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Healthy Grape Salad Recipe (with True Goodness by Meijer)

I’m always looking for fun, easy, fast snacks to make my son. He loves grapes and greek yogurt, so when I had this grape salad at my work cafe, I knew I had to recreate it for my son. I went grocery shopping and found True Goodness by Meijer products for 3 out of the 4 ingredients I needed. Score! I’m a huge fan of Meijer’s True Goodness line. They are wholesome and organic items that you can save money on (make sure you check your mPerk app before shopping, True Goodness items are featured frequently). Below are the ingredients and steps to make a fun healthy snack for you and your kids!

Ingredients:

  • Grapes (green, purple or both, just make sure they are seedless) – I used half a pound of both green and purple
  • 1 cup of Greek yogurt
  • 1/8 cup of honey (or more if you want it a bit sweeter)
  • 1/4 cup of walnut or pecan pieces (I left these out of my son’s portion)

Instructions:

  1. Slice grapes. Make sure to slice them ‘long way’ for kids (see instructions here for the safe way to cut grapes and for a ‘grape cutting hack’ video)
  2. Add grapes to a large mixing bowl, along with Greek yogurt, and stir
  3. Drizzle honey over the mix and continue to stir
  4. If you are making these for kids (like me!) I set a portion of this mixture aside and added chopped pecans to the rest

This is a great snack for kids and/or a fun dish to bring to a potluck or holiday side dish. The honey gives it just enough sweetness that it can pass as a dessert.

You can learn more about the True Goodness line here, as well as some great recipes! If you have other fun, healthy snack ideas, please list them below in the comments!

*This post was sponsored by Meijer. All opinions are my own.

Finding Time for Fitness

It’s hard enough working full time and finding time for a workout, let alone being a mom and finding time for a workout! Gyms with daycare are great, but at the end of the day, I don’t want to drop Max off at a daycare after I’ve been away from him all day.

I’ve found that in home workout sessions are the easiest way to get in a workout. I either wake up early before Max gets up, or workout after he goes down for bed at night. I do a mix of kettlebells, body weight and running workouts. Here are a few resources I use:

Zuzka Light
Zuzka charges $9.99/month to view her premium workouts in the ‘ZGym.’ They are great for at home workouts. She doesn’t use a ton of equipment and has a large library full of workouts that focus on different body parts, types of workout (kettlebell, jump rope, body weight, etc.) and length of workout. I can do her workouts anywhere I have my phone or laptop, and most are do-able in a hotel room when I’m traveling. She has great 15-25 minutes workout that will make you sweat!

Online Running Programs
So, I’m not a runner, but I secretly want to be one.  It’s great cardio, and when I’m traveling, it’s a double bonus to get both a workout in and to explore new cities. My goal is to be able to run 20 minutes straight. I’m currently using this program on SuperSkinnyMe.com to help me meet this goal in 10 weeks. I love outlines like this to help keep me on track and accountable. I either get up really early to run at home or run after Max goes down to bed when Mike is home. I’m looking forward to less humid weather in Michigan to run in!

Online fitness groups
For me (and I’m guessing quite a few other folks), motivation is key. I think this is why Beachbody programs are so successful…they hold people accountable! Whether it’s signing up for a 5k or Fitbit challenge, get a group of friends together who have similar fitness goals as you and start a challenge.

I do Fitbit Challenges each with friends. I have an ongoing challenge with one of my best friends each work week. It’s such a motivator when I’m debating to take the elevator or stairs, or to get up early for a run or sleep in.

How do you find time to workout? How do you stay motivated?

Back to School Shopping at Meijer

Although my son is a few years away from ‘back to school’ time, I still love shopping down the school supplies aisles and reminiscing about the very exciting ‘back to school shopping day’ I use to look forward to every year.

It would seem ideal to be able to get all school supplies in one place, as well as groceries for school lunches, and clothes. I was at Meijer last weekend and they are in full on back to school mode. They are truly a one stop shop for everything on your list. I found so many fun supplies…they’ve come a long way since I was a kid!  Here are the highlights of what I found:

Bins and bins of crayons, pens, highlighters and glue with super low prices.
Sharpie display! Just about every color of Sharpie you could imagine. These are not just for school kids, every household needs a Sharpie.  
So…I bought these 🙂 I love fun colored pens for taking notes at work and for writing in my planner.
I bought these for my niece, but I may have tried them out for myself, first. You know, just to make sure they worked 😉 I’m hoping they make homework a bit more fun for her!
Scented markers, fun pencil holders, colorful erasers…I bought one of everything from this display alone!
Not only do they have regular clothes, but they carry school uniforms too. 

There are several deals and sales going on right now at Meijer, including:

  • Buy Two Get One Papermate InkJoy Gel pens
  • Buy One Get One 50% Play-Doh
  • $0.17 2 pocket folders
  • $5 off backpacks
  • 20% off food storage and lunch accessories…and more!
On top of the weekly deals, always check the mPerks app to stay up to date on the best savings. Here is an example of the current school supply coupons available via mPerks:
I always check the app before each shopping trip, to make sure I am clipping coupons to help save on my trip. And sometimes I clip coupons as I walk through the store. You can clip them in line for checkout and still save money! 
Have you started your back to school shopping yet? If so, what was your favorite purchase so far?
This post was sponsored by Meijer. All opinions are my own.

Easy Peanut Butter Banana Bars

I had 2 overly ripened bananas that I didn’t want to throw away, so I was on the hunt for a simple recipe I could use them in. I came across this recipe on SuperHealthyKids.com and did my own take on it.

Ingredients:
2 ripened bananas
1 cup dry oatmeal
1/4 cup all natural peanut butter
Chocolate chips (optional, I used dairy and soy free chips)

Instructions:
1 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Find an 8×8 pan and grease with a little bit of spray oil or coconut oil.
2 – Mash bananas in a bowl and mix with peanut butter and oats to make the dough
3 – Spread the dough in the pan evenly and sprinkle with chocolate chips (optional)
4 – Bake for 20 minutes
5 – Remove from oven, let cool, and then cut into squares.

I ate one bar on the spot, and froze the rest. When I take them out to eat it only takes them about 15 minutes to defrost. I actually like eating them really cold, especially in this Michigan heat. They make a great pre/post workout snack in the morning, and are sweet enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.

What’s your favorite, easy recipe? Please share in the comments below!

Hanna Andersson Michigan Grand Opening this Weekend

Something big is happening at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi this weekend…the Hanna Andersson store is opening! This will be the first store in Michigan. The grand opening event start on Friday and goes through Sunday. Here are the details:

  • Buy one, get one free on all baby, boy and girl sleepwear 
  • 30% off the rest of your purchase including new arrivals (not including the buy one, get one free sleepwear) 
  • PLUS be one of the first customers Friday – Sunday and receive a free gift: 
    • Friday: free pair of long johns to the first 500 customers! 
      • My niece Fiona and her new Hanna top for school 
    • Saturday – Sunday: free $20 Hanna gift card to the first 100 customers each day!

I was lucky enough to attend the preview party tonight with some friends. The store had a great turn out, and it was nice to finally be able to touch and feel Hanna Andersson clothes before buying (since usually I buy them online). They had a huge selection of back to school items and their loved pajamas.

Don’t let the cute pictures of my nieces in their Hannas fool you, they have a large boys selection too! I stocked up on winter pajamas for my boy, and also stocked up on thermal tops, this adorable lightening bolt sweater and a star sweat outfit (wish this came in my size!).

We’ve been a huge fan of Hanna Andersson for years. My mother in law started buying Hannas for the grandkids and got all us all addicted to their adorable, quality clothes. They wash really well and don’t seem to shrink up like cheaper baby clothes do. I’m excited to see how Max wears into his new wardrobe as a toddler!

Will you be visiting the Hanna Andersson store this weekend? If so, what do you plan on shopping for?

My niece Avery in her new Hanna Andersson PJs
Great selection of boys clothes too!

Summer Trip Must-Haves

If you live in Michigan (especially southeast Michigan), you know what it means to go ‘up north.’ It’s Michigan’s version of the Hamptons.  Instead of heading East like New Yorkers do, we head ‘north’ for summer weekends. Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior have beautiful beaches, not to mention the thousands of inland lakes that offer swimming and boating fun.
We’ve been traveling to the Upper Peninsula for vacations for as long as I can remember. Right outside of Newberry we have a little cottage on a small inland lake. It’s pretty much the only place I can visit and really ‘check out,’ since there is absolutely no internet or cell phone service.
Before heading up to the UP, I had to really make sure I had everything I needed, since there isn’t much around in terms of drugstores or grocery stores. The closest drugstore is 15 miles away! I made a special trip to Meijer just to make sure we had everything we needed. Here are my essentials for a summer road trip with kids:

SPF: I like Neutrogena, but there is a huge selection at Meijer. I’ve also tried the Meijer brand for kids and it worked it well.
A beach bag or large tote: Meijer has a huge selection of totes and beach bags. I usually carry a bigger bag on vacation filled with everything I might need for a day at the beach or on the go.
New toys: I like to buy cheap $1-$2 toys, activity and sticker books for car ride distractions. Meijer has a great selection of these on end caps and in the book section. 
Other items I make sure to always have on for vacations are:
  • Johnson & Johnson Hand & Face wipes for sticky hands and spills
  • travel size shampoos and soaps (becauase I travel for work, I have a constant supply of these on hand)
  • healthy snacks for the car and beach
  • case of water for the car

Using the mPerks app you can easily save on all of the above, as well as earn reward dollars to be saved on future shopping trips. Using the app, you can clip coupons on the go (or in the checkout lane!) to save money. It’s one of the main reasons I go to Meijer – the app is so easy to use and I’ve saved hundreds already this year alone. I high recommend signing up if you haven’t already!
What are your summer trip must-haves?
*This post was sponsored by Meijer, but all thoughts are my own.

$50 Meijer Gift Card Giveaway

Want to try Tom’s of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive toothpaste for yourself? Enter to win a $50 gift card to Meijer to put towards this toothpaste and more! I’ll let Rafflecopter randomly choose a winner on August 21st!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway sponsored by Meijer. US residents only please. The winner will have 48 hours from announcement to send me their address. If the 48 hour deadline is not met, I will let Rafflecopter choose another winner. 

Sensitive Teeth Relief

Now that it’s summer I’m eating a lot more cold things…popsicles, ice cream and iced coffee! I’ve always struggled with extremely sensitive gums and teeth, so cold stuff is usually my enemy. Thankfully, Tom’s of Maine makes an all-natural toothpaste for sensitive teeth that can help me.

I’ve been using Tom’s of Maine Rapid Relief toothpaste for the past 2 weeks and I’ve become a fan. I love knowing that there are only all-natural ingredients in it. It combines the natural power of arginine with calcium carbonate to help seal pathways to the exposed nerves in your mouth. You can also apply it topically to get relief from sensitive teeth in just 60 seconds, or use it regularly for long-lasting protection (which is what I plan to do!). The mint flavor is just icing on top – it leaves your breathe minty fresh!

If you have sensitive teeth and plan on cooling off with some ice cream this summer, I highly suggest trying Tom’s of Main Rapid Relief! Here are additional tips for your sensitive gums and teeth:

  • Use a soft bristle toothbrush
  • Brush gently around your gum lines
  • Avoid acidic foods and drinks 
  • If you grind your teeth, use a mouthguard at night to help
  • Make sure to go to the dentist regularly so they can help monitor for long lasting damage
Do you have sensitive teeth? If so, please share any tips and tricks you have in the comment section below! 

Rosy’s Boutique $50 Gift Card Giveaway

Photo credit: Kelly V

I often post about the darling little downtown in the city I live in, Brighton, Mi. During weekends in the Spring, Summer and Fall, you can often find me, my husband and son walking uptown for breakfast or to grab a coffee and play at the Imagination Station playground.

Our city has done a great job with our downtown. There are delicious restaurants and bars, cute coffee shops, natural markets, salons, and of course, great gift and clothing shops.

My go-to spot for every trip uptown is Rosy’s Boutique. Rosy’s is a clothing boutique that sells cute, and unique, women’s clothing. Every visit I find a new dress (or 2!) that I love. Most dresses I can dress up for work with a jacket or blazer and then transition them to night.

The picture to left is my son and at the Imagination Station, and I’m wearing the latest dress I purchased from Rosy’s. It’s hard to tell, but it’s red and white striped with pockets (love!).

The best part about Rosy’s is that they partner with a new charity each month, and $5 from every sale goes towards that charity. I love supporting small businesses, especially when they pay it forward!

I’ve teamed up with Rosy’s Boutique to give one lucky reader a $50 gift card to Rosy’s! Check out ways to enter below. The contest will go until July 26th, and the winner will be selected July 27th. The winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond. If I don’t get a response, I will be pick a new winner. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Day in Grand Haven, Michigan

My husband and I woke up a few Sundays ago to a forecast filled with rain. Our first instinct: escape the rain. We checked the west side of Michigan and the forecast was clear, so as soon as my son woke up, we jumped in the car and headed west to Grand Haven.

It turned out being a perfect family day, and totally do-able if you can’t stay the night. We were only there for 6 hours and had a blast! Here’s what we did:

7am: Wake up, gather beach towels and snacks, and jump in the car!

9am: We ate breakfast at the Morning Star Café, a few blocks off main street. This is a popular spot, so we had to wait 20 minutes before being seated. Luckily, a darling little book store called Bookman is located right next door, and was open at 8am, so Max and I read some books in their kids section while we waited for our table.

10:30am: We grabbed coffees to go and walked around their main downtown area. We were really early, so the shops were just starting to open up. We popped in and out of a few, and then made our way to the pier and beach.

11:30am: We walked from downtown to the Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner Light lighthouse. This had to be a good 1-2 mile walk.

12:30: Beach time! We spread a beach blanket and allowed Max to splash in the water. It wasn’t warm enough to go all the way in with bathing suits, but he had a blast running in and out of the water.

1:15pm: Walked back to downtown

1:45pm: Lunch at the Grand Haven Brew House

3pm: Head home!

There’s so much to do in Grand Haven, we just did a fraction of what’s available. Here are other day trip ideas:
  • Shopping – the downtown is filled with boutique shops, including clothing, unique Michigan apparel, kids toys shops, art shops and even a boutique dog store.  If you want  ‘Michigan Love’ apparel, you will find tons of options.
  • Rent a pontoon – this is more for a nice day, but half day rentals are available!
  • Rent Kayaks
  • Beach! It wasn’t warm enough to swim when we went, but my son could have spent hours splashing his little feet in the tide.
  • There are a lot of restaurants on the main street. We ate breakfast at The Morning Star café (5 stars!) and lunch at the Grand Haven Brew House
  • Picnic on the beach – pack a lunch and picnic blanket and snack on the beach
What’s your favorite Michigan day trip? I’d love to hear suggestions of cities and fun things to do while visiting! Please comment below!

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