Taster Thursday with Chickpeatos

OK I'm back with a couple of taste testers for our 2nd week of Taste Thursday.  I picked up this week's item last week on a grocery run.  My daughter was with me when I bought them and was excited to try them on the next taste day!  She even mentioned it a couple days ago too.  

Proof is in the pictures!

Or is it?

That first bite as you try to assess the snack is a look of concentration.  A new snack flavor is serious business when your trying to decide if it should stay or go.

 Today's snack is Popped Chickpeatos by Watuseefoods. I selected the Caramel Sea Salt flavor as I thought I would need all the flavor help I could get for this! 

  I picked up this .8oz bag at my local grocery store.  It was available  for $1.00!   Each bag is 1 serving and each bag is 100 calories. There is also 6 grams of protein in every serving too!

They have a nice dessert, sweet scent to them.  They look like white cheese puffs covered with some cinnamon. Upon taking a bite you immediately think it's a cheese puff!  I taste more of the sweetness then any pea or chickpea flavor.  Which may be helpful when trying to get kids to eat healthy.

My daughter liked these but my son was not a fan.  She did finish the bowl.  I would buy these again for her to snack on.

Monday Motivation (all about food)

  I like to cook.  I like to bake. I am not a professional but, since we have to eat and sometimes it's an enjoyable experience we do it.

  Today I was super motivated and made 3 things! Now as I stated I'm not a professional so I will also share the recipes of the items!

  I think the one thing I have on my side at least is that 2 of the 3 are healthy.  The bonus is that everything is kid approved.  As a mom of picky eaters that just makes me so happy!

I started my morning with a cup of hot mint chocolate.  This was a fun recipe with its green color and I even choose to make one red in honor of the upcoming Valentines Day! Easy recipe with minimal ingredients and tasty!

Find the cocoa recipe here.

Next up was a healthy spin on cookie dough bites.  I would never try to make cookie dough healthy but, I would try to make my kids eat healthier.  Guess what 1 out of 2 kids fell for it. That's OK thats a start!  This cookie dough balls although made with chickpeas are actually quite good.  I guess there's enough sweet stuff in them to kind of coat the taste.  I thought they were a little dry but, that just means we need a class of milk with our cookies!

Find the cookie dough recipe here.

Lastly we not only needed some chocolate but we needed a dessert.  Enter the chocolate brownies!  Since I was on a healthy role I decided to stick with it.  This recipe makes a nice moist cake like chocolate brownie.  2 kid approved on this one!

Find the brownie recipe here.

  Now I'm not saying get our of hand and make everything on Monday but, I am saying if your going to make something, make it a little healthy and a lot of good!

Week 4 Recap

Well I did better in some areas then others but, sometimes goals don't always get met.  When that's the case things just get rolled to the next week.  Hopefully you catch up and eventually if nothing else.

    I attended 6 different classes this week so my miles goal were not met. I only made 38.02 miles for my cardio miles this week. 

I attended boxing, power, and kettle bells classes.  I also took a line dancing, Zumba, and Mixxedfit dancing classes as well.

I did slide in some time with weights and cardio but because I didn't physically get on machine I don't have the miles even though maybe some of those dance classes could have been miles by the time class was over.

I did pretty good with adding an extra water to my routine this week.  By the time summer gets here in should be in a good routine for keeping myself hydrated.

I did meal plan on Monday.  A chicken bowl with carrots, salsa, black beans, corn, couscous and some cheese.

I didn't style my daughters hair other then a braid.  So I'll give myself a half point for that.  I wanted to try something different.

I made a snack/dessert.  It can be eaten anytime so it falls into each category.

Chocolate Peanut butter Fudge!

I was happy picky eaters even liked it. P.S. it had banana in it too!

New recipe goes to the pork lion I made in the crockpot!

I did clean my fridge too. So I'm happy with that.  Now I need to find another spot to clean that I have neglected.

I hope everyone had a good week.  Take tomorrow off to prepare for a new week!

Weekly Housekeeping and Stuff

  I am starting out my week already behind by not having a menu plan ready so let's get a little more focused for the rest of the week.  All goals set each week no matter their value are of some kind of importance.  Not necessarily for the year but definitely  for the month!

  My goals will give me inner peace and a feeling of accomplishment.  It's always nice to be able to check stuff off your list.  Make your list small. Start with 5 things. Laundry (2 loads), clean the whole bathroom top to bottom, plan 2 dinners, walk your neighborhood for 30 minutes, read 2 chapters (get up early and sip on some tea).

  You can get your to do list done. Keep you eye on the prize.

My goals this week:
  Make 2 new snacks
  3 days of working out! It doesn't have to be at the gym I just need to move
  3 crafts with the kids
  Make 1 you tube video.
  2 movies (one is a definite but want to see another)

  How do you stay motivated to complete you goals for the week?  Any incentive at the end?

  How high do you set the bar?  How many tasks do you set for yourself?

  I have so many things to do but the only way to complete them is to take things slow, make a list and keep going.

A day in the life at Great Wolf Lodge

We finished up a day at our local greatwolf
Lodge in Williamsburg, VA.  Although it can be found to be pricey there are discounts randomly posted through groupon.  These discounts may only be available on certain days so research your days and plan as far out in advance as you can to be the best rates. Rooms vary from standard to theme. As well as based on the number of people in your party.

You may check in the day off as early as 1pm and enjoy the water park even if your room is not available!!!!!  Of course there are locker rooms available. :)

Upon check in you will get your honorary ears

 and wristbands

 for everyone in your party that act as room keys as well as creditcards. So think very carefully who you give the "power" to or you may end up with several of these 

 and they work at vending machines as well.  

When you are not eating there are other areas to explore.    A video arcade, minature golf, bowling.

Of course the main attraction is the water rides! 

There are several to choose from.  Water slides? Yep! Wave pool? Yep! A lazy pool? Yep! A couple hot tubs, kiddie pool and more......  All inside in a temperature control climate.  As the weather gets warmer there is another pool outside.

 During the day there are photo opportunities with different

characters walking around, kids arts and craft activities and MagiQuest! (An interactive game with a wand)

We have gone several times over the last few years and even got vip wristbands and a treat in our room upon our return that night!

I can't wait to go back!

Howl!!!!