GOTR: Bananas - A Portable Fruit

Happy Tuesday!

And welcome to warm weather...what a great day for a run!

One of the most perfect fruits for anyone, especially runners, is a banana. I don't know many people who don't love bananas. I think they're good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner - or best of all snack. I found this chart below about all of the wonderful health benefits of bananas and I thought I would pass along. Such a simple fruit can do so much for your well being. Bananas are one of those fruits you can't use the excuse of expensive, inconvenient or messy - you can take them anywhere with you. Anyone from babies through adults can enjoy this versatile snack. 

If your bananas become too ripe before you get a chance to eat them- peel, slice and place in zip-loc bag in freezer for a quick addition to any smoothie. Or, grab your GOTR girl and make a family banana bread or muffin recipe. Yum! Bananas are one of the reasons I'm at the grocery store so often - we can't keep them in the house.

With all of these wonderful health benefits, who wouldn't want to grab a banana everyday! 

For more information on how powerful of a fruit bananas are, click here.

Girls on the Run Newsletter Week 6: http://www.girlsontherun.org/

My Personal Blog: Choices: Nutrition.Life.Love.

Marinades, Spices, & Rubs

Happy Monday!

What a beautiful weekend we had!! I recently was asked about my favorite marinades - the truth is I really only use one! Thats right, one. It actually was a childhood favorite of my husband and his family. Its called Spiedies Original Marinade and that's all. We order it in bulk online because we use it so much. I don't like to bake meat in the oven so I either grill it or use a grill pan on the stove in the winter months. The key to marinade is to note the serving size - for example, a bottle of Spiedes Marinade can be used for 5 lbs of chicken. I don't ever make 5lbs of chicken at a time so make sure not to waste and only use  half. I will, however, easily marinate up to 2-3 lbs of chicken in which I will grill and then serve throughout the week with a veggie and rice, slice up on put on a salad, roll up in a tortilla and some avocado - it has such a mild, yet distinct, flavor that it goes with everything. My family loves it!

I've always said, you have to note your family's likes and dislikes when it comes to food. Over the years of trial and error I've noticed my kids don't like alot of dipping sauces, marinades, and casserole type dishes. They tend to eat simple and clean (yeah!) which makes it easy for me. I do, however, use spices on a daily basis. Its such an easy and inexpensive way to jazz up a meal - whether it be meat, chicken, or fish.

My Top 10 "go-to" spice combinations (also known as "rubs") include:

1. Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper - chicken or fish
2. Rosemary & Thyme with Olive Oil - chicken or fish
3. Sea Salt & McCormick Lemon Pepper Seasoning - chicken or fish
4. McCormick Garlic Salt with Parsley & Worcestershire Sauce - mix with ground beef for burgers
5. Oregano & McCormick Lemon Pepper Seasoning - chicken wings or whole chicken
6. Old El Paso Low Sodium Taco Seasoning/Trade Joes Taco Seasoning - chicken, beef, or beans
7. Goya Adobo All Purpose Seasoning - chicken or beef
8. Old Bay Seasoning with Olive Oil - chicken wings, chicken tenders, or white fish
9. McCormick Red Pepper Flakes - I would put on everything if I could. Mainly spaghetti & pizza though :)
10. Morton's Season All & Worcestershire Sauce - mix with ground beef for burgers

And there you have it! You don't need 10 different marinades or even 10 different spices - keep it simple, enjoy what your family loves and it'll become your family's new "go-to". And remember, a little goes a long way. Enjoy!

Mommy Lifesaver #3: Pinterest

Happy Friday!

Just like Facebook at one point, Pinterest was something that took me a while to catch on to. I thought it was just another social media site trying to get your personal information for their greater use. I had never actually seen the site before and here I was a stay-at-home mom of 2 little girls (at the time) and was attending birthday party after birthday party of all these creative - and extravagant - ideas. I always thought I was creative when it came to my kids parties, but this was on a whole different level. It peaked my interest and within days - I was HOOKED! Pinterest has become not only one of my favorite online sites, but a mommy lifesaver as well.

I already liked to cook, plan parties, shop, and eat well, but this gave me a forum to "pin" everything in one place so I could go back and refer to quickly and easily. Almost everything I have pinned, I have gone back and utilized or will soon in the future. Its a virtual pin board of all of your thoughts and ideas- sort of mommy inspiration.  I do have boards which are pure fantasy - expensive clothes, shoes, and home decorating ideas - but then I have boards which save me so much time and have helped streamline my mommy processes - kid activities, recipes, and organization techniques. Its genius!

Making these for my kids for our Disney Trip

Love these containers - but the labels are super cute!

I get asked this recipe ALL the time. Its so simple.

Anyway, I'm sure Pinterest isn't new to anyone here, but I wanted to share how much its helped me as a mom. Here are a few things I have learned from Pinterest:

1. Recipes don't have to be extravagant to be delicious.
2. Healthy meals can be some of your simplest meals.
3. I have learned how to cut out many steps of my cooking processes.
4. Words of inspiration are good for your peace of mind.
5. Living in a dream world of mansions and scenic backyards is perfectly fine.
6. Someday I will tackle everything on my Organization Obsession board. Its a goal!
7. Having a vision board is important for conquering those goals.
8. Teachers these days get the best gifts, unlike what we grew up giving them. Sorry.
9. My style would be really good if I had the money and time to shop more!
10. As a whole, Pinterest helps you think outside the box, which really is a good thing ;)

I don't see Pinterest as intimidating, I see it as a learning tool to improve on what I already know and to simplify my current lifestyle. To follow me on Pinterest, click here! Happy Pinning!!

My Favorite Hair Care Products

Seen as how I color my hair (shocker, right??) and don't have much time to pull myself together on a daily basis, I need tried and true products that actually work. I have very fine hair so its taken me a while to adapt to products that didn't weigh my hair down. I also have to wash my hair everyday, even though you're not supposed to. These items below are products I have now used for a few years that work for me. I have spent countless dollars on products that do not work - from high end shampoos to serums that turned my hair green. As much as advertisers try to get you, you have to do what works for your hair type. This is what I've found works for me!
                                
               
Here are some of my favorite hair products that I couldn't live without:

• Loreal Color Vive Shampoo & Conditioner: Purchased at your local drugstore it is the BEST around!
• Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment: A rich, velvety balm that dramatically helps repair damaged hair in minutes.
• Kerastase Sublimateur Jour: Provides Instant light-weight nourishment. Fiber is protected against frizz and dryness. Does not leave hair greasy.
• Kerastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquide: Shine perfecting serum for free flowing hair (aka "stray hairs"). Apply only to ends for a seamless look and shine.
• Kenra Root Lifting Spray: Volumizer for maximum body & style support. This stuff is amazing.
• Tigi BedHead Masterpiece Shine Hairspray: Massive shine, serious hold hairspray. Even smells like strawberries!

Because I already color and wash my hair daily, I don't like blow drying my hair everyday for damage purposes. As I mentioned above, my hair is very fine so it also takes me close to 45 min to blow dry my hair. For this reason, I tend to wear my hair pulled back during most of the week and then blow dry it on the weekends. I'm running around so much during the week and often at the gym, that there really is no reason for me to apply product and do my hair all the time. These products above I can guarantee will stick with me for a very long time and I can promise you you'll love them too!

All of the above products can be found online, at your local drugstore, or hair salon. Good Luck!

Costco Food Finds - Healthy Style

Although I can't stress enough the important of fresh food, farm food, and real food - there is also an element of buying in bulk that can really help out a family on a budget. With that being said, I still have a hard time getting out of there without spending over $200! Recently I decided to take on the warehouse store we go to - Costco - and scope out some healthier items you and your family can purchase to have on hand for those quick and healthy family meals.

What you have to keep in mind with any warehouse store is that even though they sell fruits and vegetables, you have no idea how long ago they were picked, packaged, and driven to that store to then sit on a shelf to be purchased. However, buying fruits and vegetables anywhere is better than not buying them at all!

Some of the healthier items I purchase for my family are:

100 Calorie Popcorn Packs- Perfect kid snack and friends love it too.
Almond Butter - Great buy! Use on sand which bread, apples, celery, etc
Amy's Lentil Soup - Perfect Fall/Winter lunch.
Avocados - Make homemade guacamole, slice up on salads, dice for kids or mash for babies.
Black/Navy/Kidney Beans - My kids love beans. Eat plain, with rice, in chili/tacos instead of meat.
Brown Rice & Quinoa Quick Packs - A one minute side dish to any meal.
Cheerios - When you have toddlers this is a staple.
Chobioni Greek Yogurt - Plain, add granola or fresh fruit, add to smoothies, etc.
Craisons - Put on salads, or a go-to snack at our house is "goldfish & cranberries".
Fresh Fish - not as fresh as I would like, but great for larger anticipated dinner needs.
Frozen Fruit - Smoothies!!
Frozen Perdue Chicken - Easy single servings you can thaw in hours and have for dinner.
Frozen Salmon - Easy single servings you can thaw in hours and have for dinner.
Hummus - Buy the small individual packs for school/snacks.
Hot Sauce - My husband puts this on everything.
Kashi Go Lean Cereal - My whole family loves plain or with Almond Milk.
Lemons - Put in water, squeeze on salads, slice on fish, etc.
Macaroni & Cheese - Annie's Homegrown is a staple in my pantry.
Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar - Great for sautes or salad dressings.
Organic Crushed Tomatoes - Homemade spaghetti sauce!
Organic Diced Tomatoes - Mexican dishes, chili, sauces, etc.
Organic Eggs - Need I say more.
Organic Jelly - I prefer all natural, but you can't beat the price per ounce.
Organic Tomato Sauce - Make your own enchilada sauce, add to ground beef or chili.
Organic Tortilla Chips - What is Mexican night dinner without tortilla chips?
Pretzels - Another bulk item I always have on hand. I try not to have chips in the house.
Red/Yellow Onions - Saute, grill, or roast. We add onions to everything!
Spices - Buying spices in bulk saves a ton of money!
Sweet Potatoes - Dice and bake or slice up like "fries" which is a favorite in our house.
Tunafish - Try mixing it with brown spicy mustard instead of mayo.
Veggie Straws - School snacks or take on the go.
Walnuts/Almonds/Pine Nuts - Buying in bulk saves money. Eat plain as a snack or add to salads.
Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread - By far one of the best deals going. We go through alot of bread.
Whole Carrots - So much better tasting than baby carrots...its worth peeling your own.
Whole Grain Pasta - Good for any last minute dinner.


We all know I'm not a fan of fast food, so I'd rather make a semi-homemade meal with the help of a box or a can than run through a drive-thru anyday! Good luck with your finds - these are just some of my family's favorites. Happy shopping!

GOTR: Healthy Habits & Maintaing Balance

Happy Tuesday!

This week's topic of overall Healthy Habits and Maintaining Balance is right up my ally! I love the whole concept of taking on health as a lifestyle and not as a chore or something we dread. I say it over and over again,but if we can help these girls (and boys) while they're young they'll be self sufficient in their health sooner and be able to maintain that healthy balance of nutrition and overall wellness. It will come like second nature to them eventually which will able them to pay it forward, in a sense.

In class this week, the coaches will be presenting your girls with a Healthy Habits card. A sort of reminder as to all the things they should touch on each day which will maintain health and balance in their lives. Hopefully, incorporating it into their daily routines for life!

Below I have noted the 10 Healthy Habits your GOTR girls will be discussing and inserted my reflection on why each is important. Enjoy!

GOTR: 10 Healthy Habits (Presented by Girls on the Run International)

1. Eat breakfast every morning - 1st Healthy Habit of the day. See The Most Important Meal of the Day 
2. Get 8 hours of sleep every night - Recharges your system and creates healthier eating habits.
3. Brush teeth 2-3 times a day - Rids your mouth of bacteria after each meal and fresh breath!
4. Eat 2-4 servings of fruit every day - In their most natural form, if possible. Some of the most important vitamin and nutrients you'll eat.
5. Exercise at least 3 times per week - Good for your strength, digestive system, and peace of mind.
6. Stretches after running - Important for repairing muscles and maintaining flexibility.
7. Drinks lots of water - Hydration is so important for your entire body! See Water...and Those Other Drinks
8. Take quiet time every day - Whether its reading a book, listening to music, yoga, or meditation it restores your mental health.
9. Eat 2-3 servings of protein every day - Protein helps keep us full and provides us with vitamins and minerals to aid in overall health and buld muscle.
10. Wash hands before every meal - Simple cleanliness habit so not to spread germs and keep bacteria at bay.

These are key habits ever person can take with them through life. Very simple steps to help maintain our health and well being - with the opportunity to share what we know with others to grow a healthier nation.

Girls on the Run Newsletter Week 5: http://www.girlsontherun.org/

My Personal Blog: Choices: Nutrition.Life.Love.

Mommy Lifesaver #2: Silicone Yogurt Tubes

You are going to LOVE me after reading this! These are my new favorite kid kitchen essential and I have no doubt I'll be purchasing more come summer time. I feel like I'm digging myself into a whole with everything I don't buy for my kids, but I honestly want them to always have the best, if possible.

I don't buy popsicles or freeze pops and don't always feel right about the yogurt tubes because they are loaded with sugar. I will purchase Go-Gurt Yogurt during summer and freeze for an easy and cool snack at the beach or pool, but they really are no nutritional value and I know that. And then I found these on one of my favorite blogs - 100 Days of Real Food -which I'm SUPER excited about! They're made by Norpro and you can find them on Amazon.

I bought a 4-Pack a few weeks ago and have been filling them with organic yogurt and freezing them for the kids - and myself. I have served frozen (like a popsicle) and have put it in the fridge or lunchbox to thaw for a cool treat later in the day. You can fill with yogurt and berries, applesauce, or even all natural juice too! I will definitely be purchasing a second set and I would certainly recommend larger families doing the same because they need to freeze overnight - perfect for hot summertime, pool, beach, & roadtrips!

These are going to be a staple in my house this Spring/Summer and I'm sure you're going to fall in love with them too!

Norpro Silicone Ice Pop Maker Set

Create your own pop treats. Easy to push up with this cleaver design. Lid holds in ingredients before they freeze and keeps pops secure in ice chest for picnics and BBQ's. Fill seal freeze and enjoy. Create treats using juices, purees, yogurt, soda, ice cream, pudding, applesauce, gelatin, fruit, berries, candies, chocolate, carmel, whipped cream and sprinkles! Set of 4. Made of flexible silicone: BPA free