Posts by admin:
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 2 Tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons almond meal
- 2 Tablespoons flax seed meal
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 Tablespoons Xylitol
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 Tablespoons soft goat cheese, room temp
- 2 Tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1 ounce Lilly’s Original chocolate
- 12 drops stevia
- Garnish with lilly’s chocolate chips
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 8-ounce block cream cheese
- 1/4 cup roasted pimentos, chopped
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, crushed
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 Tablespoon parsley, dried
- 1/2 box Food Should Taste Good Roasted Red Pepper Brown Rice crackers
- 1/2 cup pecans
- There are three pouch sizes ranging from 2.5-ounces to 10-ounces to fit your favorite blended purees and smoothies.
- Food grade material is BPA-free and phthalate-free.
- Dishwasher safe, just expand the bottom and stand upside down on the top rack.
- Freezer safe.
- Reusable and recyclable.
- Great for kids taking yogurt and applesauce to school.
- Designed for little hands and easily fillable through strong top zipper seal.
Celebrate #BebeConRitmo with Pampers {Giveaway}
September 11th, 2014It has been two months since I have been able to truly workout since having my appendectomy which means all my workout routines have been on hold. One of my favorite types of exercise is Zumba, which infuses dance, aerobics, and Latin music. When I first started it was in a gym or private studio but since having kids I have been trying to find creative outlets to do these exercises. In fact, I never really looked at them as exercise but more like fun dancing to great music.
When I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, I pretty much exercised through all three trimesters, so I only imagined that my daughter would be born with rhythm which I confirmed quite quickly at before she turned one. I did not get to exercise as much with my second pregnancy but I can confirm that both my girls really like listening to music and dancing. It is pretty fun seeing them move their little behinds and twirl.
What is my usual routine now? I wake up in the mornings before they do and I work for a couple of hours. As soon as they are up we change diapers, get princess dresses on with shoes, just like mommy and I listen to my daughter say “I wanna dance with mommy!” It has really been an encouragement and a blessing to have the girls so intrigued with YouTube videos as I work out to various channels.
I have to admit that I sometimes let the videos and music running without my exercising just so I can see what they do. It is really fun, precious, and very easy to record a video and great when diapers stay intact with all that activity!
Pampers is celebrating those fun morning moments when baby wakes up happy, energetic and ready to “bailar” in his or her crib after a good night’s sleep. When baby wakes up dry and ready to dance, mom can’t help but join in the fun!
Parents, why not to take a short video of your little one’s best morning dance moves and share it with us? From August 18th through September 24th, parents can upload videos under fifteen seconds by using the hashtag #BebeConRitmo or #BabyGotMoves. Parents can tag @PampersBabyGotMoves on Instagram or @PampersLatino or @Pampers on Twitter or even share their video on the Pampers Facebook pages (www.facebook.com/pamperslatino or www.facebook.com/pampers).
You and a lucky reader will also receive a basket filled with goodies that celebrate little one’s best morning moments, complete with a wireless Bluetooth speaker for the ultimate morning dance partywith your little one!
Here is what you would get in the prize pack GIVEAWAY:
o Jam Plus Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
o GrayBaby Einstein Octoplush
o Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes
o Cha-Cha-Cha En la Selva (The Animal Boogie) book
o Pampers Sensitive Wipes
o Pampers Baby Dry Diapers
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Chocolate Pumpkin Cake in a Mug {Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free}
September 10th, 2014
I woke up yesterday morning knowing there was different weather. I think this summer has been super strange with the weather not being consistent but I am thankful that we did not have as many hot days. Yesterday it was overcast and cool and I completely enjoyed it because it made me feel like fall was coming very soon.
I do not usually anticipate a season but I believe the fall weather, after moving to an area of the country where it exists, is such a transitional season and a gorgeous one at that. The leaves change color, the weather get cooler; it is a time to sit back and see beautiful change.
With all that change I have been super excited to start baking everything pumpkin! I guess it is a nice excuse to bring in the spiced and official fall flavors. Lately, my daughter has been asking for treats or cake which I find strange, but I want her to be able to start helping me a lot more in the kitchen, which she gladly accepts. One recipe I knew would be easy to make is a cake in a mug. It only takes a few ingredients and easy mixing and like that, there is a ready made dessert.
My husband definitely knows that I have been enjoying these mug cakes, not only because they are quick, but they are healthified! It is amazing what almond flour and flax seed meal in a microwave can do. Even though I hope to try this recipe for the oven, I know that in the mean time, the joys of an easy peasy dessert for all of us is welcomed.
One thing my daughter definitely did not know about her cake mug is that it was protein-packed and sugar-free. I like making her favorite flavor cake, which is chocolate, and then be thankful that she is still eating it with no issues. One of my favorite things about this cake is the frosting. I recently picked up some locally-made goat cheese from Amazing Acres Goat Dairy that was so delicious! It was creamy, smooth and definitely mild in flavor giving my chocolate icing a creamy texture.
I found out that I am still lactose intolerant and that nothing has really changed in that department. While I can eat cheese, I really cannot eat any other form of dairy because my body simply won’t respond well. I decided instead of using cream cheese for an icing that I would sub in the goat cheese and I was really pleased with the results. The texture was creamier and the combination of chocolate and goat cheese gave the icing a tangy yet a mousse-like consistency. I definitely will be making this again!
For cake
For icing
For cake
For icing
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Sharp Cheddar Cheese Ball and Veggie Tray
September 8th, 2014
The form for a party makes its round and you see that no one has signed up for an appetizer or you see that every appetizer is about the same. You want to bring a unique dish, something that people will remember you by, but you just do not know. The art of the cheese ball has gone out of style in my opinion, so why not bring your own version?
Growing up my mother would make her cheese ball recipe every year for the holidays. We would be in the kitchen with her and as we got older we would help with the mixing and the taste-testing. It was so delicious it was hard to wait for it to set in the fridge for all the flavors to come together, but at the end the results were worth the wait. Sharp cheddar cheeses mixed with spices, cream cheese, and more, made this a highly addictive snack and appetizer.
When I decided to make this a few weeks ago, I made my own version of my mother’s recipe and have been snacking on it for a while. Instead of rolling the outside of the cheese ball with nuts, I rolled it in a mixture of Food Should Taste Good crushed red pepper brown rice crackers and pecans. Instead of serving the dish with crackers I decided to make the cheese ball only be accompanied by fresh veggies. Not only was this a great way for us to get our veggies throughout the day, but it made for the healthier and even better options for vegetarians at a party.
If you do not like veggies, start with picking out the veggies you DO like and add those to a tray. Little by little, start adding other veggies, liked sliced red peppers, raw zucchini slices, raw cauliflower and more. Even thought I really like my carbs and snacks, I decided to get a bit of that in the cheese ball through a crushed cracker experience. I processed some pecans and then added the crackers into the machine so they became coarse crumbles. The flavor of the crackers enhanced the cheese ball since I also had a roasted red pepper as on of the cheese ball’s ingredient.
One of the things I enjoy about Food Should Taste Good Products is that they are gluten-free and they are not processed, making them the ideal snack for families. My kids like crackers and snacks like any other kids, so making sure I feed them with the right kind is important! Take a look at the ingredients in the Roasted Red Pepper crackers I used in this recipe:
Food Should Taste Good™ Brown Rice Crackers
Available in Peppercorn Blend, Roasted Red Pepper, Sea Salt and Tomato & Basil, Food Should Taste Good Brown Rice Crackers are the latest offering from the brand. The crackers are delicious, natural snacks made with whole grains. Food Should Taste Good Brown Rice Crackers are gluten-free, not made with genetically modified ingredients and made with naturally simple ingredients that deliver great taste.
We loved taking these on our play dates and outings because they accompanied any cheese and turkey lunch or even black beans, which our girls love . We also had a chance to taste the FSTG Tortilla Chips in Blue Corn, Olive, Multigrain and the Kettle-Cooked Sweet Potato Chips in Barbeque, Original, and Salt and Vinegar.
We were pleased with all the flavors and the textures. These are definitely hearty in texture and the tortilla chips made for a great nacho plate that I prepared for my husband. I liked the fact he was getting his multi-grains with other delicious additions.
Check out Food Should Taste Good and give them a try in your home and for your kids’ lunches. It really is the healthier alternative.
Cheese ball
Nut and Cracker Mixture
Cheese ball
Nut and Cracker Mixture
Assembly
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Easy Eating with Eco-Friendly Yummi Pouch {Review}
September 3rd, 2014
We are a family is almost always on the go visiting gardens, parks, play dates and more. I really try to make my own meals especially when going out to not only save money but also to ensure my kids are getting the healthiest foods possible. One of the things I have relied to help me with this venture are food packets.
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Yummi Pouch Sport Pouch – Set of 4 |
There are great sales in stores for already prepared for busy moms and while that is sometimes convenient it still turns out more expensive and I am not really preparing the food. Even though I have an almost 3 year old and an 18-month old girls, they still accept packets really well.
Yummi Pouch reusable pouches are long lasting and in the 5 months that I have been using them I can convincingly say these are the MOST durable of any of the pouches I have used with my girls. Wash after wash, use after use, these pouches have not leaked or become useless at all. While I tend to review similar items on a regular basis I can compare and and give my seal of approval on these products. Here are a few more features to know:
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Yummi Pouch Brights Reusable Food Pouches (Set of 4)
I even received a pouch cover to keep the food pouch cool too! It kept the pouch cool perfect for those car rides into the city. I liked how clean the pouches came out clean when I placed them on the top rack of the dishwasher. The zip-lock portion of the pouch is easy to seal and open and also easy to fill with a funnel or even with a spoon!
Even those these are great for travel I use these at home for messy foods like homemade soups, stews that I have pureed, and smoothies. It really works well for saving time for a toddler still trying to learn how to use the spoon.
I am really excited to see how long these last especially since they have lasted as long as they have.
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Yummi Pouch Mini (Set of 6) |
SO what is one of the girls favorite puree? One I like making is super simple. I steam 1/2 cup of spinach and blend it with 2 cups of applesauce until super smooth. I look forward ordering more pouches in the future.
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The Tale of the Sleep-Deprived Mother #FoodForSleep
September 2nd, 2014
Thank goodness for a weekend that included one extra day for more rest. Usually these holiday weekends create excitement for this mommy because it means more time to catch up on important details that have been put on the back burner. Sometimes those are just thoughts that never come into fruition but I am sure you know what I mean, if you are a busy working mother.
Last night I feel asleep on the couch at 9:30pm, the earliest I have ever gone to bed in a LONG time, but it was obvious that my body was asking for it. After a whole day of catching up with cleaning, laundry and cooking it was only a matter of time for me to feel exhausted. Granted, I have to say it was my first time to feel like I could relax and give into my tired body. Usually I stay up until midnight working on writing, picture-editing and more but my husband and I have been talking about getting more sleep.
Food For Sleep. Are we aware of this term? As a child it was on occasion that I received a warm cup of milk before going to bed in order to have a more relaxed sleep. Sometimes this included honey or even garlic which ended up being medicinal as well! I recently was able to try Food for Sleep, a fast-acting, 2 1⁄2 ounce beverage made from foods that naturally promote sleep. It’s a safe and effective way to relax and sleep well once again and is safe, convenient and easy to take on the road or while traveling.
How can one small bottle encourage a relaxed sleep? Well, let me tell you that this little bottle of natural goodness did not let me do any more work after 30 minutes of ingesting it. My body relaxed and forced me to stop everything I was doing to only naturally go to put my body to rest for the evening.
The two active ingredients in Food for Sleep are a specific form of tart cherry juice from the Montmorency cherry and a whey protein that’s particularly rich in tryptophan. The scientific support for these ingredients is excellent (clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals). They have been shown to help people go to sleep naturally and wake us less during the night. In addition to tart cherry juice and whey protein, Food for Sleep only includes a few extra ingredients to make it drinkable – like water and natural flavors. All of these ingredients are recognized as safe by the FDA. Since these are just foods, there are none of the side effects often associated with drugs.
Let me share how it works. Our bodies naturally make serotonin and melatonin – two important hormones for sleep – using tryptophan. The problem is, our bodies do not make tryptophan, so we must get it from eating foods. Scientists believe that tart cherry juice helps “jumpstart” the normal processes that produce restful sleep, including enhancing our bodies’ use of tryptophan. This might create a dual effect: first, the cherry juice helps you fall asleep, and second, it works with the tryptophan (from the whey protein) to help you stay asleep. People tell us that they wake up in the morning with no lingering sleepiness or “hang-over” type effects.
So how did I see it work for me? I definitely felt the effects at night when I took it. I fell sleepy and very much more ready to fall asleep. Our goal was to go to sleep at 11:00 pm so we could get up at 5:30 am. Sleeping 6 hours was still not ideal for my body so I think my body naturally was tired in the morning because it was too soon, BUT last night I took it around 9:00 pm after a long day to see how it would affect me. I did not expect to go to sleep until 10:00 pm but I fell asleep at 9:30 pm on the couch, waiting for my husband to finish his work. I fell asleep for 8 hours on the couch and felt great in the morning. I believe that my body only needed this sleep and the cherry juice and whey protein aided in me relaxing and giving in to the sleep I needed.
Now is this safe for kids? No, unfortunately it is not recommending for people younger than 18 and you should check with your healthcare professional before providing it to children.
Here is how you can order it. Each bottle is $4.00 and really only costs as much as a latte and helps you go to sleep. Try and 6-pack bottle and start forcing yourself to go to sleep at night for a better day. The flavor is tangy and sweet at the same time with a hint of pomegranate. Start getting a better night’s rest!
