Category: Healthy Living

Back to School 2017, Brands with a Cause, Food, Healthy Living, Kids, Natural Foods, Parenting, Reviews by Anthony

Zap Cavity Monsters with Zollipops the Clean Teeth Pops

Erin Sluka

Thank you to Zollipops for partnering with us on the feature. Opinions and story if my own

Zap Cavity Monsters with Zollipops the Clean Teeth Pops

Now that you are done with dessert…have a lollipop! Because of a brilliant little girl who had a concept at age 7 to create a lollipop that is good for your teeth you can have some candy after dessert. And you should! Xylitol, Erythritol, Stevia-a triple threat to those nasty cavity monsters have come together in the form of lollipops, taffy and candy drops.

It was her little sister that came up with the name Zollipops! These are the suckers and now there are Zollidrops and ZaffiTaffy. Zollipops and Zollidrops are sugar free, non-GMO, gluten free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher and made with natural flavors and colors in the USA.

What is Xylitol?
 
Xylitol is an all-natural sugar alcohol that is in many fruits and vegetables. It is so natural we actually produce small amounts in our bodies. With over 40 years of studies and safe records, Xylitol is proven effective. Because Xylitol is absorbed by our body slowly and with only small amounts being absorbed, you get a sweetness with very little calories. It has a low glycemic index of about 7 (most sugars are over 80). It is so low that the body does not require insulin to metabolize it.
How can Xylitol help with dental care?
 
Did you know that chewing gum after each meal freshens your breath and can help fight acid reflux and heartburn symptoms. Consuming sugar-free chewing gums and candies manufactured with xylitol as the primary sweetener have already received official endorsements from six national dental associations. By reducing acidity, we can help take away the power from those little cavity monsters!
Erythritol is just like Xylitol only a tad smaller molecule size. And Stevia is also a plant with no added calories and sweet like sugar. So all 3 are natural sweeteners with the added benefit of not causing cavities and actually raises the pH in your mouth and reduces the acids that the cavity monsters need to grow the bacteria we don’t want.
So grab a Zollipop in your favorite flavor- strawberry, grape, orange, cherry, raspberry and pineapple. See Anthony hare a bit more about the brand below:

My BEWARE: Xylitol is easily fatal in dogs so always be careful your dogs or pets cannot access your xylitol foods.
Food, Healthy Living, Recipes

Protein Recipe: Vanilla Cinnamon Protein Icing #TheDayIsYours

Erin Sluka

I am a Premier Protein Ambassador. Opinions are my own and compensation for my stories was given

Vanilla Protein recipe

Premier Protein shakes and bars have been a part of my daily diet routine for several months and in January I was honored to become an ambassador for them on the blog. Because I grab and go for breakfast when I have my shakes, I have been getting creative with the tubs of protein powders I have. I cut down on flour when making muffins or waffles and replace with the protein powder and my new favorite is protein icing.

Last month I shared how I incorporate protein into my daily diet with the right times to consume protein in your days. Now I am sharing my Vanilla Cinnamon Protein Icing recipe. It is so simple and quick to make. The best part is you can make a single serving at a time or a larger batch for baking.

protein icing

Vanilla Cinnamon Protein Icing

In a small bowl add the scoop of protein mix. Gradually add water about 1 tbsp at a time until you get the icing consistency you want (about a tad under 1/4 cup of water total). It will end up very sticky and you know you are close-add a bit more and you will get the icing you desire. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon and stir in. Let sit 1 minute. Makes enough to frost about 3-4 muffins or 2 large waffles.

*Hint: If you want a bigger batch-just add more powder and water. If you ice a large cake or muffins. It is even better if you make and icing ahead and refrigerate about 1 hour before eating. This makes the icing an even better consistency for slicing and serving.

1protein icing

Why do I recommend Premier Protein Powder? You get 30 grams of protein per scoop and only 3 grams of sugar. There are no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners and it is gluten free. Make sure the protein products you consume offer the best ingredients like Premier Protein. Other brands out there may contain artificial ingredients and synthetic nutrients so you really want to do your homework and choose wisely.

protein pantry

Do you use protein powders when baking? Give it a try. I make waffles, biscuits, muffins, cookies and even cupcakes.

Food, Healthy Living, Natural Foods, Recipes

Protein Cinnamon Pudding Recipe with Justin’s Almond Butter

Erin Sluka

Samples sent for feature

Justins Protein Pudding

With the new year here and resolutions in full swing it can become redundant after some time of making changes. Perhaps you have already found excuses to miss the gym. Maybe that fast food restaurant was truly out of convenience even though you swore them off weeks ago. For me, I wanted to eat more balanced-not diet-just balanced and healthier.

Protein has become a nutrient I am eating consistently more and the more I pay attention to protein products, the more I realize how fun I can have creating foods that offer me the protein I need without unhealthy additives. One of my favorite snacks to quickly whip up is protein pudding (or ice cream if you freeze this recipe then eat).

Justins snacks

In this recipe I used some favorite brands-Justin’s Almond Butter and Premier Protein Vanilla Whey Protein shake mix and milk. That’s all you need. Justin’s gives you the peanut and almond butters with only real ingredients. Make sure you choose a protein whey brand that also doesn’t have additives and is low in sugar too.

Justins

Protein Pudding Recipe

  • 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder (I use Premier Protein so they have double scoops-in this case use 1/2  scoop)
  • 1 -2tbsp of Justin’s Almond Butter-any flavor variety
  • 3-4 tbsp milk or almond milk
  • Dash of cinnamon (optional)

Stir all ingredients together adding milk a bit at a time until you get a pudding consistency. This makes 1 serving. You can eat as is or freeze for protein ice cream. Top your pudding with cinnamon or granola but it is full of flavor as is.

protein pudding

Keep your eye out for Justin’s products at grocers near you. Visit Justin’s online to learn more.

Food, Giveaways, Healthy Living

Protein Shakes Your Muscles Crave During a Workout #TheDayIsYours

Erin Sluka

I am a Premier Protein Ambassador. This post is a sponsored post and all opinions are my own #TheDayIsYours

protein day

How is your New Year starting out? Are you sticking to those health plans? Many of us spent weeks or months researching health regimens and food habits so we are ready to start the new year off right. Now that we are a few weeks in you may be wondering if you are on the right track. Are you seeing plateaus? It’s OK! This is normal. Are you eating right and consuming the right foods at the right times? Protein is one of the single most important nutrients your body needs to power through the day and workouts. So let’s talk protein…

Fun workout fact!

Did you know that when you work out you are actually damaging your muscles a bit by creating small tears? This is OK! It is in the repair process that your muscle learns to heal and in a way that it becomes stronger than it was.

In order to handle the workload and heal it uses up your body’s nutrients. Your body’s muscles will visit your “nutrition storage’ and use it all up. In order for your body and muscles to recover, you need to stock up your nutrient shelf ASAP because it is coming back for more within 20-40 minutes after your workout. This is how it was explained to me by a trainer once and thought it was some clever education to share.

premier bars

When is the best time to consume protein?

First of all, you are consuming plenty of protein each day right? If not, please start today. Did you read my last paragraph? It is that important to keep protein stocked on your ‘nutrient shelf’ (or within your body). Make sure you mix protein shakes and bars with actual protein-rich whole foods too like chicken breast, eggs, greek yogurt, etc..

  1. In the morning. Every morning-even rest days you wake up after hours of not consuming any food. Muscles will break down without protein so consuming protein right away in the morning actually helps to build muscle to start you off right for the day. Try waking up with a Premier Protein shake in any of their delicious flavors. With these shakes you get 30g of protein, 24 other essential vitamins & minerals at only 160 calories and added calcium without the loads of sugar.
  2. Pre-Workout. You know your muscles are going to hog up all the protein you have stored so far in the day so why not reload before your workout so you have enough protein on board to make it to the finish line. Try eating a Premier Protein Bar before leaving to the gym or 30 minutes prior to your workout. If you did not know, Premier Protein does not add artificial flavors or additives to their products.
  3. Post-Workout. Hurry! You have about a 20-40 minute window that your muscles will be frantically searching for that protein for recovery. If you did a pre-workout protein snack then you can perhaps extend that window a tad. Your body just hogged all your nutrients and if your muscles don’t get that nutrition they will not recover and repair properly. This is a great time for another Premier Protein shake or 1 scoop of Premier Protein Powder in a your blender bottle so you get all the nutrients and amino acids needed in one convenient drink.

protein pantry

Additionally,  if you have a protein-rich lunch such as an egg salad or grilled chicken sandwich, greek yogurt with fruit & granola or chicken salad with hard boiled eggs and add some protein to your dinner your body will thank you! Don’t forget your growing, athletic teenager! They need the protein throughout the day too so pack them a shake and/or bar before they head off to school and sports practice in the afternoon.

The Giveaway

1 lucky reader will win a (random) sample assortment of Premier Protein shakes and bars. Enter below. Open to US and ends on 2/10. Good luck!

protein giveaway

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