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- 2 knobs fresh turmeric. (about 2 inches), peeled
- – if not available use 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1- inch x 1-inch ginger knob, peeled and chopped in 4s
- -use 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 10 -ounces Milkadamia unsweetened macadamia milk or other nut milk
- 1 teaspoon Rainbow Light Buffered Vitamin C powder ( optional)
- 10 -ounces distilled water
- 2 Tablespoons raw honey like Wedderspoon Raw Manuka Honey
- (if drinking cold at it to blender. If bringing milk tea to a boil, add the honey at the very last minute to keep potency).
- 2 cups Krusteaz Protein Complete Pancake Buttermilk mix
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 Tablespoons oil
- 1 egg
- 1 Tablespoon Trader Joe’s Everything-But-The-Bagel Seasoning
- 8 eggs
- 8 bacon slices
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup Light Mayonnaise
- 1/2 Tablespoon Sriracha
- 1 Tablespoon Ketchup
- I sprained my left ankle in April and sprained the right ankle in October.
- I reached my 1st weight loss goal of 50 lbs in August
- We moved and juggled life with 3 toddlers starting in August through November.
- Have dealt with anxiety and high stress.
- Found out 3 weeks ago that I have a huge uterine fibroid and have a planned operation this week.
- 10 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 1/3 cup non fat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 small garlic cloves, minced
- 4 ounces Trader Joe’s lite mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 ounce Light Cabot cheddar cheese
- 1 Tablespoon Light Mayonnaise
- 1 wedge Laughing Cow Asiago cheese
- 1/3 cup pepperoncini, chopped
- olive spray
- 6 ounces chicken breast
- 1 cup sliced button mushrooms
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon mineral salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/2 cup peas
- 16 ounces shirataki noodles ( found in the refrigerated section with tofu)
- 1/2 cup Bertolli Organic Alfredo Sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
Immune-Boosting Turmeric Milk Tea
March 7th, 2018I am a Southern girl, through and through. I always said I wanted to live somewhere else other than Texas and here I am 3 moves later in Pennsylvania. While in Texas, I dealt with humidity, high heat temperatures, and no seasons at all other than a prolonged summer. HA! Well, I will tell you first hand that you really cannot have it all.
I have experienced cold winters with massive amounts of snow. I have experienced SEASONS while in Michigan and Pennsylvania, and I will never imagine that people are all the same across this country because every state has their quirks. Yes, people thought I owned a horse just because I was from Texas but I digress.
I always suffered from sinus infections while in Texas but as soon as I found out I was lactose intolerant, I stopped drinking milk and suddenly my sinus infections decreased because pollen seemed to affect them too. Once I married and moved to Michigan, I dealt with different allergies.
Then came Pennsylvania. I started dealing with upper respiratory infections. They were really bad and one year, because I left untreated, it developed into bronchitis. What was I doing wrong? I finally got to meet an internal medicine doctor and the diagnosis was simply allergies. Really bad allergies. I then started to take Flonase and over the counter meds. I totally dislike being medicated for something tat I simply think has a solution so two years in a row I succumbed myself to nasal corticosteroids and over-the-counter meds. I disliked it.
I finally did my own research and realized I could solve my allergy issues naturally. While I am not a medical professional, I am a certified and registered pharmacy technician, and while I love knowing about meds, I like educating myself about all things, even natural medicine.
I started investigating the cause of allergies and come to found out that it really is all focused on the way we eat. The amount of high processed and sugary foods that are consumed are one of the reasons that allergies seem to plague this country. Don’t take MY word for it. Read about it yourself. I started my journey ONE year ago, January 2017, when I decided I was going to rid my lifestyle of processed sugar and processed foods and solely consume whole foods.
Was it easy. NO. But once I was on a swing of things I noticed that my allergies became better, especially after detoxifying and eating clean foods, like fruits, vegetables, healthy carbohydrates and lean proteins.
For years, when I started getting a cold I would make a tea consisting of fresh lemon juice, fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, cayenne pepper, raw honey and hot water. It was amazing how quickly it helped a sore throat or an oncoming cold.
Everyone knows how trendy turmeric lattes have been, but it is something that has been around for a long time that other cultures have been enjoying. For a good reason! I decided to create my own concoction that I could regularly consume that would help me not get sick and it proved wonders!
I have access to fresh ginger and fresh turmeric root so I added 1-2 knobs of turmeric with 2 knobs of ginger to a blender and added a nut milk, raw honey, and cinnamon and either drank fresh or I warmed up in a saucepan. I have consuming this tea for about 8 months and I have to say that I think it has helped my allergies a lot!
Every time I feel lethargic, or that my immune system is lowered, I make myself a batch of this milk tea and I am back to normal with no cold in site. I have recommended to friends and while it has been positive, be careful because turmeric STAINS! 🙂
While the ginger is potent, I sometimes decrease the ginger in order for my girls to drink it. Anytime I hear the sniffles, I make a batch and serve over ice.
While I would like this recipe to be vegan, the honey is necessary to contribute to the health benefits. Now while I generally use unsweetened almond milk, I had the opportunity to try Milkadamia milk made from macadamia nuts. I love new products and these are definitely unique when it comes to nut milks. I received the Unsweetened and Original version even though there are 4 options. I let my girls have the Original version because it has 6 grams of cane sugar but the Unsweetened was great with 1 gram of protein and very clean ingredients.
I liked how creamy Milkadamia ended up tasting. It is gluten-free, Non-GMO verified, vegan, and of course, dairy-free. The milk is made from raw macadamia nuts, grown in Australia. Interestingly enough, this milk is Carrageenan free which is a big plus when it comes to boxed nut milks. I loved this milk in coffee too! What a nice change.
I also have been enjoying Wedderspoon Manuka honey KFactor 16+ which is raw, unpasteurized and Non-Gmo verified. The KFactor is a goverment-approved rating through New Zealand guaranteeing a high pollen count. I have used this in tea, dosing my girls once they start the sniffles and in the Turmeric Milk Tea recipe.
Immune-Boosting Turmeric Milk Tea
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Keywords: blender heat raw beverage gluten-free soy-free vegetarian vegetarian recipes on recipage ginger root turmeric macadamia milk winter spring in-season fall
Ingredients (4 servings)
Instructions
Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender until smooth. If using the fresh roots there will be the blended root which I personally like but you can use a sieve and drink afterwards.
You can divide into 4 servings and serve over ice or heat in a saucepan for a hot milk tea. If you heat the milk tea, leave out the honey and add the honey at the end of a quick boil.
The honey has healthy properties that can be destroyed with heat.
disclaimer: I received mentioned products to test and review. Links included might contain affiliate links that help support this website. I am not a medical professional but an avid lover of health. I have read about turmeric and ginger and its doses. Every person’s body is different and responds differently. My herbal doses are based on articles like Earth Clinic.
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DotDotSmile: Fun Dresses for Girls
March 5th, 2018
Fun Dresses for girls. When I found out I was having my first daughter, I was excited. I always thought I would have boys because most of the kids I used to babysit were boys! I was being trained to take care of boys. I remember babysitting one little girl and I was that perhaps I was not prepared to be a girl mom. HA! What a funny thing we create in our minds.
Here I am, a mother of THREE girls and I would not change it for the world. God is wonderful and he knows what would be best for me. I have had such fun dressing my girls so when I got to meet Erica from DotDotSmile, an MLM company, I knew I needed to know more about these fun girly dresses.
DotDotSmile is a fashionable, affordable and durable kids clothing line with a pattern to suit every child’s personality. The company has been around since 2013 but just started having independent merchandisers back in February. The company is quickly growing and prides itself on positivity, uplifting others and providing the children of our future the confidence to rule the world! If you go to the site, you will see pictures of the dresses but if you want more information you will have to find an independent merchandiser like Erica Anne.
When I chose the dresses, I based the choices on the girls’ personalities. When they received and tried them, they were so excited! Here is what they thought:
The dresses are a mixture of a soft polyester / spandex mix and are stretchy. While there are different styles of dresses, I chose the Empire and Ballerina style because of the print availability. The girls loved their dresses. Even during the winter season, the girls have worn them at home and had fashion shows twirling their way down our home.
Here are what the dresses cost. Not only does DotDotSmile provide dresses but they also sell graphic tees, leggings, and kick shorts. Erica Anne gets inventory every week and shares the new prints with styles so make sure you go on her Facebook page.
Here are a few different styles they offer:
The dresses are famous for their full skirts to create the perfect twirl. 4 current styles, Tank, Classic Cap, Ballerina (3/4 sleeve with criss-cross in the back) and the empire ( low scoop back, flutter sleeve and empire waist). There is a Fancy collection that launched in November 2017 and they will be available size 6/12-8/10 in classic cap and ballerina.
I definitely know the girls will enjoy these dresses a whole lot better once the weather gets warm. I look forward choosing a few more prints because I love dressing my girls. After a few washes the dresses still look just as new. Make sure to check Erica Anne’s Facebook page or if you are thinking of becoming a merchandiser.
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Loaded Breakfast Waffle Sandwich
February 23rd, 2018
Breakfast is one of my favorite meals of the day. It also determines what kind of day I will have. I am sure you know what I mean. Sometimes I like breakfast all day long which is why I like making breakfast for dinner too! These Loaded Breakfast Waffle Sandwiches include everything you would want for a hearty breakfast. My kids loved them as well so you cannot go wrong.
I have been recently enjoying making easy and quick breakfast meals thanks to Krusteaz. They have three different prepared mixes for making buttermilk pancakes, waffles, and even protein-packed pancakes. I had a chance to play around with each mix to see which one I liked the best, but it was really hard! I definitely like the Protein Pancake Mix because anything high protein is a winner for my family.
On one morning I made these Banana Walnut Pancakes with the Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix and they were a hit. It took only 3 minutes to mix up the batter and 12-15 minutes to cook all the pancakes.
I am not one to have just pancakes for breakfast because I have to have the side of protein whether that means adding some bacon and eggs on the side. I notice that my family needs the additional protein for the amount of energy they burn. When it comes to meal planning, I really just like making breakfast for dinner because I KNOW that my girls will eat it with no problems.
My girls are not stingy eaters but there are some evenings where they just do not eat much dinner and then I feel frustrated knowing I spent all that time making something they did not even eat. When it comes to “brinner” or breakfast for dinner, I can easily ask my toddler girls what they would enjoy and bacon and pancakes will always be in some of their requests.
When I was planning my meal I decided to change up the breakfast for waffles since the girls usually enjoy pancakes all the time. I made a huge batch of them in the morning in order to save time in the evening. I made the mix a little more savory with adding The-Everything-But-The-Bagel Seasoning from Trader Joe’s and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Even though I had the Krusteaz Belgian Waffle Mix with me I preferred to use the Krusteaz Protein Complete Buttermilk Mix.
In the evening I prepared a big batch of bacon in the oven and then made a fruit salad while I waited. The last thing I did was fry the eggs because my family prefer their eggs this way. I made Loaded Breakfast Waffle Sandwiches for my husband and I to make something different but I placed everything separately on my girls plates because they tend to not eat something assembled.
Go figure. These girls saw mommy and daddy’s plates and they wanted the same sandwich. They each took their waffles and made their own sandwiches. Breakfast for dinner was a success! The waffles were a hit and easy to make. With a big batch in the fridge to reheat, I am sure someone is bound to request for waffles in the morning.
What is your favorite to make? Waffles or Pancakes?
Krusteaz Loaded Breakfast Waffle Sandwich
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (4 sandwiches)
For Waffles
For Sandwich
For Drizzle
Instructions
For Waffles
Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. Heat a griddle and spray with olive oil spray. Pour about 1/3 cup into each griddle section and cook for about 3-5 minutes. Repeat until batter is completed making 6-8 waffles.
For Drizzle
Mix ingredients together and set aside.
For Sandwich
Cook bacon for 12-17 minutes in the oven at 375F. Set aside. Fry eggs 2 at a time on a medium non-stick pan on medium heat. Cook until over easy about 5 minutes between both sides. Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of cheese over the two eggs and allow to melt. Set aside on a plate and cook remaining eggs.
Assembly
Take 1 waffle and layer with 2 eggs. Add 2 slices of bacon and then 2 tomato slices. Drizzle with sauce, about 2 teaspoons worth. Top with another waffle and cut in half and enjoy. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
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Skinny Hot Spinach Dip
January 22nd, 2018This Skinny Hot Spinach Dip is ready in 15 minutes and can be prepared in the air fryer.
I am trying on not to become one of those people who only posts their recipes on social media. After all, I do have a blog and readers to share. I just want to update many of you who do not have Instagram but I hit my ONE YEAR anniversary on Weight Watchers. I set a goal to lose 50 pounds by August and I reached it hoping to reach goal on December 2017.
I started plateauing in August and I finally figured out why. As many might know, our life has changed a lot especially since we moved in October. I had to process packing, planning, and moving and as soon as we moved in, we had to deal with unpacking and decorating.
Here is what has happened this year.
It is a small list but emotionally it has been a busy and tiring year. I am super thankful that I was able to follow Weight Watchers with my husband but the plateau has not been fun. Looks like the life of high stress has taken a toll on my body creating havoc with my hormones. Hopefully my upcoming procedure will help with bringing my body back to normal.
I do plan on making more changes though. Who knows about stress? Despite eating a really healthy life, I have been consuming huge amounts of coffee, something I increased with the amount of stress of life. I am planning on weaning and focusing on adaptogens, herbs and processes to stabilize stress in everyday life. You’ll be reading about that soon!
Fast forward to recipes. I have been sharing a lot of my daily meals on Instagram but the time to be able to share recipes has been hard. I have been giving myself a break but now I am looking forward to some downtime, sharing with you!
I created this Skinny Hot Spinach Dip because appetizers are my favorite thing but they are usually so high in calories. Since I did not have artichokes on hand I modified using pepperonicini peppers which gave this dip a delicious tangy flavor. The gooey factor is definitely present but make sure your appetizer is hot!
This is 2 Freestyle Smartpoints per 1/3 cup serving. I paired with Saffron Road Lentil Chips for another 3 Smartpoints for 20 chips.
Skinny Hot Spinach Dip
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients (serves 4)
Instructions
Cook spinach in a non-stick skillet until wilted for about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and drain liquid in a strainer.
Place back in skillet and add all ingredients except for 1 ounce mozzarella and Cabot cheese.
Heat over medium heat until everything is heated and melted.
Drain again because there will be extra liquid. Place in a dish to place in air fryer.
Top with remaining cheese and cook at 392 for 10 minutes. Serve with lentil chips or corn crackers. You can bake in the oven at 400F for 15 minutes and end with broiling for 3 minutes.
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Easy Recipe: Low Carb Chicken Tetrazzini
January 19th, 2018
Happy New Year everyone! I cannot believe that 2018 is here already. So much has happened and much of it seems like it happened in a whirlwind! I finally feel like I am finding a new normal in our new home. I need to take advantage of the great kitchen I have in our new house. Thanks to Bertolli® for being one of our favorite brands to help make this Low Carb Chicken Tetrazzini.
When it comes to the New Year we always expect to see our friends come up with resolutions. I think my husband and I have always been the type not to fall into that category. We love chatting about goals for our family but it is something we always do. One thing we have definitely committed to since 2017 is living a clean eating lifestyle. We focus on eating low-carb as much as possible with minimal sugar in any meal.
Of course, we are humans and we miss enjoying certain meals and foods and sometimes we indulge or I create a meal that seems indulgent so that we can still enjoy it. When it came time to create with the new Bertolli Organic Creamy Alfredo Sauce, I knew that I had to enjoy a family favorite without compromising. Bertolli makes their sauce with organic ingredients, like fresh cream, milk, real butter, and aged Parmesan and Romano cheeses bringing a rich and authentic flavor to each dish.
One of the things I miss about Italy is the food. Specific to the Tuscan region, the food is beyond compare. The Tuscan Way of eating involves fresh and quality ingredients including olive oil to seal all the flavors.
Bertolli focuses on using this art of cooking in order to Bring Tuscany To Your Table. While I am very familiar with their line of sauces I was really excited to try their Organic Sauces. I was able to taste the Bertolli® Organic Fire Roasted Garlic Marinara Sauce on simple roasted spaghetti squash. The sauce was an incredible blend of roasted garlic, onions and herbs and spices. All I had to do was heat and serve to my family!
Bertolli sauce is considered USDA Organic and non GMO using only the finest organic and natural ingredients like their plump tomatoes, extra olive virgin oil and Romano cheese. On busy nights in the kitchen I am excited to have healthy options to make quick meals for my family.
On weekends I usually have a bit of time to meal prep for the upcoming week. I roast lots of vegetables, lean meats and make a list of meal options. Since I had the NEW Bertolli® Organic Creamy Alfredo Sauce I really wanted to make my Chicken Tetrazzini.
I usually make it with turkey leftovers after Thanksgiving, but this year I did not make a turkey. I decided to make an easy recipe for a weeknight indulgent dinner. Some nights I just cook for one person so this meal takes all by 20-30 minutes to from start to finish.
I was able to enjoy an Alfredo pasta sauce for the first time in a long time without much work in the kitchen and without sabotaging our low-carb lifestyle. Thanks to Bertolli for making the first nationally-branded organic Alfredo sauces in the category.
Easy Recipe: Low Carb Chicken Tetrazzini
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients (1-2 servings)
Instructions
Heat a non-stick skillet on medium medium heat and spray with olive oil spray. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and pan fry for 7 minutes or until meat temperature reaches 165F.
Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Add mushrooms, onion, garlic, thyme and salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes and add peas, water, bouillon, Bertolli Organic Alfredo sauce, and 1/3 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
Simmer for another 5 minutes on medium high heat. Meanwhile, slice and dice the grilled chicken and add the mushroom mix along with the shirataki noodles.
Make sure to follow the instructions on the bag for the low-carb noodles. Toss the noodles well with the mushroom and chicken mixture and divide mixture in half and serve. Sprinkle with parsley and the rest of the Parmesan.
