Monday, October 20, 2014

Recipe : Sweet potato fries

These sweet potato fries  are the yummiest and easiest way I get my kids to eat more healthy foods.

Not only are sweet potatoes amazingly good for you: packed with vitamin A, C and calcium, but they are so versatile. Here are a variety of different ways that I have implemented them in my foods.

- Instead of pumpkin puree I use sweet potatoes to make muffins
- throw some in your smoothie instead of bananas
- make yummy pancakes
- throw some in your chili
- or just serve it as a side dish

For these sweet potatoes you will need 
-2-3 medium to large sweet potatoes ( preferably the same size )
-Olive oil for savory
-coconut oil for sweet ones
- cornstarch 1- 2 tbsp
- Favorite seasonings for savory
- Raw sugar and cinnamon to taste
- parchment paper / cookie sheet


1) Preheat oven to 415 F - Peel sweet potatoes and cut them julienne style. Make sure that they are all cut the same size

2) sprinkle your fries with corn starch ( use a ziploc bag for easy clean up ) Then shake out the excess using a colander. Very important to get out the excess because when I left the extra on there it was NOT a yummy taste.

3) Toss your oil of choice approx 2 tbsp.

4) Add your seasoning and place on your cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper

5) Make sure that they are evenly on the cookie sheet, if not and this is something that I recently learned   they will steam instead of get crispy

6)  Start baking for 20 mins

7) Take out and flip

8) bake another 20 mins

Depending on the size that you cut them then these should turn out perfect. IF you cut them too tiny then they will blacken and get yucky.

I have also cubed them up and added the savory seasoning - sort of like mini tater tots - My toddler ate all these up !

Enjoy !!!



Wednesday, October 8, 2014

5 things you can DO TODAY to HELP with STRESS




I was having a conversation with someone about stress eating. They were so frustrated that they had packed on some extra pounds due to stress and turning to food for comfort. If this sounds like you then  trust me... you are not alone!

Perhaps, it's a salty food item that draws your attention, or maybe it's a warm piece of bread. Heck, maybe anything and EVERYTHING tastes good to you when you are stressed. So, what can you do when you head to the kitchen? Well, here are 5 actionable items you can tackle today.

1) Go for a walk-  Yes, go outside and get a breath of fresh air. Weather not cooperating ? Then pop open the garage and start doing jumping jacks, and lunges. No garage? Then try your front porch. Find a way to change your environment.

2) Clean something- if this is what ends up helping you relieve stress, then you will have one clean house! Or purse or car! What you are doing is forcing yourself to focus on something else aside from food. Scrub, vacuum, dust  or wipe it down. Just try it and see how you feel after.

3) Call someone- I didn't say text or Facebook someone, BUT actually pick up the phone and vent your frustrations to someone you trust. This is a great way to see if what you are stressing about is really worth it.

4) Do some deep breathing - Take the time and do deep breaths that reach deep into your belly. Focus on this for a few minutes and even try playing relaxation music on. If you have essential oils then place those on your temples and wrists. Do some self talking such as " Is it true ? Then let it go "  my friend gave me that phrase which was helpful to me during a stressful time and also try " I am a good person" many times I guilt myself to thinking that I am the bad guy or at fault. Repeat positive affirmations and the negative thinking will have no place in your mind.

5) Write your feelings out- there is something so therapeutic about putting pen to paper and just writing your feelings and frustrations. Write what you are really feeling, and then start listing 5 things that you are grateful for. Aim to write for 15 minutes, and if you catch yourself writing longer than that just keep going !!!

Stress is a real emotion that we all experience, just know that eating isn't the only way to appease those emotions. Try these 5 actionable things and put them to the test. You can overcome it! Don't let food control you !



Thursday, October 2, 2014

4 ingredient Ice Cream - that's HEALTHY and Low in calories !!

One of my most favorite things that I would buy and indulge in was- ICE CREAM. Seriously, it was a staple at my house. Walking thru the cold aisle I would automatically scan thru all the yummy flavors. Almost always stopping to pick up Cookies N cream. And my indulgence would begin, after dinner. preferably when the kids where in bed. It was the bowl and I … oh and my husband would almost always have to enjoy several scoops for himself.

It was after some time that I came to the realization that eating ice cream before bed was not good for my waistline. So, my trips to the freezer section became less. And this so called must - HAVE was no longer a priority.

Yes, I still do enjoy ice cream, but the bowl of yummy creaminess is much more enjoyable.

So, when I stumbled upon this recipe that has 4 ingredients from mywholefoodlife.com and there is NO MILK! Say WHAT !

I decided to give it a whirl !

So here are the ingredients




-1 can of coconut
- peppermint flavoring extract- 1/2 tsp
- Maple syrup 2-3 Tablespoons
-Chocolate chips 2 T of


Pour the can of coconut into a bowl - I should have chilled the can of coconut or the mixture after, just an after thought.




My son was eager to be my little helper.




He had to help me and of course dump the maple syrup! I think I would add a little bit  more next time. 



Mix it all up! Make sure to add the extract as well !

Now pour it into your mixer and set it for 18 minutes.

Add the chocolate chips at the 15 minute mark.


Here is my soft serve mixture. Doesn't it look like ice cream !!

He ate it all up! He did make a funny face at first, it threw him off but he was happy !

I had to add FRESH rasper berries to mine !! 

Give this a try and you may be surprised at how much you do like it !!