Zevia Review and Carob Fudge!

I am taking a break from my blogging sabbatical (yes, a break from my break) to review a product and tell you about our new favorite dessert/snack from Whole New Mom!

I have a confession.  I am a former Diet Coke-oholic.  In college 6 Diet Cokes a day was not uncommon for me and many days it was more.  Yes, that's a lot of Diet Coke!  I firmly believe that artificial sweeteners are not good for our bodies and after a lot of starts and stops, I finally kicked the habit.  Unfortunately, every once in a while I really want that sweet, bubbly beverage.  Here's another confession: sometimes I have one.  My moments of weakness usually happen in line at the store.  That's why they put the goodies there anyway, to tempt us, right?

When I saw Zevia hit the market I was excited to see a soda that was made with stevia and curious as to how it would taste compared to my beloved Diet Coke, (which I don't even really think tastes all that good any more).  Zevia is sweetened with stevia and erithrytol.  From what I understand, erithrytol is a sugar alcohol created from a fermentation process, but also occurs naturally in certain foods.   My thoughts are that if I want a soda, it's a healthier choice than aspartame, but I don't really know enough about erithrytol to give an educated opinion.  Read up on it and make your own decision.

Zevia states that their ingredients are all natural.  If you are concerned about any of the ingredients, you can read more about them here and here.  If you still have questions you can contact Zevia at zevia.com.  I have found that most companies are happy to discuss their products with you.

Now, how does Zevia taste?  While the flavors have their own spin on versions from other big name brand colas, as well as a few originals, I think they taste great!  Dr. Zevia, Ginger Root Beer, Orange, and Black Cherry are just a few of Zevia's flavors.  I've tried many of them and have liked them all, but I especially love Cola.  It taste like Diet Coke without that artificial aftertaste.

Zevia would be perfect to pack in the cooler for the beach or lake.  Or as a cool treat during these hot summer days-- put them in the freezer just long enough to make them a slushy treat.  Yum!  (Warning: don't leave them too long or you will have a big mess to clean up.)

    

Carob Pods
photo credit

And as a bonus, I wanted to share a new recipe that my family absolutely loves!  Silky Smooth Bean Fudge from Whole New Mom is awesome!  I've been making it with carob because of Griffin's chocolate allergy, and we really can't taste the difference.  It is super easy to make (no bake), and it's so healthy!  If you have picky eaters you may not want to make it in front of them.  It has a "hidden" ingredient that might make them turn up their noses before they've tasted it.  We've tried it from the fridge and the freezer and love it both ways!

Hope everyone's summer is off to a wonderful start!

Blogger Burn-Out

If you follow my blog, you may have noticed that I am not posting as much.  I am experiencing blogger burn-out and I am going to take some time off to regroup.

I have received some criticism and unkind comments (I am glad I moderate all my comments).  I started my blog for fun and comments like this are not fun.  I am not an expert.  I am not a nutritionist, a doctor, or any other health professional.  I'm a mom.  I blog about my experiences.  I am truly disappointed that some women would feel the need to judge me and to try to do so openly on my blog.

Since my journey into healthy foods I have realized that all my time has been spent in the kitchen.  I am either making a meal or snack or I am cleaning up and doing dishes.  My kids are growing up so fast!  I don't want to live in the kitchen.  I want to spend time with them and enjoy them before they are ready to be off on their own.  Yes, this means I am compromising on some of the food choices I make for my family.  Yes, this means that I am going to make some meals from boxes.  I am thinking about the big picture though and what is overall best for my family.

Sorry to disappoint some of my readers by taking a step back (not a complete reversal) from traditional, real foods.  We all have choices to make and the choices I make are made through lots of reflection and serious thought.

Menu Monday 5-9-11

Since we've moved time has gone by in a whirlwind of packing and unpacking and settling in.  I'm not sure where April went and I can't believe we are into the second week of May!  Soon the kids will be out of school for the summer.  It will be nice to not start my day with the buzzing of an alarm clock and it will be really nice to have lots of quality time with the kids.

photo credit

In other news, my husband and I have decided to start a new tradition.  Either Friday or Saturday nights we are going to let our three oldest stay up a little later than normal for "Movie Night."  Snuggle time on the couch, a bowl full of popcorn, and a great family movie sounds like a wonderful way to spend an evening.  I am excited to look through the family section of the Netflix library to make a list of what we might like to watch.

Monday
Breakfast: Honey Muffins
Lunch: Turkey Sandwiches, Mary's Sticks and Twigs , Applesauce
Dinner:  My parents' treat.  :)

Tuesday
Breakfast:  Breakfast Cookies
Lunch:  Egg Sandwiches, Pears
Dinner:  Gluten Free Chicken Strips, Home Fries, Squash Casserole

Wednesday 
Breakfast:  Peanut Butter/Carob Granola-Gluten Free [1] 
Lunch:  Pb&j's, grapes
Dinner:  Bacon & Eggs

Thursday
Breakfast:  Silky Smooth Bean Fudge
Lunch:  Peanut Butter Apple Sandwiches, Homemade Coconut Milk Yogurt
Dinner:  Steak & Potatoes [2]

Friday 
Breakfast:  Cinnamon Toast
Lunch:  Kids at my parents (My husband has the day off and we are going on a date!  We have a movie and a restaurant gift card.  Woohoo!)  
Dinner:  Pizza

Saturday
Breakfast:  Grain Free Pancakes
Lunch:  Leftover Pizza, Strawberries
Dinner:  Leftovers

Sunday
Breakfast:  Bacon & Eggs
Lunch:  Ham at my parents for my brother's birthday!
Dinner:  Ham Sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, salad (leftover from party)


Footnotes:
[1] I'll post this recipe later.  Come back to see!
[2] A kind neighbor came by to welcome us to the neighborhood and came bearing steak and potatoes.  Steak is a luxury we can't afford and we were when we saw what was in her gift bag!  Got any tips on cooking a really juicy, tender steak?  I'd love to hear them!

To All Those That Say Older Generations Have Ruined Our Planet....

I hope it is ok to post this.  It was sent to me in an email and is not my words.  I don't usually pay much attention to forwarded emails, but when I read this I said, "Amen!"


If you believe in going green, don't blame our elders for the state of the world.  Take responsibility for your part with our bottled water (made of biodegradable materials), our iPhones soon to be tossed for the latest and hottest and our late nights at work burning the midnight oil (i.e. wasting electricity).  We would be in a lot better shape if we slowed down in all that we do, whether it be how we prepare our food or taking more time to enjoy the moment.  We should unplug more, roll up our sleeves, and live life more like our grandparents and great-grandparents did.

photo credit

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. 

The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. 

The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."

(FYI, the cashier was probably a teenager or early twenty-something).

Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. 

The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. 

So they really were recycled.

But they didn't have the green thing back in that customer's day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn't have an escalator in every store and office building.

They walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

But she was right. They didn't have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the baby's diapers because they didn't have the throw-away kind.

They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts - wind and solar power really did dry the clothes.

Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that old lady is right, they didn't have the green thing back in her day.

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house - not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana .

In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for you. 

When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power.

They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she's right, they didn't have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water.

They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But they didn't have the green thing back then. 

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service.

They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances.

And they didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

Note from Renee: This didn't mention all the packaging from fast food purchases or the replacement of computers, cell phones, etc. every time they are updated.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?

Menu Monday 5-2-11....

...... a little late.

Last week I posted a picture of a front porch.  It wasn't my front porch, but it looked like a great place to sit, sip my coffee and watch the world go by.

I've never had a "real front porch" before.  We've lived in houses that had a little slab of concrete, but not a bona fide front porch.  It's one of the things I love about our new home.

After several weeks without a camera (ours broke), we finally have one in working order!  Yeah!

So without further ado.....

Our bona fide, real front porch

Monday
Breakfast: Breakfast Cookies
Lunch: Nature's Rancher Hot Dogs, apple slices
Dinner:  Chicken Burritos, salad

Tuesday
Breakfast:  Coconut Flour Waffles
Lunch:  Peanut Butter Apples, Mary's Sticks and Twigs (Gluten, Dairy, & Corn Free!)
Dinner:  BLT's, carrot sticks

Wednesday 
Breakfast:  Cinnamon Toast  
Lunch:  Pb&j's, grapes
Dinner:  Bacon & Eggs

Thursday
Breakfast:  Crispy Rice Treats
Lunch:  Mac-n-"cheese", peas
Dinner:  Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Friday 
Breakfast:  Cinnamon Rolls
Lunch:  Kids at my parents
Dinner:  Pizza

Saturday
Breakfast:  3 Ingredient Banana Pancakes
Lunch:  Leftover Pizza, Strawberries
Dinner:  Black Bean Burgers, home fries, apple slices

Sunday
Breakfast:  Bacon & Eggs
Lunch:  Pb&j's, carrot sticks
Dinner:  Leftovers

Chinese Chicken Salad

photo credit*

In college I frequented a restaurant that served the best Chinese Chicken Salad.  I loved the sweet/salty dressing, the cool, crisp lettuce and the crunchy chow mein noodles on top.  Mmmmmm.....  When Foodista sent me an email for fast and easy recipes, I saw "Classic Chinese Chicken Salad."  I knew I had to put it on my menu!

I thought gluten free "chow mein" noodles would be a challenge, but after a quick search, I had a simple recipe that was a snap thanks to Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom.


1 lb chicken, cubed
coconut oil, as needed
salt and pepper to taste

4 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp orange juice
2 Tbsp Tamari
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp sesame oil

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

3 green onions
1 can mandarin oranges
1 cup gluten free Chow Mein Noodles

Saute chicken in coconut oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, Tamari, orange juice, sesame oil and honey.

In a large salad bowl toss onions, lettuce, oranges, cilantro and dressing.  Top with chow mein noodles and serve. Yum!



*My camera is broken.  This is not my photo, but it is close to what my salad looked like.

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Slightly Indulgent Tuesday