It’s holiday time, which means food galore, and VSL#3 is providing delicious recipes for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). I know at least two people in my immediate circle who suffer from IBS. Chances are, you know someone dealing with the same or a similar issue such as UC (ulcerative colitis) or ileal pouch. According to a Harris Poll* conducted on behalf of VSL#3, up to 20% of U.S. adults have IBS symptoms, and about 75% of IBS sufferers get relief from symptoms with a low-FODMAP diet. (FODMAP = Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols, or more simply, short-chain carbohydrates.)

Preparing meals for those who suffer these conditions can oftentimes be confusing, and the sufferer may not really know what foods are best for his/her comfort! VS#3, a probiotic medical food, provided me a cookbook and recipe cards to try some IBS-friendly recipes. I assure you that the meals in Flavor without FODMAPS, the cookbook by Patsy Catsos, contained easy, crowd-pleasing recipes–perfect for holiday (and any day!) cooking.

Check out the yummy Near East Chicken Salad:
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In addition to eating an IBS-friendly diet, finding the right probiotic can help. VSL#3 is a proprietary formulation of a mix of 8 strains of live lactic acid bacteria, making it one of the few probiotics with this many strains, and is at least 10 times more potent than the average probiotic.

VSL#3 differs from other probiotics in that it is a medical food, not a supplement, and therefore must be used under medical supervision. I invite you to visit VSL#3 for more information. Use the code “DOCTOR” at checkout for $5 off your next purchase!

Find more delicious IBS-­friendly recipes at delicious IBS-friendly recipes

More good stuff!

Enter the IBS-­Friendly Feast Giveaway today for a chance to receive a cooking class for two at your local William Sonoma or Sur la Table stores and custom IBS-­friendly recipes from VSL#3. Five runners-­up winners will also receive a one-­month supply of the VSL#3 product. Enter before 11/25 at 12 p.m. ET! Click Here to Enter.

Check out VSL#3’s series of videos packed with helpful info about IBS & UC at www.youtube.com/user/VSL3Probiotic

*Harris Poll conducted the GI Issues Survey on behalf of VSL#3. The survey was administered online within the United States between April 1 -­ 7, 2015 among 607 adult’s ages 18+ who have been diagnosed with a digestive or gastrointestinal condition, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis, ileal pouch (“sufferers”).

VSL#3® is a high-potency probiotic medical food that’s clinically proven in the dietary management of IBS, ulcerative colitis, and ileal pouch. To learn more visit www.vsl3.com and LIKE the brand on Facebook. 

This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation. All opinions, text and experiences are my own. VSL#3® is a high-potency probiotic medical food for the dietary management of IBS, UC and ileal pouch and must be used under medical supervision. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Continue Reading...Delicious Recipes for IBS

I grew up, as I’m sure many of you did, too, watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! in the weeks leading into fall. So when Albertsons asked me to participate in getting the word out about The Peanuts Movie (releasing November 6th), I was totally on board! Charlie Brown and Snoopy, along with the rest of Charles Schultz’s memorable characters, have a special place in my childhood, from reading the Peanuts comics to watching the seasonal movies. This new film looks like it won’t disappoint and the appearance of all our favorite Peanuts personalities brings back fond memories.

In order to get in The Peanuts Movie spirit, I created an organic mac n cheese snack using Horizon Organic mac and cheese and dark rye bread strategically cut to mimic Charlie Brown’s shirt design. There’s something nostalgic about boxed mac and cheese and the prep time is very conducive to after school appetites! A cozy, organic snack ready in 10 minutes? Yes, please!

To make: follow the preparation directions on the box of macaroni and cheese. While it cooks, prepare your bread. I used dark rye, but you could use pumpernickel as well! Cut into a zig zag shape and trim to fit your bowl. For extra pizzazz, I recommend buttering the bread and then toasting it under the broiler until crisp. Mmmmmmmm. Put your prepared mac n cheese in a bowl and top with the toasted zig zags. Yum!

I bought my Horizon products at Albertsons, where you can also snag this adorable trick or treat bag for FREE when you buy 3 products from participating brands. (Horizon is one. To see the full list & enter a Peanuts sweepstakes click HERE.) Whip up a belly-warming bowl of mac and cheese for the kiddos and go see The Peanuts Movie on November 6th!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Albertsons Safeway. The opinions and text are all mine.

Continue Reading...Organic Mac n Cheese Snack

When Old El Paso asked me to create an easy weeknight dinner, I knew immediately what I’d bring to the table (pun intended): Shrimp & Green Chile Naan. You can feed the fam a healthy meal in less than 15 minutes with this recipe, and it’s a crowd-pleaser to boot.

Here in New Mexico, we’re gearing up for Chile Season, where you can’t pass a street corner, grocery store, or roadside stand without witnessing the roasting of freshly-harvested Hatch green chiles. However, this aromatic and delicious phenomenon happens only in New Mexico, where green chile is a staple condiment year-round. I’m happy Old El Paso is an easy-to-find brand that allows you to get the taste of green chile (it’s not spicy!) in this recipe even if you don’t live in the Southwest. *Bonus* Green chile is rich in Vitamin C, so this veggie packs a punch! I picked up the chiles for this recipe at my local Albertsons.

Now onto the good stuff!

Warm-weather tip: you can easily make this dish on the grill! Use cooked shrimp. Toss with red chile and olive oil and place on the bread with pesto, chile, and cheese. Simply place naan on your pre-heated grill instead of in the oven and heat 5-10 minutes until desired crispness.

Experiment!
Instead of pesto, try refried beans, salsa, sundried tomato sauce, or even spinach dip! Exclude cheese for a non-dairy option. Add extra veggies by sautéing bell pepper slices, spinach, sliced tomato or zucchini. You can substitute the shrimp for diced chicken, beef, or pork. Be sure to cook your meat thoroughly. This is also a great way to use leftovers!

Don’t Forget!

Old El Paso is part of the General Mills family of products, which means you can clip those Box Tops for Education for your local school. Only Box Tops For Education registered schools can redeem Box Tops. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents to redeeming school. Limit $20,000 per school, per school year for Box Tops redeemed through the Clip Program. See www.boxtops4education.com for program details.

So, do you think you’ll try my Shrimp & Green Chile Naan?

Old El Paso products, found at your local Albertsons Safeway store, are an easy weeknight meal solution.
Shoppers can clip the Box Tops found on the Old El Paso packaging, and on other General Mills products, to earn 10 cents each for their schools through the Box Tops for Education program. 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Albertsons Safeway and Old El Paso . The opinions and text are all mine.

Continue Reading...Shrimp & Green Chile Naan– Quick & Easy!

Herban Lifestyle is a quality line of organic, sustainable, FairTrade, Cruelty-free, handmade personal care products made in the USA. Talk about fulfilling a conscious consumer’s requests! Creator Mary Kearns has been producing her natural concoctions since 2008 and I had the opportunity to try her new line of products.

Read on for my review of Herban Lifestyle‘s new whipped body butter, facial cleansing grains, shampoo bar, and lip crème. Click the photos to view more or purchase, then enter to win a $150 gift certificate! =D

Lavender Vanilla Whipped Body Butter

Okay, people, I live in the desert. To say I am an expert in All Things Moisturizing is honestly an understatement. I know what to look for in a good moisturizer, I know what’s going to work (and not work), and I am really picky about packaging and scents. Herban Lifestyle delivers on all accounts. The Whipped Body Butter is made of pure shea and cocoa butters, scented with natural oils (as are all the products in Herban Lifestyle’s line), and packaged in a classic glass jar. The body butter is decadent and emollient and made my just-shaved legs smooth without being too greasy. Winner.

Adzuki + Dulse Cleansing Grains

I will admit: I doubted I would like this product. It seemed cumbersome to use and I wasn’t sure I’d like the gritty powder against my skin. But, man, was I off base! Just a tiny bit of this facial cleanser goes a long way, and left my (coughcough aging coughcough) skin thoroughly clean and bright. I don’t think I’d use this product as a makeup remover (use coconut oil for that!) but to rid the face of excess oil and dirt? Perfection.

Orange-Ginger Shampoo Bar

I’m a huge fan of shampoo bars: they last forever, they smell fantastic, and they don’t leave waste! This shampoo bar smells just lovely, but I wanted it to be a little heavier-scented. It seemed a bit drying for my hair, but again, I’m in the desert and generally use a super-moisturizing shampoo which, in higher humidity, would leave my hair oily. So, most likely, this product would be fine for you, and I know many of my Green Sisters love it! Herban Lifestyle shampoo bars come in two scents currently: Deeply Herbal and Orange Ginger.

Fun Facts: Herban Lifestyle is certified sustainable by Green America, Cruelty-Free by Leaping Bunny, and was designated a Safe Cosmetics Champion by the Environmental Working Group. A portion of all revenues is donated to non-profit groups that support the health of people, animals, and the planet

Lime+Coconut Lip Crème

Oh, man. Another lip balm, right? What can be so special about lip balm? Well, my friends, you need to have THIS lip balm. Mary titled correctly in calling the product “lip crème;” this little tube is a thick emulsion of oils and beeswax that solves all your dry-lipped woes. I put it on the chapped corner of my son’s mouth and his skin was healed by morning. Flavors Lime+Coconut and Tangerine+Vanilla are ready for summer! Just writing this paragraph made me go pick up my tube and slather some on. Love it.

So, are you ready to grab some organic, sustainable, handmade products of your own? Enter to win a $150 gift certificate on the form below. And don’t forget to check out the entire line of products from Herban Lifestyle.

Continue Reading...Herban Lifestyle products: Organic, Sustainable, Handmade

I had always heard about how our water supply can be contaminated–even after it leaves the treatment plant. It’s no wonder many people turn to bottled water with the though that it is “cleaner” than what’s coming out of the tap! However, bottled water is packaged in BPA (a widely-known, harmful chemical) plastic bottles, which can leach those chemicals into our beverages. Not to mention, plastic bottles create unnecessary waste! Why not simply utilize the water provided by your municipality? Have you ever been put under a “boil water alert?” Sometimes, the water supply is breached and dangerous contaminants and bacteria can enter. Residents are instructed to boil their water before using it to eliminate bacteria. This can also occur during extreme weather events such as earthquakes and floods. In either case, you can feel confident about drinking tap water after putting it through a treatment process, like a UV light water treatment–without the need for boiling.

I’ve learned a lot recently about UV Light Water Treatment. Check out the infographic below, provided by Pelican Water and learn how UV light can help keep your family safe from harmful bacteria.

Presented by Pelican Water

Continue Reading...Why You Might Need UV Light Water Treatment

5 Ways to Prep Your Stomach for the Holidays

Easy ways to keep your tummy in top shape and avoid the upset

1. Hit the veggies: Reach for the fiber-rich appetizers and food. They will help you feel full and absorb excess liquid in your body. Fiber also normalizes the rate at which food moves through the digestive tract. Fresh veggies, fruit platters and salsa are healthy choices that will help you feel full and make you less likely to overindulge on complex carbs and fatty foods that are often difficult to digest.

2. Drink water: Don’t forget to drink plenty of water each day. The dry air and being indoors can dehydrate your system, as can alcoholic beverages. While at a party, alternate alcohol with water to cut calories and keep your digestive system hydrated.

3. Don’t skip a meal to “save calories”: Rather than skipping lunch, choose a healthy salad. The added fiber will help keep you regular and you will be less likely to overindulge later.

4.Get some exercise: Exercise can help you manage the stress of the season and keep your digestion system active. So have a snowball fight, go sledding, and join in any dance off at the party!

5. Digestive Enzymes: If your stomach is still out of sorts, not to worry! Try a digestive enzyme supplement to help ease you through the holiday season. Here’s one to try: Rainbow Light Nutritional System’s Advanced Enzyme Optima.

These tips provided by:
Michele McRae, MS, CN – Certified Nutritionist at Rainbow Light
Michele McRae is a nutritional counselor, certified nutritionist and formulator at Rainbow Light. With 18 years in the Nutrition field, Michele’s firm belief in holistic, natural health has allowed her to understand and perfect her formula for health success with patients in the form of eating organic, healthy whole-foods and partnering a clean diet with natural supplements and vitamins. McRae graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Nutrition Science and Dietetics degree. Her personal areas of interest include addressing obesity and its related health complications, including heart disease, diabetes and joint problems, through the use of effective, side-effect free nutritional supplementation.

photo credit: red5standingby via photopin cc

Continue Reading...Healthy Holiday Eating

Thankfully, I now have the answer: Wild Mint!

Why choose natural toys?

I think my insistence on natural toys is sometimes seen as “crunchy” or maybe even “crazy,” but there are some solid reasons I’d prefer wooden toys for my little boy:

1. PVC plastics are known carcinogens
PVC, or poly vinyl chloride, have been shown to cause cancer. PVC usually appears in bath toys, inflatables, and other plastic items. Learn More About Phthalates.

2. Polycarbonate (or “#7” plastics) contain endocrine disruptors.
BPA plastics were banned from baby bottles in 2012, but they still appear in other children’s items and toys. The chemicals used in these plastics can interfere with a developing endocrine system. Get the facts about BPA.

3. Plastic toys may contain lead
The use of lead in plastics (to stabilize the molecules against heat or to soften plastic for flexibility) has not been banned in the US. Even low levels of lead can impair cognitive & physical development. Understand More About Lead

In addition to safety, when you choose a natural or wooden toys over plastics, you’re generally making a choice to avoid promotions, consumer culture, character buy-in, and the like. You’re choosing play, imagination, and learning over ideas that have been created for your child. (Think about a set of blocks and what can be created from them versus a toy based upon a t.v. show’s characters; open-ended toys provide more learning opportunities.)

… you’re generally making a choice to avoid promotions, consumer culture, character buy-in…

What I love about Wild Mint Shop is that the selection of toys not only includes open-ended and educational items, but there is NO GUESSWORK involved with the products. You can choose from any of their natural, wooden, or organic toys and feel confident that each is safe for your child. Not sure about something? Wild Mint’s president, Hannah, personally answers any inquiries. Now that’s customer service!

Below I’ve got some of my favorite picks for natural kid’s toys from Wild Mint Shop, but if you’d rather explore on your own, head to Wild Mint Shop and search by age or type of toy. CLICK HERE.

1. The Perfect Gift for Any Child

50 Wooden Blocks

Wild Mint sent my son a beautiful set of 50 Wooden Blocks from Plan Toys. My little builder set to work right away creating a parking garage for his vehicles. We worked together with the set until Mr. I’mFour decided “That’s not how it goes, Mom,” and my participation was demoted from Mom to Crewmember-Under-a-Dictator-like-Foreman. Such is play with my budding leader. :-/

This set includes unfinished and painted pieces, in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s the perfect starter set of wooden blocks or a great way to increase a set you may already own.

Click Here to See a Vid of My kiddo LOVING his new set of blocks! (8 seconds)

See More Wooden Blocks HERE

2. The Perfect Gift for Anyone:
Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle 20 oz

It’s no secret that I love Klean Kanteen. This bottle keeps beverages hot for 6 hours or cold for over 24. This bottle is perfect for taking coffee, hot cocoa, or steaming soup to work or school.

3. Awesome, Non-Toxic Stocking Stuffers:

Tiny, non-toxic toys and a few surprises have been curated by the folks at Wild Mint. Check ‘em out!

Tell Me: Which toys are you eyeing this holiday season?

Continue Reading...Find Natural Toys This Holiday at Wild Mint Shop

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Silk.

Silk knows a little something about healthy food:

-All Silk products are dairy-free and gluten-free.

-Silk believes in the benefits of a plant-based diet.

-Silk products are made without the use of GMOs. Silk is a leading supporter of the Non-GMO Project and is committed to ensuring all products receive their verification. Plus, their seal is displayed right on the front of most products.

Read more about Silk’s commitment to Non-GMO HERE.

I appreciate a company with a commitment to quality and health. Join the conversation and a lively community of like-minded, health-conscious folk by visiting Silk’s Facebook Page.

Get a coupon for Silk!

Click HERE to receive a $2 off coupon for Silk products.

In the interest of health and caring about food, I thought I’d provide you with a useful list of picnic tips for the coming summer months. Summer is filled with picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings. Food safety is nothing to joke about, especially when heat and humidity can help harmful bacteria grow on your food. Did you know that mayonnaise doesn’t harbor bacteria on its own, but when combined with other food, it is susceptible? How about #4? Melon carries bacteria, particularly close to the rind, so keeping it cold is of importance. Follow these tips for a safe and healthy picnic!

Enjoy picnic season! Do you follow these tips for picnic safety?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

Continue Reading...7 Picnic Safety Tips You Might Not Know

The summer brings so much good: long days, predictable weather, fresh produce, outdoor living. I try to spend as little time indoors as possible, and the thought of standing in a hot kitchen always makes me balk. The preparation of breakfast is no exception. At the start of new, sunny day, the last thing I’d like is a heavy meal.

Below, I’ve compiled a list of easy, light breakfast ideas for those heady summer mornings.

Granola with Silk Almond Coconut milk blend

You can’t get lighter and easier than a bowl of cereal, but amp up those grains by choosing an unprocessed granola with lots of nuts and seeds. Add fresh summer fruit from the farmer’s market and splash in some Silk Almond-Coconut milk blend. It adds just the right amount of flavor and an extra dash of nutrition.

Chia Seed Pudding with Almond Milk

I’m obsessed with chia seed pudding. It’s my new go-to breakfast dish, and you can get as creative with it as you’d like.

Overnight Oats

Print

Summertime Breakfast Ideas

Course Overnight Oats

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author HealthfulMama.com

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup rolled oats

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl. (Make individual servings by pouring the oats into small mason jars.)
• Refrigerate overnight.
• To serve, top with fresh fruit, honey, or nut butter.

Fruit & Cheese

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but pick out some decadent cheeses, beautiful, ripe fruit, and slice them on a plate. Some of my favorite combinations are goat cheese and peaches or a sharp provolone and apples.

Create your own easy breakfast with Silk!

Right now, sign up with Silk and receive a $2 off coupon! Just CLICK HERE.

Get More Great Ideas!

Did you know that Silk has a loyal following of healthy, engaged individuals? Go check out their Facebook page or Instagram feed to get great recipes and easy tips from Silk and their fans. You can also follow Silk on Twitter and get inspired on Pinterest.

What is your favorite easy breakfast? Is there something to add to the list?

Chia Pudding photo credit: chotda via photopin cc
Oats photo credit: miriamwilcox via photopin cc
Fruit photo credit: Premshree Pillai via photopin cc

Continue Reading...Summertime Breakfast Ideas

I’ll admit, when I received my samples of One Bar to try, I was skeptical (surprise, surprise). How could a packaged serving of fruit be better than, well, a serving of fruit?

Oh, friends. How wrong I was.

One Bar is really quite the invention, especially in the life of a busy mom. With One Bar, I’m serving my kiddo REAL FRUIT without:
-spending money on pounds of produce that rots before eaten
-wasting money on fruit that gets partially eaten and left as a lovely table centerpiece
-finding old, bruised apples (or pears, or peaches, or bananas) at the bottom of my purse or in my car

Plus, and this is kinda cool, One Bar includes (fairly-traded) baobab, a super fruit which is a source of dietary calcium, potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and magnesium. You’re not just getting the delicious flavor and benefits of the apple, cherry, or mango in each One Bar; there’s real nutrition packed into this little wholesome serving.

But what does it taste like?

Oh, the deliciousness. I was sad that my sample included only three bars! The consistency of One Bar reminded me of the special treats I might receive as a kid–those rolled fruit snacks that were so chewy and almost candy-like. However, I know that when eating One Bar, I’m getting real fruit, no added sugar, and natural ingredients. One Bar comes in three flavors: apple, cherry, and mango. The apple tastes just like eating apple slices. The mango, divine. My favorite, by far, is the cherry flavor. Maybe I can summarize my experience with a photo:

Truly, these are DELICIOUS!

One Bar is the perfect snack when you’re on-the-go, on the road, or when real fruit may be inconvenient. Our family loves to travel and hike, and I would certainly rather carry One Bar than have to deal with the peels, seeds, and cores that go along with real fruit.

Where would you take One Bar?

Ready to try it for yourself?

Visit One Bar and use the code EasyFruit–good for 25% off your total order placed by August 31, 2014.

Enter the Giveaway!

40 winners will be selected from the entries below. Each winner will receive three boxes of OneBar, including Apple, Cherry and Mango, ARV $36.00.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Continue Reading...One Bar: An Easy Serving of Fruit! #easyfruit