Hellos and Hacks

First of all, by way of hello - let's just be honest and say I have not been good at this all summer.  This is the first summer in, pretty much forever, that I worked 12 months as I've moved into a new position at my school.  I'm super grateful, but it definitely took some getting used to!  As such, the blog posts have been few and far between, however, as the new school year starts, I'm looking to change that!

My plan is, starting next week, to post Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  I'm going to do my BEST to keep to that schedule!

Also, in the way of social media, I have a few new accounts!

Twitter: @kellyskitchen3
Instagram: @kellyskitchen512

Now, hacks. I'm a big fan of the hack - my personal boards on Pinterest are basically organizing, cooking, and life hacks.  And throughout this blogging life, I've come up with a few that I'm quite fond of and that have really helped me out in the kitchen!

1.  Frozen Bananas
Obviously, I'm not new to this - but that is the secret to a super thick smoothie.  Because let's face it, when I want a smoothie, I want it to resemble a milkshake, only healthier!  Subbing the frozen bananas for ice give any smoothie an incredibly creamy texture.  I keep a bag in my freezer of frozen banana halves at all times!

2.  Chopped Salad Bags
Any salad in a bag is a great hack, but these mixed chopped salad bags I've started seeing have been a lifesaver.  Terrific for stir frys or to add to scrambles or omelettes.  I'm a big fan of anything where the hard part (chopping) is done for me.

This Asian Mix was a perfect addition to my cauliflower fried rice!  And what's great is that most of these bags have the dressing / seeds / nuts packaged separately, so you can keep it to 0 Smartpoints very easily!


3.  Instant Oatmeal Waffles

I'm a big fan of the Kodiak Cake Mixes, that's pretty much my weekend breakfast.  One day, before a longer run, I felt I needed an added boost, so I did a little experimenting.  I mixed a 1/3 cup of Kodiak Cakes mix and 1 packet of instant oatmeal together, added water, and threw it in the waffle iron.  The result was a super tasty, thick, and hearty waffle that powered me right through that run!

You can use any instant oats you want (I can't wait to throw some pumpkin in there in the fall!), but these have been my favorite so far!

I've had the Oatfit Cinnamon Roll and the Maple and Brown Sugar and both are great.  Added bonus - only 3 Smartpoints for the packet!  So that big, hearty waffle only ended up being 6 Smartpoints!

Lastly, just had to give a shoutout to my latest favorite - this Bento Box!  I tend to get bored pretty easily with lunches at work, and this seems to be just the ticket out of the rut.  Little compartments for veggies / fruit, a protein, and a starch or snack, plus a covered bowl for dips / yogurt, etc.  Looking forward to trying to some different combinations!




What are some of your favorite hacks???

Two Fabulous Snack Finds!

Let's start with this.  If you like Sweet Chili Doritos?  You will legit love these.  They are AMAZING!  Crunchy with both a sweetness and a kick!  I found them at Whole Foods but you can also order them online.  There are also other flavors, but these spoke to me.  They are 4 Smartpoints per serving.

Another Whole Foods find below!  These are seriously delish if you need a savory snack.   Cheesy and salty and spicy and crunchy.  Moreso, they are organic and have a great ingredient list!  Another 4 Smartpoints per serving snack!  You can also order them online.

These pair great with a piece of fruit or some veggies for a really filling and healthy snack!

Fabulous Find: Siggi's Yogurt

Yogurt is definitely one of my go-tos for a mid-morning boost.  And I tend to gravitate to Greek yogurt because I love the protein - really helps tide me over until lunch.

I was at Target last week and I saw this (and it had an offer on Cartwheel!).  A friend of mine had recommended it and so I decided to give it a whirl. 

WOW.  Really delicious.  Not unlike the texture of Greek yogurt honestly, though it does have less sugar (score!).

I've tried two flavors so far: pumpkin spice (of course) which was 2% fat and 4 Smartpoints, and the raspberry, which was 0% fat and 3 Smartpoints.  Both are really delicious!  And Siggi's seems to have a lot of really interesting flavors.

I've seen it in both Target and Stop and Shop, and there is more information at Siggi's Dairy!

Fabulous Find: Elli Quark

Yogurt, specifically Greek yogurt, is one of my favorite midmorning snacks. With fresh fruit and a touch of granola, it's the perfect thing to tide me over until lunch.

Over the last month or so, I started seeing all these posts about Quark on Instagram.  It was less Smartpoints than Greek yogurt, so color me intrigued.

When I first spotted it in Shoprite, the wording "spoonable cheese" almost steered me away, because I couldn't actually picture what that meant.  However, I figured the multitude of Instagram posts couldn't be wrong, so I took a chance.

SO GLAD I DID!

It is absolutely delicious! It's got the texture of Greek yogurt, but is less tangy.  And only 2 Smartpoints for the whole cup!

I've only been able to find a few of the flavors so far (it's not available in all stores).  I've tried Bananas Foster, Blueberry, Vanilla, Plain and Strawberry.  I also have a Pineapple to try tomorrow.   Everything I've tried has been really delicious, with a lot of flavor.  I'm dying to find the Sea Salt Caramel and the Red Velvet and the Mint Chocolate!

I know these are also available at Target, if there is one near you.

You can also order online!  Elli Quark

Definitely keep a look out.  Worth the extra looking!

Fabulous Finds: Chobani Simply 100 Crunch

I LOVE the Chobani Flips.  Particularly the Key Lime Crumble.

However - LOTS of sugar.  And to top it off, on the new Smartpoints plan, not terribly point friendly.

Then I stumbled upon these beauties in the store.

(Ignore the rest of the lunchbox, for the life of me I couldn't find the original picture!)

So these are basically 100 calorie pack "flips" from Chobani.  I found three flavors -  one was a chocolate and strawberry combo, one was blueberry cookie, and one was mango.  I'm not a huge mango fan (unless it's in a daquiri) so I tried the strawberry and blueberry ones.

The strawberry "Crunch" was strawberry Greek yogurt with chocolate pieces, chocolate cookie pieces, and dried strawberry.  The blueberry - my favorite - was a blueberry Greek yogurt with oatmeal cookie pieces and dried blueberries.

These were a perfect mid-morning snack paired with some fruit, but would also be a great sweet treat at the end of the day.

And the best - 3 Smartpoints per serving!

Hoping they expand this line!  Keep an eye out!

Fabulous Finds: Cosmos Creations

For the savory snack lover in all of us.

You guys.  These are SO GOOD.

If you like Pirate Booty, you will love these.

They come in a bunch of different flavors.  I LOVE the above one, and my other favorite is Spicy Siracha.  I've also had the butter and sea salt, which was also delish.   Oh!  And I can't forget the sea salt and vinegar!  Mmmmm.  There are also some sweet variations, but I have yet to try those.

I got a package of the single serve bags and it was a great midday pick me up.  They are gluten free and use non-GMO corn.  I ordered them online through Amazon but they also have a website!

Cosmos Creations

Fabulous Find: Think Thin Oatmeal

Another healthy find from 7-11!  (And other places I'm sure but this is where I found it).

I was running late one morning and didn't have time to make my normal protein smoothie, so I figured I'd pick something up when I stopped to get my coffee.  Found this and it's an new favorite!

This particular flavor is Farmer's Market Berry Crumble and it's absolutely delicious.  Takes about a minute in the microwave, but then I let it sit a few more minutes.  The fruit plumps up and it's definitely a filling breakfast coupled with some fruit or I actually had a hard boiled egg along with it for some extra protein.

Nice stats:  10g protein, 5g fiver and 190 calories for the cup.

Also, 100% non GMO!

I actually really love their protein bars too (the pumpkin spice and dark chocolate peppermint are seasonal flavors that are to die for!).  Link below to the website!

Think Thin Products

Fabulous Find: Pumpkin Seed Tortilla Chips

In case it isn't already obvious, I have a thing for pumpkin.

It is seasonal, however.  After Thanksgiving, gingerbread and egg nog take over!

I found these chips at Stop & Shop and was super intrigued.

Love the ingredients, love the stats.

Be aware, this isn't a super savory chip.  There's a hint of sweetness but it's not TOO sweet.  They don't taste really pumpkin-y, so if you aren't a huge pumpkin fan, I'd still give them a shot.

They were absolutely delicious paired with both black bean hummus and a medium heat salsa.

They are seasonal, so get them while they last!

Fabulous Find: Jif Peanut Powder

True fact.  I love peanut butter (and yet I hate actual peanuts, go figure).

I will legit put peanut butter on or in anything I can. 

Unfortunately, while it does have it's protein benefits, it's also got a lot of fat. 

There have been several brands of peanut powders on the market, yet they all seem pretty pricey.  Not that I didn't buy them, I did.  But in the interest of saving money, this new one caught my eye.

So at first I was skeptical.  But the price was a good 3 dollars less than my favorite, PB2, so I figured, what did I have to lose?

And then I looked at the back.

The ONLY ingredient is roasted peanuts.  In three tablespoons, there are 8 grams of protein and only 2 grams of fat.

Consider me sold.

But....does it taste good?

So far I've added 2 tablespoons to a chocolate smoothie and 1 tablespoon to a half cup of Greek yogurt, and I have to say, I'm impressed.  The price is right, the ingredients are right, and the taste is right.

Keep an eye out!

Fabulous Find: Plenti Greek Yogurt

I am a huge Greek yogurt fan.  No lie.  But I like "stuff" in my yogurt.  Real fruit, seeds, granola, etc.  The yogurt on its own just isn't quite filling enough for me.

So I was intrigued when I saw this new find in the grocery store.

Greek yogurt?  Check.  Oats?  Check.  Flax?  Check. Pumpkin Seeds?  Yes please.

And bonus, no nuts!  I, for one am not a fan (love the flavor, cringe at the texture).

The label is pretty good too!

Now, I will warn you.  If you expect crunch, forget it.  The oats and seeds have been in the yogurt so it's not at all crunchy.  However, if you are looking for a filling snack with a chewy texture and full of goodness?  This is for you!

I have had the black cherry and blueberry flavors and both are wonderful!  I believe there is also vanilla and strawberry as well!

Definitely keep an eye out for it!

Fabulous Find: Quest Protein Bars

There are so many protein bars out there at this point.  It's really hard to choose!

Add in that I'm not a fan of nuts (I love peanut butter but not actual peanuts, go figure), and my options in protein bars are severely limited.

Plus, I don't love some of the ingredients I'm finding in these bars.

That changed when I stumbled upon Quest bars in, of all places, 7-11. 

What I love most about these bars is that they don't taste "protein-y".  They actually taste like a candy bar!  And the ingredient list is far better than most I've seen. 

I haven't tried all of them, because some do have nuts, but some favorites are mint chocolate chunk (pictured above), S'mores, and cookies and cream.

They run about 170 calories a bar and are super filling.  One of my pre-gym favorites!

I've seen them sparingly, in 7-11 and in King's, but they are also available online!

For more information:  Quest Nutrition

Fabulous Find: 7-11 Go Smart! Corn Tortilla Chips

Color me shocked that I found such a healthy snack find at a convenience store, branded by said convenience store!

My 7-11 had several different flavors.  I got the Sweet Chili and the Siracha flavors.  These are non-GMO as well as certified gluten free with a terrific ingredient list!   1 bag is 170 calories, and I loved them as a mid-morning snack boost!

I really enjoyed both the flavors I tried, with a slight edge to the Siracha, which were spicy without being overly hot.  The chips were crunchy and delicious and the portion was great!

Definitely check these out if you can find them!

Fabulous Find: Weight Watchers Frozen Smoothies

I'm always on the lookout for new snacks.

I spotted these in the frozen section of my store and was intrigued, but I bypassed them at first.  I'm not big on stocking up on frozen foods, I have a few on hand in case of a late night or needing a quick lunch, but I'm really trying to stay away from the more processed things.

So, it took me a few times to take a real look at these, but when I did, I was pleasantly surprised.

For a frozen, prepackaged item, that's a pretty good ingredient list!

But how would they taste?

I've tried two of the flavors - the tropical one, which is pineapple and mango, and the strawberry / banana one and I found both to be really quite good.  There are chunks of real fruit and they are a really good portion.  Perfect for a mid-morning snack!

I also love the ease of them.  I take it out in the morning before work and leave it in the fridge at school until snack time, and it's a really terrific consistency.

Definitely check these out!

Fabulous Find: Premium Slicer

I've been very intrigued by all the recipes I've seen online and in cookbooks using "veggie" noodles. 

However, I'd never made them. I thought it would be super complicated.

As it turns out?  Not so much.

I took a gamble and got this Premium Slicer on Amazon. 

It was really affordable and came with storage bag, a cleaning brush, and a top that also doubles as a way to push smaller vegetables into the slicer.

I have used it with zucchini and it was fast and simple!  In less than a minute, I had turned a medium zucchini into noodles!

I ended up using them in a recipe (to be posted soon), but these would be delicious just sauteed up in some coconut oil!

I'm excited to try out some other veggies and even some fruits with this!  Definitely a great tool to add to the healthy cooking arsenal!

Fabulous Find: Vita Coco Cafe Mocha Latte

I'm kind of obsessed with all things coconut.

I've pretty much completely switched to a coconut almond milk blend.  I love coconut oil and use it all the time. 

So I decided to venture into the world of coconut water.

I saw this at the store and it intrigued me, because my love for coconut is only surpassed by my love for coffee.

I loved the small ingredient list - espresso, coconut water, and milk.

It is 140 calories, so I had it as a mid morning snack at work.

WOW.

It rivaled Starbucks to be honest. 

Very creamy and delicious, and it's never bad to get a caffeine hit during the day!

If you like coffee and want to experiment with coconut water, definitely check this out!

Fabulous Find: Skinnygirl Lime and Sea Salt Popcorn

I'm definitely a snacker. I like crunchy snacks, sweet snacks, savory snacks.  You name it.

I also really love popcorn.

I'm familiar with the Skinnygirl brand, but have not tried too many of the items available.  But this caught my eye in the store and I was intrigued.  She has partnered with Orville Redenbacher so you know the popcorn will be good. 

See, one of my favorite snacks is the Hint of Lime Tostitos.  And I thought this might be a good, lower calorie dupe for that.

I was pleased to find that that's the case!  And what's more, you certainly get a larger serving size!

Each bag is larger than a 100 calorie bag, so you get a bit more, weighing in at 150 calories a bag, which is a good snack size.  When you first take out the bag you definitely smell the lime, but after it pops, it's much more subtle.  You can definitely taste it, and it does remind me of the Tostitos.  The lime mixed with the sea salt is a new twist on popcorn and I'm definitely a fan! 

Fabulous Finds: Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame 100 Calorie Packs

I'm a sucker for a good snack.

I'm also a teacher who needs the mid-morning pick me up as much as the kids do.  And, being a teacher, I can't leave my room to get said pick me up.

So, I'm always interested when I see snacks that don't need to be refrigerated, are healthy, and more importantly for me, portion controlled.

I spotted these in the organic section of Stop and Shop and knew I had to give them a try.

Especially after I checked out the label!

Low in sugar, high in protein, and 100 calories?

My next fear was that it would be an impossibly small portion.  However, there was a lot of edamame packed into that little bag!

The edamame itself had a nice salty crunch, a perfect substitute for chips or even, for someone like who doesn't like them, any kind of nut.

I've been having these everyday this week as my mid-morning snack and they definitely helped tide me over until lunch.

Keep and eye out for them!

Fabulous Finds: Silk Almond Creamer

I'm a teacher, so it pretty much goes without saying that coffee is my lifeblood. 

And as much as I'd like to be able to drink it black (aka calorie free), I can't.

Of course, the creamers I like are full of sugar.  And while I splurge every once in a while, on a daily basis, I'm aiming to be a bit more healthy.

I've been a convert to Silk unsweetened vanilla almond milk and the unsweetened coconut almond blend for a while now.  It's fewer calories, and while I don't have an issue with dairy, I find that I feel a little bit better when I use that as opposed to skim.  I also find it to be a bit more creamy.

So when I saw this in the store, I knew I had to try it.

I loved seeing the dairy, gluten and soy free label.  While I don't need to be "free" of any of those things, I do like to watch my intake.  And non - GMO is also a score. 

It's fewer calories than traditional creamers, clocking in at 20 calories per tbsp. serving.  For me, I do need to use 2 tablespoons but the ingredients are all readable so I feel ok about it.

It adds a nice creaminess to your coffee (or tea!), and a hint of sweetness from the vanilla.

I haven't seen it everywhere yet, but if you are a coffee lover, keep an eye out!

Fabulous Finds: Jimmy Dean's Turkey Sausage Crumbles

I was checking out Mind Over Munch's YouTube Channel (which is awesome by the way, lots of great tips and healthy recipes!) and she had done a grocery haul, and I was totally intrigued by these!

FULLY COOKED!

Look, when I have time, I love to cook up my own sausage, but on those mornings (or evenings) when I just want to eat, fully cooked is a nice option to have!

Unfortunately, I haven't seen them in my Stop and Shop yet, but as it happens, was in Target yesterday and there they were!  So, of course they landed in my cart!

Very impressive stats!

90 calories for a half a cup.  And take it from someone who cooked up a half a cup with veggies for a scramble, that's A LOT!  Also, a very nice pronounceable ingredient list!

I think these would be great in a number of dishes, not limited to breakfast.  I have a few ideas to try them out with pasta and veggies as well!

If you are a fan of turkey sausage and, even better, a nice filling yet low calorie protein boost, definitely look for these!

Fabulous Finds: Wild Veggie Breakfast Bowl

As I'm trying to be healthier, I'm trying to steer clear of frozen, premade meals.

However, life happens.  So I've been trying to find some healthier frozen, premade meals.

I saw these in Stop & Shop and was immediately intrigued.  Quinoa?  Barley?  Steel Cut Oats?  Only 150 calories per bowl?

The ingredient list?  Stats?  Impressive.

2 and 1/2 minutes in the microwave, and done!

There are a few flavors.  I had the apple cinnamon, which had huge chunks of real apples in it.  I also added a tablespoon of organic sunflower seed butter to mind, for an extra boost.  Really delicious and filling!  I also have the blueberry but haven't tried it yet.

So, I plan on getting some more for busy mornings.  Filling, healthy, and yummy!