A Daily Routine for Kids Over the Summer

a daily routine for kids over the summer

For years I always dreaded summer because there was no schedule, nothing to do, the days were looooonnnng, which made the kids go insane and mom go insane.  We’re a routine oriented family.  And most people are for that matter.  So, after school’s out and there’s no homework, swimming or gymnastics practice, what do they do?  They turn to the dreaded iPad and become zombies. Well, two summers ago I decided that there was only one way I was going...

Dark Chocolate No Bake Energy Bites

dark chocolate no bake energy bites

Energy bites popped on the scene a few years ago and they are such a great substitute for granola bars.  I kinda feel like granola bars probably have a shelf life for…what 20 years?  Who knows.  I lost my taste for store bought energy bars, protein bars or any kind of bars you find at the store years ago. I have made a few energy bite recipes, but I stumbled onto this one from Chef Savvy and it’s my favorite! I’ve...

Intense Plank Workout at Home

intense plank workout at home

Summer is coming and that means 2 things… kids out of school with less time in the gym and swimsuits! For years, I worked out only at home, so it can work when it’s your only option or you’re just not a gym gal.  There’s tons of stuff you can do, workout videos or yoga.  This super intense plank workout at home is hard to screw up and you don’t have to watch a video to do them. I have a boutique gym...

Crispy Garam Masala Roasted Chicken

We’ve always loved roasted chicken, but seriously every time we make it it’s time to scrub the oven with all the splatters plus nearly smoking out the house.  Until I learned how to spatchcock a chicken of course.  Now, that’s the only way we do it and we have roasted chicken more often these days.   No more grocery store rotisserie that we have to heat up in the microwave! I discovered Garam Masala earlier this year and fell in love!  The combination of...

Cabo

Cabo

Last year my husband and I got a big group together and went to Cabo.  It was somewhere I’d always wanted to go, so like most places, if we’re going, we’re gonna do it right!  As usual, I did a ton of research and planning for this trip.  Next time we go back, I’d probably go to all the same places!  And this is more of a ceviche and nice cocktail vacation, not the booze cruise type you would experience in other places...

Tropical Turmeric Smoothie

tropical turmeric smoothie

As you can tell I’m a big fan of smoothies.  I have to have restraint not to post every one I make.  Pretty much every day I have smoothie in the afternoon.  This one I call tropical because it’s got your mango and pineapple.  Of course I threw in some turmeric. Like all my smoothies this was made with stuff I had available.  It turned out awesome!  I’m remembering this one for sure. Right now pineapples taste like candy, so you definitely...

Low Country Boil

Low country boil is a great weekday recipe because it is very quick and easy.  My sister and her husband lived in Savannah, Georgia for a while where I first had this.  She brought in a big container of spices she bought at a farmers market and after a great meal on newspaper I was hooked. It’s become a family staple and when the kids find out we’re having low country boil they get excited.  Always a good thing! I’ve used...

80/20 Clean: The Common Sense Way to Eat

80/20 clean: the sensible way to eat

We are human.  So, that’s why diets don’t work.  It sets people up for a psychological failure. Seriously, we shouldn’t go eat at a fabulous restaurant and just order a salad with no cheese.   Even if you’re trying to lose weight you shouldn’t do that. Again, psychological failure.  It sets people up for over eating.  (Over exercising does that too, but that’s a whole other conversation). That’s why we shouldn’t try to eat perfectly clean 100% of the time. Every Sunday night...

No Guilt Mint Chocolate Mousse

no guilt mint chocolate mousse

I first tried a similar recipe for this chocolate mousse about a year ago when I was on a detox and it’s my go to chocolate treat in the evening whether I’m detoxing or not!  It’s completely healthy so you’re only getting benefits when you eat this. I decided to try it with chlorophyll to add a minty flavor and it’s fantastic! With avocado, cacao and chlorophyll as the key ingredients, this recipe is completely dairy and refined sugar free.  No...

Iced Matcha Latte

iced matcha latte

If you’re a green tea fan, you’ll love this iced matcha latte.  Matcha is a specially grown and processed form of green tea that’s finely ground into a powder.  During growth the plant produces theanine and caffeine.  This particular combination produces a calming energy.  Versus the nervousness we get from straight caffeine. Because it’s a powder, it’s not generally found in a tea bag.  We dissolve it in water to consume it.  I personally like the flavor better than straight...