Healthy Meal Planning Simplified with #PlateJoy

This year, one of my resolutions (ok, more like goal) is to start eating healthier, so I can lose some unwanted pounds.  Like many, I know and have been told, that they way to do this is to eat  healthy (lean meats, fish, fruits & veggies.)  I KNOW THIS!  But putting it into action and actually planning this out, can seem like a chore...especially if you're on a budget.

There's this meal planning subscription plan, Plate Joy, that makes all of this so simple and easy.  I mean, it literally takes your answers and applies the meals, ingredients you need and creates a list for you.  No more guessing at what you SHOULD be buying, when it comes to healthy meals, but what you actually NEED, without any additional waste when it comes to food.

By joining Plate Joy, you will be asked questions, based on you tastes, health goals, family size, schedule and more.  Plate Joy will then create customized meals for you, that will simplify your life and keep you sticking to your New Years Resolution.  Your digital pantry at Plate Joy keeps track of the ingredients you already have on hand and pair your recipes together, to help reduce waste.

I found that this site (and app) was SO EASY to use and understand.  PlateJoy knew exactly what meals I liked, based on the answers I gave to PlateJoy.  They narrowed it down so I would get the best meal plans and recipes that suited ME! 

You will get recipes that fit your busy (or not so busy) schedule for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack...or...pick the meals that you only need. You can change the number of meals each week, to fit your schedule.  What's so great about PlateJoy is, you get optional-same day deliver, with no packaging and no subscriptions!  PlateJoy integrates with local stores in your town, so you can get optional delivery - without 
the boxes of dry ice.

Why Should You Join PlateJoy?

*Family Friendly

*Batch Cooking

*Slow Cooker Meals

*Budget Friendly

*Low Carb

*Paleo

*Low Sodium

*Weight Loss

*Vegan

*Vegetarian

*Keto

*Whole30

*Food Allergies

AND...with all of this, you will have access to all your plans on the go. Your recipes are sent straight to your phone, so you can easily access them when doing your grocery shopping for your NEW YOU!

I  have already implemented some of these recipes (breakfast is so easy with the meals I've chosen!)  Just look at the Breakfast Bento with Crackers, mozzarella and hard boiled egg I've had (minus the crackers since I'm trying to do somewhat of a low carb) and the Feta and Avocado Egg Scramble that I created!

Some of my meals are: Feta and Avocado Egg Scramble, Cajun Spiced Cauliflower and Pork Hash, BLT Egg Salad with Avocado, Mini Pizza with Spinach and Cheese, Make Ahead Spinach Scramble Quesadillas, Crunchy Chicken Tenders with Herbed Yougurt Dip plus much much more.  

PlateJoy is a great way to keep your New Years Resolution! And now...YOU CAN GET $15 OFF ANY SUBSCRIPTION.  JUST USE THE CODE: JOY2018 AT CHECKOUT. As a reminder...Please, please check out https://dealspotr.com/go/KL2Uo as PlateJoy periodically changes the coupon code.

Go directly to PlateJoy here: https://dealspotr.com/go/KL2Uo

***Sponsored Ad***

Enjoy A Low Carb Snack with These Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Pork Rinds

Do you love chips, but feel deprived because you are on a low carb diet? Being on a low carb diet is not so bad, unless you are used to eating certain snacks that are not good for you, such as chips, breads and pasta.  I've done the low carb thing before and finding low carb snacks seems harder than the finding actual meals.

When it comes to snacks and substituting chips, I found that pork rinds are a great alternative!  Not only are they low carb, but you can get these in several flavors and they satisfy that crunch!  If you live in a small town as I do, there's not many options when it comes to pork rinds.  There is either the plain or bbq flavored....that's it!  

Julias Pantry Etsy Shop just made my options a little bit better!  She has these wonderful tasting pork rinds, that are these sweet cinnamon sugar flavor.  They are definitely a different take on the original pork rinds!  They come in an 8 oz bag that makes one gallon!  These pork rinds are called Pork Puffies and they have only 1 carb per 1 cup serving.  They have a slight sweet taste with a hint of cinnamon sugar, perfect to curb any sweet and crunchy craving!

These pork puffies has 65% less fat, 33% less sodium, 40% less calories and 32 mg less cholesterol than original fried pork rinds. You can cook these pork rind puffies three different ways; microwave on a paper plate, oven bake them and fry them.  It's just that easy!

These taste so good!  I love the sweetness and the desert like snack that these pork rind puffies provide. If you aren't into the cinnamon sugar goodness of these pork rinds, you can find other flavors at Julias Pantry Etsy Shop.  She has the Original, Jalapeno, BBQ, Sassy Red Pepper, Habanero and Smokey Chipotle! 

Not only do these make for a great snack, but you can also use these as a breading!  You can make a 'bread-less" bread pudding or crush them and use as a low carb breading. That bread pudding sure does look good!

Go check out Julias Pantry Etsy Shop for these great pork rind puffies!  Not only will you find these great pork rind puffies, but you will also find Dips, batters, sauces, Pancake and waffle mix, oats, grains & grits, Southern drop biscuits and a whole lot more!  If you're looking for a great rub for meat grilling, you have to try Julia's Pantry Sassy Red Pepper Caramelizing Rub!

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***I may have received complimentary products,in exchange, for my honest and unbiased review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

The Healthier Ketchup - Not Ketchup!

How many of us are on the low carb, Paleo or Whole30 diet?  I know that I just started the low carb diet a month ago, and although I've pretty well stuck to it, staying 30 carbs and below, there were times (weekends seem to get me), that I just seem to throw all that out the window.  Then I think about this carb cycling program, where you stick to your low carb routine through the week and then up your carbs (carb overload) for the weekend, to give your body a shock and to get the metabolism rolling again, in burning a few more pounds.

Well, I've done that twice, and let me tell you, my stomach and digestive system pays for it...BIG TIME!  I miss my hamburgers (yeah, I know, I can have those without a bun, but not the same!) and other sandwiches.  I'm not much of a bread eater, but there are certain foods, where I just have to have the bread, ketchup, mustard and the works.

Being on a low carb diet, you are limited to what types of foods and condiments you can have.  Let's take ketchup for an example.  Ketchup is not TOO bad, when it comes to carbs, but it does contain the Not-So-Good ingredients, such as sugar, corn syrup and additives.

This Fruitchup, yes, I said Fruitchup, is a healthier version of the ketchup, by NotKetchupSauces.  Instead of using corn syrup and sugar to sweeten the ketchup, NotKetchupSauces uses raisins, dates, figs and real fruit to create this ketchup!  Let me tell you...this stuff is amazing!  I thought there could never be another substitute for ketchup, but I was wrong.  This is a little sweeter than ketchup and goes great with your burgers, fries and even steaks

This delicious ketchup is made with NO SUGAR ADDED, nor artificial sweeteners. Just plain ol' good fruit and natural ingredients.  This Fruitchup is:

     *Gluten free
     *Soy free
     *Vegan
     *Whole30
     *Paleo
     *Low Carb
     *Dairy free

This line of ketchup was created by Erika Kerekes, a culinary artist and flood blogger, who has battled with Type 2 Diabetes.  This has led her to create a healthier version of ketchup and sauces, not only for her, but for others who live a diabetic life, looking for a low carb sauce.  Not Ketchup brings healthy sauces to your kitchen, to flavor your gourmet meals!  

NotKetchupSauces has 11 items that are diabetic friendly, low carb, Paleo and Gluten Free.  They range from Not Ketchup sauces to BBQ Sauces & Chipotle sauces.   To be totally honest....I actually prefer this not ketchup over my regular ketchup!  I love the unique taste of this sauce and I can taste a hint of raisin, which by the way, I love!

Go check out this and other sauces at NotKetchupSauces Etsy Shop!


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***I may have received a complimentary product, in exchange,for my honest and unbiased review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

YUMMM! Grain Free, Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

I love breakfast.  I never skip it.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it gets you revved up for the day by starting off on the right foot with mental focus!  If I don't have my breakfast, I am famished by lunch time and I'm really not a pleasant person when I'm hungry!

During the week, I fix something that is fast...scrambled eggs, oats, etc. but then there is the weekend, where I can put together something that may take a little extra time, but will be so very much worth it...such as these cinnamon rolls!

Let me start off by saying...it's been a LONG time since I've had cinnamon rolls, home made at that.  These cinnamon rolls are the next best thing to home made and with these being gluten free, grain free, Low Carb, Paleo friendly with all the goodness of the real thing...HOW COULD I PASS THESE UP!

This cinnamon roll mix is by REAL BREAD.  There is only 4 net carbs per 3 TBS of mix, which comes out to 13 servings for the whole bag. These literally melt in your mouth with the sugar and cinnamon goodness you find in cinnamon rolls.  

There is a little prep to this mix.  You will have to add three ingredients; apple cider vinegar, water and eggs and blend this into your dry mix.  Blend the mix until well blended and let is set for a few minutes, until it's a dough like form. You will then roll and pat this out onto parchment paper (Don't skip this! I lightly floured my wood island and the mix stuck to it)  Pat out until it's 1/2" thickness and then add 1/2 cup butter evenly. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup cinnamon and 1/3 cup sugar mixture, roll firmly and then cut into 10-13 slices.

This mix does not come with the icing, so you will have to make your own from powdered sugar, cream cheese and milk or just do like i did...buy frosting and warm it in the microwave until it's slightly thinner. BINGO!

These cinnamon rolls were so divine!  They were warm, gooey and filled with that familiar cinnamon roll taste that my mom used to make.  I would not have known these were gluten and grain free if I had not have seen this.

REAL BREAD not only has this wonderful cinnamon roll mix, but they also have the mixes in Hamburger Buns, Sandwich Bread, Rustic Bread and Variety Paks! Trying out Real Grain Free Bread's Hamburger Buns today!

THE BIGGEST MYTH OF ALL?...that gluten free means healthy!
Did you know, that most gluten free products are made with extracted starches; such as tapioca (cassava), arrowroot, rice and potato, as well as other grains? These refined starches turn directly to sugar in your body and that means disease & weight gain!

REAL BREAD products are made without extracted starches and with Real Food ingredients that are: naturally high in fiber, a good source of protein and healthy fats, and full of vitamins and minerals our bodies need for Health and Vitality.  

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***I may have received a complimentary product(s), in exchange, for my honest and unbiased review.  All opinions expressed are ALWAYS 100% my own.

Atkins Endulge Pecan Caramel Clusters

Recently, like two weeks ago, I started on a low carb diet.  I don't want to think of it as a DIET, but more as eating the right types of low carb food.  I am following the Atkins 20 Diet, and on this diet, you are limited to 18-22 carbs per day for the first two weeks.  That doesn't seem like a lot of carbs, but you would be surprised the variety of foods you can eat, that are low carb.

Most of you know, that breads, wheat, pasta and potatoes are off limits the first two weeks. Atkins requires you stay in Phase I until you are 15lbs from your goal weight.  Although I am 15lbs or less from my goal, I plan on staying on Phase I another week.  With that being said, I've already lost 4lbs within that first two weeks, and I have not been hungry at all.  The one thing I miss most, is having something sweet, whether it's fruit or something chocolate.

That is why I was thrilled to have the opportunity to receive and try the Atkins Endulge Pecan Caramel Clusters, thanks to Nick, from Bazinga Worldwide on Amazon.  He was generous enough to send me a box, that contains 5 packages of the Atkins Endulge Pecan Caramel Clusters.  Each Package contains 2 cookies, that only have 120 calories per package and 2 Net Carbs!  2 NET CARBS!  That's what I'm talking about.  I can now have my little treat without feeling guilty!

These Atkins Endulge Pecan Caramel Clusters taste awesome!  They are not as thick as the Girl Scout Pecan Clusters, nor as the store bought ones, but they are just enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.  They are sweet, but not too sweet and very caramely...if that's even a word.

If you can't find the Atkins Endulge Pecan Caramel Clusters at your local Walmart or local grocery store, I would recommend you ordering yours today, from Bazinga Worldwide on Amazon.  


***I received the above product, free, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are always 100% my own and have not been influenced by any outside source.