1 Day Reset- Juice Cleanse with Sunshine Juice Co.

 I tried my first Juice Cleanse last week!  Initially I planned to do a 3-day cleanse, but a few things changed and I decided a 1-day cleanse would be a better first experience.  Overall it was delicious and refreshing.  It truly felt like the perfect "reset" for my body!

We have been trying to eat healthier in our home and cut back on sweets or what I like to call "filler snacks".  Ya know, the extra handful of goldfish after lunch or taste-testing desesrt while cooking dinner.  Maybe that's just me :)  I finally realized that while I am no longer pregnant or breastfeeding, my appetite is still eating for 2... and I needed to stop! This juice cleanse helped to do just that.  My appetite since the cleanse has decreased and my craving for coffee has decreased as well.  

The juices really did keep me feeling full all day long.  I actually saved the 2nd Mean Green for the next day because I couldn't drink it all!  I might have felt different after a 3 day cleanse, but I do think drinking tons of water & eating well leading up to the cleanse helped my body get through the day without any problems.  I drank all of the juices just fine- there were a couple I had to chug a little faster than the others because I didn't love the taste, but I'm still new to this juice stuff.  Hopefully I'll enjoy every one next time.  My favorite just might have been the new Sol H2O.  There is a spicy refreshing flavor that wakes you right up!

Anyways, I highly recommend trying one of the cleanses or running into Sunshine Juice Co. for a juice or smoothie this summer.  They are so kind and helpful in the store (or drive-thru!) so don't hesitate asking questions.  I can't wait to try their new summer juice flavor!

Have you ever tried a juice cleanse?  Do you have any tips for me on future cleanses? 3-day or 1-day? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Favorite of the Week- Telula Juice from Aldi

I'm thinking this should be a weekly thing...  a post with healthy, kid-friendly recommendations.  Well, more like an "Aldi Favorite of the Week" post because we all know that's my store ;)

I saw this new juice, Telula, the other day at our local Aldi.  While I was a little hesitant about the taste, I couldn't pass up the low price tag for cold-pressed organic juice.  Guess what? Both of these juices (Blackberry Chia & Green Fusion) were delicious! Even better, my 5 and 3 year old approved and asked for seconds of both.  Win-Win!

Check back next week for a new healthy favorite that is kid-approved.  And please comment below with your favorites of the week so we can all help each other out!

Enter your email below to have future posts sent straight to your inbox...

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Well Worn Cookbooks

Is there anything better than a well worn cookbook?

Okay, the worn pages of well read Bible ;)
But there is something so special about a handwritten recipe card or a cookbook with stains and folded down pages.  There is a post in the works about my favorite new cookbooks and websites we have been using as a family.  As I pulled out some cookbooks for meal planning today, I couldn't help but laugh at the tattered books! I must be really rough on them!  So here are my top three go-to cookbooks I've been using the last several years before I share some of my new favorites.

Start Fresh - Tyler Florence


Bread & Wine - Shauna Niequist


Cooking with Friends - Vera Bradley


I love that they open easily to my most used recipes (because there are spills and splotches on those pages).  The Start Fresh book is faded because I used to have it sitting out in our kitchen herb window.  The kids love opening this book and pointing to a picture of what they want to create in the kitchen. The recipes are easy for an entire family with options to puree food or include toddlers with a Goldfish Chowder ;)  Shauna Niequist's book was accidentally left in the rain when Vera was a newborn because I had been soaking up the sunshine and her beautiful words from our backyard.  I can't decide whether I love her stories or recipes more... I truly believe there is no way to separate the two.  Such raw beauty shared at the table.  And I have truly enjoyed "Cooking with Friends" because of the seasonal aspect of this cookbook.  Perfect for hosting a themed seasonal party or picking out recipe for a simple dinner.

Comment below with some of your favorite recipes books or websites... I might just add it to my list and share more in a future post!

Blue Apron- Meal Planning

I figured it was about time I tried one of these fresh meal deliveries!  I found a major coupon for my first order- pretty cheap for 3 meals.  The full price does not work for our family budget.  I stay at home and as nice as it sounds to have fresh food delivered to our door, that is one area where we can save money.  (and the reason for my love of Aldi!)  I thought I would at least give it a try with the coupon. 

 I was extremely impressed with how it came packaged and organized in the box.  There were 3 papers that listed the ingredients along with step-by-step instructions.  My favorite part was the photo series that went along with the recipes- so helpful! One of the reasons I love Pioneer Woman recipes :) The ingredients were packed in well and kept cold, but you do have to schedule your delivery for a day you will be home. 

So far, I have cooked 2 of the 3 recipes.  I didn't love the Crispy Chicken recipe, but the Salmon was delicious!  I have already learned several new cooking techniques that I would not have tried on my own.  Everything was explained very well and I think I only googled once ;) I would not have made collard greens (they actually were pretty good) or thought to saute saffron and orange juice with my carrots (so flavorful!)  I love that the meals are fresh and the kids enjoyed them with us.  While it is not something we will do on a weekly basis, it might be a fun family night or date night in- learning a new cooking technique and enjoying the process together.  And you get to keep the recipes for future use! 

Have you tried any meal deliveries? I feel like I'm constantly seeing ads on social media for so many brands- do you have a favorite?  If you want to try Blue Apron, I think I have 3 coupons for free meals so send me an email!

Simple Fall Salad- Trader Joe's

Everyone should try this simple salad!  Run to Trader Joe's or like me... drive to Louisville and run to Trader Joe's!  Their vinaigrette and pumpkin spiced pumpkin seeds make this salad incredible.  And of course I had to top it with bacon ;)

 

Salad from Savannah Garcia on Vimeo.

New Aldi Favorites

 When we first moved to Newburgh, I had to get used to new grocery stores and a new budget.  So many people recommended Aldi, but I had a bad experience with a dirty store in Texas so I never went back :) Finally after going over our grocery budget too many times- hating Walmart- having too big of a stock pile from Sam's Club- I decided I would give Aldi a second chance.

I've heard each Aldi is different, but thankfully the Evansville one is pretty clean!  Their variety of healthy options (and gluten-free, dye-free, etc.) has even grown over the past year since I've started regularly shopping there.  If I'm cooking from recipes, there are usually a few items that I can't find at Aldi.  I typically shop at Aldi 2-3 times a month in bulk and then do little trips to Target, Schnucks or Fresh Market in between for specialty items.  Anyways, enough about my random obsession with this grocery store ;) Here are my top 4 items I found this week:

 The kids LOVE these fruit pouches, but they can be so expensive.  These are cheap & contain no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors.

 How cute is this pasta?!  The Specially Selected brand always has seasonal treats- usually a little more expensive, but worth it!

 Lots of great salsa and guacamole at Aldi- this Mango Peach is my new favorite!

And of course, their fresh fruit & veggies- this week blueberries and strawberries were 99 CENTS!

Do you have any grocery budgeting tips?  Or favorite items at your Aldi that I need to try?

Happy National Coffee Day!

Y'all know our love of coffee. Sadly our coffee bar has been taken over by scarf inventory, but there is no shortage of coffee makers, presses, etc. in our home.  I'm slowly moving my "shop" up to the guest room- in hopes of getting our dining room & coffee bar back to normal ;) 

National Coffee Day is always a great start to Patrick's birthday week (and a good reminder, in case I forget his birthday is coming!) since he is master coffee connoisseur.  Our first date was over coffee and it didn't take me long to realize that talking over a good cup of coffee is definitely his love language. 

I was looking through old posts the other day and found this one {here} of JR learning about espresso from his daddy... the week before Vera was born! And even now JR loves to help Patrick with coffee and will inform me of the right technique if I do the aeropress wrong :)

Savor a good cup of coffee with a friend today or let the kids watch an extra few minutes of TV so you can simply rest & enjoy a cup by yourself... while it's still hot.

mug from {Lettered Life} & scarf {Everyday Pitter Patter}
& fresh market coffee beans {intelligentsia}

Special Coupon!

I've been posting special sales & giveaways on my Instagram @everydaypitpat but didn't want my sweet blog readers to feel left out! 
Use the code "FREESHIP" through the weekend for free shipping.
And I hope wherever you are there is some cool weather heading your way! I just got home from the grocery (by myself- hooray!!) and there are now Apple Cider- Chili- and Smores in my home!! Ready for a fun fall weekend with friends :)

(My chili recipe is similar to this one {here} although I usually change it up each time... and my favorite fall soup recipe- Chicken Tortilla is on this post {here})

First Birthday Party "On the Farm"

 We celebrated this big boy's first birthday last weekend with a special party and lots of friends! 

The Farm Menu:
Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches
Corn Cheese Dip (Recipe coming soon)
Tractor Wheels- Oreos
Chicken Feed- Chex mix
Pigs in a Blanket
and the cutest Tractor cupcakes made by our friend Heidi & her daughter Carlee!

 (easy construction paper banner!)

I made John Ryman his own little Funfetti Cake...  not sure which he liked more- the actual cake or everyone watching him & singing Happy Birthday!

We are so thankful for so many friends, our Texas family, that joined us in celebrating one year with our precious boy!  Wish I had taken more pictures of everyone.  John Ryman had a special day!

"Little Man" Baby Shower

We had so much fun celebrating with Annagrace & Steven as they wait for their baby boy to arrive!  She is due Dec. 31 so it won't be long.  Can't wait to meet you sweet Kingston!

I tried to make the menu a little "manly" in honor of the baby boy and the husbands that joined the party...

Here are some of the recipes:

Bacon-Wrapped Potato Bites with Spicy Sour Cream from {here}- These were so easy!  Wrapping the bacon took a little extra time, but SO worth it.
Corn & Black Bean Salsa: (1 cup corn, 1 can of beans (drained), 1 can of fire roasted diced tomatoes, cilantro, 1 green pepper, 2 tsp garlic), salt & pepper)
"It's a Boy" Cigar Pretzels: Dip Pretzel Rod in softened Vanilla Icing tub.  Swirl around until covered to your preference and place on a plate.  Put on the sprinkles before icing hardens.
Apple Cider Punch (6 cups Apple Cider, 2 cups Sprite, 1 cup Orange Juice, 1/8 cup lemon juice-served cold)

I made all the banners & signs to match the invitation- super easy!

I am hoping to post some template PDFs on this post if I can figure it out one day, but 

until then feel free to email me if you want to use something & I can send you the document file.