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5 Tricks To Get Kids To Eat More Veggies

by aformentin 10/09/2019

Hi my lovelies!

I am officially back from my mini hiatus and I am so excited to be back in the game! Life has really been stressing and difficult these past few weeks/months but that’s a whole other story! For today, something light but not always easy. I am totally not the type of mom that never lets her kids eat junk food or fast food, I hope you guys know by now that I am all about balance and letting kids be simply kids, but it definitely makes me feel better when they get a serving of veggies at least once a day in order to make up for the McDonald’s chicken nuggets they ate over the weekend. My little one has no issues eating anything you put on her plate, but we all know as they get older and their palates expand and they begin deciding what they like and don’t like it gets a bit tougher. I don’t want to bribe my kids with a treat everytime they eat vegetables because then, let’s face it it kind of defeats the purpose. I want them to eat veggies because they know how important it is to feed their bodies with nutrients and healthy foods. Here I put together 5 tips on how I get Max, my 6 year old how to eat veggies and before you know it you will stumble upon a recipe that they will absolutely love

1. Eat more veggies yourself

I am a firm believer of “Practice what you preach.” If you are constantly telling your kids they need to eat veggies but they’ve never seen a carrot or celery stick go near your mouth why would they? Believe it or not these little minis are watching every single thing we do and want to mimic us and be just like us. They pick up on all of our habits, good & bad, so it is definitely our job to teach and show them. Show them veggies are not so bad and you’d be surprise at how much they just may follow!

2. Think out of the Box!

Just because steamed broccoli isn’t your child’s favorite dish, doesn’t mean they will never eat broccoli. You can try making broccoli cheddar soup, chicken and broccoli stir fry if they are into Chinese take out or even just top it with cheese sauce or ranch. Think outside of the box, get creative & start experimenting!

3. Find the Perfect Pair

That brings me to my next tip, your kids can still have carrots & celery with ranch dressing and it still be healthy. I always say, hey at least they are eating the veggies! You can use any dip such as guacamole, salsa, hummus or even nut butter and I can almost promise you one of them will be a hit!

4. Give your kiddies some power

I am all about giving choices in my household (my 1 year old picks out her shoes for the day, lol.) So head on over to your nearest farmer’s market or supermarket and let your kids pick out their veggies for the week. More freedom = less fussing in my book. Once you get home, let them in on the prep, I know Max does way better when he is able to help and make choices as opposed to me forcing shoving something down his throat. All of our children are individuals and just because we may like cauliflower doesn’t mean they have to, right?

5. When in Doubt, Hide it!

After you’ve gone down the list and it seems like you aren’t making any progress, JUST HIDE IT! You can hide veggies in so many meals and dishes you’d be surprised – for example: cauliflower Mac n’ cheese, finely chopped veggies in meatballs, cauliflower rice and you can even blend together pumpkin puree with marinara! My point is the options are infinite!

So here’s the run down my fellow mamas- I know sometimes are kids can be trying and difficult and the last thing we want to do is become Pinterest moms for one serving of veggies BUT, they are our babies and they depend on us for so much. I am not the perfect Mom, and sometimes when I try new things it is a total fail – but when it’s a win it is the most gratifying feeling ever and at the end of the day that is what keeps me going!

I hope some of these tips work for you and your little minis & you score a few wins with them!

xo,

Alessa

10/09/2019 1 comment

Home | DIY

Green Tea Detox Recipe

by aformentin 07/30/2019

written by aformentin

I think it’s safe to say that I am pro caffeine. I drink 1-2 cups of coffee a day but would like to change that. With 30 right around the corner, I am always looking for ways to improve my health and keep it on track before it is too late. So, I made a decision to come up with this detox tea and voila it was amazing. With only a few ingredients you get a whole of nourishing components that will give you the boost to kick start your day with productivity!

Green Tea Detox Recipe

Prep Time: 5 Min. Cook Time: 20 Min. Total Time: 25 Min.

Ingredients:

15-20 Mint Leaves
5-6 Slices of Fresh Ginger
6 Cups of Water
1/2 Lemon
Loose Green Tea
6 Cups of Water
Raw Honey (optional)

What To Do?

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, add mint leaves, fresh ginger, lemon & green tea. Let steep for 20 minutes. I suggest that you strain the tea before drinking because there will be a lot of loose ingredients floating around. Let cool & drink. You can drink either hot or add a few ice cubes and drink as iced tea. You can also add more lemon and/or honey depending on your taste buds.

Benefits of Green Tea

Increases fat burning
Improves physical performance
Antioxidants may lower risk of certain types of cancer
Can kill bacteria
Can help lose weight

Benefits of Mint Leaves

Reduces stress
Improves digestion
Prevents nausea
Improves mental awareness and focus

Benefits of Ginger

Reduces inflammation
Strengthen immunities
Improves blood circulation

There you have it. A super simple way to add extra nourishment to your body. This recipe is enough to fill 2 mason jars- one for the morning & one for night time.

Happy Detox-ing ya’ll!

xo, Alessa

07/30/2019 0 comment

Home | DIY

10 Habits of a Productive Mom

by aformentin 05/21/2019

written by aformentin

1. Make & Follow a To Do List

I am the Queen of writing lists down & then leaving it right there and never seeing it again. What is the point of taking time to write down what has to get done if you’re not going to follow it!? Make sure you take your list with you wherever you go. Snap a picture of it and keep it in your phone so you always have it with you.

2. Plan Ahead

I can’t tell you how much better my day goes when I plan the night before. I am the type of person that can’t just “wing it” LOL. I need a plan, I need a right of way and I need some kind of organization or else my brain literally will not work.

3. Make. It. Simple.

I can’t stress this enough, I know sometimes us moms love to go above and beyond and that’s great and I still do most of the time but there are so many things that you can just simplify to make life EASIER. You don’t necessarily need to brine the meat for a quick, week night dinner.

4. Put & Finish Things Right Away

I’m telling you the truth, if I don’t clean as I go while dinner is getting done, there is NO WAY I am cleaning that horrible mess after dinner once the kids are in bed, I take that time for me. So I have learned that cleaning while you go is just best for my household. That way I can just focus on bed time after dinner and actually enjoy it with the kids. If I am doing folding clothes plus 5 other things, I can almost guarantee that’s left on the bed will get put right back into the basket and stay there for 7-10 business days.

5. Have Your Kids Help Out & Make a Game Out of It

Max loves to help around the house IF it involves a race or a prize, LOL. There are many times that he has to do it just because, but there are also times I don’t want it to feel like just a chore. If the laundry gets sorted (to the best of his ability at 5 years old at least, lol) and all I have to do is give him a treat when he’s done, why not?! Plus he’s working on learning life skills, it’s a win-win for this mama!

6. Give Up Things That Waste Your Time

I don’t mean this is such a physical way, but more mentally. STOP COMPLAINING! I have learned that you can complain all you want but guess what, complaint doesn’t get a thing done! Try your best to practice this and just do it, chances are you will complain about it longer than it actually takes to do it. If it isn’t something productive, NEWS FLASH: you’re wasting your time.

7. TIME BLOCKING IS A LIFE SAVER.

As much as I like to go with the flow, time blocking saves my life plenty of times. I do not have a specific time blocking schedule on a daily but I will use it in a way that works for me. Example: I will give myself 30 minutes to pick up daily, whatever is done in those 30 minutes is it. This usually entails stuff that was left out of place, toys on the floor, fixing the cushions on the couch, etc. Little things that really make your room come together at the end of the day. This is great because at the end of the 30 minutes I know I can rewards myself with a mask, hot shower & BED!

8. Focus on One Thing At a Time

This kind of goes hand in hand with finishing things right away. I know there are days that I get the cleaning monster inside of me and decide to purge, clean, do laundry, organize and at the end of the day my house still looks a hot mess. Try not to mix big projects together; if it’s a cleaning day just clean; if it’s a purging day, just purge. You get my drift.

9. Create a Schedule That Works For You

Listen guys, you can do all the research you want on Pinterest on how to get on a schedule but if it doesn’t fit your lifestyle it will never work. Some people are morning people, some are night owls- so if going to bed at 3 am and waking up at 12 pm works for you, then hey… DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. No one else is living your life & dealing with your daily activities like YOU.

10. Don’t Aim For Perfection

At the end of the day, your kids are not going to remember if they went to bed or woke up to a perfectly clean house when they grow up. They are going to remember the time and love you spent on them. NEWS FLASH: The dishes aren’t going anywhere. The laundry isn’t going anywhere. The mess isn’t going anywhere……UNFORTUNATELY. Your babies will unfortunately grow up, so sometimes it is ok to just let the mess wait, snuggle your babies a little longer on those days before they outgrow your lap.

Life is all about finding balance and what works for you. Try different ways to better manage your time and you will be one step ahead of the game before you know it!

05/21/2019 6 comments

Home | DIY

Dollar Tree Easter Basket

by aformentin 04/20/2019

written by aformentin

Hi Lovelies!

A few weeks ago I stopped into Dollar Tree for a few things and ran into so much Easter stuff! I was so shocked at how much they had for just $1! Dollar Tree has really been stepping up their game! Every year, I usually go nuts on Max’s Easter basket, but I decided to challenge myself this year and try to make a basket for them both with just stuff from Dollar Tree. I did have to go to a few Dollar Trees to get everything I needed but I did it! I did have to pick up a few extra things for Esme from the Target Dollar Spot, but they were still $1! #MomWin

In Max’s basket I included all sorts of things for outdoor fun. Bubbles, games for outside, chalk, a jump rope, mini tennis rackets, baseball bases! He should be entertained for about 2 days with all those goodies, lol. I also like to throw in something for educational purposes so threw in some flash cards and a Bible readers book. I’ll admit finding things for Esme (9 months) was a bit tougher. They did have some cute photo op bunny ears some foam puzzles which were great, I also bought her a hard Bible book, and then I ended up getting the rest of her stuff from Target Dollar Spot, some keys, heart glasses and a set of play make up. So cute!

As for candy, I really didn’t buy much at all. I always end up throwing it out because Max is a candy-holic and my Dad always shows up with a GIANT chocolate egg! I put some jelly beans inside the eggs as well as chocolate mini eggs and as for Esme, I put puffs in her eggs. I am trying to keep her away from the candy as long as possible, lol!

So there you have it! Nothing crazy or out of this world, just a few little knick knacks for my babies. I really did put all my effort into not going overboard. I’m grateful that any little thing still excites Max. & Maybeeeeee, I did buy the kids some sneakers and spring clothes, but that doesn’t really count, does it, lol? I just want to show you all that you can go above & beyond for your kids on a budget. Sometimes you don’t have to buy the $80 Nikes because they are happy with $20 character shoes!

I hope everyone has a great Easter and enjoys time with family & friends!

Until Next Time,

Alessa

04/20/2019 0 comment

Home | DIY

Homemade Acai Bowl

by aformentin 03/29/2019

written by aformentin

Is everyone as obsessed as me with açaí bowls?! If you aren’t it’s probably because you’ve never had one! The only thing I don’t like about them are the price, oh yea & the coconut flakes.. I am not a fan of coconut flakes. The first time I ever went to Playa Bowls I spent almost $40 on these bowls for 3 and I couldn’t fathom why the heck they are so expensive. I decided to to my research and find out why açaí is so pricey. Well, you know how everything healthy is way more expensive than the crap we put into our bodies? Yea, the açaí berry is filled with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibers, protein & healthy fats. As if that’s not enough it is also a fruit that is very low in sugar. Of course keep in mind this is all in moderation and also depends on what you are adding to the bowl so don’t go adding spoonfuls of sugar.

My favorite bowl at Playa Bowls is the Nutella Bowl minus the coconut flakes. So I went on a hunt and tried to find out where I can find açaí puree and low & behold Trader Joe’s came in clutch! I found a packet of four for $4.99 and that is the most expensive ingredient. The rest of history! As always, my hubby is my number 1 taste tester and he approves!

What I Added to my Ninja Blender:
1 pack Unsweetened Açaí Puree Packet
1/2 cup Coconut Water (substitute Almond Milk)
1/4 cup Plain Non-fat Greek Yogurt
1 cup Very Cherry Berry Blend
1 tbsp Milled Flaxseed
1 cup Greens
BLEND IT ALL UP! (make sure the consistency is more frozen and thick then liquid-y)

What I Added as Toppings:

Strawberries, Bananas, Vanilla Pecan Granola, & the best part… NUTELLA!

You can add whatever you’d like when it comes to toppings; honey, coconut flakes, berries, chia seeds, etc. I add my mixed berries to the blender because I am really only a fan of strawberries.

If I really break it down for you, the açaí cost $1.25 for one frozen pack and that is the most expensive ingredient in this whole recipe. I’d be surprised if I spent more the $7 with all the ingredients. See, you can eat healthy and it still be affordable. Playa Bowls, I love you, but I’m on a budget at the moment! (LOL).

What I got from this was the possibilities are endless, as long as you have the frozen açaí you can pretty much do what you’d like & adjust to your own personal preference. So there you have it, my own person twist on Acai bowls for a fraction of the cost!

Until next time,

Alessa

03/29/2019 3 comments

Home | DIY

DIY | Dollar Tree Easter Wreath

by aformentin 03/24/2019

written by aformentin

Hi Lovelies!

Being that I am home with my daughter during the day while Max is at school, I find myself itching to release some creative energy. I have always loved DIY projects but kind of just used to pin them on Pinterest and forget about them. Now that I’m home I find myself with a bit more time on my hands so I take the opportunity to experiment. It’s great to see what works for me and what doesn’t.. (Iron on decals for t-shirts are totally NOT my thing, lol.)

I am literally obsessed with watching Youtube videos on how to transform Dollar Tree pieces into beautiful décor for my house. There are so many people doing these and I honestly didn’t even know it was a thing! So, again since everyone’s style is different I love to tweak them and put my own personal touch to them.

This project cost me exactly $10 and about 45 minutes to complete from start to finish! Both are a plus for me, because let’s face it; I get tired of décor pretty easily and & Easter will be over in a few weeks and I will be on to the next!

Here is what you will need:

7– Packs of eggs (Your choice, I went with the glittered eggs)

1– Floral Garden Metal Wreath Ring (14.25 in.)

1– roll of burlap

1- Pack of Reindeer Moss

Hot glue gun & glue sticks

Step 1:

Take your wreath and wrap it in the burlap all around so you have surface to attach the eggs.

Step 2:

Create a loop in order to hang the wreath by gluing both ends together on the back.

Step 3:

Begin with the middle row of eggs. I made sure they were all facing the same directions & alternated the colors in the same sequence they came in the package. Once you are done with that row, you can begin the next. I went with the most inner row and my last one was the most outer. All personal preference on how you would like to glue them on.

Step 4: I checked all of the eggs to make sure they were stuck on nicely & added more glue anywhere it was needed, whether it was on the bottom or the sides. I even put some glue in between the eggs to make sure they were secure.

Step 5:

Last & final step, I took the reindeer moss and placed it in between all of the eggs to make sure the empty spaces were covered and it made it look more full.

Ta-da! There you have it, your very own Easter egg wreath! I would love to hear some feedback from you guys! Let me know how it went, how long it took you, send me pictures! I’m down for it all!

Here is my final product, I’m obsessed with it! I plan on storing it well enough so that I can reuse it next year!

Honestly, DIYs are like therapy for me. It brings me such joy when I nail it and a lot of laughter when it ends up a hot mess. Life is too short, try the DIY, you may just surprise yourself.

Until next time- your girl,

Alessa

03/24/2019 2 comments