Less Is More: Clean Eating With Lärabar On The Go

Momma Told Me: Sometimes less is more.


As many of you know, I've played around a lot with Vegan and clean eating over the past year. When a close friend of ours made a dramatic lifestyle change, 2 years back, I was worried everyday events, such as social gatherings and seasonal celebrations, would become hard to include him in. I can only imagine the undertaking of so dramatically limiting your everyday palette, while being so acutely aware of every ingredient in every item placed before you. So I committed myself to exploring what it truly meant to be Vegan, and set out to experience an array of dietary options we could both enjoy during mutual events. I'll have to say I was surprised- eating 'simpler' was not always easy!

When you live a busy lifestyle any commitment to healthy eating or living can seem like a massive chore. I've found the simplest way to begin eating cleaner is to go back to the basics. Most of my best Vegan recipes include 5 ingredients or less, and often have at least one base ingredient in common. I use dates often, not only for their nutritional content, but their texture and binding impact within recipes. And I find, when I limit the ingredients I can not only enjoy the natural richness of flavors, but I fuel my body with pure, clean, energy that satisfies me long beyond a hunger craving.

It wasn't long ago my friend asked if I'd ever heard of a brand called Lärabar, a company that's entire motto revolved around 'food made from food.' I scoffed a little imaging it was another brand committed to non-GMO, preservative free food- which is great, but truly, how all food should be made in my opinion, and nothing too special. As it turns out Lärabars are actually food brought down to it's simplest structure- they're about as 'real' as you can get next to eating the ingredients in their raw forms. Imagine grabbing an apple and some almonds, walnuts, and raisins and heading out the door on a hike- that's the Apple Pie Lärabar in a wrapper. Convenient, delicious, real, food. Period.

My two biggest hurdles to eating cleaner, and healthier, is the lack of convenience on the go, and the cost of keeping delicious healthy ingredients on hand. Cue Lärabar products at Sam's Club. Sam's Club members can now pick up a Lärabar 18ct variety pack of fruit and nut bars or a 16oz Chocolate Macaroons Lärabar Bites bag and keep their cupboards stocked with real, delicious, snacks. For those who have never experienced Lärabar before, the 18ct variety pack is the perfect way to play with fun flavors and try some of the brand's most popular bars like Cashew Cookie, Apple Pie, and Peanut Butter Cookie.

These flavors might sound like indulgent bars from heaven but they're all non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Dairy Free, and Kosher. They also pack a powerful blend of natural fiber and protein to help keep you feeling satisfied and fueled on the go. My favorite, Peanut Butter Cookie, contains just 3 ingredients- 3! And it's so satisfying I actually chop up half a bar for an afternoon snack in a little bowl I like to call 'Peanut Butter And Jelly Protein.'

You don't need to be a master chef to whip up this delicious snack. All you need is about 5oz of Greek Yogurt (I like to use Blueberry Greek), fresh blueberries, raspberries, honey (note: honey is not Vegan), and half a Peanut Butter Cookie Lärabar. slice your Lärabar in slivers, then slice each sliver into quarters so you get a little bite-sized pop of delicious chewy peanut butter flavor in each bite. Then layer your Greek yogurt with a sprinkling of Lärabar pieces, raspberries, and blueberries until your bowl is nice and inviting. Drizzle a thin ribbon of honey atop and enjoy clean eating at it's most delicious!

So you might not be quite ready to toss out the soda pop and candy bars from your kitchen, but clean eating can be equally convenient and satisfying for you none-the less. Eating simple, real, whole ingredients is a lifestyle change, but Lärabar makes it easy for anyone to enjoy the fruits of their labor with inspired products that are just as tempting. Not much for bars? Check out their Lärabar bites, the 5 ingredient Chocolate Macaroon flavor is worthy of hiding and hoarding all on it's own. Now, tell me, what's a simple low ingredient recipe or snack you love to prepare and eat to recenter yourself?

What Daughter Says: Real quality ingredients don't need to be dressed up to taste great. Lärabar is proof of that.

Love Bug Headband Tutorial, You Make My Heart Glow Printable + YumEarth Allergy Friendly Valentines

YumEarth provided some allergy free treats in adorable Valentine's Day packaging to help inspire this post, no further compensation was provided. All thoughts and photos contained below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2016.

Momma Told Me: Share the love.

With the exception of dairy, our immediate family is fortunate enough not to have any allergies or food sensitivities, which allows us to indulge in holidays with little refrain. However, when it comes to the topic of children, holidays become much more than  an extra treat here and there, but a social event which is often celebrated among many peers at parties and school functions. Do you know that an estimated 8% of K-12 children have some form of major food allergy or sensitivity? Holidays are about sharing the love, not singling people out- so we've put together a few amazing, and simple, ways for kids to share the Valentine's Day spirit in a more including manor.

First up is YumEarth Organics gummy bears in special seasonally packages Valentine's Day serving pouches. These .40oz (approximately 6 bears per serving) Gummy Bear pouches are individually packaged and ready to pass out. You may recognize YumEarth from their previous features here on Momma Told Me for their Naturally Flavored, NON GMO, Synthetic Free, Real Fruit Juice candies and snacks that really put the 'sweet' back in 'sweets.' These delicious bears are not only made with real fruit juice, but real cane sugar as well, and come in a variety of delicious flavors like Mango Tango, Perfectly Peach, and Strawberry Smash. Best of all these are Nut and Gluten Free, making them a great sweet option and alternative to mainstream candy when sharing with classmates.

Many of the children at the daycare are on strict diets for gluten sensitivities or behavioral issues.  While I love them like my children, they aren't my children, so I am always extra picky with what I'll share for snack time and holiday treats. YumEarth Gummy Bears and Sour Beans pass the parent test of approval in front of a very tough crowd, and the kids NEVER know the difference between YumEarth and 'mainstream candy.' Of course, depending on your own child's dietary restrictions, or perhaps your own parenting rules, you may wish to discourage sugar all-together as a group element., so we've come up with a simple sugar-free Valentine's idea and a fun craft everyone will love celebrating with.

There are few things as exciting to the kids as a glow stick, and glow stick are entirely cheap and affordable. You can pick up a container of 50 mixed glow sticks for about $7 at the local party store, more than enough for an entire class. So grab the FREE "You Make My Heart Glow" Valentine Printable at the bottom of this post, use a hole punch to put a hole in the bottom and top and you've got instant Valentines sure to be a kit at any party or school event. If you want to get really fancy you can even print them on card-stock for a keepsake that's sure to last. Just don't bend those glow sticks while putting them together!

Of course, growing up, one of my favorite things about any holiday was the special craft projects I'd make at school and take home to show off to my parents. A simply art or craft project can help open a great dialogue for discussion of the holiday's origin, which relationships we're thankful for, and how we can show our love every day of the year. Some of the youngest kids in our group began the afternoon repeating how Valentine's Day was 'just for married people and moms and dads,' but we soon explored how love for a new baby brother, special grandmother, and even a best friend can be worth celebrating too.

With a few poster boards from the dollar store, a pack of colored pipe cleaners, a pair of scissors, a roll of tape, and some markers you can easily make these Love Bug Headbands. I began by cutting our poster-board in 2" strips length-wise. Next each child picked out a heart sticker and wrote 'Love Bug' as close to the center of the strip of paper as their dexterity skills allowed. Then they twisted and bent their 'antennae' and taped them on the inside of the paper at either side of their lettering. Next an adult wrapped the headband around their head to measure for fit and cut two interlocking notches to help size. Of course you could just staple or tape the back of the headband if desired, too.

Each and every child enjoyed making their Love Bug headbands, and not a single one was alike. Some boys drew their favorite sports team symbols on the sides while another child drew a portrait of his family, and even the 4 year old scribbled her lettering on the front with complete pride. Smelly markers always help make craft time more fun, of course- but we managed without any painted noses this time. And, when we were all done, we sat down to enjoy a nice all natural nut and gluten free YumEarth treat- our favorite YumEarth Organics Gummy Bears in Valentine's packaging. Grab your YumEarth Organics treats in time for Valentine's Day online at Amazon.com or locally at a Walgreens, Whole Foods, Albertsons or more near you. See the complete store list here.

What Daughter Says: Be sure to include everyone this Valentine's Day with some allergy friendly Valentine's Day ideas and treats!

Citizen Chef: How I Fake Fresh Grilled Hawaiian Shish Kabobs

***I was sent product sample, from Citizen Chef, for a feature here on Momma Told Me. Regardless, no other compensation was provided and all photos and content contained there in is copyright Momma Told Me 2013.
Momma Told Me: Cook with creativity.

When I was a child I wanted to do everything Momma did. From an early age I was attached by the hip, impatiently peering over kitchen counter tops to meticulously study how she would cook. To me, there were few things more magical than how Momma would turn boring ingredients into a mouth watering meal. And, when I grew old enough to hold cognitive conversations, and maintain my own personality, we began to watch our favorite channel together, the Food Network. Second only to Mystery Science Theater 3000 was our delight to play reruns of Iron Chef (the original dubbed Japanese episodes) on mute and voice over the flamboyant Chairman and judges with ridiculous commentary. I tell you this, because that is where I learned you must be resourceful in the kitchen. Sure a Japanese gentleman in Liberace style clothes doesn't burst into your kitchen with a table full of bizarre ingredients, though sometimes I open my fridge and certainly feel that way, but managing time and money when cooking can present it's own unique challenges.

In the home chef community there is much debate about cooking from scratch vs. using found ingredients (pre-made sauces, prepared meats, etc). Well, in my kitchen I am simply cooking for my friends and family. I don't have to worry about being voted off, or scorned on Yelp (my establishment is a privately listed one), and I know my guests will be grateful for whatever food falls on their plate. But it's still fun to 'pull a fast one' from time to time and take the credit for a job well done, where minimal effort is required. Thanks to the all natural ingredients of Gluten Free Citizen Chef Simmer Sauces, and companion meal ideas/recipes, I can whip up a gourmet meal with the simple addition of, well, anything. These delicious sauces can be used to marinate, simmer, drizzle or dip, and infuse complex flavors of fresh zesty ingredients int any meal or gathering. Most recently I was preparing a rather large portion of pork and veggies for a family get together involving a grill. I wanted to sample my dish before it hit the grill, so I prepared Jay and I a little sample of Hawaiian Shish Kabobs and Corn Niblets.

I diced up an 8lb Pork Butt Roast into even cubes and marinated it overnight in a simple teriyaki marinade, then I grabbed a handful of the fresh chopped veggies and portion of pork and tossed it into our electric skillet. About halfway through cooking I drizzled some of Citizen Chef's Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ sauce
 over the ingredients. This quickly began to caramelize and stick the the Pork, resulting in a beautiful fresh from the grill sear. Just as I was about to pull the vegetables out, I added my corn niblets, rolling the cob into the skillet with light force to pick up the juices and flavor that was baking onto the bottom of the skillet. The result was a fresh from the barbie plate of Summer ready food, full of rich and zesty flavor, and all in just less than 10 minutes, with only 1 piece of kitchenware to clean up!

While this was only meant as a test, I'll certainly be trying this out at home again soon. With only 2 adults to feed in our home most of the time, breaking out the BBQ can seem like a daunting chore. Thanks to the flavorful Hawaiian Pineapple BBQ Sauce I can recreate a Summer cookout in my own home with less than half the mess. I'm certain some of the pork's tenderness and flavor was gained through the overnight marinate, but the slightly sweet glaze on our veggies was entirely thanks to my secret weapon; sous chef Citizen Chef. These amazing natural simmer sauces are sold nationwide at Sprouts and Safeway chains. Head on over to the Citizen Chef website for recipe ideas and a store locator, and stay tuned for more culinary adventures with The Citizen.

What Daughter Says: Citizen Chef helps me create flavorful meals with a little inspiration.