EASY, Healthy Meal Ideas for BUSY MOMS

I know we are all super busy. Sports, homework, work etc, etc, etc, I would love to have an hour or so to prepare a really nice, well thought out dinner but let's face it....I am not in that stage of life right now. HA! Don't get me wrong...I love it but let's just make our lives easier, Right?!!

I have been loving a handful of throw together meals that take very little hands on time so I thought I would share them with you all. If you follow me on Instagram....you've seen these meals on repeat. There is a reason. They are crowd pleasing and ridiculously easy!

Beetnik Meatballs/Zoodles/Marinara

 This is a meal I make at least once or twice a week for dinner! I LOVE Beetnik Grass fed meatballs. No....this is not sponsored! HA!! I just love them! I get them at Walmart in the freezer section.  I love to meal prep these to eat all week but my favorite way to cook them is to throw these frozen in the crockpot and add my favorite marinara. I cook these on high for about an hour or so. I usually make gluten free pasta for the fam but I am more of a zoodles fan. I grab a bag of frozen zoodles and throw those in a skillet with avocado oil. Just let it cook until all of the water is absorbed and they start to brown a little. I like to add some garlic powder, salt and a little Parmesan cheese to finish these off. Hands on time for this meal is 10-15 minutes and everyone is happy!

*** If you can't find Beetnik in your area....just find the cleanest pre-made meatballs you can find!

 Lemon Chicken with Rice

I get a pack of organic boneless skinless chicken thighs. Add those to a casserole dish. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and squeeze over some fresh lemon juice. Add a chopped onion all around the chicken pieces and sprinkle the whole thing with pink salt and pepper. Bake this at 400 for about 45 min to an hour. I like my chicken thighs VERY done. The crispier the better. I even broil it at the very end to get these even crispier. Pop a bag of steamer rice and steamer broccoli in the microwave 10 minutes or so before the chicken is done. Add the chicken and some of the extra sauce to the top of the rice and broccoli and it's delicious!! 

Breakfast for Dinner

I can't stop...won't stop making breakfast for dinner at least once a week for my family. Who doesn't love breakfast foods?? I usually bake my uncured bacon at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until crispy. While this is baking...make a big skillet full of scrambled eggs for the kids and fried eggs for me. Chop up or wash any fruit you have in the fridge. I like to throw in some spinach and avocado to give it a healthy boost.  EASY!!!!

 Burger Salad

This is my favorite low carb dinner. I buy grass fed burgers from Walmart. I add these to a cast iron skillet with some avocado oil. Cook to desired doneness and top with a piece of dairy free cheese when they are almost done. Add some spring mix to a bowl. Top with cheeseburger.  Diced up tomatoes, sliced pickles,and uncured bacon bits are my favorite toppings. I use Tessamaes Ranch dressing or Blue Top brand Street sauce for my dressing on these burger salads. SO good. My kids like the cheese burgers chopped up with ketchup on the side and usually a side salad with ranch. 

I mean....how easy are those meals? You can repeat these every week...just make small variations to make it interesting!! 

So tell me.....what are your FAVORITE throw together meals????

{Healthy Options for your Super Bowl Party}

WOO HOO!! Go Panthers! ;)

I am from NC, so of course I will be cheering on the Panthers this weekend!! I couldn't be more excited! I know there will be A LOT of Super Bowl parties and I wanted to share with you some healthier ideas for food that you can bring or make for your party this weekend.

Let's get started:

1. Chili: Let your Crock Pot do the work and it is a HUGE crowd pleaser! The easiest main course ever! Get a little organic cheese, chopped scallions and organic sour cream for topping!

2. Black Eyed Pea Dip with organic blue corn chips: Everyone raves about this one and it feeds a crowd!

3. Shrimp Taco Bites by I Wash You Dry: Umm....yumm!

4. Buffalo Cauliflower (recipe on: Babble.com): I haven't tried this yet but I think this year I will! YUM!

5. Hummus and Cucumber Bites from Kalyn's Kitchen: So pretty! :) 

6. Cheesecake Bites: Finger food desserts are great to passing to your guests!

7. Chocolate Dessert Pizza: This would be fun to make like a dessert pizza bar with a lot of toppings for everyone to add to their own slice! :) Kids also LOVE this! This Berry Dessert Pizza is also delish!

8. Grape Salad: Because I pretty much feel like you can't have a party without it! :)

Is it Sunday yet???


Hope everyone has a great weekend!! What are you planning on making for Super Bowl?

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{Clean Eating Thanksgiving Menu}

Hi everyone! I love this time of year so much. Yes...there is a lot of crazy...but there are so many memorable moments made with friends and family. I have been trying to figure out what dishes I will prepare to take to family get-togethers. I don't do the whole Thanksgiving meal at my house but I always enjoy making some special dishes to take with me!

Let me give you some ideas of some healthy but AWESOME Thanksgiving dishes to make for your family!

This menu is a mix of old favorites and new recipes that I want to try! :)




Appetizers:

Fruit and Veggie platters (I love mixing Vanilla Greek yogurt and Truwhip for a yummy fruit dip)

Cheese tray (favorite cheeses, nuts, dried fruits and whole grain crackers)

Baked Brie

Rosemary Roasted Cashews

Ricotta Stuffed Bacon wrapped dates

Salads:

Holiday Apple and Pomegranate Salad

Dijon Pear Kale Salad

Harvest Grain Salad

Grape Salad

Roasted Beet, Onion and Orange Salad

Main Dish:

Turkey Breast

Crock pot turkey breast with gravy

Skillet Turkey with roasted vegetables

Maple Glazed Turkey with Bacon and Sage butter

Side Dishes:

Sausage and Apple Dressing

Green Bean Casserole

Sweet potato souffle

Cranberry sauce

Vegetable Tian

Oven Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon

Mom's Smashed Mashed Potatoes

Dessert:

Pecan Pie

Sweet potato Pie

Pumpkin Cake Squares

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites

Gooey Apple Pecan Bars

Clean Eating Pumpkin Pie

So tell me....

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish????

My Top 5 {BUSY MOM} Tips for Eating Clean

Raise your hand if you are a Mom and your life is so hectic and crazy that you think it is impossible to fit in eating healthy and working out! I have been in your shoes. I started out on my "clean eating" lifestyle 2 years ago with a 3 year old, a one year old, a house to run, working part time as a nurse, a family to feed, bills to pay, loads of laundry, and a to-do list a mile long. I felt like my life was already too full and I couldn't imagine how I would add in blogging, changing EVERYTHING I ate and adding in workouts to my day. It seemed crazy.

BUT I was exhausted, overweight and worried about what I was feeding myself and my family. I knew I could do better and I knew I would just have to commit to it and figure it all out along the way. So that is what I did. I committed to changing my life and I haven't looked back! This was a lifestyle change for me and I will never go back to the way I used to be. I have so much more energy, I am at my ideal weight. I am a role model to my children. I am healthy. I am happy!

My life is even crazier now with a 5 year old, 3 year old and 10 month old but I always make it work! It's all about making health a priority and finding out what works for you and your family!

I have figured out some tips and tricks along the way for how to eat clean, avoid overeating, and minimize cravings. I want to share my tips with you guys and I hope they will help you commit to a healthier lifestyle!

Let's get started....

1. Planning: 

This is huge!! If I didn't plan out my week every Sunday...I would never be able to stick with this lifestyle. If you don't plan ahead....you will end up in those situations where you have no idea what to eat or feed your family and you will look to convenience foods or fast food for a quick bite. Watch my video {How I Meal Plan in 5 Easy Steps} where I spell out exactly how I meal plan each week. I plan out what I am going to eat for all meals and snacks. I also plan out the meals and snacks that I will have available for my husband and children. This makes my life so much easier. It takes an hour or so on the weekend during nap time and I literally don't have to think about what I am going to eat or what I am going to feed the crew all week long! Saves me time and saves me money! No trips to Chick-fil-a because I have all of the healthy food that I need for the week already in my fridge. Oh and I don't cook complicated meals for dinner. I don't have time for it!! Healthy meals don't have to be hard!! I have a ton of recipes on my blog and {Meal Planning Monday} posts that link to some of the easiest and tastiest dinner ideas!

2. Find your workout time:

 I am a huge believer in adding in some form of exercise everyday. I don't have hours to spend in the gym so I always workout at home. If you can find time and child care to go to the gym daily....then do that. Schedule a time that you know you can make it....put it in your calendar and stick to it every day. If you are like me...I love working out at home and I find that I stick to that much easier than going to the gym. I like to look like a hot mess in privacy of my own home for my workouts! I find a time during the day that works. For me...it is during my 10 month olds first nap of the day (around 9am) and I make it an absolute must at that time. Sure, there are other things I could be doing but I make it a priority at that time. I set my 2 other kids up with a Kindle or movie and I workout for 20-30 mintues a day. If you like to get outside to workout....put the kids in the stroller and GO! If you like to workout when you get home from work....change into your workout clothes right when you get home and get it done!! The most important thing is that you add activity into your day. Trust me on this...I am a better Mom because I work out. I have more energy during the day to play with my kids and they even workout with me sometimes! :) My Pinterest page is full of free workout videos that are great to add into your day!

3. Prep ahead: 

I think that knowing your meals and snacks and preparing them ahead is crucial. Wash your fruits and veggies, prep your oatmeal, chop up anything you will need that week, grill some chicken, package you own trail mix, make homemade oat bread, muffins, bars, put all of your smoothie ingredients in a bag in the freezer etc. There are so many ways to make your life easier during the week. I don't give myself a ton of options during the week. I find that it is much easier to stick to a few favorite snacks and make sure everything is easy to grab and go. I try not to rely on any packaged bars or snacks. Most of those have ingredients that you don't really want in your body and it is just best to eat as little packaged food as you can. If you do buy packaged snacks...try to stick to the 5 ingredients or less rule. If you work during the week, spend some time on Sunday packaging up all of your meals and snacks for the week so all that you have to do the morning of is pack your cooler. My husband packs up all of his meals and snacks for the day in the morning and it literally takes him less than 5 minutes to do so because everything is ready to go!

4. Don't keep junk in your house

The easiest way to prevent yourself from grazing or snacking on junk is to not keep junk in your house. Just don't do it. You don't need to buy separate food for your kids or your spouse to eat. If my husband wants junk food....he will have to go out and get it!! There is nothing in my house to binge on or feel guilty about. It may seem extreme but when we go out to eat on the weekends we eat whatever we want! If we take the kids to their grandparents house and they want ice cream...they get it. I am not so strict that I don't allow my kids to get treats every once in a while but when they are at home....they eat healthy foods. I find healthy treats that my kids think are AWESOME! My kids think that when I add cocoa powder to their oatmeal and call it Chocolate Oatmeal...they are really eating something indulgent!! It is all about how you spin it! My husband has a huge sweet tooth but I fix him healthy options and he LOVES them!! It is just a matter of exposing them to healthy food and you will be surprised at the things that they will love and ask for over and over! I am human and if there were chips and brownies in my house...I would eat them. That is why I pack my house full of healthy options!! 

If you work full time....pack a cooler. Make sure that you have plenty so you are tempted to stop by the snack machine and grab some chips. Don't even carry change in your wallet. Just have plenty of healthy options available at your desk so mindless snacking doesn't happen! Check out my {Clean Eating on the Go} post for more tips on what to pack!

5. Find craving busters:

We all have those times during the day when we get kind of bored and feel like eating junk food or chocolate!! My worst time of the day for craving junk is around 3:00-4:00 in the afternoon. I always want to stand in my pantry and eat anything I can get my hands on! Please tell me I am not the only one that does this? The majority of time...I have just eaten a snack and I know that I am not actually hungry so I start drinking water as much as I can. I know that the majority of time I am just thirsty or bored. I try to find something to keep me occupied and stay out of the kitchen after I have had my afternoon snack. Herbal tea has been a lifesaver for me. I like to make a cup of hot Green tea around 4 pm and sip on that until dinnertime. I usually end up sipping on that while I am cooking dinner so I don't start nibbling while cooking. I eat every 2-3 hours during the day so I really try to focus on listening to my body and eating when I feel hungry. Once I have had a sufficient healthy snack....I shouldn't need to eat again for at least 2 hours. Just try to listen to your body and try to figure out the times of the day when boredom or mindless snacking occurs and find ways to prevent that from happening. For me....activity, hot tea and sometimes even just a square of good quality dark chocolate can beat that craving and help me move on from snacking on everything I can get my hands on! 

Were these tips helpful?? 

What are your {BUSY MOM} Tips for eating clean??

Skinny Sweet Potato Crustless Pies

I think you guys know by now how much I adore Taralynn Mcnitt, the blogger over at Undressed Skeleton. She has some of the BEST recipes and tips for a healthy lifestyle. I recently saw a picture on her Instagram for a Crustless Pumpkin Pie and I knew I had to try it out!! I didn't have any canned pumpkin and I LOVE sweet potato pie so I thought I would switch it up a little and use sweet potato. These were delicious!!! Let's just say that the recipe made 11 muffin size "pies" and my family of 4 devoured every one of these in 5 minutes...fighting over the last one! I also used a dollop of organic whipped topping on each to give that little bit of creaminess that reminds me of the marshmallows that usually top my sweet potato pies! I definitely plan on trying these with pumpkin too! My husband is already requesting more!

Skinny Sweet Potato Crustless Pies

Adapted from: Undressed Skeleton Crustless Pumpkin Pies

{Makes 11}

• 2 cups cooked sweet potato (mashed)
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1 scoop French Vanilla Designer Whey Protein Powder (any vanilla protein powder is fine)
• 1/4 cup flax seed meal
• 1 egg white
• organic whipped topping (optional) ** I like Truwhip or House Whip from Trader Joe's**

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix sweet potato, cinnamon, applesauce, baking soda, baking powder, protein powder, flax seed, and egg white in medium bowl. Stir until combined. Add to a muffin pan lined with baking cups or sprayed with coconut oil or olive oil spray. Divide mixture into baking cups. 

Bake for 24 minutes.

Allow to cool. I liked these best cold. That is how I usually eat my sweet potato pie! Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.

When ready to eat...add a tablespoon of organic whipped topping to each!

YUMMM!!