Snackle Box
Ok, moms….does anyone else feel like all your kids do is snack? It’s constant right?! And I totally get it, I am actually a huge snacker throughout the day so this is something I can get behind. But finding snacks that are fun and healthy without too much work can be challenging.
Enter the Snackle Box! I must thank whoever decided to make smart snacking fun- it was a huge hit in my house with all 3 kiddos. The portions were just the right size, I mixed it up with sweet, salty and fruits for this one and the color order made it seem educational too!
Remember those boxes that you stored your friendship bracelet supplies in? That’s all you need and the rest is filling it up! This is great for when you’ve got long weekends of sports tournaments, dance competitions or road trips. My kids went through this in no time and the crazy part is the fruit was the first to go!
Happy Snacking!
Better Nutter Butters
I few weeks ago I found myself down a really long rabbit hole of learning about how so many of our foods are filled with toxic chemicals and added sugars. I’ve always tried to be conscious of what’s in our pantry but I was shocked to see so many of the foods I deemed “healthy” really aren’t the best choices. And it all starts with reading the labels. I know, I know….No one wants to be that person in the grocery aisles reading each and every label but I promise if you do your homework, you won’t be disappointed.
Let’s talk nut butters. I’ll use peanut butter here but this applies to any nut butter. We are a family that loves peanut butter(so thankful that we do not have allergies to this one) but not all are created equal. We see ones that say “all natural” or “organic” and while organic is always the better option, read the ingredients. It should say “Peanuts”(maybe salt) but if you see sugar listed as an ingredient, put it right back. You do not need or want any added sugars in your peanut butter.
Here are some excellent choices:
Love this brand! No added sugars, no need to stir and comes in tons of yummy flavors!
These super yummy nut butters are made by a local mom who was looking for healthier options for her kids. So so good! And if you can find what you’re looking for, create it!
Love Thrive Market for those who don’t live in an area with easy to access healthy snacks. There is a monthly fee but totally worth it because you can’t beat their prices.
If Almond Butter is more your speed, you can’t go wrong with these! Awesome flavors, awesome ingredients.
So the moral of the story is to steer clear of added sugars in your nut butters(or nut butter substitutes). They aren’t necessary and will only cause a crash in your energy after consuming, not what you want from a protein source.
Stay tuned for some fun PB recipes coming!
Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken
I’ll be honest….slow cooker meals are not my favorite. I’m usually not in the mood to prep dinner early in the AM and I find that many recipes in the slow cooker are filled with heavy creams, sauces and lacking nutrients.
But with a few swaps and an addition of veggies I put together the yummiest Sesame Chicken and it only takes 4 hours so I didn’t have to prep first thing in the morning. Warning-it’s a filling dish so a little goes a long way!
September 30 Day Self Challenge
September is always a strange time of year….summer starts to drift off, school starts a new year and parents start to find a new sense of routine. And after the firsts few days of motivation wear off, you become a professional taxi driver for your kids and forgot to take time for yourself.
But, what if……you didn’t let it happen this school year? This September let’s hold each other accountable and let’s lift each other up. I’ve got you!! xoxo
Body Scrub Bars
I’m always trying to find ways to reuse and recycle things in my home. And I am a sucker for anything that leaves my body feeling and smelling great.
And these coffee scrub bars are just that! They are made with Cacao Butter, Dried Coffee Grounds and Almond oil(but you can substitute with lavender oil).
You can use these on your face and body for the perfect moisturizing exfoliant!
Cacao Butter- provides a great source of moisture for you skin Coffee- is a wonderful exfoliant plus the caffeine helps to wake up your skin Almond Oil- is rich in Vitamin E and can also help repair fine lines and wrinkles
NJ Family Fun
As a mom with 3 little ones, I’m always looking for family friendly places to explore. Three years ago we moved to Central New Jersey(yes, that exists) and Flemington, NJ is one of the hidden gems I never knew existed. It is charming town filled with Victorian Homes, art and culture. Make sure to hit it up on a Saturday to check out all the fun activities.
Start your day out with a fresh cup of coffee and a yummy pastry at Fuel Factory Coffee before heading next door to the Stangl Factory Farmers Market. This Farmer’s Market has so many fresh produce, farm fresh food, fresh flowers and so much more. I love coming here(and so do my kiddos). Plus, the space is really cool to explore. It’s located in the historical Stangl Pottery building.
When you’re done exploring the market, hop on the Black River & Western Railroad for a fun adventure on a steam train and check out the the Civil War Era Station and Museum. The railroad also does some fun holiday events for Halloween, Christmas and Easter so definitely a fun time to check it out. Or rent out an entire car for a party!
Lunch time! So many fun options for lunch. If you’re feeling a little fancy, I would definitely check out Teaberry’s Tea Room. But I also recommend checking out Mi Sabor or Viva Mexico(both are great dinner options as well).
Then we shop! If you know me, you know I love to find unique places to shop and Flemington has so really great ones. As a ballerina with two little ballerinas at home, I can not resist stopping at It’s A Dance Thing. And then, we’ve got Sage and 39 Mine for some great women’s clothing & accessories. But my most favorite is The Corner, where you can find some great houseware and gift items.
After a long day of fun, everyone is probably a little pooped and hangry. We love Chimney Rock Inn for a quick pizza and cocktails. If you’re more into a BYOB check out Matt’s Red Rooster or Dolce.
And once you’re done with dinner you can walk around Main Street for the Vintage Car show where you can get face painting, balloons and listen to live music. BUT….do not leave without visiting Humdoo Ice Cream! I could do an entire post on Humdoo but let’s just say that the owner is amazing(plus she takes barre with me) and the ice cream is out of this world!!
This is just a few of the amazing things that you can find in Flemington, NJ. There is so much more that this town offers with parks, events, farms and more. Here are a few more places to check out:
Chirp Workshop-we’re doing my daughter’s birthday here(there will be a post on that) but she offers the cutest camps and workshops
Northlandz- If you’ve got kiddos who love trains this is the place to check out!
Old York Cellars- Not quite Flemington but worth checking out! They often have family friendly entertainment and you can’t go wrong with local wine!
Doyle’s Farm- We LOVE it here. You can come hang with the animals, get a full farm tour and leave with farm fresh eggs.
Round Valley- Looking for nature? This is the place to be! There’s a lake to swim in, trails to hike…you can BBQ, camp and more in this lovely park.
Now….when you decide to visit Flemington make sure you come stop by my house too!!
,
Ladies Who Lunch
A few weeks ago, I was coming from work to pick up the kiddos and take them to the park. They had the perfect lunch bags packed with their lunches, snacks and water to satisfy them for the afternoon. I spent so much time making sure they were all set, that I completely forgot to pack for myself.
This wasn’t the first time it happened and I’ll usually wind up grabbing a protein shake that is way too overpriced or snacking on whatever they didn’t eat(goldfish and chicken nuggets). So, I decided that for the next park trip I would be fully prepared for myself and the kiddos. They had their lunch bags packed and so did I….in a dinosaur lunch back with a unicorn bento box. Ok, it was time to step it up and pack lunch like an adult.
Smoothies on the Go- I’m a huge fan of smoothies and protein shakes right after I workout or teach a class. But my bank account isn’t always as big of a fan. Check out these portable blenders at 3 different price points to fit your budget:
$This comes in 4 different colors and is charged by USB
$$Check out how cute this one is! Best part is that you can blend while charging and the cups are dishwasher safe
$$$ With a name like The Beast Blender, this is definitely for the avid smoothie maker and my overall favorite choice. The price tag is hefty but still saves money in the long run.
Salad Bowl- I am in love with this salad bowl! It is vacuum sealed and has a compartment for condiments or dressing. Comes in gorgeous colors and is dishwasher safe!
Soup Container- This 16oz stainless steel container comes in the same pretty colors as the salad bowl. You can keep soup or chili warm for up to 7 hours. Perfect for the winter months!
Hydration Station- There are two types of water drinkers….the one who needs reminders and the one who is strict with water but needs the perfect temperature. For those who need that H2O accountability THIS one is for you. If you need to keep your water chilled throughout the day, check out this ONE
Food Storage- these are great for cut up fruits/veggies or quick snacks on the go. I love that they come in multiple sizes and the lids are adorable!
Bento Box - These compact, easy to pack bento boxes are not only adorable but super practical! The colors are perfect and the kiddos love them just as much as I do!
Lunch Bags- I have two favorites in no particular order except for which style you like best. The VonNova is a great unisex option plus it comes with a spork(who doesn’t love a spork). If you prefer an over the shoulder option, check out the TuErCao
Air Fryer French Toast
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If I could eat breakfast food for every meal, I absolutely would and thankfully my family is fully on board with this one! French toast is always crowd pleaser but sometimes sooo messy to make and getting the perfect crip can be tough.
Enter….the Air Fryer French Toast! This was so easy, no drippy egg mess and came out with the perfect consistency…..we are now adding this to our family favorites.
Life’s A Beach
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I grew up in a small beach town. Every summer morning I’d hop on my bike with a backpack filled with sunscreen & towel and ride to the beach to meet up with friends. Life was great, life was easy, life was fun.
Life is still great, life is still fun, life is just a little more busy these days. Beach days with kids are now filled with travel time, planning and lots of extra packing.
I’ve somehow figured out how to pack for a full day at the beach with three little ones and not my car stuffed looking like we are moving cross country.
SPF- I am always on the hunt for the perfect sunscreen(aren’t we all?). I absolutely love Think and Supergoop. Both are water & sweat resistant, SPF 50 and free of harsh chemicals.
Beach Umbrella- While I am a huge fan of the canopy below, not all beaches allow them. This umbrella comes in the cutest styles but also protects from harmful UVA with built in 50SPF
Beach Canopy- Gone are the days where you spend 30 minutes securing an umbrella only to realize that it’s at the wrong angle and the wind is going to blow it away. I love this one for great shade, easy set up and beach naps!
Sand Blanket- Yes towels are great but when these is great for a little less sand in your pants and makes for the perfect beach nap.
Beach Carts- Whether you choose a wagon or a cart, there is no better way to haul everything onto the sand than using one of these!
Insulated Bag- This is a must have to keep food and drinks chilled. So much lighter than a bulky plastic cooler and convenient to store when not using. And don’t forget an ice pack!
Sand Mitt- Where were this when I was a kid? This is a genius invention that all parents need to have at the beach. Takes the sand right off before heading into the car.
I’m still on the hunt for the perfect beach chair but since I spend the entire time at the beach filling up buckets of water, it will be a looong time before I actually get to sit down.
Vegan Chocolate Chunk Cookies
There’s nothing like some good old fashion cookies and milk! While I’m all about a good dessert, I also like to find ways to turn something good into something even better.
Enter these Vegan Chocolate Chunk Cookies! Usually when I make something with healthier ingredients, my kids turn their noses up. BUT….they ate these and approved. Plus the dough is completely edible so if you’re not patient enough to wait for them to bake, you can dig right in!
The monkfruit and coconut palm sugar add the perfect sweetness while also providing a low glycemic index and the nutritional properties of the fruits. Coconut oil provides an excellent source of healthy fats and great flavor. And I don’t think anyone can disagree that you can never go wrong with a chocolate and salt combo!
Ingredients:
2 Cups All Purpose Flour (can be substituted with Gluten Free Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
A generous amount of Vegan Chocolate Chunk(1-2cups)- These are my fav!
1/2 Cup Monkfruit Sugar
1/2 Cup Coconut Palm Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
1/4 Cup Water
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Fleur De Sel (or any Flaky Sea Salt)
Directions:
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Gently add the chocolate and mix to combine
Combine the sugar along with oil, water and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Whisk until completely combined, about 2 minutes.
Combine the dry mixture to the wet mixture and still with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until no flour is visible. Be careful not to over mix.
Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 6-12 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out dough to form large mounds on cookie sheet and sprinkle with Fleur de Sel. I was able to fit about 6 per sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges appear golden.
Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
If there are any leftovers…you can store them in an airtight container for up to one week.
Healthy Home
Disclosure: This blog is reader-supported. I may earn commision through qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Every product that I recommend is something that I have used myself and all opinions expressed are my own.
I’ve always tried to maintain a healthy lifestyle for myself and my family. We talk about keeping our bodies strong and healthy by eating yummy foods and staying active. But a few years ago, I realized that my home was not 100% healthy.
I started looking around my kitchen and noticed that I had products that were filled with toxic chemicals harmful to my family as well as the planet. I started first by eliminating harsh cleaning products and replacing with natural cleaners many of which I started making at home. From there I began to replace old plastic cups/plates and bowls with items made from glass, bamboo, ceramic and aluminum. Then is was time to through out the plastic wrap and paper towels and I found some really great reusable substitutes.
It took a little time, a little research and some trial and error but here are some of my favorite updated, healthy kitchen updates.
Dutch Oven Bread
One of the first things I learned to make from scratch was bread. There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread no matter what time of day or season. I’ve used traditional methods, bread makers but this Dutch Oven Bread is by far my favorite(and so easy)!
There are also some benefits to homemade bread: no added preservatives, no added sugar and you know exactly what’s in it, how it’s being made and where it’s being made.
Ingredients:
3 Cups Flour(Unbleached All-Purpose or Bread Flour is ideal)
2 tsp Active Dry Yeast
1 1/2 tsp Salt(I recommend Sea Salt or Pink Himalayan)
1 1/2 Cups Warm Water (may need more depending on consistency)
Oil (I like to use olive oil for extra flavor)
Instructions:
Combine Yeast and Warm Water in a bowl fitted for a stand mixer. Let sit for approx. 5 minutes until yeast begins to bubble
Add Flour and Salt and begin to mix with the dough hook on low until combined. If the dough is looking flaky, slowly add a little water at a time until the dough becomes sticky.
Liberally oil the dutch oven with oil and roll the dough so it is evenly coated and in a ball
Cover with lid and let dough rise at room temperature(up to 24 hours)
Preheat oven to 450. If the dough is looking flaky then add a bit of oil, flour and reshape the ball
Keep covered and bake for 30 minutes
Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until golden brown
Let cool on baking rack before slicing. Can be stored in airtight wrapping up to one week or freeze up to 3 months.
Fresh Start Summer
As we welcome a new season there’s pressure to live up to photo ops, check off all the bucket list items and prove your summer was the best ever.
But…..what if you’re best summer ever didn’t need perfect pictures and fancy vacations. Maybe your perfect summer consists of slowing down all the extra stuff and really loving yourself. Here are a few tips and ideas to make it your best summer without feeling overwhelmed
Get your body moving in a way that makes you feel good. This could be a walk with friends, a gentle stretch or an outdoor family bike ride.
Soak up Vitamin D. Studies show that Vitamin D is essential to our overall well being and helping to boost your mood. Don’t forget your SPF!
Learn to say no. Summer can be filled with constant plans and expectations leaving you exhausted. It’s ok to just say no when you need a break.
Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit. This is my summer motto and I’m sharing it because it’s so necessary right now.
Here’s to an awesome summer and a fabulous YOU!