7 Super Yummy + Hearty One-Pot Wonders

During the cold winter months, I am a one-pot wonder champion. The meals are always easy, hearty and everyone likes them. Below are seven I regularly rotate for easy weekend stews or thirty-minute easy clean-up weeknight dinners.

This 5-star Old Fashion Beef Stew from The New York Times Simmer of Hope, 

has 1304 reviewers singing its praises. I'm one of them. 

So good Sunday dinner.  My ultimate one-pot favorite.

Corn Chowder, the poor forgotten one-pot wonder. I'm not even sure why because it's an excuse to eat loads of bacon!



I remember my first turkey chili. When I found out it was made with turkey instead of beef, I was floored. I HAD NO IDEA! Truth be told, I pretty much only use turkey in my chili now. It's low-fat, heart healthy and NO ONE knows the difference. This 5-star turkey recipe is the clear winner with thousands of 5-star recipes. 

.


This One-Pot Pot Roast from, Yummy Healthy Easy, is a classic worth trying. I LOVE IT!

One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken + Rice, from Creme De La Crumb, is super simple.

This Creamy White Chili from Taste of Home makes it to the table in under an hour, has 552 5-star reviews and had one reviewer, a college student, singing its praises. "I got this wonderful chili recipe from my sister-in-law, who made a big batch and served a crowd one night. It was a hit. Plus, it's easy and quick, which is helpful since I'm a college student. In all my years of 4-H cooking, I've never had another dish get so many compliments."

Last but not least, the chunky Chef is bringing his weeknight A-Game with this One-pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta.

Organic VS Conventional Fruits and Veggies. Where to spend and save.

Like most expecting mothers, I spent my pregnancy reading and researching as many things as possible to be the "perfect mother".  During that time I found my favorite unbiased go-to for info on the best and safest products and produce for my child, The Environmental Working Group.  Each year they provide numerous, unbiased list of the safest and/or environmentally safe sunscreens, cleaning products, paints, produce and even cosmetics... and really so much more!  

One of those studies is the EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce™. This year's report had so many useful (and scary) facts, I decided to post the highlights to help you understand why so many groups are fighting to push out pesticides and toxins from use on commercial produce. I've also added easy printable "pin" to help you know where to spend and save on organic vs. conventional produce according to the EWG's findings using data from the U.S Department of Agriculture.

FACT: EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce calculates that USDA tests found a total 165 different pesticides on thousands of fruit and vegetable samples examined in 2013.

If A Child Asks For This, Chances Are They Are Dehydrated

Did you know, if a child asks for something to drink, then they are most likely dehydrated? It's true.  They don't think to stop playing and drink water until they are very thirsty, a.k.a Dehydrated. 

Ever since learning about how easy it is for a child to get dehydrated, I have made it a point to offer water to my son at regular intervals. Especially, during the summer. And even though it drives me crazy, every night when he asks for water, FOUR HUNDRED TIMES, I get it for him. (Yes, it's a stall tactic for bedtime, but just in case, I always let him have a few sips.)



There is no doubt about it, water is as important as air for our bodies.


Did you know? 

WATER: Helps to aid in digestion, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation and absorption of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature.

Prolonged and excess dehydration can lead to your body trapping toxins and even developing kidney stones!  The main toxin in the body is a water-soluble waste that is able to pass through the kidneys to be excreted in the urine. When you're getting enough fluids, urine flows freely, is light in color and free of odor. When your body is not getting enough fluids, urine concentration, color, and odor increases because the kidneys trap extra fluid for bodily functions. If you chronically drink too little, you may be at higher risk for kidney stones, especially in warm climates.

To avoid dehydration, make sure to offer your child water at regular intervals.

How To Grow Organic Strawberries. No Garden Or Green Thumb Needed!

Nothing annoys me more than when I spend WAY too much on a pint of strawberries, only to get them home to find the center three covered in mold. It drives me crazy. You would think after paying $6 for a freaking pint of strawberries, they wouldn't be crap! Wrong.

So, if you too are sick of paying way too much for crappy hothouse strawberries, then keep reading my friend. For under $20 you can grow your own strawberries! No big garden, green thumb or tons of space needed.


Step 1: Pick a pot 

Strawberries grow well in pots, hanging baskets, and of course, in the ground.  Pick the spot and growing contraption that's best for you.  I chose a strawberry pot because it came with the house. (Easy enough)

Step 2: Get the goods

You will need:

1. Pot/hanging basket/ Topsy-Turvey hanging bag thing
2. Organic potting soil
3. NON-GMO Strawberry bulb plants (I went to a local nursery and got 15 bulbs for $10!)
4. A perfect spot for the strawberries to grow. 

Step 3: Watch the how-to video (not mine, but a super short and complete how-to)

              


Step 4: Plant the plant!

Step 5: Water and Wait

Most plants will bear fruit within 6-8 weeks of planting!

How To Get Lean This Spring in 30 Days Or Less FOR FREE!

It's that time of year... For most of us Northern Hemisphere dwellers, the snow has melted, the fear of frost is nearly behind us, and most of all, we want to wear shorts or (Gasp!) a bathing suit. The fastest and healthiest way to do that is sticking to a manageable diet and exercise plan. Ideally, an exercise plan that's free, easy and fun. Below is my favorite go-to to get you ready for summer...

         It's time for the 30/30 Walking Challenge!

With this program, you can lower your heart attack risk, lose weight, add years to your life, sleep better and of course, better your overall health and mood. IN LESS THAN 30 DAYS!! Another great aspect to this program is that it is FREE.  All you have to do is walk to reap the benefits.  No gym membership, diet or personal trainer screaming at you, necessary. (Don't believe me? click HERE to watch a short video about this program.) 

The best part is this program shows results in just two weeks! Seriously, in two weeks you could be sleeping better, reducing your cholesterol and chances for a heart attack, be down a few pounds, and become a healthier, happier person.  How could you not want to at least try?

So, here is the plan: Walk for thirty minutes a day for thirty days. It's that simple. You can walk fast, slow, or sprint. You can walk three times a day for ten minutes, twice for fifteen or all thirty in one trip. It's up to you. Just walk every day for thirty days!

 Start by making small tweaks to your daily routine:

1. If you take public transportation to work, walk to the next stop or station. 

2. At lunch, walk 15 minutes away from your desk, eat, then walk back--maybe even the long way back. 

3. On the weekends go explore a nature trail with the family. 

4. New mothers on maternity leave, go for a walk by yourself every evening when your partner gets home. Of course you can take the baby, but getting out for some alone time will kill two birds with one stone. 

5. Only need a couple things from the store? If one is close enough, walk there! 

6. Walk the kids to school for the month. 

7. On rainy days, clean or organize a closet for 30 minutes, better yet, go to the indoor mall for some retail therapy--Again, kill two birds with one stone!

8. Set up walk-dates with freinds. Maybe enve a different friend three nights a week.

9. For a week straight, walk out of your front door and take a different street or path and see what you find! 

10. Take your walking shoes to work with you, and put them on before you leave. The first step is ALWAYS the hardest!

HINT: Tell as many people as you can that you are doing this.  Get a support group to help encourage and hold you accountable! YOU CAN DO THIS! It's just 30 minutes for thirty days. It's not hard, or an ongoing commitment. This is a challenge that you know you can do.  

Do This For :20 Seconds Today For Fab Abs + A$$ By Spring #MondayMotivation

First, the 30-Day Plank Challenge. How hard can it be...

30 Ways To Lose Weight TODAY! #MondayMotivation

Over the next thirty days,  pick a new life hack from the list below or just go in order from 1-30. The purpose is to help you stay mindful of a different aspect of your health, lifestyle, and nutrition over the next four weeks. You can even start today!

By the end of the month, you will have touched on every aspect of your diet and lifestyle, and hopefully, shed a few pounds! See what sticks, what shocked you and what certainly needs improvement. Below you will find a list of thirty diet and fitness tips. Pick one a day, and go with it! 

1. Say no to sweets. For one day, just say no to extra sugar and sweet treats. You can do it. It's only one day!
2. Find a fitness friend. Walk off the day with a friend. Set the rendezvous, and aim for at least a 20-minute walk. The mall counts! Plus, Retail Therapy is a real thing. 
3. Blast your butt. Wake up five minutes early to blast your butt into shape. Do each of the below exercises, then start your day.
4. Crackdown on carbs. Whole grain=good. Cupcake=BAD!
5. Motivate with music-Create a fun, upbeat workout playlist and rock out to it all day. On the way to work. At lunch. On the way home. Whenever. Wherever. You'll boost energy, endorphins and add a whole lotta pep to your step! 
6. Weigh in. While I'm not a fan of scales, if you have one, climb on. Don't beat yourself up. Be accountable. Accept that you are where you are because of choices. Promise to make better choices. Stick to it. 
7. Police your portions. What takes up the most space on your plate? How big is your plate? Are there even veggies on your plate? Put the portions in check.  
   
8. Clock the Block- How long does it take to walk around the block at home and work? Just think, you could be getting in two easy ten minute walks a day. Tip: listening to a good book or podcast will keep you walking around the block more than once. 
9. Say hello to H20- Drink water from the minute you wake up, until the minute you go to sleep. At all times, keep water close by. Just by drinking water all day, you'll be doing this for your body:
   
10. Dance it off- Crank up the music and dance around your house for 20 minutes. This is great on cleaning day. Before you know it, you've gained a clean house and lost a pound. WIN/WIN! 
11. Meditate. Meditation might be the ultimate life hack. Aim to meditate two times for ten minutes each. The morning and before bed are my favorite times. I set my intention for the day, then relax my brain before bed. Tip: download a (free!) meditation app to help you get started. 
12. Skinny snack day. Prepare two mini skinny snacks; One for mid-morning and one for mid-day. The second you feel hungry, whip one out. Chances are, not only will you have more energy through the day, you won't even think about that late day trip to the snack machine!  (For a ton of awesome skinny snack ideas, check out my, Skinny Snacks, Pinterest board.)
13. Say Hi to, Herb! Resist the urge to dump salt on your meals today. Instead, reach for the herbs. Basil, parsley, cilantro, rosemary, thyme, and sage, can, and will, change your life! Herb it up today to get heart healthy. 
14. Eat breakfast- Just do it. It will change your entire day. The energy alone will have you blasting through emails and your to-do list like a maniac on a mission. Oatmeal with fresh fruit and a drizzle of local honey is my go-to.
15. Blast those Abs- Before sitting down to watch TV, do a few sit-ups and crunches! Just five minutes of ab blasting will boost your metabolism and wake your muscles up. Just think, you'll be burning calories infant of the TV! (Imagine if you religiously did a few crunches before you sat down to watch TV? What would your abs look like?
    
    
    
16. Maybe Later, Day-Before giving in to your cravings and guilty pleasures, say, "maybe later" and walk away. Your mind has a much easier time processing, maybe later, instead of 'never again.' Kill the craving with a little mind warfare. After all, it really is for only one day!
17. There's an app for that. Find a fitness app that motivates you. (Many are free!) Talk to friends, read reviews, then download it. For one day, give it your all!
18. Purge the pantry- Clean out the carbs and cobwebs. Ask yourself this, do I want this to land on my butt or the city dump. You decide. 
19. Have a Healthy Happy Hour. Order a glass of red wine and water. Alternate. 
20. Don't supersize. This is really a NEVER good thing, but skip the extras today; large sides, packets of mayo, bladder buster fountain drinks...
21. Brave a new class- Ever wanted to try Yoga, Pilates, Barre or Boot Camp? Grab a friend or go alone, but just GO!  TIP: Check Groupon or Living Social for local deals. Sometimes you can buy a Yoga class package for the price of one class!                 
22. No Nighttime Noshing. After dinner, the kitchen is CLOSED! Pour a large glass of water, turn off the light and stay out! 
23. Find a food substitute. Substitute yogurt for ice cream, fresh fruit for candy and nuts and granola for salty chips. Or just throw all three in a bowl together for a yummy dessert. See if you can find a healthy, delicious alternative to your favorite snacks. I eat rice crackers and hummus when I want nachos. No, it's not the same, but it's delicious and fills me up!
24. Protein swap- Are you a beef and pork family? Switch it up. Make Turkey burgers, chicken stir-fry or fish tacos.  Find fun ways to incorporate lean protein into your family's diet.
25. Step it up. Walk everywhere! Take the stairs, park in the back parking lot, do laps in your house. Try to take 5,000-10,000 steps today! (Yes, there's an app for that too!)
26. Stand up. Once every twenty minutes. Even though that sounds like a lot, it's really just 3 minutes out of every hour.  Set the alarm to remind you. TIP: Don't turn the alarm off until you are actually standing. 
27. Entertainment free eating- Eat meals at the table, only. Not in front of the TV. Not driving to work. Not at your desk. Not in the kitchen while prepping meals. Eat while sitting at a table only. 
28. Labels: Love it or leave it? Before taking a bite, read the food packaging label. Are there more than five ingredients? Can you not pronounce most of them? Are dyes and dangerous preservatives listed? Decide, should I love this or leave this? 
29. Walk with words. Find a podcast or an audiobook for something you've wanted to read and walk to it. Do not sit, walk. I love to walk to mystery audiobooks, especially, Sue Grafton's Alphabet mysteries. I only let myself listen when walking. Sometimes, I'm so fully absorbed by the story, I walk for two hours! Sometimes, I will go for a walk just to hear the book.I have a girlfriend that walks to a podcast every morning. Try it, I bet you will like it!                                               
30. BONUS. Of the 30 you just did, pick 5 favorites to work on. Make them your focus next week. The following week, pick five more. The goal is to work up to 20-60 minutes a day focusing on your health and well-being.

Which one do you think will be your favorite? 

How To Eat Your Way To Glowing Flawless Skin + The Best You in 2018

Did you know, you can eat your way to clear flawless skin? What about there are foods you can eat that blast fine lines and cellulite? It's true. Why slather $100 Antioxidant and Vitamin C serum all over your face when you can eat it and give other parts of your body a boost at the same time?



What if I said you could lose a few pounds just by making small tweaks to your diet? No, there's none of that ban-carbs or starve-yourself-evil diet crap. In fact, stuff yourself stupid with these tasty superfoods!

Below are a few of my favorite (pinnable) charts showing the best foods to eat to get flawless glowing skin and so much more. Add the following to your weekly diet and notice the change in how you feel in days!

 Hydrate your skin from the inside out with these:

Here's your grocery list for the next week...

Make it a priority to eat at least two things from the above-mentioned powerhouse foods every day. You will notice the difference in a matter of days.  If you have a specific ailment I cannot recommend enough finding the foods that fight that. So much better than regulatory medication! Think: manage Type-2 Diabetes like a BOSS! 

15 Tips To Lose 15 Pounds in 2018. No Gym Membership Needed

Is weight loss at the top of your New Year's resolution list?

Below are 15 awesome easy to follow tips to lose 15 pounds in 2018.

1. Drink Up! Staying well hydrated will boost your metabolism by 3%! That's right, just drinking more water will knock a pound or two off in 2018. If you swap your sugary soda for water expect to lose even more. 

2. Don't eat dinner before it's done. Snacking while making dinner is dangerous. Before you snack on the shredded cheese or bread, take a big gulp of water. If that doesn't work, take another gulp. Studies show you can snack on 200 extra calories while cooking. Tasting your sauce is one thing, shredding a pile of cheese to snack on is another.  

3. Find a Friend.  Get a workout buddy to join you for one Yoga/Pilate/Spin class a week, with the goal of eventually getting out for three.

4. Pack a Snack. Pack healthy snacks of fruit, nuts or protein fiber bars to avoid hitting the vending machines and drive-thrus mid-day. 

5. Eat one less bite.  Where do you want that last bite of your meal, on your plate or ass? There's no need to stuff your guts, eating one less bite at each meal saves about 75-calories a day or 8 pounds weight loss a year. Add that to the 200 calories you cut out not snaking while cooking and your 15 pounds lighter. See, small changes make a big difference!

6. Set small goals- Don't focus on losing twenty pounds. Set a goal to lose one pound, twenty times. Small victories will continue to propel you toward your goal.

7. Stop dieting-To quote, Jullian Michaels, directly, "Everyone's like: 'Give up carbs!' 'Give up fat!' 'Wait, no, now I'm taking pills!' None are manageable long-term—and they destroy your metabolism." Starving yourself or cutting out a major food group is dumbassery. Diets end. Healthy lifestyles last. 

8. Create a diversion.  Studies show food cravings pass in about 10 minutes, so call a friend, paint your nails or knit an afghan until the craving passes. Or, you could drink a large glass of water.

9 Citrus slashes cortisol. Vitamin C inhibits the production of cortisol, a hormone that essentially tells your body to store fat. Suck down grapefruit slices on the way to the office, or pack a cutie for you too! 

10 Lean protein lunches. Lean protein helps you stay fuller for longer; it has the amino acids that are the building blocks of muscle. Pack turkey or chicken into a whole grain pita with lots of veggies. 

11. Can the crap!  Clean out your pantry of all trans fats and unhealthy sugars and swear them off!  Don't let that shit cross your threshold again in 2018. Create a healthy grocery store in your kitchen to make healthy choices easy.

12. Stand up for weight loss. Standing burns 1.5 more calories than sitting. Reason #44 to get your ass off the couch. Walk around, or in place for 20-minutes while on the phone checking email or playing Candy Crush.
  
13. Eye-level layering- Keep healthy snacks at eye-level in the refrigerator and put on display on the counter.

14. Portion control is key. Think of eating the portion for the size you want to be; Small, Medium, Large or Extra Large?  

15. Brush away temptation. When you finish dinner run right to your toothbrush. Studies show people were much less likely to snack after dinner once their teeth were brushed.

Bonus: Want to really jumpstart your 2018? Try my 30/30 Challenge! Click Here. 



Do you have any awesome tips to add?