Random Tid Bits

1. We've had a ton of zucchini growing in our garden.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. I don't feel like PMS makes me bitchy, but it sure does give me anxiety. If I have several big things to do I just innerly freak out. I feel my face getting red and hot, and my heart pumps really fast.
   
   Boss man wanted me call, and set up Adobe Creative Cloud for the teachers. I had never done this before. He had very specific things he wanted. I couldn't get everything he wanted, but it was a heck of a lot cheaper than last year, and got it approved.
   
   The next day he wanted me to back peddle to get things even cheaper. 


3. Some advice is worth taking. My parents have given me a lot of good advice in the past.
   
   Good Advice:
   
   1. Choose your battles.
   
   2. Kids make their own schedules based on what's going on in their life.
   
   Lately they've been off on their game.
   
   Bad Advice:
   
   1. You might want to talk to Isaak and tell him not to cry. He might get made fun of in school. - He hasn't had issues with crying in school. I didn't say it, but think it's great that he can cry in front of us. Just because he's a boy I don't want him to think he should keep his emotions in. I have to say that Mica was pretty unbearable at Isaak's age. He was pretty much a jerk. Now Isaak's at that magical puberty stage. He shows his emotions differently - with crying, and wanting to sleep. I don't know that he's worse, or better than Mica. Just different.
   
   2. You should probably read up on Asthma and Allergies. Start taking other things to help them besides medicine. - I didn't say too much, but in the past I tried a lot of natural things. By not taking meds I got a nose so full of polyps that the doctor had to cut out. Some of my nasal receptors went with that surgery. No thanks I'll stick to my meds. I do drink turmeric and ginger a lot + do the neti pot regularly. Those count as natural remedies. I think my doctors would agree that they want me breathing, so taking my daily inhaler when I need it is important.


4. Mica and Isaak have started fighting over really silly things. That's when I know it's time to go back to school. I let them both pick out snacks at the store. Isaak picked out Bunny Graham's.
   
   
   
   
   
   Travis got a call from Mica that he was all pissed because Isaak wouldn't let him eat the snack he picked out. In Isaak's defense, Mica would eat the whole box if he's able to. When I talked to them at lunch I said, "Maybe you shouldn't get a a morning snack. You don't have one at school."
   
   The next day we discussed their ridiculous spat. Travis found the whole thing comical because this is a snack I used to buy them when Isaak was in preschool. We decided we'd pour how much they get into bowls. Problem solved. I really wish they'd solve their own problems though.
   
   I explained that this kind of fighting is normal, for siblings. Travis never fought a whole lot with his sister growing up. His sister was inside a lot, when he was outside most of the time.
   
   I remember having battles with my sisters over the dumbest stuff. One time I tied my younger sister into her room. She wasn't tied, but her bedroom door was tied to the bathroom and my parent's bedroom door. She could not get out. I was way to old to do that. My friend got sent home. What's a silly thing you did when you were a kid?


5. The boy's back to school night it the same night, in two different parts of town. I knew this could happen. Mica's starts at 3:30, Isaak's starts at 5:30, so we figured we'd go to Mica's first. Then we got a letter saying they'd prefer younger kids to go earlier at Mica's school. They get what they get. Isaak's starts August 13, and Mica starts August 14. They have the younger middle schoolers go first to get used to the building. When do kids start where you live?

Random Tid Bits

1. Mica's going through yet another transitional time with growing up. He forgets about 4 snack bowls in his room (thankfully they were all empty). He has no interest in doing any extras. He's in Quiz Bowl - that's plenty in his mind. Gawd forbid he hang out with his cousins for a board game night and pizza, sign up for camps for the summer, or a special academy (Zoo or Health) that his school offers next year.
   
   He gets embarrassed by me at his school now. I've always been his cuddle person, and I'm goofy. Maybe he thinks I'm going to cuddle up with him in the cafeteria? Possibly he thinks I'm going to say something that puts him on the spot. I don't know what's going on in his head. Growing pains are hard!





2. We keep having storage units going up in Omaha. They have Biblical quotes that are demeaning, and they have the ugliest logo. Do you have this storage unit where you live? They are popping up all over. 





3. I knew it was supposed to snow on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, but didn't know it was going to come down so hard. It snowed 5". We got a call that Mica got yet another snow day. Parking lots are actually smaller because there's no room for snow. 





4. I'm a bit obsessed about True Crimes lately. I think I've watched or listened to every video on Chris Watts. I like Tori Hartman's channel. I just listen to it, while I'm working on other things. I think that Watts case has hit me hard because it makes me realize that Travis thinks I'm nuts when I start going on and on about certain cases. 


5. Travis' chair design got accepting to this:




A mock up! Now he has to make the real thing!




Now he's ultra busy. He really doesn't want to hear about my interest in the Chris Watts case.

Great Kids Snacks Box Review

I'm super glad to get another box from Great Kids Snack Box to review. My kids love their snacks. What's great is that if there is one thing that they don't like there's more things that they can try. They send out monthly boxes that are loaded with individually wrapped snacks.

I hear all the time, "I'm hungry!" I love how protein bars help satisfy my kid's hunger. Mica seems to enjoy protein bars more than Isaak, but there's other things in the box that I can eat.

The boys went for Justin's Peanut Butter Cups right away. Thankfully there were 2 inside the wrapper.

They have all kinds of after school snacks tucked into one box.

The boys thing they are too old for applesauce type foods in pouches. I pour them out into a small bowl, and mixed them up with homemade applesauce. They went for them right away then.

These two snacks interested me a lot:

I love nuts and the lemon flavor is one of my favorites.

Dried Fruit is something we have every morning just about with breakfast. I divided the Fruit Crips up for all of us to split.

I really love oatmeal, but I haven't tried this yet. The Coconut Almond flavor sounds wonderful. It's handy that it's in it's own container, which makes it easy to take on the go.

Isaak had this PowerIce after his basketball game.

What do we love about Great Kids Snack Box:

• It's filled up! There's no waist in this box.
• Everything is individually wrapped. If Isaak doesn't like something, then Mica will eat it. Isaak I know already doesn't like dried fruit, so Mica will snack that down.
• The snacks are healthy for the most part. One could argue that anything prepackaged isn't healthy. Compared to all other prepackaged things these are very healthy snacks!
• Perfect for a wide age range. These snacks will work for my 8 year old, but my 11 year can equally enjoy them. 
• It has a wide variety of things in it. 
• There's free shipping. 
• Cost wise it's fairly inexpensive: $39.95. It may seem like a lot, but there's a lot in the box.
• I'm not sure if the snacks are just for kids. They seem like they are for everyone in the family.

What I wish Great Kids Snack Box had:

• I wish they'd have a survey section to get to know their audience before parents order from them. If someone has toddlers maybe the snacks would be different than older kids. Some kids may love protein bars, while others do not. Then the boxes could be tailored to each family. This is really the only change I'd make. 

Do you like getting monthly boxes?

Disclaimer: I received this product to help with this review. I was not influenced in any way when writing this review.

Yummi Pouch Brights Reusable Food Pouches Review

I'm a huge fan of things that can be reused | recycled. I use a cloth lunch box, have cloth baggies, and carry a thermos at work. I'm always on the look out for reuseable lunch box supplies for the boy's school lunches. 

Recently I got Yummi Pouch Brights (Set of 4) to review. 

What are Yummi Pouches?

They are reusable food pouches that are great for kids taking healthy snacks on the go. You can put so many different things in them. We put apple/pear sauce in ours.

They are perfect for lunches, picnics, and breakfast on the go. Mica just started being trained for Safety Patrol. The kids have to be dropped off to school early. They've been give a Yummi Pouch to have part of their breakfast on the go.

They are best for little kids, but we use them to. Costco sells apple sauce in pouches for any age. We'll use these reusable packages for any age as well.

You can combine style and convenience in an eco-friendly container.

Fill it Up With:

Smoothies

Blended Snacks

Apple Sauce

Easy to fill and clean through the top zipper opening and enjoyed by drinking from the side spout.

Keep Your Kids Safe:

Freezer safe - Make a big batch of your child's favorite blended snacks or smoothies.

Dishwasher safe - Simply rinse with warm water, expand the pouch and stand upside down in the dishwasher.

Easy to fill - Pour or spoon in food though the wide top zipper opening. Holds up to 6 ounces.

BPA Free

PVC Free 

Phthalate Free

Reusable

Recyclable

Comes in 4 Fun Colors and Patterns:

My favorite color | pattern has to be this one:

Cost:

$9.99 for 4 pouches. 

Disclaimer: I received the products mentioned for free in exchange for an honest review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Post Workout Snacks and Breakfast

I workout in the morning before breakfast. I do leg lifts, lift weights, and climb up and down the stairs.

I try and get in a healthy breakfast for my family. It's important to me, since I just got done working out. For my kids it's important because breakfast at home is a snack to them. They eat a little at home very early, and more at school later. I'm just not sure how healthy school food is.

We eat a protein of some kind to get us going, steams greens, a small carb, and fruit. 

Recently I made Cranberry Protein Bites. They are great for post workout healthy sacks, or breakfast.

Cranberry Protein Bites

They are super easy to make! I used sunflower seed butter, but any nut butter will do. You can even buy your own nuts and make your own nut butter.

I use local honey.

I love adding Chia Seeds to boost fiber in my snacks and breakfasts.

Other snack or breakfast ideas for post workouts are:

Apricot Protein Bites

Breakfast Cookies

Oatmeal Super Food Power Bars

All these snacks or breakfast items are easy to make. They are all rich in protein. 

Disclaimer: These are my own recipes. This is not a paid post. 

Made in Nature Review

Awhile ago I won a box of healthy snacks from Made in Nature on Facebook!

Sometimes when I win something I'm excited about, I ask if the company would like for me to review their products on my blog?

They wanted me to feature their products.

Last week I got the box of snacks on my doorstep.

I'm the dried fruit lover in our house. It's not something I get often. I think Organic Apple Cinnamon Fusion is really good!

The box comes with individual serving sizes. I like when snacks are broken up this way because I don't eat more than I should. When a full box, or bag is sitting there with a snack in it, I eat more than I should. It isn't until I'm done snacking that I think about how many calories I just ate.

One thing I've been really good about at work is eating nothing from the vending machine. Carbs that people bring in as treats are a no no to. Organic Apple Cinnamon Fusion is a great snack that I can have on days when I'm at work. It seems like 3:30 rolls around, and I'm just ready for something to snack on.

About Organic Apple Cinnamon Fusion: 

• 5-Pack for $6.99 and 18-Pack for $23.99 1oz. Bags
• USDA certified organic
• Non-GMO Project Verified
• No Sugar Added
• No synthetic pesticides or herbicides
• No Sulfur Added
• No Artificial colors, flavors or additives
• No Gluten
• No Nuts
• Vegan
• Kosher OU
• A great snack for work, or for the lunch box
• Their packaging rocks

I now can snack without guilt. 

Made in Nature also sent me two kinds of Purely Elizabeth Granola.

I've been serving a small ramekin with Purely Elizabeth for each of us at breakfast.

The first time I served it Daddy rolled his eyes. All three boys were complaining that I had granola at their spots.

The next thing I heard was, "WOW this is really good!" from all 3 of them. It is really good. 

I got Cranberry Pecan and Purely Elizabeth's Original granola.

About Purely Elizabeth Granola:

It's great alone, or on top of yogurt, or ice cream. I've only had it alone, and on top of rice milk ice cream.

• Quinoa is an ancient grain that is in the ingredients. It's a grain loaded with protein
• Amaranth is high in b vitamins
• Chia Seeds have omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber
• Raw Virgin Coconut Oil contains medium-chain fatty acids that get used as energy rather than stored as fat. Plus it's anti-viral and has anti-microbial properties
• Gluten Free Certified
• Vegan Certified
• Non-GMO Project Verified
• Free of Refined Sugar
• Soy Free
• Organic Ingredients When Possible - Made with Over 70% Organic Ingredients - Certified Orgaic Through Organic Certifiers
• Good for you Fats
• Sweetened with Organic Coconut Sugar, a Low-Glycemic, Nutrient Rich Sweetener
• No Artificial Colors or Flavors
• Hand Baked with Artisan Love
• 12 oz is $7.99/bag, and one case: Six 12 ounce bags is $40.00

Check out Made in Nature:

• On Facebook
• On Twitter
• On Pinterest
• Their Blog

 They have healthy recipes posted on their blog. You have to check it out.

Thank you Made in Nature for the products!

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get products to help with this review.