A few of my favorite things
It’s been a while since I last shared a few of my favorite things, so I thought it was time. I’m pretty excited about my most recent fabulous finds, so queue the Julie Andrews song, and let’s get right to it.
Overnight oats
My youngest daughter introduced me to the delights of overnight oats last year when she was staying with us. Since then I’ve tweaked the recipe a few times to suit my tastes. Here’s what I’ve landed on:
Mix the following in a sealable storage container:
⅓ cup rolled oats
⅓ cup 2% milk
⅓ cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chia seeds
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla
Store overnight (or for up to 5 nights). Right before eating, stir in 1 tablespoon peanut butter and top with fresh fruit (I like berries and bananas) and 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts.
I eat this for breakfast two or three times a week. It tastes delicious and is quite filling. [Full disclosure: I realized I did not have any photos of my overnight oats, so I used this image by Bubi The Bear from Pixabay. You’ll just have to trust me that my oats look just as beautiful.]
Core Power Elite Chocolate high protein milk shake
In general, I try to eat “real food, not too much, mostly plants” and avoid highly-processed foods; therefore, I have historically avoided protein shakes and powders. However, when I realized it would be nearly impossible for me to reach my goal of 130 grams of protein per day without supplementing, I did some research on protein shakes. Based on the recommendation of a trusted blogger, Hungry Runner Girl, and after reading expert reviews of various brands, I chose Core Power Elite by fairlife. It provides a whopping 42 grams of protein in 14 ounces, contains 3.5 grams of fat, and no added sugar. There are 7 grams of total sugar. It tastes good, just like chocolate milk, and doesn’t bother my stomach at all.
Cetaphil
As someone who lives in a desert and has dry skin, body lotion is very important to me. I’ve used another brand of lotion for years, but when I discovered it contained petrolatum and several other potential carcinogens and pollutants, I decided to try a healthier option. My younger sister swore by Cetaphil, so when we were on vacation together, she let me try hers, and I loved it. Luckily, Cetaphil received an “Excellent” rating on the Yuka app, which brings us to my next fabulous find.
Yuka app
A good friend introduced me to this free app that rates the safety of common food and personal care items…safety for you and the environment. Yuka allows you to scan barcodes or look items up by name and instantly see what’s in the products and their impact on your health. Yuka also recommends similar, but healthier alternatives. Besides my body lotion (mentioned above), I have changed hair products, mascara, and numerous food brands. I’m pleased with the alternatives I’ve selected and feel good about what I am putting in and on my body.
Insight Timer app
Another great app I stumbled upon is Insight Timer. This app has free and paid versions. I am using the free version and find it has everything I need. This app was chosen as an Apps of the Year winner by TIME magazine and Women’s Health. Insight Timer features thousands of guided meditations, lessons, and relaxing music. You can search by topic or time length. It also includes a simple timer if you want to try silent meditation.
Your turn
That’s it for me. Now it’s your turn.
- Have you tried any of these products? What was your experience?
- Do you have any fabulous finds to share?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Hi Christie, at first glance I thought that first pic was a chia pudding! Looks just as nice! Also – guess what? … I use Cetaphil on my body every single day and have done for years. There’s nothing like it! It keeps my skin beautifully moisturised and healthy. I have a history of psoriasis so keeping my skin nourished and moisturised is so important. Since using Cetaphil my skin has never been better. I haven’t had any psoriasis in a long time *touch wood*!! Have a great week Christie & thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy ! xo
I’m glad to hear that Cetaphil works so well for you, Min. I’m really loving it too, and it doesn’t contain a lot of toxins. Yay! I am going to try your chia pudding recipe this week for sure. Let me know if you try the overnight oats. I think you’d like them. Thanks, as always, for hosting #WWWhimsy!
Hi Christie – my husband is a big fan of ovenight oats for breakfast when he goes off on one of his long hikes, I’m a muesli girl myself. Nice seeing the new products you’ve tried and that you’re enjoying – and they tie in with the healthy goals you’ve put in place for yourself.
The oats would definitely be a good pre-hike meal, Leanne, as they stick with you for awhile. At least for me, I don’t get hungry again right away like I do with some breakfast foods. I have not tried muesli, but it sounds similar from what I see online. Enjoy!
I’ve never tried overnight oats. It sounds like a really good thing. I haven’t come across those particular protein shakes so I’m going to keep an eye out for them. I’ve been thinking about getting some of the Cetaphil foaming cleanser for my second cleanse. Thanks for all the recommendations!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I highly recommend the overnight oats, Marsha. Let me know what you think, if you do try them. I have not tried any of the Cetaphil products except for the lotion, which as I said, I love!
The Insight Timer App sounds interesting. I’ll look into it. Thanks.
As for fabulous finds, I recently started using CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum and it’s done wonders keeping my face moisturized during the day. Don’t know how it rates on Yuka but I like it.
I definitely recommend the Insight Timer app, Ally. If you do try it, I’d love to hear what you think. I haven’t tried CeraVe. I did look on Yuka…some of the products are rated good, others not so much. I didn’t see the Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum though. Either way, if it’s working for you, I’m sure you’ll keep using it, and I can’t blame you. The eyelash conditioner I swear by got a poor rating and no recommended alternatives, and I love it so much I intend to continue using it.
I use a combo of the Yuka App and Bobby Approved to help me shop; it takes a bit more of the guesswork out of making sense of the labels. I have been meaning to try overnight oats myself; your recipe sounds really yummy.
Ooh, I haven’t heard of Bobby Approved, Joanne. I’ll look into that. I definitely recommend giving overnight oats a try. If you do, I’d love to hear what you think or any personalizations you make to the recipe. Your food pics always look so good.
I am all about body oil at the moment – esp for the essential oils that are in it. Makes your skin soft but smell so good. Pretty much anyone is as good as another (dry oil tho, so you don’t wreck your clothes). Got a new one with some gold in it so you look sun kissed. Lovely.
The gold body oil sounds wonderful, Lydia. I haven’t heard of dry oil, so I’ll look into that. Thanks for the recommendation.
I’m glad you’re liking cetaphil lotion. My dermatologist recommended it to me many years ago and I love that I can use it on my body and face.
I’ve found a new blush that I really like. It’s called NUDIES MATTE LUX. Another product I’m excited to try is BEAUTY BY EARTH self tanning lotion. My very fair daughter was using it and it looked so natural. As you know I need to be very careful in the sun, but I love having some color! I’m pretty sure both of these products are Clean, but you should check in your very cool Yuka app. 😃
I do love Cetaphil, Cindy! Thanks for introducing me to it. The Nudies Matte Lux didn’t rate too high on the app, but the Beauty by Earth self-tanner got an Excellent. The truth is if there are products I really like, and no satisfactory substitute is suggested, I keep using the product I prefer. I figure every little change helps, but I don’t have to do everything perfect.
Thanks for sharing these great finds Christie. I’ve recently started using a protein powder for increased protein too. I’m a bit fussy with the taste of things but the one our gym sells is proving to be quite OK. The apps you mentioned sound great too! Al;ways good to get personal recommendations like this.
Debbie #teamwwwhimsy
You’re welcome Debbie. I’m with you on the taste of protein shakes and powders, so I was happy to find one that I enjoyed and didn’t mess with my stomach either.
I am interested in the Yuka app. Donna C. told me about an app that may have been this very one. She looked up a ‘healthy’ salad dressing I like to use on her app only to discover it was really not good for me at all!! Yikes. I bet it was this app. Thank you for sharing it with us. It sounds really helpful.
Also interested in the overnight oats. We are upping our oatmeal game but haven’t tried overnight oats. I try to follow the Weight Watchers point tracking program and I think your recipe would be a fairly low point option for breakfast. Love the idea of adding a dollop of peanut butter as that is my favorite food!!
We are investigating protein drinks, too. But I can’t afford to drink a protein shake with 6-10 WW points for anything other than a meal. My daughter suggested we try Premier Protein so we are going to give them a go. They only have about half the protein your shake provides. I guess not all protein shakes are created equal.
Going to try the lotion you recommend, too. It is so dry here. So dry. I put lotion on my arms and legs, feet and hands at least twice a day. But I still look very crepey and dry. Will get some. Thank you.
I have been surprised but some things I thought were healthy that weren’t so much, Leslie. I definitely recommend the Yuka app. I admit there are some things I love that aren’t great, but I’m not willing to give up. At least I am making an informed decision. And, like I mentioned in this post, I have actually changed several products and found some I like better than what I was using.
As for the oats, the way I prepare them, one serving is 6 WW points. The Core Power is 4 points. For me, it’s a tough balance getting enough protein and not eating more meat than I’d like to. I’m still trying to figure it out.