organic Archives - Rave & Review

Staying healthy and eating well on-the-go with protein at Walmart

We all want to be healthy and have energy for the things we love, but sometimes that can seem really difficult with our busy lifestyles where we are always on the go. I eat really healthy when I’m at home, but all it takes is ending up on the go all day and I struggle with what to eat. Do you cave and go through a drive thru or do you just go without until you can sit down and eat healthier?

I’m learning that a little planning ahead can eliminate this struggle by giving you great tasting food that fits within your health goals. One quick stop at Walmart and you can walk out with the tools you need: Purely Inspired® protein powder and Mission1™ bars that provide you with organic, clean, protein. Eating clean and organic has never been easier, and now I won’t have to cave and eat junk on the road for convenience sake. Keeping these bars or protein powder on hand allows me to stay on track and eat well while we’re staying active. So now for those times when the doctor’s appointment runs through lunch or horrendous traffic means I will be late for dinner, I can have a delicious protein bar or shake.

A teddy bear that is changing the world: Bears for Humanity

On my 30th birthday I got hit by a drunk driver on my way home from renewing my driver’s license with my two small children. While the driver who hit us sped off, our car bounced around the freeway, sliding across loose gravel, and straight into a guard rail, narrowly missing a 30 foot drop.

Eventually, our car ended up in oncoming traffic where kind passersby helped push our car off to the side while we waited for the emergency responders to check us over and assist us. My husband arrived in just minutes to escort us off the freeway and together we got the car to the state patrol’s office to get the accident paperwork.

We were met by two officers upon our arrival at the office parking lot, each holding a teddy bear for our young children. Even just the sight of them standing there holding those bears brought me to tears, and it was in that moment that I understood that teddy bears sometimes are much more than a simple toy. Sometimes they remind you just how much good there is in the world just when you need it most. Our interaction that night with the troopers took just minutes, but I will never forget their kindness to me and my kids that evening.

Sure, there are 30th birthdays ruined by someone having too much fun drinking and not enough sense to utilize public transportation or taxi services. But, there are also passersby who put their lives in danger to save people they don’t even know, and sometimes there are state patrols who hear of young children involved in a serious car accident and take the time out of their busy day to surprise those kids with teddy bears when they need a little comfort.

Bears for Humanity understands that a teddy bear can make all the difference in the world to a child in difficult circumstances. That’s why when you buy one of their gorgeous bears they will send an identical bear to a child who needs it through a number of reputable charitable organizations that you can select from as you buy.

Super easy chicken fajitas with Foster Farms Simply Raised

I don’t know about you, but there’s a direct correlation between the amount of summer sun and the amount of time I don’t want to spend cooking. Basically, my goal each weeknight is to get everyone fed and happy so we can get outside and play as soon as possible to enjoy time as a family after work. So, when Foster Farms contacted me about trying out some of their Simply Raised antibiotic free chicken to create an easy weeknight recipe post, I jumped at the chance.

Why Foster Farms chicken?

Because there are no antibiotics administered, they are produced with no added sodium, given 100% vegetarian feed, American Humane Certified, and 100% natural {minimally processed, no additives or preservatives, steroids or hormones} and they are locally grown throughout CA, OR, and WA. Oh, and the kids love the commercials with the talking chickens.

My summertime meal criteria includes the following: 1) no oven use because it turns the downstairs into a sauna 2) as few pots and pans as I can manage 3) cook extra whenever possible to enjoy leftovers for multiple nights 4) quick and easy meals are preferred and 5) healthy is a must

One of my favorite easy weeknight meals that satisfies all of these criteria is chicken fajitas because they are full of veggies and goodness, can be cooked in one pan, and they are super quick to make and enjoy for multiple nights.

The Most Delicious Hot Dog Grilling Tip EVER

With a brand new grill and an awesomely fun backyard, it’s really no surprise that this past month we’ve been doing a whole lot of outdoor grilling. Because of this, I spend a lot of time finding grilling recipes and tips and tricks online. When I heard that Applegate Farms had come to the Seattle … Read more

Whole Foods Lynnwood Opens March 15th

Recently, I‘ve been spending quite a bit of time in Lynnwood, WA. Specifically, I’ve been spending crazy amounts of time at Babies R Us. In all of my trips to help my sister register for baby, shop for the nursery, and finally, finish her baby to-do list, I’ve been watching the progress of the new … Read more

Zubels Organic Hand-Knit Toys

Are you constantly searching for organic toys for your kids? Have you noticed that when searching for organic toys, many of the selections that pop up are for babies? It’s extremely rare that you can find organic toys that can grow with your child and go from rattle to playmate, but that’s exactly what Zubels … Read more

Groovy Little Love Bus from Jack Rabbit Creations {Review}

Every once in a while I find a toy that is so perfect that I just can't help but covet it for my little ones. This would be a toy that combines clever design, good play value, and high quality parts as well as being fun to play with, which means it is bound to … Read more

Adorable Kids Shoes from See Kai Run

As many of you already know, one thing that can really pull an outfit together is your shoes. This is just as true with children’s shoes, and sometimes even more so. At our house, we take great pride in dressing our children up in fun outfits that really highlight their personality and style, and their … Read more

Natura World Sleep Envelope – Natural, Organic, and Green!

Cozy At Home: Day 34 Sometimes it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out what chemicals and toxins surround us on a daily basis. While there may be quite a few environments you cannot control, your bed shouldn’t be one of them. Your bed should be a place where you can breathe and sleep easy, … Read more

Halo SleepSack – October is SIDS Awareness Month

Cozy At Home Event – Day 16 There are very few worries that rate as high on new parents’ minds than Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Because the cause of SIDS is still so relatively unknown and it seems like there is all sorts of conflicting advice about it, the amount of time I’ve spent … Read more