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- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped and packed
- 2 cups baby kale, packed
- 1 cup English cucumber, diced
- 3/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 3/4 cup fresh peaches, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/3 cup honey balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, crushed
- In a large bowl, add the lettuce and the rest of the ingredients.
- Mix the ingredients for the dressing and add to the salad right before serving the baked pizza.
- The dressing will wilt salad quickly so prepare before serving.
- Through the website, families can use the AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium locator to find participating locations.
- Additionally, they can download AZA’s “Tails Up” app to learn more about wildlife while on the go this summer.
- 1 cup pearled barley
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 cup carrots, peeled and diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 cup button mushrooms, diced
- 1/3 cup Kikkoman soy sauce
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- Boil water and cover the 1 cup of barley with the hot water and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Drain the water and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large sauce pan.
- Add the carrots, onions, mushrooms and barley and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the soy sauce, garlic, turmeric, and water and boil on medium high heat for 10 minutes or until water has evaporated.
- Remove from heat and serve with grilled chicken and a second side dish or salad.
- 2 chicken breasts (about a pound)
- 3/4 cup Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce
- 2 cups purple cabbage, shredded
- 3 carrots, shredded
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 16-ounce can crushed pineapple, juice drained
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- salt to taste
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 2 Tablespoons wasabi powder
- salt to taste
- Yellow Round Corn Chips
- Marinate chicken in Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce for 4 hours.
- Remove chicken from sauce and grill on medium high heat with 1 Tablespoon olive oil.
- Cook chicken on each side for 7 minutes on each side.
- Remove from heat. Set aside.
- Place chicken breasts in the food processor and shred chicken.
- Using a food processor, shred the cabbage and carrots. Add to a medium bowl, and continue adding the remaining ingredients, like cilantro and crushed pineapple. Add the olive oil and salt and mix well.
- Blend the sour cream, water, wasabi powder and salt really well.
- Take one round corn chip, add about 1 1/2 Tablespoons cabbage slaw, then about 1 Tablespoons of Teriyaki chicken, then drizzle some crema. Repeat.
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It is Sunwarrior’s first USDA Certified Organic Protein Powder & the first new product released in 3 years.
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This new powder is Sunwarrior’s original rice protein with added amino acid balancing effects of peas, chia seeds, quinoa, and amaranth.
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It is Sunwarrior’s best tasting protein yet
- 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
- 1 cup chai tea
- 1/2 cup raw oatmeal
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup ice
- 1 scoop Sunwarrior Classic Protein Powder
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blender until smooth. Makes one large 3 cup serving or two 1.5 cup servings.
For Busy Families: The Ultimate Summer Salad for Five Cheese Pizzas
August 11th, 2015This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EffortlessMeals #CollectiveBias
It has officially been 3 weeks since I had my third daughter and I simply cannot believe that it feels so long ago already. Now that we have an added a fifth member to our family, it only means that life is a little busier than usual. I’m blessed to have my husband for most of the summer since he works for a school but that has not always meant that I am not still busy. Since having our baby, meal planning and cooking has been a bit of a challenge. Once September comes along, my husband will be right back to work five days a week and I will be in charge of making meals again. I recently discovered that Walmart has effortless meals ready for families who are a little busier than usual.
As I walked into the store I was happy to find meal options for my family. While I am usually the wife that loves making everything fresh, I have had to let go of that principle on occasions due to busier weeks. I remember growing up and having my mother pick up a rotisserie chicken and adding it to a green salad to make for a healthier dinner but one that would be ready very quickly. I never complained but looking back I realize how genius and awesome that stores like Walmart have ready-made meals for complicated times of the week.
One of the meals my family enjoys eating during the week is pizza. While I like buying dough and the additional ingredients to MAKE the pizza, my life at this point does not allow me to do this, especially with a newborn and 2 toddlers. Walmart has Marketside pizzas for easy pick up to either grill or bake at home while adjusting to either a change in lifestyle like a baby or with other families getting back in the back-to school routine. We will have ONE toddler going to school and my husband, so I know we also will have some more challenges as the school year approaches.
Effortless Meals are convenient to purchase, help provide healthy, fresh options for dinner during back-to-school, and create a positive mealtime experience for your family. While many might not think that pizza is such a healthy option, I think it is when one is enjoying it once a week with a huge salad.
Something that my husband did not enjoy while growing up were salads when eating pizzas. We on the other hand always had a large salad to accompany or pizza nights while growing up because then we did not feel so guilty eating pizza, or it would even help not overeating. I also hold the same principle in our family when it comes to pizza night in our family, but how do you get even your toddlers to eat salad or adults to go for seconds?
I have found that when I vary the greens in my salads and then add a combination of mixings like fruits, nuts, and veggies that my family will not focus that they are eating baby kale or spinach. Yes, even you can make your pizza night healthy with the addition of a quick and healthy salad that will have your family asking for more. Include your kiddos in the salad making and it will definitely ensure them eating it.
My girls helped me mix the whole salad and while they saw what I added into they were excited to eat it. Here is what you do:
Preheat your oven and get your Marketside pizza ready on a baking sheet. We chose to eat the 5 Cheese Pizza especially since I had a nice special salad that would accompany it well.
I mixed in two different kinds of greens for variety like romaine and baby kale.
I then diced English cucumbers, fresh peaches, and red onions and set aside a few other ramekins with pecans and fresh blueberries.
While I normally like creamy dressings when eating pizza I decided that a lighter dressing would be better enjoyed since we were having cheese pizza. My girls have not liked the creamy dressings so I went with a sweeter balsamic dressing made from honey that brought the salad together. The honey balsamic was not as tangy which made the girls enjoyed the salad a lot better.
They were ready to dig in especially since there was fruit and nuts in the salad. I just reiterated that they were to eat it with the lettuce and guess what? They ate the salad. This salad allowed my husband and me to eat two servings of it and it helped me not to overindulge in pizza because it was just so delicious. It made for a balanced meal with the pizza.
The pizza was then ready once the salad was finished, just in time to get everyone to dinner. So now that I had not spent such a long time in the kitchen, the food was ready with little chaos. Everyone knows that kids get a little rambunctious during meal prep time but having help from them eases this and then our whole family sits together for a meal.
If sitting down with your whole family got meal time is important as it is for us, you will have to try these effortless meals available at Walmart. The signage at the store makes it easy for people to find what to make for dinner with little effort! Not only are the Marketside Pizza Meals and 2-liter Coke products available at Walmart but they also have a Rotisserie Chicken Meal which includes the sides and the 2-liter Coke products.
Be sure to check out more delicious effortless meal inspiration. How would you pair Marketside products with Coca-Cola?
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The Zoo: Ideal Toddler Summer Activity
August 7th, 2015
Consider the zoo and ideal activity when planning the rest of your summer. It makes for a great all-day outing with your family and friends.
After I spoke to my husband this past week we simply could not believe that we only had 6 weeks left until summer was officially over. Can you believe that? Yes, I have one of those spouses that loves countdowns to holidays, deadlines and more. Sometimes it is entertaining and sometimes it is downright mean. I love my summer because it means I have my husband at home the majority of the time to help me with the kids so anyone reminding me that summer is almost over kind of puts a damper on things.
Well, summer is still in … and families around the country are gearing up for their next great adventures. What better place to start than a trip to your local zoo or aquarium accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)?
Now that I am pregnant with our third baby, going on outings with my two girls can be exhausting but most of the time and earlier in the pregnancy it was easier to just put everything down and go on outings we would not normally do like the zoo. Although we have only been once, it is a place my girls have asked to go to quite often. It is close to the city, Philly, so we would make it a day excursion so that the girls could enjoy the whole experience.
My girls are both mobile so going to the zoo without a stroller is so much easier and allows for quicker and easier access to exhibits and scheduled events that the zoo makes available. There is a wonderful carousel that the girls love riding over and over as well as an outdoor play area that would be even more ideal this year since my girls are older.
As we have talked about animals and watched videos, the girls’ interests in certain animals has changed so I look forward seeing how excited they get seeing lions and monkeys but even more so the penguins. Oh my goodness, my girls love penguins so much that I cannot wait to see their reaction this year.
Something else that is great about going to the zoo is meeting up with other moms and kids. While we do not always stay together it allows for great conversation between the moms while the kids interact and get excited by their surroundings. Who would not enjoy that?
Frito-Lay’s variety packs – the snack line known for fueling fun for the whole family – has teamed up with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for a special offer. This summer, families who purchase specially marked Frito-Lay variety packs can get a free kid’s pass to a participating AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium where they can get out and experience wildlife.
In addition to the free kid’s pass, families who visit FritoLayZooFun.com also will have access to fun digital tools for their next summer experience:
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Frito-Lay is giving families an opportunity to unleash their fun sides on FritoLayZooFun.com through “Wild Like Me,” a new digital experience that invites animal lovers to upload a photo of themselves mimicking their favorite animal’s facial expression for a chance to win a trip to Atlantis Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas. Visit http://fritolayzoofun.com/#rules for complete sweepstakes details.
Disclosure: Thank you Frito-Lay for sponsoring this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Quick and Savory Barley Pilaf
August 3rd, 2015This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Kikkoman and Latina Bloggers Connect.
Life is slowly getting back to normal since having my little one almost 2 weeks ago. It is quite unbelieveable how everything has changed with one new addition to our family. As I slowly prepare to say goodbye to my family who have been in town for 2 weeks, I have been thinking of quick and healthy meals to prepare for my immediate family. When I had my grandmother from Mexico ask me how I create dishes, I simply told her that I am inspired by the ingredients I had available in the fridge and pantry.
It was a delight to share different dishes I normally make for my family to my grandmother as though it was a novelty for her like showing her how to grill mushrooms for burgers or even preparing barley in a unique and different way than my grandmother would in Mexico. It has actually been fun to share recipes with each other and to know that our connection is even stronger because of our love for cooking.
I find it so rewarding to be able to come from a family that loves to cook and that conversations are started by memories around the table as I would imagine a lot of families share in other homes. When I was challenged to create a side dish with Kikkoman soy sauce, I knew that it would be exciting to see what would come out of my kitchen.
My mother has been making a lot of barley and oatmeal drinks for me to help with breastfeeding so I decided to make a side dish using pearled barley that my whole family could share knowing that it would healthy, wholesome and delicious. I gathered a variety of veggies from my fridge and added a few spices and included Kikkoman soy sauce as a replacement for salt. Kikkoman soy sauce is traditionally brewed and is a versatile ingredient that can be used to cook many different types of cuisines. I like the fact that it can be a natural flavor enhancer as well.
I had my mom and grandmother taste and give me their opinion and they both approved of the savory dish. I made them wait a day to enjoy the side dish with the protein and veggie I was going to prepare. How cruel, right?
I paired my side dish with some pan-grilled chicken and some sauteed yellow squash. It was a perfect accompaniment and was even toddler-approved at lunch a few days ago which is always a plus in my home. Enjoy this healthy dish with your family.
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kikkoman. The opinions and text are all mine.
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Mini Teriyaki Chicken Tostadas
July 27th, 2015This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Kikkoman and Latina Bloggers Connect.
Hopefully everyone is enjoying their summer with family and friends. At one point we thought that the summer was going to end up being a rainy one but it looks like we are on track for a warm week ahead especially in Pennsylvania. While I am happy to say that I am no longer pregnant we are now happy to continue our summer with a newborn at home and with family coming to stay and help during the transition time. While we may not be hanging with friends or socializing for a while, who’s not to say we cannot enjoy some good times at home with out of town family?
Since I am still recovering from giving birth it also means I will not be going out for another week and half so I know I have to keep myself entertained not only by spending time with my newborn, but also with some small tasks that I could take advantage of doing while I have help at home. Why not make best of the time? While I have my grandmother from Mexico visiting as well as my mother, I know that I will be enjoying authentic dishes very soon, but in the meantime, I had to share a creation of my own with them and then explain to my grandmother what it means to be a food blogger.
I thought it would be nice to share a twist on a traditional Mexican dish called tostadas. While we normally like our crunchy corn tortilla chips topped with ground beef and beans, I decided to marinate some chicken in teriyaki sauce in order to grill it and shred for a different flavor. Although it is encouraged to brush Kikkoman Teriyaki on meat before cooking to enhance flavor and add a tangy, savory flavor, I decided to marinate my chicken for a few hours so the flavor would be a little more potent.
Teriyaki sauce starts as a simple mixture of soy sauce and spices and has been popular since it was first created in Japan. I especially like ordering my meat prepared in that same sauce when I go to Japanese steakhouses. Japanese-Americans in Hawaii add fresh ginger, brown sugar, pineapple juice and green onions to produce the teriyaki we know and love.
Seeing that it is summer, I decided to create mini tostadas that are topped with shredded teriyaki chicken, a pineapple cabbage slaw, and drizzled with a wasabi crema. Talk about a Asian-Mexican fusion, but I believe I got the best of two worlds. My grandmother was shocked she ate her plate full of mini tostadas since she eats lightly but she claimed them to be very tasty indeed. My toddler girls inhaled the meal, loving the fact that they had chips for dinner! What a plus all around.
These little tostadas are great for your next party whether it is with family or friends, it is sure to have people coming for more. How about making them into Asian / Mexican Nachos? You can do that too!
What is your favorite cuisine fusion?
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kikkoman. The opinions and text are all mine.
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Sunwarrior Chai Banana Protein Smoothie + Giveaway
July 24th, 2015This is a great smoothie for anyone even NEW moms like me with newborn babies. It has great ingredients to get breastfeeding moms exactly what they need.
I have about 8 days before I have a new baby in our home. Scratch this. This post was intended to be posted before the baby was born but I was asked to come in and be induced so now I have a newborn at home. I am both excited and nervous at the same time! With the birth of my daughter, I know that I will be thinking about the baby weight I need to shed. While I will not be obsessing about it, I know I want to focus on it in a timely manner. One habit I have been including in my weekly ritual are smoothies packed with protein. My girls and I love making different kinds of smoothies for breakfast or even snacks so I know we will continue drinking and enjoying delicious goodness.
Sunwarrior recently came out with a brand new protein powder called Classic Plus Organic Raw Plant-Based Protein Powder. Here are a few facts about this new powder:
I have often expressed in previous posts about my love and hate relationships with protein powders. I can never drink a smoothie on an empty stomach and sometimes my blood sugar levels drop depending on the ingredient list that other protein powders contain. So far, I have been impressed by the way my body has reacted to other Sunwarrior powders and even this new powder has proven itself to be just as great.
I love the fact that the powder is raw, vegan, and uses superfoods to supplement the body with healthy resources. I decided to create a smoothie that was a complete meal but a treat at the same time. Growing up, most Sunday evenings consisted of eating very lightly. We would make popcorn and have lemonade. Other times we would have oatmeal drinks with toast. Our banana drinks were blended with raw oatmeal and milk along with cinnamon and sugar. It was so hearty and filling that we were content with our light dinner every Sunday.
I decided to take that memory and combine it with my latest obsession for chai. Coffee has been placed on the backburner for chai so I have been making smoothie with almond milk and chai. I decided to make that same smoothie and adding the Sunwarrior with a banana, spices, and even some oatmeal. I also did not forget the ice since I am loving my cold drinks as of late.
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The results are all too good. The chai spices combined with the banana and oatmeal make it a filling and delicious smoothie for myself and even my kiddos. They certainly love watching everything I put in my smoothies. I look forward continuing the newest Sunwarrior powder even after the baby is born and hope that it will be a positive regimen while breastfeeding a baby.
What is your favorite smoothie combination?
Do you like smoothies or are you having a hard time finding the RIGHT protein powder? You have a chance to enter a fun little giveaway where ONE winner will receive a blender bottle and sampler pack of Sunwarrior protein powders. It definitely is a great giveaway seeing that I love my blender bottle already.
