This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Healthy4School #CollectiveBias

In just one short week, we go to orientation for Hampton’s preschool program. I can’t believe he is about to start school. He will only be going a couple of days a week, but he is so excited and I can’t help but think back on my school days. As a mom, my biggest concern is keeping him healthy. He will be exposed to more germs than he is used to and, because of that, he will expose my other babies. Here are a few key strategies I am using to keep my kids healthy during the busy back-to-school season.

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Okay, so Hampton is two now, but these tips held true before his birthday. I plan on incorporating them again once our baby boy is born in November(ish). Running errands with two young children – regardless of their age can be trying. We’ve all experienced toddler tantrums out in public probably more than we have smooth and successful errand runs, am I right? Is that just me? Okay…

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Our household is a big fan of snack mixes and trail mixes because we spend half of our life in the car (and I know I don’t know alf of it yet) and these make-ahead snacks are so easy to pack and go! I love experimenting and making different mixes using different things and I try to be healthy when I can. I love using dried fruits and often times chocolate, but I since General Mills cereals have gone Gluten Free, I was inspired to make a gluten free sweet snack mix!

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The weather has been beautiful the last couple of weeks and we have been spending many days at the park. If you are a mom of a little boy, you know why! 😉 Days that we stay at the house can be a little… crazy. I like to get out with my kids as much as I can, even if it is running to the grocery store for something. Sometimes that one little errand makes all the difference in keeping them from going stir crazy.

We have been to the park twice in the last week and we love to pack our lunch and enjoy a picnic while we are there! As you know, park days are better with friends, so we met our friends their one day and played with the cousins another day. There are just a few tips I also remember when packing a picnic for a playdate:

• Make sure none of the other kids have food allergies. If they do, don’t pack those things in your child’s lunch – just in case.
• Pack plenty for everyone. I always overpack, but I’d rather do that than not have enough for everyone to enjoy. If another child wants some of our yogurt or fruit, I want to have plenty.
• Take extra liquids – especially on a hot day.
• Pack healthy foods and snacks.

So, what foods are my go-tos for picnic lunches? Well, your basic peanut butter sandwich (or turkey and cheese if a kid has a peanut allergy) crackers, fruit and Annie’s Organic Yogurt. I also like to bring juice and water so that we have both options for Hamp. When he is running around a lot, he likes to drink water.

My family has been enjoying the adorable cheese bunny crackers by Annie’s for a long time now, so when I was at Publix the other day, I was excited to see that they make organic yogurt! Hampton loves yogurt and eats it almost every day, but I have noticed lately that a lot of other brands put artificial flavors or sweeteners in theirs. No, thank you! Annie’s yogurt tastes amazing and I feel so good about giving it to my kids (and myself). This is now a staple in our home. This organic yogurt comes in two new flavors – Summer Strawberry and Berry Patch. It has no artificial flavors, or sweeteners and has no hormones.

Publix is currently offering 2 Annie’s Organic Whole Milk Yogurt for only $5, so stock up! I am giving away $15 paypal cash to one lucky person who comment on this post to try this organic yogurt for yourself!

What do you pack in your picnic?

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you guys that I am trying to make more healthy choices in my daily routine and diet. So far, this has been going really well, but I have definitely stumbled a few times. Hey, I’m only human with a huge sweet tooth. So, today when I realized I ate a terrible lunch but was already hungry again, I opted for my go-to. Hello, Smoothie King’s Apple kiwi Kale Smoothie! I am so obsessed with their vegetable blend smoothies. They are delicious and who wouldn’t want to drink a heavenly smoothie on a warm spring (that feels like summer) day all while tricking your mind to think you are drinking a desert and you’re really drinking fruits and vegetables! It’s a win-win! Especially when you can drink it with a $2.99 coupon!

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One healthy goal I made for myself over a year ago was to eat something green every day. There are a lot of days that this is really easy for me, and lately, I have gotten off of my health kick and have not been eating as well. I am trying to reevaluate why I want to be healthy in the first place and that #1 reason is for my ids. I’ve said it many times before, but I want to be healthy so I can live a long and active life! I want to be able to run around with my kids AND grandkids one day!

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This week has been really crazy. We have been going non-stop every day running from one direction to another. The older Hampton gets, the more I realize that our life will continue to get busier. He will become involved in sports and then Sophie will begin ballet lessons and so on. Toddler tantrums have also been at an all-time high these past couple of weeks. I’ve noticed that they are worse when he is hungry. I have started carrying lots of snacks with me when we go out to prevent fits when I sense one coming. It can be hard to come up with snack ideas, but here are a few of our favorites:

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EffortlessPies #CollectiveBias


During the Holidays, I love to make holiday themed snacks and meals for my son. It’s something we both enjoy doing – making messes in the kitchen, getting our hands a little dirty, and eating! My only issue with this time of year is that most recipes are full of unhealthy ingredients. I like to try to find healthier alternatives when I can, especially for my son. When he eats a lot of sugar, he is a different kid. He starts acting crazy and wild and it normally ends in a tantrum. Because of this, I try to avoid giving him sugar as much as possible or at least limiting the amount he eats.

Pumpkin pies are a fall favorite of mine. I thought it would be fun to create mini pumpkin pies using Keebler® Ready Crust® Mini Graham Cracker Pie Crust, Dannon Oikos® Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt, and Reddi Wip® from Walmart as a healthier version for my son as a special holiday themed snack.

Ingredients: 

Keebler® Ready Crust® Mini Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Dannon Oikos® Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt
Reddi Wip®
Cinnamon 

Directions:


Spoon the Dannon Oikos® Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt into the mini pie crusts. Top the pie with Reddi Wip® and a dash of cinnamon. 

This post is sponsored by BOOMCHICKAPOP but the content and #BringtheBoom moment are my own.


Around 8p.m. once the kids are all tucked in bed, I have a couple of hours all to myself before hitting the sack. During this time, I typically finish up any blog tasks that I didn’t get done during the day and then its party time! Well, not really, but it feels that way to me. I am a bit of an introvert, so there is nothing I enjoy more than a quiet night in. These nights are rare, but are so rejuvenating to me. So, how do I create the perfect night in you ask?

First, late night snacks are a must! Good for you if they are healthy choices. Sometimes mine are and sometimes they aren’t (I’m talking to you, ice cream). One of my favorite snacks is popcorn. Since I was pregnant with SR, I have been on a major popcorn kick.  recently noticed these fun bright colored bags of flavored popcorn at the grocery stores, and so I had to try it out for myself. I am absolutely in love with BoomChickaPop! Best part? It is already popped, so all you have to do is sit down and enjoy it! It is also gluten free. I bought the sea salt flavor because I prefer regular popcorn to flavored, but it is definitely worth a try.

Second, I set the mood with a candle and maybe a little music. I love to have background noise on at all times. Music is so soothing and can really help me relax.

Third, pick out a good book or movie! This week, I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Kate Morton’s new book The Lake House (insert school girl giggles and bounces). I have really been enjoying diving into a once again incredible book by my favorite author! Look out for my review coming soon! There is just something about unwinding and getting hooked on a good show or book right before you go to sleep. Reading definitely helps me unwind.

Right now, you can share how you bring the BOOM on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram using the hashtag #BringTheBoom for a chance to win three Halloween kits, a $50 Target gift card and free BOOMCHICKAPOP products! They will choose the winners and mail prizes out the week before Halloween. Be sure to share share share!

How do you enjoy your alone time? Do you prefer a night in or out on the town?

This post is sponsored by Cheerios but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I used to never eat breakfast. Give me a cup of coffee and I was good to go. Lately, however, I have been eating breakfast and lighter dinners since I have been trying to lose my baby weight. I have grown so used to eating breakfast that when I don’t, I am starving and grumpy by the time lunch rolls around. When we went on our cruise, we ate really big breakfasts. It was amazing and I was in heaven.

Aside from the delicious French toast, scrambled eggs and bacon that was given to us on the cruise in unlimited quantities, my go-to breakfast is usually cereal. I have even passed this habit down to my son who loves his Cheerios. When I say love, I mean it! “Cheerios” was one of Hamp’s first words. As soon as he could talk, he found a way to ask for his Cheerios. He prefers them to waffles and almost any other breakfast foods (other than fruit and yogurt).

Cheerios are the perfect snack for kids. They taste great, come in so many delicious flavors now and have wonderful health benefits. Guess what!?! Publix is even offering a BOGO coupon for Cheerios!! Be sure to snag it while you can!

I recently discovered that people make so many other delicious recipes using Cheerios that go far beyond cereal! I’m talking muffins, ice cream bites that are making my mouth water and so many more! Check out all these delicious recipes here! Talk about mixing up your breakfast!

Giveaway Time!! Win $10 by:

1. Visit Cheerios and leave me a comment telling me which new flavor or recipe you’d like to try!

2. You even get a bonus entry for printing the BOGO coupon! Just leave me a separate comment letting me know you did!

I will pick one winner in 3 weeks! Good luck!

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?