Category: Uncategorized

Filling and flavorful are two perfect words to describe this Turkey & Sweet Potato Skillet!

When I gave up eating white potatoes (with the exception of a few random meals with mashed potatoes), I thought I would miss them!  But, I have a new found love for sweet potatoes.  And when I say a love for them, I mean I could eat them every single meal in almost any way you’ll make them!

I’ve also been trying to cut down on the amount of red meat…not because I don’t think it’s healthy, but I want the protein content with a fraction of the calories, which has led me to ground turkey!

It’s hard finding health foods that are affordable, yummy, and good for you!  I’ve rounded up my favorites for this post!

It’s March and I’m in the last weeks of the 10-Week Wellness Challenge sponsored by Live Healthy Iowa! I am a part of the Iowa Food & Family Project team and I love the accountability of the team!  I also love that the Iowa Food & Family Project is sponsoring another giveaway this month, but more on that later!

This challenge also made me think about my favorite health products!  I do want to remind you that I am NOT a registered dietitian or nutritionist.  These are simply my opinions!

OhYeah ONE Bars

Continue “My Favorite Health Foods Plus A Giveaway”

Did you know that today is National Plan for Vacation Day?!  According to a research project by Project: Time Off, more than 53% of Iowans left vacation days left unused!  I don’t know about you, but I make sure to use all those suckers up!  Throughout the year I work hard and want to have the time to relax, enjoy my family, and do things other than work!  Because I have roughly 25 years left to work, I’m going to make sure to use my time off now!

In an effort to help you plan your vacation time, I thought I would do a quick roundup post with our favorite vacation spots and places we recommend, both near and far!

Iowa Vacation Spots & Day Trips

• We love the Amana Colonies whether it be for a day or a long weekend!

  

  • An Amana Colonies Excursion
• Of course, we always recommend the Iowa State Fair:
  • Tips for Visiting the Iowa State Fair
  • Food Tour of the Iowa State Fair
• We recommend spending at least one day a summer in Clear Lake, oh heck, who are we kidding, you’ll need at least a weekend!  We’re not the only one that loves it!  Val of Corn, Beans, Pigs, & Kids enjoys staying with her family too!
  • Clear Lake’s Yurts

Continue “National Plan for Vacation Day: Ideas for You and Your Family”

It’s time for the annual 10-Week Wellness Challenge that is put on by Live Healthy Iowa each year and I’m so excited to be participating with the Iowa Food & Family Blogger Team again this year!

Some Background…

For the third year in a row, I’m joining a group of Iowa bloggers on the Iowa Food & Family Project’s team!  Catch those other bloggers here!

Lisa C from Midwest Mom Life

Stephanie G from Been There, Baked That

Shari H from Inked & Educated Mom

Kelli K from The Sustainable Couple

Kathy V from Kathy’s Kitchen

Mary L from Farm Girl Cook’n

Head over to their blogs and follow their social media channels to follow thier journeys!

Continue “Tips for A Balanced Lifestyle, the 10-Week Challenge, & A Giveaway”

The New Year is here! 2018 is upon us and I’m not 100% sure how it came so fast! I’m not one for resolutions.  I probably should set goals and I probably should choose a mantra in life! But, I

I know how you feel! You feel bombarded by every direct sales company out there: body wraps, lipstick, face cream, cleaning products, pretty nails, jewelry, food storage, etc…there is so much of it!  It feels as though you can’t scroll through Facebook anymore without the majority of your friends trying to sell you something, right?!  Well, you probably are right!  As someone who has been been in the direct sales business for almost 5 years now, here a few things we sellers want you to know and keep in mind!

The Letter

Dear Friend Who Doesn’t Sell Something, 

First, we totally respect you for not selling something, but we want your respect for choosing to do so.    

We totally understand if you don’t want to support us by purchasing something we sell, but it would mean the world to us if you would support us by listening to us or asking us about our product!  The little things matters and just knowing we have your support (with or without buying) us and our business is what we want!  If you hear someone mention a product we sell, it would be awesome if you would mention our name!  Send people our way!  That is a huge support and encouragement to us! 

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Everyone knows that lady: the one that is hard to buy for whether it be a white elephant exchange at work or a family holiday grab bag, maybe your mother in law. Whoever or wherever it is, we all have one and we can all relate!

Christmas is a fickle thing for us!  I love getting together with family and seeing friends who live out of town.  Of course the “magic” that surrounds the holiday is the icing on the cake!  However, I’ll be honest and say that shopping for gifts is one of my least favorite things to do!  We have so many family members and celebrations that we must keep a tight budget!  Because of that, I’m constantly on the look-out for those few key gifts that are perfect for just about any woman in my life!

So, without further adieu, here are my five favorite gifts for her under $20.

Continue “My Holiday Gift Guide – 5 Gifts for Her Under $20”