Naked Nutrition Matcha Review

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June 19, 2018 By Jennifer Leave a Comment

I LOVE Naked Nutrition’s brand new Matcha Protein Powders!

There are two versions of the product (one made with whey, and the second with vegan pea protein) and all kinds of amazing recipes!

I LOVE that it only has TWO INGREDIENTS!

There’s no odor or aftertaste in either the pea or whey protein powders.

I have a smoothie every morning and often throughout the day.

I’m often vegan/vegetarian until dinnertime. It helps me to maintain a healthy weight and have lots of energy.

Matcha just makes it all better!

My favorite smoothies:

Wonderful Berry Energy Smoothies

Can easily make this vegan without yogurt. Can use any or no plant milk or liquid.

Mango Pina Colada Smoothie

Can easily make this vegan by using the pea protein + matcha powder.

There are A TON of other products from Naked Nutrition and healthy recipe options (like no carb pizza crust, protein packed quiches, and much more) as well if you are looking for additional options for both sweet and savory items with a healthy twist.

In addition to being delicious and a great way to pack lean, clean protein into all kinds of recipes – Naked Nutrition has pledged to donate between 15-100% (yes, you read that right!) of sales from these two products to the ALS Association’s Golden West Chapter/ Team Nanci for the rest of 2018 in an effort to help raise money and awareness for the organization in hopes of helping to find a cure for this awful disease.

Those affected by ALS will very often be robbed of a simple joy that we seem to have in common (eating solid food), so while it certainly may not be as yummy as Matcha Chocolate Chip muffins (recipe below!), these and all of the other pure and additive-free products the brand offers help to make the smoothies and shakes that those with ALS almost exclusively get their nutrition from a little more fun, and a lot more tasty.

“Matcha is known for being an antioxidant powerhouse so we thought it would be a great idea to support another powerhouse – celebrity publicist Nanci Ryder – by helping to raise money for ALS research,” continued Zieminski.

About Naked Pea + Matcha and Whey + Matcha

These first-to-market, non-GMO protein powders feature the superior health benefits of organic Japanese matcha. This ceremonial ground green tea leaf powder is loaded with healthful antioxidants that help boost metabolism, burn calories and detoxify the body.

Naked Pea + Matcha features a vegan protein made exclusively of raw yellow peas sourced from U.S. and Canadian farms, and Naked Whey + Matcha is made using pasture-fed cows’ milk from small, California dairy farms. Naked Nutrition leverages careful manufacturing processes to create a non-denatured whey loaded with essential amino acids, glutathione and clean protein.

The Naked Pea + Matcha Difference:

Vegan, plant-based protein
Pea protein is made exclusively from farms in the United States and Canada
No artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors
22 grams of protein and 4.9 grams of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) per serving*
Only two ingredients: yellow pea protein and organic Japanese matcha powder
Non-GMO, soy-free, dairy-free and gluten-free
Environmentally-friendly farming practices

The Naked Whey + Matcha Difference:

Made from pasture-fed cows’ milk from small dairy farms in California
No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors
22 grams of protein and 5.3 grams of BCAA’s Per Serving*
Only two Ingredients: Whey Protein and organic Japanese matcha powder
Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free
No rBGH or rBST
Cold processed
Acid and bleach-free processing

*Nutritional values are verified by independent third-party testing.

Matcha Muffins with Chocolate Chips

Course Breakfast

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 12 muffins

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups 1 3/4 cups unbleached flour
1/4 cup Naked Whey + Matcha
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 Tablespoon matcha powder
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar plus 1 Tablespoon
1 1/3 cups almond milk
1 large egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°. Line and grease a muffin pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, Naked Whey + Matcha, baking powder, baking soda, salt, matcha powder and 1/2 cup of sugar.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond milk, egg, oil and extracts.
Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Spoon the batter into the muffin cups. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining tablespoon of sugar.
Bake for 16-18 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned. Let cool slightly in the pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Totally Awesome Tie-Dye Book Review

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June 18, 2018 By Jennifer 6 Comments

Looking for a fun event idea this summer? Consider throwing a tie-dye party!

This is great warm-weather fun! Perfect for VBS, birthdays, block parties, anytime.

My three kids have been dying to try tie-dye.

This book offers lots of different techniques that are easy enough for the kids to do on their own!

Why Totally Awesome Tie-Dye book is great:

There are easy tutorials.
There’s a list of all the items you could possibly need to make fun tie-dye creations.
We like the charts of basic methods to help with decisions.
The trouble-shooting guide is important to correct mistakes.
If you want to have a big tie-dye party, there’s a handy guide for that!

We had a little family tie-dye party.

I bought a big tie-dye kit with oodles of colors and plastic gloves.

We used disposable baking pans and did the tie-dye in the driveway to minimize mess.

We pre-washed the shirts so they were damp and then the kids got to work.

My son chose two-tone crumple.

We let the shirts sit overnight with plastic wrap so they would soak in all the dye. Then we washed them.

His favorite colors!

One daughter chose swirls with black spikes.

It turned out perfect!

Another daughter chose to spray dye.

It looks well-saturated.

She wants to redo it a bit with more dye. She was actually cautious for once!

We really love all the fun ideas in Totally Awesome Tie-Dye. There’s a Japanese technique, yarn dying, and lots of other fun projects we plan to try!

About the Author:

Suzanne McNeill is the author of more than 200 craft & hobby books, including Joy of Zentangle®, The Beauty of Zentangle®, the 11-volume Zentangle® series, and Zen Mandalas. Suzanne founded the leading publisher of Zentangle® books, Design Originals (an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishing). She was voted Designer of the Year and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Craft & Hobby Association. Suzanne has been called “the trendsetter” of the arts and crafts industry.

Tie-dying is a wonderful way to create dramatic fashion statements without using too many materials or spending a lot of time. “No group is too large for tie-dying,” says author and expert crafter Suzanne McNeill. “It’s a great activity for family reunions, scouting events, parties, and fundraisers.”

Nicknamed “The Trendsetter of the arts and crafts industry,” McNeill is the author of the new book Totally Awesome Tie-Dye: Fun-to-Make Fabric Dyeing Projects for All Ages (Design Originals, May 2018). Filled with stylish projects, McNeill shows step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish ice dyeing, crumple dyeing, resist dyeing, and Shibori—shaping cloth and securing it before dyeing. Everything you can imagine about the art of tie-dying is covered in Totally Awesome Tie-Dye, even tips for tie-dying with children.

McNeill also shares how to tie-dye several items of clothing in her tie-dye manifesto, including fashion designs for t-shirts, dresses, socks, caps, scarves, and even embellishments for home décor. The goal of McNeill’s book is to make this entertaining craft fun for all ages. “The joy of creating art is for everybody,” she says. “I hope to inspire people to discover their own creativity.”

Linking up: Modest Mom, Our Holiday Journey, Home and Horizon, Blogghetii, The Mrs Tee, The Chicken Chick, MaryAndering Creatively, Create with Joy, Darling Downs Diaries, Life on Oak Hill, Inspiration for Mom, Timeless Mama, My Learning Table, Teaching What is Good, Home Stories A to Z, LouLou Girls, RCH Reviews, Jaime Wiebel, Meghan Weyerbacher, Purposeful Faith, Abounding Grace, Trekking Thru, Jessi’s Design, Creative K Kids, Gingersnap Crafts, Our Three Peas, Penny’s Passion, Katherine’s Corner, Organized 31, Debbie Kitterman, Be Thee Inspired, Quietly Reminded, Mommynificent, Sarah Frazer, Soaring with Him, Mississippi Mom, Lori Schumaker, A Bountiful Love, Life Beyond the Kitchen, Blended Blog, CKK, Simply Sweet Home, Overwhelmed to Fulfilled, Life with Lorelai, Easy Peasy Pleasy, Anna Nuttall, The Answer is Chocolate, Bright on a Budget, Momfessionals, CWJ, Charm of Home, Lyli Dunbar, Counting My Blessings, Coffee with Us3, Being a Wordsmith, Our Mini Family,

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Dr. Ginger’s Coconut Oil Toothpaste

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June 2, 2018 By Jennifer 2 Comments

I loved my sample of Dr. Ginger’s Coconut Oil Toothpaste.

*I received a free sample in exchange for my honest review.*

I haven’t used mainstream brand name toothpastes in years. Our family also hasn’t had a cavity or any oral problems since we went natural.

It’s a challenge finding a natural toothpaste that everyone likes. We’ve experimented over the years and *this one* tastes good or *that one* whitens and cleans the teeth best. Seldom is there an all-around great natural toothpaste that checks off all the necessary boxes on my list.

Dr. Ginger’s Coconut Oil Toothpaste is one of the best natural toothpastes I’ve tried!

Here’s one of the two samples I received to try:

The texture is smooth and creamy.

Don’t expect a lot of foamy action with natural toothpastes and you don’t need as much as I show here.

Yes, natural toothpastes are usually more expensive and there aren’t coupons in your Sunday paper, but it’s so much healthier and better for you and especially your kids!

The flavor is delicious – sweet and minty from the xylitol, a sugar-free sweetener.

My teeth feel clean and smooth. It’s not abrasive but very gentle!

I feel my breath is fresher than with my regular natural toothpaste.

Ingredients

Coconut Oil Toothpaste: Pure Water, Coconut Oil, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Xylitol, Irish Moss, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Aloe Vera Juice, Titanium Dioxide, Natural Mint Flavor.

Have you read the ingredients list on store bought national brand name toothpastes? Do you know what all those things are? Why is there a poison control warning on something you put in your mouth at least twice a day?

I love that Dr. Ginger’s products have NO Sodium Lauryl Sulfate!

It’s often used in soaps, detergents, and toothpastes as a cleaning agent, but it’s also a known irritant because it removes oils from the skin. I have to be really careful reading labels since we have one kiddo who’s really sensitive.

Get the FAQs.

I highly recommend this delicious and natural toothpaste!

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Natural Dental Care

Our Dental Unit

Is Your Family Always Sick?

Linking up: Home and Horizon,

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Amazon Prime Book Box for Kids

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May 21, 2018 By Jennifer 18 Comments

Story time just got better with Prime Book Box, a subscription that delivers hand-picked children’s books every 1, 2, or 3 months.

Discover new favorites that inspire a love of reading—new adventures await in every box!

Prime Book Box saves you up to 35% off List Price, and provides the best value on books sold by Amazon.com.

What’s in a Prime Book Box?

Each box contains 2 hardcover books or 4 board books.

Who’s It For?

The age ranges are Baby-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

For babies and the little readers, you’ll get up to 4 board books in your box.

Older kids will get 2 hardcover books (picture books for the younger kids, middle reader books for the older kids).

How Much Does it Cost?

The subscription rate is $22.99 per box, charged at the monthly interval you choose.

It’s a 35% discount on the cover price. If Amazon’s advertised price happens to be lower when your books are shipped, they’ll give you back the difference!

But What If I Already Have the Book?

Amazon will keep an eye on your recent purchase history to avoid books that you’ve already purchased through them. They’ll also give you a notice before your books ship so that you can review what will be in the box.

If you don’t like the selections that month, Amazon provides a list of four alternates that you can choose. If you don’t like any of the titles that month, you can skip it, just like any Prime subscription.

I hope that the Amazon editors make a concerted effort to promote female authors, authors of color, and alternate viewpoints. We shall see!

Where Can I Sign Up?

Prime Book Box is currently only available to Prime members, and those interested must request an invitation on the Prime Book Box web page. I got an email and that’s how I first heard about it. There’s no word whether the subscription box will ever be made available for non-Prime members.

The new subscription box offering also comes shortly after Amazon announced a price increase for Prime memberships—up from $99 to $119 annually. The company cited new Prime features and increased costs as the reasons it will raise the annual Prime fee starting May 11, 2018, for new members and June 16, 2018, for existing members. So now might be the time to join if you haven’t already!

Prime Book Box for Kids

Our first Amazon Prime Kids Book Box opening:

The kids were excited to get a fun mail surprise!

In the future, I will have them help choose the book selections, but I wanted to surprise them the first time.

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones by Wendelin Van Draanen

We may do these as family read alouds or the girls may just read them on their own. These are great for a summer book club!

I requested a 2nd invitation for my son, who’s 8.

We can’t wait for next month!

Learn more about Prime Book Box here:

Linking up: Home and Horizon, Modest Mom, Our Holiday Journey, Blogghetti, Life on Oak Hill, Holley Gerth, Darling Downs Diaries, MaryAndering Creatively, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Create with Joy, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, The Mrs Tee, The Chicken Chick, The Myrabev Life, Timeless Mama, Home Stories A to Z, Teaching What is Good, LouLou Girls, April Harris, Jaime Wiebel, Meghan Weyerbacher, Purposeful Faith, Trekking Thru, Wise Woman, Jessi’s Design, Ducks in a Row, Our Three Peas, Bringing up Georgia, Gingersnap Crafts, Soaring with Him, Breakthrough Homeschooling, Sarah Frazer, Creative K Kids, Organized 31, Penny’s Passion, Be Thee Inspired, Crystal Storms, Debbie Kitterman, Mommynificent, Life Beyond the Kitchen, A Bountiful Love,

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Spark Art

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April 9, 2018 By Jennifer Leave a Comment

We are so thrilled to have found Spark Art Studio.

As a home educator, I don’t usually outsource my kids’ education. I can teach art history just fine.

But hands-on arts and crafts is something I often skip at home. While I absolutely love art, I fail in the actual hands-on part of art. I don’t like the setup, research, mess, or cleanup. I don’t have the time, talent, supplies, space, or aptitude. I don’t feel I do art justice or often enough.

These classes are worth every single penny.

The homeschool classes encompass all sorts of fabulous art techniques and art history.

Miss Jamie really goes all out with getting the kids involved in the process and creating amazing and fun projects.

I love this sign that hangs in their waiting room:

Sometimes when we arrive a few minutes early, I overhear the interaction with the previous class. I just love the kindness in Miss Jamie’s voice as she ever so gently guides the toddler and baby in their art exploration, play, and projects. Their mother also is exemplary in her respectful tone and words with her young children. They both are such role models!

I’ve never heard Miss Jamie get exasperated with a child. She must have the patience of a saint!

My three kids adore Miss Jamie and the homeschool art class.

I will sacrifice in other areas of our budget to ensure my kids get their art on.

I’ve been so very impressed with all the incredible art my kids have learned about and created each week.

The kids loved making prints.

They learned about the Huichol people in Mexico and made some inspired texture designs.

Miss Jamie often gives me neat printouts of the artists and art history for me to bring home for my files. I love that.

I have no interest in glitter.

One of my favorites are these drip paint pieces. I sprayed them with polyurethane and mounted them on our wall.

I also love these circles paintings. I plan to frame those and hang them.

The kids really enjoyed making clay sculptures.

They learned about Helen Frankenthaler one week and painted these amazing rubber band boards. They’re still being stored on the shelf to dry.

They’ve learned about story illustrators, sculptors, and pop art. I love the variety.

Each homeschool class includes a lesson and/or story and often up to 3-4 projects!

There are classes for everyone!

You can order a whole session of 5 weekly classes or do a drop-in to see if you love it. (You will.)

Mommy and Me
Preschoolers
After School
Homeschoolers
Adults

There are special holiday workshops, Scouts events, and birthday parties!

The lineup for summer camp looks amazing.

Pssst…Here’s a coupon!

If you live in the Dayton, OH, area…you must visit Spark Art Studio!

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Garden Lites Review

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March 27, 2018 By Jennifer Leave a Comment

Celebrate Spring With Good Greens!

Garden Lites® Offers Veggies Made Great Superfood Veggie Cakes, Blueberry Oat Muffins And Ninja Power MuffinsGarden Lites®, the delicious vegetable company and the leader in unique veggie-rich foods, is celebrating spring with a lineup of incredibly “green” products, all offering veggies made great. Consumer demand across the U.S. keeps growing for Garden Lites products, which always have vegetables as the first ingredients. The total line is made with only clean/simple ingredients, is non-GMO certified, gluten free, nut free and always delicious.

Our Review:

I received coupons to try 3 Garden Lites products FREE.

I chose the Blueberry and Chocolate muffins and Chocolate VitaTops.

Here’s the nutrition info for the blueberry muffin.

Here’s the nutrition info for the chocolate muffin.

Here’s the nutrition info for the VitaTops. Other yummy flavors are available that I didn’t find in my local stores.

Pretty good for those with sensitivities, allergies, or concerns. Also, a good choice for those watching calories or points.

There were only instructions on the muffins to thaw for 4 hours to eat room temperature or microwave from thawed or frozen.

I don’t use our microwave and we didn’t even have one for almost 5 years. Our rental house has one but I never use it.

I chose to try to bake the muffins from frozen to see if that worked.

They were warm and crisp on top. Perfect.

I liked the blueberry ok. The texture is a little chewier than I like and they’re very sweet with lots of huge blueberries. Maybe with a streusel topping?

I toasted the VitaTop as per instructions. It wasn’t warm enough in the middle, so I know to toast it longer next time.

Then, my taste tester went to work.

We liked the flavor and texture of the VitaTop, but it needed to be warmer so the chocolate chips would be gooier.

Our first impression of the chocolate muffin wasn’t great. It seemed bland and not sweet enough. The texture is a little tough. But halfway through, we discovered melty chocolate chips that improved the flavor and texture immensely.

He thanked me and Garden Lites for the yummy treats!

I love the Garden Lites Superfood Veggie Cakes, but I can’t find them in any of my local stores anymore. I’m so sad. They are perfect for a small meal or snack.

I was able to find Garden Lites products at Kroger, Walmart, and a local grocery store. I’m sure our local health food stores have them too.

Garden Lites are super quick and easy (if you remember to thaw early or use the microwave)…they’re fine in the oven. The VitaTops are great in the toaster on about setting 2-3. My kids can make these easy treats for a meal or snack or tea time.

This spring, check out these Super Green delicious, nutritious powerhouse foods from Garden Lites, including:

• Garden Lites Blueberry Oat Muffins: You’ll never believe the first ingredient in Garden Lites Blueberry Oat Muffins is zucchini! Heat them in a microwave to enjoy a chocolate lava cake experience or a delightful blueberry packed muffin, both for only 120 calories. All Garden Lites Muffins are Non-GMO and deliciously moist and a great source of fiber. They are also all allergy-friendly, gluten, and nut free.

• Garden Lites Superfood Veggie Cakes: These green veggie cakes are incredibly good for you and packed with nutrient-rich superfood veggies like kale and cauliflower. Each veggie cake is packed with veggies, gluten free, non-gmo and nutritionally smart. Though it may be daunting to eat your 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, a great way to accomplish this goal is to make it easy. Garden Lites products are ready in a few minutes, with the muffins ready in 30 seconds, so now you can enjoy the benefits of vegetables with the delicious convenience of our foods.

• Garden Lites Power Ninja Muffins: This wholesome treat will make your kids’ friends “green” with envy! Your child will love the fun characters, you’ll love the fact that zucchini is the first ingredient. Only 80 calories each, Garden Lites Ninja Power Muffins are Allergy-friendly; Gluten, Dairy & Nut Free! Perfect for lunchboxes.

About Garden Lites:

Garden Lites has a variety of products and increased distribution in the freezer section across the country. Some of the best selection can be found at Kroger, Meijer, Target, Costco, Shop Rite, Publix, Stop & Shop, Giant, HEB, Ralph’s, Fry’s, Whole Foods, and many more retailers and online for home delivery at thehealthfoodstore.com The line also has the Good Housekeeping Nutrition Seal of Approval, which is the first health-conscious, lifestyle-aware seal in the food and beverage industry.

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Flavor Your Life with European Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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March 9, 2018 By Jennifer Leave a Comment

I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

We absolutely adore olive oil.

We are reminded of our trips to Italy and Greece with this delightful and rich-flavored European Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

This wonderful olive oil works well in salads, marinades, sautéing, roasting, and drizzled over cheese.

We had a lovely Greek-inspired feast the other night and featured this oil in almost all the dishes!

The fresh olive flavor is perfect poured over feta cheese and sprinkled with dried oregano.

It was served this way alongside fresh Kalamata olives and darling little bread rolls all over Greece.

I also made a Greek salad dressing with red wine vinegar with oregano and basil.

Traditional Greek salads don’t really have lettuce.

The olive oil roasted gorgeous my eggplant and zucchini for Briami, a Greek version of the French Ratatouille.

I used olive oil in a marinade for Za’atar chicken and sauteed my onions for Lemon Rice Pilaf.

I probably use olive oil every single day.

It’s also a great substitute for making scrambled eggs or omelets. Imparts a unique flavor and health benefits.

About Flavor Your Life

The Flavor Your Life campaign, supported by the European Union, Unaprol, and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, is dedicated to providing the latest in industry news on European Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The program aims to educate US consumers so they can make informed decisions when purchasing Extra Virgin Olive Oil. To learn more visit flavor-your-life.com.

About Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Olive oil comes from the fruit (known as a drupe) of the plant Olea europaea, or European olive. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made by pressing without heat or chemicals. It represents the freshest
and purest olive oil available.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil is virtually free of acidity—below 0.8%. This is to assure its quality rather than its taste, because overly processed and rancid oils contain higher levels of oleic acid.
• Olive oils are also tested for peroxide values. Lower values indicate fresher oil and more rapid processing, and are required for Extra Virgin designation. Each oil is judged by expert tasters,
who must agree that it meets the high flavor standards of an Extra Virgin rating.
• These experts also test for taste defects and the presence of positive attributes of fruitiness, bitterness and spiciness. If the oil doesn’t have the signature fruity taste and harmonious balance
it won’t receive an Extra Virgin rating.
• Olive oil has a high smoke point (400° F), so it can handle anything from a light sauté to a deep (and deeply flavorful) fry. You can bake with olive oil as well.
• Between uses, store your oil someplace dark and cool (around 57° F, if possible), not on a counter or near a stove, and never in the refrigerator. Keep the lid screwed on tight and use
your oil within 6 months of opening and within 18 months of purchasing.

Why Choose European?

• The olive tree has been revered in Europe since antiquity. Over thousands of years farmers have evolved hundreds of varieties of olive trees (cultivars) and optimized them for different
environment conditions and terrains to produce the most delicious yields.
• The result of this centuries old bond between the people and the land is the finest extra virgin olive in the world.
• The greatest impact on taste is the type of olive tree (cultivar), region (which affects climate and soil), and time of harvest. Europe offers a vast array of flavor profiles, so keep a variety of
oils in your pantry for different occasions.
• Olives harvested early in the season, late August (varies by region), are under-ripe and produce oils that are greener, more bitter and pungent.
• Olives harvested at the end of the season, late November into December, are over-ripe and tend to taste mild and buttery.
• Spanish oil is typically golden yellow with a fruity, nutty flavor.
• Italian olive oil is often dark green and has an herbal aroma and a grassy flavor.
• Greek olive oil packs a strong flavor and aroma and tends to be green.
• French oil is typically pale in color and has a mild flavor.

About Zucchi

Zucchi is a premier Italian Olive Oil Company delivering traceable and sustainable products that you can trust. You can find Zucchi at Big Y, HEB, King Kullen and Shaw’s.

Learn more online:

Connect with the Flavor Your Life campaign online to learn more about European Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
flavor-your-life.com
facebook.com/ FlavorYourLifeNA
twitter.com/Flavor_YourLife

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Give the Gift of Adventure with Uncommon Goods

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October 19, 2017 By Jennifer 2 Comments

I just love my fun travel cork globe from UncommonGoods!

Our new globe showcases our travels as a family.

The cork globe is lightweight and hollow. We were careful with the thumb tacks and pins. We don’t want to dent our globe!

I love the simple modern stainless steel stand.

It was super easy to assemble. Just fit the steel rod axis through the globe and screw on the top peg.

Our globe measures: 11.8″ height x 9.84″ diameter.

Latitudes, longitudes, the equator, and meridians are well-marked. Continents and countries are easy to view. There’s a neato compass in the Pacific Ocean. It rotates on its axis. It’s great as an educational tool!

It could be fun to tack small souvenirs to the globe too. I don’t feel comfortable removing or replacing the tacks and pins and leaving holes in the cork. There’s also a full-color globe available that is very pretty.

Our family loves this addition to our rather minimalist decor, tastefully exhibiting our travels.

Uncommon Goods is one-stop shopping for the whole family! I want pretty much everything they have.

The travel and book-themed items are some of my favorites.

Explore all the unique and top-rated items at Uncommon Goods and check out these amazing stocking stuffers! There’s something on these lists to buy for even your most difficult person who seems to have everything. I often send my parents clever gardening and home decor gifts.

I was so pleased by the very careful packaging of my cork globe! Shipping was super quick too.

Six red thumb tacks (included with the globe) mark the places we have lived as a military family.

We probably have a few more adventures to go!

White straight pins mark the fun places we have traveled as a family.

We hope to add many more in the future!

This fun cork travel globe was a great surprise family gift that we all enjoy.

There are so many fun items that I love from Uncommon Goods – I’m updating my wishlist!

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Is Your Cat Experiencing One of the Big 3 Cat Concerns?

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August 8, 2017 By Jennifer Leave a Comment

With International Cat Day happening on August 8, and Happy Healthy Cat Month in September, now is the perfect time to address the “cat in the room”—and that’s your feline friend’s diet. I’ll be the first to admit my own cat’s diet isn’t “purr”fect.

Sinéad, and especially, my boy Rubeus, can be picky eaters, or ignore their water bowl even when it’s placed right next to their food. I struggled to understand how I could address these issues. But then I realized I wasn’t alone—my cat was just experiencing one of the three most common cat concerns: picky eating, weight gain, and urinary tract issues.

I learned about the Big 3 by partnering with Weruva —a luxurious, natural pet food dubbed “people food for cats,” which is launching a full line of gluten, grain, and carrageenan-FREE cat food in honor of International Cat Day.

Look at this fun Weruva package for my fur babies and Skittles for me!

It’s called B.F.F. OMG! (that stands for Best Feline Friend, Oh My Gravy!), and it’s all about preventing these Big 3 Cat Concerns.

If your cat has any of these, you might want to consider changing their diet:

Is your cat picky?

Picky eating is usually a problem with texture, since cats are carnivores whose tongues and teeth are perfectly designed for meat-eating. It’s easy to see why a cat might dislike something without real shreds of meat. Would you eat a steak with the texture of tapioca? Weruva’s food features these shreds of real meat right off the bone, which is why my cats took to it like a duck to water (or a cat to gravy)!

Got a fat cat?

The problem is in the kibble. It’s filled with unnecessary carbs, which are almost impossible for cats to process (they don’t produce amylase, an enzyme which helps humans digest their food). Weruva’s B.F.F. OMG! has no kibble to worry about because it’s 100% real meats in their true form.

UT-why?

Urinary tract issues often stem from dehydration—even if you’re giving your cat plenty of water. In the wild, cats stay hydrated through the food they eat instead of what they drink. Cats are used to “eating” their water—but most wet foods don’t have nearly enough hydration to keep them satisfied. All of the products in Weruva’s B.F.F. OMG! line are over 85% hydration, which satisfies my cat’s hydration needs. We’ve had UTI and crystals issues with our boy cats and it’s so upsetting to see my fur babies in pain. I know this food will help prevent any more urinary system issues!

I love Weruva products because they are considered “people food for pets.” It really does smell great, just like all the online reviews say!

The new line of B.F.F. OMG! cans and pouches feature proteins like boneless and skinless white chicken breast, salmon, beef, duck, lamb and more. All recipes are grain, gluten, and carrageenan-FREE. And if you are a BPA-free home, check out the pouches because they are are BPA-free. Best of all, my kitties love it!

Health isn’t just for humans! I’m glad I took the time to learn how to feed my BFFs properly. Even better, in the process, I found my kitty’s new favorite food.

She especially likes Weruva’s Chicken and Shrimp flavor, which you can read about at Weruva. You can also explore the whole B.F.F. OMG! lineup there, and find a flavor your cat will “paw”sitively adore, at Chewy.com.

Has your cat experienced one of the Big 3 Cat Concerns? Share your experience in the comments!

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prAna Sustainable Comfy Clothing Review

This post may contain affiliate links. See disclosure.

April 28, 2017 By Jennifer 9 Comments

I try to model health and fitness for my kids because I want them to understand the importance of having healthy bodies. I want them to grow into healthy adults with an active lifestyle.

We go on nature walks, love hiking, do yoga together, and play table tennis, soccer, and baseball at the park. I go to the gym with my teen almost every Sunday afternoon.

I also was rather sedentary this winter and I could lose about 20 pounds. Yay for the warmer weather that gives me no excuse to get outside.

It’s important to wear comfortable and appropriate clothing. Having comfortable and cute workout clothes are a bonus!

prAna clothes are perfect for almost any activity!

My Review

I absolutely love the versatility and quality of prAna clothing.

The Cleo Tee in the Mood Indigo color is super fun and casual. I love the length of the shirt. It’s my favorite color. I love the two-tone look.

Lightweight burnout material with a feminine fit is styled into a classic baseball tee. It’s 76% Polyester and 24% Cotton.

The Liana Sweater in the Moonrock shade can be worn for lots of different events. It’s pretty dressy! I adore the asymmetrical hemline. I have to be careful not to snag the delicate crochet knit though! This isn’t a practical everyday item for me.

A wide neck, angled stripes, and asymmetrical hem create a casual, feminine silhouette. A lightweight blend of 55% Hemp and 45% Organic Cotton is conscious, comfortable, and moisture-wicking.

I love the pretty little details like the prAna tag on the sleeve.

The Chetan Capri leggings are super soft and so well-made with decorative reinforced stitching around the legs. I love the Cargo Green on Point pattern in all my favorite colors. They’re super soft and thicker than I expected. They’re a favorite in my workout wardrobe now. I’ve always said that leggings are not pants, but these aren’t skin-tight and feel so great that I’ve worn them as pants several times!

These leggings are naturally odor-resistant, with UPF 50+, a low rise, and a fitted leg. They feature organic cotton hemp stretch slub jersey blend: 53% Hemp / 42% Organic Cotton / 5% Spandex.

I love the capri length! They have a little key pocket in the waistband. Here’s a closeup of the pretty print! (and my fading tattoo…)

I tested out the entire outfit on a fun hike up to the Hohenecken castle ruins and did some yoga moves.

Look how color-coordinated I am!

I also practiced my balance on the castle wall, about 20 feet from the ground!

Mountain pose, on the castle wall, on top of the mountain (er, hill).

About prAna

prAna, an ancient Sanskrit word for breath, life, and vitality of the spirit.

The company started out in 1992 making clothing that worked well for climbing and yoga. It turned out that the clothing worked well for lots of other passions too, so prAna added new products with “purpose” in mind and scoured the world for design inspiration. prAna creates versatile, stylish, and sustainable clothing and accessories that you can wear during every activity, every adventure, every day.

They also participate in business with like-minded folks who want to promote conservation and create positive change. Sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled poly along with Fair Trade and Renewable Energy.

I’m not really a social warrior, but I feel good knowing where my clothing comes from and that it’s all natural.

Where can you purchase prAna clothing?

Purchase online and in some retail locations in cities and stores like REI. To find prAna in your area, visit this locator for the full list of locations!

Connect with prAna online to learn more about them and their amazing products: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube.

**Receive 15% off your entire prAna order (excluding sale items) with this code: MOMSJL**

*I received this product for free from Moms Meet, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.

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