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Hello Fresh: Is It Worth It?
As a nutritionist I am constantly meal planning and trying new foods in an attempt to create meals full of flavor, but at the same time are as nutritious as the can be. Most often, I find myself meal planning for individuals who have had bypass surgery and now need to be on a low sodium, low cholesterol diet. Or someone who was recently diagnosed with diabetes and is feeling overwhelmed with being forced into a complete lifestyle change. It is definitely one thing to make a life style change when it is a choice; it is another thing entirely when an individual feels forced because of a medical condition.…
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Easy Homemade Smoothie Bowls
A recent food trend has been acai bowls or smoothie bowls. They are super yummy and filling. Most often they are also packed with vitamins and minerals and very heart-healthy. The place that is close to my house is one of my most favorite places to treat myself to…but, one bowl is $9 and for that much, I can make my whole family their own smoothie bowls at home. While it is super convenient to have someone else make one for you, I do enjoy creating them at home where I can control the ingredients. The key to smoothie bowls is to make sure the thickness of the puree is…
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Quick Instapot Lasagna
My family has absolutely no Italian heritage, but my boys could eat anything pasta and/or anything with cheeses and marinara til they die. When I cook a recipe and can make it super quick in my instapot, everyone is happy. This recipe takes less than 30 minutes start-to-finish and is a definite crowd pleaser. If you want the vegetarian/vegan version or the gluten-free tips then scroll to the bottom. Enjoy! To make this dish vegetarian, instead of pork sausage, diced eggplant and zucchini are super yummy. Once the olive oil has been drizzled, add in the diced eggplant and zucchini and just saute slightly with the dried onions and red…
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Moroccan Chili and Couscous
Back before Pinterest, I watched the Food Network channel religiously. Rachel Ray, Giada, and Sunny Anderson were some of my favorites. I especially loved Rachel’s 30 Minute Meals. If I could make an amazing meal for my family in the time it would take my boys to watch 2 Curious Georges then it was a huge win for me. I hoarded recipes like crazy. It would drive Matthew nuts because our DVR would fill up with all of the food shows I recorded. Now, I mostly create my own recipes and when that fails I search Pinterest. BUT, I have my favorites from the good o’le days…and Moroccan Chili and…
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Life Update
I’ve been thinking about where to start, turning it over in my mind over and over…and over. I guess I just start at the beginning. I have worn glasses for the past 25 years. Having difficulty seeing without corrective lenses is the norm for me. In fact, my eyesight has become so distorted (thank you pregnancies and children) that I have to wear contacts in the shower so I can see. Glasses/contacts are an accessory that everyone in my family has…well, except my brother who is a lucky duck and was able to have PRK done last year. Recently I had my annual eye exam to update my contact and…
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How to Decorate a Rental: Family Room
I’ve moved…it wasn’t something we were actively considering. Mr and I had been tossing around the idea of selling our house for the last year. We had outgrown it, as well as we really wanted to take advantage of the seller’s market at the moment. Some friends of ours were looking for someone to rent their house quickly, and because we had tossed around the idea of selling for a while, and because our friends’ house is larger than our current house…we jumped on their offer. We have packed up the first house we’ve ever owned, moved it all to the new house (which, thankfully is less than a half…
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Paleo Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops
Growing up, pork chops and applesauce was a staple meal in my house. It brings back a lot of memories, but it is also a very simple flavored meal. When I saw some amazing cuts of pork chops at my local butcher I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. This recipe is a zhuzhed up version of my childhood applesauce and pork chops. Not only are the ingredients in season, which makes me super happy, but this recipe is Whole 30, Paleo, and Keto all rolled into one. It may look complicated, but it is ALMOST as easy as grilling pork chops and pouring applesauce on top. Keep…
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Birthday Giveaway
It’s my birthday week…more specifically, I am a Halloween baby. Growing up I absolutely loved my birthday. I loved getting cake, presents, and candy. I loved having dozens of visitors and wishing them a Happy Halloween. As I’ve grown older, my birthday doesn’t hold as much of an appeal as it used to as a kid. Now that I am a mom, Halloween has become a different kind of special. It is so fun watching the boys become excited about dressing up and getting candy. The one thing that has not changed for me over the years is that as much as I love getting presents, I love giving…
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Fall Favorites
Hello Friends!!!! I’ve totally missed you guys! I know, I know…I’ve totally been MIA this month. Honestly, October is totally kicking my bootie. I am currently taking a class towards my dietetics degree, Psychology of Addiction. I am loving every minute, but it has been a HUGE balancing act between momming and studying. This is the first class in a long while that I can’t just whip out the assignments and quizzes with little to no studying. Combine that with a mobile 7-month-old who just wants to spend every minute playing with mom, my to-do list keeps getting longer and longer. Fortunately, I am not regretting one minute with Goob. …
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Chorizo 3 Bean Chili
The weather has turned cooler here in Las Vegas, which means I can now comfortably consume chili and soup. I absolutely love chili and soup, but I just can’t bring myself to eat either when the temperature is high. This time of year just makes me want to hibernate (which is why I’ve been so lazy and neglectful on social media) and consume all sorts of comfort foods. I have several chili recipes that are family favorites, but this one is definitely towards the top of the list. Each part of the country has their own way to correctly make chili, Texans think it’s an abomination to put beans in…