Tag: healthy

Easter, Education, Healthy Living, Kids, Parenting, Tips and Tricks

Zendoway Cubes: Relaxation and Stress Management Tools

Erin Sluka

These 14 soft and colorful cubes provide simple suggestions for kids and adults to nourish the mind and body throughout the day.   They also squeeze for stress management and release! 

Zendoway Cubes: Relaxation and Stress Management Tools

The themes of these cubes include:

  • Happy (Gold Cube)
  • Gratitude (Orange Cube)
  • Positivity (Light Blue Cube)
  • Affirmations (Red Cube)
  • Breathing (Blue Cube)
  • Coping Strategies (Purple Cube)
  • Feelings (White/Blue Cube)
  • Nourishment (Yellow Cube)
  • Play (Earth Pattern)
  • Principles (Green Cube)
  • Questions (Black Cube)
  • Yoga Poses White/Orange Cube)
  • Chakra (Multi-Color Cube)
  • Stressed Out (Light Green Cube)

These make excellent Teacher and Counselor gifts for your child’s school. Sometimes kids just need simple release. Like adults, kids can benefit from calm activities that just help them refocus and reorganize their thoughts.

With my son I always keep that in mind. At 10 years old he is very well adjusted and is an excellent friend and student. We always read before bed every night since he was an infant. He goes in and out of phases being an independent reader, but I mainly have kept reading before bed as a traditional me-time and a way to de-escalate at night.

I also give him days off! For sports season and school he gets a certain number of free passes ( 1 per semester at school and 1 per sport season). His free pass can be used at anytime he wants which means he gets to wake up and for no real reason say “not today”. He does not abuse it and has learned through the years to SAVE his free days when he looks ahead and realizes an event may happen where he wants or needs that day. Why? Because sometimes we just need to self care and to call in a day but not in ways that it becomes bad habits. I gave them to his step brothers when they were younger too and they remember it. Both older boys are excellent employees today and this ‘time off’ did not create bad habits for them but they learned to ‘slow down’ and ‘take a day’.

These Zendoway Cubes are excellent tools and every home and classroom should give them a try.

Buy Zendoway Cubes

Comment: I was sent sets of the Cubes for feature. All opinions are my own

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.