Seriously Good Freezer Meals – a review

For me, meal planning is the only way to go.  Not only does it keep me on track with my eating but it also keeps me on track with my budget.  And some evenings, scheduling doesn’t allow me an hour or so to prep a meal so having a few ready to go freezer meals on hand is really, really helpful.  I often scour the internet for new and delicious recipes but I have to admit I am a sucker for a good old fashion cookbook.

I love flipping through pages of recipes especially when they have lots of photos of the finished products.  I am usually more drawn to recipes that I can see what I am going to be eating in the end.  When I got my copy of “Seriously Good Freezer Meals” by Karrie Truman, it had everything I wanted all in one book.  This is Karrie’s first cookbook is the proud owner of the blog Happy MoneySaver.

Courtesy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman © 2017 http://www.robertrose.ca Available where books are sold.
Image credit: Charity Burggraaf

What I really liked about this book is not only does it include the instructions on how to prepare meals for you to eat immediately but it also includes the instructions on how to prepare it in advance and put it in the freezer to use in the future.  It’s not just cooking it and throwing the leftovers in the freezer.

If you wanted to prepare a bunch of freezer meals all in one batch, it has instructions/menus for 7, 30 and even 50 meals including shopping lists and time saving tips.  It is a meal preppers dream.  And for someone like myself who has never done batch meal preps for the freezer there is so much amazing information about how to freeze, what you can freeze and tips about thawing and preparing frozen foods that until now I had no idea about.

There is a wide range of recipes from breakfasts, appetizers, desserts and of course, main dishes.  There are so many of the recipes that I want to try and it has definitely given me the push to buy a standalone freezer as my current freezer is much to small to hold a lot of freezer meals.  And I definitely want to take a day and make a bunch of meals at once to make meal time much easier for myself in the months ahead.  This recipe book is a must-have for busy families!

Here’s a taste of a few of the amazing recipes you will find in this book.  (All recipes are courtesy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman © 2017 www.robertrose.ca Available where books are sold.)

Lemon Dill Tilapia Tacos

Courtesy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman © 2017 http://www.robertrose.ca Available where books are sold.
Image credit: Charity Burggraaf

Makes 6 servings.

1/4 cup (60 mL) melted butter

1/4 cup (60 mL) chicken broth

Grated zest and juice of 2 large lemons

11/2 tsp (7 mL) dried dill

1/2 tsp (2 mL) minced garlic

2 lbs (1 kg) skinless tilapia fillets (about six 6 oz/175 g pieces)

To serve

2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil

12 6-inch (15 cm) corn tortillas, warmed

Toppings

1 cup (250 mL) shredded lettuce

1 cup (250 mL) canned or cooked black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)

1/4 cup (60 mL) salsa or pico de gallo (optional)

1. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, dill and garlic.
2. Place marinade mixture and tilapia fillets in a gallon-size (4 L) freezer bag or bowl. (Label the bag if freezing for later.) Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, or cover bowl. Transfer to refrigerator to marinate for 15 minutes.

Make It Now Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Drizzle olive oil over a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer baking sheet to oven while it preheats. Once oven is preheated, remove baking sheet from oven, add fillets and return it to oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until fish is flaky and lightly crisped on the edges. Remove from oven and chop into chunks. Arrange tortillas on a work surface. Evenly divide fish and lettuce, plus beans and salsa (if using), among tortillas. Serve.

Make It a Freezer Meal Freeze bag.

Thaw and Cook Place bag in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours to thaw. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Drizzle olive oil over a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer baking sheet to oven while it preheats. Once oven is preheated, remove baking sheet from oven, add fillets and return it to oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until fish is flaky and lightly crisped on the edges. Remove from oven and chop into chunks. Arrange tortillas on a work surface. Evenly divide fish and lettuce, plus beans and salsa, if using, among tortillas. Serve.

Tip: You can also make a dilly sauce, if desired. In a small saucepan, combine 2 tsp (10 mL) cornstarch and the marinade from the bag. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Build your tacos and then drizzle a little lemon dill sauce overtop.

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Courtesy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman © 2017 http://www.robertrose.ca Available where books are sold.
Image credit: Charity Burggraaf

Makes 6 servings.

6 cups (1.5 L) chicken broth

1 celery stalk, diced

11/2 cups (375 mL) frozen diced carrots or sliced fresh carrots, blanched

1/4 tsp (1 mL) dried rosemary

1 tbsp (15 mL) dried parsley

2 cups (500 mL) chopped cooked chicken breast

2 cups (500 mL) fresh or frozen cheese tortellini (about 71/2 oz/215 g)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Garnishes

Minced freshly parsley (optional)

Fresh thyme leaves (optional)

 

Make it Now In a large pot, combine chicken broth, celery, carrots, rosemary and parsley. Bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately reduce heat to medium-high and boil for 5 minutes, until carrots and celery are tender. Add chicken and tortellini; season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes (7 to 8 minutes for frozen tortellini), until tortellini are tender and filling is hot. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls. Sprinkle with pepper and parsley and thyme, if using.

Make It a Freezer Meal In a labeled gallon-size (4 L) freezer bag, combine chicken broth, celery, carrots, rosemary and parsley. Seal, removing as much air as possible. Place chicken and tortellini in another labeled gallon-size freezer bag. Seal, removing as much air as possible. Place both bags together as a kit, seal and freeze.

Thaw and Cook Place bags in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours to thaw. Pour contents of broth bag into a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately reduce heat to medium-high and boil for 5 minutes, until carrots and celery are tender. Add chicken and tortellini; season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, until tortellini are tender and filling is hot. Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls. Sprinkle with pepper and parsley and thyme, if using.

 

Molten Hot Fudge Lava Cakes

Courtesy of Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money & Sanity by Karrie Truman © 2017 http://www.robertrose.ca Available where books are sold.
Image credit: Charity Burggraaf

Cakes

1/2 cup (125 mL) water

1/4 cup (60 mL) butter

1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour

1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar

1/4 cup (60 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 tsp (3 mL) baking powder

3/4 tsp (3 mL) baking soda

1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

1 large egg, beaten

1/2 cup (125 mL) milk

11/2 tsp (7 mL) vanilla extract

Additional unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Ganache Filling

1/4 cup (60 mL) heavy or whipping (35%) cream

1/2 cup (125 mL) milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup (125 mL) bittersweet (dark) chocolate chips

 

1. Cakes: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a small saucepan over high heat, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat. Add butter and stir until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the wire whisk attachment (or in a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer), combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt; beat together on Low for about 30 seconds, just until combined. With the motor running, add eggs, milk and vanilla, then slowly add butter mixture. Increase speed to Medium and beat for about 1 minute, until combined (batter will be thin).
4. Grease 6 cavities of 2 silicone 4-cavity fluted mini cake pans (1 cup/250 mL capacity per cavity) and lightly dust with cocoa powder. Place prepared pans on a baking sheet. Pour batter into prepared cavities until half full (leave the other two empty).
5. Bake in preheated oven for 22 to 30 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer cakes to a wire rack to cool.
6. Ganache Filling: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring cream almost to a boil. Remove from heat. Add milk chocolate chips and bittersweet chocolate chips; stir until melted. Let cool for 5 minutes.
7. Using a spoon, drizzle half the chocolate mixture over cakes. Set aside remaining mixture to cool until thick and smooth, about 30 minutes.
8. Using a piping bag, pipe chocolate mixture into insides of cakes, leaving a dollop of chocolate on top. (You can also do this with a spoon.)

Make It Now Place each cake on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave, one at a time, on High for 20 to 30 seconds, until chocolate is bubbling out the top. Serve hot.

Make It a Freezer Meal Place filled cakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 1 to 2 hours, until solid. Remove from freezer. Wrap each cake in plastic wrap, then place cakes in 2 labeled gallon-size (4 L) freezer bags. Seal, removing as much air as possible, and freeze.

Reheat Remove cakes from freezer and remove plastic wrap. Place each cake on a microwave-safe plate and, one at a time, microwave on High for 45 seconds, until chocolate is bubbling out the top. Serve hot.

 

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Custom Design for your home with 76th & Newbury

When it comes to making my home “mine”, it often involves artwork from my son or photo collages.  I may be a bit simplistic but it is truly a reflection of who we are as a family.  But I have always loved print pieces that have been custom made for the family.  Whether it have the family name or quotes that they have chosen, it’s some that has been customized to be unique for that family.

When I came across 76th & Newbury, their custom pieces were definitely the look and feel I have always gravitated to for my home.   Wall prints are just the beginning of the customized pieces that they have available on their site.  There are all kinds of items for the home, gifts for family and friends and wedding items.  Each item can be customized to suit your needs.

I have always wanted a print of “House Rules” for my home.  I have seen different versions of them in the past and knew this was something I thought would be a great addition to my home.  Once you decide on the item you want, you are put in touch with an actual Professional Graphic Designer to  work with you to create your perfect piece.  You will receive a customization form where you indicate any custom colors, quotes, names, etc and usually within 1-3 business days, you’ll receive a mock up of your design.

Once you receive your proof, you can make as many changes or alternations that you need until it is the perfect piece.  I ended making a few changes to mine and never felt like I was being a difficult customer and in the end I was truly thrilled with my piece.  I couldn’t wait for it to arrive so I could put it up in my new home.  Even being delivered from the US to Canada, it was very well packaged so there was no worry of damage in transit.

I love being able to sit down to dinner each night with my son and talk about our family rules and what they mean to us.

Disclosure:  Although items in the post were provided to me, all comments, opinions and photos are strictly mine.

Feel Good About Wearing prAna

When you become a parent, you start to look at things in a different light especially when it could possibly impact your child’s future.  Whether it be their health, or the world we live in, we want to do our part to ensure it doesn’t effect them in a negative manner.  I am glad to know that there are companies out their like prAna that help me do my part to make the world a bit of a better place for my son.

All prAna products are made with either organic cotton or hemp.  Why should this matter to us?  Truth be told, I didn’t know much about how these products made for more planet friendly textiles until I saw the below videos that prAna has produced that explain each of their products in easy to understand detail.  Not sure yourself, I highly suggest you give these videos a watch.

When I first had a look at the prAna line of clothing, I was super impressed at the variety of styles, colors and patterns that they had available.  And when they arrived at my home, I couldn’t get over the quality of the materials and the products themselves.  They were so soft and felt amazing when I put them on.

The first item, that I fell in love with instantly was the Cali Dress.  The fabric which is made from sustainable materials including recycled polyester and almost feels like a stretchy silk.  

The dress is so comfortable and the empire waist makes is super flattering.  I think my favorite feature is the built in shelf bra so that you’re not fussing with other undergarments and are able to show off the t-style back.  I feel like I could where this dress almost anywhere.  It is super comfortable yet you can dress it up for an evening out.

The second item I received were the Annexi pant.   As a Mom, who spends a lot of her days in either leggings or jeans, these pants were an instant hit with me.  Made with a combination of hemp and recycled polyester, they were super soft and comfortable which are a huge plus in my opinion.  The fabric is quite light so these will be great for when the warm weather finally decides to arrive.

They have a jogging pant style to them, but with the type of fabric they are made of, they could be worn for almost any situation, dressy or casual.   Having pieces that are multi-functional in my wardrobe are a huge plus.  And when each piece does a little bit to help the world my son will grow up in, makes them the even more important to me.Would you like to add some planet-friendly and fashionable items to your wardrobe?  Use the code “PMOMBHM” now until April 14, 2017 and you will receive a 15% discount off your entire order.  Shipping is now available to Canada.

Disclosure:  Although these items were provided to me, all comment and opinions are strictly mine.

Spring Cleaning with Mrs. Meyer’s and a Giveaway

When I moved earlier this month, it was the muckiest of days and by the end of it all, the floors were an awful mess.  With spring also just around the corner, it was the perfect time for me to do a move in version of my spring cleaning and getting the house in to visitor ready shape.

Luckily for me, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day household cleaners are now available in Canada to help me spring clean my home.  Not only do they do an amazing job in cleaning, the smell amazing.  Mrs. Meyers is a real person and is the name and face behind these great products with scents that are inspired by her own Midwest backyard garden.

“It wouldn’t make MUCH SENSE to put my name on something that didn’t WORK HARD and SMELL NICE.  No reason to ruin MY REPUTATION this late in the game.” – Thelma A. Meyer on Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Products.

Their scents of basil, lavender, lemon verbena and honeysuckle are derived from plant ingredients and essential oils to give you that uplifting feeling when you are cleaning.  Their products do not contain chlorine bleach, ammonia, petroleum distillates, parabens, phosphates or phthalates. They use concentrated, biodegradable formulas and at least 25% post-consumer plastic in our bottles and they do not test on animals.  So not only do they smell amazing, but they are environmentally conscious.

They have a full line of amazing products from hand soap, dish soap, multipurpose to laundry detergent and fabric softener.  I have to say that the Basil Scented Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner is my absolute favorite.  It smells amazing and cleans really well on all surfaces.  This one is used daily at my home.

My son’s favorite (luckily for me) is the Lemon Verbena hand soap.  You know how little boys never want to wash their hands, well I make sure I keep this at the sinks to entice him to make sure his hands are nice and clean…and smell great like a fresh, spring day.

I am really enjoying the laundry detergent and dryer sheets.  The dryer sheets are somewhat stiff and paper like and I was a little skeptical at first but they work amazing.  No static cling and the clothes come out smelling great.  I also like that fact that the laundry detergent doesn’t contain chemicals that will irritate our skin.  And with a little boy who loves to get dirty, the detergent does a great job in getting the clothes clean.

So now that my house is clean and smelling amazing, it’s time for you to try it out for yourself.  Head over to my Instagram page and you can win a collection of these amazing products for your home.

Disclosure:  Although products in the post were provided to me, all opinions, comments and photos are strictly mine.

Enjoying the holidays with Bulletproof

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.  But it is also one of the busiest and stressful for most people, including myself.  And with the start of cold and flu season, it is a virtual trifecta for my body to stage a revolt.  For years I have let the holidays get the best of me and by Christmas day, I am almost always sick and miserable.

This year, I have decided to not leave everything to the last minute, trying to reduce the stress and actually enjoy the holidays.  I have also decided that although I am not even going to try and “diet” through the holiday season, I am going to try and be more mindful about what I am eating.  It’s not a holiday season without treats and rich goodies, but all in moderation.

Anyone who knows me knows my day doesn’t start without a coffee in my hand.  It’s always been double cream, double sugar.  Yeah, not the healthiest way to start my day but I need my fuel.  Could there actually be a healthier way to start my day and still have my coffee?  It’s not the actual coffee that is all that bad for you, it’s all the fatty cream and sugar that make it unhealthy.

I had heard of the concept of buttered coffee before, but Bulletproof coffee takes to the next level.  By using an upgraded coffee and blending it with grass-fed unsalted butter, and their Brain Octane Oil, Bulletproof is a low toxin, high performance coffee full of healthy fats to fuel you.

Don’t get me wrong; when I first heard about it, I was skeptical on several levels.  Could I actually enjoy a coffee that didn’t have sugar in it?  How could Bulletproof do more than just give me that of energy to get my day start that my daily coffee doesn’t already do?

From the start, they use a proprietary method in their coffee production to minimize the opportunity for mold toxins to occur.  As we all know mold can contribute to a number of chronic health issues and that is the last thing I want to worry about.  Their Brain Octane Oil which really differentiates Bulletproof from other coffees, helps burn fat, is a reliable energy source without the crash and is made from 100% coconut oil.    A coffee that helps burn fat, sign me up!

It’s a little more work to make than hopping in the car and hitting the drive thru but for something healthier in my cup each morning I am willing to take the time.

After adding the Brain Octane and grass-fed ghee to the BulletProof brewed coffee you mix it all in a blender until frothy like a latte.

It was a bit of a different consistency then I had imagined, it was the oiliness from the ghee that made it different.  Not in a bad way, just different and I was surprised that I didn’t feel the need to have sugar in it.

Almost immediately I noticed that it affected me differently than regular coffee.  I didn’t feel that immediate burst of jittery energy; it was energy but not the jitteriness.  I felt more alert and ready to conquer my day.  Normally by noon, I am starving and but my hunger levels were definitely much more controlled.  And come 2pm when I normally seem to hit the wall, I was still going strong.

This past week, when I have had a busier than usual schedule due to holiday commitments and activities, this new found energy level has been more than helpful.  At the end of the day, I am not crawling into bed, I am able to enjoy my evenings and get things done.

So with only a few weeks left, I am hoping Bulletproof will continue the good it seems to be doing for me and I will be healthy and happy for the holidays.  I am looking forward to continuing to use Bulletproof into the New Year and incorporating it into my New Year’s resolution of more exercise and eating better.  With this energy, it should be a breeze.  And you should check out the Bulletproof blog to help incorporate more healthy living ideas into your routine.

This post is sponsored and although I was compensated, all opinions, comments and photos are strictly my own.

Explore the world with Little Passports

Disclosure:  Although items in this post were provided to me, all opinions and comments are strictly mine. This post contains affiliate links.

 

I don’t know about the rest of the parents out there, but I am really tired the constantly being asked by my son “Can I play on my tablet?”.  Just this past weekend, I told him that I sick and tired of talking to the top of his head, as it’s all I see of him when he’s playing on it.  If he is going to be using his tablet, I would much rather he be using it to explore and learn about new people, places or things, rather than aimlessly collecting jewels or points in a game.

That is why I really enjoy the Little Passports program.   It’s get the kids away from the tablet games and gets them learning about the amazing world we live in.   Little Passports is a monthly subscription with different programs for children starting as young as age 3.

We received the World Edition for 6-10 year olds and my son is loving it.  And what kid doesn’t love getting things in the mail for themselves?  In our first delivery, we received the starter kit that contains the signature blue suitcase, their very own passport, Wall-sized world map, a welcome letter, stickers and other activities plus access to online games in the Boarding Zone.

In each subsequent month, we received a package highlighting a different country around the world with activities, fun souvenirs and information about that country. You get a sticker for your suitcase, one for your passport and then a “pin” sticker to locate that country on your world map and a fact sheet about that country.  Geography is not my strong suit, so I am learning just as much as my son.

Each time, there are also fun activities included for your child to enjoy.  This past month we got to explore Japan.  My son loved learning about origami.  There were instructions and origami paper included so he could make some pieces of his own.

My son enjoyed using his tablet to explore the games in the Boarding Zone but he also wanted to lean more about the countries.  I would help him find the information and increased his knowledge about these areas of the world quite a bit.  Exactly how I want him to use his tablet.

This holiday season give the gift of adventure.  It’s a gift that will last the entire year and get them learning about the world we live in.  Also, it might just tear them away from those tablets or at least use them a little differently.

Staying cozy this winter with Briers Blankets

Disclosure:  Although items in this post were provided to me, all opinions, comments and photos are strictly mine.

This past weekend, the furnace came on, the winter coats, hats and mitts came out.  Summer is definitely over and winter is starting to rear it’s ugly head here.  The cotton sheets were replaced with flannels and the warm, cozy blankets came out of the linen closet.   The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a cold, miserable winter this year and I want to be ready for it.

Even at 8 years old, my son tends to be a bit of Linus.  He always has a bunch of blankets cuddled up with him on the couch when he’s watching a movie or in bed with him at night.    He has this one polar fleece, knotted blanket that he’s had since he was just over a year old that we love but it is getting too small to actually cover him properly.  I knew I wanted something similar so I start looking for someone local that could possibly provide one for me.  That is when I happened upon Briers Blankets.

Although Briers Blankets has only been selling online since April 2016, these blankets started being made back 10 years prior as gifts for her own children followed by nieces and nephews.   Ten years later, they still use their blankets and after encouragement from her sister, Briers Blankets was born.

The blankets are double layer polar fleece, knotted around the edges.  Each one, crafted with love, can be custom created.  The largest (approx 50″ x 70″) can even accommodate an adult. (I know, I use ours when my son isn’t home) and are so amazingly soft and cozy.  Almost makes me enjoy the cold weather upon us.  There is also a smaller version (approx 36″ x 50″) which is great for younger children.  And most recently she has introduced toy blankets that are perfect for dolls, stuffies or as a lovey at sleep time.  They would even work in a cat carrier.

With the holidays soon upon us, these would make a great gift for the children on your list or even the sports parents.  These would be great to keep warm and cozy in a cold arena or late season outdoor sport.  Briers Blankets currently have some blankets available in stock and ready to ship but if you are looking for a custom made blanket for arrival prior to the holidays, orders must be received no later than November 13th to ensure they are ready and shipped in time.   Working with Briers blankets was so easy and they are incredibly sweet and lovely.  It’s small businesses such as this that are always such a pleasure to support.

To learn more about Briers blankets or to place your order, check out their Etsy page, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Fitness Friday – it’s all in the planning

So I think I finally have gotten the exercise portion of my fitness journey on track, now I REALLY need to tackle the eating portion.  This isn’t my first rodeo, I know that it doesn’t matter how much you exercise if you are eating way more calories than you are burning.  And not planning what I am eating is my biggest downfall.

I am forever seeing posts about people meal planning.  And when I see them, I know I should be doing more.  Previously, I would semi meal plan for the days my son is with me.  I use this plan to help me buy groceries and that is about it.  When my son is with his Dad, it’s game over and that  is where the problems begin.  Without a game plan in place, the drive thru window becomes an easy substitute for a good, healthy meal.

So last week, I received this amazing #FitMamaPlanner from Acorn & Coco and I decided that I would give meal planning a go this week.  OK, so it has been less than a week but so far it seems to be helping out a lot.  On Sunday afternoon, I sat down and filled out each day with a menu for the entire week.  The planner has a section for a grocery list which is very handy.  I made sure I accounted for all meals, even my son’s school lunches.

Having everything planned ahead of time and ensuring I used the accompanying grocery list to ensure I had everything available has been a real help.  I am trying to make sure I stick to my guns and follow along.  Every Friday, my office mate and I buy our lunch for making it thru the week alive (LOL) and I even planned for that.  We don’t decide until the day of on where we will eat but I planned the rest of the meals that day around to keep on track.

My goal this week is to not eat out or hit the drive thru unless I have specifically planned it and stick to my meal plan for the week.  For example, we have an event next week and dinner will be eaten out.  Put it the planner and work around it.  I can really understand how this works for people in the long run both in a weight loss/maintenance kind of way but also in a financial way.  Hopefully I will see a not only a difference on the scale but in my bank account as well.

This week has been somewhat slack exercise wise just due to other commitments but hoping to step it up this next week as well.  Still using my #everydamn day motto and at least getting my steps in.    Wish me luck!

Disclosure:  Although items in this post were provided to me, all opinions, comments and photos are strictly mine.

Getting ready for fall in style with PinkBlush

Disclosure:  Although items in this post were provided to me, all opinions, comments and photos are strictly mine.

Now that summer is over, it is time to put away the flip flops and the shorts and time to bring out the fall clothes.  The one thing about fall that can often make deciding what to wear a bit difficult is that in the morning you could need a coat/sweater and by the afternoon you almost want to go back to summer wear.  It’s all about transition pieces with me, like hat light sweater and light dress that can lead you from cool mornings to warm afternoons in comfort.

That is what I love about PinkBlush.  I have to admit when I first heard about PinkBlush, I thought they were just a trendy online boutique for maternity wear.  But not only do they carry super stylish maternity clothes, they also carry a great line of clothes for women.  A huge plus is that a lot of their line are amazing transition pieces.  They carry you from everyday into maternity and back again.  So that great dress or sweater that you love, can be worn anytime.  I know that a lot of women struggle with feeling stylish during there pregnancy and afterwards, luckily with there is no need to worry with the PinkBlush line.

Their line does not just include dresses, there are tops, pants, sweaters and their dress line ranges from casual to formal.  There are so many beautiful pieces and they are easy to wear.  I love this tunic dress that I found at PinkBlush.  It is so incredibly comfortable and the lightweight fabric makes it a great piece to pair up with a jean jacket or sweater on a beautiful fall day.  Pair it up with a set of tights and a heavier sweater and it will easily work into my winter wardrobe as well.  I am looking forward to ordering more pieces from them.  This dress is so easy to wear, I want to add other easy to wear pieces to my wardrobe.  

Interested in winning a $50 gift card to use to update your wardrobe with something from PinkBlush?  Head over to my Instagram page and enter to win.  Contest open to residents of Canada and the US and must not have won from PinkBlush in the past 3 months.  Contest ends Wednesday, October 12th at 12 noon EST.

Special thanks to Melissa Nash for photography help.

Making dinner healthier with Catelli

Disclosure:  Although items in this post were provided to me, all opinions, comments and photos are strictly mine.

I don’t know about you but coming home from work and preparing dinner after a long day can sometime the LAST thing that I want to do. It’s on days like that, that I am often tempted to order in. But I know that I need to be making healthier choices not only for me but for my son, so I put the phone away and head to my kitchen.
Pasta dishes are often a go to in my home. There are so many different ways to prepare it from an easy spaghetti and meatballs to something a little more creative.  And now thanks to Catelli, they are helping make these meals even healthier with their Smart Veggie and SuperGreens line of pastas.

The Smart Veggie line of pastas offer a white pasta, which we can all agree on are easier to get our kids to eat, but each serving contains a 1/2 serving of vegetables and the benefits of fibre.  When I can sneak in veggies in a meal, I am always happy.  I want to see if the pasta tasted really any different than regular white pasta so I made a simple meal of spaghetti and meatballs.  Nothing to fancy that could possibly drown out the taste of the pasta. My son can seem to spot a hidden vegetable from a mile away so I was curious to see if he noticed anything different.  This pasta tasted great.  No hint of anything other than regular spaghetti and my son enjoyed it too.   If I can get extra veggies and fibre into my meals with the same great taste, I will definitely use this pasta going forward.

The SuperGreens pasta is an all natural pasta made with 100% Canadian wheat and five green vegetables.  As the name suggests, this pasta is green so there is no hiding the fact from kids that there are vegetables in this one.  Surprisingly enough my son did not give me much push back when I suggested we try it for dinner.   I wanted to try something a little more creative  and I made a quick chicken and broccoli alfredo with the pasta.  This dish is normally one of my son’s favorite and even with the green pasta he ate it right up.  He even commented that it didn’t taste a bit like vegetables.  I will definitely adding this pasta to our rotation of meals.

Finding new ways to make old meals healthier is always a plus in my home and they new Catelli pastas do the trick!