Tag: healthy

Spicy Tuna Burgers with Cabbage Slaw

Spicy Tuna Burgers with Cabbage Slaw

I’m not gonna lie, when I first was going to make these burgers I went back and forth on if they even sounded good.  I don’t think it helped that my hubby was adamant that they wouldn’t…such an optimist.  He had a bad experience with…

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Sometimes I’m in need of quick grab and go breakfasts or snacks, as well as my husband who leaves for work So. Dang. Early.  These little muffins are the best!  They’re delicious and when you pop them in the microwave for like 10 seconds to…

Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and Peppers

Let’s get Italian for a moment.  They just know how to do food.  I’ve never met an Italian dish I didn’t like.  Sausage and peppers is no different.  I love how versatile they are as well.  Throw them on a bun for a sandwich, over pasta, or over cauliflower rice.  While in Apple Hill last weekend, we walked past a food stand and before even getting up to see what the heck the delicious smell was, it was apparent that sausage and peppers was in the error.

Naturally, that meant I needed sausage and peppers stat.  So, I ordered groceries on our drive home and just like that, sausage and peppers for dinner it was.  Was not mad about that in the least.  I was actually necessary, I think.  We had it over cauliflower rice, but if I hadn’t eaten so poorly while we were at Apple Hill, I may have gone with the sandwich.  But life is about balance, so cauliflower it was, and it was delicious.

Next time I think I’m going to make two separate batches though since little man loved it also and he can have the non-spicy version.  Jon and I NEED the spice. Hot sausages and lots of red pepper flakes.  Uh the sacrifices parents make for their children.

Sausage and Peppers

Ingredients

  • 4 Italian sausages (hot, sweet, combo, whatever you like)
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced into ½” half-moon slices
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeds and membranes removed, ½” slices
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeds and membranes removed, ½” slices
  • 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, seeds and membranes removed, ½” slices
  • 1 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4-6 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (use 1 tablespoon for 15 oz can of tomatoes)
  • ½ – 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup lager beer or dry white wine (use ¼ cup for 15 oz can of tomatoes)
  • 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes (if serving over pasta or rice) OR 15 oz can if using for sandwiches

Instructions

  1. Heat a dutch oven or large deep pan over medium heat. Add sausages and cook just until they are golden brown on each side.  Remove sausages from pan and set aside.
  2. Heat oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the onions and peppers and season with salt and pepper.  Cook about 5 minutes or until onions start to soften and get a bit of a sear on them.
  3. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and cook just until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minutes.
  4. Add the beer or wine and deglaze the pan scraping the bottom. Let alcohol reduce by about half before adding the crushed tomatoes.  Stir before adding the sausages back in by nestling in the sauce.  Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the sausages are cooked through.  Stir once more and taste to see if additional seasoning is needed.
  5. Serve over pasta, cauliflower rice, or on a hoagie roll.

Chicken Tenders

Chicken Tenders

I think chicken tenders may be my ultimate comfort food.  I ordered them every time we went out to dinner as a family when I was younger.  My Dad used to make fun of me and ask if I wanted to branch out and try…

Immune Booster Tips For Kids

Immune Booster Tips For Kids

My girls go back to school next week and that means germs and virus season. They have been so healthy this summer it’s been great! When school starts back up, they hug their friends, they wipe their noses and they share everything, it’s inevitable. There…

Natural Deodorant: What Works For Us

Natural Deodorant: What Works For Us

I made the switch to natural deodorant years ago. I switched all of my hygiene products to more natural or organic formulas that had as little chemicals as possible. Natural deodorant was on my list of priorities because they keep going back and forth on whether or not antiperspirants cause breast cancer. It has never been confirmed but I didn’t want to take the chance.

 In my bio I mentioned that I tested positive for the brca-1 gene mutation in 2011. It basically means that the chance of me getting breast cancer is 87%. Not good.  I did a lot of research and spoke with my doctors about possible chemicals or foods that can increase my chance of getting cancer. I decided to avoid all of those things if I could to decrease my risk. I underwent a double mastectomy in 2012 at the age of 25. It wasn’t a difficult decision for me because I just wanted to lessen my chance of cancer, no matter what I had to do. After I had my surgery, I slowly transitioned to as many natural products as I could in my home. Deodorant was one of the hardest transitions for me. There are sooo many out on the market and everyone swears by a different one. I tried around 15 different brands. I did find a couple that would work for a few hours but I would have to reapply during the day. It was super annoying. I kept going back and forth between deodorant and antiperspirant until someone recommended Primal Pit Paste to me. I read all about the detox phase which basically is your body adjusting to not using antiperspirant anymore. You sweat a lot and it stinks. Mine lasted only a couple weeks. I eat pretty clean so I don’t have a huge smell issue but when I have stress sweat, it’s not pleasant. I decided to try Primal Pit Paste in March 2017 because it was winter and I figured that was the best time to try it out. For the sake of this post, I went through my Amazon purchase history to see exactly when I started using it, I wanted to show how much I really do love the stuff. I did read reviews and people were having some skin issues from it. One of the main ingredients in it is baking soda so it can irritate some peoples skin. I have sensitive skin and I can say it never bothered me. I once made my own paste from a recipe I found on Pinterest and not only did it not work, it irritated my skin and it flaked on clothing. I was over that experiment quick! I only have to apply this once in the morning, it does not get on my clothes and yes I sweat but it never smells. Finally my husband decided to try it. He has been using 3 different natural brands that he would pick up when he would go shopping because he liked the smell. I always told him to use Primal Pit Paste but he wanted to test everything. The man finally decided to try mine one day and loved it!! He came home and told me to order him some asap! He couldn’t believe how good it worked and that he didn’t have to reapply at all. I work out 5 days a week and I can tell you that it even works during a heavy lifting session or some HITT cardio, super impressive.

You can purchase it here https://primalpitpaste.com/products/lavender-natural-deodorant-stick-1

I tried lavender, Rosemary Lavender and Jasmine. I haven’t tried anything else because I just love Lavender. My husband ordered the Rosemary Lavender and I have to say, I want to get that for myself next time! They also have unscented if you just don’t like smell or are sensitive to it. You don’t need the smell, because the ingredients do all the work, the scent is for fun!

Ingredients in it are: Organic coconut oil, aluminum free baking soda, organic shea butter, organic arrowroot powder, vitamin E and organic beeswax. They add in the essential oils and boom, amazing natural deodorant with limited ingredients that get the job done!

I didn’t want to list all the brands that I tried and didn’t like because I don’t feel it’s fair for me to say they don’t work, they just didn’t work for me. Every body is different and each of our natural scents and chemistry may work better or worse with different ingredients. I wanted to give an honest non paid review of a product that changed things for me. I have my oldest daughter using it as well, it’s perfectly safe for her to use which I love! If you haven’t made the change or aren’t super happy with your current deodorant, give this a try!! Who knows, it can totally be a game changer for you as well!