How I Met My Husband
January 29, 2016

How I Met My Husband

 Since Valentine's Day is coming up, I want to take a minute to talk about romance. I might get a little sappy on you! I want to tell you all the story of how Troy and I met. I was 17 and had just started college a few weeks before. Troy was in a fraternity (now before you say anything about frat guys-I've heard it all!!). I went with my friend to his fraternity for a party and to meet new friends.

Ask the RD: Vitamin B12
January 28, 2016

Ask the RD: Vitamin B12

 Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin found in mostly animal based foods. A deficiency is rare but can be a problem if you have one. According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin B12 deficiency affects between 1.5-15% of the population. Grilled spicy and tangy ribs - rich in B12 Vitamin B-12 is known as the energy vitamin and helps to convert food into energy in the body. It also supports heart health, nervous system health and normal formation of red blood cells.* Something very interesting about vitamin B12 is that it is stored in the liver for several years.

Products I'm Loving in 2016 Part 4 + Giveaway
January 27, 2016

Products I'm Loving in 2016 Part 4 + Giveaway

1. Kilofly Musical Instruments - Adalyn got these amazing musical instruments for Christmas and has been loving them so much. Almost nightly, we watch Baby Genius Nursery Rhymes because Adalyn loves to dance and to listen to music. There are certain moves for different songs and she is starting to learn them.

Game Day Recipe Ideas
January 26, 2016

Game Day Recipe Ideas

When it comes to the Big Game, the main part that I care about is the food. I do not know much about football but what I do know about is food. We often get together with my family for the Big Game and make a bunch of food. It is always fun to get together and celebrate! 

Avocado and Citrus Salad
January 25, 2016

Avocado and Citrus Salad

This Avocado and Citrus Salad with Orange Vinaigrette is light and refreshing and makes a perfect side dish for any meal! I love to eat seasonally but in the winter, it can be harder to do. A couple of foods that are in season in the winter are oranges and grapefruit which are perfect in this seasonal salad. Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C which is especially important during cold and flu season to help keep your immune system strong. The avocado and nuts provides a boost of healthy fats and the spinach is rich in iron and folic acid.

Ask the RD: Vitamin C
January 24, 2016

Ask the RD: Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a commonly known vitamin that provides antioxidant support and supports the immune system. It is also beneficial for heart and circulation support. Vitamin C helps initiate the production of collagen in the body.

Products I'm Loving in 2016 Part 3
January 22, 2016

Products I'm Loving in 2016 Part 3

1. Faro Coffee - As a coffee lover, I love to try different kinds of k-cups to see what my favorite flavors are. I recently got to try this Faro Coffee from Javafly which is a site that sells all different kinds of k-cups. They even sell my favorite half-caf coffee which is not sold everywhere.

New Year's Goal Update
January 21, 2016

New Year's Goal Update

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. As always, all opinions are my own. Last week, I was talking about my New Year's goal of lifting more weights and doing cardio other than walking. So far, so good! I think that writing about it on the blog actually helped to motivate me and I have been doing better than my goal even.

Adalyn 15-16 Month Update
January 20, 2016

Adalyn 15-16 Month Update

I was worried that as the weather got colder, we would be super cooped up in the house but it has been the opposite! Adalyn is a ball of energy and keeps us on our toes. The last couple months have been full of fun. Here is what Adalyn has been up to:

How to Pack for Your Toddler for a Trip
January 19, 2016

How to Pack for Your Toddler for a Trip

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HuggiesNewYear #CollectiveBias Before we became parents, my husband and I didn't really know what type of parents we were going to be. Whether we were going to be super cautious and stay in a lot or whether we would be more carefree (in a good way) and go out to places more. I think that Troy and I shocked ourselves because we are a lot more easy going than I ever imagined. We love to go out and do lots of things with our daughter. We go to the pool, different splash pads, the zoo, to visit family, etc.

Stuffed Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
January 18, 2016

Stuffed Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

These Stuffed Hasselback Sweet Potatoes are loaded with sweet apples, dried cherries, pecans, maple syrup and granola for a satisfying and sweet breakfast or dessert! I have a list of recipes that I am dying to make. As someone who loves to cook, I am always adding to this list. The list is now four pages long- what can I say? I have a lot of different ideas and am always looking to try something different.

Products I'm Loving in 2016 Part 2
January 15, 2016

Products I'm Loving in 2016 Part 2

I wanted to share that I have a brand new recipe page that I spent hours and hours (and hours) working on so that you can easily search by ingredient, cooking method and course to find my recipes. Let me know what you think! I hope you love it! 1. Community Coffee K-Cups - I love my coffee and Community Coffee is one of my favorite brands. I love their flavored coffees but had never tried their k-cups until now. We usually purchase their bags of coffee and pour the grounds into a reusable cup to make it. Community Coffee is flavorful and tastes great. My favorite is the golden caramel flavor which adds flavor without adding sugar. It is also great with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Pizza Panzanella Salad
January 14, 2016

Pizza Panzanella Salad

Pizza Panzanella Salad is a fun change from your typical panzanella with pizza flavor in every bite, tomatoes, peppers, cheese, pepperoni, onions and a homemade tangy Italian dressing! What excites me the most about recipe creation is thinking outside of the box. I love to lighten up typically unhealthy recipes. I enjoy creating recipes off the top of my head. This recipe idea came to me in the middle of the night when I was having trouble falling back asleep. I emailed myself the idea quickly so that I would not forget about it in the morning.

Tropical Smoothie Bowl
January 13, 2016

Tropical Smoothie Bowl

T his Tropical Smoothie Bowl makes the perfect breakfast or snack with pineapple, mango and strawberries and tropical toppings!  You're going to love this Tropical Smoothie Bowl that is packed with nutrients. I talk a lot about nutrition on the blog and overall, I eat pretty healthy. One of my weaknesses is sugar. The new 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans just came out. Overall, a lot of the recommendations are the same as previously but a new recommendation that they are really focusing on is that sugar should be 10 percent or less of your daily calories.

Spiralized Sweet Potato Fries with Chile Habanero Sauce
January 13, 2016

Spiralized Sweet Potato Fries with Chile Habanero Sauce

These Spiralized Sweet Potato Fries with Chile Habanero Sauce are thin, crispy and make the perfect appetizer. The spicy and creamy sauce adds flavor and spice to the dish. I am going to be really honest and say that I am not a big football fan. What I am a huge fan of is eating delicious food during a game. For the Big Game, my family always gets together and has a party full of delicious food. We usually do appetizer type food and it is always a good time. I love watching the commercials, eating and just spending time with family.

Chipotle Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
January 12, 2016

Chipotle Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

These Chipotle Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are fresh and full of flavor! They are packed full of vegetables and topped with flavorful guacamole. Over the last year, my love for sweet potatoes have really grown. I went from pretty much just eating them plain or with peanut butter (don't judge!) to eating them in a variety of ways. I used them in my roasted pork with root vegetables recipe , for sweet potato pie bites  and my orange glazed brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes .

Spinach and Bell Pepper Egg Bake
January 11, 2016

Spinach and Bell Pepper Egg Bake

Spinach and Bell Pepper Egg Bake makes the perfect weekend breakfast or can be made ahead of time and reheated during the week. Loaded with bell peppers, green onions, sun dried tomatoes and spinach. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. It is the perfect time to start your day the right way with a nutritious meal. When it comes to breakfast, I focus on a few nutrients. I usually make sure that my meal has a whole grain, is protein rich and has fiber like this Spinach and Bell Pepper Egg Bake. This spinach red pepper egg casserole is sure to be a family favorite perfect for any breakfast or brunch.

Products I'm Loving in 2016
January 10, 2016

Products I'm Loving in 2016

1. The Vitamin Shoppe - Right before Christmas, I received this adorable package from The Vitamin Shoppe. I had written about The Vitamin Shoppe a couple of months ago on my blog and recently placed an order for a bunch of their nut butters. I love love the D's Naturals nut butter that I was sent and all of the nut butter from this store. I also recently bought a bunch of stocking stuffers for my husband from The Vitamin Shoppe including shower gel, hair wax and beef jerky which he liked all of them.

The Fitness Goal I'm Focusing on in 2016
January 08, 2016

The Fitness Goal I'm Focusing on in 2016

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. As always, all opinions are my own. I love to exercise. It helps me to feel my best. Without exercise, I feel stir crazy, more irritable and just not myself. My "problem" is that I have such a hard time getting motivated to do any other kind of exercise besides walking.

Blueberry Banana Granola Bars
January 07, 2016

Blueberry Banana Granola Bars

Blueberry Banana Granola Bars are loaded with fiber and protein for a healthy snack with whole-grains and walnuts!  Happy New Year all! Over the holidays, I got a little off track with healthy living and I am going to guess that I am not alone. I feel my best when I eat right, exercise and get enough sleep and it is time to get back on track!

Texas Caviar AKA Black Bean Salad
January 06, 2016

Texas Caviar AKA Black Bean Salad

Before typing up this recipe, I had to search my archives because I could not even believe that I have not shared this recipe until now. It is a family favorite and all summer long, it is what I brought to pretty much every potluck that we attended.  Now before you get freaked out that I am sharing a caviar recipe, there is no fish eggs in this recipe. Texas caviar is another name for a black bean salad. I was first introduced to this style of salad at a family get together when a family member brought something similar and I couldn't stop eating it.

Ask the RD: Selenium
January 05, 2016

Ask the RD: Selenium

Selenium is a mineral that is in many foods yet is a nutrient that is not often talked about. It is essential for humans as it plays a role in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis and protects from oxidative damage and infections. Selenium is also an antioxidant.

Piña Colada Baked Oatmeal
January 04, 2016

Piña Colada Baked Oatmeal

This Piña Colada Baked Oatmeal will remind you of a tropical vacation and is healthy and filling! Prep ahead of time and bake in the morning. Hello and Happy New Year!! This year, we do not have any warm vacations planned. To get my bit of paradise in this cold month of January, I bring to you piña colada baked oatmeal. Warm, healthy, flavorful and just enough tropical-ness to make you feel a little better about the crazy amounts of snow and cold weather going on.