Breakfast is legit my favorite meal. I suppose that could be because it’s my biggest meal these days. Oatmeal used to be my go to, but now, there’s so many options. Maybe that’s because my pallet has expanded, I could probably list more foods that …
Have you ever tried backpacking food? The dry stuff you add water to? Well, I have and I’m here to tell you that most of it is a little on the bland side and not very healthy. When you are used to eating fresh veggies …
Did you know that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week? That’s two and a half hours! For kids the recommended activity amount is even more time, an hour a day. I don’t know about you, but I definitely need to be doing a better job for my son.
I homeschool my youngest son through a program in our school district. Before I started using their program we did a lot of different things because we weren’t on a strict schedule to get his assignments done on time. This year we’ve definitely slacked on getting active or exploring new things together. Since Summer vacation is almost here, I need to get my bootay in gear and plan for some fun stuff. Not just stuff I think is fun, but things I think he will enjoy also.
I tried to focus on ways to have fun that don’t cost a lot of money. Being active every day doesn’t have to break the bank. I also need to focus on making healthier foods fun for him too, but that will be a post for another day.
1. Picnic in the park
Have your kids help you plan and pack a picnic to enjoy at your local park! Make this more active by riding your bikes there, and don’t forget to join in on the playground fun with them. This is a free and easy activity, don’t over think the meal, and don’t forget the water!
2. Indoor Tennis
Living in the Pacific Northwest can mean weather unpredictability. If you find yourself stuck inside on a rainy day, try playing a game of indoor tennis, with fly swatters and a ballon. I’m hoping James digs this idea, it sounds like silly fun to me. Click Here for the how to.
3. Tic-Tac-Toe Frisbee
Using some tape, mark a tic-tac-toe board on the ground, or use sidewalk chalk. Be sure the squares are big enough to hold a frisbee, or a little bigger. Then take turns with your kiddo throwing the frisbee, trying to land it in a square. If you make it, or are close enough, mark your X or O in that square. Play until you have a winner, or a cat’s game. I’m terrible with a frisbee, this could require a lot of walking for me!
4. Play Old School Yard Games
Do you remember playing with your friends on the playground? How much fun it was to play with just painted lines on the pavement? It’s time to relive those glory days. Show your kiddos how it’s done! Hopscotch, Four Square, Red Light Green Light, and Simon Says, do you remember Red Rover? You could always include the neighbor kids in these games too.
5. Follow the Leader
This one could get crazy. Make it challenging by climbing over things, under things, maybe even through the kiddie pool, or a sprinkler! I’m sure the kids, no matter how old will get a kick out of seeing mom lead the crew through that.
6.Outdoor Relay Race
Make this a neighborhood gig, or an excuse for your kiddo to have friends over for the day. I remember when I was in school at the end of the year they would usually have a fun day of games like this. Go to the dollar store and buy some pool noodles and hula hoops! Click Here for some more ideas.
7. Go for pre- or post-dinner walks
Getting active doesn’t have to be running and jumping. Taking a walk together around the neighborhood at a good pace can get you the activity that the HHS recommends. To make walking more exciting, you could try a neighborhood scavenger hunt, first person to spot five rose bushes, three cats, and two dogs, whatever you decide to hunt for, maybe the winner doesn’t have to help with dinner clean up? Walking adventures are one of my favorite ways to get exercise, they usually result in lots of funny memories.
Starting tomorrow, I’ll be hosting an accountability group to help get myself, and other moms active and healthy with their kids this summer. It’s so easy to get into the routine of sleeping in and then wasting the day away from the quiet of the living room sofa when you don’t have somewhere to be. Along with the activities listed above, I’ll be sharing more, and as many fun and healthy treat recipes that I can find in there. The group isn’t just for moms, but that’s our focus for three weeks. If you’re looking for help in a specific area of your life, I love having a specific area to focus on each month! -Our Fit Kick- <—just click to join.
Foods can be medicine if you eat the right ones, foods can also cause bloated bellies… I’ve already shared about a 5 Bloat Causing Foods, but wanted to share more because bloat is sooo uncomfortable!
Summer is coming, I hope. I’m ready to soak up the adventures that our short season holds. The crew enjoys getting out into the woods. My boys especially love to chop up firewood, whittle sticks, catch snakes, and do “boy” things. I’ve found a love …
I found a recipe for lentil toast in the Vegan Yack Attack On The Go! cookbook. It was so good. I’d never actually made my own lentils, other than in soup, and they we always pretty squishy. I had to google search to find a recipe to make some so that my fancy toast wasn’t covered in mushy lentils. #perfectionist Who doesn’t love having picture perfect food?
Lentils have since become a regular staple in my diet because there is so much you can do with them. Make them into tacos, make them curried with rice, or eat them on toast. Either way combining them with those things makes them a complete protein, which I’m always on the hunt for as a vegan. (ps. The hunt isn’t that difficult.) Animal products aren’t the only way!
Don’t skip step one on the recipe. If I’m being honest, I never looked through my lentils until making them this way. Dried foods are actually pretty dirty. I was kind of curious to find out what this little nugget was, and it was a gritty piece of dirt. I could have eaten that had I not picked through my lentils.
I hope you enjoy the recipe. Let me know if you get to check out Jackie Sobon’s cookbooks, she has such bomb vegan recipes! #mouthwatering
Ingredients:
Tip: The older your lentils are the longer they will take to cook. Not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just what it is. Maybe don’t stash up a whole bunch of lentils like I do.
If you can’t find or don’t have McKays Vegan seasoning, you can substitute your favorite veggie broth. If you’re looking to make these into tacos, you can even substitute your favorite taco seasoning for the broth. Have you had Trader Joe’s version? So good…
This weekend I went on an impromptu trip to the coast with my husband. Initially we were debating on going to Smith Rock to go hike around, but ended up deciding on the coast. It was the kind of trip that I searched, and searched …
I’ve done a few Spartan Races. A couple at the same venue, some out of state, and country. I’ve had a different experience at each place and want to share with you a couple things I’ve learned by trying the different race locations. Some of …
Soup could be on my daily meal plan. There are so many options, how could I not want it on the regular? My go to soup is split pea. Why? Because it’s tasty, filling, and SO easy to make. And it’s really yummy with cornbread. I’ll have to work on my own cornbread recipe, but for now, it’s really easy to have James make us the stuff in a box.
As I’m sitting here typing this up, I realized that I used to always do split pea with ham. The ham of course has a smoked flavor. Next time I make this, I’ll have to try adding a couple drops of liquid smoke. I bet it will give it a little kick.
Onto the recipe shall we?
1. Add all ingredients, except salt and pepper, to the instant pot and stir them well.
2. Put on the lid, make sure the release valve is sealed.
3. Turn on your Instant Pot to manual, or pressure cook, on high for 15 minutes.
4. Once the timer beeps, let the soup sit for 10-15 minutes. Then release the pressure carefully, if it hasn’t already released naturally.
5. Stir soup and remove the bay leaves. Then salt and pepper to taste.
One of my favorite additions to split pea, or any bean soup, is cornbread and honey. Something about sweet and savory that sings to my tastebuds. I really like the Krusteaz Honey Cornbread & Muffin mix. It’s my go to. Instead of an egg I use a “flax egg” and instead of milk I use coconut or oat milk. They always come out super moist. If you know of a gluten free option, I’d love to hear about it!
Not only do I want to avoid looking bloated, but I want to feel good from the inside out too. Check out this list of foods that can cause belly bloat.