Foodie Friday {1/17} + AquaTally Discount

Happy Friday, friends!

This is the first of many ‘Foodie Friday’ posts i’ll be doing to highlight one of my passions – FOOD 🙂 I know what you’re thinking, that is what 99% of my posts are about anyways, BUT this will allow me to highlight other great products, healthy snacks and meals that I stumble upon and wish to share. So, here it goes!

1. The AquaTally

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen this picture I posted earlier in the week. This simple, yet genius little innovation has me swooned.  It’s a BPA-free reusable tumbler that allows you to track how much water you drink throughout the day. This is an excellent tracking tool for anyone that finds it difficult to drink the recommended 64 ounces. It’s actually really fun to keep track and gives you a sense of accomplishment once you reach the 8th notch. Optimal hydration is crucial for optimal health, and the AquaTally can help you achieve it.

You can order the AquaTally here. Enter the code HEALTH to receive 25% off of your oder. Thanks, AquaTally! 🙂

2. Enlightened Kombucha – Gingerade

“kom-BOO-cha” (you can’t help but say it out loud) is a fermented tea made with a concoction of sugar and a fungus culture. There are a LOT of health claims out there regarding the benefits of drinking Kombucha tea. Everything from improving digestion and immunity to lowering cholesterol and fighting cancer. Unfortunately, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support most of these claims.

However, I will tell you it does have health-promoting properties, as it is loaded with probiotics, antioxidants and a broad spectrum of B-vitamins. The addition of ginger in the Gingerade also provides some anti-inflammatory benefits and can help alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. It tastes fantastic (at least I think so) and is a great alternative to soda/diet soda if you’re craving something carbonated.

3. Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series Coffee

If you haven’t yet, you must pick up a bag of Dunkin’ Donuts Bakery Series coffee. Your kitchen will smell like a bakery within 10 seconds of brewing it. Ahh-mazing! This series features Blueberry Muffin (yes please), Caramel Coffee Cake (i’ll take two), Chocolate Glazed Donut (do you even have to ask?), Jelly Donut and Old Fashioned Donut. The Dunkin’ speciality coffee drinks always sound delicious but gosh, do they load those babies up with syrups. I like the actual taste of coffee too much to get into them. However I will improvise when opportunity presents itself ^. Try this homemade latte recipe:

• Mix 1 cup of milk of choice with 1 packet of stevia and a dash of cinnamon
• Pour in a small saucepan and heat stove-top over medium-heat until warm
• Remove milk from stove and either froth in a blender on high for 30 seconds or with a milk frother
• Add milk to 1 cup brewed Caramel Coffee Cake coffee in a large mug and sip happily

4. Santa-Fe Chicken Salad with Lightened Up Spicy Ranch Dressing

I’ve never met a salad I didn’t like and this one was no exception. It was essentially a taco salad without the shell. A generous portion of mixed greens, black beans, corn, halved grape tomatoes, avocado, scallions, grilled chicken and the show stopper – low fat spicy ranch dressing. Another one of my seemingly odd experiments that came out delicious. To make the dressing, combine the following and whisk until well combined:

• 1 tbsp reduced fat ranch dressing
• 1/2 tsp water
• 1/2 tsp sriracha
• 1/4 tsp reduced sodium taco seasoning mix

5. “PB&J” Yogurt

Mix 1 container of strawberry Chobani with 1 tbsp of peanut butter of choice and it tastes exactly like a PB&J sandwich. This has been my afternoon snack every day at work this week. Yes, I keep a jar multiple jars of peanut butter at my desk. No shame in my peanut butter game. Try it!

That’s all for now, folks. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend filled with good eats and nutritious treats 😉