Best Sweet Treats for Vegans

December 11, 2020

Being a vegan can be a little limiting when it comes to mealtime, but usually, there are some particularly good and tasty options that vegans can eat and enjoy, especially now that more restaurants are offering larger vegan menus and that supermarkets are stocking more vegan products. However, one meal is still significantly damaged by the absence of animal produce and dairy, and that is dessert.

This is because things such as cakes and pastries and tarts usually contain some form of dairy, be that in butter or in cream. Furthermore, many sweets and candies are off-limits due to them containing gelatin which comes from an animal. This can often lead to vegans having to concede and eat either a fruit salad, which is healthy and still nice or if they’re lucky, an assortment of sorbet.

To help make dessert time more exciting, here’s a look at some of the awesome treats that vegans or people who are lactose intolerant can enjoy thanks to them not containing dairy or any other animal produce.

Vegan Chocolates

Chocolate is perhaps one of the most longed for treats for vegans, but with the wide array of delicious vegan chocolate out there, they no longer have to miss out. Vegan chocolates are made with a dairy substitute, most commonly coconut milk due to how it has a similar consistency to cream that is typically used.

Thankfully, there are vegan chocolates out there that are made with other means, incorporating dates and peanut butter to create delicious vegan options. Not only is vegan chocolate tasty, but you can also enjoy them without feeling as guilty, as they’re far healthier too making them the perfect vegan treat.

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

For those that love the chew and crunchy combinations of a well-made cookie, then this is perhaps one of the best vegan cookie options out there that you can make at home. These cookies have a brilliant nutty flavor while also crumbling perfectly as you bite as all good cookies should.

To make the batter for the cookies, all you need is natural, smooth peanut butter, flaxseed to bind everything, brown and cane sugar, softened coconut oil, vanilla and salt to make the flavor pop. You simply mix these all together to create a dough and then lay them out on a baking tray to bake. It’s super easy and super delicious; these cookies are destined to be a staple in your vegan diet.

Vegan Brownies

There are not many better culinary experiences than biting into a warm and chewy brownie, and thankfully for vegans, they can still have this experience with a simple modification of the classic brownie recipe.

Instead of using dairy chocolate, you can always get vegan options to use in your brownies, but they also work great with dates and cashew butter. To replace the dairy needed, you can also use almond milk in this mix, to create a nutty and fruity flavor that anyone will adore.

3 Tips For Feeding Your Family Healthy Foods Without Breaking Your Budget

September 9, 2018

3 Tips For Feeding Your Family Healthy Foods Without Breaking Your Budget

While many people want to feed themselves and their families healthy food, they also are worried about how picking up this type of lifestyle will impact their monthly grocery budget. If you’re struggling to make ends meet as it as, you might feel like you simply can’t afford to buy healthy food. Sadly, this misconception is something that far too many people believe. In reality, you can eat healthy food while also sticking to a tight food budget. To show you how you can do this, here are three tips for feeding your family healthy foods without breaking your budget.

Make A Plan

The most important step in eat healthy on a budget is creating a plan. Without a plan, it’s far too easy for you to exceed the amount of money you’re wanting to spend or end of choosing foods that are more about convenience than health. According to Adda Bjarnadottir, a contributor to Healthline.com, you should create plans for both your meals and your grocery shopping forays. Try to plan you meals based on healthy foods you might already have or on sales that you’re seen. And before you head to the store, commit to sticking to the list of foods and other products that you need solely for those healthy meals that you’ve already planned.

Buy More Fruits and Vegetables

Some of the healthiest foods that you can choose to feed your family come from the produce section. It’s amazing how many people don’t get the amount of fruits and vegetables that they need for healthy, strong bodies. And luckily for most people, fruits and veggies tend to be relatively inexpensive. According to Heather Levin, a contributor to Money Crashers, you should try to get whole, raw fruits and vegetables rather than anything that’s been pre-cut or pre-washed if you’re looking to save money. But if you’re having a hard time eating all the produce you buy, know that frozen produce is just as healthy as the fresh stuff and can last a lot longer for you.

Visit Farmers’ Markets At The Right Time Of Day

Another great place where you can find some healthy, locally-grown foods is at a farmers’ market. However, many people find that these prices don’t really work well for them when they’re trying to stick to a budget or save money on grocery costs. One way around this, according to Kelli Foster, a contributor to TheKitchn.com, is to pick the right time of day to go to the farmers’ market. At the end of the day, sellers are much more willing to negotiate down their prices so they can sell as much of their product as possible. Knowing this, try to go to the farmers’ market about an hour before closing to get the best deals.

To help you save money while eating good, healthy food, consider using the tips mentioned above to next time you’re wanting to go shopping for quality food.

Jenna is a freelance writer from Renton, WA who is particularly interested in travel, nature, and parenting. Follow her on Twitter.

Family Well-being: Healthy Eating For Diabetes

August 11, 2017

Whether you have an older family member with diabetes, a child with Type 1 diabetes, or younger pre-diabetic individuals living in your house, managing this serious condition requires a healthy lifestyle. Add in the fact that when one individual has the condition, others are likely at risk, and it’s important for families to make healthy eating for Diabetes a joint endeavor.

Family Well-being: Healthy Eating For Diabetes

Name: Zesty Quinoa Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups Quinoa (Cooked); 2 cups Fresh Spinach Chopped and packed; 1/4 cup packed finely chopped parsley leaves; 1 can Garbanzo Beans; 1/3 cup Cranberries; 1/3 cup Feta Cheese; salt (to taste); Freshly Cracked Pepper (to taste ); 1/2 Lemon (Juice); 1/4 Cup olive oil; 1 tsp Balsamic Vinegar

But how do you feed your entire family in a way that’s both healthy and appealing? Is taking the moral high ground – that eating this way is necessary – enough? You don’t’ want to fracture the family table since eating together bonds a family, but you don’t want every meal to be a battle. When making dietary changes and implementing healthy eating for diabetes purposes this is a life style change.

The fact is, we all get entrenched in certain ways of eating and children, in particular, are resistant to change, especially when change means vegetables instead of French fries. So you’re going to need taste on your side if you want to make health eating sustainable. Luckily, by embracing creative cooking, you can feed your family right – and they’ll never even realize it.

Build A Better Breakfast

Breakfast forms the foundation for the day but it can be one of the hardest meals to make healthy because so many common breakfast are simple sugar bombs. Whether it’s sugary cereal, a bagel, or fruit juice, a normal breakfast will spike a diabetic’s blood sugar and cause unhealthy insulin spikes, even in family members who don’t have diabetes. We need to rethink this morning meal.

One ideal healthy breakfast option is a veggie and sausage frittata with low-fat cheese. You can make this even healthier by swapping out some of the yolks for egg whites and packing it with vegetables. The protein in this meal will slow sugar absorption and keep your family feeling full. Plus, the cheese and sausage will distract the kids from the vegetables in this tasty breakfast.

Focus On Flavor

With the right accents, you can make meals appealing to even the pickiest eaters, even if the food in question is green vegetables. This lemon-broccoli salad, for example, downplays the broccoli flavor by flavoring the dish with soy and ginger. Sure, it’s not mac and cheese, but the flavors are exciting on the palate – plus broccoli contains high levels of magnesium that can increase insulin sensitivity and help control diabetes.

Swap Our Carbs

Carbohydrates are a serious problem for diabetics, but they form the backbone of many family meals. Kids love pasta, potatoes, bread, sugar – all things that can cause trouble for those trying to control their blood sugar. An evolving family menu needs to find ways to account for these carbs.

Two foods you can use to replace common carbs in your family meals are cauliflower and quinoa. Cauliflower can be readily processed to look like rice and kids often can’t tell the difference since we eat with our eyes first. In fact, cauliflower has become such a popular carb replacement that many mainstream stores sell cauliflower “rice” dishes and cauliflower pizza crust.

As for quinoa, many people think this South American pseudo-grain is a carb, but quinoa is actually rich in protein. Toss it into a zesty salad for added texture or top it with nutritionally rich kale pesto for a side dish that can be eaten hot or cold. You won’t miss rice or pasta at all when using quinoa in your side dishes.

Season Smarter

Finally, when it comes to handling the main proteins in your meal, families handling diabetes need to season their dishes smarter. Most store-bought marinades are packed with salt and sugar but making your own marinade is very simple. You can make a healthy, flavorful marinade using low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, and vinegar. Such a marinade will imbue your protein with flavor but skip over the added calories, salt, and sugar.

Healthy Eating for Diabetes

Managing diabetes can bring serious changes in the family, but it doesn’t have to disrupt meal times. It all starts with opening the door to flavor and learning what you can do without. What was rice really bringing to the table that cauliflower or quinoa can’t? Why use a sugary store-bought barbecue sauce when a simple marinade packs just as much punch? No one will miss the old meals when they’re so busy enjoying these new dishes.

Jenna is a freelance writer from Renton, WA who is particularly interested in travel, nature, and parenting. Follow her on Twitter.

Zesty Quinoa Salad

July 16, 2017

There is nothing as refreshing as a Zesty Quinoa Salad for lunch. This recipe is super easy to make, and of course, the flavors are going to pop! You’ll love having a healthier meal with flavor you love.

Zesty Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is a new favorite grain. With the high protein and gluten-free option more readily available in stores, it is time you check out new recipes. The combination of beans, quinoa, cranberries, and feta makes this a great flavorful option you and your family will enjoy.

Ingredients for Zesty Quinoa Salad

2 Cups of cooked quinoa
2 Cup of chopped fresh spinach, packed
1/4 packed Cup of finely chopped parsley leaves,
1 can of garbanzo beans
1/3 Cup of cranberries
1/3 Cup of feta cheese
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 Clove Garlic, Minced
1 Teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar

Directions for Zesty Quinoa Salad

To make the dressing, whisk together the juice of half a lemon, 1/4 Cup olive oil, 1 fat clove of garlic minced, salt and pepper. Add 1 tsp of balsamic vinegar (optional).

In a bowl, take all the ingredients, season with salt and freshly cracked pepper and add a generous drizzle of the dressing.

Mix to combine.

Let it hang out in the fridge for about 30 minutes – this will allow the flavors to mingle and develop. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Serving suggestions for Zesty Quinoa Salad:

Serve up this easy to make zesty quinoa salad alongside your favorite grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete meal. If you are looking for a vegetarian dish, then it can be served alone or with a side of roasted vegetables. Basic white quinoa is the most popular, but you may choose red or black if you prefer. Mix and match, or test out a different kind each time. It’s such a versatile vessel for your favorite vegetables!

Make this delicious zesty quinoa salad as a perfect side or lunch for your family. The great flavors and easy to follow recipe will make it a favorite for your meal plan this summer or anytime of year. Makes a terrific light dinner as well.

More Great Recipes:

How to Make Couscous Vegetable Bowl

Chicken and Barley Salad

Creamy Rosemary Mushroom Toast

Zesty Quinoa Salad

Make our Zesty Quinoa Salad as a delicious option to spice up your lunch menu! High protein and gluten-free, this is a favorite meal!

Course

Lunch, Main Course, Main Dish, Salad, Side Dish

Prep Time

5-10 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Servings

servings

Ingredients

2 cups Quinoa Cooked
2 cups Fresh Spinach Chopped and packed
1/4 cup packed finely chopped parsley leaves
1 can Garbanzo Beans
1/3 cup Cranberries
1/3 cup Feta Cheese
salt to taste
Freshly Cracked Pepper to taste
1/2 Lemon Juice
1/4 Cup olive oil
1 tsp Balsamic Vinegar

Course

Lunch, Main Course, Main Dish, Salad, Side Dish

Prep Time

5-10 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Servings

servings

Ingredients

2 cups Quinoa Cooked
2 cups Fresh Spinach Chopped and packed
1/4 cup packed finely chopped parsley leaves
1 can Garbanzo Beans
1/3 cup Cranberries
1/3 cup Feta Cheese
salt to taste
Freshly Cracked Pepper to taste
1/2 Lemon Juice
1/4 Cup olive oil
1 tsp Balsamic Vinegar

Instructions

To make the dressing, whisk together the juice of half a lemon, 1/4 Cup olive oil, 1 fat clove of garlic minced, salt and pepper. Add 1 tsp of balsamic vinegar (optional).
In a bowl, take all the ingredients, season with salt and freshly cracked pepper and add a generous drizzle of the dressing.
Mix to combine.
Let it hang out in the fridge for about 30 minutes - this will allow the flavors to mingle and develop. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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Safe Sizzling, Steaming and Stewing: Using the Healthiest Cookware for Your Family

March 14, 2017

There is so much to think about when it comes to healthy eating for our family. Another thing to keep in mind is how we cook our food. With so many different options and some causing health concerns it’s important to know what’s out there. Keeping these safety issues in mind it’s vital to find the Healthiest Cookware for Your Family.

Safe Sizzling, Steaming and Stewing: Using the Healthiest Cookware for Your Family

There is a greater awareness and enthusiasm towards healthy eating these days and it is not just the ingredients that can make a difference to you and your family.

Here is a look at how to choose and use the healthiest and safest cookware when preparing dishes for everyone to enjoy. There is an overview of the issues that continue to raise questions about non-stick technology, plus a look at the cookware alternatives and their pros and cons.

Why you might want to say no to non-stick

Technology made a big impact in the kitchen some time ago when non-stick pans were hailed as the cookware of choice for anyone who wanted to avoid the nightmare of scrubbing their pans after they had finished preparing your meal.

In an age of convenience, non-stick technology seemed to be the best solution and a real no-brainer for anyone who wanted the minimum of fuss when cleaning up after cooking a great family meal.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and unfortunately, extensive research has now managed to suggest that non-stick surfaces could actually turn out to be hazardous to your health.

Non-stick cookware first found its way into our kitchens back in the early 1960’s, when there was little in the way of meaningful safety regulations surrounding the approval of cookware being sold to consumers.

It subsequently appears to be the case that toxic vapors and poisonous substances have been identified as clear and present dangers for anyone using non-stick cookware.

The major manufacturers of non-stick cookware products continue to dispute the findings but the fact that the EPA have handed out some substantial fines in relation to withholding information on the adverse health effects of PFOA might be reminded of an appropriate saying, that there is no smoke without fire.

Healthy alternatives

You might want to make your own mind up regarding the non-stick debate and official findings, but in the meantime, it would make sense to consider some healthy cookware alternatives that don’t come with a health warning.

There are some questions to answer when it comes to some other mainstream cookware materials.

Copper

A lot of high-end cookware ranges feature copper as a suitable choice, and as it is an excellent conductor of heat and helps to maintain an even temperature throughout the cooking process, you can see why it is popular.

There are, however, some safety concerns attached to cooking with copper and overexposure to this metal has been associated with adverse respiratory issues.

Stainless steel

Cookware made of stainless steel tends to tick a lot of boxes as it is not generally reactive with most foods and the fact that the pans are unlikely to stain or dent is a bonus too.

It should be said that stainless steel is not regarded as the best conductor of heat and the main problem with this material is that any damage to the cooking surface will increase the prospect of metals permeating into your food.

You always replace stainless steel cookware when it becomes damaged, but in view of the fact that it is not the best material for conducting heat, you might want to try to find an alternative that offers these qualities and doesn’t come with any known health risks.

Set in stone

When you work your way through all the options you may well end up with Safe Stone Frying Pans as a healthy first choice for your cookware.

One of the main plus points to consider with stone cookware is that it is a chemically stable product, so you don’t have those same question marks surrounding how it might infiltrate your food, like non-stick products, or aluminum, and copper alternatives.

You will want to know that the cookware you have chosen is going to be a safe as possible to use, but you will also want to be assured that the product performs to a high standard when cooking with it.

Stoneware cookware holds heat well and is able to distribute it evenly, which means that it should help you to cook food efficiently as well as safely. It is also worth mentioning that stoneware is known for its durability, although nothing is bomb-proof and it can crack if you set it down on a really hot surface, or drop it.

You would be unlucky if that was to happen as these products are designed to withstand the highest levels of heat your oven can produce, so it is a type of cookware that is more likely to be passed down rather than thrown out.

These options provide plenty of food for thought and when you are deciding which cookware to buy, think of the health aspects as well as cooking performance.

What have you found to be the healthiest cookware for your family? Is there a favorite type of pots or pans you like to use?

Chicken And Bacon Lettuce Cups with Balsamic Glaze

February 6, 2017

Chicken And Bacon go together perfectly. There are almost no two ingredients that fit so beautifully as these do, and that is why these Chicken And Bacon Lettuce Cups with Balsamic Glaze are so truly delicious! This is a simple recipe that can be thrown together in minutes, and of course, leaves everyone satisfied.

Chicken And Bacon Lettuce Cups with Balsamic Glaze

I love the idea of cooking things in batches ahead of time to save time on prep. Both chicken and bacon are great for cooking in large batches. You can season the chicken basically with salt, pepper, and a bit of garlic and roast off in your oven or Crockpot. You can fry up bacon in large batches, or even bake it in batches. All you have to do after that is portion out into bite sized pieces and freeze or store in containers in your refrigerator for meals like this throughout the week.

Now that you know one of my secrets to making this easier to manage, grab the simple ingredients and assemble this chicken and bacon lettuce cups recipe!

Putting Our Chicken and Bacon Lettuce Cups Together

I mix the marinade ingredients – soy sauce, balsamic and honey and set aside since this is the easiest .. oh yeah and the yummiest!

Season chicken with salt and pepper to your liking, pour the marinade all over the chicken and make sure it’s well saturating. Sprinkle dried basil. Marinate for 2 hours or more. The longer the better of course.

You’ll be placing the ingredients in steps into a skillet. First starting off by cooking the bacon to a crunch without adding any oil. Let it cool then crumble. Have I ever told you how much I love bacon 🙂 YUM!!!!!!

In your skillet, you can use bacon oil or replace with olive oil, sauté garlic. Before garlic turns brown, add in marinated chicken pieces. Cook chicken on all sides then set aside. Take out garlic if you like. My family is big on garlic so I leave the pieces for extra flavor.

Now you’ll toss in carrots and french beans. Sauté for 20 seconds, you want them to have a crispness so be careful not to over cook. Set these aside.

Using the same pan (see this is a one skillet meal), add soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and honey. Bring to a boil then add dissolved flour. Stir until thick in low heat, this is your glaze.

Are you ready to arrange your Chicken and Bacon Lettuce Cups? Here we go…. Lay properly washed lettuce on a chopping board or platter. Add in chicken, bacon, carrots, french beans, chopped walnuts then drizzle with balsamic glaze. That’s it….

Healthy Chicken And Bacon Lettuce Cup

This chicken and bacon lettuce cups recipe is a great idea for making your family a delicious meal that is healthier and full of great vegetables and healthy protein. You’ll love the flavors of a healthier meal, and you’ll be happy to see everyone in your family grabbing plates of this with no complaints.

Make sure to check out our other great recipes below to add more fun items like these chicken and bacon lettuce cups to your menu plan. Print this recipe for later!

More Chicken Recipes:

Chicken And Bacon Lettuce Cups with Balsamic Glaze

Chicken & Bacon Lettuce Cups are so much fun to make and even better to fill with tasty food! Your family will love when you make these! Check out our tips!

Course

Appetizer, Lunch, Main Course, Main Dish, Main Dish, Appetizer, Snack, Snack

Prep Time

15 Minutes

Cook Time

20-25 Minutes

Passive Time

2 Hours Marinade

Servings

Lettuce Cups

Ingredients

1 Chicken Breast Filet
3-4 Slices bacon
2 Cloves garlic Minced
1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp Honey
1/4 tsp Basil dried
10 pcs Walnuts Chopped
1 small carrot sliced
10 pcs French Beans Cut same length as carrots
3-4 pcs Lettuce size you prefer for cups
1/2 tsp All Purpose Flour dissolved in 1 tbsp water
salt and ground black pepper to taste
olive oil for frying

Marinade

1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp Honey

Course

Appetizer, Lunch, Main Course, Main Dish, Main Dish, Appetizer, Snack, Snack

Prep Time

15 Minutes

Cook Time

20-25 Minutes

Passive Time

2 Hours Marinade

Servings

Lettuce Cups

Ingredients

1 Chicken Breast Filet
3-4 Slices bacon
2 Cloves garlic Minced
1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp Honey
1/4 tsp Basil dried
10 pcs Walnuts Chopped
1 small carrot sliced
10 pcs French Beans Cut same length as carrots
3-4 pcs Lettuce size you prefer for cups
1/2 tsp All Purpose Flour dissolved in 1 tbsp water
salt and ground black pepper to taste
olive oil for frying

Marinade

1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp Honey

Instructions

Mix marinade ingredients - soy sauce, balsamic and honey.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Pour the marinade. Sprinkle dried basil. Marinate for 2 hours or more.
In a skillet, cook bacon to a crunch without adding any oil. Let it cool then crumble.
In the same skillet, you can use bacon oil or replace with olive oil, sauté garlic. Before garlic turns brown, add in marinated chicken pieces. Cook chicken on all sides then set aside. Take out garlic if you like.
In the same pan, toss in carrots and french beans. Sauté for 20 seconds. Set aside.
In the same pan, add soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and honey. Bring to a boil then add dissolved flour. Stir until thick in low heat.
Now let’s arrange. Lay properly washed lettuce on a chopping board or platter. Add in chicken, bacon, carrots, french beans, chopped walnuts then drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Recipe Notes

Enjoy... you can swap out different things to make these lettuce cups perfect for you and your family!

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Tips For Feeding Your Family Healthy Breakfasts

February 6, 2017

Healthy eating is important, even if not everyone is doing it Feeding Your Family Healthy Breakfasts is vital. A healthy diet promotes heart health, lung health, skin health, brain health, and health from head to toe.

Tips For Feeding Your Family Healthy Breakfasts

While not a cure-all for all diseases, what you eat can make a huge difference in how susceptible you are to some illnesses and a healthy diet is even believed to help cure people of some illnesses.

Eating the right foods can help promote the energy you have throughout the day, it can help you get the right amount of sleep at night, and it can help you maintain a healthy weight so that you don’t shorten your lifespan with obesity. Yes, obesity does lessen your lifespan. So, why not learn to eat healthier because it’s never too late to try.

Give Them Grains

You and your entire family need to be eating whole grains. These foods give you fiber, which helps to regulate your body functions. While not something pleasant to talk about, a healthy poop each day is important.

You can make eating grains fun, and they make a great breakfast food. Try oats for breakfast, but make it a healthy combination that includes fruit. Ancient grains, like quinoa and amaranth, have increased in popularity since wheat has gotten a bad rap these days. Try these in soups, salads, or with vegetables and meat as a main course.

Pick Better Meats

Speaking of meat, it’s important to teach your family about the benefits of eating meat. Plenty of people live fine without meat, but if you or your children plan to go on a vegetarian or Vegan diet they need to know what vitamins and minerals they could be missing and supplement with other great protein alternatives. Meat supplies iron, vitamin K2, and protein, which are all important to the body these nutrients can be found in other food resources.

If you’re in a family of meat eaters you want to make sure that everyone knows how to make choices for healthier cuts and types of meat. White meat is always the healthiest choice, but red meat is healthy in moderation and if you’re picking less fatty cuts and grass fed beef.

Fruit Is Always A Great Option

If you teach your kids to pick fruit over other sweet snacks, you will be ensuring they make healthier choices when it comes to snacking. Junk food is either full of too much sodium or too much sugar. Natural sugars in fruits is a much healthier sweet alternative than the refined sugar in a candy bar.

Fruit isn’t the only snack option, though. Air popped popcorn is a great choice for anyone that wants something a little more crunchy, just avoid all that butter and use a small amount of sea salt rather than table salt.

What steps do you take to feeding your family healthy breakfasts? What is your favorite breakfast foods?

Jenna is a freelance writer from Renton, WA who is particularly interested in travel, nature, and parenting. Follow her on Twitter.

Three Simple Ways To Optimize Your Health

January 16, 2017

Are you trying to exercise and eat well? Are you wanting to find Simple Ways to Optimize Your Health? There is no better time than now. It’s never to late to create healthier living choices.

Three Simple Ways To Optimize Your Health

If you’re like most people, you want to look and feel your best at all times. While there are several ways you can accomplish this objective, you may find the following three strategies particularly effective in your quest for healthier lifestyle.

Optimize Your Private Living Space

One great way to ensure that you can enhance your health is by optimizing your private living space. This approach is incredibly empowering because when your residential property is aesthetically appealing or somehow comforting, your sense of well-being can be heightened. Luckily, there are millions and millions of things you can do to optimize your home. One of them is by beautifying your property with colorful flowers. If you’re looking for a florist Sydney representative to help you realize this goal, the professionals of Florist with Flowers can assist you.

Start Exercising

In addition to optimizing your private living space, make sure that you begin exercising consistently. This strategy is immensely empowering because it helps decrease your susceptibility to a wide range of debilitating diseases, some of which include obesity and heart disease. There are hundreds of exercises you can engage in to start leading a more active lifestyle. Some of them include:

basketball
weight-lifting
football
cycling
hockey
pilates
tae-bo

Ideally, you want to remain actively involved in physical activity for at least 30 minutes 5-7 days a week.

Eat Well

If you’re serious about optimizing your level of physical and mental well-being, make sure that you get serious about eating the right foods. As many health coaches and nutritionists know, eating well can boost your immunity, fight obesity, promote mood stability, and enhance your ability to think clearly and critically. There are numerous strategies you can implement to get on the road to eating well. One of them is hiring a professional dietitian who will devise and consistently optimize a detailed meal plan filled with nutritious, delicious food items.

Another great way to get on the road to eating well is keeping a food journal which details everything you consume on a daily basis. By carefully reviewing the information in the journal, you’ll be able to determine which changes need to be made so that you can get in all of the nutrients that will contribute to your vitality.

Don’t delay, you want to Start Optimizing Your Health Today!

There’s nothing like having tons of energy and being in a good mood throughout the day. Each of these realities is a byproduct of great health, and you can attain this type of optimized mental and physical well-being by implementing some or all of the strategies outlined above!

What ways do you suggest to optimize your health? Let us know some tips and tricks you do to stay as healthy as you can.

Superfood Sweet Potato Ideas That Will Rock Your World

November 2, 2016

Looking for some delicious superfood sweet potato ideas? Ounce for ounce, nutritious, delicious sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest veggies you can find anywhere. Whether baked, boiled, fried, shredded raw, or smashed and made into a sweet dessert, sweet potatoes deliver a beneficial blast of vitamin A, B vitamins, potassium and other must-have dietary nutrients. Versatile and filling, sweet potatoes are a perfect complement to the paleolithic diet plan. Enjoy the colorful tubers for everything from appetizers to dessert.

Superfood Sweet Potato Ideas & Origin

Origins of sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes as we know and love them today are actually native to Central and South America, where they’ve been an important staple food for at least 10,000 years, says Live Science magazine. Potatoes, including the sweet variety, were unheard of in Europe before Christopher Columbus brought samples of the sweet tubers back from the New World. Once that happened, it did not take long for Portuguese and Spanish explorers to distribute sweet potatoes to the rest of the known world. By the 16th century, sweet potatoes were grown in Africa, Indonesia and Asia.

Peanut expert George Washington Carver was entirely fascinated by sweet potatoes and devised more than 100 products from them, including adhesive for postage stamps and laundry starch used for stiffening shirt collars. President George Washington is said to have cultivated sweet potatoes during his tenure at Mount Vernon.

Sweet potato appetizers and snacks

Start any autumn meal with a roasted salad made with cubed sweet potatoes, chunked cauliflower, mixed lettuces and tiny red pomegranate seeds. Dressed with a fragrant sherry vinaigrette, this salad is just right for a chilly October night.

Sweet potatoes make fine fries, too. Cut them into strips and deep-fry in hot peanut oil, or brush with olive oil and bake in a hot oven until nicely crisped. If you are following a healthful paleo eating plan, you’ll be pleased to find plenty more tasty sweet potato recipes at Paleohacks.

Sweet potato main dishes

Make a meal even fussy kids will go for when you stuff sweet potatoes with yummy ingredients like bacon, cheese and shrimp. Seasoned with garlic and festooned with red paprika, stuffed sweet potatoes pack a powerful punch of nutrition disguised as a delicious, one-dish dinner.

Vegetarians who are in the mood for a burger but don’t want to devour an animal smash bite-size chunks or sweet potato with steamed spinach, chopped yellow onion, almond meal, flax-seed and spices to create bodacious burgers that are served on a toasted bun with sweet potato fries on the side.

Sweet potato desserts

Everyone knows about sweet potato pie. What you might not know is that sweet potatoes can also feature in fabulous, health-friendly treats like snickerdoodle cookies. Start by sifting flour, salt, baking soda, cream of tartar and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Combine sweet potato puree, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract and granulated cane sugar to form a thick mixture. Add eggs and beat until smooth and creamy. Add dry ingredients gradually. Once blended, chill dough in the refrigerator for a least two hours before forming into one-inch balls, rolling in cinnamon-sugar and baking on parchment paper at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for ten to 12 minutes.

Sweet potatoes can also be used to make mouth-watering muffins that are sure to satisfy your breakfast cravings. Flavored with cloves, nutmeg, allspice and other fragrant spices, sweet potato muffins are nicest when iced with maple frosting.

WebMD calls sweet potatoes one of nature’s best super-foods. Packed with phytonutrients, a sweet potato can be almost anything you want it to be. Dressed up for dinner or pared down for a refreshing raw salad, sweet potatoes deliver more nutrition than a traditional white potato and they do so quite deliciously. Sometimes confused with yams that are from Africa, sweet potatoes naturally convert themselves from starch into sugar as they mature.

For this reason, the colorful tubers offer a sweet tasting bite that can stave off hunger while delighting the tongue. One sweet potato delivers around 140 calories, and none of those calories is from fat. They are, however, relatively high in carbohydrates, but these carbs are complex and easy to digest. Each potato offers calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B and lots of beneficial dietary fiber.

With so many ways to prepare them, it’s easy to ramp up your daily nutrition with a sweet potato every day and never get bored.

Joshua James is an advocate for clean eating and enjoys cooking up meals in his apartment in New York, always ready to try out a new recipe on an unsuspecting guest!

Did you know all of this about the sweet potato? Do you have any superfood sweet potato ideas for us?

Brothers All Natural “Disney Frozen” Fruit Crisps Giveaway

September 25, 2015

Do you know some kiddos that love fruist crisps? I sure do.

welcome to the Brothers All Natural “Disney Frozen” Fruit Crisps Giveaway, where 1 lucky winner will win a 40 pack of these awesome fruit crisps.

This giveaway is open to US residents and will be closing on October 8th, 2015.

Good luck to all and have a blast 🙂

Brothers All Natural “Disney Frozen” Fruit Crisps Giveaway

Someone used their magical powers to freeze dry these apples and turn them from regular, ordinary apples to special, take with you anywhere, eat anytime apples! Ready for building a snowman, playing dress up, or building your very own ice castle, these are the perfect snack for the princess on the move!

Don’t hide these special snacks away – share them with everyone you love. Let go of all the added sugars and hard-to-pronounce ingredients in other snacks. Coming in packages with 40 bags, there’s always enough to share with a little (or big!) sister and new friends you meet on all your adventures!

100% real, sliced Apples with the water gently removed. Freeze-dried Apple Fruit Crisps are a healthy snack for you and your little ones.

A delicious, healthy, and convenient fruit snack

1/3 cup (0.35 g.) bags, 40 bags per case
Real, sliced Fuji Apples with the water gently removed
100% natural, freeze-dried fruit snack
No added sugar, preservatives, or artificial coloring
Allergen free; gluten free, soy free, peanut/tree nut free, vegan, non GMO, and OU Kosher certified

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The bloggers participating in this event have NOT been compensated for this post. Networking Perks provides honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. Networking Perks is NOT responsible for prize fulfillment, Brothers All Natural will be sending the prize directly to the winner. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Twitter, Google, Pinterest, Facebook or any other social media. If you have any questions or would like help in promoting your own product please contact me at Joie@NetworkingPerks.com . The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

NutriBullet 900 Series Giveaway

June 14, 2015

Do you love eating healthy? Making healthy smoothies and drinks? Have you been wanting one of those amazing NutriBullet blender/drink systems?

Welcome to the NutriBullet 900 Series Giveaway, where 1 lucky winner will win the NutriBullet 900 Series Magic Bullets! These are plain and simple just amazing 🙂

This event is open to US residents and will be closing July 12th, 2015.

Good luck to everyone and happy and healthy eating to all! I can’t wait to see which one of you is going to win this awesome NutriBullet!!!!

NutriBullet 900 Series Giveaway

Enter to win the NutriBullet 900 Series Giveaway!

Hosted by Jenns Blah Blah Blog

Let’s get on to the NutriBullet 900 Series Giveaway

Entry -Form

Interested in some great giveaways? Check out my Giveaway Page

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Plastic Bento Lunch Boxes By Sunsella

June 3, 2015

With a large family buying lunches out is not affordable nor is practical. Finding containers to fit our families lifestyle can be quite the challenge. Especially, when it seems everyone in my house likes something different.

*I received the product I am about to review at no charge. All opinions are 100% my honest feelings regarding the product being reviewed. Please read my disclosure policy*****

When I saw the Plastic Bento Lunch Boxes By Sunsella I just knew this was something my family would love and couldn’t wait to give them a try.

From Sunsella:

Healthy and nutritious options are easy for your kids lunches with Buddy Bento Lunch Box!

4 colorful lids that are fantastic for color-coding different lunches for the whole family

Great as a work lunch box – plan and prepare lunch in advance and store in the fridge
for quick and easy, hassle free mornings

One size fits all – Ideal size for Mom, Dad and Kids too! Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup

Buddy Box makes meal planning simple – add variety to your lunches with the
3 compartment design, different food combinations are endless…

No need for multiple different size containers with Sunsella Buddy Bento Lunch Box you can just have
everything in one

Have pre-prepared healthy snacks like fruit slices or vegetable sticks on hand in the fridge
for quick and nutritious options for your children

Stackable design means storing your upcoming lunches in the fridge takes up less room and
when not in use stack together for space-saving storage

BPA, phthalate and lead free materials that have been independently tested to ensure
they meet strict FDA standards so you can be sure Buddy Bento Lunch Box are safe for your family

Our Experience:

I couldn’t wait to get these Plastic Bento Lunch Boxes from Sunsella. Here in Hawaii bento lunches and bento style is something you will find everywhere. “Bento Style” is a Japanese term or way of packing a lunch or meal. It usually will have rice, a vegetable and then your main part of your meal; like fish, meat, poultry or anything you want.

Our package from Sunsella came fast and was packed well without any wasting of materials they are a 4 pack – 4 containers and 4 different colored lids. The Bento Lunch Boxes were actually bigger than I thought. They were even a little deeper than I was expecting. Needless to say, I was excited and knew these would be a perfect addition to our quest to make cutbacks and incorporate and continue with healthy eating.

These Plastic Buddy Boxes are very well made, they are very sturdy and well constructed. The lids fit perfectly and stay on, no matter how much they are tossed around in the kids backpacks or my husband’s cooler. Sunsella does make it perfectly clear that these Bento Lunch Boxes are not leakproof. We had no issues with anything leaking, but since I knew they weren’t leakproof I didn’t put anything like soup in them.

The style of them is exactly what my family likes. Each compartment is the perfect size for any type of lunch or snacks you may want to put in them. The size of these Plastic Bento Lunch Boxes are perfect for my husband’s lunch, our teenagers, tweens and even works great for our toddler.

Our wee one likes putting her little snacks together for the park, beach or water park. I also think with the compartment style lunch boxes they teach the kids (and us adults) the meaning of portion control. We are able to use these Bento Lunch boxes to make a full healthy meal no matter which person is using them in our household.

The colors of the lids are awesome and I will only use BPA products for our family. Sunsella has taken great care to make a lunch box to fit the on the move family while using high quality ingredients. I’m definately getting more with a family of 7 kids these Sunsella Plastic Bento Lunch Boxes will really help us to conserve, reuse and save!!!!

Looking for more well made products for the family check Sunsella out on Facebook and Twiiter.

<br />

Please remember everything I have shared about our experiences are completely our findings, observations and opinions. I truly only share my honest experiences here on Heartbeats~ Soul Stains.

Interested in some great giveaways? Check out my Giveaway Page

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The Fresh N’ Lean Giveaway #FreshNLean

May 18, 2015

Life is all about moderation and in keeping with that we want our food to not only be lean but fresh too!!!!

Welcome to the Fresh N’ Lean Giveaway, 1 lucky winner will receive a total of 8 meals (2 servings each). This is a meal delivery service so the hard work is done for you 🙂

This is event is open to US residents and will be closing on June 2nd, 2015.

Let’s eat fresh N’ Lean and get healthier! Good luck to all!!!

The Fresh N’ Lean Giveaway (Healthy Meal Delivery Service) #FreshNLean

Deliciously Savvy is Hosting a Giveaway For 1 Lucky Winner To Receive 3 Breakfasts and 5 Entrees from Fresh N’ Lean! These are 2 Servings each…. so it is Deliciously Awesome!

Have You Heard of Fresh N’ Lean? Well, they are a delicious Healthy Meal Delivery Service! They provide amazing ready to go meals that are delicious and healthy! They have a Plant Based Vegan/ Organic Diet and the dishes are awesome! I have always loved my veggies…. so this was an easy choice for me! I just saw a TV news show that was broadcasting how Beyonce is a HUGE fan of Plant Based Diets and that is what vegan and organic diets are all about! Enter Today to Try This Delicious and Healthy Meal Service Out For Yourself!

Check out my Review HERE

Sponsored by ~ Fresh N’ Lean

Hosted By ~ Deliciously Savvy

Co-Hosted By:

Michigan Saving and More

My Silly Little Gang

Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains

Mami’s 3 Little Monkeys

PLUS a Big Thank You To All Other Participating Blogs! You Make It Happen ~ Thank You!

1 Lucky Winner Will Receive 3 Breakfasts and 5 Entrees from Fresh N’ Lean! These are 2 Servings Each and Delicious!

And Now The Giveaway!!!

Giveaway Dates ~ 5/18 9AM EST until 6/02 9AM EST

Entrants must be 18 years old to enter and giveaway is open to US residents only.

Any Questions Email Me At mcushing7 (at) hotmail (dot) com.

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated or associated with Facebook,

Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This giveaway is valid only

in the United States. Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter.

This giveaway will end at 9AM (EST) on 6/02/15!

Good Luck! Enter Below

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook!

Exercise, Cutting Back and Picking My Battles

June 10, 2014

Here we are at the beginning of a new week! It’s Summer; even though I live in Hawaii Summertime can still make me get excited. The weather is a bit hotter and we have less rain. What did the week look like for you last week? For me, it was all about Exercise, Cutting Back and Picking My Battles.

Exercise and Cutting Back

Previously I shared the 8 Benefits of Regular Exercise. Not only did I want to discuss how beneficial exercise being incorporated into a routine is, I also wanted a way to get myself motivated. I was using it as a way to put ME on check, kinda like an accountability thing.

So…. How did I do this week? My first week went okay. I went to the gym 2 days, and went walking 1 day. The best day is when I went hiking with my son. I may not have exercise every day but it was 100% more than the previous weeks, so that was an awesome achievement. I do feel my effort could have been better and I really did have the time to do more. I plan to take each week, or sometimes each day and do with it what I can. Even though my effort was low I already see a difference. My energy level has increased, my appetite has decreased (less snacking) and I was finding it very easy to sleep and stay asleep all night. I have woken up feeling more rested.

I also made some dietary changes. I cut back and almost eliminated all liquid calories. Such a small change with an amazing return. I cut back a few hundred calories, which also forced me to increase my water intake. Win/Win!!!!!!

Picking My Battles

Summer for me is all about the kiddos. Having the kids out of school and getting to start some reading adventures and exploring the beauty of our Islands never gets old. I am looking forward to the fun we will have and yet apprehensive about the exhaustion factor and hearing the endless moments of arguing.

The most important factor outside of FUN, FUN, FUN is; reading and keeping up with academics skills. I wholeheartedly believe Summer break needs to have lots of play and downtime. At the same time taking a small chunk of the day to read and keep up with school work is vital.

If you are looking for great summer reads for your children or the little ones you know, a wonderful place to get started is at the Association for Library Services to Children. Here is the link for the Summer Reading List.

Last week was my school aged children’s first week out of school. Boy, did that take some adjustments. It amazes me how much getting use to the whole group being home takes.

I think my toddler and I were on our own routine and we both balked a little about having to change things up. My sweet little toddler sure needed help when it came to shopping trips, she became very stubborn. Looking back I think she really missed having me all to herself. You can read about our Moment of Trouble out shopping here.

What do Summers look like around where you live? Are there certain things you would like to focus on this Summer?

Vegan Chocolates

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

Vegan Brownies

3 Tips For Feeding Your Family Healthy Foods Without Breaking Your Budget

Family Well-being: Healthy Eating For Diabetes

Build A Better Breakfast

Focus On Flavor

Swap Our Carbs

Season Smarter

Healthy Eating for Diabetes

Zesty Quinoa Salad

Ingredients for Zesty Quinoa Salad

Directions for Zesty Quinoa Salad

Serving suggestions for Zesty Quinoa Salad:

More Great Recipes:

Safe Sizzling, Steaming and Stewing: Using the Healthiest Cookware for Your Family

Why you might want to say no to non-stick

Healthy alternatives

Copper

Stainless steel

Set in stone

Chicken And Bacon Lettuce Cups with Balsamic Glaze

Putting Our Chicken and Bacon Lettuce Cups Together

Healthy Chicken And Bacon Lettuce Cup

More Chicken Recipes:

Tips For Feeding Your Family Healthy Breakfasts

Superfood Sweet Potato Ideas & Origin

Do you know some kiddos that love fruist crisps? I sure do.

welcome to the Brothers All Natural “Disney Frozen” Fruit Crisps Giveaway, where 1 lucky winner will win a 40 pack of these awesome fruit crisps.

This giveaway is open to US residents and will be closing on October 8th, 2015.

Good luck to all and have a blast 🙂

Do you love eating healthy? Making healthy smoothies and drinks? Have you been wanting one of those amazing NutriBullet blender/drink systems?

Welcome to the NutriBullet 900 Series Giveaway, where 1 lucky winner will win the NutriBullet 900 Series Magic Bullets! These are plain and simple just amazing 🙂

This event is open to US residents and will be closing July 12th, 2015.

Good luck to everyone and happy and healthy eating to all! I can’t wait to see which one of you is going to win this awesome NutriBullet!!!!

NutriBullet 900 Series Giveaway

Hosted by Jenns Blah Blah Blog

Sponsored by NutriBullet

One lucky person will win a NutriBullet 900 Series all you have to do is use the below giveaway widget to enter.

Giveaway is open to US residents must be 18 or older and enter before 7/12/15 at 11:59pm EST. Best of luck everyone!

Let’s get on to the NutriBullet 900 Series Giveaway

Interested in some great giveaways? Check out my Giveaway Page

With a large family buying lunches out is not affordable nor is practical. Finding containers to fit our families lifestyle can be quite the challenge. Especially, when it seems everyone in my house likes something different.

***I received the product I am about to review at no charge. All opinions are 100% my honest feelings regarding the product being reviewed. Please read my disclosure policy***

When I saw the Plastic Bento Lunch Boxes By Sunsella I just knew this was something my family would love and couldn’t wait to give them a try.

From Sunsella:

Healthy and nutritious options are easy for your kids lunches with Buddy Bento Lunch Box!

4 colorful lids that are fantastic for color-coding different lunches for the whole family

Great as a work lunch box – plan and prepare lunch in advance and store in the fridge for quick and easy, hassle free mornings

One size fits all – Ideal size for Mom, Dad and Kids too! Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup

Buddy Box makes meal planning simple – add variety to your lunches with the 3 compartment design, different food combinations are endless…

No need for multiple different size containers with Sunsella Buddy Bento Lunch Box you can just have everything in one

Have pre-prepared healthy snacks like fruit slices or vegetable sticks on hand in the fridge for quick and nutritious options for your children

Stackable design means storing your upcoming lunches in the fridge takes up less room and when not in use stack together for space-saving storage

BPA, phthalate and lead free materials that have been independently tested to ensure they meet strict FDA standards so you can be sure Buddy Bento Lunch Box are safe for your family

Our Experience:

The style of them is exactly what my family likes. Each compartment is the perfect size for any type of lunch or snacks you may want to put in them. The size of these Plastic Bento Lunch Boxes are perfect for my husband’s lunch, our teenagers, tweens and even works great for our toddler.

Looking for more well made products for the family check Sunsella out on Facebook and Twiiter.

Please remember everything I have shared about our experiences are completely our findings, observations and opinions. I truly only share my honest experiences here on Heartbeats~ Soul Stains.

Interested in some great giveaways? Check out my Giveaway Page

Life is all about moderation and in keeping with that we want our food to not only be lean but fresh too!!!!

Welcome to the Fresh N’ Lean Giveaway, 1 lucky winner will receive a total of 8 meals (2 servings each). This is a meal delivery service so the hard work is done for you 🙂

This is event is open to US residents and will be closing on June 2nd, 2015.

Let’s eat fresh N’ Lean and get healthier! Good luck to all!!!

The Fresh N’ Lean Giveaway (Healthy Meal Delivery Service) #FreshNLean

Deliciously Savvy is Hosting a Giveaway For 1 Lucky Winner To Receive 3 Breakfasts and 5 Entrees from Fresh N’ Lean! These are 2 Servings each…. so it is Deliciously Awesome!

Co-Hosted By:

1 Lucky Winner Will Receive 3 Breakfasts and 5 Entrees from Fresh N’ Lean! These are 2 Servings Each and Delicious!

And Now The Giveaway!!!

Exercise and Cutting Back

Picking My Battles

*I received the product I am about to review at no charge. All opinions are 100% my honest feelings regarding the product being reviewed. Please read my disclosure policy*****

Great as a work lunch box – plan and prepare lunch in advance and store in the fridge
for quick and easy, hassle free mornings

Buddy Box makes meal planning simple – add variety to your lunches with the
3 compartment design, different food combinations are endless…

No need for multiple different size containers with Sunsella Buddy Bento Lunch Box you can just have
everything in one

Have pre-prepared healthy snacks like fruit slices or vegetable sticks on hand in the fridge
for quick and nutritious options for your children

Stackable design means storing your upcoming lunches in the fridge takes up less room and
when not in use stack together for space-saving storage

BPA, phthalate and lead free materials that have been independently tested to ensure
they meet strict FDA standards so you can be sure Buddy Bento Lunch Box are safe for your family