My Life as a Mom

 It's a new month, with new specials at Thrive, that means it's time for a new meal-in-a-jar recipe. This recipe is great because it's really versatile. You can add whatever veggies you like to the mix. I used the veggies I had on hand, there is a great selection of veggies on sale this month, and chopped chicken is on sale as well! I used Zucchini, peas, beans, peppers, onions and mushrooms, but you could use corn, carrots, asparagus, broccoli or cauliflower instead (or in addition). Just note, that what I used barely fit into the jar, so if you're adding more or using veggies that are bigger - like broccoli - you'll likely need to put it in a ziploc bag for storage rather than a jar. You'll also need to add a bit more water if you're adding more veggies. I made this recipe for my kids and they devoured it and asked for it again the next day! Great way to get veggies into my picky eater! Here's the recipe as I made it. Note that the sour cream c...

  Green peas are on sale this month, and I'm seriously excited about it! I know it sounds a bit odd to be excited about something so boring, but let me tell you, Thrive green peas are the best ever! Last year I grew a garden for the first time in years, I grew it at my parents house because they actually have space and I don't. That way I also wasn't in charge of the watering, which is good because with me it's either drought or flood! I was super excited to grow veggies, and everything actually did really well! So here's the thing, as I was shelling my peas, I couldn't help but notice that it was a LOT of work to grow peas, and guess what, the Thrive peas taste just as amazing! Guess who's not growing peas anymore because she doesn't like the time it takes to shell them??? (It's me in case you can't guess!) Seriously, the Thrive peas are just as good as home grown peas, they are amazing!  What I love about peas is how versatile they are...

If you're anything like me, dinnertime can cause a lot of stress. Everything from knowing what to make, being sure you have the groceries, juggling schedules, time it takes to cook, chopping vegetables, doing dishes...UGH!  The whole thing can be so overwhelming. It's what often leads me to either ordering pizza, stopping at McDonalds for kids meals, or using a go-to meal. Not that any of these are a problem occasionally, but when it becomes 3-4 times a week, it gets boring. Not to mention pizza and McDonalds are certainly not the healthiest option, and if your go-tos are like mine, they're not the healthiest either. That's why I LOVE Simple Plates from Thrive. With a bunch of different options to choose from and most of them ready in 20 minutes or less, these solve the majority of my dinner dilemmas. The chopping, measuring and prep work is all done. All I have to do is follow a few simple instructions, add water and butter, and voila! Delicious dinner...

I adore soups during the winter! There is nothing better than enjoying a delicious warm soup when it's chilly outside. So I am always on the lookout for new soups. There seem to be lots of soups that are loaded with veggies, but those soups are also often loaded with carbs, so I've been working on soups that are low in carbs or free of carbs. The great side effect of that, is that it makes them great for those eating a keto diet. The recipe I came up with today, was SO SO good! And lucky for you, I wrote it down! So, what do you need for my Creamy Veggie & Sausage Soup? A bunch of veggies, obviously! So, the annoying thing about making veggie soup is all of the chopping. Want an easier way? That's when you need Thrive. Not only are thrive's veggies already chopped for you, but they are delicious and good for you. With no additives, or GMOs, they are the best veggies available! Combined with the fact that they cook quickly due to the nature of freeze drying, t...

Today we are talking about Strawberry Yogurt Bites! They are such a great snack for toddlers, children and adults! One of my favourite things about yogurt bites is that they are low in sugar, they do have added sugar, but not as much as most other sweet snacks. They are creamy and delicious  and highly addictive! Today I will share with you three of my favourite ways to eat strawberry yogurt bites. I will even include recipes so you can make them at home. :) The first way that I use strawberry yogurt bites and probably the way I eat them most often is in a smoothie. I love yogurt bites in my smoothies because they make them creamier and add some sweetness. I drink at least one smoothie almost every day, and I use different combinations all the time, but this one is one of my favourites! Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie ( all ingredients are freeze dried products from Thrive Life foods) 1/4 cup kale 3/4 tsp lemonade powder 1/2 cup pineapple 1/2  cup strawberrie...

You know how everyone has their go-to meal? You know, the one that you make when you just don't want to think about what to cook. Maybe you've had a long day, or have some extra kids in the house, or you just haven't had a chance to meal prep...  You don't want to eat out (or can't afford to!) and you need something that everyone will eat without complaining. What do you cook? That's your go-to meal. Here's mine.  The best part about this meal is that my 10-year-old now makes it and does a great job. So this go-to just got even better in my house!  I don't know about you, but I was raised on pasta. It's quick, easy and filling. And while I eat healthier for the most part, I do still love pasta-so add a salad or some chopped veggies, and this is a great meal! We use whatever pasta we have on hand, tonight it was penne noodles. I don't typically measure when I'm making this meal, I just add however much looks right, but for your be...

Kale Sausage Soup I absolutely love soup, especially as it starts to get cold out. There's just something comforting about sitting down to a hot bowl of soup in the evening. It's even better with fresh buns, which I did not have tonight, but it's still great without. Tonight's soup was a hit even with my picky boys, they both ate up and asked for more! Mom win! This is by far the best soup that I have ever made without following a recipe! Lucky for you, I kept track of what I put in so that I can share the recipe! I've decided that I need to reduce my carbs again, not going full keto, just low carbs, so I made this recipe basically keto friendly. I did add vermicelli noodles to mine, but it's easy to leave them out and make it totally keto friendly.  Having freeze dried ingredients always on hand make soup so much easier! Tonight we had back to back hockey practices which put us at home late for dinner with two starving boys. I made this while one was ...