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Pineapple Blueberry Recovery Smoothie + Workout Schedule

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Exercising is great for your healthy lifestyle, but your body needs to recover.  Replenish your nutrients with this Pineapple Blueberry Recovery Smoothie recipe.

This shop has been compensated by CollectiveBias, Inc. on behalf of its advertiser, EAS Sports Nutrition. Pineapple Blueberry Recovery Smoothie

Pineapple Blueberry Recovery Smoothie

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Workout Schedule

Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner. That means getting outside and enjoying the fresh air and getting ready swimsuit season! And that means you may be a bit more interested in working out and exercising that you were the last couple months. So, today I wanted to share with you my workout routine for the week in hopes that it may motivate some of you, or maybe help add a bit of variety into a schedule that has begun to bore you.

It is important to have a mix of cardio and weights in your exercise routine, cardio helps burn calories and weights help build muscle…which will eventually help burn fat. Therefore I make sure I have a bit of both in my routine.

Here is my weekly Workout Schedule:

Jazzercise in Lutz Florida

Monday – Jazzercise. This is my aerobic class, I get in a mix of cardio and weights. Monday is quite possibly the hardest day for me to motivate, but it is also the day that sets the tone for me for the rest of the week. That means it’s VERY important for me to workout on Mondays.

Tuesday – Run 3 – 6 miles. I had a doctor ask me once Why I Run. My answer was simple, it is because I can. It is a form of cardio that I can do that doesn’t cause me pain and I feel is great for my body. My distance that I run will depend on what else is on my calendar for the day, but I try very hard to make sure I always run at least 3 miles.

Wednesday – Jazzercise. Time for that intensity again and weights.

Distance training

Thursday – Rest day or Run 3 – 6 miles.

Friday – If I rested Thursday, I will run on Friday. If I ran on Thursday, I will either rest on Friday or do a short 2.5 mile run.

Riding TREK bike

Weekends – I reserve Saturday and Sunday for family time. If I do get in any additional workouts on the weekends, it is a family bike ride of 6 – 10 miles or a jog with my husband of about 2.5 miles.

I know myself well enough that I KNOW I won’t do weights at home, I just can’t motivate to do it on my own, that’s why Jazzercise is such an important part of my workout schedule. Just like I am sure you know yourself well enough by now to know what you will and won’t do without the direction or motivation of others. *If you have any questions about your workout schedule and/or routine be sure to consult your doctor.

A workout routine is very important to your overall health, but so is caring for your body. All that running, jumping, lifting weights, riding, etc. can really wear your body down. You must care for your body from the inside out. That’s why I created this Recovery Smoothie Recipe. It is loaded with nutrients that your body needs so that you can keep going.

You may want to grab a sports drink after a long run or a great class, but that won’t offer your body enough nutrients to refuel your body and heal your muscles. If you fail to eat/drink the right foods after a workout, you risk headaches and fatigue that can last for days.

Pineapple Blueberry Protein Smoothie

I chose the ingredients for this smoothie specifically to help aid the body in recovery after a workout. Workout classes and long runs can really be taxing on your body, so you really have to focus on refueling it!

Here are the ingredients in my Recovery Smoothie Recipe and why I chose them:

Pineapple – This tropical delight not only contains the enzyme bromelain (which aids in the digestion of protein and can help with inflammation), it’s also packed with vitamin C.

Blueberries – These beautiful berries will give your body an antioxidant boost.

Carrots – The orange powerfood will give you vitamin A and is also linked to preventing cancer, giving you healthier looking skin and aids in digestion.

Cucumbers – Did you know that they are 95% water? That means they are great for rehydration. Cucumbers are also a great source of vitamin B, so that means they are a natural pick-me-up.

Chia seeds – These little guys are nutritional powerhouses, I add them into every smoothie I make

Turmeric – Soooo many benefits, but one of the main ones is it helps with inflammation, I add it into every smoothie I make

Cinnamon – Also many benefits, one of my favorites is that it helps increase your metabolism. I add it into every smoothie I make.

EAS 100% Whey Protein Powder – With 30g of protein and only high-quality pure whey protein, EAS Protein Powder helps build stronger, leaner muscle. Whey protein is fast digesting and perfect for after a workout to replenish and start rebuilding muscle.

Coconut water – For extra hydration.

Healthy Pineapple Blueberry Smoothie

Now, here is my Pineapple Blueberry Recovery Smoothie Recipe. Be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.

Pineapple Blueberry Recovery Smoothie on Food Wine Sunshine and Cooking
Print Recipe

Pineapple Blueberry Recovery Smoothie

Love working out?  Exercising is great for your healthy lifestyle, but your body needs to recover.  Replenish your nutrients with this Pineapple Blueberry Recovery Smoothie recipe.
Prep Time5 minutes
Course: Breakfast or Snack, Smoothie
Keyword: blueberries, pineapple, protein shake, protein smoothie, smoothies
Servings: 1
Author: Tracy

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 5-6 baby carrots
  • 5 slices cucumber
  • 2 slices pineapple
  • ½ cup blueberries I used frozen, you could also use fresh if you prefer
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp chia seeds
  • 1 serving scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder I used EAS 100% Whey Vanilla Protein Powder
  • 4-6 oz coconut water - or your choice of liquid

Instructions

  • Place the ingredients into your favorite blending device as listed above
  • Blend until smooth
  • Enjoy!

Easy Recovery Smoothie with pineapple and blueberry

I hope you enjoy this Pineapple Blueberry Recovery Smoothie as much as I do!

Pineapple Blueberry Smoothie

One of the many reasons why I love smoothies is that they are so easy to make and always taste great (well, almost always – I don’t recommend green peppers!).  I was at my local Walmart last week and picked up all my delicious ingredients for this recovery smoothie and was on my way in no time.  The produce was right in the front of the store and then I headed to the Sports Nutrition aisle for the EAS 100% Whey Protein Powder.

best pineapple blueberry recovery smoothie

What is your weekly workout routine? Do you enjoy smoothies? If so, what is one of your favorite Recovery Smoothie recipes?

Looking for more?

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie on Food Wine Sunshine  Avocado Peach Power Smoothie on Food Wine Sunshine and Cooking  Avocado Mango Smoothie Recipe

Check out all the delicious smoothie recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

 

Power Tropical Smoothie Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

This Power Tropical Smoothie Recipe is a healthy and delicious smoothie to add to your day. This Tropical Smoothie recipe is loaded with power foods that your healthy lifestyle is craving. Make one today!

While this post is sponsored, this recipe and all my opinions are 100% my own.

Power Tropical Smoothie

Power Tropical Smoothie Recipe

I love smoothies.  It is the absolute best way to start my day.  Smoothies are the easiest way to fill your body with fruits, vegetables, and lots of good stuff all in one meal.  Plus, smoothies take less 5 minutes to make!  Where else can you get a power breakfast in that amount of time?

Healthy Protein Smoothie made with orange juice

My Power Tropical Smoothie definitely tastes tropical – I love it, it’s refreshing and absolutely perfect for Spring and Summer!  What makes it a “Power Smoothie” you ask?  Well, I have hidden in some ingredients that you don’t taste, but your body will thank you for!  Turmeric (which is good for your joints and many other things), Cinnamon (which is great for your metabolism and many other things), and Chia Seeds (these guys may be small, but they are loaded with fiber and antioxidants).

Tropical Power Protein Smoothie

You will also notice that my Tropical Smoothie has vegetables in it, I think veggies are a must in all smoothies!  You will find carrots, cucumbers, and greens in about 99% of my smoothie recipes because they are inexpensive, good for you, and add little flavor to your overall smoothie, so in this case – your tropical flavors aren’t comprised 😉  I also added a half of an avocado, I’m sure you all know that avocado is amazing for you, and it adds an amazing creaminess to your smoothie!

Power Tropical Smoothie Recipe

Now, I’m sure you are thinking, that is all great, but where is this tropical flavor of which you speak of…well, that’s easy!  What says tropics more than fresh pineapple, banana, and fresh Florida Indian River Select Orange Juice?  Sounds delicious right?  I know it does 🙂

Now, here is my Power Tropical Smoothie Recipe, be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.

Power Tropical Smoothie Recipe on Food Wine Sunshine
Print Recipe

Power Tropical Smoothie

This Power Tropical Smoothie Recipe is a healthy and tasty way to start your day. This Tropical Smoothie is loaded with power foods that your healthy lifestyle is craving.
Prep Time5 minutes
Course: Breakfast or Snack, Smoothie
Keyword: orange juice, protein shake, protein smoothie, smoothies
Servings: 1
Author: Tracy

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 7 baby carrots
  • 3 slices cucumber
  • ½ banana
  • 1 slice pineapple
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 cup greens handful of greens
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp chia seeds
  • 4-6 oz Indian River Select Orange Juice

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into your favorite blending device as listed
  • Blend until smooth
  • Enjoy!

Easy Protein Smoothie made with oj

I hope you enjoy this Power Tropical Smoothie as much as I do!  In fact, I will be making it again tomorrow!

Power Tropical Smoothie with greens

Are you guys familiar with Indian River Select®?  I love that it was founded by two native Floridians from citrus growing families, Cliff Burg- owner -CEO and 6th generation Floridian and Pat Schirard-President and 4th generation Floridian. I have lived in Florida for almost 15 now, so I love that we are supporting an amazing company every time we buy our favorite Orange Juice.

Indian River Select Orange Juice in smoothie

In a time when the giant national juice brands have turned to blending off-shore juices into their products, Indian River Select® Brand remains one of the few premium juice companies that can proudly say that it is still 100% FLORIDA juice. As Cliff likes to say…“Grown, Picked and Squeezed in Florida.”

best power tropical smoothie

Where do you find Indian River Select Juices? At your favorite Grocery Stores.

Want 50 delicious smoothie recipes now?  Check out my Smoothie Recipe eBook on Amazon.

Be sure to check out Indian River Select online and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date with all the juicy updates.

Yummy Tropical Smoothie

Check out all the delicious smoothie recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

What are some of your favorite smoothie recipes?

Win a Florida 529 Savings Plan Scholarship – 10 Winners!

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

I am a Florida Prepaid Believer and Customer, while this post is sponsored, all opinions are 100% my own.
Florida 529 Savings Plan Giveaway

Win a Florida 529 Savings Plan Scholarship – 10 Winners!

What’s better than being able to save for your child’s college education?  WINNING money towards your child’s college education, that’s what!  Florida Prepaid College Plans is celebrating the saving versatility of the Florida 529 Savings Plan by GIVING AWAY $5,290!

What is this amazing Giveaway?

  • The Florida 529 Savings Plan Scholarship Program will award 10 winners a $529 Scholarship deposited into a Florida 529 Savings Plan account.

Who is eligible to enter?

  • Only legal residents of the state of Florida who are currently over the age of 18.

How do you enter the Florida 529 Savings Plan Scholarship Program?

When can you enter the Florida 529 Savings Plan Scholarship Program?

  • Between NOW and May 29, 2016 (529 College Savings Day)

When will winners be announced?

  • Winners will be selected from among all eligible entries via a random drawing to be conducted on June 1st, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Florida 529 Savings Plan Giveaway

Now that you can entered to win 1 of 10 scholarships to help you save for your child’s college education, I thought I would tell you a bit more about the Florida 529 Savings Plan.

What is the Florida 529 Savings Plan?

The Florida 529 Savings Plan does not have a set payment amount or schedule. A family can contribute as much or as often as desired, and accounts can be opened at any time. There is no minimum contribution to open a Florida 529 Savings account, and there are no application fees.

And for the first time ever, the Florida Prepaid College Board has removed the minimum contribution to open a Florida 529 Savings Plan, opening the door for more families to save for college.  Yes, you read that right – you can open a Florida 529 Savings Plan for as little as $1 – THERE IS NO MINIMUM!!   They offer 11 investment strategy options, including an age-based option that gets more conservative as the beneficiary gets closer to college age.

Learn more about the Florida 529 Savings Plan HERE

What’s the difference between the Prepaid Plans and the Florida 529 Savings Plan?

Prepaid Plans do have a set payment amount and require a certain amount depending on the plan you selected.  You can read more about them here.  But, the biggest difference between the Florida Prepaid College Plans and the Florida 529 Savings Plan is that the Florida 529 Savings Plan is subject to fluctuations in the financial markets, while the Prepaid Plans are guaranteed by the State of Florida.

Have questions?

You can call their Customer Service line at 1.800.552.GRAD (4723) and they will answer any and all questions you may have.

Before you go, don’t forget to enter to win one of those scholarships!  And be sure to enter by May 29th, 2016.

Enter to win 1 of 10 $529 Florida 529 Savings Plan Scholarships HERE

Good luck!

Be sure to follow Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more Florida family fun!

DIY American Flag Mason Jars

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

These Easy DIY American Flag Mason Jars are perfect for your summer – and everyday decor! Fill these spray-painted American Flag Mason Jars with flowers or even fake sparklers for an extra pop of fun.

DIY American Flag Mason Jars

American Flag Mason Jars

Mason Jars make for such fun crafts.  There are so many things you can do with them, even if you aren’t that crafty.  Like me!  However, I can grab some spray paint and get my hands a bit dirty and create adorable Mason Jars 🙂  And if I can, you can.

American Flag Mason Jars

Memorial Day is quickly approaching and then we have 4th of July, then Labor Day!  So, our next couple holidays proudly honor the amazing country of which we live in, the USA.  So, how fitting that my next Mason Jar creation be the American Flag!  I will admit, I was a bit nervous about the stars and stripes, using 3 colors and making it all work…and easily.  Because I always want my creations and crafts to be something that anyone can do.  And, I think they turned out great!  The beautiful thing about mason jars, is that they almost always look awesome.  And they definitely don’t have to be “perfect”.

Easy American Flag Mason Jars

Here’s your Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to make your own American Flag.

What You Need For Your Patriotic Decor Mason Jars:

Spray painted American Flag Mason Jars

Mason Jars – You can buy them on Amazon or at most retailers

Spray Paint – Red, white and blue!  You can buy them on Amazon or at most retailers.  I used Rust-Oleum spray paint.  I have used both semi-gloss and gloss.

Foam Star Stickers – Various Sizes are fine.  I grabbed mine for just under $2 at Walmart.

What You Do to make your American Flag Mason Jars:

1.  Take the lids off the jars

2.  Place the jar on something you don’t mind getting paint on…I placed mine on cardboard

Easy Spray painted American Flag Mason Jars

3.  Spray the inside of jar(s) white.  Spraying the inside of the jar gives the Stars a bit of a 3D effect – love it!
Simple DIY American Flag Mason Jars

4.  Allow the jar(s) to dry for at least an hour

Mason jars with American Flag sprayed paint on it

5. Use painters tape or masking tape to make stripes on your jars

6.  Place star foam stickers near the top of the jar – use as many or as little as you would like

Easiest DIY American Flag Mason Jars

7.  Using the red spray paint, spray the bottom 3/4 of the jar.  It’s okay if you go a bit over, as the blue you will use next will cover it.

8.  Peel off the tape – I peeled mine off about 5 – 10 minutes after painting the red on

9. Allow the jar to dry for at least an hour so that you can hold the red part in order to paint the blue, or place your hand in the jar so that you can rotate it while painting it blue.  *You can easily clean your hands with Mineral Spirits or Epsom Salt with Coconut Oil if you end up not wearing gloves

9.  Spray the top 1/4 of the jar with the blue

10.  Allow the jars to dry for at least 5 – 10 mins before peeling off the foam star stickers

11.  Allow jars to dry completely before displaying them in your home

Decorative American Flag Mason Jars

12.  Fill with flowers, pretend sparklers or nothing at all!

American Flag Mason Jar Vases

13.  Enjoy your American Flag Mason Jars!

**You can also put the tape and stars on before spraying your jars white, I did that for the 2nd one and I did reuse my star stickers – the results were the same**

Need some supplies for your mason jar crafts?

DIY American Flag Mason Jar Vases

If you like Mason Jars, you may also like:

Mason Jar Spring Vases

Spring Mason Jar Vases

Be sure to check out Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more DIY, healthy recipes, and more.

Zero Point WW Apple Cucumber Pear Salad

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Easy Apple Cucumber Pear Salad

This Apple Cucumber Pear Salad is so simple, yet so delicious! A healthy salad and a bit of a sweet treat that is completely fat free. Grab this easy recipe and enjoy.

Apple Cucumber Pear Salad

I had honestly never thought of adding just a few fruits and a cucumber into a salad before.  Salsa, yes.  Adding fruits into a lettuce salad, yes.  Fruits and vegetables in my smoothies – of course.  But just a few simple ingredients and call it a salad?  So simple, yet, I had never thought to do it until I decided to do a Cleanse Day.

Just saying those words scared me at first – cleanse day – ugh….  But, I had read a bunch of stuff about them that they were good for my organs and resetting my body, etc, etc., and I have been learning about Isagenix and they have a Cleanse for Life that makes it pretty easy, so I took the plunge.  Ordered the product, picked a day and jumped in head first!  As I was watching the video on how to have a successful Cleanse Day, it said that if I got really hungry I could have pears and apples. Since cucumbers are mostly water, I took it upon myself to okay those 🙂

Healthy Apple Cucumber Pear Salad

I actually did really good on my Cleanse Day and since I anticipated that come 4pm I would be starving I ran to the grocery store and got a pear, cucumber, and a lemon.  I grabbed a bag of my Crunch Pak apples from the refrigerator and got to dicing.  I diced up everything but the lemon.

Best Apple Cucumber Pear Salad

I used the whole pear, the individual serving pouch of apples (approx. 2oz., 7 small slices), and a half of a cucumber and 2 slices of lemon – for the juice.

Once all my goodies were diced and I squeezed on the lemon juice, I mixed it all up and put in the refrigerator for a few.  It actually made quite a bit, so I gave some to a friend that was doing the Cleanse Day with me.

Apple Cucumber Salad

I had my Apple Cucumber Pear Salad for “dinner” and then again about an hour before bed.  It was delicious!  So light and refreshing and I will definitely be making it again!  Even if you aren’t doing a cleanse, or even watching what you eat, I definitely recommend trying this Apple Pear Cucumber Salad.  It is perfect for Spring and Summer!

Now, here is my Apple Cucumber Pear Salad Recipe, be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again!

Apple Cucumber Pear Salad Recipe on Food Wine Sunshine
Print Recipe

Apple Cucumber Pear Salad

This healthy salad is light, refreshing and absolutely fat free! The flavors work so well together giving you a delicious sweet crunch in every bite.
Prep Time5 minutes
Course: Breakfast or Snack
Keyword: apple, cucumber, easy recipe, healthy, pears, salad
Servings: 3
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 1 pear diced
  • ½ cucumber diced
  • 7 slices apple diced – I used the small bag from Crunch Pak
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Place all your delicious diced fruit and cucumbers into a bowl
  • Drizzle the lemon juice on your salad
  • Stir gently
  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve
  • Enjoy!
Apple Cucumber Pear Salad Recipe

I hope you enjoy this Apple Cucumber Pear Salad as much as we do!

best apple cucumber pear salad

Looking for another amazing salad recipe?

Lemon Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Feta Recipe on Food Wine Sunshine

Lemon Pasta Salad

In fact, be check out all my delicious recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Easy Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

You can have dinner prepped with just 5 simple ingredients and 5 minutes with this easy Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers recipe.

Easy Crock Pot Sausage Peppers & Onions

Easy Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers

You know those nights where you think you have nothing to make for dinner?  Well, that’s what I was like the other day when I decided to make this delicious Crock Pot Sausage Peppers and Onions!  I grabbed the Sweet Turkey Italian Sausage I got on sale at Target from the deep freezer and the peppers and onions that I had left over from stir fry the night before and tossed it all in the Crock Pot.  I also had a half jar of marinara sauce in the refrigerator, so I put that in there too…for extra flavor!

Best Slow Cooker Sausage Peppers and Onions

The result?  AMAZING!!!

I did run out and grab hoagie rolls from Winn-Dixie, so I served the sausage, peppers, and onions in the roll and drizzled on some of the marinara sauce.  I went simple and served it with salads and french fries and we all loved it!  I made 5 links of sausage and there was a half of one left and some sauce…which I will gladly serve over pasta tomorrow night 🙂

Best Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Now, here is my Crock Pot Sausage Peppers & Onions Recipe.  Be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again…because you will definitely want to!

Crock Pot Sausage Peppers & Onions on Food Wine Sunshine and Cooking
Print Recipe

Slow Cooker Sausage Peppers & Onions

This simple Slow Cooker Sausage Peppers and Onions has a 5 minute prep time and only 4 ingredients. Perfect easy dinner option.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Course: Lunch/Dinner
Keyword: crock pot, easy recipe, sausage, slow cooker
Servings: 4
Author: Tracy

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 package turkey sausage use whatever sausage your family would enjoy
  • 1 bell pepper sliced
  • 1 Vidalia Sweet onion sliced
  • ½ jar favorite marinara sauce I used DelGrosso Sunday Fireworks
  • Buns for serving if desired

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in the crock pot
  • Cook on low for at least 4-5 hours, I had mine in for 8 because we were out and about all day, it does NOT dry out or burn thanks to the sauce
  • Serve on hoagie rolls if desired
  • Enjoy!

Easy Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

I hope you enjoy this Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers as much as we do!

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers with Onions

If you like to prep meals ahead of time, this recipe would easily be converted to a Freezer Meal, just toss all the above listed ingredients into a large ziploc freezer bag and throw it in the crock pot when you are ready!

Easy Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers | You can have dinner prepped with just 5 simple ingredients and 5 minutes with this easy Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers recipe. Read more dinner recipes, healthy recipes and easy recipes the whole family will love on foodwinesunshine.com | Food Wine Sunshine #easyrecipes #dinnerrecipes #dinnerideas #dinner #foodblog #foodblogger

Looking for another delicious Crock Pot meal?

Apricot Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Apricot Chicken

Be sure check out all my delicious recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Mason Jar Spring Vases

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

These Mason Jar Spring Vases are so easy to make and so cute. Fill these mason jar vases with your favorite flowers and brighten up your day!

Spring Mason Jar Vases

Mason Jar Spring Vases

Mason Jars are one of my favorite crafts.  Mason Jars are so easy to work with and mason jar crafts always turn out cute!  With Spring here, Summer on the way and Mother’s Day just around the corner, I thought I would share a cute and inexpensive mason jar craft to celebrate.  These Mason Jar Spring Vases just make me smile 🙂  And I had them done in no time!

Here’s your Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to make your own Mason Jar Spring Vases.

What You Need For Your Spring Decor Mason Jars:

DIY Spring Mason Jar Vases

Mason Jars – You can buy them on Amazon or at most retailers

Spray Paint – Pick the colors that make you smile! We already had the pretty blue and fun green in the garage so I went with you. You can buy them on Amazon or at most retailers.  I used Rust-Oleum spray paint.  I have used both semi-gloss and gloss.

Small paint brush – I used one of my kids’ from an old art set

White and yellow paint for the flowers – I actually had some in the garage from rooms we have painted in the past

What You Do to make your Mason Jar Spring Vases:

1.  Take the lids off the jars

Easy Mason Jar Vases

2.  I place my hand inside the jar so it’s easier to rotate it while spray painting

Mason Jar Spring Vases

3.  Spray the entire jar the color of your choice – your hands will get a bit messy
*You can easily clean your hands with Mineral Spirits (you probably have some in your garage already) Or wear rubber/latex gloves if you have them to keep your hands clean!

Cute Mason Jar Vases

4.  Repeat until all your desired jars are painted

5.  Allow to dry for about 30 minutes to 1 hour

Simple Mason Jar Vases

6.  Use a small paint brush and paint the petals of your flowers.  Paint as many or as few as you would like!

Flower vases made from mason jars

7.  Rinse the brush (or wipe on paper towel) and go back and put a small yellow dot on the middle of your petals

8.  Allow to dry

Beautiful Mason Jar Vases

9.  Fill your jars with sweet treats or flowers

Vases made from mason jars

Now, it’s time to Enjoy your beautiful creation!

DIY Easy Spring Mason Jar Vases

What will you fill your Mason Jar Spring Vases with?

Need some supplies for your mason jar crafts?

If you like DIY, you may also like these:

Homemade Body Butter With Shea Butter and Coconut Oil

Homemade Body Butter

DIY Coffee Sugar Scrub

Coffee Sugar Scrub

Be sure to check out Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google + and Instagram for more Helpful tips, healthy recipes, and more.

Tips For Staying Healthy All Year Long

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Healthy is a state of mind as well as a condition of the body. As in all things, balance and moderation is the key to healthy living. Use these tips for staying healthy and active to motivate you all year.

Tips For Staying Healthy and Active Year-Round

Tips For Staying Healthy and Active All Year Long

There are a number of changes that a person can make to immediately create a healthier lifestyle. From quitting smoking to exercising and dieting, it is important to remember that healthy habits today can lead to more happiness as well as an increased life span. Make a few simple changes at a time to keep from being overwhelmed.

Here are 7 Tips For Staying Healthy Year Round:

Eating Healthy

There are many diet plans that are promoted in books and magazines, from skipping carbohydrates to counting calories. The important thing to remember when planning daily meals is to get plenty of fruit, vegetables, and water. Consuming too much starch or sugar can create a sluggish feeling in the body and add unnecessary weight. Although it may be difficult to eliminate sweets from the menu, it is important to keep desserts and fatty foods to a minimum. It may help to write a weekly menu, from full meals to snacks, in order to evaluate and plan for healthy foods.

Sleeping Healthy

It is extremely important to get at least eight hours of sleep per night. Try to eliminate all light sources in the bedroom, and outside light entering the room. Lack of uninterrupted sleep can lead to feelings of fatigue, lack of concentration, and feelings of depression. Being tired throughout the day can also cause accidents from falling asleep while driving as well as contribute to high blood pressure, diabetes, and weight problems.

Working Healthy

Stress at work can create an overwhelming feeling of despondency in life. Try to focus on the positive aspects of a job, and address issues at work that may be negative or non-productive. Being content with a job means increased productivity, creativity, energy, and optimism. Speak with a boss, mentor or friend to determine if there are ways to make changes to a job to make it more interesting, or try to find a job that will be truly enjoyable and create personal growth for years to come.

Tips For Staying Active all year

Exercising for Health

Exercise can, and should, be fun. Enjoyable activities, such as taking a brisk walk through the woods or a bike ride through the neighborhood, can be considered exercise. Swimming can be fun, as can a number of sports such as golf or tennis. It may be easier to exercise with other people, so find a friend to take that walk or go on that bike ride with you. If there is no time during the day for workouts, try to do simple leg lifts and sit-ups first thing in the morning. You can also grab this free simple exercises printable, it includes exercises that can be done at home with no equipment. Even ten minutes of exercise every day is better than none. As with any exercise program, consult a doctor prior to embarking upon a rigorous workout.

Best Tips for staying healthy

Playing for Health

Perhaps the most important aspect of staying healthy is to remember to balance work with play. This could be watching a movie, going to a party, meeting friends for cocktails after work, or staying home to finish reading a book. Try new activities, sign up for fun classes, and experiment with new interests. Most of all, have fun.

Healthy Attitude, Positive Attitude

It is true that bad things happen to good people, but it is also more true that maintaining a positive attitude helps maintain health and decrease stress. According to the Mayo Clinic, optimistic and pessimistic thoughts can greatly affect a person’s health. So remember, keep the glass half full and envision great success. Above all else, laugh and enjoy life.

Medical Advice for Health

It is important to remember to seek expert medical advice for certain conditions when embarking upon a new dietary or fitness regime. Always consult a doctor for help with losing an excessive amount of weight or when beginning strenuous workouts.

I pride myself in trying really hard to live a healthy lifestyle. I am a avid runner, I go to Jazzercise, I do my best to eat right, and I make homemade meals with “good-for-you” ingredients for my family. But, life is busy, right? I was just saying today that I was up at 6:30 a.m. and somehow when I looked at the clock at 8:00 a.m. I was clueless on how I was still in my PJs and hadn’t made lunch for the kids yet. By 8:05 I was dressed and lunches were made and we were on our way out the door! I know you have had days like that too….We all have. For me, I would say that I have more days like that than not 😉

So, how do we do it? How do we stay healthy when we never seem to stop moving?

Top Tips for staying healthy

Smoothies are a very important part of my day. If you follow my blog, you know that I talk about them all the time and love sharing my healthy recipes. In fact, I can’t get my run in or head to Jazzercise without my smoothie. I NEED those nutrients and that burst of protein to get my day off on the right foot and to make my workout really count.

While making my own smoothie doesn’t take more than 5 minutes, there are definitely days, that I don’t have five minutes. In fact, there is at least one day a week that we have just moments before we miss the bus. So, I grab for one of the LALA® Yogurt Smoothies (that is made with Real Fruit) from my refrigerator and we are off.

After I finished my smoothie and got the kids on their way, I was off on mine. I love using RunKeeper to track my runs/walks. It even reminds me when I haven’t been out in a few days…I wish I could tell it that I went to Jazzercise 😉

How to Lead an active Lifestyle

When my workout is complete and I still have my motivation going from a great breakfast, I like to get in some household chores. I always seem to have a full laundry hamper, and a full sink of dishes.

Then before I know it, it’s time to pick up the kids, help with homework, figure out dinner, and head out to baseball.

Best Healthy lifestyle tips

Life is busy. Life is meant to be lived. Enjoy it by treating YOU and your body right by fueling yourself with foods that are not only good but good for you. And on the days that you never seem to stop moving, have good foods on hand that fit into your healthy lifestyle.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more helpful tips and family fun!

Tips For Staying Healthy and Active All Year

What is one of your tips for staying healthy and active?

Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake – Ready in Under 30 Minutes

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. The opinions and text are all mine.

Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake Recipe on Food Wine Sunshine

Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake

Ready in under 30 Minutes

Spring Break is over, baseball is back in full swing (pun-intended!), the kids both have their big FSA tests going on at school, I HAVE to get back into my regular exercise routine and of course, I have about 7 loads of laundry piled up on the couch that has to be folded and put away. Time is not on my side right now.

After being gone for 10 days I had to run to Publix to pick up the essentials – you know, milk, bread, salad, fruit, fresh veggies.  My creative juices are not flowing when it comes to dinner ideas just yet, so I cruised past the Ready to Cook section of the Fresh Meat case and saw the Tyson® Meal Kits.

Chicken Alfredo bake recipe

Have you seen these yet?  Basically they have everything you need in one simple package to make a delicious meal for your family in no time.  No thinking required 😉

Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake Recipe on Food Wine Sunshine

I grabbed the Creamy Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo because it sounded amazing, tossed some frozen broccoli and some refrigerated biscuits in my cart and I was well on my way to a fabulous dinner for my family.  The best part is that dinner was ready in under 30 minutes and everyone LOVED it.  Even though I snuck some broccoli in!

Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake Recipe

Remember, it is ready less than 30 minutes, so it is the perfect dish for those busy weeknights!

Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake Recipe

The biscuits added a fun twist, my family loves bread with pasta, so I figured I would just add it right into the dish!

Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake Recipe

Now, here is my Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake recipe. Be sure to Print and Pin the recipe so that you can make it again and again.

Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake – Ready in under 30 Minutes
Recipe Type: Dinner
Author: Tracy @ HavingFunSaving.com
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
This Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta and Biscuit Bake is the perfect solution to your busy weeknight schedule. Or any day you want a delish meal for your family!
Ingredients
  • 1 Creamy Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo Tyson® Skillet Meal Kit
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 cups frozen broccoli florets
  • 1 can junior refrigerated biscuits – these are the smaller size ones
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 375°F
  2. Spray (2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray
  3. Add the chicken from the Tyson® Meal Kits into a skillet and cook thoroughly – 5-7 mins
  4. While the chicken is cooking, separate the biscuits and cut each biscuit in half, and set aside
  5. Stir in Alfredo sauce from the Tyson® Meal Kits, milk, broccoli, and precooked pasta
  6. Cook until mixture is thoroughly heated and bubbly, stirring regularly
  7. Spoon mixture into baking dish
  8. Arrange the cut biscuits around edge of baking dish, overlapping slightly
  9. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown

Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake Recipe on Having fun Saving

I hope you and your family enjoy my Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta & Biscuit Bake as much as we do!

And be sure to enjoy the fact that it is ready in under 30 minutes!  So, the next time you are running around Publix and you stop to think that you have NO idea what to make for dinner, cruise past the Ready to Cook section of the Fresh Meat case and grab a Tyson® Meal Kit.

Which Tyson® Meal Kit would you want to try?

Be check out all my delicious recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google +.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Tyson® . The opinions and text are all mine.

Looking for more dinner ideas?

 Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken on Food Wine Sunshine and Cooking Curtis Stone's Glazed Ham with Mustard Barbecue Sauce Recipe on Food Wine Sunshine Sweet & Spicy Shrimp Recipe on Food Wine Sunshine Loaded Cowboy Baked Potatoes on Food Wine Sunshine

10 Must Haves for First Time Parents

This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.

Becoming a parent for the first time is not only exciting, but scary! There are many things to prepare for, so I am sharing these 10 Must Haves for First Time Parents to help. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!

10 Must Haves for First Time Parents

10 Must Haves for First Time Parents

Being a first time parents is not only exciting and scary, but it can be overwhelming!  There are so many articles out there to read and products to purchase it can make your head spin!  So, when my brother-in-law and his wife had their first bundle of joy I thought it would be great share some of their must-haves!

The article below is written by Hannah.

As a first time mom and a nurse, I am always looking for products that are safe, yet make my life easier. As with any new first time parents, we are always looking for products that we feel good about using with our children yet help us get thru our very busy days, and if they can help our day to day easier then I am all for it! So I have made a list of some of my must haves for anyone weather you are a first time mommy or a mother of multiple.

Here are my 10 Must Haves for First Time Parents:

Nuroo 3-in 1 Swaddler

There are a TON of different types of swaddlers out there on the market today but, after myself trying many different ones to find the best I have found this Nuroo Swaddler and have fallen in LOVE with it. I love the material! It has a nice breathable material to help so the little ones don’t overheat. Also this one has different stages, has three sizes in one swaddle! It can fit your new bundle of joy up to 28 inches!! Plus, it is machine washable.

Must Haves for First Time Parents

Sun Smarties Shades

Now these little sun glasses are AMAZING!!! I just love love love these!!! These little sunglasses are practical and easy to use. I love how they have a soft stretchy head strap to help keep them on that you can adjust to fit your little ones head. They block 100% of UV rays and are shatter resistant and is pediatrician recommended, and come in sizes for infant to 5yr olds. Can’t get much better then that! My husband and I love being outdoors and riding on our ATVs so having good eye protection that is comfortable and safe for my little one to wear is perfect!

Tips for First Time Parents

PreSpoon

This PreSpoon is a great product for little ones trying to teach themselves to eat without using a difficult spoon. I love its end is shaped like a honey comb dipper and the food will attach to the spoon and stay at any angle you dip it into the food. All your little one needs to know how to do it dip it into their food! It is dishwasher safe and is BPA & phthalate free and 100% FDA approved silicone. So for every parent out there, we can feel at ease using this product. My daughter is just starting solid foods this is going to be a great product for her to continue to learn to help feed herself.

Best Tips for First Time Parents

Safe and Dry Hands Free Towel

You all know that your little ones are very slippery when they come out of the tub and after each bath time you are always a bit nervous transferring them out of the bath to their towel. So when I found the safe and dry hands free towel I fell in love. It actually velcros around your neck and is like a large apron. It has a large area to wrap your little one up in and even a place to put there little wet head into. I love this especially for my husband as well who also gets a little nervous taking her out of the tub, so this was a great find and will continue to use it time and time again!!!!

First Time Parents Must Haves

Where’s My Bone Soft Book

This is a great soft book for on the go travel or just any day at home. It has six different pages to introduce your little one to use their fine motor skills, and to learn and feel different kinds of textures throughout the book. It is a great book for interaction and play with your child. My daughter loves all the colors of the book and all the different textures on the pages. Her eyes get all big and excited while playing with it. as a mommy I love to see when she gets excited and happy when shes introduced to new toys. You can just see in her little blue eyes that there is a lot of wonder and thinking going on, and I LOVE to see that with this soft book.

First Time Parents Tips

Activity Play Gym

As any new moms know, it always feels like we take the whole house with us when we go places to make sure we have EVERYTHING we could possible need for our little ones, and when I seen this activity play gym it was a perfect addition, it is light weight easy to assemble and comes with a perfect storage bag to easy travel. I love not having to lug around my big bulky other toys! My daughter loves all the bright colors and the rattle toys it comes with. GREAT ADDITION!!

Baby Sling

This is definitely one of my favorite new mommy products!! It is light weight and very comfortable to wear, and my daughter since the first week she was home LOVES LOVES IT!!!! I take it EVERYWHERE with me, never leave the house without it. It’s a great thing to have when your little one just wants to be held and you have a MILLION things to do, I just strap her in and get busy doing my work, and she’s happy so that makes this momma very happy too!!

The Gigglebellies Musical Adventures DVD

My daughter absolutely LOVES these DVDs, she could watch and watch them all day if I would let her. They are a great musical DVD of childhood songs with great twists to the songs and AMAZING graphics, colors and animation. It grabs my daughters attention EVERY TIME and always puts a HUGE smile on her face and would recommend this to anyone!! They have 3 DVDs in all.

AngelCare Video Monitor

I would consider this the cat’s meow when it comes to video monitors!! It has both day and night vision, two way talk, a zoom lens, and has a temperature reading to let you know the baby’s bedroom temperature, sensor pad, and much more amazing options. My husband and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE this baby video monitor and have been using since day one when we brought our daughter home from the hospital, whether it be when shes napping or when she at bed at night we always have it on and it lets us keep a very close eye on her, which is a MAJOR MUST FOR US!!!

Wubbanub Pacifier

This is the best pacifier on the MARKET in my opinion!! It is great for travel home or anywhere, what I LOVE most about it is that it is attached to a adorable little stuff animal and it helps keep the pacifier close, and help keep it off the ground, and my daughter now can put her pacifier in and out of her mouth with the ease of the stuff animal attached to it! No more searching for a lost pacifier or having to clean it multiple times because it has fallen out of their mouth and onto the ground. Every PARENT, needs to go out and get one today!!!

Must Haves for Parents

So, for all you new mommies and daddies out there, be sure check out these awesome products. They have helped make my new crazy life just a little bit easier, and knowing they are safe for my little one, and reasonably priced makes them even better!!

What are your First Time Parent Must Haves?

Tips for New Parents

 

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