Momma Told Me: How My #HealthyChoices Make My Life More Flavorful

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How My #HealthyChoices Make My Life More Flavorful

Healthy Choice
Momma Told Me: Life's too fast not to use shortcuts.

When I was a child it was primarily Momma's responsibility to raise me through hands on education. Disabled, she was always there when I arrived home from school, and through every single vacation of my grade school years. She was up before me, and in bed after me, every day for a good 16 years. Just thinking about it exhausts me. Today, I face my own set of similar challenges as I begin my own family and learn the ins and outs of adult responsibility. Though I work out of the house, it certainly seems like my personal titles are never-ending; sanitation expert, hostile negotiations peacekeeper, chef, financial planner, zoologist. Okay, so I may not hold degrees for these titles, but my workload certainly keeps me busy enough to feel like a dedicated professional. The simple truth is, the average adult spends so much time taking care of their family, coworkers, and others, they tend to neglect themselves.
Frozen greek yogurt
Growing up Momma had a secret for those especially rough days. She loved to cook, and would often make large batches of food in advance and freeze meals for future use. But even Momma was caught off guard with an unexpected school event, or one of dad's business trips, from time to time. You may recall,I'd often tag-along with her grocery shopping during school breaks and summer vacations; so I'd always get a say in helping to choose Momma's secret weapons. Choosing well rounded and delicious frozen meals the whole family would love was just another part of Momma's plan to help keep the family full, and he sanity in tact. As a child, in the beginning, I'd run towards the brightly colored frozen entrees. I quickly learned that not every colorful package in the frozen aisle was as tasty, or healthy as it seemed. Momma, herself, was partial to Healthy Choice. I recall, one time, there was a tremendous sale on frozen foods and we brought home over 10 Healthy Choice Chicken Pot Pies. Full of hearty vegetables floating in warm creamy sauce, with a comforting flaky crust (just like Momma could make), these meals were satisfying treats that got Momma out of serious time crunches.
Momma knew to choose Healthy Choice because of their wide range of preservative free, clearly labeled, selections, which boasted home comfort flavors and direct from freezer convenience. She knew that a Healthy Choice meal would never lack in well rounded nutrition, or flavor, and could easily be substituted for any for-mentioned meal plans in a pinch. Trusting this brand was just one of the many #HealthyChoices Momma instilled in me. I also learned, whenever an options, to always choose the stairs, pick the parking spot furthest away from the door (but still in a well lit area), and that grocery unpacking can be a viable muscle building activity. You don't have to have access to a home gym to make the most out of everyday activities, and burn enough extra calories to make a difference. Just one or two of these lifestyle changes can truly add up and result in a healthier heart and body over time.
top chef steamers
Believe it or not, I also coupon in order to live healthier. Unless your budget is limitless, and chances are it is not, you likely find yourself wrestling with the health factor of costly fresh foods, versus cheap convenience foods. Whether you casually clip mailer coupons, or enthusiastically hunt down printables and paper inserts, shaving dollars of your grocery bill bottom line leave more wiggle room for necessary ingredients like fresh fruits and veggies. You'll also find printable coupons for Healthy Choice varieties, just like the Top Chef Steamers and Greek Frozen Yogurt ones on our sidebar! When you combine these coupons with the everyday low prices at your local WalMart (yes, they take coupons), you can pay $1.50/less for these #HealthyChoices, the entire family will love!
Over the past year a newer Healthy Choice I've adopted is to cut sugar out of my beverages. In the past I would consume over 800 calories a day in juices, sodas, and sports drinks, not to mention how many grams of sugar that amounted to! With smart meal planning, such as my favorite Healthy Choice Top Chef Steamer and Frozen Greek Yogurt, ample bottles of water, and a half hour of treadmill a day I have dropped over 30lbs in the past 5 months. That's worth bragging about, and could not have been easier. Not only do I feel much better when I stay properly hydrated, but drinking water regularly throughout the day helps curb my snack cravings and keep me full between meals. I know I don't get my required 8 glasses a day every day, but I'm working towards it!
One of my final #HealthyChoices is less of a choice and more of an innate truth; my pets are my family, and they love me as much as I love them. While I won't start a philosophical debate about whether or not Sparky is really adding years to your life, the emotional satisfaction I get in return for taking care of my furry family members is enough of a return for me. Naturally, those who have dogs typically benefit from the added exercise of walks and interaction, but my cats assist my mental health just as much. I certainly never feel alone or hopeless with one of my fur-babies cuddles by my side; if only I could find the equivalent of Healthy Choice for them. I worry so much about their nutrition and well being, it's nice to know that Healthy Choice can take some of the guesswork out of mine.
Sweet and Fluffy Cornbread
click here for printable recipe

Ingredients:

* 2 C Cornmeal
* 2 C All Purpose Flour
* 1 1/3 C Granulated Sugar
* 1 TSP Salt
* 1 TSP Baking Soda
* 2 C Light Sour Cream
* 1 C Butter, or Margerine Substitute
* 4 Eggs
* 4 TBS Honey (or Sugar Free Substitute)

Directions:
Preheat Oven to 375F
Grease 9x13" Baking Dish

1.) Mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. 
2.) Add sour cream, butter, eggs, and honey; stir until fully incorporated.
3.) Pour batter into prepared baking dish and bake 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
crustless chicken pot pie
As much as I love cooking from scratch, it simple isn't practical 100% of the time; choosing flavorful and well balanced frozen meals, like the Healthy Choice Top Chef Steamers, is a no brainier for me. Preservative free, and with hearty home inspired varieties like Crustless Chicken Pot Pie, I know I can give my family a delicious meal without the fuss. Recently I prepared my low fat Sweet and Fluffy Cornbread with Crustless Chicken Pot Pie atop, and was in complete heaven. When paired with a crisp bottle of water and one of the new creamy Frozen Greek Yogurt Chocolate cups, I could indulge in the entire meal for around 500 calories. The hearty chunks of chicken breast among the rich Pot Pie Sauce, Dumplings, and Veggies played perfectly with the slightly sweet honey flavor of this simple side. But my true new obsession was the indulgence of Healthy Choice's 100 calorie Greek Frozen Yogurt cups, complete with a swirl of tart Dark Chocolate fudge- no skimping on flavor or texture here! There seem to be an overwhelming number of frozen convenience meals these days, for more insight into my purchase decisions check out my Google+ here, and be sure to download the coupons on the sidebar!

What Daughter Says: Convenient eating doesn't have to be unhealthy eating.





I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and ConAgra Foods #cbias #SocialFabric.

22 comments:

  1. I always love your posts. They are informative and grab my attention. Kudos to eating healthy and making healthy choices and I, for one, would agree about the fur babies.... They steal your heart!

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  2. I feel so much better since I've decided to eat healthier. The Healthy Choice Top Chef Steamers looks yummy.

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  3. I have always loved Healthy choices meals. They keep up with all the latest food trends and incorporate those into each meal. I also love you showed YOUR healthy choices

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  4. I find it fun to eat healthily. I have discovered that when you are creative enough to replace the high cal stuff with lower cal stuff, it is worth it!

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  5. Great pictures, this makes me totally want to make that recipe. I take the Top Chef lunches to work often, they are delish!

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  6. oh oh oh. you always hit me when I am hungry...

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  7. We have been working toward healthier choices as well. I haven't tried the Healthy Choice Top Chef Steamers yet, but they would be great for work lunches!

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  8. when i use to work outside the home healthy choices work my go to work food :)

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  9. I really like the Healthy Choice meals!

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  10. I am addicted to the Greek Yogurt

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  11. I don't really like frozen meals, but Health Choice meals looks really good, I'm going to have to try it out. It's always good to have a quick meal ready when you don't have time to make one on your own.

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  12. I love the greek yogurt ice cream and the Top Chef meals. They are both in my freezer right now!

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  13. I'd love to start eating healthier. I don't like tea but that yogurt looks yummy! Great post!

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  14. I like the Healthy Choice frozen dinners. I have not yet tried their yogurt

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  15. I am not very good at eating or cooking healthy but I'd like to learn both. The corn bread and chicken pot pie look delicious. Your blog is making me hungry!

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  16. I am trying hard to cook healthier things for the family. Cooking is harder for me, but I have nailed the snacks and no one has complained at all. They have been eating raw fruits and veggies for an entire month (so have I)and it feels so great to know they are eating healthy.

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  17. We are working on being healthy. Some of the healthier foods and drinks take a bit to get used to though!

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  18. Healthy Choice does make good meals for frozen food product, they have alot of flavor and variety. I have not had their yogurt, but will try. I have just changed from regular yogurt to Greeek Yogurt and I will admit the Greek is much tastiers. Remember take it one day at a time..

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  19. That cornbread looks so darn good. Healthy choice has some great food. I have tried several.

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