Food Fun Family

Keto-Friendly Recipes – Delicious Dishes Recipe Party #148

Lolli — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:01:24 +0000

We just had our second snow day in a row.

Our kitchen has been in the middle of a massive remodel for the last 2+ weeks. That includes not having a sink or a dishwasher to wash dishes in for that amount of time.

Our cars have been giving us problems and so we’ve been shuffling who gets to have a car while the others are either in the shop or waiting to be fixed.

I’m ready for a vacation.

Since I can’t take a vacation this month (or even cook myself some comfort food), I’ll settle for dreaming about really yummy food.

It’s inspiring to see so many low-carb, healthy recipes in our recent link up parties. It’s the perfect time of year to share some of our favorites!

*****

Welcome to Delicious Dishes Recipe Party! In case you’re new to the party, here’s what you need to know:

Delicious Dishes is a weekly link party where bloggers can share their most delicious recipes while checking out the amazing recipes that other bloggers are sharing.

Each link you share here will be seen on each of the hostess’ blogs listed below >>

Food Fun Family – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

She Saved – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Walking on Sunshine Recipes – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

This Mama Loves – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Clever Housewife – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Bunny’s Warm Oven –Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Each week we will be featuring our favorite recipes from the week before and pinning them to our Delicious Dishes Pinterest board.

We hope you’ll have fun with our party…we know we will!

The Recipes with the Most Clicks Last Week Were…

#1: Homemade Chicken Soup from Walking on Sunshine Recipes

#2: Slow Cooker Cocktail Wieners from Cincy Shopper

#3: Copycat Lipton Onion Soup Mix from Coupons and Freebies Mom

Delicious Dishes Party Favorites from Last Week:

These are the recipes that the hosts loved the most…

I loved Low Carb Air Fried Buffalo Cauliflower from Low Carb Delish

Lois loved Inside Out Pork Egg Roll Bowls from Flipped Out Food

Brett loved Zucchini Pizza Bites from Wonder Mom Wannabe

Keri Lyn loved Keto Flatbread Pizza from April GoLightly

Emily loved Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad from 5 Minutes for Mom

Mary loved Blueberry and Bacon Grain Bowl from She Saved

Follow us along on our Pinterest board. We pin a ton of recipes that are shared to our linky party each week. So get your recipes ready. We can’t wait to see what’s cooking in your kitchen this week.

Now let’s get this party started!

LINKY

An InLinkz Link-up

Diet-friendly Recipes – Delicious Dishes Recipe Party #147

Lolli — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 12:01:24 +0000

Happy New Year! 2018 was kind of rough for me, but I’m optimistic and excited about starting 2019. How are you feeling about the new year?

I’m not really one to make New Year’s Resolutions, but I’ve been concentrating more the last month on what I eat. Since this is a time of year when many of us try to revamp our recipes and our eating habits, we thought it would be fitting to share some of our favorite diet-friendly recipes from our recent parties. ALL of these good-for-you dishes look amazing!

Each link you share here will be seen on each of the hostess’ blogs listed below >>

Food Fun Family – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

She Saved – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Walking on Sunshine Recipes – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

This Mama Loves – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Clever Housewife – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Bunny’s Warm Oven –Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Each week we will be featuring our favorite recipes from the week before and pinning them to our Delicious Dishes Pinterest board.

We hope you’ll have fun with our party…we know we will!

The Recipes with the Most Clicks Last Week Were…

#1: Chocolate Cashew Clusters from Ann’s Entitled Life

#2: Peanut Butter Fudge from Living on Cloud Nine

#3: Mini Spinach Quiche from Walking on Sunshine Recipes

Delicious Dishes Party Favorites from Last Week:

These are the recipes that the hosts loved the most…

I loved Keto Cuban Picadillo from Fit to Serve Group

Lois loved Healthier Spaghetti Dinner from Dizzy Busy and Hungry

Brett loved Low Carb Chicken Broccoli Casserole from Wonder Mom Wannabe

Keri Lyn loved Bell Pepper Chicken Salad from Low Carb Delish

Emily loved Toasted Zucchini Ravioli from The Kittchen

Mary loved Easy Gluten Free Vegan Matzo Ball Soup from Strength and Sunshine

Now let’s get this party started!

An InLinkz Link-up

Three Things I Learned About Weight Loss from Jenny Craig

Lolli — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 01:54:35 +0000

Thank you Jenny Craig for sponsoring this post. — Get serious about losing weight with Jenny Craig!

Earlier this month, I wrote about my commitment to making a change for this new year. As I launch a new business this month – a business that requires me to get in front of the camera much more than I have ever done before – I am not only more conscious of the way I look.

But more importantly, I feel better about myself than I have in a long time, and that confidence is motivating me to take better care of myself, not only for how I look in pictures, but also for the way that I physically feel.

I was shocked that I dropped four pounds in two weeks on Jenny Craig – I felt great about it!

Jenny Craig members can expect to lose an average of 1-2 pounds per week, which is a healthy range of weight loss.

**Results not typical. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs. per week. I received promotional consideration.

Note: ALL of the foods pictured in this post are Jenny Craig meals, with “on-plan” veggies and fruits added by me. These are tasty meals!

I learned so much during my two weeks on Jenny Craig, but here are three things that stood out to me the most…

3 things I learned about weight loss from Jenny Craig

Be conscious of WHY you eat. So many of our eating habits are just that – HABITS. My Jenny Craig consultant helped me to identify some of the habits I had – almost all of which revolved around emotional eating. She taught me to give myself a chance to be satisfied. Eat the good things – like a big salad or a serving of veggies at dinner along with the meal – and recognize when I’ve had enough to feel full. I was in the bad habit of eating a bigger serving than I needed to, mostly because I craved that emotional response to food versus the actual physical need for food.

Maybe you eat because you’re uninformed – you’ve never been taught any better. Or you eat socially (I am certainly a victim of social OVEReating sometimes!). Other people may eat unconsciously, like the person who snacks at her desk all day.

When you’re able to recognize WHY you’re eating (or over-eating, or eating the wrong sorts of things) then it’s so much easier to change other habits that allow you to better control those bad eating habits.

Portions matter! I learned that I was not eating enough at breakfast, which caused me to get hungrier sooner, and I was eating more than I needed to at dinner. With Jenny Craig, I got pre-portioned, prepared meals and snacks that spread my eating out perfectly throughout the day. I loved that I was “allowed (ie, encouraged!) to eat snacks in between meals (from Jenny Craig) as well as allowed “unlimited free foods” from a list on the back of each weekly menu.

Those free foods include non-starchy vegetables, sugar free sweets like gum or sugar substitutes, a bunch of condiments, and several drink choices, too. I never felt like I was starving because I always had plenty to eat…I was just eating different things (ie, more veggies and less pasta and meat!).

When I’m off Jenny Craig, I can still stay on target with my dieting goals by applying the principles I learned to eat smaller portions of meats, grains, starchy vegetables, etc, and increasing my intake of the good vegetables.

I need support and hand-holding. I do better with a diet that is spelled out for me. I’ve tried counting calories and recording everything I eat on an app. I’ve tried low carb/high protein. And I’ve found that I don’t do well when I’m left on my own too much. Because I’m an emotional eater, I tend to get easily discouraged and make excuses for “cheating” on my diet. I found it very difficult to lose weight that way!

With Jenny Craig, not only did I have a menu that was already chosen for me, but I had a coach that was there to cheer me on, motivate me, and provide a TON of insight into how I could personally succeed. I loved having my meals laid out for me because it took the guess work away completely. That is exactly what I need!

With Jenny Craig, members develop a healthy relationship with food, build an active lifestyle and create a more balanced approach to living. They understand and overcome the internal/external challenges to healthy eating, identify enjoyable ways to move more, learn positive coping strategies and reframe their beliefs and attitudes to better support their weight management goals.

Have you tried Jenny Craig to lose weight? If so, what did you like most about it? If not, what appeals to you about the program?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Light and Healthy Recipes for the New Year – Delicious Dishes

Lolli — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 12:00:04 +0000

Hi guys! It’s a full week into the New Year and I’m so excited for all that 2017 has in store. You may have seen my hints on social media that I’ll be launching my brand new LuLaRoe business (I would LOVE to have you join my VIP group. While I don’t have inventory yet, I’m going to be holding a few giveaways while I wait for my official call. Join me here!).

As the rest of the Delicious Dishes hosts and I were chatting about this week’s host favorites, we thought it would be perfect timing to feature some amazing light and healthy dishes for all of us trying to eat a little better in the New Year.

Since I’ve been stepping up my game when it comes to making better food choices, I’ve been adding salads like this one to lunch and dinner. It’s filling and delicious and so good for you!

Each link you share here will be seen on each of the hostess’ blogs listed below >>

Food Fun Family – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

She Saved – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Walking on Sunshine Recipes – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

5 Minutes for Mom – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

This Mama Loves – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Clever Housewife – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Bunny’s Warm Oven –Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Cooking in Stilettos – Blog / Facebook / Pinterest

Each week we will be featuring our favorite recipes from the week before and pinning them to our Delicious Dishes Pinterest board.

We hope you’ll have fun with our party…we know we will!

The Recipes with the Most Clicks Last Week Were…

#1: Onion Patties from Totally the Bomb

#2: Homemade Shortbread Crust and TOP TEN RECIPES from Cooking with K

#3: Crouton Crusted Parmesan Chicken Recipe from A Mom’s Take

Delicious Dishes Party Favorites from Last Week:

These are the recipes that the hosts loved the most…

I loved Mexi-Chicken and Lentil Rice Bowl from Eat Move Make

Lois loved Strawberry Bruschetta Side Salad Recipe from April GoLightly

Brett loved Apple Caprese Salad from Hey Fitzy

Susan loved Classic Asian Salad from April GoLightly

Aly loved Healthy Loaded Sweet Potatoes from Chef Next Door

Keri Lyn loved Green Wake Me Up Smoothie from Hip Mama’s Place

Emily loved Weight Watchers Tortellini Soup from This Mama Loves

Mary loved Curry Chicken and Apple Salad from Just 2 Sisters

Follow us along on our NEW Pinterest board. We pin all your amazing recipes!

Now let’s get this party started!

An InLinkz Link-up

HelloFresh Meal Kit Delivery

Lolli — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 12:00:31 +0000

I was recently sent a HelloFresh meal kit for my family of six so that I could test out the service in exchange for writing an honest review. All thoughts are my own. Be sure to grab the HelloFresh Coupon code at the bottom to save $35 off your first box!

What is HelloFresh?

HelloFresh is a meal-kit delivery service that provides delicious, easy-to-make meals each week. The concept is fairly simple. HelloFresh ships you fresh ingredients, perfectly portioned for your family, along with detailed recipes with color photos. You can choose between 2-person meal kits and 4-person meal kits. We chose one 4-person and one 2-person kit for our family so we had plenty to feed our six hungry tummies.

If you need anything else for the recipe (ie, very common ingredients like salt and pepper or Extra virgin olive oil) they’ll let you know right at the top of the recipe. Otherwise, the HelloFresh box really does have everything you need to make a delicious meal.

Here are a couple things that stood out to me about HelloFresh:

You choose the day and time to have your meal kit delivered to you…and shipping is free of charge
You can specify dietary preferences, such as vegetarian, low-calorie, etc. and HelloFresh will show you recipes that fit your preferences
Chose from Classic, Veggie or Family Plans and see the upcoming recipes to chose from on their website
HelloFresh chefs work alongside a dietician to create 10 new recipes each week
Ingredients are sources from independent producers and are always fresh and high-quality
You can pause delivery or cancel your account at any time – there’s no long-term commitment. You have until 5 days before your next scheduled delivery to cancel
Because HelloFresh ingredients are delivered in separate packets, if there’s something you don’t like or are allergic to, it’s easy to leave them out without “ruining” the meal

Our HelloFresh Delivery

We tried the following meals:

Thai Beef Skewers aka Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce, Broccoli, and Jasmine Rice
Spanish-Style Spaghetti with Shrimp and Chorizo
Butter-Basted Chicken with with Peppery Potato Mash and Crispy Carrots

Opening the boxes – for me – was more exciting than opening Christmas presents. I was thrilled to not only have a fridge full of good, fresh food, but a menu plan of exactly what I would cook for the week. There’s nothing worse than having no idea what’s for dinner! I absolutely loved that HelloFresh took care of my two least favorite things about cooking: shopping for ingredients and making a menu plan.

The boxes were packaged extremely well. Everything was nice and cold when it got to my house. I was especially impressed that each meal had its own smaller box within the main delivery box so that I knew what ingredients and portions went with which recipes.

When it came time to cook each of the recipes, I found the recipes very easy to follow. I was impressed that they were all done, from start to on-the-table, in about 30 minutes.

Another thing I LOVED was that I’m able to keep the recipes and make the meals again and again.

The meal that got the most praise from the whole family was the butter-basted chicken. I cook chicken quite a bit, but I’ve never cooked it quite like that. The kids loved the chicken (who doesn’t love meat that’s been basted in butter?!) and I fell in love with the carrots. They were so simple but so, so tasty, and I’ll be roasting them like that again!

Not only is HelloFresh a great service to use when you know you’re going to have a busy week ahead (it’s so much cheaper than eating out, and you know exactly what’s in the food, too!), but it would also make a perfect gift. I would recommend HelloFresh as an awesome gift for new parents, for a family that’s just getting settled in a new house, or simply as a “thinking of you” gift.

When would you use HelloFresh? Check out their upcoming recipes and let me know which recipe you can’t wait to try!

Ready to try HelloFresh? I’ve got a HelloFresh Coupon code for you! Use code FOODFUNFAMILY35 to get $35 off of your first box!

6 Tips for Sticking with Your Healthy Eating Goals During the Holidays

Lolli — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 21:45:34 +0000

Eating healthy can be hard around the holidays, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. I am the first one to admit that eating healthy can be that last thing I want to do (especially when there are holiday cookies and other treats sitting around the house!). However, I think it’s possible to have the best of both worlds during the holidays. Here are a few tips to stick to your healthy eating goals during the holidays.

Note: Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.

Create a Healthy Menu

When it comes down to it, I do so much better when I make a menu plan for the holidays. I like to keep a little journal for meal planning; it makes my life easier. I am also more likely to stick to the menu plan when I write it out.

Accountability is Key

Eating healthy is sometimes the last thing I want to do, which is why I have an accountability partner. We text each other what we have eaten that day and share with each other different healthy eating goals. Having someone to share success and failures with is super important, especially when trying to eat healthy over the holidays.

Don’t Get Down on Yourself

A lot of people carry guilt around with them when they don’t eat healthy around the holidays. All I can say about this is move on and eat a healthy meal next time around. Just because you eat one unhealthy meal doesn’t mean you should keep eating unhealthy!

Keep it Simple

I can tell you one way to stick with your healthy eating goals during the holidays is to keep it simple. You do not need to make elaborate meals to eat healthy. A simple salad or a protein and vegetable with do. Surprise yourself this holiday season and keep eating healthy simple!

Watch How Much You Eat

You can still overeat when you are eating healthy. This holiday season, try not to overeat…even if it is good-for-you food. Make yourself a small plate instead of overflowing it with food. You can also eat more fruits and veggies to fill yourself up.

Try to Stick to Whole Foods

I can tell you that eating things that are low fat and low calorie won’t sustain you this holiday season, and you’ll end up feeling hungry again faster (and be more likely to grab a quick snack). Stick to items that are considered whole foods. They are much better for your body and will help you stay fuller longer.

What tips do you have for someone who needs to stick to their healthy eating goals this holiday season?

5 Smart Snacking Tips for Moms #FindYourHealthy

Lolli — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:30:19 +0000

Disclosure: I’m proud to partner with CVS Pharmacy on this post for the CVS healthy foods line. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.

The kids are approaching their one-month mark since the new school year started. It’s hard to believe that the time has passed so quickly. I still feel like we’re adjusting to the new school year, but I suppose that the fact that I was traveling out of state for 2 full weeks out of the last month has made it even harder for me to get used to the new schedule.

There are a few things that have hit me even harder the last few weeks. Whether I’m on the road or sitting behind my desk all day, finding (and then choosing!) good-for-me snacks is a constant struggle. When I’m at home by myself OR on a plane with hundreds of fellow travelers, I will inevitably get hungry – or just get the munchies, which is often even worse! I realized that I need to prepare myself ahead of time so that I’m equipped to make the best decisions and stay within my healthy-eating goals.

5 Easy Smart Snacking Tips for Moms

Here are a few tips that have helped me snack smart, whether I’m at home or on the go:

Remember: it’s ok to eat snacks between meals. In fact, it can be a good thing! Snacking on the “right” foods in between meals can help curb hunger so that you don’t over-eat at meal time. Just remember not to over-do it or eat empty calories that lead to eating too much. Check labels and go for more snacks that are low on sugar and high in protein for snacks that will stick with you longer.

Drink water. I have a tumbler full of water next to my desk at all times. And if I’m on the road, then I carry a water bottle. When I fill up on water (which has a ton of additional benefits, of course!) then I am less likely to want to snack all day.

Plan ahead. This tip applies both for snacking at home and when you’re away. Stock up on healthy snacks that will give you an energy boost (ie, fresh fruits and veggies, a handful of nuts, a Larabar, or a Greek yogurt). You can only eat what you have on hand. Keep plenty of guilt-free snacks ready so that when hunger strikes, you’ve got good options. I love that CVS has a ton of healthier options at check out so that I can grab a KIND bar instead of a candy bar when I’m shopping.

Eat mindfully. Rather than keeping a bag of chips next to my desk while I work (which I know will disappear without me even realizing I’ve eaten the whole thing!) it helps me to dish out reasonable serving sizes when I want a snack. It’s so easy to mindlessly pop a candy or a chip or nut in my mouth as I work, but eating that way can get out of control really quickly. I’m all about proportions and planning and knowing what and when I’m going to eat.

Find better-for-you snacks that satisfy your sweet tooth. I’ve got a pretty strong sweet tooth, so if I don’t watch myself carefully, I could graze on candies and sweet stuff all day long. I’ve discovered that a small handful of roasted cashews satisfies my cravings for candy, but since they are salty they also satisfy my cravings for salty foods. Another favorite is frozen grapes, which taste as good and as sweet as candy!

Here are just a few ways that CVS is helping me meet my healthier snacking goals:

Adding more healthy foods: You can find more than 250 refrigerated and non-perishable healthy foods and beverages at CVS Pharmacy stores from brands including: Amy’s Kitchen, Annie’s Homegrown, Chobani, Vita CoCo, Bai, Krave Jerky, Rhythm Superfoods, That’s it bars as well as new products from the CVS Pharmacy exclusive line, Gold Emblem abound which is free from artificial preservatives, flavors and colors.
Moving healthy foods forward: Not only are CVS stores stocking a wide assortment of healthy foods (with more coming all the time), displays of healthy foods and grab-and-go snacks are being displayed more prominently, making it even more convenient to find healthy options. That includes roughly 25% of the front check out space being dedicated to better-for-you snacks like KIND bars, Larabars and Vega One bars.
Healthy eating trend zones: It will be easy to spot foods that meet your dietary preferences including paleo, raw and vegan as more and more diet-friendly products are added and displayed clearly in the store.
Fit Choices tagging program: CVS’s Fit Choices shelf tagging program makes finding healthier items in store so much easier by clearly identifying foods that fit nutritional and dietary preferences including: Good Source of Protein, Heart Healthy, Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. It’s so helpful to scan products for my personal preferences.

Be sure to check out your local CVS Pharmacy to see the healthy snack options that are available, or visit CVS.com for ideas that will make snacking more healthy and more delicious all year long. Follow hashtags #CVS and #FindYourHealthy and @CVS_Extra (Twitter) and @CVSPharmacy (Instagram) for even more healthy eating ideas!

And don’t forget to check out my post last month about packing a healthier school lunch!

Healthy Meal Tips – From Kids. For Kids. #RealFoodRocks

Lolli — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:21:33 +0000

As a mom of five kids, I remember spending hours cooking for my family and teaching my kids to make healthy food choices. There were some days when I felt like I was talking to deaf ears, but I’m finally in a place where I can see the fruits (and vegetables) of my efforts. Now that my kids are getting older, they are often the ones encouraging me to eat healthier. How awesome is that? I’m excited to share these healthy eating tips (from the kids and for the kids) in partnership with Ruby Rockets and Trekaroo. All thoughts and opinions are my own…and my kids’.

A love for eating wholesome food and veggies is something I tried to instill in my children from the beginning, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Now that they are old enough to make their own healthy eating choices, it is awesome for ME to get encouragement from them. Yes, my 13-year-old likes to remind us to lay off the soda. My 15-year-old likes to encourage us to not eat fast food. I figured that it would be fun to turn to the kids to see what tips they had for moms with younger kids. These are their tips on preparing kids’ healthy snacks and meals and setting healthy food habits at home.

Trying different foods rocks

I think this is especially true as kids get older. My kids would tell you that they LOVE trying new foods now. Yes, even the kids that turned their noses up at new veggies. All of those hours of encouraging my kids to eat new foods paid off. Now my kids are the ones encouraging ME to try new foods! My oldest daughter keeps telling me that I should try sushi, but I’m not quite there yet.

Meal prep will save your sanity

Okay, this is one of my favorite tips – from our family to yours. Meal prepping has been a true sanity saver for the entire family. There is one day a week that we do a lot of our meal prepping. During the busy summer, it has been so helpful to go home and just pull some meals out of the freezer or fridge. Cutting up fruits and veggies at the start of the week is a true time saver and helps keep the whole family on track with eating healthy. Snack prep is just as important.

Let the kids help

This is a tip straight from my kids because they LOVE helping me cook in the kitchen. It’s amazing to me how great my kids have become at cooking. At first, I was nervous about them helping in the kitchen, but now I welcome it. What better way to encourage healthy eating than to let the kids help? Once they started helping out more regularly, they quickly realized that they loved using fresh, real ingredients and that homemade tastes better than processed.

Eat healthy on the go, too

My kids and I have talked a ton about eating healthy on the go. We may not always be able to sit down at the table to eat, but that doesn’t mean we need to settle for an unhealthy alternative. Although we splurge and eat fast food from time to time, we try to stick to a pretty healthy diet. My kids have to remind me to skip the fast food from time to time because I LOVE eating out! I never thought they’d be the ones telling ME that it would be better to eat at home versus grabbing a pizza.

Have healthy snacks available

One of our biggest pitfalls is snacking at home and packing wholesome snacks for school lunches. It’s so easy to rely on convenience foods, but convenience often means that you’re sacrificing somewhere else. We have created snack stations so that it’s easy to grab a good-for-you choice when hunger strikes. We have one in the pantry with granolas and nuts and crackers, and one in the fridge/freezer with perishable snacks like ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables, and frozen fruit and veggie pops from Ruby Rockets. When someone feels like snacking, it’s easy to grab a healthy choice.

I’m totally hooked on Ruby Rockets’ Non-Dairy Yogurt Alternative. They’re a portable snack made from fruits, veggies, creamed coconut, chia seeds, and pea protein with no added sugar. They’re also gluten free, vegan, and kosher, and don’t need refrigeration…but most importantly, they taste amazing. I know they’re probably meant for the kids, but I’ve been sneaking them for my mid-day snack and after-dinner no-guilt sweet treat. The kids love having popsicles in the freezer that are so good for them that I always give them a thumbs up to grab a cool snack (did I mention that the fruit and veggie pops are also non-dairy, gluten-free, no added sugar, AND they have probiotics?).

Healthy meal ideas my kids love

Now that you know some healthy meal tips from our family, I wanted to share some of our favorite meal ideas. We like to keep meals pretty simple, using common ingredients that we almost always have in stock. Check out some of these healthy meal picks that you’ll see our family eating on a regular basis:

Tex-Mex Sausage Quinoa
Tomato Basil Soup
Homemade chicken pot pie (an all-time favorite and so much better than the microwave variety!)
Black eyed peas and sausage
Chicken tortilla soup

Enter the Ruby Rockets Giveaway!

Visit Trekaroo for a chance to win a $300 Thrive Market gift card + Ruby Rockets products (1 grand prize) or a $100 Thrive Market gift card + Ruby Rockets products (2 runner up prizes). Good luck!

Connect with Ruby Rockets:

Website
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RubysRockets
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RubysRockets/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RubysRockets

Ruby’s Naturals, Inc., parent company to Ruby Rockets, makes delicious, healthy, non-dairy fruit & veggie snacks for the whole family. We’ve been creating organic, non-GMO, real food with no added sugar, since 2013. Whether it’s a refreshing non-dairy fruit and veggie ice pop enjoyed best on a hot summer day, or a kid-friendly, non-dairy yogurt alternative convenient for on-the-go occasions, Ruby’s Naturals, Inc. is committed to serving nutritious, yummy snacks that the whole family can enjoy.

No-Cook Overnight Berry Protein Oatmeal

Lolli — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 21:02:22 +0000

I’ve never been a fan of cereal, but I’ve also never been one to skip breakfast. I need something in the morning that is going to stick with me for several hours…and not take me all morning to cook. I recently discovered the magic of overnight oats (they really are magical!) made even better with Bolthouse Farms® protein drinks.

You guys are not going to believe how simple this oatmeal is to make OR how delicious it is to eat. I am totally hooked and can’t wait to try a variety of combinations. Just imagine: Bolthouse Farms Coconut Protein PLUS with shredded coconut and fresh berries. Yum!

But I’m getting ahead of myself here.

I’ve long been a fan of Bolthouse Farms beverages – their super-premium refrigerated juices, smoothies, protein shakes and cafe beverages are perfect for days when I need a boost, I want to get a few servings of fruits and veggies on the go, or when I’m just in the mood to drink something delicious.

Did you know that Bolthouse Farms has got a wide selection of drinks that are gluten free, have no added preservatives, no artificial flavors, and no high fructose corn syrup? I LIKE that!

Bolthouse Farms has 6 NEW juice, smoothie and protein drinks, including:

Mango Pineapple Colada
Berries and Green Veggies
Raspberry Blood Orange
Protein PLUS: Banana Honey Almond Butter
Protein PLUS: Coconut
Protein PLUS: Strawberry

It’s so hard to pick a favorite when they all taste so amazing, but I have to say that I’m pretty partial to the Mango Pineapple Colada as a delicious AND healthier mid-day snack.

No-Cook Overnight Berry Protein Oatmeal

Ready to see how easy it is to make this no-cook overnight berry protein oatmeal?

4.0 from 1 reviews

No-Cook Overnight Strawberry Protein Oatmeal

Author: Lolli

Serves: 1

Ingredients

½ cup dry oats
½ cup Bolthouse Farms Strawberry Protein PLUS
1 Tbls vanilla protein powder
1 tsp chia seeds
Berries, optional
8 oz wide mouth mason jar

Instructions

Add oats to mason jar. Stir in chia seeds and protein powder. Add berries (I used a frozen blueberries, but blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries would be delicious too!)
Slowly pour ½ cup Bolthouse Farms Strawberry Protein PLUS on top and stir (I needed to stir the mixture a few times between pouring to make "room" for the smoothie).
Place the lid on the jar and place in the refrigerator overnight.
The next morning, you can eat it cold, right out of the jar or heat it up in the microwave (just remember to remove the lid first!).

Not only does this no-cook oatmeal taste delicious, but it fills your belly so you’re not hungry again in 20 minutes. I love that! And because it’s in a convenient mason jar, it’s easy to grab and go – perfect for those mornings when you don’t have time to sit down for breakfast before the morning rush begins. Bonus: since one serving of oatmeal only uses a half cup of the strawberry smoothie, you can drink the rest for your mid-morning snack!

Here are some quick visual directions:

Add oats to a wide mouth mason jar

Add chia seeds

Add vanilla protein powder

Stir!

Top with your favorite berries

Pour Blothouse Farms Strawberry Protein PLUS on top and let it soak overnight

Enter to WIN a Bolthouse Farms Prize Package

One lucky winner will receive 1 [one] box of Bolthouse Farms beverages (valued at $40!). This giveaway ends June 30, after which Bolthouse Farms will choose a winner at random and notify them via email for prize redemption. Please note the following…and good luck!

Age 18+
US resident only
Only one winner per household

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

How to Grocery Shop to Avoid Processed Foods

Lolli — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 19:34:42 +0000

When you want to start eating healthier, but you don’t want to eat a specific diet, or avoid eating all of the foods that you love… You also don’t want to spend much more than you already do on groceries, what do you do? One relatively easy answer is to avoid processed foods.

There are all sorts of “diets” out there, and frankly the word “diet” has become a very misunderstood and misused word. A diet includes everything that you consume. It’s not a specific eating style, but rather it’s made up of every element of the foods we eat, from breads to drinks to cookies. It’s your very own diet. So when I say “diet” I really mean your eating style, not a restrictive calorie-counting program.

Another term being used here is “unprocessed” food. This does not mean you have to eat only raw and organic foods or anything of that nature (although it’s great if you do!). It simply means that you are trying to avoid additives, preservatives, and ingredients that are not good for you in the first place.

So let’s get to the point here; how do you grocery shop to eat more healthy and avoid processed foods?

How to Grocery Shop to Avoid Processed Foods

There are a few simple ideas to get you started;

1. Shop mainly the outside edges of the store, not within the aisles (the edges of the store are where you find the produce, dairy, and butcher – fresh foods versus boxed and canned foods).

2. Check the label of everything that you buy. If you wouldn’t cook at home with an ingredient listed on a food, then don’t buy it.

Those two rules will get you buying healthier items in no time!

Let’s talk specifics:

Fruits and veggies are unlimited! You can buy and eat as many as you would like! Of course organic is best, but we all know that isn’t always possible. Replace boxed and bagged snacks with fruits and veggies and you are well on your way!
Meats should be monitored. Aim to eat 3 meals a week with meat, and the rest of the days have meatless meals. You would be surprised how much money this saves you. When shopping for meat, don’t go for the cheapest option. Check to see if nitrates and nitrites are used, as these are no-no ingredients used in many meats. Grass-fed organic is the best choice, but again, this isn’t always possible. Many stores carry at least grass fed meats at an affordable price. That organic label can get pricey.
Dairy is okay! And guess what? Whole milk and products made with it are your best option! Yes, you read that right! Whole milk, not 2%, 1% or skim, but WHOLE milk. Some people get scared when you say this thinking that it makes you gain weight, but the key is everything else that you eat and your portions. Portions are key when you want to eat healthy.
Breads and cereals can get tricky. There are not many good options for bread, and making your own is easy, but that can sometimes take a lot of time that we don’t all have. Look for a bread that’s first ingredient is whole wheat flour, not enriched white, or enriched wheat, or anything enriched for that matter. Whole wheat is where it’s at! Look for the black and yellow whole wheat certification on it as well. The same goes for cereal; avoid additives and dyes. Things like cheerios and shredded wheat (without the frosting!) are decent choices for cereal.

Next time that you go grocery shopping, start looking at your labels to see what you are really eating. You might to be surprised to discover what’s in your favorite foods!