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10 Summer Must Haves For Families

April 22nd, 2015June 25th, 2019

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

Looking to have a blast this summer? Then be sure to start the summer season with this 10 Summer Must Haves for families.

10 Summer Must Haves For Families

Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner. Actually, here in Florida, the daily temperature averages over 80 already, so fun in the sun is a daily occurrence in my house 🙂 Which means it is time for ME to get ready. I had to evaluate that I had everything I need to make summer not only fun, but SAFE. So, I came up with these Summer Must-Haves. There are must-haves for the kids, for families, and they are all to ensure that you have as much fun as possible this Summer!

Here are my Summer Must Haves:

Sunscreen

It’s an absolute must. Even on cloudy days! In fact, my grandpa always said that you get the worst sunburn on cloudy days because you don’t think about wearing sunscreen and the UV rays are still coming through the clouds. And I can tell you from experience that I have gotten more than one bad sunscreen on a chillier, cloudy day.

Towels

I don’t normally carry around towels for drying off, if it’s warm out, I let the sun do that 😉 But I do bring them to sit on at the beach and on the chairs at the pool. You may want to consider a Beach Blanket too. Keep a sand where it belongs…on the beach…not in your food!

Beach Bag

A good beach bag is a must. As parents we are responsible for just about EVERYTHING. That means you need a bag that can carry EVERYTHING.

I have a love/hate relationship with sand. I love going to the beach, the feel of the sand in my toes, but I HATE that it gets into everything. My bag is always full of sand and cleaning it out after I get home is a pain. You will notice that in the beach bag featured above there is Sand-Away Mesh on the corners of the bag. I will admit, I think it’s absolutely genius. That means the sand that is on your toys, towels, and everything in-between can EASILY be shaken out and not come home with me. Seriously, this bag has a great features, but this has got to be one of my favorites. My next favorite is that it is water-resistant. That means when the kids get it wet on accident I don’t have to worry about it staining. Less worry for mom = happier mom = more fun time 🙂

Swimsuits

Yes, that seems obvious, I know. But you need ones that everyone actually feels comfortable in! A swimsuit that is going to stay in place while the kids swim and play. I also suggest one that has UPF.

She loves that the bottoms, covers her…bottom 😉 Plus, it’s absolutely adorable. The pink Seahorse is so cute! And I love the blue and white design. For me, I like to shop at HAPARI, they have great swimsuits for women of all shapes and sizes. My son and hubby are sporting DEL SOL swim trunks this summer.

Clothing with SPF protection

This is one that you may not think about. But if you are spending a lot of time outside, make sure to have clothes that the kids can put on to protect themselves from the sun.

As you can see, she loves it! She was amazed that she was wearing long sleeves and long pants, but that she wasn’t super hot (we live in Florida and the temps are well into the 80s now), the fabric is breathable and very soft. I like that it has UPF 50+. She wore hers as she danced, swam, and even practiced her cartwheels. It is very quick-drying, so she would go from the pool to cartwheels and then back again 🙂

Sunglasses/Hats

Don’t forget to protect your eyes! Have sunglasses/hats for not only the kids, but yourself.

Umbrella/Tent for extra sun coverage for those long days on the water or at the pool

Sometimes you just need a break from the sun!

Water

Make sure to stay hydrated!

Snacks

If you plan on being out and about for awhile, save yourself some money and pack your snacks. We love bringing apples because they are juicy and sweet 🙂 We like the individual snacks packs from Crunch Pak best.

Toys

You know, for those moments when you JUST sat down to relax and the kids say “Mom! I’m bored, what can I do now?”

Are you excited for the warmer weather and days outside? I know we love it!

What are some of your Summer Must Haves?

And be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google + and Instagram for more family fun!

Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff

April 16th, 2015June 8th, 2023

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

This Chicken Stroganoff Recipe is a healthy twist on a family favorite. Make this Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff today and enjoy a comfort food meal!

Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff

Looking for a healthy and easy dinner option? I got you! Chicken Stroganoff is a delicious and popular dish that combines tender chicken, flavorful sauce, and often mushrooms and onions. Chicken Stroganoff is relatively simple to prepare, making it a convenient option for dinner. The cooking process usually involves sautéing the chicken, mushrooms, and onions, then simmering them in the sauce until everything is well cooked and flavors have melded together. I made this version in the slow cooker to make it even easier 😉

Why I love using my slow cooker

Convenience: Slow cookers are incredibly convenient because they allow you to prepare a meal with minimal effort. Once you’ve added the ingredients to the pot and set the desired cooking time, you can leave it unattended and go about your day. This is especially beneficial for busy individuals or families who may not have a lot of time for cooking.
Time-saving: Slow cookers are designed to cook food slowly over an extended period, usually several hours. This slow cooking process allows tougher cuts of meat to become tender and flavors to develop over time. You can start a meal in the morning, go to work, and return home to a delicious, fully cooked dinner.
Enhanced flavors: Slow cooking allows flavors to meld together and intensify. The low, gentle heat helps to extract the maximum flavor from the ingredients, resulting in rich and delicious dishes. This is particularly beneficial for stews, soups, and dishes with robust spices or herbs.
Tenderizing tough cuts of meat: Slow cookers are excellent for transforming tough cuts of meat, such as beef chuck or pork shoulder, into tender and succulent dishes. The extended cooking time breaks down the connective tissues, making the meat more tender and flavorful.
Energy efficiency: Slow cookers are energy-efficient appliances. They use low wattage and operate at a low temperature, consuming significantly less energy compared to other cooking methods like stovetop or oven cooking.
Hands-off cooking: Unlike traditional cooking methods that require constant monitoring, stirring, or adjusting heat levels, slow cookers allow you to set it and forget it. You don’t have to stand over the stove or oven, giving you more time to focus on other tasks or enjoy your day.
Versatility: Crock pots are incredibly versatile. You can use them to make a wide range of dishes, including soups, stews, chili, roasts, casseroles, desserts, and more. They can accommodate various ingredients and cooking techniques, making them suitable for different dietary preferences and cuisines.

If you have leftovers…that’s a good thing! Chicken Stroganoff tends to taste even better the next day as the flavors have had time to develop. This makes it an excellent choice for meal prepping or leftovers that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner later in the week.

In no time, my house was smelling delicious 🙂 I don’t know about you, but whenever I think of a yummy gravy, I think mashed potatoes are in order. I know most serve Beef Stroganoff with noodles or rice, but we enjoyed ours over homemade mashed potatoes.

Now, here’s my Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff recipe. Make sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.

Feel free to use a crock pot liner for easier clean-up!

Print Recipe

Crock Pot Chicken Stroganoff

This is a healthy version of a popular comfort food. Enjoy this easy Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff with your family tonight.

Prep Time10

Cook Time6

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Comfort Food

Keyword: chicken, crock pot, easy recipe, slow cooker

Servings:

Calories: 379kcal

Author: Tracy

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes
½ red onion diced
1 can low fat or healthy request cream of mushroom soup 10 ¾ oz
1 can cream of onion soup 10 ¾ oz
1 cup fresh mushrooms
½ cup low sodium chicken broth
8 oz reduced fat cream cheese cut into cubes
8 oz reduced fat sour cream
black pepper to taste
mashed potatoes or noodles for serving

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Add chicken onion, soups, mushrooms and pepper to the crock pot
Cook on low for 5-6 hours or until chicken is cooked
Stir cream cheese into chicken mixture until melted
Stir sour cream into chicken mixture
Serve over carb of choice – mashed potatoes for us!
Enjoy!

Notes

After I added the cream cheese and sour cream I left the crock pot on warm for about an hour – my husband was late getting home – it didn’t hurt it at all.

Nutrition

I hope your family enjoys this Chicken Stroganoff Recipe as much as we do!

Looking for another delicious and healthy crock pot recipe? Check out my Bacon Wrapped Apple BBQ Chicken Crock Pot Recipe.

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

Pineapple Coconut Green Smoothie

April 15th, 2015August 10th, 2019

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

This tropical smoothie is delicious and healthy. Enjoy this Pineapple Coconut Green Smoothie at any point in your day and feel refreshed!

Disclosure: Sponsored post. The information and products were provided by General Mills through Linqia.

Pineapple Coconut Green Smoothie

I have a delicious smoothie recipe for you guys today. I don’t use yogurt in mine very often, but when I heard that Liberté® Méditerranée had some amazing flavors at Publix, I decided it was time to shake up my smoothie! It was hard to choose which one to use first, Liberté® Méditerranée has NINE deletable flavors to choose from…

Méditerranée Cappuccino
Flavors of bold espresso and sweet cream mingle in yogurt harmony.

Méditerranée Caramel
A sensorial delight, with pure melted caramel tamed by rich milk.

Méditerranée Blackberry
Sweet, aromatic blackberries harmonize with velvety yogurt

Méditerranée Coconut
Milk and cream deepened with the earthy, nutty flavor of coconut.

Méditerranée French Vanilla
The exotic, heady perfume of our vanilla is anything but “vanilla.”

Méditerranée Lemon
Whole milk yogurt enlivened with the sharpness of lemon. Bracing but silky.

Méditerranée Strawberry
A twist on a classic. Exceptional fruits for this winsome, summery flavor.

Since Spring is here and the weather is getting HOT here in Florida, the thought of pineapple and coconut just sounded refreshing.

So that’s what I went with. I created a Pineapple Coconut Green Smoothie that was easy to make and will leave you looking forward to making it again tomorrow!

My ingredients were simple, Liberte Méditerranée Coconut, pineapple, greens, ice, and coconut water.

Now, here’s the recipe, make sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.

Pineapple Coconut Green Smoothie

Recipe Type: Smoothie

Author: Tracy @ HavingFunSaving.com

Prep time: 5 mins

Total time: 5 mins

Serves: 1

This tropical smoothie is delicious and healthy. Enjoy this Pineapple Coconut Green Smoothie at any point in your day and feel refreshed!

Ingredients

1.5 thick slices of fresh pineapple
Liberte Coconut Mediterranean Yogurt
handful of mixed greens
4-5 ice cubes
4 oz of coconut water – can use reg. water

Instructions

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

I hope you enjoy your Pineapple Coconut Green Smoothie relaxing…maybe poolside! That’s what I did this morning!

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

Liberté® Méditerranée yogurt is a refreshing way to get great flavor, without the guilt! I am loving all the yogurt flavors that I picked up at Publix, now I just have to be nice and share them with the rest of my family 😉

You can really tell that Liberte pays attention when crafting their sumptuous yogurt. It begins with their choice of ingredients. The whole milk and cream they select create an indulgently silky texture. The live, active cultures add a layer of deep flavor that is punctuated with bold, real fruit. And as you should expect, they refrain from adding gelatin, sugar substitutes or preservatives.

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

What will you add into your #YogurtPerfection smoothie or parfait?

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Food Wine Sunshine is responsible for delivering prize.

Looking for more smoothies? Try these smoothie recipes:

Avocado Beet Smoothie

Beet Blackberry Smoothie

Beet Cucumber Apple Smoothie

What are some of your favorite smoothie recipes?

Looking for more great recipes?

Beet Cucumber Apple Smoothie

April 14th, 2015January 19th, 2021

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

Beets, cucumbers, and apples are blended together in am easy and healthy superfood protein smoothie! Enjoy this Beet Cucumber Apple Smoothie recipe!

Beet Cucumber Apple Smoothie

There’s that word again. Beet. As you may remember, my Beet Blueberry Smoothie was actually the 1st time I have ever had a beet. Yes, the first time. But, I have heard over and over how good beets are for us. So, I bought another one. This time I actually bought one bigger than a large strawberry and I was determined to use it my my next smoothie.

Don’t get me wrong, I actually really enjoyed my Beet Blueberry Smoothie. I guess you could say that it was just fear of the unknown. I did it once…good job me. Do I try it again? Sure..why not! I have to admit that one of my favorite things about smoothies with beets in it is the cool color. The vibrant purple is really pretty! But, don’t be alarmed if you see that color again that day or the next morning when…uh….you’re in the bathroom. That caught me a little by surprise the 1st time 🙂

In this smoothie I used about a quarter of a large beet, cucumber, apple, banana, my Juice Plus+ Vanilla Complete Shake Mix and that was about it! And once again, I actually enjoyed my Beet Smoothie! I will definitely be using the rest of the beet in a new combination soon, so keep a look out!

Here are some of the health benefits of the ingredients I chose for this smoothie:

Beets – They are very high in vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and they also contain vitamin B. Making them that superfood 🙂

Bananas – Besides tasting great, they are loaded with potassium which helps muscles recover and relax, and they have also been known to help you sleep better.

Apples – An apple a day….come on, we all know that apples are good for us!

Cucumbers – These are great for rehydration. Cucumbers are also a great source of vitamin B, so that means they are a natural pick-me-up.

Protein Powder – Helps keep you full longer and makes your smoothie extra creamy.

Here’s my Beet Cucumber Apple Smoothie recipe, make sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again!

Print Recipe

Beet Cucumber Apple Smoothie

I love beets and cucumbers in my smoothies, add in apples for a delicious and refreshing recipe! Enjoy the superfoods in this Beet Cucumber Apple Smoothie.

Prep Time5

Course: Smoothie

Keyword: apple, beet, cucumber, protein shake, protein smoothie, smoothies

Servings:

Calories: 135kcal

Author: Tracy