Are you tired of the same old boring meals? I totally hear you and I believe that eating healthy should never be a snooze fest. So, let’s go on a flavor-filled journey and discover how to make healthy eating fun and exciting. Get ready to satisfy those cravings guilt-free!

Get Creative: Making Healthy Eating Fun

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. It’s time to unleash your creativity in the kitchen and explore new flavors and ingredients.

Experiment with colorful fruits and vegetables, try different cooking methods, and spice up your meals. If you’re feeling stuck on ideas, have like 135+ amazing ones in the Guiltless Recipe ebook for you to try!

Guiltless Indulgences: “Junk Food” Made Healthy

Who says you have to give up your favorite indulgences? We’ve got your back with our Guiltless recipes like this amazing chicken pesto pizza!

We’ve taken classic “junk food” favorites and transformed them into nutritious, guilt-free delights. From our protein packed peanut butter cups to our chicken and avocado burri

Sharing a roundup of some of my favorite Amazon finds (and some of the fails!) from recently. Affiliate links are included below, which enable me to earn a small kickback that I use to keep the lil blog running. Thank you so much to those of you who shop my links!

Hi hi! How are you? I hope you’re having a wonderful day so far! Thank you so much for your excitement about Vitality! I can’t wait to get started together on the 28th. Check out the details here! 

For today’s post, I wanted to share some recent Amazon finds. Amazon has been crushing the game lately, and they have so many cute things for the transition from summer to fall. I’ve also found some new back-to-school essentials that we’ve been loving lately, and also some fails in the mix.

Here are some of the things I’m loving right now:

Amazon Faves August 2023

This set

While this set is a little on the summery side, I can get away with tying a sweater around my shoulders for the next couple of months here in Tucson. They also have it in black, which is super cute with a high bun and some low-top sneakers.

This necklace

I’ve been wanting a tennis necklace for a while, but didn’t want to spend the money on a real one. I wanted something I could wear every day without worrying about it getting lost or breaking. This one was highly recommended in a Facebook group that I’m in, so I decided to go for it since it was only $35. I LOVE it. It’s sparkly and decent quality, plus I can wear it every day.

This two-piece sweater set!!

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I’ve been making peaches and cream oatmeal all summer long; filled with soft pecans and sweet peaches, this is a memorable breakfast. I save a couple of peaches to make this oatmeal almost every time I buy fresh peaches.

And if you dare to top your oatmeal with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this really might be the best oatmeal you’ll ever eat. We aren’t new to the ice cream and oatmeal combination over here. 

If you haven’t tried ice cream with your oatmeal yet, you are missing out on some serious awesomeness for your breakfast! While it may sound a little crazy at first, I figure that a small scoop of ice cream has to be comparable to a spoonful of sugar and a splash of milk, right? If I’m wrong, just don’t tell me.

Oatmeal and Peaches

Peach oatmeal is pretty amazing on its own though, so feel free to skip the ice cream and eat it plain. Or top it with a pat of butter and a sprinkling of brown sugar.

Like the blueberries and cream oatmeal I’ve raved about in the past, this oatmeal is pretty awesome with a drizzle of cream as well.

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The BEST Caprese Salad with Pistachios

The BEST caprese salad with pistachios recipe is right here! There’s nothing like finding a good recipe for fresh from the garden tomatoes.

This caprese salad is so light and refreshing and oooooooooohhhhhhhh so wonderful during the summer when you can pick the tomatoes straight from your garden. I had no idea tomatoes could even be that delicious until I tried my first homegrown tomato. It’s like a totally different thing. Am I right, gardeners?!

We love pistachios too and threw some on top of this pretty salad one night and we both found ourselves digging for the pistachios which could only mean one thing, they were meant to be. That added crunch is molto buono!

Recommended Equipment

• Tomato Knife
• Cutting Board

Before You Begin…

Slice your tomatoes nice and thick! I love a meaty bite of garden fresh tomato! And slice your mozzarella into thick slices too.

What is a Caprese Salad?

Caprese salad is a simple Italian salad, made of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and sweet basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil.

Ingredients for Caprese Salad

Have I ever told you we love caprese salad? No? Well, we do. Like, a lot. Especially when it has a really nice balsamic vinegar (not the cheapest no name stuff at the store). And even more so when it’s the best caprese salad with pistachios. Here is everything you will need…

• Tomatoes: heirloom or vine ripe tomatoes
• Mozzarella: it has to be fresh!
• Pistachios: shelled and either lightly salted or no salt added
• Basil: fresh leaves only
• Olive Oil: you’ll only need a drizzle but a good quality oil will make all the difference
• Balsamic Vinegar: go for a higher quality vinegar or even a balsamic glaze
• Salt and Pepper: just for a little extra flavor

The measurements and details for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

What Kind of Mozzarella is Best for Caprese Salad?

You absolutely have to use fresh mozzarella to get the full caprese experience! The part skim or low moisture mozzarella, while cheaper, is saltier and won’t grab on to the flavors like fresh mozzarella does. You can get the fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) if you want, but we love the big hunks of a block of fresh mozz.

If you absolutely need a substitute, then burrata will be your best bet.

What Type of Tomatoes are Best for Caprese Salad?

If you have access to fresh tomatoes straight from the garden, then go with those! Get some at a farmers market or maybe your neighbor! They just can’t be beat!

If store bought is your only option, then go with vin

Chocolate Chip Banana Zucchini Bread [+ Video]

This easy zucchini banana bread is studded with chocolate chips and packed with flavor! Enjoy it warm from the oven, or freeze a loaf for later!

Recommended Equipment

• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Bread Pans

Before You Begin…

Spray your bread pans with cooking spread and then take a paper towel and wipe the spray off the top inch of the pan, all the way around. This will help the batter “catch” the side of pan and then poof up in the middle. Your loaf will be both gorgeous and delicious!

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Banana Bread Recipe

Did you ever play school when you were growing up? I totally did and I was pretty darn sure I was going to grow up to be a teacher. I didn’t. But I did grow up to be a banana bread lover. Not sure what that has to do with being a teacher, but it’s the truth.

Zucchini bread on the other hand, gross. I did not like the texture as a kid at all. I refused to eat it, which must have been so much fun for my parents. And then I slowly forgot about it until I became a food blogger. If there’s one thing pinterest doesn’t need more of it’s quick bread recipes, so obviously I chose to give you all one.

Not true? Well, either way I decided it was high time I tried this whole zucchini bread thing again and guess what, I was a total chicken about it. I mean, I couldn’t just jump in right? I’m a toe dipper in the pool for heaven’s sake! I needed a slow start so what better thing to try than a chocolate chip zucchini banana bread? And guess what? It’s so blasted delicious I’m going to try a zucchini bread tomorrow. All by myself. If I hate it, I’ll give it away to the neighbors, ha!

Zucchini Banana Bread Ingredients

As with most quick breads, this chocolate chip zucchini banana bread requires mostly pantry staples:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda and baking powder
• Cream of tartar
• Salt
• Canola oil
• Granulated sugar
• Egg
• Mashed banana
• Grated zucchini
• Chocolate chips

How to Make Zucchini Banana Bread

1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a standing mixer, whisk together the egg, sugar, and oil.
3. Whisk the grated zucchini into the egg mixture.
4. Add in a little of the flour mixture, followed by some of the mashed banana. Continue alternating between the two until everything is added to the batter.
5. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Turn the batter into a loaf pan and bake until done.

How to Store Zucchini Banana Bread

To maximize the shelf life of banana zucchini bread, cover with foil or plastic wr