Healthy Snacks: Part I

I am always on the look out for healthy snacks and different options to mix into my daily food routine.  After almost 6 months of being conscious of what I eat, I have created a list of my favorite yummy snacks that are delicious, healthy and easy.  I thought it would be fun to update occasionally on what I am enjoying for snacks at the moment. Not only can I look through my snacks when I need to, but maybe offer some tips and tricks for all of you out there.


1. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cliff Bars (all time favorite!)
2. Oatmeal with Berries
3. Greek on the Go Bites (I count out 11 and take them with me in a Ziploc bag-easy!)



4. Carrots with Oikos French Onion Dip (I haven't tried the other dips but they all look great)



5. Greek Yogurt - Favorite brands: Fage and Chobani
6. A few slices of turkey and a Sargento colby-jack cheese stick
7. My Favorite Protein Shake
8. Avocado - so good with a tiny dash of season salt
9. Strawberries and Blueberries (I love to mix these two in a bag to take with me for on the go snacks)
10. Banana with Peanut Butter
11. Vanilla Greek Yogurt + TBS. of Peanut Butter = Dip apples into it (one of my all time favorites)
12. KIND bars- I love the chocolate one and the cranberry fruit and nut one



I know all of these snacks are probably things you've tried/heard of, but sometimes for me all I need is just a reminder.  What are your favorite snacks right now?

Exciting news today for my workout regime... I joined a new gym that I think I am really going to love.  The gym I used to be a member of was great, but did not offer any classes. My new gym offers tons and tons of classes like yoga, toning, cycling - you name it, they've got it! I also got a great deal (thanks teacher discount!) and I cannot wait to try all of the classes. Today, I did a ripped yoga class that was amazing and I loved, loved it! Tomorrow morning I am going to try the total body tone class.. wish me luck!

I've also been interested in clean eating lately. We for the most part do this already, but I am thinking about finding a book on clean eating and try it 80/20. Anyone out there clean eaters? I found this on Pinterest and it gives you an idea of what to stock your fridge with...



Any tips? Have a great weekend with the ones you love!

Green Chile Cheeseburgers

One of my husband's favorite things to eat is a green chile cheeseburger.  There's a mexican restaurant in Hot Springs called Taco Mama's that makes the best green chile burger, hands down. There's no way you can make one that even comes close, but when I saw this recipe online, I knew I had to give it a go...

This burger is beyond delicious, full of flavor and has the perfect kick.  Find the recipe HERE!

The only thing I did different was use ground beef sirloin and you MUST save extra green chilies to top your burger with. The only thing I added to my burger was a little bit of guac and that was perfect to me. Ty added tomato and mayo to his.  This yummy and fresh burger will be on our rotation all summer!

Weekend Happenings

To start out... Here is a picture of Ty and I on Friday morning.  Just a regular old Friday morning before work, right? Wrong-o! We are standing in the snow... in May... in Arkansas. You can't really tell because we were taking the picture of ourselves, but at least it is documented...

Ok, so you can't tell that it is snowing at all, but here is what our front yard looked like...

Of course the snow really wound up all of my kids and made for a rather long day. At what age do people's behaviors stop being affected by weather? I mean, come on! I love my sweet babies, I really, really do!

After work on Friday, Ty and I headed to Branson for a fun weekend with my Nana, Pa, Jerry and Pam (Jerry is Nana's cousin and Pam is his wife - they are so sweet!).  Friday night we all had dinner together and visited until bedtime.  Saturday we spent the day shopping and then saw a magic show last night.  This morning we woke up, had breakfast together and then Ty and I headed back home.  It really was the best weekend full of fun, family and relaxation. 

I didn't take many pictures (we were too busy having fun), but I did take a picture of my new sunglasses that I absolutely love.. leather + aviators = best idea ever.  I got these at the Fossil store on sale and I can tell I will live in these all summer...

When we got home today we relaxed some more, grocery shopped and cooked up a fancy Cinco de Mayo feast.  Weekends like this remind me how blessed I am. Blessed to have a family like mine. They really are the most special thing in the world to me.

I was thinking on the drive home today and it hit me that I am living in the days I used to dream about and hope for. I remember thinking in college that I couldn't wait for Ty and I to be married, in our first home and working a "real" job. I still have to pinch myself periodically to make sure I really am teaching in Bentonville (the best district in the state...yep, I'm proud).  I know that's cheesy but I'm just amazed at all of the blessings I've been given.

Who wants to see this Cinco de Mayo feast? If you don't? Too bad, so sad!

Here's to another week... only 3 more to go!