Grinch Popcorn

A beloved tradition in our house this time of year is to make Grinch Popcorn and watch The Grinch. We love the newest animated version of The Grinch so very much – Cindy Lou Who just has our hearts. In my humble opinion she embodies the spirit of Christmas.

This popcorn is oh so very yummy. Warning – your hands might turn green while making, but no worries. It washes off and just helps you to embody your own “grinch”. 😉

Grinch Popcorn

  • Servings: 8
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

A sweet, decadent sweet popcorn treat perfect for your holiday festivities.


Ingredients

  • 8-10 cups of microwave popcorn popped
  • 3 cups of mini marshmallows
  • 3 TBS I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Light (or butter or other butter replacement)
  • green food coloring
  • 1/2 cup red/green M&Ms

Directions

  1. Pop the popcorn and put in a large bowl. Be sure to try to pick out the unpopped seeds.
  2. Melt the butter and marshmallows in a separate bowl – slowly in the microwave (1 minute, stir, 30 seconds, stir, repeat until smooth).
  3. Add green food coloring to the marshmallow mixture – until you get it to the appropriate green color.
  4. Stir the marshmallows into the popcorn. Stir until popcorn is covered with marshmallows.
  5. Lay mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
  6. Sprinkle with M&Ms.
  7. Allow to cool and enjoy.

Infamous Sugar Cookies

My mom makes the BEST sugar cookies. The BEST. She has flat out spoiled me and ruined all other sugar cookies. Hers are the standard by which I will forever compare all cookies. Think you don’t like sugar cookies? Well might I suggest trying these? And don’t worry. The recipe doesn’t make THAT many. Just enough to give you a really good batch to enjoy and freeze for later parties and treats throughout the holidays. In fact, when really doing heavy holiday baking, I will double (and have even tripled) the recipe. Because, in my opinion, when the mess is made – may as well just go with it.

We were quarantined this past week. So with nowhere to go, we took advantage of some of these fun, messy projects. The kids loved it. I was especially surprised by my 6 year old. He was maybe my most faithful “helper”!

Believe it or not underneath all of that goodness is a cookie. 🤣 This was his first cookie…he got less ambitious as his decorating progressed.

Iced Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

The cookie recipe that is the standard by which all other sugar cookie recipes are compared.


Ingredients

    Wet Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Dry Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

  1. In an electric mixer, mix together the wet ingredients.
  2. Add in the dry ingredients.
  3. Combine. The dough will be sticky.
  4. Cover dough in the bowl. Or spray cling wrap with nonstick spray. Roll the dough in the cling wrap.
  5. Refrigerate for 2+ hours (or overnight).
  6. Allow dough to warm just enough to be able to handle.
  7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  8. Roll dough on floured surface and cut into desired shapes. It’s easier to work in batches. We like our cookies to be a little thicker and softer, so I roll out the dough to be about 1/4 of an inch thick.
  9. Bake cut-outs for 8-10 minutes. We prefer ours soft.
  10. Allow the cut-outs to cool before icing.
  11. While the cut-outs are cooling make the frosting: 3-4 cups of powdered sugar (depending on how thick you prefer), 1/2 cup melted butter, 1.5 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp almond extract, 1/8-1/4 cup milk. Mix well, whipping until nice and fluffy.
  12. Ice the cookies, decorate and enjoy!

Nutrition

Per Serving: 73 Calories; 9.2 g Carbohydrates; 3.5 g Fat; 0.9 g Protein.

Chai Tea Latte

Wow! This Oregon Chai is YUM!!! If you have been around my site for any length of time, you know I am all in for warm comforting drinks right now. Throughout the fall and winter I almost always have a mug of some warm drink in my hands.

Want a warm, sweet, satisfying mug of a treat with barely any macros at all!? Literally – none. This Oregon Chai has 0 of everything. Literally. Warm it with some Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk, and you are consuming about 1 g fat, 0.5 g carbs and 0.5 g protein. To add a little more yum and sweetness I like to add just an ounce of Vanilla Premier Protein. I also like to add about 1/4 teaspoon of Gingerbread Cookie seasoning. Then, if you REALLY want to up your game and really treat yourself add a dollop of RediWhip (and I mean a dollop 😉).

What I Use For This Recipe

Macro-Friendly, Low Sugar Chai Tea Latte

A delicious sweet mug of comfort without compromising your macros or calories, which can be enjoyed morning, noon, and night.


Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup Oregon Chai Latte (sugar free)
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
  • 1 ounce Vanilla Premier Protein (recommended but optional)
  • 1/4 tsp Flavor God Gingerbread Cookie spice (recommended but optional)
  • 2 TBS or 5 g whipped cream (recommended but optional)

Directions

  1. Warm in a saucepan the almond milk and Chai Latte. This can be done in the microwave as well.
  2. Once this combination is nice and hot, you can add the Premier Protein (note if refrigerated, you will want your liquid nice and hot)
  3. Froth in the Gingerbread spice.
  4. Add whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of spice.
  5. Relax and Enjoy!

Nutrition

Per Serving: 45 Calories; 1.9 g Carbohydrates; 2.5 g Fat; 3.2 g Protein.

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Birthday Cake Pancakes

We have a birthday morning tradition in our house – these birthday pancakes. I have made these all sorts of ways. Sometimes with cake mix when I have it on hand; however, I have made it without as well. They are still super delicious, special and sweet like a birthday cake (made either way). The keys to make these pancakes extra special are the sprinkles (how great are sprinkles?), extra vanilla, and then a powdered sugar glaze (with extra sprinkles of course!).

Birthday Cake Pancakes

The perfect breakfast for birthdays or other special mornings that everyone will be sure to love.


Ingredients

    For the pancakes
  • 1.5 cup pancake mix (I used Kodiak)
  • 1/2 cup yellow cake mix (or just use all pancake mix)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • sprinkles
  • 3 TBS egg whites
  • 1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
  • For the frosting
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 TBS Unsweetened Almond Milk (+/- for your desired consistency)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 TBS sprinkles, and then extra sprinkles for topping

Directions

  1. Preheat your pancake griddle or pan.
  2. Mix up your pancake batter (can be done the night before – may just need to add a little water or milk morning of).
  3. Mix up the frosting ingredients.
  4. Cook pancakes (about 1/4 cup batter per cake) until bubbly, flip, pull off, and stack.
  5. Top with more sprinkles and frosting glaze. Serve warm.
  6. Leftover pancakes and frosting keep in the refrigerator for several days. Simply reheat the pancakes. Spread a little of the frosting over the heated cakes, and let it melt.

What I Used To Make This Recipe

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Favorites Foods to Hit Specific Macros

Some days getting the right amount of macros into your diet can be tricky. You have a lunch date, or someone brings you a treat and you feel rude turning it down. Whatever the reason or occasion we have those days and interruptions. Some days we can have the best plan, best of intentions, and then something comes up to make our plan suddenly shift.

I think it’s SUPER important to plan and pre plan to hit your macros. However, I believe it’s even MORE important to live life, to pursue friendships and relationships, to bless people, and to create memories. In doing so there will be days when you will be playing “macro tetris” trying to hit your macros. For example, you might get to the end of your day needing to eat 50 grams of carbohydrates, but you have met your fat and protein limits. Or you need 30 grams of protein but no fat or carbohydrate.

It’s nice to have a general knowledge of foods that will help you to meet those macros. I am going to give you some of my personal favorites. I am only listing foods that I actually eat all the time.

Carbohydrates

For carbohydrates I love cereal, bread, rice cakes, rice, fruit (fresh and dried), hot cereals (Cream of Rice or Coco Wheats), poptarts, oatmeal, pasta, popcorn, and pretzels. All of these carbohydrates I have listed are generally low to no fat, and low in protein. Specifically these are some of my favorite products that I consume on the daily.

Pumpkin Pie Pop-tarts are the bomb right now!!! Otherwise, when it’s no longer pumpkin season, brown sugar and strawberry have my heart.

Protein

For sources of protein I love protein powder/shakes, chicken, tuna, salmon, shrimp, turkey/deli meats, low fat cottage cheese, non to low fat greek yogurt, and liquid egg whites.

These two flavors of Premier Protein shakes are YUM! I have also tried the chocolate, and although I love all things chocolate, I do not prefer that flavor of this shake. However, caramel and vanilla are LEGIT.

Fat

For fat sources I ideally like to stick to fats that are mono and polyunsaturated fats rather than trans fat and saturated fat (if I can). I come from high cholesterol genetics, so I try to be careful of these lesser fats. The good sources of fat I like to eat from are EVOO, chia seeds, hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds, nuts, nut butters, and avocado.

Protein and Carbohydrates

How about if you need protein and carbohydrates but little to no fat? Beans are awesome, hummus, peas, protein powders with sweetener or cereal topping, veggie burgers, nonfat milk, quinoa, pastas, sweetened greek yogurt (or plain nonfat greek with cereal topping), and last but not least – Built Bars. Built Bars are fantastic sources of protein and carbohydrate while low in fat (some flavors are lower than others). fitfoodie10 to save on Built Bar.

Built bars are amazing cold, stored in the refrigerator.

Or warmed for 20 seconds. YUM!

Protein and Fats

My favorite sources of protein and fats are bacon, cheese, whole eggs, greek yogurt with fat, nut butter (American Dream Nut Butter especially has a higher amount of protein than regular nut butter), red meat, dairy with fat, and sausage. FITFOODIE10 to save on American Dream Nut Butter.

Carbohydrates and Fat

For carbohydrates and fat (my favorite combination! 😁), my favorites are chocolate, sweet treats or baked goods, pasta with EVOO, oats and nut butter, chia seeds or hemp seeds, nuts and dried fruit.

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Things I Am Loving

Wow what a week!!! Election crazies, busy schedules, a lot of heavy things going on with people I love. Could there be any more crazy in 2020!?

I am ready to focus on those things in my life that are good – that are bringing me happiness and life this week. It’s time to focus on the blessings. There is a season for everything, and I do believe we have to make time to mourn and go through the hard. However, it’s also good to be reminded of all the good as well – and sometimes it’s the littlest of things.

For starters my family. Man am I thankful for these people in my life that grow me, challenge me, make me smile and laugh, do the daily grind with me. I could go on and on over my love for my husband and kiddos. We recently got family pictures taken, and I am in love! Jamie did an incredible job!!! So thankful for these snapshots into our world right now.

Secondly – lunch dates. This is something John and I are attempting once a week. With all of our kids in school, we are finding this to be the easiest time to carve out for weekly dates. Our nights are so jam packed right now with sports, work, meetings, etc. Even our weekend nights include kids’ sports practices and games. Dates are just not easy nor really possible in the evenings most weeks, so lunch dates are perfect. We carve an hour out of our Thursdays and catch up. It’s amazing how much you can catch up on when uninterrupted and dialed in! We catch up on work, business, strategy, family issues and goals, life, etc. It’s been awesome.

I am such a sucker for words and quotes. Most of my home decor includes a quote or words of some sort. They are inspiring and uplifting to me. So naturally, I also love graphic tees. This week I have been wearing my graphic tees exclusively. My heart needs the reminder of the words. Today this shirt just seemed right. “In the waiting God is working.” I got this particular tee off of Crazy Cool Threads.

Also, pictured here are these blue light glasses. I ordered these because I keep hearing about the benefits of these glasses to shield us from all the blue light given off by all of our electronics. I am on electronics all day – my computer screen for hours, phone, and then television for a bit at night as well. I get tension headaches pretty regularly. And although my eyes are still pretty good, they are aging.

So far I am really liking these! I don’t know if it’s mental or not, but I feel like they reduce the tension the computer screen puts on my eyes. Also, I feel like the tension in my head has reduced as well! They are super reasonable on Amazon, so I figure it’s definitely worth a try!

Also pictured above and below are the bracelets I am loving. I love a good set of bracelets, and my friend at Shoebox Market has the best bracelets! I can’t get enough.

I finished this book this week. I loved it! It was very well-written and an amazing insight into the hard world of single motherhood as well as poverty. The perspective was very eye opening, and I loved the insight the read gave me.

Lastly, would it be a typical blog post if I didn’t talk about food? I don’t think so. This breakfast has been a hit this week. I made a batch a couple of days ago, and made a double batch the very next day. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal. We love baked oatmeal, and this recipe is next level.

What are some things you are loving right now? I love to hear about it all!!!

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Full Day of Eating

I love it when people post pictures of what they ate in a day. I am such a weirdo. I love to look at food pictures and get food and meal ideas!

I eat a lot of the same foods day in and day out, but this changes week to week. I will eat similar foods for a week or two. Then, I get onto something else for a week or two. Then, I do something new and different and then I go back to the oldie.

It also depends on the season for me. I eat VERY seasonally! In the summer – it’s a lot of fresh foods – fresh salads, fresh fruit, smoothies, all things cool and refreshing. In the fall and winter it is all things warm and comforting. Right now I constantly have a mug of something warm on me. I am eating my veggie chili nearly every single day. I actually have yet another batch in my instapot as I am writing. It will be done for my lunch today. I will eat yet another bowl of greens, chili with some vegan queso, honey mustard dressing and some quinoa. I have eaten a variation of the greens and chili for the past week and a half. I am not kidding. It has mostly been eaten for just lunch, but in all transparency there have been a few days in which I have eaten this bowl for lunch AND dinner.

Another favorite right now is hot cereals. I have talked about some of my favorite hot cereals in previous posts, but I eat these nearly every day as well.

Of course I talk about all the warm and comforting foods that I am enjoying right now, and it just so happens that I ate not one – but TWO fluff bowls. One right after another! 🤣 I also spoke about planning and pre-logging the other day and totally just broke my own rule. I made a bowl, loved it so much, and then made a partial of a second. I have a REALLY good excuse though you guys! 🤪 I got a new protein powder, and it is SOOOO good! I made a bowl with it, fell head first in love and needed some more!

I have been trying to cut back on dairy lately. In the fall my allergies get so bad, and it gets STUCK in my sinuses. I have had a full head of fluid for months. My ears off and on feel so plugged. Anyway, I am cutting back on dairy (or trying desperately to do so). So I have been experimenting with vegan protein powders. You guys – vegan protein powders are just not good! (in my opinion). HOWEVER, I stumbled across this beauty. 🙌🏻 Hallelujah!!! A vegan protein powder, and it is good!!!

The original bowl was made with 50 grams egg whites, 1 heaping scoop of protein powder, 1/2 can of natural soda (sound weird? Try it!), 2 g “>PBFit, 1 dropper of “>Puffed Kamut and more PBFit. I also stirred in 60 grams of frozen blueberries. So yum!!! For my second bowl (it’s hard for me to type that without laughing), I blended 1/2 can soda, 1/2 scoop protein powder, 2 g xanthan gum and ice. Then, I topped with it some PBFit.

Built Bar products are for sure staples for me – for pre, during and post workout fuel, grab and go snacks, and a sweet treat to top of the night. I take a Built Boost every morning when I rise (I workout in the morning, so not only does this give me a little vitamin, energy boost, it fuels my workouts well). I then lately have been taking a Built Go for my immediate pre-workout fuel. This has been working AMAZINGLY for me. Then, if I can’t sit down to a meal after my workout, I eat a bar after my workout. For me – fueling my workouts works really well for me to recover quickly. I like to workout most days – so fueling well helps me to do that without feeling fatigue, sore and inflamed. (use fitfoodie10 to save on all Built Bar products. They run a lot of sales and promotions, and you can always use my code in conjunction with sales and promos).

So yesterday here is what my day looked like in terms of what I ate:

I had a Built Boost upon waking.

And then I had a Built Go immediately before my workout.

After my workout I had a Cream of Rice bowl made with water, cauliflower rice and 30 grams of Cream of Rice, cinnamon, extracts, stevia. I topped the bowl with All Tricks No Treats, Donut Seasoning, Espresso Granola.

About 10 a.m. I was hungry again, so I made a fluff bowl…and then another…

Typically I would eat lunch around noon-1; however, after these two bowls, I got incredibly full. Too full really. I would not recommend this. 🤣

Finally around 2:30 I decided I should probably eat some lunch. My lunch today I ate my Veggie Chili over romaine lettuce, quinoa, topped with Vegan Queso and honey mustard dressing. For something sweet I had a piece of JoJo’s Chocolate.

For dinner I made Butternut Squash Mac N Cheese, with a side of green beans (my family likes them cooked down well – so I comply…).

Typically I will eat a snack before bed, but for some reason my stomach was not cooperating. I was so full and bloated. Not sure if it was the smoothie bowls or if was…you know…Anyway, all I wanted was a warm drink and my bed. So to bed I went. 😉

What I Used For My Food and Food Prep

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! Hope this week has been wonderful for you!

Favorite #1

As fall is underway, the temperatures are getting cooler. I am in these slippers All. The. Time. They are super warm, soft and comfy. Also, they are amazingly supportive to the feet. I can be on my feet all day long in these, and my feet are as happy at the end of the day as they would be in the most supportive of shoes. If you get sore feet being on them a lot, these are the slippers for you. They not only make your feet warm and cozy, they make them happy and supportive as well.

I got them last year from Nordstrom; however, I am planning to get myself another pair this year because I wear them so much! Gift to myself. 😉

Favorite #2

This veggie chili bowl…and cleaning out my freezer!!!

I ate it atop salad greens (sounds weird but try it) and Trader Joe’s gnocchi. I sprinkled cilantro over the chili and then drizzled some of my honey mustard salad dressing. YUM.

I have also eaten it over spinach with a Trader Joe’s Veggie Quinoa Cowboy burger, cilantro and honey mustard salad dressing.

Favorite #3

This Puppy Chow recipe. Puppy Chow might be my favorite indulgent snack of all time, but I struggle eating too much when I make it – which leads to a stomach ache. Every Time.

Well, here is the thing. I was introduced to Peanut Butter Chex cereal. You guys. This stuff is so good. I spoke about this last week. When my kids were going crazy over it, I thought – wonder what Puppy Chow would be like made with this cereal? Also, could it be made in a way that might be – ready for it – macro-friendly!?

*Squeal* I did it! I didn’t get a stomach ache from eating it (felt great actually) . AND it is delicious!!! AND kid approved! I made two batches – one with conventional powdered sugar (lightened up) and another with protein powder. Both recipes are here.

Favorite #4

Back to the cool weather. Rest and relaxation is super important to living a healthy lifestyle, and what better way to relax than to be snuggled under an amazing throw. Enter this UGG throw. You guys. I got these for the family last year for Christmas, and these throws are constantly fought over. I will be getting more this year – you can be sure! I worried about them shedding. I can’t stand it when beautiful, soft blankets shed “fur” all over your clothes. These do not shed a single bit. They are silky, soft, the perfect heaviness for a good warmth – but not too warm.

This makes a great gift, if you can’t justify buying it just because! Just saying.💁🏼‍♀️

Favorite #5

It’s getting to be that season when I can’t get enough hot drinks. In particular I crave hot chocolate for it’s chocolatey, warm comfort. I can’t believe it is snowing in some places of the country. I am certainly not ready for that crazy weather. Just seeing the snow on the news makes me want to curl up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate! This particular Reduced Calorie Swiss Miss is surprisingly really great for macro count!

It has a mere 35 calories, 5 g carbohydrates, 0 g fat, 3 g protein. Also, if you are on a more keto/low carb diet and count net carbs – it has 4 net carbs (with 1 gram of fiber). It’s a great option to treat yourself while not blowing a bunch of calories and macros on drinks!

Copycat Chick-fil-A

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I have said it once and will say it again, this chicken from Aldi is the bomb. It is most like the real Chick-fil-A chicken (in my opinion). Simply buy and either bake or air fry – and you have a healthier, cheaper (and more convenient?) chicken sandwich! More convenient? You might be wondering about that…for me, getting take out from Chick-fil-A is crazy. I have now started to use the app and curbside; however, it still always takes a while! Chick-fil-A’s service is awesome, but they do so much business it all can be a bit of a racket. I often pull away and think – it would have been much easier to just pop some chicken into the air fryer!

So here you are – Chick-fil-A in the comfort of your home.

Another thing that sets Chick-fil-A apart for us is their sauce. We could bathe in sauce we love it so much – all of us. We scramble for it. However, have you ever looked up the nutrition facts? 😳 You maybe just don’t want to. It’s pretty high in calories, carbs and fat.

I have perfected a recipe that is very similar in taste and much better for you in terms of macros. Give it a try.

OR, if you don’t want to make the sauce yourself, this sauce from Kroger is pretty darn close.

If you want another store bought option that is more macro friendly – this honey mustard sauce is quite good as well!

Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwich and Sauce

A quick, easy, and economical way to enjoy a family favorite meal.


Ingredients

  • Kirkwood Chicken Breast Filets (Aldi’s)
  • Brioche buns (a must – brioche is where it is at!)
  • Pickles
  • Chick-fil-A sauce

Directions

  1. Place filets in the air fryer at 400 for 15 minutes. Flip and cook 10 minutes longer.
  2. If making the copycat sauce, combine: 1/4 cup light mayo, 2 TBS honey, 1 TBS yellow mustard, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 tsp lemon juice, 2 TBS Sugar Free BBQ. Combine while chicken is cooking refrigerate to let flavors come together.
  3. Combine the bun, filet, pickle and sauce.
  4. Serve with a side salad or side of waffle/fries for a true copycat Chick-fil-A meal.
  5. Enjoy!

This is the BBQ we prefer. The flavor is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy.

It is low in sugar and carbohydrates, making this a more macro-friendly option for BBQ sauce.

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Friday Favorites

It was another fast week around here! I can’t believe we are already heading into our fall break soon! It’s crazy to me that October is already half over!

Now that I got that rant out of the way, it’s time to discuss some of my favorite things this week.

Favorite #1

The fall weather around here has been off the charts amazing. So one thing I (and we) have been loving lately is bonfire nights. Last weekend we sat by the fire both Saturday and Sunday evenings. Of course, we had to have s’mores!

If you haven’t seen these or tried these marshmallows you are seriously missing out! They are the perfect marshmallow for smores – flat and large. They fit perfectly within the square shape of the graham crackers. Must try!

Favorite #2

I love this bowl. I keep it in my freezer and use it for all my yogurt bowls, smoothie bowls, and protein “ice cream” bowls. It keeps the food so cold and frozen. I like my smoothies and “ice cream” to be very thick. Without this bowl they melt quickly, but in the bowl they stay thick and frozen for a LONG TIME. I can snack on a bowl slowly without it getting melty and runny on me.

Favorite #3

I am like a kid (or Seinfeld). I LOVE cereal. I eat it for snacks, for meals, and for dessert. It is the perfect topping to any bowl, adding a nice sweet crunch. I am in recomposition phase in my eating – so this means my carbs are high. Cereal is the perfect food to fill in my carbohydrate needs. Plus it’s delicious!

Two of my favorite cereals right now are Peanut Butter Chex and Puffed Kamut.

Peanut Butter Chex is da bomb. The peanut butter and sweetness factor are perfect – not too sweet or strong at all.

Puffed Kamut gives you a huge bang for your buck. You can have a lot of it for the macros, but it’s not boring either. It has a nice, natural sweetness to it, as well as a great crunch (it’s a gentle crunch that won’t tear up the roof of your mouth🤣). It reminds me of Honey Smacks (just not quite as sweet). Pro tip – put the Kamut on your bowl right before eating. It can get stale or soggy.

I do have a hard time finding Puffed Kamut in stores, so I get it on Amazon.

Favorite #4

With the weather turning cool and crisp this fall, I am loving my candles burning. As long as I am home, I have candles burning. These are a few of my favorites right now. I am not biased to one brand. I love Bath and Body 3 wick candles, Target soy candles; and Trader Joe’s candles are lovely as well. I keep one at my desk, living room, in my bathroom, and in the kitchen.

Favorite #5

My allergies typically act up during the fall season here in Indiana. With everything drying up and harvest in the fields, all the dust inflames my sinuses. This year is no exception.

So, I am trying to limit dairy – although you can see from the pictures of my bowls, this is a struggle for me.🤣

I am trying a different creamer for my coffee. My first cup of coffee, I prefer black. Then, mid-morning I like to have a second cup. In this mid-morning cup, I like to mix it up with a little creamer.

I typically love half and half, but this creamer is a good substitute. It’s obviously not as creamy as half and half, but it has a nice flavor to it. If you are limiting dairy, I would recommend trying this one.

Favorite #6

It’s no secret that I love my American Dream Nut Butters. I love every flavor, but I opened this new jar of Monster Cookie last night. I kept thinking, “What is that flavor I am picking up?” I finally realized it tastes exactly like Peanut M&M’s! Duh – but still! It really does taste like them and leaves that same awesome flavor in your mouth when you are done eating. 😍

Use code FITFOODIE10 for a discount.

I ate this on my Cream Of Rice bowl last night. It was such a delicious treat, topping – almost as good as eating a bag of the real thing! 😉

Which leads me to Favorite #7

Cream of Rice hot cereal. I love hot cereals – oatmeal, Oat Bran, CoCo Wheats, and now Cream of Rice. I feel like this is really old-school of me, but there is something so comforting about a hot bowl of cereal. It fills and satisfies my bottomless stomach. Especially when the weather is getting cooler, I crave warm, comfort foods. All the warm and cozies for me!

Another reason I am loving Cream of Rice these days, is I can get a bump of carbohydrate with zero fat and a lower amount of protein. I get a lot of protein in my diet, so I look for ways to get carbohydrates without protein. These cereals are a great source to hit those macro goals.

These cereals are kind of hard to find in most stores as well. I think because they are so old? 🤣🤷🏼‍♀️. I order them off of Amazon in bulk.

Final Favorite

While on topic of my hot cereals, this Maple Butter from Trader Joe’s is a delicious topping for bowls. It’s adds the perfect sweetness. It doesn’t require a lot. Just a tablespoon is the perfect addition to any hot bowl of goodness.

Those are a few of my favorites this week! Would love to hear some of yours!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!!!

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