as new parents... we got into a HORRIBLE habit of grabbing chicken tenders and letting the Gillies (now toddler twins) munch on the tenders while we shop.

this was to allow us to get our groceries and the necessities while having happy wee ones being toted around. #parentingsurvivalmode

well. the other day, I knew we were in trouble... when we pulled up to the grocery store and cheers for "CHICKEN" were exclaimed from the back seat!   YIKES!!!

nothing like toddlers to keep you HONEST and speak the truth!!!  

so. we decided to make NEW traditions (and healthier habits)... we got chicken tenders to make AT HOME and they helped  SCORE!!!

these chicken nuggets MAY look a wee bit different but they are loaded with goodness... free-roaming, antibiotic free, hormone free (all that jazz) chicken tenders which are coated with freshly toasted and crushed almonds.

these homemade chicken nuggets were a HIT... plus, it's another recipe that this mama doesn't feel bad about...

growing up, I always "assumed" granola was healthy.  I would see folks eating it with yogurt... berries... parfaits, etc.  and I just thought it was good for you.  but when I dug deep and started reading labels- YIKES- I noticed MOST granola is loaded with sugar!!!   with all the added sugar, the granola I was getting OFF the shelf should be considered a TREAT and not a daily consumption. 
 
so.  I did what I typically do when I learn something is bad for me... I give it up... completely.  I'm not good with having temptation in the house... seriously.  I can eat a WHOLE bag of tortilla chips if left in the pantry.  YIKES, again. 
 
then I started seeing all those yummy PINTEREST recipes... berries, granola, etc.  and it got me thinking... "why can't there be a healthier version?" ... hmm... "I bet we can whip one up!"  
 
now.  to stay true to our health goals which promote optimal brain and gut health... we...

dudes. 
 
three things... 
1. why on Earth do I keep saying "dude", I'll need to come up with another term. 
 
2. hubster grilled up some skillet chicken and mama sliced it up for a salad... loaded with arugula, spinach, pears, chicken, Gorgonzola and walnuts. it's the bees knees
 
3. fun fact: arugula was thought to be an aphrodisiac back in the day now not so much BUT it's loaded with potassium and vitamin C... so there's that. 
 
just a bit of salad trivia for ya.

what's your favorite salad... it's kinda a strange, but I use to think salads were so much better IN a restaurant... then I learned, I could make them at home JUST as yummy!!!   the key... good lettuce.  fresh ingredients (duh).  the extras (roasted walnuts? candied pecans?  speciality cheeses?).  the dressing.  um... so the all the ingredients really ;)  
 
anywho.  here's the ingredients to this yummy bowl of greens. 

GROCERIES:

• 1...

seriously.  hands-down the best "pasta" we have ever had... and this is stating a lot since I'm a girl that doesn't care for pasta.... WHAT!?!  I know.  horror.  
 
anywho.  here's the deal. 
yesterday. the Gillies, our twin toddlers, were being a wee bit picky about their meals... it happens right.  and the hubster casually mentioned, well, they always eat their pasta!  then of course, they heard pasta... so we get little chants of "sghetti"... "sghetti"... "mama, sghetti"... "mama, where's the sghetti?!?".  adorable. 
 
but.  we didn't have any pasta (gluten free is what we typically give them) nor did we have zucchini (hubster and I tend to reach for zoodles instead of pasta).  so, I began searching the pantry and found two sweet taters.  hmmm... I believe I spotted an instagram photo of a girl eating sweet tater noodles.  hubster had doubts.  rightfully so, I tend to forget things... 
 
so...

let's get it out on the table, shall we... I don't like pancakes.  

((( GASP )))  

seriously.  I'm not a huge fan of pancakes... waffles... french toast... pizza, to come to think of it.  but, that's a different story altogether.  
 
however, the hubster is a HUGE... HUGE... HUGE fan of pancakes.  every time, we would travel and hit up an old diner... pancakes would be his order.  while my order was typically grits with bacon and sunny side up eggs. 
 
anywho.  with this love of pancakes, he was given the prestigious title, "PANCAKE MAKER" in  our house.  this meant, he never got to make pancakes ;)  UNTIL the Gillies were born.  
 
(in case you didn't know... Gillies are what we call our twins) 
 
so.  when they were born and began eating solids... the hubster wanted to make pancakes a weekend tradition... YAY!!!!  

(that was dripped with sarcasm).  

WHAT!?!  pancakes... ugh....