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.

Merry Christmas!

I’m more or less signing off for the holidays, but I wanted to be sure to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

It’s important this time of year to embrace the season, time with family and loved ones, time off of work, and time to count our many blessings.

I know I feel so blessed this year for my family and our health. We did contract COVID this year, but thankfully we all remained healthy and more or less felt fine! I lost my taste, and knew I had come in close contact with someone positive with COVID. Otherwise, I would barely have known I had the virus. My family had minor random symptoms, but nothing alarming at all! We would have dismissed every symptom as a minor cold or weariness from life. I’m so thankful!!!

I am VERY aware that this is not the case for everyone. So many (healthy) people are and have suffered greatly from the disease. So I do not take lightly the suffering that many have, are, and will endure. Prayers for those suffering!

This past year I lost both of my grandpas. The passing of these great men has made me especially sentimental and at times emotional this year. They both lived long, full, passionate lives. They were both ready for a better home awaiting them. However, their lives are a loss to those who knew them well.

This time of year is a time for gratitude and reflection. This year especially has a lot for which we can reflect. It was a year like none other. However, as I think back, there was A LOT of good that came from a year of a lot of hard. And for this I am so thankful.

Some questions I like to ask myself at the end of the year as we prepare to begin anew are:

  • What did I do well? (3 things)
  • What would I like to do better? (3 things)

This year I set a goal to get certified in Personal Training. I started in January and finished in August. Despite my kids coming home for school, COVID and quarantine crazy. I accomplished this goal, and for this I’m thankful. I started a coaching business. I have gained a really good client base, and have seen my clients have a ton of success conquering their fitness and nutrition goals. For this I am proud and thankful. Physically I have remained healthy, gotten fitter and stronger than I very thought was possible on my body. For this I am thankful.

What do I need to work on? This coming year I want to focus on pursuing peace. I am a strong-willed woman. I have strong ideas. Although I like a good discussion and can be persuaded, I don’t back down easily. I want to be more diligent in seeking peace in my home. I am GREAT at breaking up arguments and fights between my kids, but I am quick to argue myself (such a hypocrite). Nothing crazy. We don’t have a home of disruption at all. Many would be surprised that I am even writing this. However, there are so many things I could JUST LET GO. Who cares if my husband rarely puts his shoes where they are supposed to go. Who cares if my kids turn every single item of clothes/laundry inside out. Who cares if the dishwasher doesn’t get loaded like I think it should? Who cares? Seek peace and pursue it. This is my goal.

Secondly I want to be diligent with business and coaching growth and development. I am going to continue my education in nutrition and seek to do my fitness coaching as well. I would also love to continue to grow my client base!!!

Thirdly, I want to focus on gratitude. #1 and #3 are hard to quantify. I’m not sure how best to accomplish these, but they are definitely two attributes that I want to pursue and be.

How about you? For what are you thankful for this year? I would love to hear the many blessings in your lives right now as well. I know there is a lot of hard and a lot of sadness, and I don’t want to diminish any of this. But I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season. ❤️

Home Court Advantage

There is definitely an edge that one has, or one’s team has, when at home. You are able to sleep in your own bed, you have people around surrounding you that are cheering for you, you know the court, the elements. Most importantly, you are able to maintain your routine.

As the holidays are upon us, we have parties on random weeknights. We travel to see family. We sleep in random beds. We stay up late and are awoken early. There is an endless array of food. I don’t know a grandparent or parent who doesn’t love to feed and spoil his or her family this time of year.

So how do we manage this without getting grumpy, in a funk, or just overloaded? I don’t know about you – but I love my routine. I love my bed. BUT I love my family more (sometimes my selfishness and attitude don’t reflect this, but ultimately I do!).

So how do I maintain some sort of health and order in the midst of the distractions, lack of routine and noise? I have a few simple tips and tricks that I strive to maintain, giving my body and my mind some consistency that I crave.

1.Hydration

So boring, right? You were probably gearing up for something fun or more interesting, but nope – water. That’s it. 😄 I chuckle because the most obvious is most often the most forgotten. Water is free. Everyone has it. Now I will say that if you are a big water drinker, you know that not all water tastes the same! So if you are going somewhere, and you know you don’t prefer their water, stick a case of water bottles in the back of your vehicle. Grab 5-6 bottles and commit to drinking them over the course of your day or event. Hydration will help your energy, your digestion, your hunger, your cravings for more and more. I could go on and on about the importance of this. If you are tempted to just keep eating because you just want to keep eating – try drinking a glass or two of water. I guarantee you will no longer be tempted because your stomach will be full, and you will feel so much better.

2. Protein

Make sure you get in your protein. For example, if I know our event is going to be a dinner – towards the afternoon or evening, I will be sure to eat high protein foods and drinks the morning and early afternoon before the event. I will save my carbs and fat for the event. The decadent foods and drinks often enjoyed at parties and events are high carbs and high fat. Now I am not saying that I think it’s important to hit your macros perfectly on the day of a party. If you want to, or have big goals, you do you.

However, I have found that if I am fueled well before an event, I am much more likely to be wise in my food and beverage choices. I am much more likely to enjoy myself without overindulging. I know that if I have egg whites, cottage cheese, nonfat greek yogurt, a protein smoothie/bowl, or protein bar before or after the event, I am much better fueled. Therefore, I am more successful at enjoying the true intention of the event (people), rather than gorging my stomach.

Also, I have been known to eat a protein bar while driving to an event because I was already feeling pretty hungry, and I knew that it would be awhile before eating. I have learned that as a mom and also daughter (I know it blesses our mothers when I help them serve), I am typically one of the last to eat. So if I am not ravenous, I am less likely to stare impatiently as everyone methodically makes their way through the food before me. 😉

3. Steps

10,000 steps a day kind of steps. Over the holidays, gyms have different hours and when traveling, exercise or a full-on workout might not be an option. So I try to at least just get in a lot of steps. Take walks with the family. Walking is free and available ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE. Get outside, walk around the house, help in the kitchen, pick up wrapping paper, be active. You will be happier and feel better.

4. Sleep

When and how you can – try to get some good sleep. This might mean slipping away and taking a short nap, if you can nap. You might have a short night or two, but strive to make sleep a priority on the other nights.

5. Quiet Time

For me quiet time is in the morning (typically before my family is awake). I like to have some water, some aminos, probiotics, and coffee (remember – hydrate 😄). I like to journal, pray, and read my Bible. I typically have a Bible study or some formal study going, but when I travel especially, I love the YouVersion Bible App. If I am thinking ahead, I will download a plan or two. This gives me something to read and walk away with a thought or two from Scripture to hide in my heart. I’m so much better for my people if I can sneak away and have some alone time with God.

If I can’t find a place of quiet in the house, I will sneak away for a run or walk outside (be sure to pack gear for the winter!).

6. Track

There are those meals that are so hard to track. If it’s the event meal – go with it. Be moderate and wise in your choices, take only one plate, and enjoy. Otherwise, the rest of the day, I find it valuable to track my food. This way I know that I am going into the event with adequate protein already consumed and plenty of carbs and fat left for the event.

7. Jump In and Jump Out!

So you’ve got your family Christmas, the day, the meal, the event, whatever it is. So you indulge and enjoy yourself. Now what – keep going and indulging? Don’t. Just don’t. You will be miserable. One meal. One event. One day. Even one weekend will not derail your goals. They just won’t. However, be quick to bounce back into your routine of eating and nutrition. If you can jump back in the very next morning or the very next meal, you can enjoy a meal of indulgence and still feel fantastic! It’s the snowball effect of indulgence that can derail you and make you miserable. So just be quick to jump in and enjoy, but be quick to jump back out, diving back into your normal routine.

Have any questions or tips of your own? I would love to hear them! Please comment below or email me!

Have a wonderful Holiday season and a Merry Christmas! 🤗🎄

How Not To Overindulge Over The Holidays

Ah the holidays. The food. The wine. The family. The friends. The get togethers. The memories. The fun. The laughs.

All of it is so good. All of it can be…dare I say…too much at times?

Want to put me in a scrunchy mood? Get me stuffed and way overfull of too much sugar, fat, indulgence. Too much of all of it just puts me in a funk. When I feel so gross, I am not my best self. I am not my normal high energy, happy to be with my people human .

So just don’t overeat then, right? Andria – just don’t overeat or overindulge, and you will have a spectacular holiday season. It’s just that simple.

Well, it is but then it isn’t. It is HARD to not overindulge in all the deliciousness and merriment! Am I right? Or am I right?

Some of you might be thinking – I don’t understand. I just don’t overindulge. Simple. But many of you are with me. I can feel it.

So what’s the plan. What are we going to do to not overindulge and to give our best to our families and friends?

I have compiled a list of tips that have been beneficial to me in the past. Tips that I preach to my clients. And tips that I have to remind myself of each and every holiday gathering and season. Because even though I might follow these tips and remember these tips for one event. I can fall flat on my face into a pot of mashed potatoes – faster than you can spell potatoes – the very next day at another event.

Tip #1 – Do not go into the meal STARVING.

I have made this mistake one too many times. You think – save up – right? Well, it only leads you to overindulgence. It’s good to be hungry, so you can thoroughly enjoy all the flavors of the meal. However, to be ravenous to the point in which it will lead to overindulge and overeating, this is not beneficial.

Tip #2 – Fill up on high protein, low fat food and drink before the meal or event.

Typically, the food and drink you will want to indulge in will be higher in carbohydrates and fat. So the protein will help you do better to meet your macros and protein intake, helping you to be well-fueled. It will also help you to be healthily hungry but not too hungry beforehand.

Tip #3 – One plate.

This tip and rule is CLUTCH for me. I encourage you to fill up your plate with anything and everything that looks good to you. Try everything slowly. Fill up on the foods that you enjoy the MOST, first! But I feel SOOO much better if I avoid seconds (and thirds).

Tip #4 – Eat Slowly.

Eat slowly. Have a glass of water with you. Drink water. Take lots of conversation breaks. And ENJOY! Remember how long it takes to prepare the food. Appreciate all the work by giving the food and the cook the respect and appreciation they deserve.

Tip #5 – Concentrate on the people!

Isn’t this the reason we are getting together in the first place? Truly!? I think it’s quickly and easily forgotten, but we wouldn’t be having these meals and gatherings if not for the people – family and friends.

One thing my husband and I like to do before a gathering, is to to think through who we are going to be with and think of questions or conversation starters beforehand. This way, when the conversation lags, or we start to get bored, we tap into those forethought questions and starters.

Tip #6 – Stay hydrated.

Drink lots of water beforehand and have a glass of water with you throughout the meal and event. Even if you want to have a glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, keep drinking water as well.

Tip #7 – Count your blessings. Enjoy and love your people well.

It’s about the people and not the food. So when your eyes continue to drift back to the buffet and you are tempted to go back for more (but are no longer actually hungry), keep those eyes fixed on your people. Talk. Initiate games or activities. Help in the kitchen! Busy yourselves serving and loving people. You will walk away a happier and better version of yourself and will have blessed those you were with in the process. I guarantee you will have fonder memories of the event in keeping with these principals.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! ❤️

Full Day Of Eating

Posting what a full day of eats looked like for me yesterday.

The day started with my usual Built Boost taken with lots of water, probiotics and extra amino acids. During my quiet time there was coffee and LOTS of water!

As I was dressing for my run on the treadmill I sipped on my Built Go gel.

The run was medium today. It felt so hard. My body felt off. When I was done I needed some fuel immediately! Some days are just like this. So I quickly made a protein shake in my blender with a bit of coffee in it, ice and 1st Phorm Vegan Chocolate Mint shake. Along with the shake I had a Pumpkin Cranberry Muffin. Soon after getting ready I had some Pumpkin Frosted Mini Wheats with Unsweetened Almond Milk while sitting down to work at my desk.

About mid-morning I was thinking about dinner. Naturally! 🤣 I have been planning or Wednesday to be Brinner night (Breakfast for Dinner is always a win around here). I was thinking pumpkin waffles sounded good. I have some Bisquik to use up. I like to get dinner prepared as much as I can before. Especially Brinner. While Brinner is the easiest meal ever – it tends to be more of a chaotic meal. Timing the eggs along with the waffles is hard to get right in such a way that we can all sit down at the same time. Anyway, I decided to do up the batter and pop it in the refrigerator for later. If it gets too thick I will simply add a bit more of Unsweetened Almond Milk. In making up the batter I needed to try it for myself, right? So I made myself a couple of waffles for my second (or third? or forth?) breakfast – depends on what all you count as meals. 😉

Pumpkin waffles topped with raspberries and Walden Farms maple syrup.

For lunch I had spinach salad with some maple vinaigrette dressing along with an egg white, Vegan Queso crunchwrap and mini cucumber followed by a bar of JoJo’s Chocolate.

After lunch I had a mug of hot chocolate.

As a mid-day snack, I ate another Pumpkin Cranberry Muffin and two rice cakes topped with Pumpkin Cheesecake American Dream Nut Butter.

After this snack I was still feeling too hungry to wait until dinner, so I made myself a smoothie with half a scoop of 1st Phorm Mint Chip vegan protein powder, a few ounces of Unsweetened Almond Milk and 1/2 tsp of Xanthan Gum.

For dinner, I had an egg scrambled and two Pumpkin Waffles.

Before bed I had intended to eat a Pumpkin Spice Built Bar. I’m obsessed apparently. I know – pumpkin everything. However, I wasn’t hungry. Our dinner was later than we originally planned. So I just had a warm drink of NUUN and Oasis.

Links to Products Eaten

Use fitfoodie10 to receive a discount on Built Bar products and FITFOODIE10 to receive a discount on American Dream Nut Butters.

Thankful Thursday

In lieu of all that is going on in our country and in our world these days, I have been finding that my anxiety levels have been elevated. My stress levels have been increased. One way for me to combat this stress and anxiety is to focus on gratitude!

Another HUGE stress reliever for me (emotionally and mentally) is running. I have been finding myself running a lot more these days. My fitness goes in waves. I like to mix it up a lot, and in various seasons I am doing more or less of one activity or the other. Right now I am running more, biking less. I find the time alone, running at a consistent cadence is cathartic for me. So I am thankful that I can run. I am also thankful that I have a treadmill. Although it is getting light earlier, it’s still dark when I typically run. Even though we live in a safe neighborhood, we live in an area with a lot of wildlife. It’s not people I’m afraid to come face to face with (here at least), it’s the random animal eyes that are staring back at me in the dark. 🤣 Plus, we have a ton of trees that drop large walnuts, acorns, etc. I have tweaked my ankle one too many times on large nuts lying on the road. I have to be able to see where I am stepping. All that to say, I am thankful for my treadmill and the ability to run. Also, thankful for those days when I can run later in the morning and go outside in the daylight.

I am also thankful for the unseasonably warm weather we have been having here in Indiana these days. I see all these people on social media posting their pictures of all the snow and ice they are getting. I am so sorry! I think we are stealing all the amazing weather – though today it is going to be cooler again.

I am also thankful for the ability to take lots of walks. Another way to combat the stress is walking. I have been taking Bailey on a walk most everyday after lunch – giving myself a 20 minute work break. This has been hugely beneficial to me mentally. I also walk her before it gets dark right before dinner. This is a wonderful way to wind down the day. Dinner prep is usually in a place in which I can leave for 20 minutes or so.

We live in a very active neighborhood. Everyone is out walking, running, riding bikes all the time. Bailey has some of her favorite pals that we run into frequently on our walks.

Another stress reliever I am thankful for is hot drinks. I am almost continually with a mug of something hot in my hands. I start with hot coffee, often move to hot tea, then hot chocolate, hot Organifi, and then hot Nuun and Oasis. There is something calming about holding a mug of something warm and sipping.

https://www.advocare.com/9511416/store/product/w2715-advocare-oasis

Lastly, I am thankful for the stress reliever of journaling and quiet time. For my quiet time, I pray. As I pray I write and journal. It’s a lot more effective for me to process my thoughts and feelings if I write. Lately I have been working through Priscilla Shirer’s study of Gideon.

First thing every morning, I get my cup of coffee, lots of water, probiotics, BCAAs, and sit with my with my journal, Bible, and Bible study. It’s the BEST way for me to start my day.

What are your best stress relievers? What is something you have gratitude for right now? I would love to hear!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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

Tuesday Thoughts

I talk a lot about macros, macro-friendly recipes, macronutrient goals. I go into more depth on what macronutrients are in this former post. However, today I want to dive deeper into how I personally count and track macros and the tools and tricks I use to do so. For starters, I use MyFitnessPal app. This is a super user-friendly app that has a plethora of food and options for tracking all types of foods. I used the regular version for years until I finally did upgrade to the Premium version about a year ago. It makes tracking macros much much easier as you can program your macro goals, and then as you enter your food it will tell you how many macros you have left.

As I take on new clients and walk them through counting macros, a huge step in counting macros is figuring how to track food. At first this process of logging and tracking food can be very time consuming – needless to say trying to calculate and hit macro numbers at the same time! I realize there are many things that I have learned along the way that has helped this process take me maybe five minutes a day. Here are a few things that I have learned that have made the process of logging food and hitting macros a minimal task in my day:

  1. PLAN AHEAD!!!! I know this sounds so hard and unnecessary. Trust me. I tracked my food and macros for months before buying into this – planning and pre-logging. Let me assure you – this will save you SO much time and headache in the end. Typically one eats the same breakfast. or at least one has an idea as to what he or she is going to eat. Log it. If you work outside the home – you either pack a lunch or you know where you will be eating. Log it. Dinner is either planned or you have a general idea of what you will be having. Log it. Stick those meals in your food log the night before. Factor in some snacks to meet your macro goals – and you are done. No more thinking. Sure some days get changed, your packed lunch gets forgotten, a friend calls you last minute to go to lunch. You may have to tweak some things – but tweak and move along. Planning will save you so much!
  2. Use the barcode scanner. So easy! There is a barcode scanner in MFP. Be sure to change the serving sizes if needed. Click and scan. Boom – done.
  3. Use a food scale. This is the easiest and most accurate way to track food. Also, you can use less dishes this way – without having to use measuring tools. Type in the food in the search bar and follow with “g”. This will pull up food in grams. This is the most accurate way to measure your food if you are being really careful. (i.e. “zucchini g”).
  4. Items with the ✅ are the verified listings. This means the nutritional information has been verified. If you see a list of options but one or two listings with the ✅ then go with the verified listing.
  5. Be consistent. Plan. Plan meals for the week so you can copy your entries from one day to the next. And did I say plan?

Decision fatigue is a real thing. I struggle with this in different areas of life – so I love to have one or several aspects of my life in which I can minimize the decisions. What I eat is an area in which I can minimize decisions.

I think you will find there is real freedom in this process of planning and pre-logging. You will find yourself less hungry, less focused on food or what you will eat, less emotional in what you are eating. You will lessen the opportunities and risk to binge, overeat, undereat, become too hungry or too full.

Eat well. Eat with intention. Focus your attention and energy on the things which matter most.

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!

Meal Planning Monday

After perusing through my freezer the other day, I realized how much food was there – and food that has been in there for far too long! So much of it I want to eat, but for some reason I just haven’t! So I’m committing this week to working from that menu.

From my freezer I have some gnocchi from Trader Joe’s that is delicious. I have gotten this and eaten it before, so I know I love it. Why have I not eaten it? Truth? It got shoved down underneath other foods in my freezer, and I simply forgot about it!

The “red bag chicken” from Aldi is another family favorite. This chicken is the most like Chick-fil-a. Put one of these on a bun with some Honey Mustard, BBQ or copycat Chick-fil-a sauce, pickle, and you have yourself a Chick-fil-a sandwich. Seriously. It is a must try.

Thirdly, these Cowboy veggie burgers from Trader Joe’s are amazing. I will pop these in the air fryer, and then eat them atop my spinach salads. So good.

Also, for my carb, I have rice and pasta in the pantry that I will cook up for sides to my meals for added carbs as needed.

I did get fresh veggies and fruit from the grocery last weekend. We will eat these to fill on our meals and snacks.

So, the plan is to not cook or prepare anything new – I plan to use up these foods first. This should in theory free me up to get a lot done this week, right!?

🤣 We shall see…