Tag Archives: Trader Joe’s

DIY After Sun Lotion

DIY AFTER SUN LOTION

Today I made a new batch of my DIY AFTER SUN LOTION and I thought I’d share what I do with you! This is absolutely the best solution for my skin after spending a glorious day in the sun. It’s kinda obvious and it’s super easy and cheap. This AFTER SUN LOTION works better than any store brand I’ve tried. I made it for the first time after getting a chemical burn from using a chemical sun screen.

DIY After Sun Lotion

BOOOOO OUCH NOOOOO NEVER AGAIN

I normally use a natural sunscreen brand Alba Botanica is my ALL TIME FAVORITE but this particular pool day I was without it and used my friends sun spray.

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Trader Joe’s – Yes Please

I LOVE TRADER JOE’S 🙂
Why you might ask?  
Well…
and GREAT PRICES!
Just a few more reasons why…
  • unbleached tortillas $1.99
  • sprouted flourless whole wheat berry bread $
  • wheat free waffles $1.99
  • Maple syrup
  • THE BEST FROZEN MACARONI & CHEESE 🙂
  • those frozen tamales $2.29
  • almond butter $5.99
  • my favorite snack: Roasted Plantain chips! $1.69
  • olive oil
  • nuts & seeds
  • grass-fed beef
  • coffee
  • produce
  • chocolate bars
  • frozen chicken breasts

A SLOW-CARB MEAL: Breakfast for Dinner

Here’s a slow-carb meal that makes everyone in my house happy!
 
BREAKFAST for DINNER

thePREP
1. Saute’ onion and bell pepper 
(and any other veggie you want to throw in there) 
2. In a different skillet, saute’ SPINACH in COCONUT OIL.
3. Add eggs to the onion and peppers.
4. Prepare bacon.  I cooked bacon in the oven
 375 for 20ish minutes.  It was good!
 I add FLAX OIL to the eggs.
 
THIS IS MY KIDS PLATE
VERY GOOD and FILLING!
EVERYONE is HAPPY and HEALTHY 🙂

HEALTHY COOKING SHOPPING LIST

  This list —» lots of meals.  
TROPICAL TRADITIONS
  • Coconut Oil – the best kind – click HERE to check it out!
ADVOCARE
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“the most nutritionally advanced energy drink on the market”, has 21 vitamins, minerals & nutrients to provide healthy, balanced energy, mental focus, long lasting
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Smoothie Shopping List


I realized today when I was shopping at Trader Joe’s that I have a mental smoothie shopping list that I use.  I keep foods from this list in my kitchen so that my family can have a variety of smoothie options available to them.  So I’ve decided to put MY list down on “paper” and share it with you!  With smoothies, I encourage you to be creative!   Some are better than others, but soon you will find combinations you LOVE!  This happens to be my list, so feel free to add other foods to your list.


FRUITS 
bananas
apples
oranges
strawberries
rasberries
blueberries
blackberries
pineapple
mango
papaya
kiwi
dates
*If possible, choose ORGANIC and SEASONAL fruit.  If not, consider frozen fruit.  Also remember that fruit has a lot of sugar, so go easy and leave room for your green friends I list next!
 
GREENS
kale
spinach
parsley
cucumber
 
PROTEIN SOURCE
high quality time-release chocolate protein powder 
organic greek plain yogurt
almond butter
oatmeal
 
LIQUID
water
almond milk (we don’t have much dairy around here)
orange juice
coconut milk/water
and yes, coffee and herbal tea
 
EXTRA GOODIES
coconut oil – click HERE to check out the best coconut oil!  If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you!
honey
bee pollen
flax seeds
hemp seeds
spirulina
mint leaves
cinnamon
ginger
agave nectar
stevia
 



WHY I’M A FAN OF SMOOTHIES:

  1. Blending food takes care of the first step in digestion: chewing!  Food breaks down faster in the stomach.  It’s like a mini-vacation for your digestive system 🙂
  2. Smoothies offer a chance to “eat” food you usually wouldn’t eat.  For instance, I dislike Kale… a lot!  I’ve tried it different ways, it’s just gross to me.  One day I got brave and put a small amount in a smoothie.  Surprisingly I didn’t hate it!  In fact, I kinda liked it.  Slowly I began adding more and more kale.  Now I’m to the point where I crave it.  Yes, I’ve gone there!
  3. Smoothies offer a chance to sneak food to your kids body that they would NEVER imagine eating!  THIS REALLY WORKS!  At first my kids had no idea what they were “eating”, but by this point, they know I put all sorts of stuff in.  Both of my kids like their smoothie different ways, and I adjust them according to their preference.
  4. They are easy.
  5. They are fast.
  6. They are yum.
These are some of my favorite smoothies:
 
 BERRY GOOD SMOOTHIE
 
 
Please share the foods you add to your smoothies!

Quick Healthy Breakfast Ideas

 BREAKFAST… 
THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY

 

Let me explain why…
 
Compare our bodies to a car and the food we eat to the gasoline that makes the car run.  We MUST fuel up before moving forward in our day.  Both brain and muscles need fuel.  Without breakfast, the brain operates slow and will impact the rest of the body.
 
Think of Breakfast as breaking the fast.  It is extremely important to “start your engine” – your metabolism – as early as you can in the morning.  Metabolism= the process of converting food into energy.  When the metabolism gets going, the body starts burning calories!… a GOOD thing!

 

F A C T :
  • Children who eat a proper breakfast perform better in school and tend to have less hyperactivity.  Breakfast is brain fuel!
  • Children and adults who eat breakfast have improved memory and concentration, mental performance, productivity and problem-solving ability.
  • A good breakfast helps us avoid over eating- people who don’t eat breakfast often consume more calories in their day
  • Eating breakfast keeps our weight in check.
  • For sustainable energy, eat foods full of protein, good fats, and fiber.  If your breakfast makes you hungry, you are eating too many simple carbohydrates.
I understand how crazy and hectic the mornings can be.  Getting dressed, brushing teeth, combing hair (I’m trying to convince my 10 year old daughter this is a must!), grabbing backpack for school or briefcase/laptop for work, showing up at school/work on time… these are all non-negocialbe.  Right?  What about breakfast.  It is EASY to skip!  We have to add this to our to-do list every morning.
 
I hope to help with some quick, healthy breakfast ideas for this most important meal of our day!

Watch how I make a 3 minutes breakfast

 

Granola-Yogurt-Fruit

 

Prepare fresh fruit in a to-go cup the night before.

 

In the morning, add yogurt
…and top with granola.
This is a quick, delicious, nutritious meal to take on the go!
For this meal, I used:
This granola has hemp seeds and flax seeds added- protein, fiber and omega-3
 
Another Idea…
 
Plan ahead, prepare hard-boiled eggs, cool and peel.  Place them in snack size zip-lock for each family member.
 
Cut up fruit and create mini fruit salads in individual bags, or use a whole piece of fruit.
 
Yogurt is also a great addition to this meal.
 
Finally, prepare a bag for each person filled with various nuts and seeds.

 

Egg Muffins…
preheat oven 375

 

  • Italian sausage and broccoli
  • 8 eggs
  • 1/4 milk
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • salt & pepper
  • personalize these to fit your taste – add cheese and other spices.  Be creative!
I cooked sausage & broccoli together
While the meat was cooking, I whisked my eggs, then add the following ingredients.

 

Grab your muffin pan.  
Either spray with non stick spray or use paper liners.
 I first put in the meat and veggies

Then I poured the eggs over the top

Then I baked them for 35 min.  
This may vary.

 

Add your own twist and let me know what you did!