KID LUNCHES

Back to school is just around the corner, and I'm finding myself brainstorming new ways to make lunch fun and exciting for my picky eaters. Sandwiches get boring day after day, and it can be a struggle to keep coming up with ways to make fruits and veggies look appealing to a five year old. As per usual, I turned to Pinterest for some inspiration and found some amazing kid-friendly lunch recipes that I'm just dying to try.

What kid wouldn't be excited to bust out these awesome turkey and cheese "sushi" rolls from Weary Chef?! With carrots in the middle and a spinach tortilla, they won't even know they're being healthy while they're eating it. 

These apple and cheese rollups from Weelicious are a unique alternative to any sandwich. They encompass three different food groups and pair perfectly with any side of grain, like pita chips or some classic Goldfish crackers!

Every good lunch comes with a little treat, right? Instead of something completely sugary with zero nutritional value, try out these chocolate peanut butter granola apple bites from The Comfort of Cooking. The hardest part is restraining yourself from eating them all before they make it into the lunchbox... 

While all of these recipes are creative and delicious, there are bound to be days when you're crunched for time and a PB&J will have to do. You can still make fun by stocking up on some parent and kid approved lunchtime accessories. Click on the links below to shop my favorites! Also, if you live in the Phoenix Metro area, I'll be visiting Fox 10 studios to talk more about school lunches and Pinterest. Tune in on Sunday, July 24th at 7am on their morning show.

1. YUMBOX Leakproof Bento Lunch Box - $30

2. Eco-Friendly Reusable Juice Box - $12

3. Sandwich Cutter Set - $10

4. Animal Snack Cups - $5

5. Hydro Flask Water Bottle - $22

6. Penguin Hot & Cold Pack - $5

7. Interlocking Bricks Utensil Set - $11

8. Cereal On the Go Container - $8

9. Silicone Snack Dividers - $20

Spooky Witches' Fingers Halloween Recipe

With the first day of fall already behind us, Halloween is quickly approaching. Instead of bombarding you with another sweet, pumpkin-flavored recipe of some sort, I wanted to share with you a healthier fall recipe that's just as fun. My friends over at Spork Foods have crafted these spooky pistachio witches' fingers which would make a perfect healthy Halloween party snack for everyone to enjoy! Pistachio Chewy Bite Witches’ Fingers

Yields 6

Ingredients:

6 Setton Farms Pistachio Chewy Bites

1/4 cup almond milk

1/2 cup non-dairy dark chocolate chips

Dash sea salt

12 dried cranberries

1/2 cup Setton Farms Roasted Pistachio Kernels, finely ground

Directions:

Unwrap all chewy bites and cut each chewy bite in half lengthwise. Gently press the two halves together, with the stickiest sides facing each other, creating one long strip. If desired, to create thumb and pinky finger, leave two halves short.  Set aside.

Place chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl.

In a small pan, bring almond milk to a boil.  Pour over chocolate chips and let sit for about 20 seconds to melt chocolate.  Add sea salt.  Whisk until smooth.

Dip long Pistachio Chewy Bite strips into chocolate mixture and then sprinkle or roll in pistachios immediately. Place on wax paper lined plate and top each strip with 2 overlapping dried cranberries at the tip.

Set aside for about 20 minutes to firm up.

Recipe created by Spork Foods.

30 Thriving Challenge Completed

SONY DSC

Three months ago I decided I was tired of just talking about getting into shape. Turning 30 was a big wake up call that I had lived a good 20 years out of shape and eating things that were easy rather than good for me. I asked Mountainside Fitness to help me with my challenge, and they gladly gave me a three month trial and a couple sessions with a trainer so that I can learn my way around the gym.

Three months later I still weigh the same 124 pounds, but my BMI has gone from 22% to 20%. I'm toned and fit. I also look forward to the gym every week and miss it when I'm not able to go as often as I would like. Who would have thought I would become a gym rat three months later.

SONY DSC

The biggest excuse I used for not going to the gym was not having enough time and not having someone to watch Elle. Well, the truth was that I wasn't making time for it. There are some gyms out there where I didn't feel comfortable putting Elle in the kids program. I knew I would feel better at a more family friendly gym like Mountainside. Sure enough Elle looks forward to going there every time. I drive 25 minutes each way to go to the gym, but it's worth it.

SONY DSC

I have officially become a Mountainside Fitness member, and I'm looking forward to being there for years to come.

SONY DSC

These photos that you see were created by Liz Evans. She loves celebrating the female form. She wanted to celebrate my accomplishment and my birthday by photographing my body after the challenge. I'm so thankful for these photos. They really help me see the confidence I have gained and the muscle I have gained throughout this process. Go check her out if you're in need of a really encouraging experience.

SONY DSC

My dear friend and talented makeup artist, Stephanie Neiheisel, also wanted to be a part of this special moment. She created a gorgeous navy smokey eye with bronzed skin and a nude lip. LOVE LOVE LOVE. This makeup look is perfect for fall.

SONY DSC

Photos by Liz E. Studio.

Get the look: Dress by Fame & Partners, pencil skirt, ruffled top, leather skirt,bralette

SONY DSC

Red Pepper Hummus Dip

When I started my 30 Thriving Challenge with Mountainside Fitness I committed to not only exercising regularly, but adopting better eating habits. I buy hummus every week to enjoy as a post-work out snack. It's a good source of protein, and I pair it with carrots or sugar snap peas rather than pita chips. Because I eat it so much I have been interested in creating my own hummus, but in my mind it seemed really hard. AVE Styles intern, Alyssa Hodson, equally enjoys hummus and decided to come up with a tasty and cost effective recipe. Not to mention, it's fast and easy to make. WINNER in my book!

RED PEPPER HUMMUS - Created and tested by Alyssa Hodson

Ingredients:

1 - 15 ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 2 cloves garlic 1/2 cup chopped roasted red bell pepper

3 Tablespoons of chopped purple onion

2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons Tahini Sauce 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste 1/8 teaspoon cumin

hummus

IMG_0170

IMG_0177

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add water if it needs more liquid. Pour into a serving dish and pair it with fresh veggies, pretzels or pita chips.