Many people get on board for spring cleaning. It feels great to dust off the cobwebs, toss the trash, and scrub surfaces until shiny. I find a fall refresh is just as satisfying- getting ready for cooler weather, saying goodbye to long summer days, and arming yourself with items to keep cozy, energize and make life a little easier and more enjoyable.
Breakfast Hacks
I can’t tell you how many bowls of soggy cereal I have dumped down the drain. Trying to nail down my kids in the morning for breakfast is like trying to nail Jello to a wall. Whether it is herding the like cats out the door to school or juggling sports bags and bottles on the way to a game, a sit down breakfast isn’t always possible.
I love making smoothies, but don’t always have the ingredients on hand. Carnation Breakfast Essentials is a nutrient-packed solution that I keep in the pantry for mornings on-the-go. I love that they help meet my kids’ nutritional needs.
I remember the original flavors from when I was a kid- Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. They have partnered with some of my kids’ favorite cereal brands like Froot Loops, Krave and Frosted Flakes to create a milk-and-cereal in a bottle combo! Grab them at Walmart for around $6.75.
Clean Machine
Have your dishes ever been stinky when you take them out of the dishwasher after a cycle? That’s probably because your dishwasher harbors bacteria, grease and food particles in the hard-to-reach places like filters, jets and tubes. Yeah, that’s gross. Time for a fall reFRESH!
Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner is the only EPA-certified dishwasher cleaner and disinfectant. It has natural cleaning power that will take that stink out of your appliance. It is safe for all dishwashers, plumbing and septic systems, and simple to use. All you have to do is remove the outer cap, place the bottle upside down in a secure position, and run the dishwasher on the hottest cycle. That’s it! It retails for $4.85 at Walmart.
Sweet as Honey
Fall calls for warm beverages, sweet treats piping hot from the oven, and of course….colds. Honey is perfect complement to all of these items, and Comvita Manuka Honey is the queen bee of special health properties used to support digestion, health, and healing. It comes from the nectar of the Manuka flower only in New Zealand, and it blooms only 2-6 weeks/year. Comvita offers a range of UMF-rated honey, which varies based upon the level of beneficial compounds.
One thing I like to do in the fall is to make my own granola. Here is an energy-packed recipe from Lauren Manaker, registered dietitian:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup roasted and salted almonds
- 1 cup dried cherries (no sugar added)
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 cup toasted brown rice cereal
- 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 1 cup Comvita Manuka Honey – we recommend the UMF™ 10+ for this recipe
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Step 1: Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- Step 2: Combine almonds, cherries, oats, chia seeds, and puffed rice cereal in a large bowl.
- Step 3: Combine peanut butter and Manuka Honey in a medium bowl; microwave on high for 30 seconds and stir. Combine the peanut butter mixture and vanilla extract over the dry ingredients and stir until coated.
- Step 4: Transfer the mixture to the coated pan and press down firmly. (tip: place a heavy and clean object on top to help it set). Place in the refrigerator and let stand for at least one hour. Break apart into granola pieces and enjoy.
Essential Energy
That 3pm slump. It is even more pronounced when it starts getting dark at 4pm, isn’t it? As the days get shorter, for some reason my energy fades faster. I feel like my body is preparing to hibernate, but my schedule isn’t doing the same. I still need to work out, clean the house, shuttle kids to and from activities, and definitely need energy to keep on top of it all.
Celsius is a premium energy drink, not like those *ahem* trendy drinks from the 90s that caused major energy spiikes and crashes. When combined with exercise, Celsius is proven to boost body’s metabolism and burn fat. It has no has no artificial preservatives or flavors, no aspartame or high fructose corn syrup. My favorite flavor is Peach Vibe, and I want to try the new Tropical Vibe.
Cheers to a fall refresh, and embracing the more comfortable, cooler weather and comfy, cozy vibes!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, and all opinions are honest and my own as always.
