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Easy Hummus Recipe and 30 Other Ideas for Beans

Huge thanks to Bush’s Beans and Soapbox Influence for sponsoring this post and letting me share my hummus recipe and 30 other uses for beans. All opinions and photos are my own.
#MyBestWithBushBeans

Let’s talk summer meals and beans.

I know… you’re wondering if I’ve lost my mind. My biggest issue with summer break is that although the kids get time to be lazy in front of the TV and can hang out at the mall with their friends, I still have all those pesky Mom responsibilities. Those I don’t ever get a break from. The thing I hate more than anything during the summer is figuring out what to make for dinner. Summer days kind of get away from you, don’t you think? We’ve been getting up really early due to summer school and tennis camp, which means that by the afternoon we’re all exhausted and just want to be lazy and watch TV or hang at the pool. By 6:00 pm it’s still hot and sunny and the thought of making dinner makes me cringe. Eating out isn’t affordable so I’ve had to get creative on my summer meals. One thing that has become a staple in my recipes… beans!

First of all, beans are awesome. They are an amazing source of protein and fiber, especially great if you are trying to cut back on meat and dairy. They have all kinds of antioxidants, along with all those vitamins and minerals that you’re probably not getting enough of anyway. And, they are pretty inexpensive. A can of beans can go a long way. And they are tasty. I mean, one of my girls will sit and eat beans right out of the can if you let her.

I’ve had to really focus this summer on keeping staples in the house so I can throw together a meal at the last minute. Bush’s Beans is one of those products that I always have in my pantry. Those, along with pasta, eggs, tortillas, and veggies, always means I can provide a healthy and fast meal for my family. I make a point to stock up at Walmart on canned goods at least once a month. Fresher ingredients get purchased each week but I hate doing a big shopping every week so having those canned goods and staples available makes everything so much easier.

So to give you some ideas, I’m giving you 30 ways you can use Bush’s Beans for your family meal planning.

30 WAYS TO USE BEANS

Burritos – add beans, rice, cheese, meat or shrimp, salsa, and avocado inside a tortilla
Tacos – top off a taco with a few beans to add extra protein
Enchiladas – we love adding refried beans to our cheese enchiladas
Salads – garbanzo beans are an amazing addition to any type of salad
Omelet – add a few of your favorite beans along with some cheese and salsa
Chili – use several different kinds of beans with your tomatoes and ground beef
Soup – either keep beans whole or blend for a creamy soup
Franks and Beans – a family favorite
Three bean salad – not just for picnics
Bean dip – a party favorite and also a great lunchbox snack
Mashed beans – add to your mashed potatoes
Bean Burgers – when you are trying to go vegetarian or vegan
Tuna Fish – add beans to tuna
Red beans and rice – I fell in love with this when I was in New Orleans
Brownies – yep, black beans ground up is a great alternative to flour
Stew – throw a can of beans into any savory stew you are making
Stuffing – great addition for Thanksgiving
Succotash – add your favorite beans to vegetables
Corn, tomato and bean salad – you can also throw in some avocado
Stuffed peppers – add beans to your rice and meat (or forego the meat)
Pasta sauce – add beans to your tomato sauce
Sandwiches – mashed beans is a great alternative to sandwich spreads
Coleslaw – black beans take this up a few notches
Bean fritters – make like you were doing a potato pancake… but with beans.
Hummus – the ultimate use for garbanzo beans
Casseroles – any type of chicken casserole works better with beans
Chicken Pot Pie – mix in some black beans
Vegetarian Meatballs – beans are a great alternative to meat
Quinoa – any type of beans would be great as an add-in
Traditional baked beans

One of my favorites ways to use beans is to make hummus using garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas). I always have at least one can around and this is so easy that my kids can make it. It’s healthy and hummus goes great with so many things: pita bread, chips, vegetables, chicken, fish, rice, and the list goes on.

EASY HUMMUS RECIPE

Ingredients:
1 cup of garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
1/4 cup of olive oil
Juice from 1/2 a lemon
2 cloves of garlic
salt (to taste)
pepper (to taste)
paprika (to taste)

Take all the ingredients and blend them together in a food processor. You can add a little extra of what you need to make it taste perfect to you. Make some up and store in small food containers for school lunches or to take to work.

Super easy, right?

Now I know you can probably come up with at least a dozen more ideas of ways you can use Bush’s Beans… leave me a message and tell me what recipe you would make.

create

What’s Stopping You From Being Creative?

For me, the hardest part is just getting started. I like to think I’m crafty but I’m really not. I like to purchase craft supplies and then I watch them gather dust. I keep telling myself I’ll get to it when I have more time, when the kids are out of the house, when I can actually sit down in a quiet house and create. All lies I tell myself to keep me procrastinating. I think I’m afraid that my creativity will disappoint me. I also can’t ever figure out HOW to create and WHAT to create.

I was an interior designer for many years and I always loved putting color boards together. You know the ones with different colors and fabrics and photos of pretty things. That was what made me happy. I also love beautiful magazines and books… the ones where I can get ideas on decor and DIY crafts. A few days ago I was in one of my favorite craft stores and came across this plain chipboard journal. They had it in large sizes and small sizes (I got the small one because I didn’t want to overwhelm myself). I had a brand new pack of colorful fine-point Sharpie pens and a stack of magazines I hadn’t gone through in forever. I went to Pinterest and started researching different ways to do creative journaling. I thought this might be the one thing that I can do… anytime… anywhere. I like pretty things… but those things don’t always make sense to anyone else. I like inspirational quotes and pretty colors. I like vintage everything. I love old cameras and typewriters. I like hand lettering and song lyrics. I love lists!

So I’m starting with a blank canvas and I’m going to see where it takes me. Do you do creative journaling? I’d love to see your ideas.

family

Theme Park Secrets from the Legend Himself

Who doesn’t love a good theme park?

Those close to me know that my husband’s uncle recently passed away. It was cancer. And it sucked! What most people don’t know is that he was one of the premier theme park designers in the country… okay, probably the world. He wasn’t flashy and he wasn’t as well known as Walt Disney, but he knew theme parks inside and out and could tell you in minutes if one would sink or swim.

After his death, we found a podcast he did for The Season Pass where he shared a little about theme park design, how he got into the business, and how parks have evolved over time. If you have ever been to a theme park, you’ll want to sit back and take a listen. Chances are, you’ll hear some info about your favorite one. It’s some pretty awesome stuff.

The Season Pass Podcast with Ira West

In loving memory of Ira West, the “fun” uncle.

travel

Traveling with Teens and Tweens

I was lucky that I got the chance to travel on business when I was in my 20’s. I worked for a company that purchased the FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) for luxury hotels so that meant I needed to oversee the installations. Back and forth every month to Hawaii wasn’t too shabby a job if you know what I mean.

Traveling on the company’s dime is definitely the way to go. Once I left that job, my traveling was relegated to more local places. I used to love driving around California to see the sights but once the kids came, we didn’t want to spend our travel time focusing on the kids instead of the locations. Our kids are now older (teens and a tween) and we’re picking up the travel pace again. Traveling with older kids can be a ball… but it can also be debilitating if you don’t plan in advance. Here are some tips for traveling with older children (10 – 18).

It’s all about the snacks. No matter the age, a kid is still a kid. You would think that as they get older, the whining and complaining would slow down. Not so fast! They might not be calling out for their sippy cup, but they still get thirsty and they still want snacks. Always take their favorite drinks (if they are in a cooler, all the better). Water is great for dehydration, but if your kids are Snapple drinkers or like a soda now and then, make sure you have those on hand too. My kids have perfected the eye roll over me suggesting a bottle of water when they are bored and thirsty. Our snacks of choice are granola bars and gummy bears. Having some favorite snacks will make the trip much smoother.
Keep them busy. Travel games are NOT just for toddlers. My teens still like to play the license plate game. If I don’t print the States out ahead of time, they get uppity. Give them something to DO in the car. We always have headphones for all of them (WE don’t want to hear them playing Minecraft on an 8-hour car ride) and plenty of car chargers. They can each listen to their own music or watch a downloaded movie. There are also some great apps that we all love to play:

Charades!
Dubsmash
Logo Quiz (there are several versions of this)
Guess the Movie

Research rest stops and restaurants ahead of time. When we do road trips (and even when we go by plane) we always check out the Food Network recommendations for the area we’ll be in. Best diners, best ice cream shops, best breakfast places, etc. We’re a house full of foodies so we love trying places that the “experts” loved.
Let the kids plan excursions. As parents, we might have the final say where we’re heading, but let the kids do their own research on fun things to do while you are there. If they are invested in the trip planning, they won’t be quite as likely to complain that this place is “stupid.”
Be comfortable. When you aren’t comfortable, you aren’t happy. Period. Bring pillows and blankets in the car for comfort… and consider bringing a blow-up mattress if you will be in a hotel. With a family of 5, renting 2 rooms isn’t affordable so we bring a blow up wherever we go. Since no one really wants to sleep on it, we rotate each night.

Mitigate fights before they happen. What do you argue about most when you travel? Fix the problem before it becomes one. For us, we constantly argue about the kids never having their shoes on when we stop the car. We fixed this by having them wear flip flops or sandals on long road trips so they can slide into them at a moment’s notice. We don’t want to argue with them about how long it takes them to lace up their sneakers when we stop to use the bathroom.

Whether you are road-tripping or flying cross country, traveling with older kids isn’t much different than traveling with younger kids. Keep them busy and comfortable and you’ll have a much more enjoyable trip.

family parenting

Bye Bye Childhood

I feel like I’m in limbo… some weird place where I come to figure out the next stage in life. My youngest daughter just finished up 6th grade. We are finally (after 12 years) completely done with elementary school. It was something I had looked forward to for a long time and now that it’s here, I’m feeling a little lost… empty.

No big rah-rah moment, no balloons and confetti. Just this quiet space where I no longer have small children. Officially.

It feels awesome… and then it just makes me feel strange. Summer will go by fast and in August, we’ll be starting school again, but this time with 2 in high school and 1 in junior high. And I won’t have to run into the office every day to pick up my PFO mail. And I won’t have anyone to wait with me at pick-up under the shade of the old trees. I won’t have family nights to plan and PFO meeting to attend. Sure, I could join all those parent groups in the junior high, but I don’t think I want to. After volunteering for 12 years, I’m kind of done. I’m tired. I’m ready to focus on just me.

I will miss my mom friends and my teacher friends… but I also relish the quiet of sitting in my car waiting for my daughter to get out of school. I can sit and read a book or scroll through Facebook. I don’t have to get dressed and do my hair. I’ll have time to exercise (yea… right) and clean the house (guess again). I’ll have no excuse for not writing more or working harder.

This new no-more-little-kids phase is starting to settle in. No more arts and craft projects (or tiny ceramic bears)… no more letters home from the teacher… no more class parties. No more feeling annoyed when I have to make a run to school and no more feeling guilty when I decide not to show up for an event.

I have the time to do all those things I’ve always wanted to do. I just need to try and remember what they are.

I’m trying to make sense of this new place I’m in. The one where they don’t need me every second of the day. The one where my children are now all learning things they didn’t teach when I was in high school. The one where they make their own plans and have their own interests. There are times when I’m feeling a little left out… and then I remember how awesome it is that I don’t have to drive them everywhere or make every meal for them or get them dressed. They have grown into beautiful, independent women. Probably less a testament to my parenting than to their own characters.

So onward and upward. And I just might be stopping a few times this summer to smell the roses.

cleaning

Small Ways to Make Big Changes in the Products You Use

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FreeofSulfates #CollectiveBias

A few months ago I had one of those scary parenting moments. My daughter suddenly became sick and we couldn’t figure out why. She had a sore throat and was very congested and it looked like she just had a bad cold, but after weeks of not getting better, I took her to the doctor. Turns out she wasn’t really sick in the traditional sense. She didn’t have strep and her throat wasn’t red. She didn’t have anything wrong with her nose or ears. The doctor suggested it was probably allergies. Although my daughter never had allergies before, it made sense to me. Until it didn’t. She still didn’t get better and after several more days, my husband casually commented, “I bet it’s that slime she’s playing with that is making her sick.” Bingo! A light went on. Her symptoms came on just at the same time she started making homemade slime. I just knew she was probably allergic to the ingredients that she played with on a daily basis. We banned all those immediately and within a day, she was all better. Wow!

I’ve spent years purchasing products that were probably not good for us. I know that deep inside. It just wasn’t until the slime scare that I started paying more attention to what I was bringing into my home… and to what my kids were using.

I wanted to share with you some easy ways to make small changes that can make a big difference for you and your family.

CHECK THESE THINGS FIRST.

Body Products. What exactly are you putting on your body? You probably haven’t thought that much about it, right? It’s easy to start reading body care labels too and make some easy swaps. I’ve been a big fan of AVEENO® products for years and recently fell in love with their hair care products like sulfate-free AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner. AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner contains naturally derived cleansers and a sulfate free formula to gently cleanse your hair and scalp. Love the light scent and the way my hair doesn’t end up completely frizzy after I shampoo. It’s dye-free and paraben-free so your hair can go back to its naturally, healthy, balanced state. Always follow instructions on the packaging for best results. Try their line of lotions too… they’re fabulous and I always have a bottle on my nightstand.

Laundry Detergent. Start reading the labels on the products you are washing your clothes in. It seems silly, but you already know that anything that is ON your clothes will then be ON your body. You smell the scents, feel the fabrics, and nothing is more up-close-and-personal than your clothes. I’ve always been an all® laundry detergent fan, but I’ve recently started buying the new sulfate-free all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS®.

NEW sulfate free all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® delivers a powerful clean without harshness. And who wants harsh on their clothes? Nope, you want a proven and effective deep cleaning and stain lifting product. all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® includes the ingredients on the back of the bottle so you know exactly what is going into your family’s laundry.

Household Cleaners. We all know that there are safer cleaners out there. One thing I’ve been doing is making my own. There are so many natural cleaning products you probably already have in your home. Things like baking soda and white vinegar can clean almost anything. Try using them in your shower to get rid of mold, as a cleaning agent for carpet stains, and try the vinegar when cleaning your windows. Some vinegar and water in a spray bottle can get rid of most grime around the house… and you don’t have any chemical smells lingering.

CHECK THESE THINGS NEXT.

Air fresheners. It’s all too easy to grab some off-the-shelf air freshener, but it’s just as easy (and safer) to grab a few bottles of essential oils. Some lavender or lemon drops can freshen up your sofa, your bedding, even your towels. Take a spray bottle of fresh water and add some essential oils and spray on your smelly surfaces. Use it in those places that start to smell like mildew… the basement, the garage, the hall closet.

Makeup products. I already talked about your body products (like shampoo, conditioner, body lotion), but slowly start checking what makeup you are putting on your skin. Read labels! If you can’t pronounce the ingredients, chances are you probably shouldn’t have them seeping into your pores. I love mineral makeups and anything natural. I’m especially sensitive to my eye makeup. There are plenty of natural cosmetics out there. Take a look for yourself and start cutting out the chemical products you are using.

Water bottles. Yep… I’m going there. Go ahead and ditch the cases of water bottles you have. Not only are they probably full of toxins, but how often do you really recycle them? Plus, they take up space and cost money. Purchase a BPA-free reusable water bottle. Better yet, get one that has an infuser so you can add your own lemon, lime, or orange slices and create your own flavored water. SO much better for you and tastier too. I’ve started carrying around a reusable water bottle and I find that I’m drinking so much more water than when I was buying individual water bottles. And it’s healthier water, too.

It really isn’t that hard to make small changes that can have a BIG impact on your home and your health. Don’t do everything at once… start with one thing at a time and keep going. Small changes yield big results.

Try all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® for yourself with this $0.50 coupon (while supplies last).

And save $1.00 on AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo or Conditioner.

Shop at Walmart for the amazing all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® (found on the top shelf in the laundry detergent aisle) and AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner (found with traditional hair care products).

Learn more about the changes you can make and let me know one thing you’ve swapped out to create a safer home.

travel

Visiting Seattle with Kids

The first time I visited Seattle, I was on a weekend getaway with my husband. We chose the city because we both love going places we’ve never been before and I had never been to Seattle. We had a fantastic time and I knew I would want to go back with the entire family.

About a year later, we had the chance to take the kids for a weekend. My philosophy of traveling with kids is that there is always something to do no matter how old they are. Even though traveling with kids can sometimes be a headache, it builds incredible memories that will last a lifetime.

So let’s get to it… 10 things to do in Seattle with kids!

1. Pike Place Market

A trip to Seattle MUST include a visit (or two or three) to Pike Place Market. This is a combination open-air market and shopping mall with unique shops and eateries. No name brand stores here, but you will enjoy browsing all the knick knacks and homemade goods, not to mention the produce and fresh flowers available. Watch the fishmongers throw the fish at the corner fish market and grab some apple cider. You will see fruits and vegetables that you probably haven’t seen before and some pretty awesome crafts.

2. Bainbridge Island

Seattle is a seaport city so you can’t possibly visit without taking a trip across Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island. Ferries leave regularly and the ride will be as enjoyable as the island. This rustic little island has shopping and restaurants and is the perfect place to enjoy a long walk and relax by the bay. Get the kids some ice cream and make it a family day.

3. Boeing Factory Tour

We actually took the Boeing Factory Tour without the kids the first time we were in Seattle. But really… take the kids. You will actually get to see first hand and up close how airplanes are built. It’s fascinating and you will never look at an airplane the same way again. You don’t have to be an aviation fanatic to enjoy this tour. Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking through the large hangers. We LOVED this tour!

4. Seattle Aquarium

It doesn’t matter how old you are, you will be fascinated by the Seattle Aquarium. They have such interesting exhibits and you will get the opportunity to learn more about Puget Sound. I love that they have live cams of several exhibits and you can take a look online and see the sea creatures you will be visiting. Check their event page before you go to see if they are having anything special going on. They also periodically have what they call “Meet us at the beach!” Naturalists from the Aquarium will be at local beaches during low tide to share their expertise about the sea. Super fun!

5. Smith Building

Forget the Space Needle and visit the Smith Tower instead. This art deco building and Seattle’s first skyscraper, has a 360 degree viewing platform and gives you an incredible view of Seattle and Puget Sound. The Smith Tower was developed by L.C. Smith, the man who started Smith Typewriters. If you are even a smidge a fan of the vintage typewriter, you’ll love visiting the gift shop. There is a fee to climb the vintage Otis elevators (complete with elevator operator) to the top, but it’s so worth it. The kids will love it. Oh, and there is a restaurant/bar at the top so you can sit and enjoy a bit or a drink while you take in the beauty of the city.

6. Underground Tour

The first time we visited Seattle, I thought this was silly and didn’t bother going. The second time, when we went back with the kids, we decided it would be fun for the family… it was! Definitely make time for Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour. There are a few different variations, but take the original. Yes… you do actually go underground – bring comfortable walking shoes. This isn’t a tour for strollers so make sure your kids are strong walkers. For those that don’t know, Seattle was originally a much lower city than it is today. I don’t want to give too much away because the tour will explain how Seattle built itself up on top of the original stores. Great tales for any history buff. Worth the price.

7. Seattle Great Wheel

Similar to the great wheel in Las Vegas, the Seattle Great Wheel is enormous and is located on Pier 57. Each gondola seats 8 people so take the whole family and get a bird’s eye view of Puget Sound. Not for those afraid of heights, but pretty awesome for the chance to ride one of the world’s largest Ferris Wheels.

8. Seattle Seahawks Game

I am not what you would consider a big sports fan, but when we are in strange cities, I do love to experience a game in their own stadium. It’s always fun to go sit with the local fans and root for the home team… even if the home team isn’t YOUR home team. When we were visiting Seattle, the Seahawks were in town and EVERYONE was dressed in blue and green. Grab tickets in advance (if you can) and make a point of spending an afternoon at CenturyLink Field.

9. Woodland Park Zoo

Yes… the zoo! Every single zoo I’ve been to is unique in its own way. You will see the traditional animals, but there are always unique exhibits to the local area that you won’t see anywhere else. The Woodland Park Zoo has a petting zoo, baby gorillas, you can experience the giraffe’s up close and personal, and learn how to care for animals from the zookeepers themselves. Check out their special events if you are planning a trip. Doesn’t matter what age your kids are… zoos are amazing places to visit!

10. Japanese Garden

Just beautiful! If you want a fantastic place to take photographs, this is it. The Seattle Japanese Garden gives complimentary tours with admission price or you can wander around on your own. Make sure to sign up for the Tea Ceremony (costs extra) but is so worth it to learn about the beautiful tradition of serving tea. Come ready to relax. Good walking shoes a must as some parts of the gardens are not accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.

Recipes

Decadent S’mores Ice Cream Parfaits Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SameTasteNewLook #CollectiveBias

I had you at… S’mores ice cream parfait… didn’t I?

You know all about Pi Day, right? On March 14 (3.14) we celebrate mathematics because 3.14 is the mathematical number for Pi. Last March 14, my daughter came home from school all excited because they had pies in her math class and she wouldn’t stop talking about the best chocolate pie she ever tasted. Now, my daughter doesn’t even like chocolate pies (which happen to be my absolute favorite), but this one she said I had to go out and buy right away. It ended up being an Edwards® Chocolate Pie. So yes, I ran to Walmart and bought one… and darn it, if that wasn’t one of the best chocolate pies I’ve ever had!

Now, Edwards® pies are our go-to when we are looking for an easy dessert idea for a birthday, graduation, retirement, or work or school event. I’d like to say I always keep one in the freezer, but that would be a lie. I can’t keep them at all… my kids will sniff out that pie even when I have it hidden under bags and bags of vegetables. If you’ve ever purchased an Edwards® pie before, watch out for their new look – new packaging but still the same great taste. You can find them at Walmart in the frozen dessert aisle.

One of their new flavors is the S’mores Pie. It reminded me of the yummy ice cream mud pies I used to make all the time. The problem is, those take a while to make and why go to all that trouble when half of your recipe has already been created perfectly for you? Since the school year is coming to a close, I thought I’d whip up some fun desserts for the kids… and ones that can be kept in the freezer for any time the urge for a decadent dessert strikes you.

So get ready to drool with these S’mores Ice Cream Parfaits.

Ingredients:

Edwards® S’mores Pie
Ice Cream (I like coffee, but you can also use chocolate or vanilla)
Whipped Cream
Sprinkles (or other dessert toppings)

I’m a big mason jar fan. I don’t know why other than they are incredibly versatile and look so darn cute. Desserts in mason jars? Oh yes! You can purchase these at Walmart in all different sizes.

So this is how I assemble these to best work when you are re-freezing.

Start with clean mason jars (use as small or as large as you like). I leave the coffee ice cream out for a while so it’s nice and soft. I want to add very soft ice cream to half of the mason jar so it completely covers the jar. It should look like the entire bottom half of the jar is full of ice cream.

Put the top back on the mason jars and stick them in the freezer. You want that ice cream to freeze back up again. If you are doing these for a special dessert, make sure you prepare the ice cream jars in the morning or the day before.

When ready to serve, take out the jars. Use a large spoon to dish out the Edwards® S’mores Pie and start filling the rest of the mason jar. Once filled, you can do 2 things: either put the top back on and refreeze with the pie inside the jar ( this is great to do if you really don’t want to spend time in the kitchen preparing dessert) OR, you can top with more ice cream, whipped cream and sprinkles and serve immediately. The combination of the frozen ice cream and the creaminess of the pie is a real treat. All your favorites in one decadent dessert.

Treat yourself for a job well-done. Believe me, after the last few weeks, I deserve this! I also picked up an Edwards® Keylime Pie to have just in case. It wasn’t easy to choose among all the flavors:

Edwards® Reese’s Peanut Butter Crème Pie
Edwards® Strawberry Crème Pie
Edwards® Vanilla Caramel Crème Pie
Edwards® Premium Pie Pumpkin
Edwards® Triple Coconut Pie
Edwards® Georgia Pecan Pie
Edwards® Lemon Meringue Pie
Edwards® Cookies N Crème Pie
Edwards® Turtle Crème Pie
Edwards® Key Lime Pie
Edwards® Premium Banana Crème Pie
Edwards® New York Style Cheesecake

Truth time… which pie would be your first choice?

books

Food on Foot – Book Review

I received an advanced copy of Food on Foot: A History of Eating on Trails and in the Wild for review. This post contains affiliate links.

Food on Foot: A History of Eating on Trails and in the Wild

Guess what we’ve been doing the last few days of Spring Break? If you guessed we were watching food shows you must know us really well. We get absorbed in food – the flavors, the preparation, and the fascination with foods from around the world. I had the chance to read Food on Foot: A History of Eating on Trails and in the Wild, by Demet Güzey. My pile of food books is piling up and I thought it was such a great idea for Demet to share this aspect of food that really never gets discussed. What DID people eat on those long treks exploring our country?

We all have special connections to food. We remember favorite cereals from when we were kids and chances are, there is still something that our mom (or dad) made that we can’t get enough of. Food plays such an important role in our day-to-day that it makes sense that it would be just as critical, even more so, for those living outdoors. Where do they get their food? Fish? Hunt? Do they bring it with them?

Demet Güzey, PhD., is a writer and lecturer on food and culture and it’s no surprise after reading her book that she is also an avid mountain hiker. But this book doesn’t just cover one aspect of eating outdoors, it covers the entire genre. Demet opens with a discussion on picnics and how they came about. She moves on to explorers, mountain expeditions, desert travel, and even army rations. I bet you never thought about food in this way. Hey, we all need to eat, right?

Some incredible facts you’ll read about in the book are:

trip-de-roche (a type of fungus found in the arctic) kept some of the Polar exlorers alive.
In the late 1700’s it was thought that lemons and limes might prevent scurvy but this wasn’t actually proven until the 1930’s.
The Bedu people of Arabia ate primarily bread and porridge. For every single meal. They were the most hospitable people and offered guests their food before they would eat themselves.
The military was the catalyst for some of our current food processes. American Gail Borden created the process of evaporation and canning milk. Freeze drying was developed during WWII.

The book is well-researched and reads like a combination of textbook and storybook. The tales of explorers and hikers are entertaining and you will learn quite a bit about different parts of the world and cultures. It will expand your food knowledge for sure.

If you are as interested in food as I am, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Food on Foot: A History of Eating on Trails and in the Wild. Such a great gift for foodies and adventurers.

family

5 Ways to Ditch Chronic Back Pain

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. All opinions are mine alone. #StopPainNow #CollectiveBias

I can’t even remember how long I’ve had back pain. I’m sure it must have started when I was pregnant with my first daughter and then proceeded to get worse in the other two pregnancies. Combine that with carrying around 3 kids for years, my horrible posture, and the fact that I work from home, I had to figure out how to ditch the chronic pain before it overwhelmed and debilitated me permanently.

I am way too busy to have to suffer with this. I don’t have time to focus on the pain. My husband has always had back pain as well and he carries heavy video equipment around for a living. We knew this just couldn’t go on any longer and we didn’t want to wake up in the morning dreading having to get ourselves out of bed.

I decided to do some research and figure out how we can not just tolerate the pain, but really overcome it. I’ve learned so much that I want to share. So here are my discoveries and ways you can alleviate back pain.

5 Ways to Alleviate Back Pain

1. Check your posture. I’m pretty sure I’ve never had good posture. I was the one everyone was always telling to straighten up and not be so hunched over. My husband tells me this almost every day. I’m not sure how this started, but I honestly have to make an effort each day to stand up straight. This isn’t an easy one to overcome because having poor posture means you can have everything from neck pain to back pain to headaches to shoulder pain… you get what I’m saying.

It’s a vicious cycle because when your back hurts, you tend to hunch since straightening it hurts even worse. So you are really just making it all worse and it is SO frustrating. You really have to make an effort every day to straighten up. The good thing about this is that it will probably make you look taller and thinner. Win- win!

Tip: To check if you have good posture, stand against a wall with your rear end, shoulders and head touching the wall. Your feet should be slightly away from the wall, not up against it. If the space from your back to the wall (and your neck to the wall) is more than 2 inches, you might have a posture problem.

2. Where are you sitting? I work from home, but this could go for everyone who sits at a job all day. I am one of those people who love to sit in bed with my laptop and work. It is SO bad for you. There is absolutely no support on my back. I also like to sit on the couch and that is just as bad. My dining room chairs are all wood and will kill my back and legs if I sit there for longer than a meal. I actually do have a desk but I rarely use it because it’s kind of tucked away in a dark room. So, one of the things I did was create a way to lessen the stress on my neck and back no matter where I decide to sit and work.a space in my bedroom at my vanity table so I could work there but also have the back support. I can’t stress how much sitting up straight and having that support makes a difference.

I’m sure you’ve seen these back rests around. You can pick them up from home stores or warehouse stores and they aren’t too expensive. It’s not the ideal for helping your back, but it does take some of the strain off if you absolutely have to sit in bed and work. I also drag it out to the couch sometimes when I’m working from there. They are much sturdier than regular pillows that you have to keep propping up behind you.

If you are sitting at a desk, please make sure you either have an ergonomically correct desk chair or at the very least, a chair with a high back. Those of us who sit a lot know that we tend to lose track of time and forget how long we really sit. I’ve started working and 3 hours later realized I haven’t moved.

Tip: Set your phone alarm to go off every 20 minutes. Get up and stretch. Touch your toes, bend your knees. Then go ahead and keep working. You will feel SO much better and your body will thank you.

3. Are you sleeping? A few years ago we were really complaining that we just couldn’t get a good night’s sleep and the back pain was really bad. We decided to invest in a memory foam mattress and it has been a huge life-saver. Not every memory foam mattress will work for every person, but when my kids were all ready for big girl beds, purchasing a top-notch and supportive mattress was a priority for us. Along with a great mattress, having a great pillow is also going to relieve a lot of the pain. The position of your neck will determine how much stress is on your spine. I went back and forth between wanting a flat pillow and wanting a huge, fluffy pillow. Turns out, I kind of needed something in between that would support my neck. I purchased one of those cooling gel pillows and I sleep through the night again.

Tip: If you are waking up at night often, chances are it’s your body’s way of telling you that you aren’t comfortable. I get really hot at night so I tend to kick off the covers. Therefore, even when it’s really cold out, I try and wear cooler pajamas. If you get cold at night, try an extra blanket. Turn the fan on, block out the light, do whatever you need to be comfortable. Lack of sleep isn’t going to do anything to help your pain.

4. Exercise. I know… I hate it too. But there are a few exercises that are especially focused on strengthening your back and you will be so happy you tried them.

These are some good ones for back pain especially:

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Raise one knee into your chest, then do the other one. Go back and forth. I try and do these at least 4 times each.
Lie on your back, again with your knees bent and rotate them to the left and then to the right. Hold each turn for about 10 seconds. Love this one.
Get on your hands and knees and do the cat stretch. Just like a cat, you will want to arch your back, hold it for a few seconds and then push your tummy towards the floor in the opposite direction. This is awesome when your back is just killing you and you really need to stretch it out.

Tip: I also love doing a little weight training. I feel like when I’m stronger and my muscles are toned, my pain tends to subside. I use 5 lb weights but you can use whatever you feel works for you.

5. Find a great pain supplement. Seriously! Nobody should ever have to live with pain. While you are making adjustments to your lifestyle, it’s perfectly okay to want to take something. Curamin® Extra Strength 60 Count, has become my lifesaver. It is a dietary supplement that I found in Sprouts when I was stocking up on my weekly produce run. The first time I tried these I was really in a bad way. I had done something where I pinched my back and I literally could barely stand up straight. I am a huge skeptic when it comes to pain relievers but I downed 3 pills and went to bed. By morning my pain was gone. Not just a little bit… but G.O.N.E.

Have you heard of Curamin® Stop Pain Now? I’ve seen it around but didn’t realize what a treasure it is. Curamin is the #1 selling brand of pain relief. It is a safe, effective, non-addictive herbal formula. I’m not an over-the-counter pain relief type of person because I’m always worried about side effects. I feel much better taking an herbal formula and now that I know how well it works, I’d be lost without it. And just so you know, it is Vegan, non-GMO, and Kosher. You can take up to 3 tablets a day, either all at once or one pill three times a day.

Focusing more on my posture, supporting my back when I work, and keeping my Curamin handy has definitely made me much happier. No one should have to suffer through chronic back pain.

I’ve already recommended Curamin to some friends and I hope you’ll give it a try. You can find Curamin at health food stores nationwide. Check out this store list and see if you have a retailer near you.