How to Recharge After a Workout + Rainbow Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette Recipe

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

The few minutes after I finish my workout have become a very important part of my day. After every workout, I take time to recharge with a meal and plan my day.

Carving out this time has become a life changing habit that's gotten easier with a little prep. To prep, I plan my meals on the Sunday before my week begins. This week I made a light and refreshing Rainbow Salad paired with a Strawberry Vinaigrette and Mango Pineapple Aquafina Sparkling.

Orcadomintscuit | Orange, Avocado & Mint Crackers with a Mint Aioli

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

My snacking habits have gotten a bit out of hand lately. There were a bunch of concessions snacks left over from our fundraiser that I went a little crazy eating. It's been easy grabbing something pre-made and snacking on it in the afternoons while I worked, but after a few weeks I noticed my waistline was increasing. So when I sat down to do my meal plan for the week, I penciled in a new snack recipe that only required a handful of ingredients and allowed me to experiment with some new flavor combinations.

Southern Fried Chicken Tenders with Honey Lime Dipping Sauce

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

I don't know about you ladies, but most of my dinner meals typical start with me tidying up the kitchen. The sink and counters are the central space for getting meals cooked and I like them to be clear before I start cooking.

If dinner is not pre-cooked during our meal prep on Sunday, I usually start cooking around noon. By this time, the sink has a few dishes in it from breakfast.

Easy Oven-Simmered Mexican Tacos Carnitas

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Constellation Brands. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #CervezaCelebration #CollectiveBias

So I was thinking Cinco De Mayo is coming up and when my kids were young, my husband and I couldn't get out of the house much to celebrate with friends. Part of being a parent sometimes means giving up your social life with friends and sneaking in date nights in the car after the kids are asleep. That was pretty much our mode of socializing.

Spicy Roasted Corn, Chicken and Avocado Salad

This post was sponsored by Sunshine Sweet Corn as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

This time of year makes me long for easy lunches that are hearty enough to fill me up, but fresh, light and easy to prepare. My life is busy right. Too busy for complicated meal plans. So when I'm planning my lunches for the week I look for dishes that are easy to make and flavorful. One recipe that made it on my menu this week is a Spicy Roasted Corn, Chicken and Avocado Salad made using fresh Sunshine Sweet Corn, leftover chicken and in season produce. 

I found this recipe on SunshineSweetCorn.com under the recipe tab. I'd never had corn and avocado in the same dish so I was looking forward to try this combination. I made the salad right after finishing my work out. By that time I was hungry and needed something quick to eat. The entire salad from start to finish took about 20-minutes and ten of that was broiling the corn.

Mini Smore' Waffle Sandwiches

 These gooey Mini Smore' Waffle Sandwiches and shopping trip has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LeggoMyEggo #HearTheNews #CollectiveBias

Did you hear the news? "Eggo Waffles now have colors and flavors from natural sources!" My kids grew up loving all of the fun Eggo Waffle varieties like the Kellogg's® Eggo® Blueberry, Strawberry, and Chocolatey Chip Waffles, but I stopped buying them because of the ingredients. Now that Kellogg's has improved their recipe I'm ready to add them back to our menu starting with a dessert using Eggo® Cinnamon Toast. 

The single slice of Eggo Cinnamon Toast is the perfect little canvas for a twist on smore's. This soft, crunchy, cinnamony Eggo topped with graham cracker crumbs, chocolate and marshmallow will have your kids drooling.

Coconut Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

This crunchy and flavorful Coconut Shrimp Taco with Mango Sala recipe has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #40PerfectPairings #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

Are you looking for an easy meal that tastes delicious and doesn't require a lot of time in the kitchen? I'm going to hook you up with the perfect recipe. 

Weekends have become so busy for our house lately and while I plan out my meals during the week, I don't do so good on the weekends. I usually leave Saturday and Sunday blank on the menu so my husband and I can decide together, but we've been so busy lately that weekend meal planning has been neglected. 

Most weekends we're scrambling to figure out dinner last minute. On Saturday's we are up early so we can hit the gym before breakfast. Then we're back out the door to run errands. We pop back in the house for lunch and to change clothes, then out the door again to church. By the time we are heading home for dinner, we're trying to decide what to eat. Most times we get take out or walk the aisles at the grocery store until we find something. That can be frustrating because, by that time, we're starving and tired. 

We needed to come up with some easy, last-minute meals solutions that could be made in 30-minutes or less. To keep the prep time low, we knew that would require a mix of fresh and frozen ingredients.

Caprese Chicken Penne

This light and fresh Caprese Chicken Penne recipe and shopping trip has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MuellersMatchmaker #CollectiveBias

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Does anyone besides me ever get in a recipe rut? I was there this week and couldn't think of anything to make for dinner. I was tired of our go-to recipes and had a taste for something different, but didn't know what. I needed a recipe that would be easy to create, budget friendly and delicious.

I had heard about a Pasta Matchmaker recipe generator on the Mueller’s® site and decided to check it out first. The Pasta Matchmaker claims to have 30 different recipes using various Mueller’s® pasta noodles and I needed one of them A.S.A.P. 

I love making pasta dishes, but after 23 years of preparing them, I find myself making the same recipes over and over. I wanted something new and only had a few hours before dinner to come up with a plan. After answering a few questions the Mueller’s® Pasta Matchmaker Quiz returned the perfect pasta dinner inspiration based on my mood, the occasion and who I was cooking for. 

Layered Kale and Tropical Fruit Smoothie

This high energy Layered Kale and Tropical Fruit Smoothie recipe and review is a sponsored post.  This recipe was created in partnership with NutriBullet. All opinion are mine. 

I am going to help all of us get and keep our sexy figures this year with all of the delicious smoothie recipes I've been sharing lately. With so many great recipes, there's no reason we should exclusively be snacking on unhealthy junk.

Junk food doesn't give us the fuel or energy we need, nor does it help us get closer to our fitness goals. All it does is fill an immediate craving and in the end sabotages us. 

And we don't want that right?

One of the ways to ensure you're eating a mix of healthy snacks is by being intentional about what is in the snack section of your menu. Of the seven days in a week, just make sure most of them include a healthy snack like this Layered Kale and Tropical Fruit Smoothie.

Garlic Herb Popcorn

I hope y'all are enjoying the recipes I've been sharing lately. I know my husband and kids are. 

This week we've been snacking on all sorts of popcorn and I'm surprised how easy it is to switch up the flavors using ingredients from the pantry. 

You probably have everything you need in your pantry to make this Garlic Herb Popcorn tonight. 

Cheesy Taco Popcorn

I love snacking but can't snack on super sweet foods like I used to. Between getting older and not wanting to destroy all the work I do in the gym, I prefer lighter snacks.

If you would have seen this week's menu the snack section was filled with popcorn.

I took a break from smoothies and decided to try making some flavored popcorn. 

Best Southern Baked Beans Ever

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

You guys should hear my husband and boys when football is on. We are definitely a house divided during game time. My sons love the teams they love and my husband is the same. They each have their reasons and it's so funny watching them trash talk the others team. During game time I stay out of the may lay. In fact, you'll usually find me in the kitchen cooking up our favorite foods. 

This week I made the Best Southern Baked Beans Ever. I've been trying to perfect the recipe for a few months now and I've finally got it. These sweet baked beans with grilled hot dogs are perfect while watching the football game. I often buy pre-made baked beans from the store, but don't like the pork found in most store bought baked beans. That's why I decided to make them myself and it wasn't difficult. Now that I make them at home I get to control the quality of the ingredients and the flavor.

Chocolate Nut Shake

This super creamy Chocolate Nut Shake recipe is a delicious mix of chocolate and nutty yumminess. The recipe is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

I've been hosting a live meal planning session on Instagram every Thursday at 7 p.m. EST in January where a bunch of women get together and share meal ideas. One of my most popular snack requests has been for my Chocolate Nut Shake recipe. This shake is a smooth, creamy blend of nut milk and banana that ends up tasting like a chocolate milkshake only healthier.

Cranberry Yogurt Coated Cereal Bars

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

I hope you all have been enjoying the live Instagram meal planning series I've been hosting this month. My goal is to help you (and myself), kick-start this year by planning some healthy and some yummy breakfasts to start the day with. 

One of the easiest breakfasts we can add to our meal plan is cereal. Post has several great options like Post Great Grains, Post Cereals Raisin Brand and Post Honey Bunches of Oats which are all delicious in a bowl of cold milk. But what about those days when you don't have the time or energy to make a bowl of cereal? That's when these delicious Cranberry Yogurt Coated Cereal Bars are the perfect substitute. 

Blended PB&J Smoothie

This creamy Blended PB&J Smoothie recipe is a sponsored post written on behalf of Premier Protein. All opinions are mine.

I've been out of protein for a few weeks and it's but a real damper on my morning routine. Not only that, my husband and I have been going to the gym earlier in the mornings this year than last year which doesn't give us time to make those protein-rich, pre-workout breakfasts of eggs, oats and turkey bacon we were making last year.

Since switching our routine, I've been drinking fruit and veggie smoothies which are amazing, but they just don't give me the energy and endurance I need to lift weights.

So this weekend my husband and I decided to replenish our protein supply with single serving shakes from Premier Protein®. We've usually use protein powder but decided to incorporate single serving protein shakes to use in the mornings which are now busy for us.

Spicy Penne Arrabbiata and Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

My Spicy Penne Arrabbiata and Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice for busy moms post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LeanCuisine #CollectiveBias

This week is starting off so crazy y'all! Today was my first day back in the gym in about four weeks. I've been sick with some kind of respiratory virus that had me on strict bed rest through the holidays. I have a ton of work to do, three recipes I want to share with y'all this month and I'm collaborating with some amazing bloggers on an "organization inspiration link up" for this month. 

I feel like I'm so behind on life right now and when I'm feeling like this my first inclination is to have a caffeinated breakfast beverage and work through lunch. The thing about doing that is I end up feeling sluggish, irritable and hungry by dinner time. I want to get this week off to a good start so instead of filling my body with empty calories, I picked up the LEAN CUISINE® Marketplace Spicy Penne Arrabbiata I've been wanting to try along with a few other flavors from Target. I also grabbed a small cauliflower because I've been craving cauliflower rice lately and thought it would be a great time to share the recipe with you.

Four Cheese Baked Macaroni

Today's delicious Four Cheese Baked Macaroni recipe and food safety tips are part of a sponsored post written on behalf of the Partnership for Food Safety Prevention (PFSE).

This week I'm brushing up on my cooking skills and practicing my Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe.

I love this recipe so much and the reason I need to practice is because I am not from the south. In fact, I'm the polar opposite of a southerner. I'm a northerner born and raised in New York City. I met and married my husband who is southerner to the core. He loves southern food and has the sweet  southern drawl I love. It has taken me over a decade to perfect this recipe, learning alongside the women in his family during holidays since we married. This was my year to host Christmas dinner and I want everything to be delicious.

Today I'll show you how I make Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese. In addition, I'm going to share some very important food safety kitchen tips.

Jelly filled Oatmeal Cookie Cups

This Jelly Filled Oatmeal Cookie cups recipe and shopping trip has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EasyHolidayEats #CollectiveBias

These Fruit filled Oatmeal Cookie Cups are easy to make and ready in half an hour. It's a quick dessert perfect for the holidays or any event!

To make them you only need a handful of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. I'm having family over for Christmas and want a dessert that pairs well with coffee or cold milk. It had to be one that wouldn't be too time consuming and this one fit the bill. 

Chicken and Dumpling Casserole | 30 Minute Recipe

Today's Chicken and Dumpling Casserole recipe is inspired by the new Progresso Rich & Hearty Chicken & Homestyle Noodles soup. This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Progresso.

South Carolina has some of the most breathtaking fall views you’d every want to see. Right now the landscape is dressed in the most beautiful golden yellows, burnt oranges and greens. The grass is covered with leaves and just about, every one of my neighbors doorsteps are adorned with pumpkins and potted mums. 

We’re in that spring slash fall weather phase here in the South where it’s comfortably warm during the day, but cold at night. I made the mistake of going outdoors without a jacket and ended up with a cold. It started with a cough and sniffle Tuesday night and by Thursday morning I was on my way to Walmart to pick up some comfort food and cold medicine.

Sour Cream and Cheddar Cheese Dip Tailgate Recipe

My Sour Cream and Cheddar Cheese Dip tailgate recipe and shopping have been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GameTimeHosting #CollectiveBias

Germaine and the kids love when I plan tailgate food for the Sunday games. While they may not agree on the team they want to win, they do agree the food is always delicious.

I'm not gonna lie...I'm not a die hard football fan. I'm just a wife who supports her football loving family by creating fun football inspired meals during football season.

I love creating fun new recipes for my family and sharing them with you on the blog. This week I tried out an easy sour cream and cheddar cheese dip recipe that will be a staple for us this football season.

What I love about it is the ease to make. You already know, I don't like complicated recipes, so trust that this one is super easy to make.

There are only four ingredients and it's done in under 20 minutes.