dyes added to make it look fresher, longer. When I fry it up for shepherds pie, there isn't a cup full of grease left over. Actually, I had to add broth so that it wouldn't be too dry! This is what we have been missing. 

What about the sausage??

But I wanted to tell you guys about sausage. After seeing the lack of problems with beef, we were curious to try other things. Sausage was something I wondered about. I thought they were mostly the same. Flavors are set, right? No! We found a great group of guys who had pushed the boundaries on what could be done with sausage. 

Sir Sausage & Sons had a booth there. They let you taste the flavors they offered. They had beef sticks, summer sausages and then the sausages you would cook in meals. They had flavors that I would never have imagined  possible. Our initial favorite? Daybreak Breakfast Sausage. This is breakfast in a sausage. I kid you not, it has eggs, sweet peppers, cheddar, and bacon.Add a tortilla wrap to it and voila - a full breakfast! Normally, cheddar cheese tears me up. No gallbladder means I can't handle fatty foods. I ate this for dinner with my husband and not a single cramp! It was amazing. So much flavor. We are done with store bought sausage. It can't hold a candle to this. 

We also got the One Street Taco Summer Sausage. This one has everything you might want in a street taco, but in a sausage link instead! Fajita seasonings, salsa, cilantro, charred corn, pepper Jack cheese, and cheddar. It is a party I don't want to leave. 

Totally hooked now! 

My husband and I have come to the decision to adjust our budget to include orders from them. After all, they include free delivery! I messaged them when their website was down. I'm happy to report they have excellent customer service. They answered my questions, offered suggestions and set up my order. The next day, they delivered! No additional taxes and fees. They have other flavors we want to try out next. We served the Fajita flavored ones at a family dinner. My husband wasn't as much a fan of this one because of the courser texture it had. 

Suddenly, my husband wants sausage. And I'm happy for it. We are hooked now. If you are looking for unique flavors and sausage that is packed with taste, I highly suggest you check them out. They are the people to go to for sausage in Waco!

With the FITBar, I Will...

This has a been a crazy year. I don't know about you, but I haven't been as driven to keep up with my personal health goals. Let's face it. I don't have to leave the house often enough. But then... I don't want to just snack on junk food. My health has been declining again. So I need to reapply myself. Get serious. The past couple months, I have been trying to do just that. Which is why I was so excited to try the following product! 

*Disclaimer: I was sent a party pack for the following products in exchange for hosting a party and sharing the samples with my guests as well as submitting reviews. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are mine and my guests.*

Eating Healthy

There are times when I'm snackish, but not really hungry. What to munch down on? Chips aren't usually healthy for you. I avoid anything with artificial colors added. As well as MSG and GMO's.... That narrows down my list pretty tightly as it is. But I also have to have good flavor. Fruits, nuts and vegetables are great - so long as I don't have to put in too much work when I'm busy. Sometimes, however, you just want something a little more. That is where the FITBar comes in! It was created by a chef with a penchant for physical fitness. He wanted to have something that was everything you need in your diet, while tasting good as well. He started quite the product line called FITCrunch. But there were requests coming in that showed other needs. Vegan, dairy free, soy free - dietary restrictions are plentiful these days. I blame a lot of the junk in pre-packaged foods. There are more food allergies now than ever before. Chef Robert Irvine decided it was time to do something about that. To create a culinary masterpiece that was safe for all dietary needs. Okay, maybe I should say 'most' dietary needs. So he came up with the FITBar.

Great beginnings start off small!

There are currently only two flavors available, but hopefully with more to follow! For now, you can choose from Cranberry Vanilla Almond or Peanut Butter Chocolate. They are both made from rolled oats. Plant-based, non GMO, vegan, dairy free, soy free, gluten free, and kosher! He really did his homework on this one. 

Where can I find these products?

So glad you asked! You can find them on Amazon. However, he has other products as well from his previous line. You can get them all HERE on Amazon. His FITCRUNCH protein bars come in flavors I'm dying to try. Like Lemon Pie and Mint Chocolate Chip = MMMMMMM. 

Our opinions

I always face trying protein bars with a sense of trepidation. It can be wonderful! Or it can be terrible. Out of these two flavors, my husband and I (and the toddler) definitely preferred the Peanut Butter Chocolate. We had a taste testing that the toddler wanted to participate in. Her reaction to the Cranberry Vanilla Almond was pretty comical. We both agreed there was a slight aftertaste on that one. Possibly the hemp? I didn't notice it on the Peanut Butter Chocolate ones though. 

At the party I hosted, my guests loved them. The Cranberry Vanilla Almond one was the preferred choice. 

Two of my guests couldn't be at the face-to-face event, so I got their opinions after delivery of the samples.

Matt: I ate two of them in a row. I preferred the cranberry one. Felt they bordered on dry. Could have used some more cranberry in my opinion, and a bit more sweetness, but maybe that's just my sweet tooth talking. Considering the nutritional statistics, the bars were a bit high in fat. I'd like to see less fat than protein for something called a fit bar. This also adds to my perspective of the bars needing to be a bit sweeter - if I'm going to eat something with 12-15 grams of fat, I'd like to thoroughly enjoy it. I agree though, the bars did not taste like a protein supplement - fake sweeteners masking an undesirable protein flavor. For that reason I suppose they gain some favor in my eyes. Good over all. I feel like it really would be a great option for those with restrictions. It makes a lot of sense for that category.

Mel: Luckily I was able to taste the cranberry one before Matt scarfed them down . We liked the ingredients and packaging on both. I really liked the flavor of the Peanut Butter Chocolate one best, even though it had sugar, it wasn't overly sweet. And it didn't have the strange taste that protein bars normally have, that weird sweet flavor. The texture of the cranberry one was better - it was softer where the peanut butter one was a little tough, but overall I liked the PB bar! Also, I REALLY liked that it was a pretty good tasting vegan protein bar that was non GMO. It's normally so difficult to find that combination! I'm on the fence if I would purchase. If I was trying to get fit then this had too much carbs and sugar and I probably would not buy it; if I remember correctly, sugar was the first ingredient. On the other hand, if I wasn't on a fitness plan and was just wanting a convenient snack that I didn't feel too guilty about - I might buy this. It's the same mentality of those "protein cookies" that make you feel ok about eating a cookie because it is filling and has protein. I think ultimately I would buy this. I actually really like Robert Irv and used  to watch his show all the time. I know he has high standards, so his name being on the front kinda sold me as well.

Curious to try your own?

I can offer you a great discount! Get 10% off your first order! Just use the promo code: FITBAR10 at checkout. While writing this, I also noticed on Amazon that they have a $5 off coupon! A case pack of 12 bars is $32.99 with free shipping on there. That is about $2.75 a bar. Not bad if you have ever gone shopping in the grocery store for protein bars. 

Let me know what you think about this in the comments below!

7 Steps We Are Taking Towards Eating Healthier

 These days, eating healthier can be really hard. Let's face it, it is cheaper and quicker to buy prepackaged foods than it is to purchase the healthier options. Especially when you have a large family like ours. With 4 growing children, we have to be conscientious in every shopping trip we make. So here are some steps we took to make our healthier diet less of a dream and more of a reality. 

Buying frozen fruits and vegetables - This has been a tremendous help to us! First off, frozen fruits and vegetables retain more of their benefits because they are frozen soon after being picked. So healthier by default. Also, they don't go bad before I can use them. We use frozen fruits in the smoothies we make. And the vegetables are used in my casseroles as well as sides for other meals. I buy the big store brand bags of the veggies and they last me several meals. I can simply pull out how much I need. 

Making smoothies - This option has multiple uses in our home. We can give the kids smoothies as treats, use them to make popcicles, or even as a meal for just me and my husband. We have found that we can be satisfied with a smoothie as a meal instead of eating. This is helping us with our weight loss goals. And takes the place of a salad - which my husband gets tired of eating often. Even better is that we only need 3 ingredients (though you can add whatever else you may want): fruit, juice and yogurt. We have found that adding heavy whipping cream makes them creamier. 

Checking labels for artificial colors - Hear me out on this one. Have you ever checked the labels of your favorite products? Do you actually know what is in them? Well, we have started. A dear friend of ours is allergic to artificial coloring. So we tried to always serve foods that didn't have them or MSG (another thing she was allergic to). One thing we came to notice is that a lot of prepackaged foods have artificial colors being added. Why is that?? I mean, think about this. Strawberry Poptarts have it. Isn't the strawberry enough to make it red? Oh wait, it is because companies think the coloring isn't strong and vibrant enough to entice people. Breads had caramel coloring added. But what is it made from? Ever consider that? We did. We just had to look it up. The easy way to describe them? They are petroleum products, or byproducts. They are associated with a long list of health issues though. But since no one is doing intensive research on them, they can't get them banned in our country. Some of the biggest things include hyperactivity (especially in children), cancers, allergic reactions, eczema - and that is just beginning. Due to this knowledge, even European manufacturers have begun to remove or replace them in their products. Our own manufacturers here, who export to Europe, will remove them from the products being sent there, but not from the ones sold here! The Yellow #5 comes in snacks, cakes, pickles - you get the picture. It comes from coal tar. And it has been linked to asthma attacks and skin reactions. Norway, Austria and Finland have banned this one. America and Canada are okay with it as long as it is mentioned on the label. We have found that store brands or "off brands" don't usually have dyes in pre-packaged foods. We went to Aldi and found Millville and Black Forest products that use natural things to flavor with, which means the coloring is also natural. Things like real fruit, turmeric, paprika - this is what you want to see in your foods.

Cutting out the junk foods - I can't tell you how much of a struggle this is. Still! We have been skipping the snack aisle for a while. But there are times when we falter. Like today. Those Nutty Bars were calling our names... And we listened! So here is our compromise. Most of you might be like us and might feel the need to have those treats. At least some times. We have agreed that chips are no more than a once-a-week purchase. Our family can polish off 3 bags in 3 meals. And that isn't in the way you do while binge watching Stranger Things during a pandemic. That is Mom distributing chips to each person at lunch, 3 days in a row. By that third day, however, we are at the bits and pieces at the bottom of the bag! I have been amazed to see that my kids will eat less per sitting for the sake of making them stretch longer. And with them being in school, they can last just that much longer. Sweets are to be limited to Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We sometimes mess up when Mom has events to bake for, but for the most part we are keeping to that schedule. It makes it more of a treat then. Also, they have to have 2 plates of dinner before they can have dessert. This way, I know they are eating enough. I have two preteen boys. No way they can try to tell me they aren't hungry enough for 2 plates anymore. If anything, I have to tell them to slow down and let food actually settle in their stomach or I run out of whatever I cooked!

No more buying ground beef products - My husband and I have been having a lot of issues with ground beef products from the grocery store. Severe stomach cramping, upset stomach, diarrhea. So many people we know have given up eating it lately for similar reasons. So we started looking into it. And have even decided to attempt eating it again, but only if it comes from a local meat market or butcher. No more store bought meats that aren't natural anyhow. 

Making our own bread - As I mentioned above, breads come with artificial colors and enough preservatives that you would think it could look fresh forever. So, despite the kids protests, and because my husband gave me a bread maker, I'm making our bread. I make a loaf about every 2 days. This has also helped up save money too. 

Shopping at the local Farmer's Markets - We have been wanting to do this for some time now. We found a small one to hit up about twice a week before the pandemic. Well, now we have two. The large one downtown has a great variety of vendors selling produce, fresh meats, and homemade products. It was amazing! And we are talking about making this a weekly thing we do. We got fresh bread (jalapeno and cheese), jams (strawberry lemonade was the best!), ground beef and bacon, tomatoes, bell peppers, and even cheeses!

What other ways are you getting healthy?

Hosting a Lakanto Healthy Holiday Baking Party!

I love being a part of the Tryazon community of bloggers! We try some amazing new products. New to us, at least. Then we host parties and write reviews about them. That is what I was able to do with Lakanto!

*Disclaimer: I was sent all the products free of charge in exchange for hosting a party as well as writing a review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my own.* 

I was able to host a holiday baking party using their Monk Fruit Sweetener. This is a Keto-friendly option that has some nice benefits. It is a better option than using sugar. I know this, because I have family members that have been on the Keto diet as well as other family members who have gone sugar-free. We have family meals together that require a variety of options so that we can accommodate each others dietary needs. In case you are unfamiliar with monk fruit and how they get the sweetener, check here. 

I love baking! 

But baking can be troublesome for me. First off, I am supposed to be on a healthier diet in order to lose 45 pounds and get back into shape. But I absolutely LOVE baking! I love making brownies, cookies and cakes. I love fudge for Christmas. But you know... so full of sugar and so unhealthy! So I have been looking for recipes that don't pack on the pounds, while letting me have some sweets from time to time. 

Sweeteners like Stevia are there in stores. You have probably heard of and seen some. You can look on the baking aisles of your nearest store to see a variety of alternatives. But have you ever tried them? Or do you just pass them by? That is where you will find the Lakanto brand products.

What is the difference? 

When it comes to taste, I can't tell the difference! However, the amounts you use are different as are the results. I have found that you use more sugar in recipes than you would using monk fruit sweetener. Also, you are adding stress to the heart and pounds to the waist with sugar! I have made some amazing Keto Fat Bombs before. And when the chance to host this party came around, I also made an Easy (Vegan) Chocolate Cake with Perfect Keto Buttercream Frosting! It was the most delicious one I had made in a very long time! My kids devoured slices way faster than I would have thought. I even added peppermint flavoring to the frosting and it was.... oh, wow! Perfect for the holidays! My daughter tried to dig in early.

Let's start with the cake!  

 Ingredients

1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup Lakanto Baking Sweetener
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup cold water
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbs apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Sift together the flour, cocoa, soda, salt, and s
   weetener directly into the cake pan.
3. Measure and mix together oil, water, and vanilla.
4. Pour liquid ingredients into the pan and mix batter with a small whisk or fork. When smooth, add vinegar and stir quickly.
5. Stir until vinegar is evenly distributed--without pale swirls in the batter.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

I even skipped the apple cider vinegar as I didn't have any on hand. It was still the best! On my second attempt, I drizzled caramel over the top.

Then top it with the frosting! 

A great cake comes with delectable frosting! Since this is a holiday recipe party, I thought that peppermint needed to be added. About a teaspoon is perfect. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup Grass-Fed Butter
• 1 1/2 cups Lakanto Powdered Monkfruit Sweetener
• 2-3 tbsp Dairy Free Milk (coconut, almond, cashew)

Instructions

1. Add the butter to a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and beat for 4-5 minutes until it becomes super fluffy, airy light, pale and doubled in volume.
2. Make sure butter is not too warm/oily; it will not hold its shape!
3. Sift the Lakanto Powdered Sweetener in a medium bowl.
4. In two additions add half the powdered sugar at a time, beating 2-3 minutes in-between each addition. Slowly increase speed. 
5. Once all of the sugar has been incorporated you will notice it may look a bit stiff and dense; adding the dairy-free milk and beating until the buttercream is more soft & spreadable.
6. At this time you can add Vanilla.
7. Once the buttercream is ready, frost your cakes & cakes!
8. You may place buttercream in an airtight container at room temp for 5-6 Days! Best freshly made!

I've also made some unicorn cookies! I was going to make the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies from their website, but saw some unicorn chips and decided to use those. 

What would you make with it? What is your favorite baked good for the holidays? Leave me a comment below!

Light and Fluffy Cookies that Won't Kill Your Diet!

I've been working hard on cutting out sweets and eating less. My goal before Christmas this year is to lose 40 pounds. Not easy to say the least. I love sweets! I've been reading the Eat This, Not That books lately. Trying to get ideas of what I need to switch to. What foods are better to eat. The latest one I got from the library was Cook This, Not That: Kitchen Survival Guide. It had an amazing assortment of recipes. The first one we decided to try was cookies. Of course. In my defense, I've been jonesing for one. The recipe makes about a dozen cookies. 190 calories, 8g fat, 16g sugars. 

Enjoy! 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Make it!

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy. Stir in eggs and vanilla until well incorporated. Add the baking soda, salt and flour and mix until the dough comes together, being careful not to overmix. Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Drop the dough onto a baking sheet in balls about 3 tablespoons in size, leaving at least 3 inches between cookies. 
• Bake until the edges are golden and the middles are just barely set. Remove from the sheet and cool on a wire rack. You can sprinkle with a bit of flaky sea salt if you like as well. This draws out the flavor.
  

Low Sodium Spaghetti and Alfredo Sauce

We don't eat spaghetti nearly as often as we used to. My family loves to pick on me for how much we used to make it. But it has been a favorite of the kids. And a simple meal that I can throw together in a rush. With the need to drop all the extra sodium, however, I had to rethink making it or chicken Alfredo. That is, until I found some homemade recipes for them. We have found that we actually prefer it this way! The flavor of jarred sauces has become so bland. We bought Ragu in the past. It was within our price range, but had some flavor to it. I would always add my own seasonings though when I used them. But with these recipes, I can easily make sauces ahead of time, freeze them and pull them out as needed. I can make multiple batches with ease. The lower sodium count keeps my mind at ease too. So if you are looking to cut out the extra sodium or maybe you just want a great recipe to make your own sauces, then look no farther! Simply delightful! 

Spaghetti Sauce

 

2 tbsp basil
3 tsp garlic
1/4 onions
1 1/2 tsp ground oregano
8 tbsp tomato paste (no salt added)
15 oz tomato sauce (no salt added)
1 1/2 cups of water
red pepper flakes to taste, optional

Mix everything in a sauce pan on low heat. I cooked it for about 10 minutes while stirring occasionally. You can then let it cool and then store it in the freezer for later or use immediately. 

For lower sodium meatballs, switch to Kikkoman's Panko breadcrumbs. Super low in sodium compared to the Progresso I used to use. Don't add the salt! Stick with herbs and seasonings instead. I use oregano, mostly, but also basil. If you want tangy meatballs, try adding low sodium soy sauce, I use Kikkoman, and a little ginger and brown sugar. Mmmm it is magnificent! 

Alfredo Sauce 

3 tbsp garlic
3 tsp parsley
2 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
3 tsp lemon juice
3 tbsp all purpose flour
3 tbsp olive oil 
2 1/4 cup 1% milk
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 package of pasta

Start by sauteing the garlic and flour in the oil. Then add in all the other ingredients except the pasta. Simmer on low. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and mix with sauce. It is just that easy! 

Going Without Salt CAN Taste Great!

Going to a low sodium diet has been an eye opening experience to say the least. It was very stressful in the beginning. Looking at all the labels and trying to piece together 3 meals a day without going above 1,200 mg per person. But I think I'm getting into a groove I can follow. For the sake of my boys, I have to. I read all labels now. Every item I would normally buy, I look for a lower sodium version. I search for new recipes. So thankful for Pinterest! 

My first truly low sodium dinner was this fantastic Balsamic Chicken and Veggies meal I found. The kids complained about the asparagus, but who cares? They have to eat more veggies and this was so delicious! As I find more recipes that we love, I'm going to share them with you all. 

Balsamic Chicken and Veggies

1 lb chicken breast tenderloins

10 oz fresh asparagus

1 cup shredded carrots

1 small tomato

2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp honey

1/4 cup Italian salad dressing

2 tbsp olive oil

1/8 tsp red pepper (optional)

Saute the veggies in the olive oil, together. Get them soft, but a little crisp still. Cook the chicken in the balsamic, honey and Italian dressing until completely done. Mix it all together and simmer for about 5 more minutes. Voila! Dinner is served. No salt needed. I served rice with it. Brown rice is advisable.

Low Sodium Italian Pasta Salad

I found another great recipe. Kids didn't like it much, but my husband and I did. I highly suggest eating it as soon as you cook it as it dries up a bit during being stored in the fridge. We ended up adding a little Italian dressing to moisten it up, but that adds to the sodium. 

Happy eating! 

Italian Pasta Salad

4 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup bell peppers
4 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
4 tablespoons Mrs. Dash tomato basil garlic seasoning blend (I mixed my own spices)
1 package of rotini pasta
3/4 cup cherry tomatoes

Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse and drain, do not cool. Combine olive oil, vinegar and Mrs. Dash® Tomato Basil Garlic Seasoning Blend in a large bowl; mix well. Add remaining ingredients; stir in warm pasta. Cool to room temperature, serve or chill for 1-2 hours.

Time to tailgate!

Football season is in full swing now. Tailgating has begun. But we don't want to start packing on those pounds with the snackage. So here's some great snack ideas to keep you on the right path as you cheer on your favorite teams. 
My family has always been a fan of Mediterranean Snacks. Especially their new Bean Stalks. Add hummus or a fat free dip!

Peanut butter and crackers is another one we love. Its easy and doesn't require refrigeration. 

Even better is that you can add in other flavors by melting a little chocolate or white chocolate morsels to sweeten the taste just a touch. 

Nuts.com inspired me to post about my favorite snacks that were healthy and light.

But they also shared some of their great suggestions. So check them out by going to their Healthy Snacks Page and see what they have to offer. Nuts are high in protein, encourage a healthy digestive system, and can be so many styles! 

March Bulu Box review

This months box had a lot more samples than the two previous boxes I've gotten.

The ad included had a scratch off for a discount towards ordering from Bulu.
The first thing I tried was Bean Fields Bean and Rice Chips. I got the ranch flavor.

They are a vegan snack, corn free, gluten free, all natural and a great source for fiber and protein. They have an interesting texture. Really love the flavoring. It's not overbearing. These chips are high in protein and fiber with less fat than leading brands. The beans used are farmed here in the United States. No sugar, gluten, dairy, peanuts, seeds  or corn. So whether you are a vegan or have peanut allergies, they make a great snack.
There is something called E-Hydrate packs that are supposed to provide natural energy. I tried using the orange flavor one but it just fizzed right out the bottle as it made contact with the water.

So the second try, I had to pour it slowly while letting it settle in between pours. It's made here in the US. On top of providing energy, it adds minerals and vitamins to your diet. They also donate 5% of their profits to benefit veterans and their families through IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America). I liked the lemon lime flavor. It does have a strong sweet taste though and feels slightly carbonated.

Then I started using these capsules that were included. Vivioptal capsules are a multivitamin and multi mineral supplement.  The good thing is, they are gluten free. The bad thing is, they have a bad smell at first with an aftertaste. 

There were a few other things in the box that I don't have a personal interest in. Not everything in every box is for everyone. But they do have some great things to try out before you buy.  

Guest post of healthier living by Mediterranean Snacks

Occasionally I received emails from Mediterranean Snacks that I feel are worth sharing. This is one of them. Let's stay healthy and live better, not just this year, but every year to come! 

 

3 Ways to Make This Your Best Year

1. Clean Eating: Here's the trick to shifting your diet to a more balanced and clean routine.  Start small. Many of us go "all in" before really thinking through our goals and knowing what are the best steps to take. Jumping to extremes or going full force can make it harder for us to maintain. We suggest you make a list of all the things you would like to work on, evolve, or change in your diet.  Maybe it's cutting out soda, swapping fried chips for baked lentil chips, eating fewer carbohydrates, adding more greens, or simply drinking more water. After you make your list, pick the top 12 and use those as your guide, one for each month of the year.  So each month you make one temporary change with a goal to make it a habit. By the end of the year, you will have made 12 improvements to your diet, how awesome is that? 2. Get Active: How many times have you tried to get active, yet sometimes, you feel you may have failed? Same rules apply as in step 1. Start small and make it gradual. We also recommend focusing on your interests and find an accountability partner; a buddy to check in with weekly. Start with getting active once a week for a month, then twice a week, then three times a week and so forth.  Make sure you and your accountability partner check in with one another to ensure success. 3. Stay Positive: The first two steps may not succeed unless you work to stay positive. Change is not always easy, but if you want things to be different in your life, then being open to change is a great start. Find your gratitude in each day and in each experience because this will open up your mind to new ideas and make it easier to stay positive.  Make this your best year-you deserve it!

Inspiration for losing weight

2 weeks after giving birth to baby #3.

A friend of mine has recently reached the milestone of losing 88lbs! After gaining 75-80lbs during her pregnancy with her third child, mostly in fluid retention, she took to seriously working the weight off. She recently told me about it. "After Edward was born I thought I was going to lose weight fast. I was wrong. I lost about 20lbs fast and then I lost another 10lbs by Christmas. I didn't do anything special because I was breastfeeding Edward. I was hoping to lose more after Christmas but I didn't really  lose any weight. I was very depressed and told Avery's mom (my daughters friends mother) I needed to lose more. She suggested that I should talk to Jenny, Emma's old teachers aide. She owns a Body by Vi business. She said I should drink the milkshake with protein power from Body by Vi. It worked great and I lost other 25 lbs for about 2.5 months... And then my doctor said I should join the MyFitnessPal program. From there I read that I should eat up to 1200 calories per a day. When Ash Wednesday came around I decided to give up all sweet foods like candy, cake, etc. and no snacks. It was extremely hard for me but I did it! I lost another 20lbs in 40 days. I started eating more healthy foods like fruits and vegetables... I cut back on meats... no bread. I started drinking a lot more water and less diet Coke. From then until now, I have been watching what I eat. I'm planning to lose another 15 to 20lbs before I'm done. I'm much more happier then I was before.
Eating healthier helped me to lose the weight slowly. Doing so allowed me to lose the 88 pounds in the past year. My doctor thought I wouldn't lose weight like this, and I'm going to show him just how wrong he was at my next appointment on January 29th when I take Edward to his check up appointment.
Another thing I did to lose weight was drink Silk Pure Almond unsweetened with vanilla in my Body by Vi protein powder shake. It helped me to feel full. I only had to drink it twice a day."

2 weeks after her baby delivery on the left, a couple weeks ago on the right!
She's done an amazing job. And she's a wonderful mom. Love hanging out with her and hearing about her success! Thanks for sharing Alisa. 

 The right side is the most recent showing her loss of 88lbs.

Acure review

Having healthy, moisturized skin is just as important to me as having healthy, vibrant hair. Your skin protects you from the outside elements. In these summer months, I've let my face go a bit. And it's beginning to show. Florida is hot and very humid. Though there is moisture in the air, it dries out your skin. It's important to always stay hydrated and well moisturized. However, using just any lotions, cleansers, primers or products can be damaging to your skin rather than good. I recently received products to try for a review from Acure. They claim to have "ACURE for your skin * ACURE for the planet". They sent me a variety of things to try. Of course, the day or two before I get them, I get sunburned from a trip to the pool without sunscreen...

First thing I tried of course was the Oil Control Facial Moisturizer (which my face desperately needed after the burn). It didn't take a lot to douse my face with and the moisturized feeling stayed all day while at work. Normally my forehead would begin to oil up within 3 or so hours. Not with this stuff. I don't sport that shiny glow too when I use this. And even while walking about outside in the heat and humidity, it's still not drying out or oiling up. Its lilac scent is my favorite. It hydrates and prevents oil-causing sheen breakouts.
The next thing I used was the Facial Cleansing Crème in the Argan oil and mint scent. I love the fresh scent while I'm washing my face! I felt refreshed and clean. I’ve also noticed a good difference in my pores.

*After cleansing my face, before going to work*
I hate having to wash and then condition my hair. I know they are both cleansing and such, but it takes too long. I’m a home schooling mother of three who works part time, is now volunteering as an instructor for Sea Cadets and then I write this blog. Plus there are all the other daily needs I have to attend to. Showers are quick and practical. Conditioning is optional. I usually just want to use a 2 in 1. But I got to try an alternative that I really enjoyed. The Leave-In Conditioner is quick and easy to use. It comes in spray form so there is no worry of having oily, greasy, conditioned fingers afterward as some brands can leave you feeling. Just a couple quick squirts and I can be on my way. I also like that it has detangling abilities. My hair is getting longer and it's thick, coarseness makes it prone to knots. The scent I received is minty with a hint of the Argan oil.

*After being at work all afternoon/evening*

Lastly, I also had the seriously hydrating Facial Toner. It also comes in spray form. You simply mist your face with this and it begins hydrating throughout the day. Its scent is that of Argan oil with mint I believe. When you use this with the cleanser, they make a great pair. Clean and hydrated face that lasts all day!

Overall, I’m beginning to like the minty smell. I’ve gotten things with the Argan oil and thought, no way will I use that! But these were different. Its subtle and blended so well that you won’t notice it. Lilac is strong, but something I’ve always loved. Using it in the moisturizer is great. My favorite of these four would have to be the moisturizer followed closely by the leave-in conditioner.

These products are vegan, sulfate free, cruelty free, synthetic fragrance free, paraben free, petroleum free, phthalate free, silicone free, gluten free, won't clog your pores, 100% biodegradable, and made right here in the United States.

Check them out and don’t forget to leave me a comment about what you think. Acure provides products for your face, body, lips, and hair. I like the fact their website organizes the products by your skin type as well. If you want to find an online retailer, they have several listed or you can purchase directly from their website. You can also check them out on Twitter and Facebook.

Turketarians Unite Butterball party via House Party

Tonight was a huge success! Why? I hosted my very first House Party. It was from Butterball and all about Turketarians Uniting!

They sent a huge party pack filled with reusable bags, coupons,

magnet sets,

footballs, a recipe book, a turkey hat,

an apron, cards about the new app Butterball has, a timer that is magnetic so I can hang it on the refrigerator, a Frisbee, plates, cups, and even napkins.

And then of course there was the $40 gift card to buy Butterball products to prepare for my guests.

We planned everything out to maximize the fun and food experiences.

I used the reusable bags as goodie bags to put all the things for my guests in. My husband wore the apron and hat while cooking,

until the kids came and wanted to wear the hat (Mr. Gobbles). There are some amazing recipes both in the book and the app. I downloaded the app, which if you haven't checked it out - you should! You can pick recipes, save them, then it will create a shopping list for you so you know what to get next time you go to the store. I LOVE it!

The night before the party, we set up everything. We bought a blue table cloth and some yellow and blue streamers.

I printed out some of the Butterball logos and the Turketarians Unite logo to hang and post around as well.

The day of the party, we cooked everything we had made a menu for: spaghetti with turkey

(my meatballs came out poorly since I can't make meatballs to save my life), turkey bacon covered nachos

 turkey tacos

(one of the favorites), and cheesy turkey and rice casserole

(tied for first place with the tacos in the favorites).

Snacks for those waiting were crackers stacked with either deep fried deli turkey slices or garlic and herb chicken slices and cheese.

We had two families come with kids everywhere.

Everyone ate to their fullness and had a wonderful time.

We discussed recipes, tastes and surprise at some of the products they didn't know existed from Butterball.

When everyone was ready to head home (well after the planned 2 hours),

I handed out goodie bags to the adults and the footballs to the kids.

The food was great. The bacon looks strange but tastes pretty good still. The turkey breast cooks juicier than the chicken and tastes so good. Ground turkey is nothing new here. We actually prefer using it since it isn't as greasy as beef.

Don't forget to leave me a comment on what you think as I love to hear from you! Thanks for reading.