Fast, low Calorie desserts on a budget!

Do you enjoy baking?  Are you good at it?

I have never been into baking.  I tried to make a cake once when I was a kid, and messed the whole thing up, which is the reason I was always afraid of baking. I sure love my sweets though!  I try to stay fit, but who doesn't get that sweet tooth every once in a while?  This is the reason that I like to keep a few of my favorite recipe's close by for when this happens.  Here are just a few of my families fast and affordable favorites!

*CHOCOLATE BANANA SPLIT:
 Cut a  banana lengthwise. Melt bittersweet chocolate pieces in microwave; spread over banana. Top with scoop of your favorite flavor of low-fat frozen yogurt!

* STRAWBERRY DIPPERS:
Dip whole strawberries in low-fat French vanilla, lemon chiffon, or chocolate yogurt!

* ANGEL BERRY SUNDAE
Cut a premade angel food cake into bite-size pieces; layer with fresh berries and low-fat or fat-free vanilla pudding, and drizzle a little bit of chocolate syrup on top.  or you can always use low fat Cool Whip!

Making Healthy Changes don't have to Suck!

I have not always cared about being healthy.  By that I mean I was always very skinny growing up, and though because of that I was healthy.

I turned 30 a few years ago, and that is when I decided to lead a more healthy life style.  Now of course you can't change habits over night, but slowly I have changed so much about the way I live my life.

You don't have to exercise for hours a day to be healthy.  People who put in 300 minutes a week of moderate activity, have a 20% lower risk of death due to Cardiovascular disease. Playing with the kids outside, throwing a ball around, swimming, walking around the mall, taking a family Bike ride, or hike in the park.  These are just a few ways that you can get that exercise in without feeling like you're exercising!

What about our diet?  So many people eat unhealthy foods because they are cheaper, or because they are easier to pick up and go when you're on the run.  I like to buy my fruits and veggies on a Sunday and spend an hour prepping it all.  Washing it, cutting it up, and putting it into individual snack bags so that it is ready when I need to grab something and go.


My kids are all young, but I am trying to teach them a healthy lifestyle now, so that it carries on with them in their grown up years.  Do you have any great Health Tips you want to share?  What do you do to keep your family on the healthy track!

Summer Beauty Must Have's!

 

With summer right around the corner, I start changing out my winter products with my summer products! Here are 5 items I keep in my purse in the summer. 

I will usually change out my darker lip colors for more of a light gloss with just a hint of color.

Bronzer is a no-brainer of course, and I like to buy the water proof.  This way, when you sweat because of the heat, or from being more active, it wont take the bronzer with it.

Bright nail polish is a MUST for me in the summer!  The brighter the better!  I personally love pinks!

Dry shampoo is always in my purse.  You tend to sweat more in the summer causing more oil and a spray here & there to freshen up that hair is always a good idea.

Sun Screen!  when I was younger I never understood why people wore it, but as an adult I want to protect my skin the best I can.  I always buy an SPF 50!  If you want a natural looking tan without the risks of being out in those harmful rays, buy a good self tanner.

Here are just 5 products that I carry in my purse for the summer month's, what are some of your beauty must have's?!?

Life Before Electronics

 

I remember when I was a kid, we played outside until the street lights came on.  We would play tag, ride our bikes until the tires had no tread left on them, roller skate, or just run around being silly.  What happened to those days?

My kids are all about electronics.  They had to have a Play Station, then the Xbox, then the Xbox 360 came out.  We can't go anywhere without the Ipods or the phones, and they don't want to play outside like we always did.

I finally put my foot down (yes I know I am the bad mom)!  they are allowed 2 hours of electronics a day after their chores are done.  They have to find something else to do the rest of the day whether it be riding bikes, playing board games, or reading a book, I don't care but enough of this electronic obsessed world!

Do you have set guidelines with your own children and their electronics?

 

 It is almost Summer time, do you have any big plans this summer?

With my son starting High School, his football practice runs through the summer which is keeping us from doing our usual long vacations, so to keep the younger two busy, I have come up with some fun, and free things to do.

* Picnic's at the park are always one of our favorite's!  We bring a blanket, a cooler with our lunch, snacks, and plenty of water to keep them hydrated and we make an afternoon of it.  They get to run around and get their energy out, and I get to enjoy watching them.  (after all, they are only small for so long)


* We love to go to our local nature center's.  I try to time it so that we go at feeding time, and the kids even sometimes get to help with that. We will usually spend about 35 minutes inside, and then we walk the trail along the river and feed the ducks, look at all of the different trees, and end at the park where they play for a while.


* I also buy a zoo pass every year.  It costs $70 for the year, but you can bring your own food in so that saves a lot on food.  the kids will usually get to pick a small gift from the gift shop, and get an ice cream, but they get to enjoy a whole day of watching all of the different animals and how they all interact with each other differently.

What do you enjoy doing in the summer that saves your wallet, but the kids really enjoy?

Trying new products for free

Do you enjoy free stuff?  Do you enjoy trying new things before paying for them? 


I have recently been introduced to a few sites that allow you to do just that.  You are able to try new products, and share your review with friends, family, and on Social Media sites.

I am pretty new at this, but have had the opportunity to try a few different products, and so far it has been a fun experience... after all, who doesn't enjoy getting free stuff in the mail?! Sure beats those bills and junk mail!

I have bought so many things, opened them up only to realize it wasn't something I wanted, wasn't as good as the product said it was, or just didn't work well for me. That costs me lots of money....and who wants to waste their money?!

Do you participate in any web-sites that offer you free products to test and try before purchasing?