Tuesday Tips

Hello again...need to publish this baby fast or it'll become Wednesday Tips!

As always, today's tip is a simple one but hopefully it will help keep you and your little ones safer!

As we head into the hot hot hot summer months I can't urge you enough to place your purse/diaper bags in the back seat of your car. If you make a point to do this, even when your child isn't present in the car, it will become second nature to place it there. When you get to your destination you will have to take an extra step of opening the back door to get your bag, but it will hopefully keep you aware of your backseat passengers, no matter how busy or distracted you are!

Five on Friday

Keeping it simple this week...happy Friday all!!!

one

I scored some wicker furniture this week for $50 on a local Facebook group. It needs some tlc but fills our deck space well. 

two

We've been spring cleaning like crazy over here despite the hot-cold-hot weather! Our neighbors lent us their power washer and boy did it clean my rockers well - much easier than using washcloths and toothbrushes for the small nooks and crannies. 

three

BG is either the strongest child alive or we bought a Bellini lemon. My hubby sent me this pic when he went to get BG from his nap. Need to call Bellini stat. 

four

Celebrated a special friends 2nd birthday  today. Her mom requested Easter egg cookies and a Humpty Dumpty cake. Trying to smooth butter cream is a true labor of love but wrote every minute!

five

We had pictures taken in a peach orchard last week - I'm loving this one of BG in particular mid "if you're happy and you know it..."

Tuesday Tips - Bee Season

The bee's are back and unfortunately that means the mosquito's aren't far behind. I like to carry this sting stick in my bag just in case any of us get stung or bitten. It doesn't completely erase the problem but it helps ease the pain/itch until you can get home and address the problem more in depth. 

This year I'll be carrying it well into the fall!  Last year one of the children in our playgroup was stung by a bee in late October - I hated that I'd left this at home as I'm sure it wouldn't given her some relief!

Did any of your moms carry a sting stick? It's one of the things my mom always had in her bag of tricks when we were growing up. 

#ChobaniKids Project

 

I was inspired recently by Chobani's #ChobaniKids project to discuss healthy lifestyle choices and proper nutrition for children in honor of National Nutrition Month.  I was instantly intrigued by this project as our family is truly undergoing a lifestyle change this year.  That lifestyle change not only includes healthy food choices but also having a more active lifestyle.  We are still in the training phase but hopefully our healthy choices today will lead to a consistently healthier family unit!

BE ACTIVE TOGETHER!

Having an active lifestyle seems as though it would be easy with a toddler but in fact it can be just as easy to stay in one spot and have him run circles around us.  However, my husband and I both want to set a good example for BG's future by moving and shaking with him!  We take weekly walks on our local greenways and through the neighborhood with friends. Although BG is in his BOB for these long walks, I know that interacting with friends while getting fresh air is just as incredibly important for him and knowing that his mama is out getting exercise is just as important to me.

For BG's birthday we gave him a balance bike that he absolutely adores.  He loves to practice riding and we love scooting along side of him.  Our hope is that eventually he'll be strong enough to ride on his own and we'll be able to take long bike rides as a family.

Although he is only two years old, we have always enrolled BG in a class focusing on exercise.  For over a year he took swimming lessons with one of us in the pool as well.  Now we take a gymnastics class together!  Allowing him to exercise while interacting with his peers not only helps him burn that neverending-toddler-energy but he also prepares him for future team sports and activities.

 

FLAVORFUL CHOICES

Some of BG's very favorite snack choices involve yogurt!  I often purchase plain Greek yogurt as I can cook and bake easily with it.  The chili's too spicy? Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt! No applesauce or milk for that baking recipe? Try using Greek yogurt! Have a pasta recipe that calls for cream cheese? Substitute Greek yogurt! Obviously there are many ways to fit Greek yogurt into your lifestyle.  The following are some of BG's favorite ways to enjoy Greek yogurt and what parent doesn't love to see their child enjoying a "treat" that actually double as a healthy choice?

He loves being given a small bowl of plain Greek yogurt with fresh berries swirled in or a drizzle of local honey on top.  (Did you know that local honey can possibly diminish the effects of  seasonal allergies?) Fresh fruit or honey really give plain yogurt a hint of sweet creating a new dimension of enjoyment. I'm always happy to see BG enjoying a bowl of high protein and natural ingredients.

We love to make smoothies in our home usually with a combination of fresh fruit, spinach and a big spoonful of plain Greek yogurt. The yogurt creates the creamiest consistency that makes a truly healthy smoothie taste like a creamy treat!

When we travel it can be so easy to fill my bag with snacks that will fill BG up but not necessarily with protein and other essential nutrients.  He rarely gets to have pouches so handing him one on a trip is like giving him a golden ticket! I'm always careful when buying pouches to look for those that have Greek yogurt in them as the protein content is much higher (3-4 grams!) than other fruit/veggie filled kinds (>1 gram).  These new pouches from Chobani have everything that I normally look for and the flavor profiles fit exactly what BG wants as well!

Growing up my mom always froze small containers of yogurt for us as a simple frozen treat.  Now that I'm a mom, I absolutely love making homemade yogurt popsicles for BG!  His favorite flavor combination by far is Lemon Raspberry Yogurt Popsicles (I follow this recipe from Annie's Eats substituting organic sugar ).  When he eats these popsicles he acts like he's tricked me into giving him a bowl of ice cream.  What he doesn't know is that the majority of this frozen treat is actually just healthy and natural ingredients!

MODERATION

When I was younger my dad always told me that everything can be good for you if it's in moderation.  Now that I'm responsible for BG's health and diet, I want to make sure that he experiences moderation in his world as well.  I want BG to know that having the occasional treat or movie day on the couch is okay.  In fact that's what makes those moments even more exciting - they're special because they don't happen often!  That's why on occasion BG gets to pick out a show to watch or choose his own treat at the store. 

A happy life really is all about living in moderation...



*I was not compensated by Chobani for this post.  All of the opinions above are my own.*

Five on Friday - Foodie Style

We've been sticking to the whole30 plan for quite some time now but let me tell you we are counting down the days until we can eat at our favorite Charlotte restaurants. For my local friends, please tell me you've tried them all! For those of you that are out-of-towners, I hope that you can try them all one day soon!

(sidenote: I asked my husband what he thought my list would include and wouldn't you know that he guessed every last one!  I guess it really isn't just me that loves these spots.  He also suggested I do a breakfast and desserts spots post separately...fooooood)

one

521 BBQ

I've named this one first because it honestly is our very favorite place to eat here in Charlotte. It's a hole-in-the-wall and if you don't know what you're looking for you'll drive right on by it BUT that's part of what makes it our favorite. I always get the same thing and it never disappoints: pulled pork, white slaw, baked beans, mac n cheese and of course piping hot hushpuppies! Oh, and a sweet tea please!  I can still remember the feeling of being seasick when I ate there on a picnic table at eight months pregnant with BG and now we've had them cater BG's birthday every year because it's honestly one of his favorite meals as well! I think I might need to have a party with 521 catering once we're done with Whole30!!

two

Cabo Fish Taco

When I first moved to Charlotte in 2005 this was my absolute favorite place to take out of town guests for dinner. It's a unique environment, delicious food with a twist and you can grab dessert from Amelie's on your way out of NoDa. I love to order the blackened mahi tacos but you better believe we're there for the corn salsa and queso just as much as the main dish. In fact, I often have leftovers for the next day after filling up on salsa and queso! PS I always get the chocolate mousse cup at Amelie's while the mister prefers the staple salted caramel brownie. 

three

Cowfish 

We've been big fans of Cowfish since it opened but for some silly reason it was just over a year ago that we finally ordered bento boxes and we haven't looked back since.  Perfection. BG himself enjoys the children's bento boxes...best kiddo meal in town if you ask me! 

four

Aria

With its gorgeous uptown location we'd always find ourselves here at the chefs table, especially when we had guests in town!  My favorite dishes are the handmade raviolis, specifically the butternut squash when it's in season. Just like most Italian restaurants the bread and white bean starter never disappoints.  

five

The Blue Taj

If you love Indian you must try this delicious spot, the cousin of Copper! The paneer tikka masala is always my favorite dish here but their naan is the real showstopper. It doesn't matter how many pieces we order, it never seems to be enough. Although unusual in its flavorings we love to end our evenings there with their dessert sampler. It's presentation is flawless but the flavors are truly unusual for our normal dessert fair and that's what makes this all the more delicious. My mom always requests this when she's in town and how could we deny her?

six - oops!

Food Truck Friday

I couldn't forget Food Truck Friday!! Our friends invited us to join them last year and we've been hooked ever since!  With it's casual atmosphere (picnic blankets on the ground and byob) we love the feeling of chatting with friends while being encircled with food trucks of all flavors and varieties with a perfect view of the Queen City.  Our favorite food truck, like so many in Charlotte, is Papi Queso.  However, Nate and I still talk about the desserts that we've had.  Yes, King of Pops is delicious on a hot day but wait until you order this delicacy from Sticks and Cones - Krispy Kreme Raspberry Donut - they slice raspberry filled Krispy Kreme donut in half then fill it with vanilla soft serve.  The best.

Any favorite spots in Charlotte that we missed and should make our list??

Tuesday Tips - Kids Club

I bring snacks for BG when we go just about anywhere but he sure does love a special treat from certain grocery stores. Our favorite TJ's employee always has a special snack up her sleeve for him and Publix/Harris Teeter have free cookies for little ones. My favorite treat spot however is Whole Foods! 

After you check out your child can choose a treat from the Kids Club section. BG is always so excited to choose from their selection, usually a variety of fruits, pointing to the exact piece that he'd like. 

You'd think this fruit was made of gold and sugar. He could hardly wait to take a bite of his apple!

This FREE program should be available at all locations (I've been to spots in NC-OH-MI myself) and not only does your child get to make a healthy choice each time they visit but during the week of their birthday they'll receive a goodie bag filled with great 365 products for children! Ask to sign up at the customer service desk and your child will receive their own Kid's Club card to show at each visit.  

Healthy snacking boy = one very happy mama!

My Favorite Whole30 Recipes

This post has been a long time coming.  I started my first round of whole30 in October of 2014 and found a lot of success in doing it.  I decided to start another round this past January and have made it over 70 days in a row now. My goal is 100 days!  I've been keeping a log of what I'm eating to not only hold me accountable but also to help me share the successful dishes that I've found with all of you! (I'm looking at YOU, Theresa and Mandi!)

So without further ado, here is my food log. 

BREAKFAST

My breakfast each day consists of scrambled or runny eggs, bacon/homemade sausage and at times fruit. I don't stray too much from this breakfast set up because I'm never all that hungry in the morning so the thought of cooking something complicated is a no go. I have also made this delicious sweet and savory blueberry tortilla on the weekend when I really just needed something different.

LUNCH

Prepare to be bored.  I eat leftovers.  Whole30 requires a lot of prep work and with Mister BG underfoot you better believe I'm not interested in a chaotic lunchtime prep.  Leftovers will do just fine, thankyouverymuch. Also, salad. I eat a lot of salads if I just can't take another day of leftovers. I'll post my favorite compliant balsamic dressing soon.

DINNER

Here's the meat of the post, if you will.  I'll try to link to as many recipes as I can or explain those that don't have them. I have 30 main dish ideas listed here in the order that I have enjoyed them for dinner. I tried to label any changes for compliancy issues next to the recipe (avocado oil for butter, etc.).

Burgers on the grill with carmalized onions with grilled zucchini and asparagus
Roast chicken (I use avocado oil versus butter) with roasted sweet potatoes and carrots
Aidells chicken sausages - roasted potatoes and broccoli
Taco salad with guacamole and salsa (I make my own taco seasoning - so simple to do!)
PW pot roast with carrots, potatoes and onions
Cuisine beef (from Costco) with roasted potatoes and green beans
Caramelized onion pork chops with roasted brussel sprouts and carrots
Grilled chicken with cauliflower rice (add a splash of fresh squeezed lemon) and broccoli
Apple bacon burgers with crash sweet potatoes and green beans
Pan fried pork chops (using s&p and avocado oil) with roasted broccoli and potatoes
Almond chicken strips (use coconut flour and almond meal) with cauliflower rice and green beans
Pork Loin with sautéed kale and roasted butternut squash
Lemon chicken legs with roasted vegetables
Salt and Vinegar Chicken (I use drums not wings) with roasted veggies
Shepard's pie with sweet potato topping
Meatballs (with marinara sauce from this Rachel Ray recipe) and zoodles
Carnitas (use avocado oil vs frying oil) with green beans and green beans and roasted potatoes
Bison burgers (just sub bison for beef!) with sweet potato fries and sautéed spinach
Grilled steaks (seasoned with only s&p) with asparagus and curly sweet potatoes
Stuffed peppers
Balsamic pork tenderloin with sautéed spinach and roasted carrots
Mocha-Rubbed pot roast with green beans and roasted sweet potato "chips"
Mini meatloaves (using this marinara sauce recipe) with brussel sprouts and green beans
Fish pouches with roasted potatoes
Chicken soup (using homemade stock makes a HUGE difference in a recipe like this!)
Trader Joe's curry simmer sauce with chicken over cauliflower rice with broccoli
Cottage pie (requires quite a bit of work but it's worth it!)
Lamb loin chops (using this marinade) with sautéed spinach and roasted potatoes
Bison sweet potato chili
Apple Dijon burgers with roasted vegetables (don't forget the egg on top!)

Annnnnnd that's a wrap on 30 days of whole meals! Please let me know if you have any questions or successes of your own!