Healthy Holiday Treats

If there is one thing that can drive me a little nuts...it's just all the sugar that comes into the house around the holidays. Luckily the boys aren't too obsessed with it..I might get them one small bag of their favorite candy but look forward to other treats. For easter I usually try to put one toy the've been wanting (has to be under $15) and a book. I dont go crazy with the candy. This year one will get  a small tube of skittles, another a small tube of m and m, and lastly one will get a bag of sour patch gummies. I'm all for moderation...just not going overboard. Even St. Patrick's day people can get carried away with the Lucky Charms.
Here are some yummy snacks to get you and your little ones through the spring holidays...healthy.

Rainbow Fruit Cups:

Vanilla Yogurt
Strawberries
Oranges
Bananas
Kiwi
Blueberries
Red grapes

Simply fill the bottom of clear plastic cups with a little vanilla yogurt. This creates the clouds at the bottom of the rainbow. Next, fill the cup with the chopped fruit a layer at a time to create a rainbow. Grab a spoon and enjoy!

Shamrock Pudding

2 Ripe avocados 2 ripe bananas
1 t vanilla extract
2 T honey
Blend all ingredients together in a food processor or high-powered blender.

Easter Egg Pops

1 pound frozen fruit of choice2 Cups coconut milk
Lollipop sticks
Easter eggs with the small holes in the bottom
Food syringe

Blend ingredients together.
Fill eggs with fruit blend about ¾ full through the hole.
Push sticks through hole and freeze 3 hours.

Spaghetti Nests

Now this is one that I thought was soo cute...but I know my kids...they would not go for this. LOL!!! They like their food just looking normal. hahaha! But it was too cute not to share.

sweet potatoe, corn, and black bean enchiladas

I am a SUCKER for all things Mexican! I see a new recipe and I either screen shot it...save it on pinterest...or write it down.
This one was WAY out of my element!! I had never thought about this combination...but was blown away by how delicious this was!!!

 I am also a sucker for Trader Joe's (or Trader Jose's for this recipe!!). I used their products to make this meal for us!

Ingredients:

1 large/extra large sweet potato, cooked, peeled, and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup corn and black bean salsa (I used Trader Joe’s Cowboy Caviar Salsa, use your favorite salsa; or use cooked and seasoned corn and beans)
2 to 2 1/2 cups shredded cheese, divided (I used a Mexican blend; use vegan cheese to keep vegan)
2 cups red enchilada sauce, divided (I used Trader Joe's; use storebought or homemade)
6 to 8 yellow or white corn tortilla shells
finely diced red peppers or tomatoes, optional for garnishing
cilatntro, optional for garnishing

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and spray an 8x10-inch baking dish or similar with cooking spray; set aside.
2. Place a scrubbed and fork-pierced sweet potato in the microwave and cook on high power for about 10 minutes, or until done and fork tender. Potato can be cooked in the oven at 400F for about 45 to 60 minutes if preferred.
3. Remove potato from microwave, slice lengthwise, and the skin should slip off easily; discard skin.
4. Dice potato into 1/2-inch cubes and place cubes into a large bowl.
5. To the bowl, add the salsa, about 1 1/2 cups cheese (measure it loosely packed in the cup), and gently stir to combine; set filling aside.
6. Evenly add about 1 cup enchilada sauce to the bottom of the prepared baking dish; set aside.
7. Place about 1/3 cup filling in a tortilla shell, roll up, and place seam side down in prepared dish; repeat with additional shells until all filling mixture is gone.
8. Evenly pour remaining 1 cup enchilada sauce over the enchiladas.
9. Evenly top with remaining 1 cup cheese.
10. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Optionally garnish with red peppers, cilantro, and serve immediately. Enchiladas are best warm and fresh, but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Happy Pancake Day!!!!

Today is national pancake day and to celebrate I thought I'd share some of my favorite HEALTHY pancake recipes!!

 First off is a chocolate shakeology based pancake:

• 1 banana
• 1/4 cup oats
• 2 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
• Just blend all ingredients into the blender and pour into an oiled pan...just like making a regular pancake. I like to spread peanut butter on top!!!

 Next is a vanilla based pancake:

• 1/2 banana
• 3 egg whites (or 2 whole eggs)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Vanilla Shakeology)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Just the same as chocolate, blend it all in the blender and pour into a oiled pan and cook!!!

Above is a recipe for those of you who do not use a protein powder. These ones are super yummy too!!!

However you decide to celebrate pancake day.......Enjoy!

21 Day fix and fast food restaurants

I often get asked about how to eat while out on the go. In a perfect world you might have meal planned for being out and brought stuff with you to eat...but let's face it...life happens and you are on the go longer than you thought or your kids beg you for fast food...
Whatever the case might be...you are faced with fast food restaurants all the time.
Here is a little guide to help you while out and about in this crazy thing called life.

Chick Fil A is a family favorite over here. The boys do so well eating here and the play area is a great way to let them run around and run off steam.
Here are some fix approved options:
1.5RGGB.5P Cobb Salad: Chicken Nuggets (ask for grilled instead of breaded) (1R), lettuce and baby greens topped with red cabbage, carrots, & roasted corn kernels (2G), cheese (1B), crumbled bacon (negligible), diced eggs (.5R) and grape tomatoes (.5P). Order without dressing.
RGGBBPY This is an example of how even healthier options can add up. Order this with caution –> Grilled Market Salad: Grilled chicken (1R), lettuce and baby greens with red cabbage and carrots (2G), blue cheese (1B) and red and green apples, strawberries and blueberries (1P) Optional: Granola (1Y), Roasted Nut Blend (includes sugar) (1B). Order without dressing.
PP Chick-Fil-A Fruit Cup: (made fresh daily, a perfect snack) Mandarin orange segments, strawberries, blueberries, and red and green apple pieces (2P).
G Y Treat Swap Superfood Side Salad: Chopped Broccolini and kale blend (1G), topped with flavorful dried sour cherries and Roasted Nuts (both include sugar, so this counts as a treat swap).
1.5GB Side Salad: Lettuce topped with red cabbage and carrots (1.5G), cheese (1B), and grape tomatoes (included in earlier green containers)
R Grilled Chicken Nuggets, kid’s portion (perfect addition to the side salad)

Austin will beg and plead for a happy meal. I dont know if it's more for the toy or the meal. This is a once month treat (if even that...usually when mommy goes out with her friends...). You have really slim pickings when you eat here on the run.
BGGG.5YR Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken, no tortilla strips or cilantro lime glaze. Lime, cheese (1B), Southwest Vegetable Blend (corn, black beans, tomato, poblano pepper, lime juice, cilantro) 1G, .5Y, grilled chicken (1R), lettuce, spinach, baby kale (2G).
GO Side Salad (order no dressing or lowfat dressing for 1O) Tomatoes, lettuce (1G)

I miss my Publix subs since we moved to Ohio...LOL~!! But here is super easy...ask for the sub to be made into a salad.
If you do have the flatbread, it counts as 2Y

 Ask for your order “Fresco,” which means that the cheese and sour cream is replaced with pico de gallo.
RYG Chicken Soft Taco Soft taco shell (1Y), lettuce (1G), and chicken (1R). If you’re looking for some extra protein, you can order the taco with double the chicken.
RYG Grilled Steak Soft Taco Soft taco shell (1Y), lettuce (1G), and grilled steak (1R). Same as above–If you’re looking for some extra protein, you can order the taco with double the steak.

A few other tips

• Don’t be embarrassed to bring your containers in to a restaurant (if you need another set, you can order them on Amazon).
• If you have to eyeball a portion, make it easier by using a picture. Fill each of the containers up and empty it into your hand, then take a picture. Now you know about how much each container is, and you can quickly look at your phone to make an educated decision about how much to eat.
• Order foods free of everything–dressing, mayo, sauces, put it all on the side.
• Swap fries for fruit. You can always steal one or two from your kids, just don’t order your own, or you’ll eat it!
• These are educated guesses that I’ve made after researching the menus and restaurants. There are no 21 Day Fix friendly fast food restaurants. This guide is for when you’re out of other options but still want to do your best.
• If you have to have mustard, bring your own! The options at fast food restaurants have tons of added ingredients.
• Give yourself a break–but don’t sabotage your success by eating #allthefrenchfries