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    Nutrition for Longevity Meal Delivery- A Healthy New You {Review}

    December 7th, 2020

    We are coming to a new year which means that as you make plans to become healthy or set goals for yourself, look to Nutrition for Longevity as an option to help you reach your goals. Eating healthy has never been so easy. They have the same precision nutrition with calorie ranges and macro ranges from The Longevity Diet to support a healthy lifestyle, but all the work is done for you by our Registered Dietitians and in-house Chefs. Check out my review below.

     

    Update

    I realized it has been a WHOLE year since I have published a post here but let me tell you that it was all meant for a reason. I turned to Instablogging for a year because it was about all I could manage with the lifestyle I was focusing on. I realized after 10 years of blogging and focusing on various ways of eating, I never really knew what was best for me nor did I take the time to really realize my issues. I am sorry that after many years of sharing recipes that I was inconsistent in my messages. I will be the first one to let you know that I was just trying to find my way, my purpose and my identity.

    Healthy Me

    After a year of focusing on my personal health journey I want to announce to my readers here that I have lost 90 pounds* with Optavia and I have regained my life and am now a health coach and a lifestyle blogger. Both things have solidified for me and I have a purpose behind everything I do right now because while I have had interest in health and nutrition, I really did not know how to really focus on it.

    After focusing on nutrition and unhealthy habits for a year, I am very excited to share that it is possible to achieve your goals in a healthy way.

    Nutrition for Longevity Meal Delivery

    While I have been enjoying being at my initial goal weight, I have transitioned to maintaining and losing weight to reach my second goal in a slower manner. One thing I have enjoyed learning is intuitively understanding what and how my body responds to foods. In comes brands like Nutrition for Longevity which is a company that focuses on meal delivery, giving options to busy individuals who need a break in meal planning or even breaking down the calorie and macro ranges. Imagine this being a farm-to-table delivery service.

    No more meal planning, shopping, prepping and cooking, Nutrition for Longevity does it all for you, just heat and eat. I chose the 3-day Pescatarian meal plan because I have been eating a lot of fish on a normal basis. This meal kit features three partial days of meals per week based on the Longevity Diet, ensuring I get at least 10 servings of fruits and vegetables, 25 grams of fiber, and less than 30% of your calories from fat daily. Each day I enjoyed a ready-to-eat lunch and an easy-to-cook dinner with a recipe card to guide me through making my own artisan meal.

    Sample Pescatarian Meals

    Here is one of the meals I enjoyed with my husband. It was nice to be able to grab something out of the fridge to eat after preparing my girls their lunches. As a homeschooling mother, I am making meals 3 times a day and sometimes these meals look different. I had my work cut out by having a Cold Soba Salad.

    These meals are sealed in BPA and Phthalate free recyclable trays each individually sealed to eat salads fresh or heat and eat dinners. If you’re on the go, you can freeze them to enjoy later. These meals are gluten free and plant-forward to help you get the needed fiber, fruits and vegetables in your diet.

    Every week Nutrition for Longevity comes out with different meal options that suit your lifestyle. If you are eating 3 times a day within a certain calorie range, there is an option for you. If you are eating vegan, there is a plan for you. Either way, if you are uncertain, there is a team of Registered Dieticians that are available to chat with and give anyone a consult.

    Review

    I chose the 3-day trial meal plan that delivered 3 days worth of lunches and dinners. The packaging was very well packed and all the meals looked fresh. I get to chose my delivery day, which was a Wednesday for me. All ingredients are SO amazingly fresh and sourced. All these meals are created by the company’s Executive Chef and is curated using produce that is brought to customers’ doors within 48 hours of coming together.

    I definitely enjoyed the variety of fish for my dinners like haddock and shrimp to huge salads for lunch with a mixture of healthy grains and noodles. I wish I had ordered breakfast in my order because it is an important meal of the day. Even though I enjoyed my meals, I was not really feeling salads when I received my plan. With a colder climate, I felt more like a soup or hot meal. Sometimes I had my dinner for lunch because I could have something hot. Since each meal ranged from 400-450 calories, sometimes I left out the dressings  in my salad in order to add more protein.

     

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    Family Fun at Dutch Winter Wonderland [Discount]

    December 6th, 2019

    Thank you to the folks at Dutch Wonderland for hosting us last weekend after Thanksgiving.

    Family Traditions

    As our family has grown, we have tried to establish some traditions but truthfully I believe that now that my girls are older, it is easier to make them. When they were younger, we would have Thanksgiving by ourselves and even perhaps there were some years that we were invited to a friend’s home.

    This year we had the privilege of hosting 4 families who do not have family near. It was so dear and such a great time was had by all. There is really nothing like bringing people together over a large meal. It is something to be truly thankful for.

    Black Friday

    In past years when it was only me and my husband, we would go Black Friday shopping but as we kept adding kids, the experience seemed daunting. Online shopping just ended up being easier. This year we decided to leave everything behind, and enjoy a day in Lancaster country. We used to live closer when we were in Chester County but now we have a longer trek.

    We all enjoyed a nice road trip, but guess what? We ended up checking out some outlets and we regretted it because it was pure mayhem. We enjoyed an early dinner before we surprised the kiddos on a visit to Dutch Wonderland. There is nothing like having family fun during the holidays.

    Dutch Winter Wonderland

    Have you ever visited a theme park over the holidays? I am not quite sure I have or else I have mom brain, but this was for sure, my girls’ first time. There are so many things to offer at Dutch Wonderland liked themed rides, special entertainment, and not to mention, a fully-decorated theme park with sparkly lights.

    Since we have three daughters varying in age, we enjoyed some rides together and some split up. My 4-year old daughter is definitely more sensitive to motion so we enjoyed toddler rides and even the sky ride. The sky ride was probably the best ride to see the whole park decorated.

    Was it cold? Yes, it was, but as we kept moving, it kept us distracted. We arrived bundled in our coats, hats, and gloves and there were sections of the park that provided heaters.

    Park Hours and Discount Code

    Are you looking for something different to do with your family over the holidays? I heard from locals that as the month goes by it gets busier but it only means it is worth enjoying! Check out the calendar for select dates and times to visit the event this season.

    GO to the website and use my discount code, DWWBlog19 to receive a discount this season. Tag me with #singerinkitchen when you visit with your family and friends!

     

    Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park

    2249 Lincoln Highway East
    Lancaster, PA 17602

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    Low Carb Eggs Benedict with Quick Hollandaise

    December 2nd, 2019

    Eggs are such a big staple in our fridge. There really is no day that my husband or I will go without eating eggs. We love how filling they are and how it makes us empowered to start our day on the right foot. Thanks to Pete and Gerry’s for making our mornings so much more with a reliable product as yours.

    Low Carb Eggs Benedict with Quick Hollandaise Sauce -hero

    My favorite months

    November and December are two of my favorite months of the year. I wish fall lasted long enough within the month of December, but as usual, forecasts are constantly reporting snow and flurries. Even so, that does not usually stop me.

    November is all about baking and planning for Thanksgiving and December is still another month to bake with my family. My three girls LOVE to be in the kitchen so you can only imagine fighting that takes place when it comes to mixing, adding and making baked goods. You should be here.

    Really. 🙂

    Low Carb Eggs Benedict with Quick Hollandaise - full plate

    Jump to Recipe

    Planning for meals

    When it comes to planning on meals during these 2 months, I start making lists of recipes and ideas. I make sure that if we have company coming that I include something that is suitable for them.

    My husband and I love brunch on Thanksgiving morning and Christmas Day. I plan on recipes that I grew up that my grandmother made and I add a few that are my husband’s favorite as well. This year he and I are on different eating plans so while I eat low-carb, he and my girls eat normal foods. How do I make it all work out?

    Low Carb Eggs Benedict with Quick Hollandaise Sauce 4

    Low Carb Eggs Benedict

    Eggs Benedict is simply an elegant meal that can be served for any time of day, in my opinion but I decided to focus on our brunch menu for this year. Instead of focusing on an egg casserole I decided to make something fancier. While I prepared a traditional recipe for Eggs Benedict for my husband, I made one for myself that was entirely unique.

    If you are living a low-carb lifestyle or you are simply trying to limit the carbs, because veggies and fruits still have their carbs, my zucchini cakes make a great substitute for English muffins.

    Zucchini pancakes

    I grated zucchini and added Pete and Gerry’s Organic Egg Whites along with some reduced fat Parmesan cheese. I added a pinch of salt and created 2 cakes on a griddle. Meanwhile I poached 2 Pete and Gerry’e eggs in slow simmering water and pan-fried some Canadian bacon.

    poaching eggs

    My hollandaise was my favorite because it was SO SIMPLE. I used the remaining yolk and mixed in lemon juice, pepper and fat free Greek yogurt and zapped it quickly in the microwave.

    For 320 calories, I enjoyed a guilt-free version with a side of fresh tomatoes.

    Low Carb Eggs Benedict with Quick Hollandaise Sauce

    Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs

    Eggs are usually central to the brunch I prepare. I either have an egg casserole or other savory options. Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs are always free from pesticides, added hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs. All the eggs from this company come from small family farms that are dedicated to humane animal treatment, safety, and environmental sustainability.

    Low Carb Eggs Benedict with Quick Hollandaise

    A healthy alternative for the traditional Eggs Benedict using Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs.
    Prep Time15 minutes
    30 minutes
    Total Time45 minutes
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: brunch, eggs, low carb
    Servings: 2 servings

    Equipment

    • small pot
    • non-stick pan

    Ingredients

    • 4 Pete and Gerry’s Organic eggs
    • 4 Canadian bacon slices
    • 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
    • 6 ounces shredded zucchini
    • 3 Tablespoons Pete and Gerry’s egg whites
    • 3 Tablespoons reduced-fat Parmesan cheese
    • Pinch of salt and pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • For Hollandaise:
    • 1 Pete and Gerry’s Organic egg
    • 2 Tablespoons fat free Greek yogurt
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • Pinch of salt and pepper

    Instructions

    • To poach eggs: Fill small pot with water, half filled. Allow water to boil and reduce heat to simmer. Add 1 Tablespoon vinegar.
    • While the water is boiling, shred the zucchini and using paper towels or a sieve, try to remove moisture from zucchini. Add to a small bowl and mix in egg white, Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
    • Heat a non-stick pan on medium and spray with olive oil spray. Divide the zucchini mixture to make 4 patties. Cook for 4 minutes on each side until firm and set aside.
    • Meanwhile, continue by poaching eggs by gently cracking an egg in a separate small dish. Swirl a spoon in the center of the simmering water and pour in the cracked egg. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Repeat with the rest of the eggs.
    • After the zucchini pancakes are finished, heat the Canadian bacon.
    • Assemble by placing two zucchini pancakes on each dish, add a Canadian bacon on each pancake and top with a poached egg. Prepare the hollandaise sauce below.
    • For Hollandaise: Crack an egg in a small ramekin and whip until mixed well. Add the Greek yogurt and salt and pepper. Place the ramekin in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds and mix. Add for another 30 seconds and remove from microwave. Add the lemon juice and mix and divide sauce between both plates.

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    Coffee Two-Ways with Keurig K-Duo

    September 9th, 2019

    Coffee is an every day thing for many of us but sometimes there is little time for it. Keurig® has come out with a new appliance that works in a way that helps the household in many ways. The Keurig® K-Duo can save everyone money by in many ways. Check out the link at the end to know how to purchase this awesome coffeemaker.


    Coffee time

    Our mornings start as soon as the kids are up and the coffee is brewed. As many times as I try to schedule the coffee to be ready in the mornings, I usually forget. My husband is usually the same so if there are mornings we have no coffee, it can be seriously dangerous.

    After that, having any coffee is futile. I can only focus on getting the kids their breakfast and getting them to school. Once 10:00 rolls around, it is virtually impossible. Does anyone go through the same issue? Sometimes I fool myself thinking it is okay to reheat coffee from the previous day. I get scolded. Amusing yet?

    Keurig K-Duo Essentials Coffee Maker

    We have been long time fans of Keurig®but it has been a few years since we have purchased a new appliance. My husband’s Keurig®at the office keeps his coffee drinking in order while my Keurig®Rivo works like a gem making espresso, cappuccinos and lattes.

    Keurig® K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker can serve two purposes and it includes a K-Cup® and brewing coffee with ground coffee. I was able to try the Green Mountain ground coffee and K-Cup® option and they were both comparable. On a busy morning, I inserted a K-Cup®pod and depending on my coffee mug size, I could make an 8-ounce, 10-ounce or 12-ounce cup of coffee.

    On another morning, I was able to use my travel mug to brew my 12 -ounce coffee before I left for my errands. It was quick and convenient.

    What about brewing coffee on a low-key day or evening when entertaining friends? The Keurig® K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker can also brew coffee pretty quickly for 12 people. After having a dinner party a few days ago, I knew I was going to need one more pot of coffee and well, having an extra pot was GREAT!

    One of the great features of this coffee maker is the the pause & pour feature allowing the Keurig®
    K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker to be paused in mid-brew for 20 seconds, so anyone can pour fresh, hot coffee right away.

    More Features

    There is really no clean-up fuss with this coffee maker. With an auto-off feature for both the brewer and heating plate, this energy-efficient coffee maker also contains a unique 60 oz. single reservoir that is shared between single serve and carafe brewing making refilling easy.

    When I have shared with friends about this appliance they are astounded at how affordable it is. The K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker has wonderful options for the every day busy family and can only be purchased at Walmart. Check it out below:

     

    If you want to know about the products, check out Keurig on social media:

    facebook.com/keurig
    twitter.com/keurig
    instagram.com/keurig

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    Baked Turkey and Cheese Empanadas – Power Your Lunchbox

    September 3rd, 2019

    We are happy to see the school year start again even though we had a super fast summer. Back to school means a lot of planning and thinking of healthy meals for my family. If you struggle with this on a daily basis, do not worry! There are so many resources, like Produce for Kids, a cause marketing organization that creates programs that provide fun and easy recipes for busy families. In addition to these resources, Produce for Kids has partnered with 9 produce brands for the back-to-school initiative called Power Your Lunchbox. I will share what it is all about below.

    Pushing Past Picky

    Do you constantly struggle what to pack your kids for school because either it basically all comes back home or it is simply wasted? One of the biggest desires for my kids has been for them to learn how to eat and to basically choose what is good for their bodies. Is this to hard for a 7, 6 and 4 year old? Perhaps for the youngest, but it truly starts at home.

    When I started preparing foods when my girls were babies, I made sure at least 85% of everything I gave them was homemade. I also loved giving them a variety on their plate so they could savor and enjoy the fruits and veggies. I can truthfully say that my older girls can be very outspoken on what they do and do not like because they have tried them but either the consistency or flavor of some random fruit or veggie will not be the end of the world.

    Giving Choices

    I start with asking my girls what favorite meals they would love at lunch time and I make a list. I know my two girls love:

    • tuna fish and crackers
    • rice and beans
    • hummus and pretzels
    • peanut butter and jelly

    Other times I will surprise them and create something for them. What makes it even more fun is having a variety of color in a lunch box. If you do not have a bento box, you could vary lunches by using one like this one by Bentology. Each compartment can hold a fruit, veggie, protein, treat and perhaps a dip or healthy carb. If you do not use one, you can still pack a variety of small portions. These kids only have about 20 minutes to eat lunch so it should not be so complicated.

    This year I am introducing the Thermos food jar so I can send in their favorite soup, chili or leftovers.

    As I created a special recipe for my girls I decided to share the recipe with you.

    Baked Turkey and Cheese Empanadas - #poweryourlunchbox

    Power Your Lunchbox

    Produce for Kids has done a great job creating a space to inspire families and schools around. They want to see you create nutritious lunches and meals to make a healthier school year. Why don’t you join us and show us your creations using #poweryourlunchbox? Check out the website to see how you can support this initiative by finding kid-friendly and dietitian -approved lunchbox recipes.

    Power Your Lunchbox Sweepstakes

    This year, the program’s health-conscious brand partners have committed to providing 180,000* meals to Feeding America’s programs that impact families and children. These brands are:

    • Bee Sweet Citrus, Crispy Green®
    • GROW Bananas
    • Litehouse®
    • NatureFresh™ Farms
    • Pero Family Farms®
    • RealSweet®
    • WHOLLY® GUACAMOLE
    • Zespri® Kiwifruit

    *$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks

    Check out the website for ideas and at the same time check out the sweepstakes to win an Echo Show. Good luck!

    Baked Turkey and Cheese Empanadas - inside

    Baked Turkey and Cheese Empanadas

    Prep Time: 20 minutes

    Cook Time: 20 minutes

    Ingredients (serves 10)

    • 10 defrosted dough discs (Found in freezer section by Goya)
    • 8 ounces turkey deli, chopped
    • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
    • 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
    • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
    • egg wash (1 egg whipped)

    Instructions

    Remove dough discs from packaging. Preheat oven to 375F and begin assembling empanadas.

    Baked Turkey and Cheese Empanadas - prep

    Spread 1 Tablespoon of Dijon mustard in the dough disc. Add 1-2 Tablespoons chopped turkey, 2 Tablespoons of shredded cheese and 1 Tablespoon of sliced olives in the middle of the disc. Bring dough edges together and seal. Use a fork to finish sealing the edges.

    Baked Turkey and Cheese Empanadas - egg wash

    Repeat with the rest of the dough. Place the empanadas on the baking sheet about 1 inch apart and brush each empanada with egg wash. Bake for 20 minutes and remove from oven.

    Baked Turkey and Cheese Empanadas - in the oven

    Cool empanadas and pack 1-2 empanadas in kids’ lunches. These freeze well and can be thawed before packing into lunch.

    Baked Turkey and Cheese Empanadas - finished

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    Baked Turkey and Cheese Empanadas - Back-to-School Lunch
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