Foodie Favorites

As mentioned in my last post, I'm going to start doing posts about the healthy foods that I've been enjoying, discovering and learning more about. I will throw in a few tips that I've acquired too.

1. Coconut Oil : I have known for a while about coconut oil. I've used it many times when making Paleo Toast Crunch  . Coconut Oil is a solid at room temperature and it melts at different temperatures depending on what coconut oil you are using. It works wonderfully in the Paleo Toast Crunch to hold everything together. Someone recommended putting coconut oil on my air popped popcorn instead of butter. Let me tell you, it was heavenly. It is even HUSBAND APPROVED! After discovering this, I put it on my corn on the cob and potatoes instead of butter and it was equally as good. Soon I hope to healthify a favorite of mine, Chicken Kiev,  using coconut oil instead of butter. This is the one that I use

 2. Stevia : Have you heard of Truvia or Splenda? They are common sweeteners. Problem is they are composed of chemicals. Stevia is plant based, which is awesome. I have powdered stevia that I use just as I would use regular sugar. I put it in my steel cut oats and I put it in my coffee. When I want to add flavor to my coffee I use vanilla or peppermint stevia. There are many different flavors that NuNaturals carries of stevia. There is an unflavored Clear Stevia as well in case you want to add your own flavor. NuNaturals is my favorite brand of stevia because it doesn't leave a bitter after taste like many other stevias on the market.

3. Paper Straws: (I know they aren't 'food' but they help with food!) I get mine from Target. They make drinking all that water so much easier. I love drinking out of them. A down side though is if you wait too long, they do get soggy. Nothing a new straw or drinking the last bit without a straw won't help. Sometimes flipping the straw around helps too. There are other packs that have different colors too. They are usually kept near the party supplies.

4. Shakeology:  This can be as a snack or as a meal replacement. I have been loving it for breakfast to give me the energy to go run around with Kindergartners, First and Second graders early in the morning at camp.The days that I don't have it for breakfast I usually bring it for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. Some people prefer for their shakes to sit a while in the refrigerator before they drink it. I didn't notice much of a difference. Today I attempted to make my shake into pudding to eat for breakfast! It's so fun to play around with different proportions of ice and milk to make different consistencies. Make sure to click on the link to learn more about it! Initially it seemed really expensive to me, but it comes out to 4 dollars a day ( less than a trip to Starbucks or the drive thru and a whole lot healthier). I love all the health benefits that I get from Shakeology and I know that it has helped to curb my snacking and cravings. I have a hard time getting in all of my veggies, and thanks to Shakeology I know I am getting what my body needs. I currently have the Chocolate Shakeology, but there are many different flavors. Next month I am getting the BRAND NEW Vanilla! I will be sure to let you know how it is! Oh yea, and there are SO MANY different recipes to try with Shakeology so it doesn't get boring!

This is just a start to my food favorites! I will update more in another post so be looking out for it.

What is your favorite healthy food?
Have you tried Shakeology? If so, what is your favorite kind & recipe?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kate