Frozen Yogurt covered blueberries

Snacks are one of those things that can be really hard when you are trying to eat healthy and take care of yourself. It is so easy to grab unhealthy choices, like chips, crackers, etc because they are right there in front of you. But what if you make some snacks ahead of time so that you can't fail? What if you have them prepped and in separate bags so that you can grab a bag as you head out the door so you are tempted to stop through a drive-thru? These frozen yogurt covered blueberries will be perfect for just that!

Today I wanted to share a super quick and delicious snack that I have been loving quite a while. Really since I had started with weight watchers back in March of 2018 I started making these frozen yogurt covered blueberries and I have just made them ever since!

There isn't really that much with these blueberries. I used Light and Fit strawberry cheesecake flavored greek yogurt and dipped each blueberry into the yogurt. Then I placed them onto a lined cookie sheet and then into the freezer just until they are frozen.

Once frozen I put them into a sealable baggy and I keep them in the freezer. If you don't the yogurt melts pretty quick!

Two Ingredients:
blueberries
Light and fit Strawberry Cheesecake Greek yogurt

1. Dip blueberries in yogurt
2. Line dipped blueberries onto a covered cookie sheet
3. Place in freezer until frozen
4. Keep in the freezer when not eating as they will melt

So simple and delicious and ready in a short amount of time! What are you waiting for, make these now!

Now I have shared with you one of my favorite snacks, I'd love for you to take a moment and leave me a comment below about some of your favorite go-to snacks to keep you on track when you are trying to make a better you!

And don't forget to check out my Pinterest for other ideas!

Why I joined Weight Watchers

On March 1st I decided to join Weight Watchers.

As someone who has struggled with weight for most of their adult life, it was time. I've never shied away from sharing my weight gain and loss journey with you guys. And this time is no different. I have tried different things in the past that have worked and some that didn't, but ultimately I guess my head just wasn't in it to win it!



Last Fall I purchased a size 18 pair of jeans and went home and cried. I felt like crap. And I kept asking myself how I got here. After wearing them for a day and kept having to pull them up I felt a little better that I had to go grab a size down but still wearing a 16 was nothing to be excited about. However, not more than a month later those 16s were so tight that I was solely wearing the 18s, and over the winter I wore them every single time I left the house.  I would come home and put on sweatpants, that were also tight if I'm being honest!

This year I turned 35 and as my birthday came and went I was reflecting on a lot of different things. One of which was my weight. Here I was 35 years old and at my heaviest weight. These are supposed to be the best times of my life and the only thing I was enjoying was my food! I was only a few pounds away from my highest ever weight, even while pregnant.

So on March 1st my friend text me and told me that the day before she joined Weight Watchers. I thought, "that is awesome, I'm glad she is doing that for herself!" But within minutes I was thinking, "Why aren't I joining as well?" I looked at the website for a few minutes and decided to go for it and I signed up too.

I love that we joined at the same time. It has been great for accountability, motivation and talking about meal planning. With the weather getting nicer I have been able to get out and walk to take and pick up kids from school, plus we are already spending lots of time at the park. I have been exercising a moderate amount, mainly doing pilates or HIIT workouts. These are examples of the workouts I've been doing. I found these on Pinterest and I'll keep it real- this gal doesn't do burpees!





As far as the food part goes I have already made so many changes. I'm not eating anything I don't like. I'm not over here eating weird foods that I wouldn't typically eat. I'm not starving myself or living off of dressing-less salads.  The first is how much less I eat. I haven't had a single day go by where I felt like I wasn't getting enough to eat. I also haven't had any days where I felt sick to my stomach because I overate so much. I am just learning to make better food choices.  Also, I track every bite I take. Even if that means I go over my daily points. The blue dots below indicate the days I stayed within my points.



I never thought that counting points would be for me, but I guess the proof in is the amount of weight that I lost this last month and I am excited to see how I do in April!



I know those results aren't typical, but I made it happen. Weight Watchers really does make it easy for you and if you are on the fence about trying it, I say do it! Whether you have a little or a lot to lose, this program is working for me. (And I have about 75 pounds that I'd ultimately like to lose!) If you are looking for some motivation, I will be sharing this journey in my facebook group as well. ---> The Road to a Healthy You

This post is NOT sponsored. I am sharing my Weight Watchers journey with you because I love that in one month my size 18 jeans are so big I am constantly pulling them up. And those size 16s? I am having to pull those up as well. I even busted out a size 14 out of my closet yesterday. They were darn snug but they buttoned, which they didn't just over a month ago. You can imagine what that does for a girls self-esteem. ♥

If you are interested in posts like these, check out 10 Ways to Stay Motivated, and Healthy Eats.

Overnight Blueberry Oats

Breakfast for myself is one of the most difficult meals of the day. I have never been much of a breakfast eater but when I do it is usually a bowl of cold cereal, or a cup of coffee.  And I like oatmeal, but typically covered in butter and brown sugar. So these overnight blueberry oats is something I can get on board with.

I was raised in a house of breakfast eaters. My dad would make big elaborate breakfasts on the weekends full of pancakes or waffles, french toast, hash browns, eggs and bacon.  The rest of the week my breakfast might consist of a nutrigrain bar.  It is just one of those things that I never made time for.

While I feel like I go in spurts of wanting breakfast I have done a lot better than in the past mainly because I have chosen to be better about meal planning and making it happen. And making breakfasts like these Overnight Blueberry Oats is definitely a way to keep me on track!



It really is as simple as it sounds.

1/4 cup dry steel cut oats
1/4 cup almond milk
3/4 cup plain greek yogurt
1 cup blueberries

1. Mix everything together and cover


2. Cover and refrigerate overnight


3. stir and eat (heat for 1 minute if you'd rather eat them warm- I think they are delicious either way!)

One thing I love about these overnight blueberry oats is that you can replace those blueberries with one cup of strawberries, or peaches or many other fruits to change it up for everyday of the week!

21 Day Fix: 1 red,  1 purple,  1 yellow for these delicious overnight blueberry oats.



 

I don't know about others, but I have a hard time eating greek yogurt because of the texture. I don't like the thickness of it and I never eat it unless it is in a recipe.  Check out a few more recipes that include Greek Yogurt like this Buffalo Chicken Bowl, Berry Parfait, Ranch Dressing, Slow Cooked Creamy Mexican Chicken, Chicken and Spinach Bake.

What is your favorite way to eat your oatmeal?

10 Ways to get Mom Time during the Summer

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #CraftYourCool #CollectiveBias

School is out, kids are home and your "mom time" just went out the door. Am I right?

Today I put together 10 Ways to get Mom Time during the Summer. I'll be sharing everything from my Starbucks® Bottled Dulce de Leche Frappuccino® Coffee Drink 13.7 oz Single Serve item only (not available in 4-pack) to Bubble Baths. 
I'


I think sometimes people have a preconceived notion that because I am a stay at home mom it means I have all the down time in the world. I recently have a friend say to me, "I'd love a month of not doing anything." when I said I was looking forward to summertime.  Now don't get me wrong, there is plenty of time for sun bathing and binge watching my favorite shows, but I am running to swim lessons, play dates, sports and mall drop offs.



So having mom time has to be carved in just like the kid's events. And that is why I wanted to share a little of what I am doing to share a little of what I am doing to still get some time to myself.

1. Wake up Early
   Getting up early isn't something I love to do. I consider myself an early bird but that is still 7 am. And getting up before my kids rarely happens. So I like to grab some coffee and head out to the back deck and enjoy a little bit of quiet before we start out day.


2. Go for a Walk
   In one way I am pretty spoiled. With Zach being 15 now he has become a pretty reliable babysitting source. So it doesn't take much for me to grab my shoes and head out on a walk. Which leads me to my next one....


3. Go to an exercise class.
   Maybe you don't have a built in teenage babysitter, but even if you don't, recruit a friend to watch the kids for an hour so you can hit the elliptical or do some Zumba.  Still not workable? Grab an exercise DVD and hide in your room to do it!


4. Get yourself an Adult Coloring Book.
   I won't lie, I am not a good colorer. I don't stay in the lines well. But I was surprised at how relaxing is was. You could even print off some pages from online and enjoy the time.
   


5. Read a book or magazine.
   I've always been a reader. I got that from my mom and ever since I was a kid, reading is something I have done a lot of. This year is the first year I have actually set a goal for myself, which was 30 books. And so far I have done pretty well, despite an couple of them dragging on and on.


6. Relax in the sunshine.
   Nothing makes me happier than a beautiful day full of sunshine. And taking my current book and a blanket out to relax in the sun is one of my all time favorite things to do.
   


7. Put on your favorite music.
   Lounging in the sun, hanging out at the river.... it all goes hand in hand with music. Turn it up and belt out those tunes.


8. Spa Day.
   To me a spa day doesn't have to mean some expensive, fancy place. For me it means relaxing, getting my nails done, toes painted, a facial... All things I can do in the comfort of my own home.
   


9. Bubble Bath.
   I am not really a bath person. Maybe because growing up we never had a bath tub, only a shower. But every so often a bath just sounds so nice and relaxing. And it is always accompanied by my current book.


10. Schedule some girl time.
    Grab your bestie and hit up a current chick flick, or have a coffee date. When it comes to you and your best friend I'm sure it doesn't take a lot to have a fun and relaxing time. It is great to have play dates and all but don't forget adult time too!
    

One sure way for me to relax is to grab a nice cold drink and sit back for a few minutes. Luckily I can get the new Starbucks® Bottled Dulce de Leche Frappuccino® Coffee Drinks at Walmart and they are the perfect size. These single serve drinks are perfect for our on the go nature, ready for me to drink right from the bottle with the pop of a cap and come in other flavors.



Also if you Buy 3 Ready to Drink products get 35 stars, which if you are a Starbucks Rewards member you know how fast those stars can add up and that makes for more Mom Time!

What are your favorite ways to sneak in Mom Time during the Summer when your kids are home?

Zucchini Tots

When I first saw Zucchini Tots, I was totally intrigued. I love tater tots but obviously it is frowned upon to eat them all the time. So I wanted to make these ASAP and I did just that.

These are so easy to make and are done in just a short amount of time. Then you'll be enjoying these zucchini tots like I am!



After you shred your zucchini, it is important that you try and get out as much of the water that you can. They will hold together better if you do and you get a nice crispy outside if there is less water. I used a cheesecloth, however, you could use a clean towel. Really it'll do the trick! Place the zucchini on the middle of the cloth and squeeze into a ball and squeeze the water our over a bowl or the sink.



Then you are going to mix all of your ingredients together until well blended.



I sprayed my mini muffin tin with non stick cooking spray then filled up each of the little tins to the top.



Next, you'll pop these little babies right in the oven and bake for about 15 - 20 minutes. You want to get them nice and brown on the top!



Then pop them out of the tins and enjoy every delicious bite!

• 2 cups grated zucchini (about 1 large zucchini)


• onion, minced (1/2 small)


• shredded sharp cheddar (1/2 cup)


• grated Parmesan (1/2 cup)


• 2 eggs


• 1 tsp garlic powder


• salt & pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400°


2. Grate the zucchini and use a cloth to get out as much of the water as you can. (the more you can get out the better!)


3. Add all additional ingredients into a large bowl and mix well.


4. Spray a mini muffin pan with a non-stick spray.  You could alternatively shape these into tots and place on a baking sheet.


5. Fill the muffin tin with the mixture, and bake for 15-20 mins or until the tops have turned golden.

As a result, these are one of my favorite snacks because they are so delicious! Let me know if you give them a try!

Southwest Spaghetti Squash

I love finding new fun recipes that I don't feel bad about eating. And this Southwest Spaghetti Squash is right up my alley!

Last year I discovered my love for spaghetti squash and have made many recipes since, like Pesto chicken stuffed spaghetti squash, that was delicious! I have found that I love adding black beans to everything that I can and this is a favorite now for sure!



I used green chilies, corn, black beans.... Yum, I am getting hungry!



And I also added some salsa!



After baking my spaghetti squash I flipped them over and using a fork I loosened everything up a bit.



I took some of the squash out and mixed it in with my bowl, just to make sure it was all mixed together well and then add the filling all back into the squash bowl.

• 1 medium sized spaghetti squash


• olive oil


• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed


• Diced Green Chilies, 1 small can


• 1 C Salsa


• 1/4 C red onion, chopped


• 1 C frozen corn


• 1 teaspoon cumin


• salt & pepper


• 1 C shredded cheddar cheese

Start with cutting your squash in half and drizzle just a little olive oil on it. Place on a baking sheet cut side down. Bake on 375 for about 30 minutes, but depending on the size of your squash it might need to cook for an extra 10 or so minutes.

Remove from oven and shred the inside a bit- I do this so the squash can be mixed in with the other ingredients.

Put all other ingredients into the squash bowl and mix it up a bit. I put some half of the shredded cheese into the mixture and save half to put on the top.

Bake for additional 15 minutes to get the cheese nice and bubbly.



Topped with cheese and baked and you'll be in spaghetti squash heaven!

What is your favorite way to eat spaghetti squash?

Kale Chips

Here we are, wrapping up January and I had made a goal of blogging 10 times each month and while that didn't quite pan out I have hopes for the coming months!

I have so many recipe posts to share that sometimes I feel like I know know where to start. But I guess I need to just start getting them out there! Right now I think I have about 50 or more recipes to share! My husband will come home and say, "Are we trying something new again tonight?"



I am always up for trying something new.  I like new foods and when I spot something on Pinterest or another site that looks fun I will most always book mark it to go back to later. So last Summer I kept seeing kale chips everywhere and wanted to give them a try. I had gotten a bag of kale chips as a freebie and I wasn't that impressed. Maybe some would have stopped there but I figured they would taste better if I made them at home.



I found a recipe that I thought would be good and the only thing I needed was the kale. I grabbed some from the store and whipped up these Kale Chips in just a few minutes!









As they were cooking they smelled amazing. My house was full of flavor and I was looking forward to them finishing so we could give these Kale Chips a try!

• Olive Oil (I used about a tsp)


• Juice of 1 lime


• 1 tsp lime zest


• 1 tsp chili powder

1. Wash and pat dry the kale


2. Remove larger stems


3. Coat with olive oil


4. Pour in lime juice, zest mix


5. Sprinkle on chili powder and mix


6. Lay out onto a cookie sheet


7. Bake on 300° for 20 minutes, flipping after 10 minutes

So the result? They were okay. I only say that because I felt like the taste was okay, but the smell was better.  You know how some foods have a weird after taste? I felt like these had a good after taste, but as I was eating them I wasn't impressed. I know it is sort of weird, I don't really know how else to describe them!

21 Day Fix All Purpose Seasoning

I love this seasoning because it can go on anything! It is a great 21 Day Fix all purpose seasoning and it is a FREEBIE! You can put it on whatever you are going to eat to give it some extra flavor. I typically put it on chicken!



I actually made this in a bit of a "bulk" and put it into an older empty season container so I have it anytime I need it.



4 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. mustard powder
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. sea salt

Enjoy!

10 Ways to Stay Motivated during your Fitness Journey

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and alli® weight loss aid. All opinions are mine alone. #alliInMyLife #Before #CollectiveBias

Weight is something I have struggled with most of my life, and after 3 kids, it surely hasn't gotten any easier. I actually like working out. Maybe not the first few days, but once I get settled into a routine and keep it going it is just a part of my day that I enjoy. The single biggest deterrent for me is actually starting.... Right, doing that very first workout! It is hard! But you do it and it makes you feel good and after a short time you start seeing results and that gives you that excitement to keep it going!

So then what's the problem?



The problem is that there are temptations all around us. Temptation to skip workouts, temptation to eat cookies instead of carrots, drink soda instead of water.



One thing I am doing differently this time around is alli® weight loss aid.

alli® weight loss aid is the only FDA approved over-the-counter weight loss aid on the market.

It blocks 25% of the fat you eat from being absorbed by your body.

So I picked up the box from Walgreens.



How do you know if alli® weight loss aid* is right for you?

It is for:

-Overweight adults (BMI > 25) who are 18 years or older.

-Women who are NOT pregnant or nursing.

-People who will be consuming a reduced-calorie and low fat diet.

So today is day one of this new journey. I figured I'd spare you from seeing a "before" in a bikini. We've been there and I know you don't want to see it again! But here is what I look like today, fully clothed.



I had my 14 year old take my pictures and he told me to "say cheeseburgers". Little stinker!

I know that staying motivated during your weight loss journey isn't easy. So today I am trying to set you up with a couple of tips and tools to help you and me!

Here are 10 Ways to Stay Motivated during your fitness journey:

1. "Before and after" pictures, weight and measurements

I understand that you may not want a "before" picture to look back on. But I am here to tell you that Yes, you do! When you get down the road, and maybe are struggling, looking back on that before photo, or your measurements and see how far you have come, could just be that breaking point to get you back on track.

2. Find an accountability partner.

Find someone that can help you stay on track. Don't have someone? Find me on Instagram and follow me. Tell me you need an accountability partner and I will follow you back and be that partner for you! (follow me here)

3. Keep track of your water intake (And don't drink your calories)

I know drinking water can sometimes be hard. Some people don't like it, and most people don't get enough! You should really be drinking half of your body weight in oz! Yeah, I know that is a lot! I love water but even I don't get the amount I need every day. So to mix it up I will add cucumber and lemon. That is my favorite combo. But sometimes I add fruit, like oranges and strawberries just to make it different.

One thing I do is fill up a gallon jug to keep me on track!

4. Meal prep and keep track of your food (cook at home)

Meal prepping isn't for everyone. But it is a key to my success and when I meal prep I do so much better with my food intake. I end up with containers full of fresh fruit and veggies that I can easily pack into a small container if I am going somewhere and it helps me avoid temptations, like running through a drive-thru!

And doesn't this all look delicious?

5. Work out every day

I know, it is hard! You work, you have kids to take care of, you go to school, or maybe you do all of the above... But you can find easy workouts that you can do each day. Even if it means getting up 30 minutes earlier to get your workout in before you have to head out the door,  going for a walk during your lunch break, working out with your kids sitting right next to you. But find the time to get it in!

6. Limit what you are eating late in the evening. (apples and pb, veggies, string cheese, greek yogurt)

I am terrible at taking this piece of advice! Come late in the evening I get my kids in bed and my husband and I raid the fridge and pantry. We are pulling out ice cream, candy, chips, whatever we need to fulfil that craving. But that is partly where the meal planning comes in. Plan to have snacks for in the evening like Greek yogurt and add some fruit into it. Or eat a string cheese, or have apple slices with peanut butter.

7. Don't let the weekend ruin your progress

Another hard one for me! We don't typically eat out during the week. So if we're going to do it it's going to happen on the weekend. And I am not very good about eating from the "healthy" menu! But you don't want to spend all week eating great and exercising and then ruining all your progress on the weekend. So limit your alcohol, skip the fried food, take a healthier option to your friends BBQ.

8. Celebrate your "non scale victories"

Not sure what a non scale victory is? It is when your clothes start to fit you better. When you realize you are having less cravings. Maybe you are sleeping better or push ups don't feel quite so hard. Celebrate those milestones because it means that you are doing something right.

9. Reward yourself. But not with food.

I made a chart before summer to keep track of not only my weight loss, but the milestones I wanted to hit and the rewards I would give myself once I hit them. Have you ever heard that quote, "Don't reward yourself with food, you're not a dog!" And that is the truth. Reward yourself with something fun like a new pair of jeans, or getting a pedicure!

10. Remember you are doing this for YOU!

YOU are the most important part of this journey. When you get discouraged remind yourself of why you are doing this. Is it so you can keep up with your kids? Is it so that you can rock any outfit you choose? Is it to be healthy? No matter the reason it always comes back to doing it for yourself.

Use this Activity and Intake Log to keep track of what you are doing to work out, eat and drink!

(Link to printable version of Activity Log)

And for more information on alli® weight loss aid check them out on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest. And don't miss out on the COUPON!

Do you already do any of these things? What works to keep you motivated?

*I am not a doctor and you should consult your physician before starting on any weight loss journey*

*alli® (orlistat 60 mg capsules) is for weight loss in overweight adults, 18 years and older, when used along with a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet. Follow label directions. In studies, most people lost 5-10 pounds over 6 months.

Berry Parfait

Happy Friday!!! This week has been crazy busy and my days are not slowing down in the least.
Our weather has been pretty amazing lately with temps in the mid 60's and the beautiful sun is shining bright. Which means for my family, lots of time outside! We have been hitting up the park, playing in the backyard and going for walks at least once per day!

And while we have some rain in the forecast, we have some days in the 70's too, so I'm looking forward to them and the even hotter days that Summer will bring! But for now, I am looking forward to having warm days to enjoy with my family during our Spring Break, and the fun plans we have in store for us next week!

When the days are busy I want to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen working on meals and that is why I love this Berry Parfait!



I've never been a huge Greek Yogurt fan. I don't even really love regular yogurt, and something about the texture and thickness is just sort of weird to me. But mixed with other things like berries and granola totally works and doesn't bother me at all.



It is easy to layer with whatever kinds of fruit you like. This time I used just blueberries, but my favorite is a fruit blend with blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. You can use fresh or frozen, just thaw them a bit first and you will be set! I also use plain Greek yogurt, but if you wanted to give it something more you could make it a flavored yogurt too!

• granola - 1 yellow


• plain greek yogurt - 1 red


• blueberries - 1 purple

Layer starting with granola, then yogurt then berries.
Repeat at least one time

Enjoy your delicious yogurt berry parfait!

I don't just eat these for breakfast. Sometimes they are an afternoon snack, or sometimes they are my lunch. Sometimes even dessert. No limitations have to be set!



Have a great weekend my friends!