Naked Oats Over Night Oatmeal Review

 

As a busy Mom, I am always looking for quick breakfast solutions for myself. Even better if they are portable. I love overnight oats and was really excited to hear that Naked Nutrition now has Naked Oats to combine the ease of overnight oats with healthy ingredients and protein.

Honestly, I love versatile products and I love that you can either make a quick shake on a hectic morning or opt for overnight oats because I do forget to put them together at night sometimes and then have no breakfast options. I wish you could smell the Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Naked Oats. It smells so delicious already when you open the container.

Definitely the winner of the two flavors was Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana flavored Naked Oats because it smells and taste like a treat and not a health shake. And well, it is super kid friendly. 

But, I still really enjoy Cinnamon Roll flavored Naked Oats for it’s - you guessed it - versatility. I love adding frozen fruit to it and it pretty much goes with everything in the fridge. Did I mention how delicious they smell? 

All you do is scoop two scoops of Naked Nutrition Oats into either a shaker for a quick shake or an overnight oats meal container (I love these glass ones) and top with 8 oz of milk. Any milk works. We have tried regular milk and Almond milk and the oatmeal came out great.

Mix or shake and place in the fridge overnight. I shake mine once I combine the oats and milk.

Did I mention that these containers stack? In the fridge they go and in the morning you have a nutritious breakfast you (or your family) actually want to eat. These are great on the go as well!

Don’t these just look delicious? 

The absolute favorite was definitely Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Naked Oats with fresh bananas and chocolate chunks. Two scoops have:

• 270 calories
• 20g of Protein
• 5 g of sugar 
• 9g of fiber

But, a very close second was the Cinnamon Roll Naked Oats. Two scoops have:

• 240 calories
• 20g of Protein
• 2 g of sugar 
• 6g of fiber
  

Overall, we really enjoyed trying the new Naked Nutrition Naked Oats. They also have a third flavor: Green Apple Cinnamon flavored Naked Oats and after trying the other two, I will order this flavor next!

Homemade Lunchables

Happy Day-after-Thanksgiving! I have not created or posted any school lunches since the start of the pandemic. But, I miss it. Our school district went to all virtual in March and we will be virtual until the end of this running school year. For obvious reasons. And we miss it all. Family, friends, neighbors, school functions, Christmas concerts, our yearly traditions of lighting the community Christmas tree, get togethers just before the holidays. All of it. Even the dreaded yearly turkey disguise project. Moms, you know what I mean!

Despite it all, I have decided that it does no longer have to mean the end of school lunches. Even if the kids are all home. Because I could use some streamlining in feeding the kids. Some healthier options and some free time to do other things besides feeding three kids lunch during sometimes three (yes, THREE) different lunch times. 

How has your year been? Are your virtual? Hybrid? In school? How are school lunches going in your house? Either way, I hope you and your family are healthy and happy and I hope you will tune in for some lunch ideas in the future again.

Lunch is served in Easylunchboxes (after all these years still my favorite go to) and a simple homemade version of a Lunchable. The beauty of these boxes is that you can fill them infinite ways and tailor them to your kids' tastes. I stuck to the classic version and we filled them with:

• halved baby carrots
• apple slices
• blackberries
• crackers
• cheese
• ham roll ups/pepperoni roll ups
• and a cereal bar.

Happy Lunch!

MAGIC RAMEN - a Literary Lunch

This lunch is also posted over at The Little Crooked Cottage as a Literary Lunch. Head over to the fabulous blog of four children's book authors and check out the Magic Ramen lunch there as well! May contain affiliate links.

Have you ever wondered who invented ramen? Andrea Wang tells the story of Momofuku Ando - the inventor of ramen - beautifully in her new book MAGIC RAMEN. Kana Urbanowicz illustrated the mouth watering book and her pictures will invite you to make your very own bowl of ramen as soon as you finish reading.

Mr. Ando worked day in and day out to create quick, convenient, and tasty noodle soup for all the people he saw standing in long lines after WWII to get food. He believed that Peace follows from a full stomach and went to work to create what we all know as instant ramen. He eventually went on to invent Cup Noodles and his ramen even went to space.

Read more about Momofuku Ando and his journey in MAGIC RAMEN - and don't forget to make sure you have some at home before reading :)

We packed a lunch full of noodles and love in our Planetbox Rover:

• two banana bread "chicken drum sticks"
• nutritious strawberries and Blueberries 
• happy cheese sandwich people looking forward to Ramen
• a carrot, celery and mushroom salad with Mr. Ando's backyard shack
• a bowl of healthy Ramen with chicken, carrots, cheese hearts, spinach and an egg  

A Week of Yumbox Lunch Ideas

I am not a great meal planner, I have to admit. I like being spontaneous when it comes to food but with four kids it just doesn't make sense to not plan ahead. As my kids are getting older and more activities are crowding my calendar, I am trying to be better about at least buying fruits and vegetables in bulk and having an idea what everyone will be taking to school. Since my kids differ in ages and appetite, that requires an actual shopping list and a plan.

Today, I am sharing a weeks worth of lunches packed in our original yumbox. Side note: the purple yumbox is an older model that my daughter still uses and the pink one is the new upgraded version of the original.

6 YUMBOX LUNCH IDEAS FOR YOUR WEEK AHEAD:

This Elmo inspired lunch contains:

• Annie's Cheddar Bunnies
• apple wedges
• peanut butter dip
• kiwi fruit
• an Elmo jelly sandwich
• a grape and almond butter snack

This Hello Kitty inspired lunch is filled with:

• cheese crackers
• cucumber and red pepper
• peanut butter crackers
• Hello Kitty cream cheese sandwiches
• apple wedges
• a few fruit snacks

This Mickey Mouse themed lunch contains:

• Annie's Cheddar Bunnies
• peanut butter crackers
• a piece of banana
• peanut butter dip
• apple wedges
• Minnie Mouse jelly sandwiches

This fairy bread lunch is packed with:

• a tube yogurt
• two cookies
• apple wedges
• blueberries
• peanut butter dip
• fairy bread Nutella sandwiches 
• carrot sticks

This snack lunch is filled with:

• a tube yogurt
• a few cookies
• carrot sticks
• cheese crackers
• a star nut butter sandwich 
• a few chocolate treats
• spinach and mini peppers

I also added a Lunchbox Love lunchbox note.

The cute Panda pocket sandwich lunch contains:

• a tube yogurt
• cookies
• apples slices and blueberries
• cheese crackers
• a few chocolate treats
• a Panda pocket sandwich with cream cheese
• mini peppers
• Lunchbox Love lunchbox note

** These lunchboxes contain peanut butter. If your school is peanut free you can instead send WOWbutter or substitute with other ingredients that are safe :)

If You Want to Fall Asleep - Literary Lunch

LITERARY LUNCHES are back! And we are starting with IF YOU WAN TO FALL ASLEEP by the fabulous Jackie Azua Kramer! 

Little Mouse is supposed to be getting ready for bed but is not sleepy enough yet. He has tried reading a book, snacking and even snuggling but nothing is working. What will he do to fall asleep in the end? Find out in IF YOU WANT TO FALL ASLEEP!

We made a dreamy lunch everyone can enjoy:

• dreamy pepperoni and cheese cake pieces
• sleepy vanilla mini waffles 
• comforting honey cereal with a few M&Ms and
• dreamland strawberries with magical creatures

For more Sleepy Fun and an Interview with Jackie Azúa Kramer head over to our friends at THE LITTLE CROOKED COTTAGE!

Hello Goodbye Dog - Literary Lunch + Giveaway

It is LITERARY LUNCH time today and I have a wonderful book for you today! PLUS, you can win a copy at the end of my post!!
I am pleased to review HELLO GOODBYE DOG by Maria Gianferrari today:

Meet Moose, Zara's dog, she loves hellos and really hates goodbyes. So, when it is time for Zara to go to school, Moose keeps escaping to find her favorite girl at school.

My kids love reading this book and they always giggle at all of Moose's antics. I am sure if we had a dog she would be just like that. Because really, who doesn't hate goodbye's.

 My kids loved the fact that Zara did not try to change Moose but found the perfect solution for both of them.

Our favorite page in the book was this one which also inspired our Literary Lunch. Those eyes get me every time!

Our Literary Lunch is packed in Easylunchboxes and contains:

• a bone for Moose banana
• a sad goodbye faced Moose sandwich filled with cream cheese and jelly
• a field of strawberries and blueberies with Moose hiding in them and
• Zara's lunch which is an apple sauce wrapped in wax paper

a Rafflecopter giveaway
For more awesome Hello Goodbye Dog book reviews and more chances to win your own copy, check out the BOOK TOUR:

HELLO GOODBYE DOG BLOG TOUR!

GIVEAWAYS EVERY DAY!!

*Monday, July 24^th:                            Pragmatic Mom + THREE book giveaway!

*Two for Tuesday, July 25th:           Librarian’s Quest

Reading for Research

*Wednesday, July 26th:                    Homemade City

*Thursday, July 27^th:                         Kid Lit Frenzy

*Friday, July 28^th:                              Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook

*Monday, July 31^st:                            Picture Books Help Kids Soar

*Tuesday, August 1^st:                        Bildebok

*Wednesday, August 2^nd:                  The Loud Library Lady

*Thursday, August 3^rd:                      DEBtastic Reads!

*Friday, August 4^th:                           Mamabelly’s Lunches with Love

*Monday, August 7^th:                        Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)

EXTRA: August 25^th:                         Kidlit411—Interview with Patrice Barton 

For more reviews and more chances to win a copy of Hello Goodbye Dog follow the Book Tour:

HELLO GOODBYE DOG BLOG TOUR!

GIVEAWAYS EVERY DAY!!

*Monday, July 24^th:                            Pragmatic Mom + THREE book giveaway!

*Two for Tuesday, July 25th:           Librarian’s Quest

Reading for Research

*Wednesday, July 26th:                    Homemade City

*Thursday, July 27^th:                         Kid Lit Frenzy

*Friday, July 28^th:                              Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook

*Monday, July 31^st:                            Picture Books Help Kids Soar

*Tuesday, August 1^st:                        Bildebok

*Wednesday, August 2^nd:                  The Loud Library Lady

*Thursday, August 3^rd:                      DEBtastic Reads!

*Friday, August 4^th:                           Mamabelly’s Lunches with Love

*Monday, August 7^th:                        Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)

EXTRA: August 25^th:                         Kidlit411—Interview with Patrice Barton 



Find out more about the amazing Maria Gianferrari:

Maria writes both fiction and nonfiction picture books from her sunny, book-lined study in northern Virginia, with dog, Becca as her muse. Maria’s the author of the Penny & Jelly books, Coyote Moon, an ALA Notable Book, and a Junior Library Guild Selection, Officer Katz & Houndini and Hello Goodbye Dog. She has additional titles forthcoming from Roaring Brook Press, Boyds Mills Press, GP Putnam’s Sons and Little Bee. To learn more about Maria, visit her website:mariagianferrari.com, on Facebook and Instagram.

milkdot Lunchbox REVIEW

Back to School for my kids is not until September but I am already busy planning and shopping for the things we will need. I came across milkdot and their amazing Stöh insulated lunch bags. If you have never heard about milkdot, you need to check out their website! I love how many colors they offer!! They offered to send me an insulated lunch bag and I can tell you that it was hard to choose!

I love stripes, so I picked the Green Apple Stripes Stöh and I am so happy I did! EVERYONE in my house loves this lunchbox and this color is so versatile (kids, adults, boys, girls).

The lunchbox is really well made, the colors are vibrant and fun and I love how much room it has!

Do you hate writing on your newly purchase lunchbox with permanent marker to be able to find it again at the school's lost &found 2 weeks after school starts? Me, too. But, milkdot though of that and the back of the lunchbox has a little tag for either a name, picture or sticker!!

Perfect for my family! We label everything!! (that is not actually my son's name but you know privacy and all that, so I photoshopped it in, so you can see how cute it will look ;)

Also, that little pocket can hold lunchbox notes, napkins or when you take the lunchbox to work the little name tag.

Another huge plus for me is that it folds flat for storage. I have four kids and about 48 lunch bags and one small cabinet in the kitchen. So, huge bonus for me!

The other space plus: it is roomy! and you can keep water bottles or shakes upright which will prevent at least some of my kids from spilling theirs when they don't close the bottles after lunch completely!

Here is my daughter's lunch for today and it all fits: I used a Planetbox Shuttle, stainless steel 10 oz water bottle and...

...there was room for a placemat, cereal bar and there would have been room for a snack box as well!

Still on the fence? Here is the same lunchbox with my 24oz coffee tumbler and a snack bag with almonds.

Same lunchbox again, plus a protein shaker, cereal bar and snack bag.

I LOVE this bag and have taken it already many times on the go for myself. I really love that drinks stay upright, it is fun and bright (I have gotten a ton of complements) and there is enough room for an adult lunch, kid lunch and high school lunch.