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No Sugar Added Snack Ideas for Kids - Perfect for Lunch Boxes

It is closing in on the end of summer which comes just in time for back to school, back to daycare, back to LIFE and set schedules for many families. I have been preparing the kiddos lunches every day including personalized handwritten notes. I love making their lunch for multiple reasons.
1. I feel like I can make their lunches cheaper than buying it,
2. I can see what they are eating each day, and
3. I can make sure they are eating a balanced, no sugar added meal, and they are teeth friendly lunch options as well.


No Sugar Added Snack Ideas for Lunch Boxes


What does "no sugar added" mean? In this case it means some of these foods still contain sugar naturally. Added sugar has been added to a food or product during the manufacturing process. To avoid added sugar, look for words on a food label such as glucose, sucrose, dextrose, high-fructose corn syrup, raw sugar, rice syrup, corn sweetener, fruit juice concentrate, brown sugar, corn syrup, can juice, can sugar, crystalline fructose, beet sugar, caramel, and barley malt.
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Plant Based Snacking for Kids from WayFare

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

 Do your kiddos have "school stomachs"? Where they are able to just eat basic meals all day for school and then come home and eat all the things. THEN when summer is here they just continue to eat all the things from morning until night! I'm only kidding...a little. It does feel like that sometimes though. So I have been on the look out for treats that I know they will enjoy, but won't be filled with junk. Thankfully Moms Meet let me and the kiddos try out some new plant based, dairy free puddings from WayFare.


Plant Based Snacking for Kids from WayFare


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Dream Big Little One with PACT Organic

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

As I have been doing more research on sustainable living, I have found that one of the biggest impacts on our environment is clothing.


Dream Big Little One with PACT Organic


PACT Organic makes super soft cotton clothing that is better for both people and planet because they use organic farming practices that don’t pollute the soil or water while partnering with organizations that protect the well-being of the people who make the clothes. Organic cotton doesn’t pollute the soil or air and uses 71% less water and 62% less energy than conventional cotton. Growing organic cotton keeps farmers and their families safe because they are not exposed to toxic chemicals.


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Snacking At Home: Gluten Free Idea

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

So since my kid's no longer have their "school stomachs" and snack all day long, I have been on the hunt for healthier snack options that they will actually enjoy. Although we don't go as many places as we use to, I also still like to have easy on-the-go snack ideas that I can throw in my purse and head out the door with.




My family and I recently had the opportunity to try out LOVE CORN. They are savory, crunchy corn kernels. Popular in the Mediterranean, LOVE CORN is made with plant-based ingredients, and are vegan, gluten free, Non-GMO Project Verified, kosher, and sugar free. I was in love the package they sent to us. It had all the flavors to try.


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Maintaining Kid's Immune & Gut Health with Country Life

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.


The gut microbiome is home to trillions of bacteria, so it's no secret that feeling great from the inside out starts with the gut. With a mission to connect the growing wellness conversation - from improved digestion to greater energy - to gut health, making it a priority in order to be your best self, Country Life Vitamins developed Gut Connection - a prebiotic/postbiotic-based approach to digestive health focusing on eight major individual health concerns. June of last year, I started taking the Country Life Gut Connection and have been feeling better in so many ways. 




Now, Country Life has extended the line to offer personalized solutions for the whole family with the introduction of Gut Connection Kids. Featuring chewable supplements that support children's gut health with specific functional benefits, Gut Connection Kids targets immune, digestive, cognitive, and a chocolate drink powder for sleep balance. Rather than waiting until adulthood, Gut Connection Kids begins the process early to help children form healthy habits.
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Easy Caprese Salad Bites Appetizer Recipe

This post is a sponsored conversation brought to you by Flavor Your Life campaign and Moms Meet. All opinions are my own.


It's the most wonderful time of the year.... when you have to bring an appetizer or side dish to an umpteenth event. I have a super easy one for you that will really up the wow factor. You can organize it into a wreath if you have the right dish wear and then you'll be extra fancy.




If you are like me and looking for a super easy yet fancy looking recipe, here is how you make these yummy Easy Caprese Salad Bites Appetizer.

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Natural Tips to Avoid Cold & Flu Virus

“I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.”

We just got back from a cruise, right before cold and flu season. Being around all of those germs, makes me hyper-aware of getting sick. I do not consider myself a germ-a-phobe. I just have lowered immune system than some because I stay at home. So I did some research on how to prepare yourself and here are a few tips I have found to try and avoid getting sick during flu season.



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Keto Coffee Recipe & Keurig K-Duo Essentials Review

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

If you are like me, then you love coffee. I have only been a coffee person since I had children of my own. I honestly have no idea how I survived being a nanny without it. I actually started drinking it when I became a "working stay-at-home mom" which means I was watching my friend's little girl too and had to wake up oh so early so she could drop her off every morning.




My coffee habits have evolved now. I like the taste of coffee way more than I use to and since I enjoy it so much more than I use to, I would drink it all day every day if I could! I don't use as much creamer and definitely not as much sugar in it as I use to.

Our first single serve coffee maker served it's purpose for a little while, but it was time for an upgrade. I have been a HUGE fan of Keurig brand coffee makers since our first one we have ever owned. Each one had different features that we love. We even owned a Keurig 2.0 for a little, but the newest Keurig K-Duo Essentials is by far our favorite because it fits all of our needs while being a budget friendly option. I think I would make a great gift for the office. I also think it would be perfect for people who are like my sister-in-law and her husband. He drinks an entire pot of coffee made his way while she prefers just a cup or two made a little stronger with cream/sugar.
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Snacking on Plan with FITCRUNCH + Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Nugget Recipe

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

I have some amazing news that I haven't shared anywhere else yet, but I am very proud of it. I have officially lost 50 pounds and am at my lowest weight I have been before I got pregnant with my son (probably my daughter too, but I didn't weigh myself then). I wish I had kept better track of this journey because it has been a long one. Figuring out what works for my body. Understanding that nutrition is number one and strength is more important than cardio. It has been a learning curve for sure.


I am a firm believer in making food choices that are smart. Snacking is the number one issue concerning people who are trying to lose weight. And they always want to know how to stop it. And I say, why? Just be smart about your snacking choices. I was recently sent some FITCRUNCH Cheddar Cheese High Protein Puffs to try out with my family.
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Guilt Free Almond Energy Bites with Once Again Amore Almond Spread

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

I love when I get the opportunity to work with my favorite brands over and over again. As some of you may know, I have been on a weight loss journey for a while now and trying to find the right balance of working out and nutrition that works for me and my family.




For Valentine's Day, I made some chocolate covered strawberries with Once Again Amore Almond Spread. I love to have date nights at home. My husband and I don't eat out much anymore since we never know what to get when we go out plus we are trying to save money to pay off debt. So with that said, date nights at home are key. But honestly my new FAVORITE thing that I have made with Once Again Amore Almond Spread is these No Guilt Hazelnut Energy Bites!

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Encouraging Supplemental Help at Home with TinkerActive Workbooks

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

My son started Kindergarten this year and to be honest, I was worried he would be starting the school year behind. Although I tried to work with him this summer to catch him up, we were so busy that sometimes we didn't have the time. We didn't confirm that he needed glasses until this past January so I know that has played a factor into what he learned. I want him to excel and feel confident in his abilities. My son has the type of personality where if something isn't "his idea" and fun, then he doesn't want to do it. So when I was sent the TinkerActive Workbooks through MomsMeet, I was excited to see how they could help him.


TinkerActive Workbooks are designed to build your child’s fundamental math and science skills while inspiring them to try new things, discover new skills, and imagine new possibilities. Vetted by award-winning educators and aligned to Common Core State Standards, they are an excellent supplement to schoolwork or at-home study. Packed with curriculum-based exercises designed for all learners (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic), TinkerActive Workbooks are a surefire way to encourage your child’s love of learning.

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Meals On The Go Made Delicious with Wildscape

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

My husband and I have been working hard on not only making it to the gym every day, but our nutrition. Did you know that nutrition is actually the most important part to lose weight? We have been meal prepping, but sometimes we forget to make ahead or get out of our schedule and can't find the time. I recently was sent some awesome goodies found in the frozen food aisle called Wildscape Meals.




Wildscape is a fresh take on frozen meals. Their mission is to make frozen food worth getting excited about. Something that celebrates the vibrancy, flavors, and textures that nature offers us. Wildscape is a promise to the world that you don’t have to choose between the food you have time for and the food you really want to eat. 
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Benefits of Meditation for Children

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

​​​Our kids' brains are tired, and children of all ages really need opportunities where they can take time out each day "unplugged" to relax and focus. Meditation offers this break and helps kids function more effectively and clearly. Children today also have reportedly high stress levels. To help them take a break, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents to share meditation with their children. The simple act of teaching children how to stop, focus, and just breathe could be one of the greatest gifts you give them.




Children today have higher expectations than we did as children which means that they can feel more stress. My daughter personally struggles with this especially at end of the school year because of all the testing and expectations to reach certain goals. She is so smart, but constantly worried that she won't make it to the next grade even though she has never had any issues in school, in fact she as invited to be a part of the gifted program at school. So finding something that can help her learn to be mindful and give her mind a break was very important to me.

I recently received two Zafooz from Moms Meet to test out. What is a Zafooz? A Zafooz cushion is a relatable way to introduce mindfulness practices to children in order to help improve brain function and provide relief during stressful times. A cushion and breathing buddy in one, the zafooz is a fun and functional combination of a meditation cushion and a plush animal.

Here are a few benefits of meditation for children:
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The Importance of Gut Health

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

Being healthy is essential to being happy. I have been trying to talk about mental health more because it a battle I have dealt with since I was a teenager. For years, I was told to not be negative or sad, but I want to share the real parts of my life too. And a very real fact is that I suffer from anxiety. It is something that I have been trying to deal with on my own through natural ways like diet and exercise, but sometimes I need help. I have been doing a lot of research on it and according to an article by Harvard Healthbeat, "The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines...Therefore, a person's stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression." This makes sense because there are certain feelings that you get in your stomach that are only reactions from your brain, like "butterflies in your tummy".




Every gut has it's own microbiome complete with natural probiotic bacteria that keeps your body healthy. At times, your gut microbiota may become unbalanced due to antibiotic usage, poor western diet, or environmental factors. These imbalances may lead to occasional bloating, digestive discomfort, frequent bowel movements, and an overall undesirable sluggish feeling. Probiotic products can increase that amount of beneficial bacteria to your gut which can work for a while, but the imbalance may strike again. So how can you start reconnecting your gut health and shift your individual microbiome balance for good?

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8 Surprising Benefits of Probiotics with Dr. Ohhira's

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

Why is it so important to take probiotic supplements you can trust? Take a look at eight surprising benefits of adding probiotics to your family’s everyday lives thanks to Dr. Ohhira’s. They developed their award-winning, all-natural probiotic line to help support digestive comfort as well as a healthy immune system.


Have you heard of postbiotics? They are metabolites produced by the bacteria during the fermentation process. These probiotic-produced compounds play significant roles in the regulation of health and the maintenance of a healthy microbiome. They are also responsible for regulating your mood, sleep, and nutrient absorption including hard to absorb minerals like calcium. These postbiotics are basically the reason we need probiotics in the first place, and Dr. Ohhira’s provides 3 YEARS' worth of postbiotics in every capsule!

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Natural Health Benefits of CBD Oil

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

CBD oil or Cannabidiol is a becoming very popular. Since I love trying new natural health products, I had heard about CBD oil only recently. Basically CBD oil is made with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil. I was mainly interested in trying it because I heard it can help with anxiety which is something I have been personally been battling with for a while now. So I started doing a bit of research and have found that CBD oil has a ton of benefits for different ailments.


Here are some of the benefits of CBD oil:

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Vegan Peanut Butter Popcorn Recipe

Summer is officially here at our house! That means staying up late with the kiddos and super fun movie nights...possibly under the stars? Any ways...this Vegan Peanut Butter Popcorn Recipe is one of my family's favorites and it will son become of one of yours too!

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Hazelnut Pancake Muffins with Once Again Nut Butter

I have never tried a hazelnut spread before. I know crazy, right? It is a thing that people have been going crazy over online, but I just never got on the hype. I recently had the opportunity to try out Once Again Nut Butter's Amore Hazelnut Spread. I was so excited to finally try hazelnut spread from a brand that I love.



I am in a Shelf Challenge right now. And basically the idea is to cut your grocery bill by being super creative and using up the items found in your pantry then save the savings. I have a ton of pancake and waffle box mixes for some reason. I have made a bunch of batches and frozen them, we have had breakfast dinner more times than I can count, but my favorite thing to do with pancake box mix batter is to make muffins for the kids. You can add anything you like: honey, fruit, sprinkles, etc. But this time I added Once Again Nut Butter Amore Hazelnut Spread.

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Vegan Coffee Protein Shake for the Mom on the Go

I received this product for free from Moms Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

Summer is right around the corner and I don't know about you, but we are so busy during the summer and it can be hard to make healthy choices. I try to meal plan ahead and bring my lunch if I can and make sure I make myself some kind of breakfast. My go-to breakfast for on-the-go is a Coffee Protein Smoothie. It is easy to make with only 4 ingredients and I just throw every in the blender, then I'm done and ready to go. I have recently discovered a new vegan protein shake powder that has really stepped up my plant based protein in a very yummy way.

Vegan Coffee Protein Shake

The VeganSmart All-In-One Nutritional Shake contains a complete protein blend of five different non-GMO plant-based proteins to build and repair body tissue and muscle. The whole food complex consists of nine different healthy, colorful fruits and vegetables to support wellness. Each shake has 22 vitamins and minerals to support healthy cell function. The fiber content helps to keep you regular, while the omega blend supports a healthy brain, heart, and circulatory system. The shake contains prebiotics to stimulate the growth and maintenance of beneficial intestinal flora. The digestive enzymes blend assists in digesting foods more completely for greater absorption of nutrients.


Vegan Coffee Protein Shake Recipe


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Tips to Make Homemade Olive Oil Vinaigrette

This post is a sponsored conversation brought to you by Flavor Your Life campaign and Moms Meet. All opinions are my own.

 Being the frugal mom that I am, I love ways to save money while still dressing things up. Making your own dressings is a great way to not only save money, but you can also make your dressings as flavorful as you want and you don't have to sacrifice quality. The best and easiest to make dressing is an olive oil vinaigrette.


The key to an awesome vinaigrette is 1 part vinegar to 3 parts olive oil and add salt, pepper to taste. Olive oil should just be a staple in every kitchen. It is so versatile. Because Olive oil has a high smoke point (400° F), it can handle anything from a light sauté to a deep (and deeply flavorful) fry. You can bake with olive oil, as well. You can even preserve roasted veggies or use it to moisturize dry skin!

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