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Breakfast Gluten Free Mealtime Monday Recipes

Protein Blender Muffins: Back-To-School Time Saver

I am a Brand Ambassador for Nuzest Usa and have included an affiliate link in this post that I receive a commission from purchases. My full disclosure policy

Back to School, YAY!

How were you the first week of school? For some of you, it’s been a few weeks and you probably have settled back into a routine and life is starting to take on its new normal for the next 8+ months.  For us Jersey peeps we have just finished up the hours’ long paperwork confirming that are a child is still the same child, with the same parents, living in the same house just another grade older.  After school activities have taken our chill summer nights away and we are anticipating the homework to come trickling in to add to our now more full to do list.  Oh, what happened to those preschool days where you just had to make sure they had a change of clothes and snacks.  My girls are now in fourth and eighth grade, and I remember from my now eighth grader. Third grade is where things start to become a little more challenging. More responsibilities are assumed, and that wonderful common core is in full swing.  I am happy that I got to go through it from Kindergarten-Seventh grade, or it could be a daunting task sitting down for homework.

Prep and Plan

I’ve been here before, so I thought this summer, “How can I make things a little easier?” Prep and Plan! That is my security blanket. I am an avid planner from our meals, schedule everything is done a month in advance.  So, late July early August it began. I gathered recipes for easy, healthy dinners so that I can feed my hungry brood and make Soccer and Field Hockey games and practices without sitting down at the end of the day feeling like I was just swept up in a Whirlwind.  I found these Blender Muffins on Cooking Light, but I had to change up the recipe a little to meet my daughter’s needs.  One daughter is lactose intolerant we have all adapted to a less dairy lifestyle in my home.  The other thing is protein. My middle daughter is a self-proclaimed Vegetarian except for hot dogs and tacos. (Yep! Hot dogs…sigh and slight eye roll) I am always trying to find ways to get my only fruit and veggie child to get more Protein.  After two experiments the first one didn’t turn out so well, I came up with these delicious muffins that feed everyone for a week, and I just have to make one batch.  You can make them in a variety like I did or just do one flavor.  I did the variety to mix it up during the week.

protein-blendermuffins

 

Convenient and Healthy

My tween & teen can grab and go in the morning, and she’s all set, and my middle can eat, and I know that she is getting everything she needs to start her day. I also made Egg Muffins which the in between child wants no parts of but my husband has found these convenient too as he is a Kindergarten teacher and is trying to remain on the clean eating plan that he has fully embraced over the summer months. My personal favorite is the Chocolate Walnut Muffins, but there are so many topping options you can do. We have Apple Chai, Chocolate Almond, Strawberry Chocolate, Strawberry Blueberry, Blueberry and next week going to give Mango and Banana a try. I hope you enjoy these fast, easy, yummy treats for your family, and if you try any new flavors, please let me know. I am always looking for ways to make meal time fun, healthy and tasty.

Add Some Fruit and Veggies in a Scoop

Nuzest has just come out with some great additions to their plant-based smoothie line. Now they have Fruit and Veggies which gives these protein muffins an extra punch of power for my girls.  Nuzest Just Fruits & Veg comes in three different flavors Wild Berry, Fresh Coconut, and Caco Mint. I used the Wild Berry in the protein muffins and they were delish. It’s also great for their after school needs post field hockey and soccer practice even as an easy tasty snack when they get home.  I love it because it is no artificial sweeteners, a great form of plant-based protein in their pea protein powder and an ingredient list of all real, junk-free ingredients that I recognize. Each scoop contains 5 fruits and 5 veggies and 9 essential amino acids. My oldest daughter is lactose and casein intolerant so this is easy for her to digest.  I rather they have fresh, fruits and veggies but I can find comfort in the Nuzest Just Fruit & Veg Smoothies and it also adds a great flavor to the protein muffins. Use coupon code “FaithFueled” to get 15% off your order!

What are your quick breakfast ideas?

 

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Categories
Dessert Recipes

Gut Healthy Treats

This post is sponsored by Biome Bliss there are also Amazon Affiliate links that I received compensation, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

My full Disclosure Policy

Boosting our immunity for back to school

I don’t know about you, but I always associate back to school with back to germs.  My girls always start the school year with some sort of virus.  This year we are boosting our immune system by improving our gut health.  From research, the best way to improve your gut health is to diversify your microbiome.

Through my research, I learned that attaching anti-bacterial sanitizer to my kids’ bags is not helping the situation but actually can be adding to the issue.  What really needs to be addressed is our microbiome, which makes up more of our body that our human cells.  Your microbiome is actually non-human cells known as bacteria. Microbiome exists in about 90% of your body — the more diverse the microbiome, the better your health and the stronger your immune system.  If you want to avoid illnesses this fall, you need to start at the gut.

What is your Microbiome?

The microbiome is an individual’s specific set of bacteria that lives in your intestines. It makes up about 90% of the cells in people’s body. It’s like your own personal eco-system and has a significant effect on your overall health. It helps regulate your gut, health, mood, energy, and mental function. When your microbiome is unbalanced, that’s when you see adverse effects on people’s health.

How can gut health boost immunity?

Over the summer, my children and I indulge in things we don’t often eat. Foods with added sugar, process high-calorie foods like chips at barbeques. It’s part of the summer fun. Those food harm your gut health. Most families eat these things daily. It is an epidemic of digestive, autoimmune, and metabolic disorders starting at young ages.  There are studies on how diet can affect emotional disorders like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and it is our microbiome affecting the way people digest and other health ailments like:

  • Heart health
  • Immunity
  • Bone development 
  • Brain function
  • Metabolism 

Unless we have our microbiome is balanced, makes it more susceptible to health issues. Did you know that scientist consider the gut our “Second brain”? According to Michael Berman, author of the book Second Brain, They’re neurons lining our intestines that is so extensive some scientists have nicknamed it our “second brain.”

 When you feel something in your gut or get butterflies in your stomach that is a real physical reaction from these neurons, nerves found in the gut influences our emotions! We really need to find a way to have a better balance on nutrition and try to reduce the foods that are causing our bodies to dysfunction. 

What do you need to heal your gut?

For all this reason this is why my family decided to take a 3-month Microbiome restoration. Daily we are adding a Prebiotic to our routine and eating more gut-healing foods. It’s easy to add BiomeBliss to our desserts and snacks because it’s a delicious blueberry flavored drink.  In addition to gut-healthy foods. I am hoping to stave off illness with a healthy microbiome. As we heal our all h gut, we are also boosting our immune system.  As we interact with more people this fall we are protected by our healthy gut.

Other Ways I can heal my gut

There are some people who may read this and think, “That’s nice but I am not going to eat 31 out of the 32 items on this list.” Others might not have access to all the things on this list.  I want to introduce you to a plant-based prebiotic.  By drinking this daily you can get what you need to satisfy your microbes.

The power of a blissful biome!

Biomebliss is a prebiotic drink. It has “three key nutrients”; inulin, polyphenols and beta-glucan. These three ingredients feed the microbes; encourages healthy bacteria to grow and support your immune system.  Prebiotics are important because they increase the diversity of your microbiome. When your microbiome is diverse your in better health. Adding prebiotics daily can encourage your body to thrive and helps fuel the probiotics that exist in your body and you add by eating gut-healthy foods. We began our journey yesterday. It was easy serving the girls this blueberry drink. Its taste like blueberry and goes well with dairy or non-dairy alternatives like almond milk. It’s even better in a probiotic yogurt because that’s optimal in a good gut health “diet.”

Probiotics are existing in our gut and prebiotics assist them to work more effectively. The combination is not only tasty but easy to add daily to your routine. BiomeBliss has been clinically tested and is also a great aid in weight loss because it keeps you satiated, keeps you regular, improves your gut health and helps support your mealtime blood sugars.

 

Biome Bliss aids weight loss

Popsicles are a fun way for the kids to try there BiomeBliss. All you do is mix the BiomeBliss pour into popsicle molds, freeze and eat.

That’s Mimi’s request post-dinner and I think a great way to end the day. My family loves gummy bears especially my husband. These easy gummies were a fun way to use you BiomeBliss and it also contains my favorite Great Lakes Gelatin. I added some Lakanto Sweetener. 

I am going to be sharing more about our gut health journey with Biome Bliss and if you’re interested in grabbing your own. Use Code “FAITHFUELED” to get 15 % off your Biome Bliss. 

 

How are you caring for your gut and boosting your immune system?

 

Categories
Dessert Recipes

Gluten-Free Almond Chocolate Dessert Pizza

This post is sponsored by Once Again, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. My full Disclosure Policy

Once Again Amore Spread 

I have a severe sweet tooth. It is probably my biggest vice. I can abstain from just about anything but dessert.  So while on this health journey, I had to discover a way to have my cake and eat it too.  Living a gluten-free lifestyle. It’s hard to find spreads and condiments that don’t contain wheat. As I have adopted a gluten-free lifestyle, I have found some tasty products that are gluten-free to satisfy my sweet tooth. I team up with Once Again to try their Amore Spread Almond with Cocoa and Milk.  I was amazed at the decadence of this chocolate spread.

Not your average Chocolate Spread

Once again is a company that you can trust for Certified Gluten-Free, Non-GMO Verified, Certified Organic, and vegan nut and seed butter. Once Again Nut Butter
also follows Fair Trade and Sustainability standards for their farm partners, suppliers, and prices. I love companies that are conscious about where their product is sourced and quality of the ingredients.  When my family tried the Once Again Organic Amore Almond Spread with Milk Chocolate, it was without question delicious.  It makes everything taste better, and it is healthier than other dessert butter in the market. We’ve used it as a dip for our popcorn, fruit, and gluten-free pretzels.  It was also a delicious spread on rice cakes as a snack.  So creamy and rich it is better than other hazelnut nut butter that is popular on the market.

Guiltless Dessert

The ingredients are much better for you.  I decided to make a Dessert Pizza for a Barbeque we were invited to, and it was a hit.  In less than 20 minutes and with minimal ingredients. We had a delicious dessert. Often people omit desserts when working towards their weight loss goals, but I believe in living a healthier lifestyle whether than being on a diet.  Which for me, includes desserts.  Using better ingredients and portion control dessert is a guiltless pleasure that everyone should enjoy in moderation.   Give the recipe a try and be a rockstar at your next potluck or for an easy dessert.

Do you care about the ingredients when it comes to your desserts?


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Battle of Motherhood Children christian mom

Workbooks help avoid Summer Slump with TinkerActive Workbooks

This post is sponsored by TinkerActive Workbooks, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. My full Disclosure Policy

TinkerActive Workbooks are a fun way to avoid the summer slump

There are those last days of summer when the kids are bored of being home, and the school has not yet begun.  Its the perfect time to refresh on skills to get ready for back to school with some engaging interactive workbooks.  I have three children for the first time going back to school, and my kindergartner is beyond excited.  She can’t wait to ride the school bus that she has watched her sisters get on for many years.

Ready for Back to School

We are ready to begin school all we need is for it to open. So, while we wait, I thought it would be a great time to explore TinkerActive Workbooks.   These workbooks are comprehensive, curriculum-based workbooks.  Each lesson has an interactive “tinkering,” creating and engineering project connected.  These activities improve your child’s ability to reinforce the skill learned in the experience.  The lessons are also very simple and don’t always involve lots of materials you don’t already own.   We had fun, refreshing math and science skills that she will expand in kindergarten this year.

Interactive Learning

Introducing these tinkering activities was a great way to pass the time until kindergarten began.  It also increased her excitement to learn new things and skills.  I am so impressed with the TInkerActive Workbooks. We are exploring foundational skills in STEM, Common Core. The lessons in the workbook for math covered themes like classifying and sorting, counting and quantities, counting by 100 by tens, measurement, 2D & 3D shapes and basics like addition, subtraction, and place value.

 

Built-In Motivation

Every child wants recognition, and for Mimi, it’s a great motivator.  In the TinkerActive Workbook, it includes progress recognition stickers and a Final “Secret Magnetic Merit Badge” for your child once they complete the book. It was fun to find the “hidden treasure” as a reward for completing the workbook. Mimi told everyone who would listen about her “hidden treasure.”  What a fun way to reward all her explorative work.

Sending my Baby off to School

The activities were just as fun for me as it was for Mimi and an excellent way for us to bond before school begins.  My last baby is leaving the house, and I know the time will fly.  I also have a tenth grader starting school this year, and I remember the days of teaching her to read and write.  It’s bittersweet preparing my baby for school, but I know that she is going thrive this year.  Exploring with our hands and minds is fun with TinkerActive Workbook.  We just began the science workbook, and we both are excited to complete it in the afternoons after morning Kindergarten.

TinkerActive Workbooks are great education Support

If you’re looking for an activity workbook for your kindergartner, I highly recommend you check these workbooks out. It’s an excellent opportunity to engage with your child through learning and a great supplement or support for school or to avoid the summer slump. TinkerActive Workbooks can be purchased wherever books are sold. If they decide to purchase on Amazon, share your thoughts, and submit a review for TinkerActive Workbooks. 

 

How do you bridge the gap in the summer?  Does your child learn better with play-based curriculums and tinkering?

Categories
Gluten Free Recipes

Elevate Your Snack with Sahale Snacks

Elevate Your Snack with Sahale Snacks

This post is sponsored by Sahale Snacks but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. My full Disclosure Policy

I need Better Snack Options.


I am so tired of snacking ordinary. You get tired of the everyday old snacks, and with Sahale Snacks, it’s effortless to elevate your snack experience. For me, when I find snacks that work, I can get in a rut. It’s nice to add new crunch and flavor just with a scoop of Sahale Snacks. I’m sharing how I enhance my five favorite snacks!

5 Snacks to Elevate with Sahale Snacks

It’s amazing what a handful of Sahale Snacks can do for your ordinary snack — giving you a whole new flavor profile with their tangy, zesty, sweet, and crunchy addition. Nuts are a great way to add protein and fat and keep you satiated. Often we aren’t satiating our cravings I love adding Sahale Snacks to the mix it gives me an added crunch and what I need to uplevel my snack. I took my top 5 Snacks and added Sahale, and it was like an instant upgrade. Sahale Snacks have become a convenient part of my daily routine!


1. Turn Up your Yogurt

with Sahale Snacks Valdosta Pecans with a little kick of black pepper for an unexpected delicious zing. One of my favorite post-workout treats!

2. Just Grab the Bag and Go.

The Pineapple Rum Cashew Coconut Snacks are great are a satiating tropical treat with the dried pineapple and rum inspired flavor.

3.Apple & Almond Butter Slices:

I added these delicious treats to my favorite snack and mind blow with the Sahale Snack Pomegranate Vanilla Cashew Mix.


4. Cashew Butter & Sahale Snack Pomegranate Vanilla Cashew Mix on Rice Cake

the buttery cashews are delicious on this plain snack. I usually snack on Rice Cakes and Cashew Butter at work. It’s an easy way to keep full in between clients. Now it’s an extra treat with a handful of Sahale Snacks yummy Pomegranate Vanilla Cashew Mix.


5. Elevated Oatmeal

I have shared my love of Oatmeal time and time again, and it is one of my favorite snacks. When I sprinkled some Coconut Chips and added a Tropical Pineapple Rum Inspired Treat, it was a flavor explosion. The snack was so good and an extra crunch to my oatmeal with the Sahale Snacks as a protein-based addition.

With Sahale Snacks, you get so many unique flavor combinations that can enhance anything you pair it with if you’re looking for a treat to satiate or jazz up your ordinary snack. Grab a bag of Sahale Snacks Mix I promise you won’t be disappointed.


Sahale Snacks Mixes gives you plenty of opportunities to explore your taste buds while tackling your cravings.


Have you ever tried Sahale Snack Mixes If so, which is your favorite one?