Name: Sheet Pan Sausage, Potatoes & Peppers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 pounds of link sausage (I love Turkey kielbasa); 1 -2 cups of diced potatoes; 2 Bell Peppers seeded and sliced; 1 large yellow onion; 2 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 2 tsp of salt and pepper; 1 tbsp of garlic powder; 1 tbsp of your favorite cajun seasoning

July 1, 2020 by Sandra

Amazon Summer Fashion Haul for 2020

Amazon Summer Fashion Haul 2020

Alright friends…….. my first ever Amazon Summer Fashion Haul is here. I’m going to share with you some of my favorite Amazon finds for the Summer of 2020!

The year 202 is all about the convenience of online shopping and Amazon is one of my most frequented shops. (hello Pandemic!) I bet you didn’t even know that you could find all of this cuteness and have it delivered right to your doorstep.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I make a small commission should you order any of these items from the links posted below. I only recommend products that I love and think you will too.

LET’S GET TO SHOPPING!

Good Vibes Tank Top – because who doesn’t love a cute tank and rainbows???

Hello Sunshine Sun Hat – because protecting your face while out in the sun is important.

Best-selling black maxi dress. You can dress this one up or down, while staying cool. And for less than $25, you may want a couple in your closet.

Bohemian Tassel Earrings – because who doesn’t love a cute pair or earrings that goes with everything.

Hello Sunshine Baseball Cap. I personally love this one for those days at the pool or at the ball park. The words on the cap even change color with sun exposure.

Vintage Sunglasses. Channel your inner Jackie O and look fabulous while doing it. I am a sucker for oversized sunglasses, and these are great quality for the price.

Tie front top – This top comes in different colors, but I love the bright red for summertime. Super soft material and it is sure to look amazing on you.

Sanuk Yoga Mat Sandals. If you love flip flops, then you have to try these. Seriously the most comfortable sandal with good support. You really do feel like you’re walking on a yoga mat.

Straw summer tote or beach bag with a tassel. Perfect for those days at the beach, park, or pool. There is enough room to fit all of the essentials like sunscreen, snacks and even a towel

Layered necklaces with pendant. This look is simple and classic. You will look put together wearing this even if you don’t feel it.

Cupshe One Piece Halter Swimsuit. Super cute patterns for the summer, great support for “the girls” and an affordable price tag.

Vegan Suede Ankle Boot. These are super cute! Peep toe and side cutout makes it perfect for that boot look in the hot weather. Comes in 3 colors and less than $30…….score!!

That’s a wrap!

I hope you had as much fun browsing as I did creating this Amazon Summer Fashion Haul 2020 edition for you all. In addition to this haul, I plan to do one of these for each season because let’s face it, online shopping is so much easier and you don’t have to wear pants! WIN WIN!

We’d love to see your comments below.

Which item(s) was your favorite and did you have an ADD TO CART kinda day??

If you’re more into affordable beauty and skincare products instead of fashion and style, you should check out this post.

XOXO- Sandra

June 25, 2020 by Sandra

7 Reasons Why You Should Walk in the Sunshine

There’s nothing that I enjoy more than a walk in the sunshine. The warmth feels so good on our skin, but did you know that there are a ton of health benefits you can get from a healthy dose of sunshine combined with a walk? With proper sun protection, walking is a great way to soak in the sun while getting a low-impact workout in at the same time.

Here are seven reasons why you should walk in the sunshine:

You Produce more Vitamin D. This one probably isn’t a surprise. Vitamin D is naturally produced by exposure to sunlight and has countless benefits, including fighting disease and reducing depression. Studies show it can lower your risk of multiple sclerosis, decrease your chance of developing heart disease, and even reduce your likelihood of developing the flu.

Improve your mood. It’s not just an old wives tale that sunshine makes you happy, there’s science behind it, too. Sunlight increases the levels of serotonin in the brain, which is the feel-good hormone that’s linked to mood.

Have a Healthier Body. One recent study had fascinating results — light-sensitive proteins on your fat cells can detect sunlight, and too little natural light can alter how these fat cells behave. The result? Higher sunlight exposure may suppress your appetite, helping to prevent obesity. It also helps clear skin conditions. Exposure to the sun can help clear up itchy skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema.

Get more restful sleep. Your exposure to sunlight through the day impacts how much melatonin is produced in your brain. Melatonin is a natural chemical that regulates your circadian rhythms and helps lull you to sleep at the end of the day. So if you struggle with insomnia, maybe soak up some rays outdoors.

Lower your blood pressure. When your skin absorbs sunlight, nitric oxide is released into your blood, which can lower blood pressure and improve heart health.

Improve your cognitive function. Sunlight has been found to improve attention, inhibition, flexibility, and working memory, especially in women.

Live longer. One study of women in Sweden found that those who avoided the sun had higher mortality twice as high as those that had regular or moderate sun exposure.

Find a Walking Program

We already know that walking for exercise has a ton of health benefits, but as you can see, walking combined with sunshine is a pretty powerful combo for your body. I have recently started a new walking program that I love and I have to share it with you.

You start by downloading the app to track your walks, take fun or motivating classes, and to set your personal goals. You can even join teams and meet others with common interests working on their goals as well.
Lace-up your shoes, get out there, and go walk!! This app is carefully curated with daily inspiration and awesome features that will keep you motivated.
Crush your goals and earn some pretty arm candy to celebrate your win. Think of it as “wearable inspiration” for the month’s theme.

I have already met some pretty amazing women through my journey, and I would love for you to join me. Visit www.99walks.fit to set up your account today. Use the code SANDRA25 to get 25% off your first month.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to join my 99 Walks Team, comment below or email me at thesandrahudson@gmail.com so that I can send you the invite.

June 3, 2020 by Sandra

4 Simple Changes to Improve Your Daily Life

All of the commitments and the never-ending list of tasks that come with life can be overwhelming. If you are like me, then you feel the heavy burden of day-to-day activities. Your stress may manifest itself in different ways. That’s why I came up with the list of 4 simple changes to improve your daily life that I must share with you also.

You may feel tired all the time, or your joints may get achy. Your thoughts may be all over the place. (hello #mombrain)

Maybe you get a splitting headache when you get stressed out? Stress itself can keep you up at night and wreak havoc on your sleeping schedule. Even to the point where you seem to be a zombie for most of the working day.

If you can relate to any of the above conditions, then you can most probably relate to hundreds more. We are not going to get into all of them one-by-one because it would just make you feel further anxious or depressed.

Let’s face it. Life is hard!! If you’re like most people, then you work an average 9 to 5 job. You come home after work wishing you didn’t have to go to work the next day.

What can you do to change this dreary outlook on your daily life? Let’s take a look at 4 practical steps you can take to improve your daily life and get back on track.

1. Get Your Beauty Sleep

This may sound basic, but getting the correct amount of sleep each night can change your daily life instantly. Losing sleep can turn into a vicious cycle pretty quickly and it is hard to rebound. Tired and unproductive days make you lose sleep, therefore you wake up tired once again! Stress happens often when we are at the end of our rope. When we are so tired, we cannot continue to deal. Having a regular sleep schedule is crucial in order to deal with stress. Even taking a short nap during the day can help, although this isn’t an option for most adults. By simply adding more sleep to your daily life routine, your state of mind will get happier and healthier. You will be making a positive step to change your life. I always try to keep the same bedtime on the weekends to stay in my sleep routine.

meditate for stress relief to improve your daily life

2. Get Moving!

You have been ignoring the treadmill in your garage for months, or the gym membership that you’re still paying for every month. If you truly want to change your life, then it is time to get moving. There are so many studies that show that physical activity and exercise will literally make you happier. So, get moving, do a workout, and get physically active. There are so many great workouts to do to combat stress. Try yoga, pilates, weight lifting, or even a dance class. The most important thing is that you are on the move towards lifting that cloudy disposition in your daily life. I personally love to walk because you can do it anywhere, and I can listen to my favorite audible book or podcast while I’m doing it.

3. You Are What You Eat

If you want to truly change your life, you have to alter what you put into your body. And no, that does not mean you should switch a cappuccino for a latte. Changing your diet is one of the most important decisions you will make to improve your daily life outlook. Certain foods that we eat can directly cause us to feel depressed (sugar, highly processed foods, bread & pasta). These types of foods, especially gluten and wheat, can be inflammatory foods, additionally taking longer to digest and leave us feeling fatigued. There are tons of research out there about this if you don’t believe me. In fact, one of my favorite books that really opened my eyes to all of this is called Wheat Belly. You can even find it on Amazon here or check it out at your local library.

Anti-inflammatory foods and superfoods may actually calm your nerves on a biological level. Believe it or not, dark chocolate can help regulate your cortisol and hormone levels. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may promote nerve cell protection. This will increase our energy levels and therefore decrease stress. So, think twice before you gobble down those three donuts every morning. They may be contributing to your stress and downward view of daily life. I have also been reading about and participating in intermittent fasting lately. I can’t wait to talk to you more about my experience with that in upcoming blogs.

4. Take time out to Improve Your Daily Life

As cliche as it might sound, sometimes all we need is a time out. Doing the same things every.single.day can be taxing. Going to work the same way, seeing the same shops, seeing the same people, etc. It can most definitely wear us down over the years. Especially if you don’t already incorporate semi-regular vacations or getaways into your schedule. While the average vacation to a beach destination can help to get you re-charged and back on track, it is sometimes not enough for long-lasting results. Remember to take time for yourself so that you can be the best version of YOU. Take the hot shower, read the book, go to the spa for a massage, watch Hallmark movies…….you get it!

If you are reading this article, you are already taking the right steps to change your life. You are not alone when it comes to feeling overwhelmed about the burden of daily life. However, if you make these few changes, pretty soon the rain will stop and the sunny side of life will be in the forecast.

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please seek professional help if needed.

May 14, 2020 by Sandra

Laundry Hacks Every Busy Woman Needs to Know

This post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission should you choose to purchase through one of my links. I only recommend products and services I personally use, like, know, and trust.

( Laundry hacks are so needed to help me stay on top of the laundry game.

Being a busy, working mom comes with its own unique set of challenges. I want to share my very best laundry hacks so that you can keep on top of this area of your housekeeping.

Whether you work from home like I do, or work outside of the home, your time is precious. No one wants to spend time doing housework when you could be spending time with loved ones or having fun.

I have been a stay-at-home mom, a work at home mom, and a work-outside-the-home mom, so I know a few of the differences.

The fact is that before I was working from home I just had more flexibility in my schedule.

It wasn’t that I wasn’t busy or that my time wasn’t valuable, it’s just that there was more give and take.

Now that I’m working from home, I have set times that I absolutely must work.

This means that having a laundry schedule is super important if I’m going to stay on top of it all.

I mean, laundry piles up faster than I can blink some days so I really do have to make sure to constantly be keeping up with it.

Here are my top 6 laundry hacks that I want to share with you. Every busy woman can utilize these options.

Laundry Basket Sorter

This laundry basket is brilliant! Imagine if when you went to wash a load of laundry it was already sorted! That would save so much time! That is why you need this laundry basket! Each section can hold a color of clothing (lights, darks, colors, jeans, etc!) Plus it is less than $40 dollars and heavy duty! Check it out here!

Make Drying Time Faster

Invest in a set of wool dryer balls. This not only helps to dry clothes more quickly, but it also works to reduce wrinkles and static cling. I also love the fact that wool dryer balls are far less toxic than dryer sheets!

Pro Tip – add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for extra freshness.

Start Folding

A folding board can make a world of differences in your folding game. Place clothes on the board, then flip them into neat rectangles ready to be placed in your dresser or closet.

Shorten the Cycle

If you are washing clothes that haven’t been heavily worn, be sure you choose the light setting on your washing machine. Your clothes will get just as fresh and clean but in less time.

Don’t Lose the Socks

Before putting socks in the wash, group them together in a laundry bag. When you pull them out of the dryer, they will all be in one place.

Room to Breathe

If you really want to reach for maximum efficiency, you should fill the dryer no more than two-thirds of the way. If you’re drying heavy fabric, halfway is even better.

Do you have any other tips that you use to simplify laundry? If so, please share them in the comments below.

April 29, 2020 by Sandra

Sheet Pan Sausage, Potatoes & Peppers

If you are looking for a quick and simple dinner that is definitely tasty, you have come to the right place. This sheet pan meal is a staple in our house. It is so easy to throw together and bake everything on one baking sheet. Feel free to mix and match your protein, veggies, and seasonings to create a multitude of different flavors.

Yield: 4

Sheet Pan Sausage, Potatoes & Peppers

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

2 pounds of link sausage (I love Turkey kielbasa)
1 -2 cups of diced potatoes
2 Bell Peppers seeded and sliced
1 large yellow onion
2 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tsp of salt and pepper
1 tbsp of garlic powder
1 tbsp of your favorite cajun seasoning

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Chop sausage and potatoes into bite-sized pieces as well as the potatoes and onions
Scatter the sheet pan with ingredients and top with all of the seasoning and olive oil. Mix well with your hands.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the sausage and potatoes are golden brown. Add additional cajun seasoning if you want it spicier.

Notes

If you can't find Cajun Seasoning in your local store, you can definitely order it from Amazon. https://amzn.to/2YdgQ4g

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 265

If you are looking for more quick and easy recipes for your family, you should totally check this one out also.

I love sharing all of the delicious recipes that our family loves to make and eat with you. I hope that they are helpful in coming up with new meals to add to your meal planning schedule. Please share some of your favorite meals in the comments below.

April 20, 2020 by Sandra

14 Surprising Ways You Can Boost Your Immune System

This post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission should you choose to purchase through one of my links. I only recommend products and services I personally use, like know and trust. Thanks for your support.

Are you looking for simple ways you can boost your immune system? After all, your immune system has a big job fighting off germs, environmental toxins, and other threats. Wouldn’t you like to give it a hand to make its work easier?

After all, many factors can boost and strengthen your immune response. Some of these listed below may surprise you. While a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential, they are just two of the effective ways you can maximize your healing powers. Take a look at these immune boosters.

Immune Boosters for Your Lifestyle

1. Laugh it up. A good laugh not only burns calories, but also boosts your heart rate, and strengthens your immune system. One study measured increased levels of certain antibodies in adults after they watched a comedic video. How about going out tonight to see a stand-up comedian or watching one on Netflix?

2. Drink a cocktail. Alcohol may be beneficial as long as you practice moderation. That means up to two drinks a day for men and one for women. Researchers have found an enhanced vaccine response in monkeys who are moderate drinkers. Binge drinking, however, has the opposite effect.

3. Avoid overtraining. Daily exercise strengthens your body but overdoing it can leave you weaker than when you started. Set aside adequate time for rest and sleep. Cut back if your energy level is chronically low.

4. Bask in the sun. Hold onto your sunscreen to protect you from skin cancer and premature aging, but small amounts of sunlight will give you the vitamin D you need for healing.

5. Listen to music. Losing yourself in music is a constructive way to manage stress than can otherwise undermine your immune system. Arrange a soundtrack for your morning commute.

6. Reduce noise. On the other hand, unpleasant background noises can compound daily stress. Keep your earbuds handy to block out car alarms and talking traffic signals.

7. Hang out with friends. Isolation is also hard on your immune system. Call up a friend for a coffee date.

8. Eat yogurt. Foods rich in probiotics have been associated with a lower rate of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Stir toasted oats and almonds into a cup of yogurt for breakfast. Other good choices include soft cheeses, sourdough bread, and miso.

9. Drink tea. Consider trading in your second cup of coffee for a helping of tea. It’s full of phytochemicals and other substances that help to prime your immune system for action.

10. Think positive. A cheerful attitude is one of the best defenses against illness. Plus, even if you feel under the weather, patience will lessen your discomfort.

Immune Boosters You Can Work on with Your Doctor

11. Get your shots. Maybe you think shots are for school kids and exotic travel. Tetanus boosters and flu vaccines are recommended for many patients. Ask your doctor if they’re appropriate for you.

12. Discuss your family history. While you can’t change your genes, you can talk with your health team about how they affect your immune response. That way, you and your physician can better understand your risks and how to address them.

Catch fewer colds and protect yourself from more serious conditions like heart disease and diabetes by taking care of your immune system. A healthy lifestyle and appropriate medical care can extend your life and help you stay active.

Immune Boosters You Can Control

13. Nutrition. The most important thing you can do is to make sure you are eating a balanced and nutritious diet. Avoid “empty calories” that don’t provide any vitamins and minerals, and try to eat the rainbow. Colorful fruit and vegetables on your plate are nutrient-dense and filling.

The most important nutrients to seek out in particular, include vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant that is known to support immunity), vitamin A, vitamin E, and selenium. Selenium is useful for preventing the over-activity of the immune system, which can lead to inflammation and other similar issues. Antioxidants are substances that combat the action of free radicals in the body – and these can otherwise damage cells and tax the immunity.

It’s also important to eat plenty of fiber, fermented foods, and yogurts. These contain live cultures of healthy bacteria that help to strengthen the body’s immunity. That’s because friendly bacteria in the stomach and gut can help to destroy harmful bacteria that otherwise wreak havoc on the immune system. Getting a wide variety of different natural foods is the very best thing you can do for a healthy microbiome.

It’s really hard to get in enough healthy greens and veggies. I have started taking a high-quality supplement that gives me 4.5 servings of vegetables each day and helps with natural energy, mental clarity, and getting rid of that “mom brain.” I’ll keep you posted on my progress. Learn more about what I take here.

14. Lifestyle Factors. Another thing to consider is the importance of spending time outside. Sunlight encourages the body to produce vitamin D, which has recently been shown by studies to be more important than vitamin C for strengthening immunity. Did you know that 42% of Americans have vitamin D deficiency?

Fresh air and cold exposure is also beneficial. Not only does fresh air help to clear out the lungs, but being cold can help to “train” the immune system so that it is capable of working harder and doing its job better!

Other things can also affect your immunity. Did you know for example, that flossing your teeth can make you less likely to contract a wide range of illnesses? This is because our mouths are constantly bombarded by bacteria, which leaves us susceptible to other problems. When the mouth is clean, that problem disappears.

But the most important lifestyle factors of all are to a) avoid stress and b) get lots of sleep. When we are stressed or sleep-deprived, this causes the body to suppress immune activity, leaving us open to attack. When we are rested both mentally and physically, we go into those battles with a full tank of fuel behind us.

What things have you found to keep illness away? Be sure to comment below to share.

If you liked this post and know someone who might benefit from the information I would so very much appreciate it if you share this article with them!

April 10, 2020 by Sandra

Baked Chicken, Potatoes, and Green Beans

This Baked Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans is one of our family’s favorite recipes. It is quick, easy, and flavorful. The chicken juices mix with the butter and Italian seasoning creating a delicious sauce that’s full of flavor. This recipe is inspired by something I found on Pinterest but I have made it our own over time. If you try it, I would like to know what you think.

Even your children will love this simple dinner any night of the week. Baked Chicken, potatoes and green beans are a staple.

Check out more family-friendly recipes here.

Baked Chicken, Potatoes, and Green Beans

This sheet pan chicken is sure to be a family favorite. It's so easy to prepare, and very flavorful.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

3 skinless chicken breasts cut in quarters
I big can of green beans (drained) or 2 heaping cups of fresh green beans cut into 1-inch pieces
6 large cut up red skin potatoes in quarters
1 pkg zesty Italian dressing mix,1.25 oz
1 stick melted butter

Instructions

On a sheet pan, place cut chicken breasts and the cut potatoes. Sprinkle with salt & pepper.

Open green beans, drain, and place in a baking dish.

Melt half a stick of butter in the microwave

Pour butter over both dishes

Sprinkle with Italian Seasoning packet

Cover with aluminum foil

Bake at 350 for 1 hour

Optional to turn to broil for a few minutes to add crisp to the chicken and potatoes.

March 30, 2020 by Sandra

7 Ways to Help You Stop Stress Eating

This post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission should you choose to purchase through one of my links. I only recommend products and services I personally use, like, know and trust.

Stress is defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. We have all experienced stress at some point in our lives, and right now, it’s higher than it should be.

Most of the country is practicing social distancing and quarantine right now. Not only are we worried about this very contagious disease spreading around the globe, but we are also worrying about homeschooling our kids, working from home, not having a job at all, or running out of toilet paper.

There is so much stress……… and it is very common to reach for food and eat our feelings when we are feeling stressed about work, family, or other things.

Unfortunately, this habit can make us overeat and ultimately gain weight, which can lead to feelings of depression and added stress.

I am determined to stay on track with my health as much as I can during this quarantine, and I want to share a few of the tips that are working for me to manage the stress eating, or even eating out of boredom. You too can take action now and stop the negative cycle.

Why Does Stress Make Us Hungry?

Eating isn’t only physical, but it is also psychological.

When you’re stress eating, you eat food for reasons other than to curb hunger.

During stress eating, you eat to satisfy your appetite or cravings for a certain food because you believe it will provide emotional relief.

Increase in Cortisol Levels

During stressful situations, your body releases a hormone called cortisol, which can boost your appetite and cravings for “unhealthy” foods.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make your way out of the stress eating cycle. Here are 7 ways to stop stress eating:

7 Ways to Help You Stop Stress Eating

1. Know Your Triggers

You are uniquely you. Since we’re all different, you must work on identifying the circumstances and emotions that cause you to reach for food outside of hunger.

Once you know your triggers, you can develop a plan to avoid them or prepare for them.

A good idea is to have a “replacement” activity for when cravings come, don’t just sit and try to push through it.

By not taking action, you’re constantly thinking about your cravings, so instead, go for a little walk or drive to clear your head. These are perfect activities you can do right now and safely practice social distancing. For example, when I want to binge on an unhealthy snack, I have been going outside and walking around the block instead.

2. Exercise to Reduce Stress

Studies have shown that people who are in shape tend to better handle the effects of stress.

This is because exercise produces chemical changes in the brain that reduce stress.

I know that for some, stress is the reason why they don’t feel like exercising. However, it’s important for the future you that you work on breaking this habit.

Just like you entered a habit of drifting in depression and stress, you can enter a habit of health and wellness.

Move your body every single day. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Go for a walk. Do some stretching or light yoga. Turn on your favorite playlist and have a dance party in your living room.

Related Post: 10 Ways to Avoid Weight Gain

3. Meditate or Pray

Many people underestimate the power of being alone with their minds. They are often impatient and feel the need to stay busy all the time. Right now, we have all the time in the world. Use it to create this new, healthy habit.

Meditation helps calm the mind and slows your heart rate and breathing.

When you’re calmed and focused, you can also concentrate more and therefore make healthier food choices.

So consider setting up a specific time each day to meditate, you can use apps like Headspace and Unplug to help you out.

4. Stay Connected to Your Friends and Family

If you’re a habitual stress eater, consider asking a really good friend or family member to help you out. Be honest and open about what you’re going through and how you’d like them to help you.

A good way they can help is by being open to letting you call them whenever you feel stressed.

During the call, they can remind you about your nutrition goals and motivate you with positive talk, and you can talk out your feelings and decompress.

Join a health or fitness challenge with a friend. There are so many free options out there right now, and it would be fun to do it together.

5. Just Breathe

When you feel like a stressful situation is taking the best out of you, stop and breathe deeply for a few minutes.

You’ll want to breathe in through your stomach, not your chest, let it fill up, hold it for a few seconds, release, and repeat for a few minutes.

This will improve oxygen flow in your body, relax your muscles, keep your mind off the stress, and lower your cortisol levels. A friend recently recommended an app called iBreathe and it’s great!

6. Eat More Nutrient-Dense Foods

Mixing physical and psychological hunger is something to be aware of. When this happens, you’re not only eating for fullness, but for comfort as well.

This can be dangerous because comfort foods are often fatty and sugary, high-calorie, and not filling at all, which is why it’s easier to overeat them.

To reduce your chances of overeating, you may want to plan more nutrient-dense meals.

Consider having at least 1 serving of green vegetables and at least 20 grams of protein at each meal. This is one reason why I love smoothies. It’s a great way to get more protein in your diet. They are quite tasty and very filling.

I love the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides. (It can be ordered from Amazon or found at your local grocery.)

Also, consider eating nutrient-dense carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, quinoa, beans, legumes, whole grains, and fruits.

7. Get More Sleep

Lack of sleep causes changes in hormones that may favor an increase in food consumption and lead to weight gain.

It can also increase stress, which leads to increased cortisol levels, that can, as previously mentioned, boost appetite and cravings.

It’s recommended that adults get between 7-8 hours of sleep. A few tips to get you relaxed for a night of deep sleep:

Relax in a detox bath.

Use essential oils or a refreshing pillow mist.

Use a sleeping mask. I swear by mine. Once you get used to it, you will never go back to sleeping without one.

The Bottom Line

You can totally do this! Learn to understand and listen to your body to be able to know the difference between actual hunger and stress triggers.

It might take some time, but I KNOW you can do it. You’ve got this! Please share any of your tips in the comments.

*Disclaimer – I am not a doctor. If you think you need to see your doctor about your stress, then do it! Don’t hesitate!

Looking for more ways to relax and make time for yourself right now? Sign up to receive my FREE 30 Day Self Care Challenge HERE.

March 23, 2020 by Sandra

Quarantine Activities to Get You Through the Days with Your Kids

Quarantine Activities to Get You Through the Days

Quarantine Activities are much needed right now. While the world is social distancing, it’s important that this stressful situation doesn’t create distance in your own relationships with your children. I have put together a list of quarantine activities for kids to get you through your days.

The only thing that your children need right now is a safe haven in this storm and unconditional love that tells them everything will be okay. (If you’re looking for a way to create a fun date night with your spouse, check out these tips.)

I have been thinking about this a lot lately, and I really want to come up with a way that I can help other families and friends get through these hard days of quarantine ahead. I am no Pinterest mom whatsoever, but I do love sharing fun and easy entertainment ideas to pass the time away.

Luckily, as a blogger, I have met some other really amazing writers in the profession. I am going to share with you my top list of crafts, ideas, or entertainment that I think you can also utilize in a time like this.

Quarantine Crafts Ideas for Kids

Baby Yoda is so popular in our house right now. If you haven’t seen The Mandalorian on Disney+, check it out with your older kids. As far as this craft goes, it is super cute and fun to make your own. Thank you Simple Everyday Mom for sharing your idea with us.

2. Don’t leave those sweet little unicorn-lovers out of the crafts. I know my Stella is going to love to make these. Here is another craft from Simple Everyday Mom that uses your child’s handprint to make a unicorn. SOOOOOO CUTE!!!!

3. Thank you so much Mama Shark Blog for sharing this list of easy and cheap crafts and activities that you can do at home with your kids. As a mom who struggles with being creative and artistic, these ideas seem to be fun and doable in my household!!

4. Printable BINGO sounds like so much fun. Thanks to Natasha, she has crafter multiple theme sheets to use depending on what your child likes.

Advanced Craft Ideas for older Kids

5. This is a more advanced craft and would be great for the older kids at home. Thank you so much to Jamie at the Splendry Blog for sharing this idea on how to create a DIY Modern Silhouette.

6. Do you have a superhero fan at your home? These Marvel Avenger printable masks are sure to be a hit. Thank you so much, Kami from The Momma Diaries blog for sharing this idea with us.

7. Check out this craft on how to make coffee filter flowers from Kitchen Table Classroom Blog. These look super fun and colorful, and I can’t wait to make one myself.

8. I would have never thought of making a dollhouse out of a cardboard box, but this looks like so much fun. This is definitely a more intense craft that you could work on over several days. Thank you so much for sharing this idea Dad Life Lessons Blog.

9. If you have a child that loves woodworking, then you are going to love these ideas. Thank you so much A Hundred Affections Blog for sharing 7 awesomely fun woodworking crafts that you can do from home. I’m excited to try a few of these.

Quarantine Games & Activities

10. When I was a kid, I could play with playdough for hours. I got really excited when Simple Everyday Mom Blog shared her easy recipe for homemade playdough with us. I can’t wait to make a batch with my kids and try this one myself.

11. Host a tea party. I love this idea. It’s a chance to get all dressed up and have a fancy snack with your little one. They will feel loved and special, which is what it’s all about. Thank you for sharing this idea with us Two Kids and A Coupon Blog.

12. My kids love activity sheets! They are great for sick days, road trips, and currently……..quarantine at home! Thank you so much Where’d My Sanity Go Blog for sharing this amazing list of fun pages with us.

13. Do you have any nature loves in the house? A homemade bird feeder sounds like a fun idea. Plus, it’s like doing a good deed by feeding the birds all in one. Attachment Mummy Blog shared her easy bird feeder recipe with us, and I hope you check it out.

14. Our family LOVES board games. Seriously though, my husband is a board game designed and we have an entire room devoted in our house to our game library. I was so excited to find this really cute design of a game that is a printable from Tara at California Camplife Blog. This will be a lot of fun and your kids can play this over and over again.

15. I love writing in a gratitude journal myself, so this a perfect time to incorporate this daily activity into your homeschooling schedule with your kids. With so much bad going on, I find it really important to focus on the good and be thankful for it. Thank you so much to Natasha for sharing this Printable Gratitude Journal with us that we can use in our families.

16. The only thing that is getting us by right now is getting outside in nature and exploring. The fresh air, social distancing and blue skies have been a blessing. Thank you to Natasha for also sharing this amazing Nature Activity Pack that you can use on. your next adventure.

17. Another fun activity to do with your kids is to have a scavenger hunt. You can come up with all kinds of themes, and even make it a competition. What a great idea Moms & Munchkins Blog.

18. Create a sidewalk chalk obstacle course. This is a fun way to get outside, exercise and change it up. Thanks for sharing this idea Toots Mom is Tired Blog.

Quarantine Kitchen Activities

19. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies are my favorite. Chocolate + peanut butter is a perfect combination. Check out this recipe from the Attachment Mummp Bl0g on how you can make these at home with your kids in the kitchen.

20. Hot fudge sundae cake sounds like a winner, right? I can’t wait to try this recipe with my kids. You can get really creative with the toppings and my little helpers love to bake in the kitchen with me. Thanks for sharing this recipe The Sum of All Sweets Blog.

21. Lastly, don’t forget about the fun you can have with dyeing Easter eggs. The different colors and patterns are so much fun. Check out these helpful tips from Attachment Mummy Blog. I love the cool, fun spin she adds on to this activity.

Closing Thoughts

You can’t measure your love for your children in hand-lettered bucket lists and carefully curated nature field trips. Comparing how well you’re doing at quarantine fun to what your neighbors are posting on Facebook isn’t a valid measure of what your child is feeling from you.

Measure your daily success in minutes snuggled at bedtime, tears shared over ice cream, the laughter that comes from discovering potty jokes, and the relief that comes when they’re finally fast asleep.

This is a great time to officially end the Mommy Wars. My COVID-19 proclamation is that I declare the Parenting Competition over. I forfeit. We’re trying to keep each other alive. That’s the only goal.

We can’t go under it, or over it. You and I HAVE to go through it, but you don’t have to do it alone. You and I do not have to perform it for our friends.

We don’t have to add to our fear by judging each other, competing with each other, or calling each other out. Just show up, and try our best. There isn’t a schedule in the world that can teach our children that. But we can.

Love hard and listen to your big feelings, parents. You’ve got this!!!

I would love to know what activities and things you are doing to make it through the quarantine right now. Please share it below!

March 20, 2020 by Sandra

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks

Zucchini and Parmesan

Zucchini and parmesan are a match made in heaven. Does anyone else agree?

While we are social distancing ourselves during the Covid-19 pandemic, I am on a mission to create new and yummy recipes to share with you from items that are already in my refrigerator and pantry. It’s really amazing the things you can create and come up with when you have to be resourceful.

This recipe is super easy and is seriously one of the best side dish recipes I have made. The best part is that there are no breadcrumbs used, so it is also low-carb, gluten-free and keto-friendly.

If you are looking for other healthy recipes to fit these diets, check out another one of my favorite recipes here.

If you decide to try it, I would love to know what you think of it in the comments below. Stay safe everyone!

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks

I am a lover of zucchini. I can eat it in a variety of ways, but this newest recipe may be my favorite. Rubbed with olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic, and my secret seasoning, sprinkled with real Parmesan cheese, then baked in the oven to golden brown perfection! You are sure to love it too.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

4-5 medium zucchini
1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese
1 tbsp of garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp of sugar-free cajun seasoning
1 tbsp of EVOO

Instructions

Preheat your oven tp 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Cut your zucchini into sticks. I usually half mine and then cut the halves into 4-5 sticks each depending on the thickness. Put into a large mixing bowl.
Drizzle with EVOO. Add in the seasoning, and coat well with your hands. Place skin side down on your baking sheet in a single layer. Top with parmesan cheese.
Bake on the top rack of your oven for 20-25 minutes.
Switch your oven to broil for 4-5 minutes so that the zucchini and cheese can crisp up. It turns a beautiful, golden brown color.
Serve warm, and sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese if you prefer.
Enjoy this quick and healthy side dish. Comment below if you try it out and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Notes

If you can't find a healthy cajun seasoning in your local store, here is one of my favorites you can order from Amazon. Cajun Seasoning

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 85