Creating playlists

I wrote a blog post 3 years ago on making a running playlist.  I'm still listening to a lot of that music but my means have changed a bit.  Now there's Pandora radio, Spotify, and iTunes.  There was iTunes then, and maybe the others but I didn't know how to use them =)  I have created several playlists using these apps for different times in my day.  We recently cut cable so I'm finding that I love having music playing in the background of my day.  I have one for Sunday mornings, one I like to listen to when cleaning and, of course, a Christmas playlist! 

Here's my top 5 tips for making your playlist:

1.  Be inspired - choose music that inspires you in whatever activity you're doing.  I like easy-listening/pop while I'm cleaning.  I listen to my Christian playlist on Sundays when Liam and I are getting ready.  I have upbeat pop/rap and Christian for my running music.  I need to be motivated and it does just that!

2.  Explore new albums without purchasing them - You can listen to entire albums in Spotify shortly after their release to see if you want to buy them.  And signing up with Spotify is 100% free.  You have to listen to ads every couple songs but that's worth the free for me personally.  Pandora radio is also a good deal as it groups all different artists together based on what you want/like.  

3.  Use suggestions - Pandora and Spotify will suggest artists or albums to you based on what you have liked or put in a playlist.  Try them out!  I have found some of my favorite artists that way!

4.  Go back in time - I have created a few playlists with all my 80's and 90's favs.  (Yes, that's old to me)  But those songs take me back to childhood and instantly boost my mood. These playlists are often saved for my morning commute. They put me in a great mood for the day!

5.  Follow your friends - Search for your friends in Spotify and see what they're listening too.  Try a new artist while you're exploring!  

Here's a few screen caps of my favorite playlists:

PS - Here's my top 5 songs right now - no matter my mood!  

1. He Knows My Name - Francesca Battistelli
2. September - Earth, Wind and Fire
3. Try - Colbie Caillat
4. Leave the Night On - Sam Hunt
5. The Rock Won't Move - The Vertical Church Band


Happy playlists friends!

Food Review: Chia Seeds

First of all: What are chia seeds?!  

Remember Chia Pets?  Yep, they're still around and that's what I'm talking about.  Chia seeds are edible seeds grown in Mexico.  "Chia" means strength and natives have been ingesting the black and white seeds for an energy boost for years.  

Chia seeds are an unprocessed, whole-grain food that can be absorbed by the body as seeds (unlike flaxseeds). One ounce (about 2 tablespoons) contains 139 calories, 4 grams of protein, 9 grams fat, 12 grams carbohydrates and 11 grams of fiber, plus vitamins and minerals.

Some people claim that they help with weight loss, but studies are still inconclusive from what I could find.  

 

Uses?
I sprinkle them on my smoothie for added fiber and an extra crunch.  Use them in cereal or yogurt!  

Nutritional value?
These little seeds are honestly fabulous.  3x more calcium than milk, 3x more iron than spinach, 8x the omega-3 than salmon and many more!  

Taste?  
They sort of remind me of a bird seed.  I guess if you ate bird seed =)  I let them sit in my smoothie one time and they sort of grew and expanded like the chia pet and the taste was more gummy.  No bueno for me.  So I drizzle on my smoothie, then immediately eat.  

  




Who knew Chia Pets from the 90's would be a super food?!

The many uses of coconut oil

We love coconut oil.  It can be used in a variety of situations and it is relatively inexpensive.  A jar at Trader Joe's cost about $8.  You can also find it at Target, Wal-mart or TJ Max.  

Here's a great link for the many uses for coconut oil:
Coconut Oil uses

Our top 5 ways to use it:  
1. Diaper rash cream
2. Face moisturizer
3. Cooking oil
4. By the spoonful - this one takes some getting used to! But it's great for getting healthy fats!
5.  Treat bug bites!

And just this week I cut a terrible slice in my finger by using a knife incorrectly (heh, heh) and coconut oil healed that right up in no time!

It's great item to have in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet or makeup drawer!  

How do you use it?!

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes - kid tested and approved!

When pumpkin puree hits the shelves around September, I buy it every week.  At .89, it's such a great value and you can do so much with it!  Here's a favorite around our house, especially with Liam!  We top his with almond butter!

Protein Pumpkin Pancakes (kid tested and approved!)

Spray pan with coconut oil

Combine the following ingredients to make pancakes:

1 ½ cups Gluten free pancake mix (or use 1 cup mix, ½ cup almond meal or coconut flour)

1 large free-range egg

¾ cup almond milk (or cow’s milk)

½ cup pureed pumpkin (I use canned)

*Mix before added below dry ingredients

½ scoop of vanilla protein powder

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp vanilla

*Mix and create the right consistency by adding either more milk or water.  I had to add about ½ cup-1 cup more of water

*Optional add-ins: 1 TB pecans or walnuts, ½ banana sliced

I make smaller mounds and flatten them out in the pan as they cook b/c, otherwise, they are crusty on the outside and gummy on the inside.  They have a consistency of a cornmeal pancake if you are using coconut flour.  You could just use almond flour but then would need to add some baking powder/soda.