January in Review

I don't know about you, but here in the arctic tundra Minnesota, we are so ready for January to be over! I am hoping that February brings warmer weather- something above zero for more than a day or two would be nice. :)

Lynns and I finally got back to a consistent blogging schedule and shared lots of great things this month:

We warmed up with this yummy veggie stew:

Shared a great basic green smoothie recipe that you can totally make your own:

Posted a country music playlist that will get you through a 40 minute work out: 

Shared tips for organizing your craft cabinet- or any cabinet, really:

We have lots of good stuff in store for February- can't wait to share it with you!

10 Tips: Real Food on a Real Budget

Let's face it- food is expensive.

It's especially expensive when you have a husband, as well as 2 kiddos who are growing like weeds. 

Food can be super-duper expensive if you're trying to follow a "real food", "organic", or "healthy" lifestyle. But, it doesn't have to be.

If you've read my previous "Cut the Junk" series, you'll know that we're an 80/20 household- 80% of our food is unprocessed, while 20% we consider an indulgence. We find this works best for our family, but it may not be the best for every family. 

Hubs and I basically live off of one income- his. I'm a wedding photographer, so my income is seasonal, changing every year, and also mostly set aside for extra mortgage payments and our savings account. Despite the fact that we live off of one income, we still manage to afford "real food" without breaking the bank.

I shop every week and my typical grocery bill is anywhere between $70.00 and $110.00. This includes fresh fruits and veggies (mostly organic), grass fed beef, all natural organic chicken, organic milk, etc. I know some people might think that only spending $70 on healthy food might leave my kids starving, but I promise you they aren't. ;)

You, too, can eat "real food" on a budget (that sounds kind of like an infomercial, doesn't it? My apologies, but it's true!) if you follow a few of these tips:

Meal Plan: Take a few minutes to plan your meals- I do this weekly. Create a shopping list of ingredients you need for those meals, as well as your pantry staples. Stick to your list!

Use Leftovers: When planning your meals, try to use your leftovers for the next night's meal. Try to do this at least once a week and it will make a difference in your grocery bill.

Go Meatless: Plan a meatless meal once a week- have breakfast for dinner, a big salad with a baked potato, meatless chili, or veggie soup. Grass fed and organic meats are expensive- so going meatless for at least one night per week will make a difference in your bill.

Buy from a Local Farmer: Purchasing your fruits, veggies, eggs, and meat from a local farmer cuts out the middle man and passes the savings to you! Plus, it's super rewarding to support your local farmers.

Grocer's Weekly Ad: Check your store's weekly ad for produce specials and try to incorporate those into your meal plan. Stock up on things like grass fed beef or organic chicken when it's on sale.

Buy In-Season & Freeze: Fruits and veggies that are in-season are much more affordable. Stock up and freeze to use throughout the year.

Choose Mostly Organic: Not all produce needs to be organic. The "dirty dozen" should be bought organic when possible. Things like pineapple, mango, onion, bananas, kiwi, etc. are ok to buy non-organic. Keep a mix of these in your pantry so you aren't buying everything organic.

Shop the Perimeter: Try to do all of your shopping in the perimeter of the store. The inside aisles contain mostly processed foods, but the frozen fruit and veggies section of the store is totally ok! Just be sure what you're purchasing doesn't have added sweeteners or other things- just plain, frozen, fruits and veggies.

Look at the Unit Price: On each price tag, there is the main price, but there is also a unit price. The unit price tells you the price per ounce, pound, etc.- pay attention this price rather than the main price. If you're comparing two brands, the more expensive brand may actually be a better deal. You'll find this a lot with frozen chicken breasts, orange juice, milk, cheese, etc.

Say "No" to "Healthy Junk Food": There are many, many, processed products that claim to be "healthy", but they aren't . Steer clear of "healthy junk food" and try to keep your snacks fresh or homemade. There are tons of "real food" recipes for common "healthy junk food" items... and they taste a whole lot better, too.

Make Real Food a Priority: If you're passionate about feeding your family real food, it will become a priority. Once it's a priority, you'll take the extra time to plan your meals, make your shopping list, adjust your budget (if needed) and follow some of the tips I mentioned above. Sometimes you need to start with small changes, and that's totally ok!

Comment below and let me know which tips you'll be incorporating into your next shopping trip, and let me in on your secrets to buying real food on a budget! 

Soup-er Delicious Veggie Stew

There's nothing better on a cold day than a hearty stew, right? This recipe is my mother in law's. My husband asked me to make him vegetable stew shortly after we got married and it took me about 2 minutes to realize I just needed to call his mom to find out how she makes this yumminess.

It's a great recipe to incorporate fresh veggies, but you can use frozen too! Here are our favorites to add, feel free to mix it up:

Green Cabbage (half a head)

Onion (half)

1 Yellow Squash

1 Zucchini

2 Potatoes

5-6 Carrots

Green Beans (I use a hand full, but this can be added per your taste)

In addition to the fresh veggies you will also need:

Frozen peas and corn. I usually get the veggie "medley" for extra carrots and green beans. I only add 1 cup, but again, this can be added per your taste.

One can of diced tomatoes.

A whole bottle of V8.

**You can easily add stew meat**

To make the stew:

Wash all fresh veggies.

In a large stock pot over medium heat, brown the stew meat, if using.

While the meat is browning, peel the potatoes and carrots then start chopping all the fresh vegetables. Try to make them about 1 inch pieces.

Stir the meat occasionally.

Add 1 tbs. butter to the stock pot, add in onion (once meat is brown).

Stir occasionally.

Once onion starts to turn translucent, add in the potatoes and carrots.

Stir to mix.

Add the V8.

Bring to a simmer.

Add in remaining ingredients.

Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are fork tender. About 20 minutes.

You can keep this simmering, covered, for about an hour if you want. 

Serve with crackers.

*This freezes really well.*

Stay warm, friends!

Craft Cabinet Organization!

My craft cabinet has become a little cramped.

I keep my crafty supplies in the utility room above my washer and dryer. It was the only cabinet space I had open so the spray paint and Modge Podge just landed there.

Before I knew it there was burlap, and ribbon, and bandanas- oh my. 

Here's the craft space before:

I could never find anything! Being crafty is made much more difficult when you can't find anything.

To solve my problem, I reorganized! And it feels so good. The laundry detergent and beach towels in this cabinet were moved, this was before:

So I took everything out, sorted like items, threw away old or broken items and then put it all away. 

A few things I kept in mind:

1. Larger items in back. Simple.

2. Use containers! I put several metal tins and a turning pencil/pen holder to work to sort small things and pens, pencils, paint brushes, or anything else that couldn't lay flat. All my notecards are in a small container so they are easy to access. My glue gun and glue sticks are also in a small container so I can easily take them out without having to disrupt anything. 

3. Arrange things logically, for you. Things I don't use as often are on the top shelf, stuff I use a lot is in a more handy spot. Make the organization make sense for you. Otherwise, it will be all disheveled in no time. 

Here are the "after" pics:

See how I could have saved this space so much sooner? Look at how much more efficient this set up is:

Have a great weekend- reorganize something!

My Favorite Green Smoothie

Green smoothies seem to be the "it" thing right now- especially with the new year and everyone trying their best to eat a little healthier.

I admit, I jumped on the green smoothie train after I received a Ninja blender for Christmas. I had tried to use my "cocktail" blender to make green smoothies before being gifted this new blender, and it wasn't good. Chunks of spinach dispersed within my smoothie was definitely not appetizing- so I gave up on them until this shiny new blender entered my life.

My secret to getting my greens completely blended and smooth is to always blend the liquid and greens first. It's an extra step, but an important one!

I'm also a little obsessed with the single serve cups that come with this blender. I can blend, pop on a travel lid, and I'm on way way out the door!

I'm pretty good about eating my veggies, but not nearly enough on a daily basis. Drinking a green smoothie in the afternoon instead of reaching for leftover Christmas candy (come on now, I know you have some, too!) has made me feel better and actually gives me much more energy to push through the afternoon.

Pureeing spinach or other greens into a smoothie turns a lot of people off, but I promise you that if you have the right blender (a high-powered one like the Ninja, Vitamix, Blendtec, etc.) and ingredients, you'll be drinking them every day, too! The best thing about making a smoothie at home is that you can control the ingredients- adding more fruit and/or honey to make it sweeter. Substituting the coconut milk for a splash of orange juice or regular milk. Edit my recipe any way you'd like- it's just a great starting off point!

My Favorite Green Smoothie
Serves one

Ingredients
1/2 C. filtered water
1/2 C. unsweetened coconut milk
2-3 generous handfuls of spinach
1/3-1/2 banana
Handful (or 2) frozen mixed fruit (my go-to is pineapple, strawberry, mango, and peaches)
Drizzle of raw honey (optional)

Directions
Add the water, coconut milk, and spinach into your blender. Pulse and blend well.
Then, add the remaining ingredients. Pulse a few times and blend on high speed until smooth and combined.
Taste and add more honey or banana to add more sweetness.
Enjoy!

Add ins: If you want to get really crazy, add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed. If you've never used flaxseed, I suggest starting with a teaspoon or so and working your way up to a tablespoon. That way you'll get used to the flavor and subtle texture slowly. You could try the tablespoon, too. Just a suggestion!

Flaxseed is high in fiber and contains omega-3 fatty acids- yay! That means just a tablespoon in your smoothie will help aid your digestion, lower your total and "bad" cholesterol levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease. Crazy how just a tablespoon of this can help with all of that and it's such an easy addition to your day!

Have you tried a green smoothie? What's your favorite recipe?

This is not a sponsored post.

The Secret to Perfect Rice Krispie Treats- without the mess!

One thing I struggle with is always wanting to have a sweet snack ready and waiting on my kitchen counter. This isn't a healthy habit. I try my hardest to make sure we always have fruits and veggies and most of the time they hit the spot when I'm in the mood for a snack. But sometimes, I just need dessert, need.

Enter- Rice Krispie Treats (not a sponsored post, guys). I love these things. So easy, the kids can help (hello, sanity saver!) and they hit the spot without being too sweet or too unhealthy. Only 3g of fat per serving is better than a cookie!

One problem with making these delicious squares is that they can be super sticky to get pressed into the pan. I use this little trick to make this recipe even easier than it already is...

Plastic wrap. Tear off a piece of plastic wrap and use it as a marshmallow shield between the treats and your fingers. 

 That's it.

Super easy, right? The result is perfectly pressed treats with absolutely no sticky fingers. This is great when the kids help out for obvious reasons- no chasing the 5-year-old around the house trying to prevent stickiness on your throw pillows... don't ask me how I know.

Have a sweet and happy Monday, friends!

Top 5 Recipes of 2013

Now that we're a couple weeks into 2014, I thought I'd look back and see what our top recipes were in 2013. I had to laugh a little because our most popular recipes aren't our "healthiest"- but they are "healthier" and lighter versions that will keep you on track when you have a sweet tooth or need your carb fix. :)

You can find a full list of our recipes HERE.

Here are our most popular recipes of 2013:

1. Whipped Greek Yogurt Cream

2. Healthilicious Oatmeal Cookies

3. Healthilicious Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

 4. My Favorite Granola 

5. Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

What I Love About Sprouts Farmer's Market

**This post is not sponsored, all opinions are my own.**

Last week, a new grocery store opened up close to home. I'm sure that some of you have a Sprouts Farmer's Market near you, or at least a similar store.

Sprouts is a grocery store that carries natural, fresh, and organic products. They even have their own "store brand" of many products. But you can read more about the company here. This post isn't a review, just me sharing something that makes me happy.

I want to talk about why I love stores like Sprouts! I think they are one piece of the big puzzle to make communities healthier.

First of all, the prices. The prices are comparable to typical grocery stores, but the specials are awesome! Every week there are great products at great prices. Making healthy food affordable and accessible- always a good thing.

Next, the selection. I like choices, but not an overwhelming amount of choices. At Sprouts, there are recognizable brands to chose from, and there's the Sprouts brand. They have their own brand of many products. I might have gotten Sprout's gelato, but in my defense I got twice the gelato for the same price as the name brand AND since it's frozen it'll last me, like, a month. I enjoy gelato in moderation. And I love getting a great price. I had to bring it home. 

While I was shopping I called Jess- there were so many gluten free options and the best part was they were integrated in with like products, no more "gluten free aisle"!

There is also a great variety of bulk items- grains, beans, rice, lots of selection!

Last but not least, I love the prepared foods. They all have ingredient labels that are easy to read. Sprouts uses the same ingredients I would use if I made these dishes in my kitchen. And they don't up the price! There is a great selection of soups, salads, pasta, and entrees. Yum!

Everything I bought was delicious. I'm excited to have this new option when doing my meal planning and grocery shopping. The specials Sprouts runs make it worth adding them as a stop while grocery shopping. I won't be able to purchase everything I need there- some items are still cheaper at the "big box stores" (like AP flour and other basic pantry items); however, the produce section alone would be worth the stop. The meat department and prepared foods make it even better!

I really hope that stores like Sprouts, who are committed to making healthy food affordable, continue to expand their business! 

Sanity Saving Stress Relief

Anyone out there stressing?

I can't imagine what we would all have to be stressed about- let's see... maybe just the house cleaning, laundry, kids with cabin fever, cold weather, new years resolutions, tight fitting pants, left over candy, phone calls, emails, work, whining, pets, cooking, grocery shopping, trying to organize, and life in general can just get a little crazy.

At some point or another, we all get stressed!

According to the American Psychological Association, stress affects us on a spectrum:

1. Acute stress (just a few things bothering you, or stressing you out over a short period of time, like the holidays)
2. Episodic Acute Stress (the things that stress you out happen frequently, worrying frequently, and "type-A" personalities can lead to EAS)
3. Chronic Stress (so much stress it effects you physically over a long period of time)

Addressing life's stressors as they come can be the key to keeping your stress "acute". Not letting things build up- physically and emotionally- can make a big difference.

I have suffered with EAS and bordered on chronic stress. When I had my Little Man I made the decision to control my stress, to calm my self down, and to worry less (like, much less). I might be type-A enough to have to consciously chose to let my stress go. I have to remind myself that it's not worth the headaches, stomach aches, and exhaustion.

It has gotten easier over time, but I've had 5 years of practice. If you are feeling the wear and tear of stress on your body, trust me- save your sanity, starting now!!

Here are a few things I have found to help me channel my stress into positive things rather than letting it have negative side effects:

1. I'm honest about what stresses me out. Trying to ignore your feelings only amplifies them! If you acknowledge you're in a stressful situation, it is easier to change your situation and it is easier to get the oh-so-necessary social support to improve your circumstances.
2. I work it out. Literally. If I am stressed I work out, I clean, I do yoga, I keep moving. This helps to a) keep me busy so I'm not obsessing about the stressor; and b) the endorphins released in your brain when you do physical activity improve your mood. That's science, friends.
3. Focus on my breathing. Deep breaths lead to relaxation (cue the yoga again), stress response can effect our respiration rates- if you aren't getting enough oxygen, your brain won't think as clearly.  So as annoying as it gets, counting to 10 is good for your mind... and lungs. Aromatherapy helps me to really maximize the benefits of deep breathing. I'm a big fan of the Bath & Body Works stress relief lotion pictured above (my yoga instructor even uses this during our classes). It smells good so it's easy to take a deep breath... mmmmmm.
4. Take a time out. Yep, it's not just for my 2 year-old. Mommy takes time outs too. For different reasons, obviously. On days where my kids are tired and cranky, we are cooped up in the house, and I'm at my wit's end I turn on a show for the kids and I sit in my favorite chair in the whole house. The chair, pictured above, is in my bathroom. Silly, I know. But it is out of the way, quiet, and no where near the toilet (don't worry). The chair was my grandmother's and something about sitting down with my kindle and relaxing in that chair sets my mind right and helps me to de-stress.

Everyone relaxes differently, the key is to do something about your stress that makes you stress less- not something that adds to your stress. Steer clear of things that will only make you pressed for time (like napping) or that will make you feel worse your stress (i.e. stressing over your weight is not helped by eating chocolate).

What do you do to relax and de-stress?

A Healthier PB & J Sandwich

As a kid, I ate a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches- who didn't? Heck, I still love to have one for lunch every now and then. PB & J is seriously the perfect marriage of sweet and salty, and I love me some good bread. My parents own a from-scratch bakery and I'm pretty much a bread snob. No shame. Once you've had from scratch bakery bread, you'll never go back, but I digress...

PB & J can be a healthy-for-you lunch, but only if you're making the right choices at the grocery store and not overloading your sandwich with heaping tablespoons of peanut butter (my husband's way to make PB & J).

Want to make a healthier and cleaner PB & J?

Choose 100% whole wheat bread: When reading the ingredient label, be sure 100% whole wheat or whole grain is the very first ingredient. If your bread lists "enriched whole wheat flour", it is not 100% wheat bread. "Enriched" basically means that the nutrients have been stripped from the wheat during while being processed, so you aren't getting the full benefit of eating wheat. Also, look out for ingredients like "high fructose corn syrup", "artificial flavor", and food dyes. You'd be surprised how many of these ingredients may be in your bread!

If you're gluten-free, Udi's makes a great tasting gluten-free/whole grain bread. If you're grain free, try this sandwich bread recipe from Against All Grain.

Use natural peanut butter: The only ingredients listed on your peanut butter should be peanuts & salt. Organic is better, but not necessary- we go through peanut butter so fast in this house that I can't always buy organic. Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter is my go-to.

Sugar and oil are two ingredients found in a lot of peanut butters on the market. Sugar is unnecessary in peanut butter- it will contribute to your mid-afternoon energy crash and provides no real nutritional benefit, as it's added sugar . Peanuts have natural oils, so there is no need to add partially hydrogenated oil (aka: trans fat), which raises your bad cholesterol and lowers your good cholesterol. Trans fats also increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes- no need for that to be in our peanut butter!

Preserves- not jelly or jam: Preserves are best, but be sure to read the ingredient label to be sure there is no high-fructose corn syrup. I like Polaner All Fruit- it's on the top shelf at my grocery store, so you may have to search a little when you hit the jam and jelly section of your store. I think Trader Joe's also carries a great preserve without HFCS.

Portion control: Be mindful when adding your peanut butter- you only need 1-2 tablespoons. I know, I know. My husband is a peanut butter lover and would never go for this, but 2 tablespoons is about 200 calories, so the calories on this sandwich can add up quickly!

In the picture below, I used 1 1/2 tablespoons of preserves and a little over 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. I think it's the perfect amount for any normal and reasonable human-being. ;)

Everything in moderation, of course. Pair this sandwich with some greek yogurt mixed with fresh berries and some carrot sticks and you have yourself a perfectly balanced and healthy lunch!

Looking for other ways to eat clean? Catch up on our Cut the Junk series!

Forget the fads: 5 Tips for Eating Well

I don't know about you, but the commercials on TV this time of year drive me crazy. All kinds of marketing aimed at people who have good intentions of losing weight, eating right, and exercising in the new year.

While I think the resolutions are good, I'm not a fan of the marketing. All the "before and after" pictures, all the skinny minnie's dancing and flaunting their "newly" toned muscles is good advertising, but it's not reality. The truth is, losing weight is hard. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is hard. Eating healthy is hard. Not easy, not impossible, just hard.

In school, Jess and I learned about nutrition and exercise. We learned about healthy eating, healthy living, and staying active. As Health Promotion students we also learned about human behavior and motivation. It is unfortunate that, nowadays, human behavior and motivation are often used against us. Motivators like new year's resolutions are used to get us to buy products, sign up for memberships, and enroll in fad diet programs. The trouble is, they set most people up for failure.

I realize there are people who thrive at the gym, there are people who enjoy strict diets, and there are people who are able to maintain a healthy weight with less effort than others. These folks aren't the majority- don't believe me? Look around.

It's hard to make it to the gym, it's hard to eat healthy, and it's even harder to stick to a restricted diet.

When we buy in to things like "fad diets" we are buying a fresh start- something new and exciting. This is motivating, and that is why some people can start a diet and lose weight for a couple of weeks. The issue becomes when cravings hit, busy schedules interfere, and your life throws up obstacles to such drastic change.

This is why people fail at fad diets, they aren't real life. They are a change that is, usually, too difficult to maintain.

There is a better option though! When we strip away the gimics, the jargon, and the commercialism of a fad diet, the basic concept is simple: eat less. That's it.

This secret is what all diets are based on. Eat less.

The truth is we need carbs, we need protein, we need sugar. Our bodies need nutrients from each food group. By being mindful of the quantity and variety of foods we are eating, we can take the focus off of dieting and instead pay attention to eating well.

Here are some tips to help you eat healthy this year:

1. Eat a variety of foods {we need a lot of nutrients, a lot of vitamins, and minerals. the best way to get these is through food, not supplements}
2. Eat foods that you cook {learning to cook will likely help you lose more weight than any fad diet, I haven't researched it, but it makes you more mindful and more conscious of what you are eating... this helps you eat better and eat less}
3. Sit down at a table to eat, every meal {families who eat together are healthier. there is research to support this. just google it. even if you drive thru, bring it home, sit down, and enjoy your meal}
4. Take your time {don't rush. it takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you are full, so give it a chance to regulate itself}
5. Indulge when you need to {don't binge, but if you want chips- eat a few, if you want a cupcake- split it with your kid. don't deny yourself, it will lead to overeating later}

Our moto in college was "everything in moderation". I still remind myself of this simple truth. It keeps me on track!

What's your most practical tip for eating well? We'd love to hear it!

My 40-minute Country Workout Playlist

My music taste is pretty eclectic- I'll listen to most anything (besides heavy metal. Lord help me if my children ever listen to that stuff!), but my heart lies with country music.

I have always found it so hard to workout to country music, though, and it was making me a little sad that I couldn't enjoy it while working out! My pop music workout playlist is great, but I wanted variety. I went on a mission to find some country tunes that had a good beat and motivated me in my workout, and I'm happy to report I have a 40-minute workout playlist that is pure country!

Here's to you, my country-music lovin' friends- approximately 40 minutes of country music to get you through that workout!

Work it: Country Style
Cruise- Florida Georgia Line (3:26)
Drunk Last Night- Eli Young Band (3:39)
Friday Night- Eric Paslay (2:47)
Runnin' Outta Moonlight- Randy Houser (3:13)
Done- The Band Perry (3:25)
Undo It- Carrie Underwood (2:58)
Small Town Kid- Eli Young Band (3:44)
Beer Money- Kip Moore (3:38)
Kerosene- Miranda Lambert (3:06)
Compass- Lady Antebellum (3:05)
Goodbye Town- Lady Antebellum (4:49)

What songs get you through your workout? I love to add to my playlists! :)

How to Save for Christmas All Year Long!

I know what you're thinking- yes, I know Christmas just passed, but I think about it all year long!

Last year, Hubs and I decided that we needed a better financial plan when it came to Christmas spending. I was always so stressed out about money once November hit- calculating how many paychecks we had until Christmas, how much we could spend on each person, etc. I figured there had to be a better way to manage our finances during the season of giving and spending.

Luckily, I was right and we found a fool proof way to keep financial stress to a minimum during this time of year. My Mommy Machine Secret to saving for Christmas all year long: put away a certain amount of money each pay check. Either open a separate checking account or take out cash- whatever works best for you. We are a one income household, so we took out $20 each pay check to see how that added up. We started saving in April and it covered a good portion of our holiday expenses and the holiday season was much more enjoyable! Everything should be covered next year, since we'll save on a continuous basis.

How do you manage your finances for big purchases or the holiday season?