Tag Archives: fruit

Jun4

Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza (SO Good!)

Posted on by
Standard
Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza (SO Good!)

Hello! This past weekend was mine and Johnny’s housewarming/birthaversary party and we had the best time! We worked hard for almost an entire month to get our place into tip top shape for guests and it was so nice to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor… And also, actual fruit. The evening before the party, Johnny was on a cleaning spree and, myself, a cooking and baking spree.

Rather than ordering pizzas or pre-made dishes, I decided that I wanted to be the one making the food for the party. I spent about five hours in total making cold veggie pizza, pasta salad, spinach artichoke dip, and sugar cookie fruit pizzas. I had made everything but the cookies before and was pleased, as always, with how the dishes turned out. The cookies are definitely what I was most proud of, though:

image_67509761(1)image_67229697

I found this recipe from Cooking Classy on Pinterest.

When it comes to baking, I like to leave that to my mom and sister because they are both excellent at it. I much prefer to cook but you can’t have a party without some sweet treats! Prior to the big event, I spent a lot of time scouring Pinterest for party dishes and thought that the sugar cookie fruit pizzas would be perfect for a warm day. Not to mention that any leftover fruit could be used as garnishes for drinks… I am nothing if not economical!

For my take on Cooking Classy’s delicious recipe, I used the Pillsbury pre-made sugar cookie dough to save time. I also have never baked sugar cookies before and didn’t want my first time being an epic fail. That is the only thing I strayed from, however, and used the recipe for frosting that was provided and the recommendations for fruit toppings. And, I hate to toot my own horn BUT it turned out amazing and was, easily, the biggest success from my spread.

I am really not a huge dessert girl and am all for savory treats, instead. I don’t like things that are overly sweet and that wasn’t the case with these cookies at all. The cream cheese frosting used salted butter in it to balance out the powdered sugar. And, as my mom always taught me, I added a lot more vanilla extract!

This not too sweet base was ideal for the variety of fruits that Cooking Classy used as a topping. I went with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, pineapple, and kiwi and the only thing I left out was grapes. This medley of fruit provided for a sweet/tart sensation thanks to the zippy flavor of pineapples and berries paired with the softer strawberries and peaches. SO. Good.

I would happily make this recipe by Cooking Classy again and her page is full of yummy recipes so do be sure to check it out. I can’t recommend these cookies enough for your next party or event and they are sure to be as big of a hit as they were at mine!

What is your favorite dessert? What is your favorite food to make for a party? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Advertisement
Feb13

10 Healthy Alternatives To Your Usual Snacks

Posted on by
Standard
10 Healthy Alternatives To Your Usual Snacks

It’s not always easy to find the motivation to eat healthy snacks instead of unhealthy ones. Who doesn’t love a salty bag of potato chips?! However, making small changes to your diet is a great way to improve your overall health. By replacing unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives, you can reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. You’ll also have more energy and be less likely to gain weight.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your health, start by making some small changes to your diet. Here are ten healthier alternatives when you are feeling peckish:

1. Fresh Fruit:

A great way to satisfy your sweet tooth is with fresh fruit. Fruit is packed with nutrients and antioxidants, and it’s a natural source of sugar. So go ahead and indulge in a piece of juicy fruit instead of a candy bar. Cut up your fruit as soon as you buy it to have it handy in the fridge. This way, when you want to grab a snack, it’s already ready to go.

2. Trail Mix:

Trail mix is a healthy and convenient snack that can be enjoyed on the go. It’s made up of dried fruit, nuts, and seeds, which are all packed with fiber and protein. You could make your own trail mix and include your favorite dried fruit, unsalted nuts, and seeds. Keep a pack of trail mix in your bag or car for whenever you feel hungry when out and about.

3. Veggies with Hummus:

If you’re looking for a healthy snack that will fill you up, try veggies with hummus. Hummus is made from chickpeas, a good source of protein and fiber. Dip some fresh veggies in hummus for a satisfying low-calorie snack. To save some money, you can even make your own hummus at home.

4. Fruit Juices:

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to sodas and colas, fruit juices are a great choice. Many fruit juices have added sugar so, instead, go for 100% fruit juice. You could find juice brands like Fit n’ Right, which have natural ingredients and less sugar. Plus, these can help quench your thirst without the sugary aftertaste or empty calories!

5. Popcorn:

Skip the microwave popcorn and opt for plain air-popped popcorn, instead. This tasty snack is low in calories and fat but high in fiber so that it will keep you full longer! Make sure to avoid flavored popcorn, which is packed with sugar and salt. If you don’t like bland popcorn, you could add turmeric or paprika to give it some zest.

6. Smoothies:

Smoothies are a healthy alternative to sugary drinks because you control what goes into them. You can add fruit, vegetables, and nutritional protein powder if you want an extra boost of nutrients. Avoid adding sugar or other sweeteners since they’ll just add empty calories.

7. Apples and Peanut Butter:

This classic combination is a great snack that you can take anywhere with you. It’s easy to eat on the go, and it’s high in fiber and healthy fats from the peanut butter. Make sure to avoid sugary peanut butter or applesauce since they’ll have the same effect as candy.

8. Oatmeal:

Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast food that you can also enjoy as a snack. It’s high in fiber and has slow-digesting carbs, which will keep you full longer. Plus, it’s a good source of protein and healthy fats. If you don’t like eating hot oatmeal, you can always turn to overnight oat recipes. A perfect snack because you can eat them cold!

9. Yogurt:

Swap out your favorite full-fat ice cream with low-fat yogurt for dessert or a snack. This healthy swap will save you calories, fat, and sugar. Be sure to read your labels carefully if you want yogurt with live cultures and opt out of the ones with a lot of added sugar.

10. Protein Bars:

Protein bars pack a lot of nutrients and protein into a convenient bar form. They can replace traditional candy bars as a healthy snack when you’re on the go. Just read your labels carefully to avoid eating too many calories or unhealthy ingredients!

Try out some healthy snack ideas on this list – you may just find that you enjoy them more than the norm of chips, crackers, and candy!

Dec3

6 Tips For Staying On Top Of Your Health

Posted on by
Standard
6 Tips For Staying On Top Of Your Health

Everyone recognizes the value of good health, but figuring out how to achieve it can be difficult. Let’s have a look at some of the options available to you in the next section so you can be your healthiest self in 2022:

Consume A Variety Of Foods:

For a healthy body, we need more than 40 different nutrients, and no single diet can offer them all. It’s not about a single meal; it’s about making long term, well balanced dietary choices that will make a difference. A low fat dinner could be offered after a high fat lunch. After a hearty beef dinner, perhaps fish should be the next day’s meal?

Eat A Wide Range Of Fruits And Vegetables:

Fruits and vegetables are some of the most important foods for getting enough vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Our goal should be to consume at least 5 servings every day. A glass of fresh fruit juice for breakfast, an apple and a piece of watermelon for snacks, and a variety of vegetables at each meal, for example.

Drink Plenty Of Water:

Every day, adults must drink at least 1.5 liters of water! Especially if it’s hot outside or they’re doing anything active. The best source, of course, is water. Fruit juices, tea, soft drinks, milk, and other beverages are all okay if used in moderation.

Maintain An Appropriate Body Mass Index (BMI):

Our optimal weight is determined by factors such as gender, height, age, and heredity. Obese and overweight people are at a higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, among other disorders.

Excess body fat is caused by consuming more than we need. Extra calories can come from any caloric meal, including protein, fat, carbohydrate, and alcohol, however, fat is the most concentrated source. Physical activity allows us to burn calories and feel good at the same time. The message is simple: if we want to lose weight, we need to eat less and exercise more! You should also bear in mind that BMI could be considered as outdated. It fails to take into account things such as muscle weight, so someone who trains heavily may appear on the BMI scale as overweight.

Make It A Habit To Get Moving:

Physical activity is good for people of all shapes and sizes, as well as those with various health problems. It helps to burn calories, is good for the heart and circulatory system, keeps or builds muscle mass, improves focus, and improves overall health and well being.

To get moving, we don’t have to be Olympic athletes! It is recommended that we engage in 150 minutes of moderate physical exercise per week, which may easily be included in our daily routine. These pointers should make it easier for you to maintain a healthy lifestyle without making it too difficult.

Concentrate On All Aspects Of Your Health:

In addition to the aforementioned, you should also pay attention to other aspects of your health, such as going to the optometrist or the dentist. Whether it’s cosmetic dental procedures or just a monthly check up, it all contributes to your overall health.

These six tips should help when it comes to taking care of yourself and staying healthy. We only have this body and it deserves our respect by practicing a healthy lifestyle!

Featured Image By: Tirachard Kumtanom from Pexels

Jul12

Time To Make Your Life Healthier!

Posted on by
Standard
Time To Make Your Life Healthier!

Why is healthy eating so important in the workplace? It’s important because, oftentimes, we reach for the nearest and quickest item of food to eat before getting back to the grind. Then while you are sitting at your desk, hunger suddenly starts to take hold. Healthy nutrition falls by the wayside and you eat what is there – a biscuit, a piece of cake from the staff room. You eat too fast, too greasy, too much sugar and then you feel the effects creeping in. Discomfort, tiredness, sluggishness, stomach ache, and cravings come quickly – that is why it is important to switch things up and be healthy with the following advice:

Increase your physical performance:

Your brain needs energy and minerals to function well. If you eat right, your body can metabolize nutrients and vitamins better. Not only do you feel more productive, but you can also significantly increase your concentration and performance. Choose green ingredients and it will greatly assist.

Get healthier and fitter in everyday life:

Did you know that poor nutrition can also make you sick? If you eat a healthy and balanced diet, you can avoid the risk of getting sick and improve your general health. This way you can easily save yourself annoying doctor visits and expensive medication.

Reach your natural feel-good weight:

There is no need to start a new fad diet or try something such as the Atkins diet. With a healthy diet, you don’t have to struggle with constant dieting or the yo-yo effect. Eating well-balanced foods can help you feel full longer and trick your cravings. Eat nuts and healthy fruit snacks, instead. Dried banana, coconut, and fat free yogurt can be delicious treat! Feel like something sweet? Honey has amazing health benefits which you can learn more about at Gold Bee and potentially get yourself some of their high-quality raw, organic honey for your cupboard. It’s the perfect way to top off a yogurt parfait – yum!

Increase your resilience and stress resistance:

With healthy food you can improve your stress resistance. This is especially important when things get tough at work. Health insurance companies confirm that healthy eating helps you to better meet the high demands of everyday working life. It also helps you to concentrate better. This allows you to work more efficiently and, all in all, you are less prone to stress.

Improve your complexion for visible beauty:

Healthy nutrition affects your appearance and your beauty from within. This helps ensure beautiful skin, healthy hair, and fewer wrinkles. You feel more comfortable and you radiate it in everyday life. That makes you more self-confident and more successful – which can also benefit your career. Vitamin C is great for your skin as are natural fatty acids that will make you glow.

Feel better and radiate it:

Researchers at the University of California have found that mood and digestion are closely related because they are closely connected by nerve tracts. So if the stomach feels good, happiness hormones are released that make you really happy. You feel more balanced and your colleagues will be amazed at how you are walking down the aisle with such a smile.  Eating your greens and plenty of fruit will allow you to blossom further.

Eating right has a huge impact on your health and mood – improve yours today with these ideas!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Oct13

An Apple A Day

Posted on by
Standard
An Apple A Day

Hello!! For those of you who don’t know, my big girl job is as an Independent Provider for people with special needs. I love my job always but in the summer and fall, I feel particularly thankful because I am constantly being spoiled with produce from gardens and apple orchards. Each family I work with does a garden every summer and, I swear, I never went a week without delicious, homegrown veggies in my apartment these past few months.

This past week, a client and his family visited an apple orchard and I had such fun hearing about his outing. Fast forward to when I was about to pull out of their yard to go home and his mom comes running out to stop me with a huge bag of apples. SO sweet!

All of the families I work with consider me an “honorary” member of their household and it is an honor for me. So, to come home with a bag of apples or veggies is special to me because it’s a reminder of how much we all care for each other. I would be so lonely without all of the wonderful families I get to help out and, god forbid one of us gets sick or goes on vacation, because we all end up missing each other like crazy!

Like I said, my client’s mom ran to my car with this beautiful bounty and it was like getting the most fantastic hug. Small and simple acts of kindness are often the best so be sure to offer an apple (pumpkin or gourd!) a day to someone you love if you visit an apple orchard or pumpkin patch this fall. You have the Lil Red Guarantee that it will be oh so appreciated. ❤

What was the last random act of kindness you made? What do you like to grow in your garden? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep17

Disappointment Of The Day: Mango Outshine Popsicles With Tajin Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Disappointment Of The Day: Mango Outshine Popsicles With Tajin Edition

Howdy! I recently had a huge grocery shopping trip because Johnny and I were down to below the bare minimum at our apartment. I picked out plenty of our favorites but I also snagged something that I’ve been curious about compliments of never ending Facebook ads about it: Mango Outshine popsicles with a coating of chili lime Tajin seasoning on it.

I love trying out new foods and unique flavors and after seeing it advertised for what felt like forever, I just had to give these popsicles a shot. I thought the sweet heat of the mango and chili lime combination would be tasty but I guess I didn’t take into consideration the fact that I would have to eat an entire popsicle’s worth of it.

My first bite into the popsicle was great, I’m not going to lie. So, I had a few more and got maybe a quarter of the way into it. Then, the taste got really old really quickly and I was totally done. The mango portion of the popsicle was sickly sweet in comparison to the spicy seasoning and it left a really questionable taste in my mouth and stomach.

The combination of the way too sweet fruit with an, on its own, very tasty and kicky seasoning was anything but refreshing which is what you want in a popsicle. I don’t think I could ever eat a full one of these fruit bars and I definitely regret buying them because I know damn well the remaining five are going to sit uneaten in my freezer for the next century, lol!

Save yourself some cash and skip on these Outshine fruit bars because they were a big fat Disappointment Of The Day. -_-

Have you bought any duds lately? What are your thoughts on these popsicles if you have tried them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep9

Give Your Garden A Boost With These Tips

Posted on by
Standard
Give Your Garden A Boost With These Tips

The backyard is the one private space you have in your home that gives you a chance to be in touch with nature and get outside at the same time. It’s also the place you have free rein to be as creative as you like. Getting outside and enjoying your garden space means choosing to reinvigorate and redesign your garden to make it look as beautiful as possible.

You should be able to head into the back yard with a book and a drink and soak up the scenery. The kids should be able to play safely and happily. You should be able to plant your favorite fruits and vegetables, knowing that they are in a healthy place to grow. With the tips below, you can make your garden the most extraordinary place possible, so that you can kick back and enjoy it no matter the season.

Use Trees:

Planting trees in your backyard to frame the garden is one of the prettiest ways to add something amazing. Asking New Life landscape to help you with your lawn is going to help you to map out exactly how you want your garden to look. Adding fruit trees is a great way to not only grow your own fruit, but you will be able to add these trees to the corners of the garden to frame that newly laid lawn of yours. Choose apple trees and lemon trees and watch them grow!

Design The Beds:

Between those new trees you’ve planted, adding garden beds will enhance the edges of the garden. You can make it as informal or as formal as you like, and you can plant beautiful flowers in the flowerbeds. The beds can vary in length, and you can plant flowers and bushes of a variety of colors to make it pop. You can coordinate the flowers by height and by color, and you can share your ideas with a professional landscaping team to bring it all to life properly.

While the end result is lovely, clearing the space for new flowerbeds can be a lot of hard work, especially on top of the upgrades and maintenance you’re already working on. Give yourself a break and call a Roanoke excavating contractor to get the job done as you lounge in the shade. Then, it will be onto the fun part: Planting!!

Go Beyond Greenery:

Garden beauty comes in more than just flowers and bushes. You need to consider hardscaping. Hardscapes like decorative rocks and stone patios will help you to make your living space comfortable and low maintenance. You can add different types of hardscapes to the garden, too, to really give it a unique look.

Irrigate:

You should look at installing a drip irrigation or soaker hose system to water your garden properly. Irrigating your landscaped backyard will keep it fresh, healthy and it will stop it from flooding in the rain. Choose the right size irrigation system and make sure that you have your garden covered. You have the chance to create a beautiful backyard, and you should use these tips to give your garden the boost you need.

With the right inspiration, you can make your garden stand out and improve the way that you spend time in it at the same time. Take the time to landscape your garden this year, and you’ll be enjoying it by next summer!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May20

Cotton Candy Grapes: YUM

Posted on by
Standard
Cotton Candy Grapes: YUM

Hello! Everyone has a different taste when it comes to their preferred snacks. Some have a sweet tooth and others enjoy the salty and savory. I, myself, love my salty snacks and don’t eat sweets very often. However, a certain time comes around every month that leaves me craving ALL of the sugary goodness. The worst part? I never have anything to satisfy the cravings in my apartment! Until now. Allow me to introduce the cotton candy grape:

F987F492-D186-4E97-A0E9-097ABE78D48B

I don’t know if any of you have heard of cotton candy grapes or if they are an Ohio thing. But, every summer when the farmers markets begin opening, my Facebook newsfeed is flooded with customers raving about this cotton candy flavored fruit. I have always been interested in trying these because, despite lacking a sweet tooth, I love cotton candy… Go figure, lol. Unfortunately, I have never seen them at the grocery store before…

Until my last grocery shopping trip, that is! For Mother’s Day, I went to Giant Eagle to get flowers and decided that I might as well restock my cabinets while I’m there too. Giant Eagle has a much wider selection than my normal stomping grounds of Marc’s but they are definitely more expensive, which is why I don’t shop there often.

Although I felt like I was splurging on all of my Giant Eagle purchases, it was hard to say no to things that I’ve never even seen before. Like my grapes, for example. I couldn’t believe it when the cotton candy grapes were just casually sitting in their fruit department and put the bag into my cart with cat like reflexes, eager to go home and try them.

And, let me tell you, these grapes did not disappoint. Popping one into your mouth is the equivalent of taking a tiny bite of cotton candy and it’s delicious. And it is a WAY better option than eating an entire box of chocolate while Aunt Flo visits for the week! 😀

Do you have a favorite food that not many people have heard of? What are some foods that are unique to your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May18

Super Cool Planter

Posted on by
Standard
Super Cool Planter

Hi! As you all know, my dad is an expert gardener so that makes gift giving very easy for him. For his birthday this past month, I got him this awesome stackable planter set from Amazon. Since it has warmed up significantly in Ohio since April, he finally got around to getting the planter set up with strawberries and flowers and it looks great! Take a look:

plant2plantplant1

I was so happy to come home on Mother’s Day and see the planter out on the deck in its full glory. It also made me smile to see the garden gnome planter that I got for him last year with a potted plant in his little knapsack. Seeing the splendor of my dad’s hard work never ceases to amaze me and it’s always so cool to see the projects that he tends to so lovingly take full bloom!

What is your favorite plant or flower? Who else is a fan of gardening? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May15

Perfect Summer Drinks

Posted on by
Standard
Perfect Summer Drinks

Hello everyone and welcome to part two of this weekend’s guest posts by my darling friend, Zeighn, at oneselementblog! Yesterday featured some of Zeighn’s favorite healthy summer picnic food recipes and today will showcase some sweet drinks to wash it down with. Zeighn linked me to a Cranberry & Ginger Tea Punch that sounds fabulous and will be teaching us how to make a yummy smoothie and mango based beverage below. Cheers!

Peach & Oat Smoothie:

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe peaches, quartered, pits removed
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 frozen banana (peeled before freezing)
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • Optional: 1 tbsp agave, maple syrup, or Stevia for added sweetness. (Or honey for non-Vegan.)

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender and let set for 5-10 minutes so the oats and chia seeds can soak. Then blend until smooth.
  2. To thicken, add another quarter or half of a frozen banana. To thin, add more almond milk or OJ.
  3. Taste and adjust flavor as needed. I added a touch of agave.
  4. Serve immediately.

peachy.jpg

Super-Spiced Mango Ice:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup chopped, frozen mangoes (or 1 fresh mango)
  • 1 heaping teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 pinch of chili powder
  • Optional: 1 tbsp honey
  • Ice cube tray (Not that you can eat that!)

Instructions:

  1. Thaw the mango for about 30 seconds in the microwave. It’s easier to chop if it’s still partly frozen. Alternatively, chop up a fresh mango. Chop into small cubes, about 1/4 of an inch, and divide evenly into the ice cube tray.
  2. Zest orange and sprinkle into each cube.
  3. Sprinkle chili powder into each cube.
  4. Optional: Squirt a dollop of honey into each cube.
  5. Fill a small cup with water and pour carefully over the tray to cover the fruit. Place in freezer over night.

mango

Thank you so much again to Zeighn for sharing her favorite recipes with us for a perfect summer picnic! If you want more from my lovely guest blogger, check out her blog at oneselementblog or follow her on Instagram. Happy summer! Much love. -Sarah