Bringing Fitness and Friends Together with Fitbit One

Fitbit One display

Getting back in shape this time around has been a very social journey. If it wasn’t for the help and support of my friends I don’t think I would have come as far as I have in my quest to getting down to my goal weight. So when I was asked to review the Fitbit One I knew I’d be able to utilize all that Fitbit has to offer with the help of my friends.

You see, Fitbit devices aren’t just pedometers, they’re a way to connect and check in with friends  in a friendly, competitive way to help motivate us to keep moving.

Since I was already familiar with the Zip and Flex, the One quickly found a home with me as I put it to work each day monitoring my steps, stairs, and sleep. [Read more…]

How to Properly Care for Kids with a Fever

This sponsored post about how to care for kids with a fever is brought to you by Pediacare.

Ever wake up in the middle of the night to crying kids with a fever? They are upset, don’t feel good and just want to be comforted? Well I’ve been there. And trying to give the right dose of acetaminophen to reduce the fever and offer relief can sometimes be a pain.

Not knowing the right dosage, having to turn on a light and wake everyone up, and worst of all, having an upset child not want to take their medicine. Well now with the Squeezable Single Dose Packets by PediaCare®, giving medicine is a heck of a lot easier!

That’s right! The geniuses over at PediaCare have created a single dose packet that’s simple and easy to use. A no-brainer! And Dr. David Hill, father, pediatrician and author of Dad to Dad: Parenting like a Pro, agrees that this is the perfect solution to all of our medication problems!

how to properly care for kids with a fever [Read more…]

Ways to Explain Healthy Eating to Kids

Explain Healthy Eating to Kids

As many of my readers know, I’ve been trying to work on my weight for a long time. And that means watching what I eat, “dieting” with programs, and leading a healthy lifestyle. Since having my daughter that has brought up a lot of questions including one that has me questioning how to explain healthy eating to kids. Or the lack thereof.

Since being on Nutrisystem for 5 months my daughter now asks me, “Is that special?” whenever she sees me eating or drinking something. And I don’t want her to think that I can only eat or drink special things. I want her to know that because I didn’t eat that healthy when I was younger and made poor choices, I’m now making up for it in an attempt to get to a healthy weight. And that since she already eats healthy and is active she doesn’t need the “special” food that mommy eats.

But how in the world do I tell her that? She’s 2! And she sees me get on the scale every day checking in with myself. So much so that she’s decided to jump along with me and weighs herself as well. [Read more…]

5 Reasons to Drink Water For Kids

This article is sponsored by Nestlé® Pure Life® Purified Water

Growing up I always heard that if I drink enough water my skin would stay clear. So I drank water like crazy. Vanity will get you everywhere when you’re talking to a teenager, right?

As the mom of two young kids I’m constantly worrying if my children drinking enough water. From their constant requests for juice or milk to the fact that everywhere we go they have the option to choose sugary drinks over water I just hope that I’m doing the best I can when I push water first. Keeping kids hydrated is important.

My daughter is awesome at choosing water. She has no problem taking her bottle of water with her everywhere and drinking it when thirsty throughout the day. However my son prefers milk and always chooses it over water. So I’ve begun researching the importance of hydration.

What I’ve found has reaffirmed my belief that water should be their first choice in drink. And I really hope that as they grow up they’ll realize just how great water really is. And not just because it leaves you with fabulous skin.

5 Reasons to Drink Water For Kids

[Read more…]

Stay Hydrated with Glaceau fruitwater®

Tracking Pixel

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Glaceau fruitwater®

When I first got pregnant with my son I had no clue what type of parent I would be. I was so worried about doing everything right and wasn’t sure if I’d be able to hack it as a mother.

Fast forward to when I found out my second child was going to be a girl. No longer was I worried about doing the right thing or being the perfect mom. My biggest fear?

How in the heck would I deal with diaper time?? I mean boys were easy but girls? Definitely not something I was used to.

[Read more…]

Learning the Benefits of Juicing with the NutriPro Juicer

Benefits of Juicing NutriPro JuicerI’ve been considering purchasing a juicer for quite a while. After hearing wonderful things about juicing and watching Fat Sick and Nearly Dead on Netflix a few months back I decided to get serious about researching great juicers. And that’s when I found NutriPro!

I received a NutriPro juicer for review and have fallen in love with the ease in which I can make fresh, delicious juices at home whenever I’d like. Plus i have the control over what I put in my juices as I make them.

By learning the benefits of juicing as I learn the ins and outs of my NutriPro juicer I hope to continue my journey to a healthier me and increase the amount of veggies I’m getting in daily.

[Read more…]

Sweet Potato Zucchini Latkes

 

Sweet Potato Zucchini Latkes landscape

So this morning I was pulling out all of the veggies in our raised bed to make room for new plants. Our swiss chard and parsley were taking over one side of the bed and a weird plant I couldn’t identify was taking over the other.

I had pulled out the swiss chard and parsley and was just getting ready to pull out the weird plant when I found something… a sweet potato!

Now that was pretty weird because we hadn’t planted sweet potatoes in like 2 years. Somehow this little guy was buried under there and the unidentifiable plant was indeed a sweet potato plant!

So I did what any good gardener would do and thought of the perfect way to consume this awesome find. Sweet potato zucchini latkes! These ones are pretty healthy and I made them fit into my Nutrisystem plan. How awesome is that?

Sweet Potato in the garden

[Read more…]

Keep Moving in Style with the New Fitbit Flex

fitbit flex

It’s no surprise that over the past few months I’ve kicked up the motivation and have started moving more regularly. Since first being introduced to Fitbit and receiving my Ultra I’ve increased the steps I take daily from an average of 5,000 to 10,000.

As a Fitbit ambassador I’ve enjoyed testing out and reviewing the products Fitbit continually creates and I love how much better each product gets!

Since first receiving my Ultra I’ve had the chance to try out the Fitbit Zip and Fitbit Aria scale. And now my Fitbit family includes the new Fitbit Flex. As soon as I saw that my Flex arrived for review I started jumping for joy and quickly figured out how to charge and use it ASAP.

Oh my wow! I am in LOVE with the Fitbit Flex. Not only do I consider it a fashionable accessory, I love how it keeps me on track and determined to constantly push myself through the day.

[Read more…]

Nutrisystem Recipe Ideas: Baked French Toast Casserole

While on Nutrisystem I learned to really experiment and explore new possibilities when it comes to Nutrisystem food and started to really search for great Nutrisystem recipe ideas. Sometimes the food the way it’s packaged doesn’t taste the best to me or isn’t the most filling portion size for me. So I did a little doctoring up (within the plan!) and create new dishes from Nutrisystem foods.

One of my favorite recipes that I make at least once a week is this Baked French Toast Casserole. Not only is it very filling, it also reminds me of my favorite Overnight French Toast Casserole recipe that definitely isn’t Nutrisystem friendly. And I love that I can sub other Nutrisystem items like the blueberry muffin, cinnamon bun or cinnamon streusel muffin if I don’t have any frozen french toast on hand.

Now, you do not need to prepare this overnight if you don’t have the time. There have been many mornings where I wake up and realize I didn’t prep this the night before. But sometimes it tastes a bit better when all of the flavors can meld together before baking. Either way, it’s still going to be delicious and very filling.

Nutrisystem Recipe Ideas: Baked French Toast Casserole

Nutrisystem Recipe Ideas Baked French Toast Casserole

Nutrisystem Baked French Toast Casserole

  • Nutrisystem frozen french toast
  • 1/2 cup egg beaters or egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 turkey sausage link (cut small)
  1. Cut the frozen french toast into pieces and put it into a small baking dish sprayed with butter flavored PAM. I’ve found a small ramekin to be perfect.
  2. Mix 1/2 cup egg beaters, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and turkey sausage link together.
  3. Pour the mixture over the french toast pieces and squish it down until all pieces are covered. Place it, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator overnight.
  4. In the morning, take the dish from the fridge, remove cover, and bake at 350 degrees for about 30-35 minutes until cooked through. This bakes up REALLY high, and then it collapses a bit when it’s out of the oven – totally normal.

I love to serve this with a couple sprays of light spray butter, or Walden Farms (or equivalent) syrup. It counts as one Nutrisystem breakfast and a PowerFuel. I can even add a strawberry or two for a limted extra too!

What healthy dishes do you love to make?

Food, Nutrition, and Health Tips for Kids

Food Nutrition and Health Tips for Kids - great snack and meal ideas

One of the biggest problems I have when it comes to my toddler and eating is that he doesn’t eat meals like I do. He would much rather snack all day then have large meals.

So in order to get him to eat during the day I let him have small snacks every two to three hours versus a set breakfast, lunch and dinner. And because it’s so easy to grab a pre-packaged snack from the cupboard I needed to find some simple, quick, healthy snack ideas to keep him fueled throughout the day. [Read more…]



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