Disclosure:  I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

I have been giving my children DHA fish oil supplements for years.  When my second son was preschool age, we were told he was sensory seeking.  Adhd was used in conversation, but my son's pediatric psychiatrist said he didn't like to label children so young.  He was really interested in nutrition and how it affected developing brains in children.  On our first visit to his office, he gave us some information to read on this topic.  One of his recommendations was to start supplementing with DHA.  In fact he suggested we give it to all of our children.  

Our children have been taking DHA supplements ever since.  I have been ordering our previous brand online to get better quality fish oil, but they did have a fishy taste.  The boys were used to them, but they said they had to brush their teeth after taking them because their breath would smell fishy.  

I gave them these Kids Smart DHA-Omega 3 Fish Oil supplements to try, and they love them!  No fishy taste or breath.  

The boys just pop them in their mouths and eat them, but you can also twist off the tail and squeeze the liquid out into food or directly into a child’s mouth.  I tried them too to see what they are like and they are delicious.  

Kids Smart is specifically formulated to assist in providing children with adequate levels of Omega-3 Fish Oil nutrients DHA and EPA. These can help to support and maintain healthy brain function, eye health, and nervous system health. They also support learning as well as healthy behavior and temperament in some children.  

I am a firm believer in supplementing with DHA.  My second son is now in 4th grade.  He does not get in trouble at school, in fact, he hasn't had any trouble in grade school at all.  To be honest, when we were in the midst of his preschool years, I thought we would have a tough road ahead and we haven't.

He was recently identified as gifted and represented his school in a Team Quest competition in which his team placed 5th out of over 40 teams and he is so excited to go on to the regional competition.  I am so thankful for our pediatric psychiatrist who recommended we supplement with DHA.  We only saw him for a couple of years before moving, but what an impact he made on our lives.  

Kids Smart Fish Oil contains a high amount of DHA fish oil (133 mg) which is higher than many options available.  Since my kids like these so much (they have made it clear...these are their favorite) I will be buying more of these in the future.  

A 30-count bottle typically retails for $9.99.  A 180-count bottle typically retails for $54.99.  Kids Smart High DHA Fish Oil Chewable Burstlets can be purchased on Amazon.
​

I updated our old favorite ground beef and vegetable soup.  The boys love this soup so much, they always ask for it.  I started making it on the stove in the afternoon and transferring it to my slow cooker to finish on low until we get home from swim practice around 7:30 pm so we have a hot meal to come home to.  One of the boys even checked the slow cooker when we got home one day last week to see if we had soup, on a day I did not make soup.  I had already made it a few days before, but he was ready for more beef and vegetable soup.  Here's the recipe for our favorite ground beef and vegetable soup.  Bonus:  It's really easy to make!  

Pin on Pinterest

Disclosure:  I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet. com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.​

​Being a mother of four boys is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.  I always knew that I wanted kids and that I wanted lots of them, but it is also the hardest thing I have ever done. 
 
Parenting is messy (so much laundry and dirt), loud, chaotic at times, challenging in big and little ways.  Pretty much everyday there is a disagreement between two or three of them so I have to be a referee.  But then, they also love each other, cheer for each other, and look out for each other.  Sometimes they get along so well… they love to play board games, play in the creek, and visit with the neighbor’s dogs.  They do all of these things together with excitement and joy.  

​I really enjoy calm and quiet.  I could stay home all day and not talk to anyone.  I am rarely home alone, but cherish any quiet peaceful moments that I get.  To help me feel calm and more peaceful in my messy, chaotic, wonderful life, I have been taking CBD oil and feel that it does help me. 
 
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a compound that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system. These series of receptors regulate pain, mood, the immune  system, memory, appetite, stress, and other important functions.
 
In addition to helping me feel calm, I think CBD oil helps me with normal stress.  There are just so many things on my to do list that I find it hard to wind down at night and get some rest.  I make lists which helps, but part of the busy mom gig is having so many things going on and having to keep track of them all.  I have been taking a little Social CBD Broad Spectrum Drops before I go to sleep each night and I feel like I can fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. 
 

​I think Social CBD drops are really easy to take.  You can add Social CBD into your favorite foods and drinks, or take it directly from the dropper.  When taking from the dropper, hold under your tongue for 30–60 seconds for the most effective absorption.  I take it directly from the dropper.  

​Social CBD Broad Spectrum Drops come in four all-natural varieties: Unflavored, Pomegranate Tea, Meyer Lemon, and Vanilla Mint.  I like all of the flavored oils, but my favorite is Pomegranate Tea. 
 
A 375 mg bottle of Social CBD Broad Spectrum Drops typically retails for $40.
 
Use promo code MOMSMEET25 to save 25% on all Social products on their website through August 31, 2020.  
 
 
Have you ever tried CBD oil?  Do you find it helpful?  I’d love to know your thoughts. 
 

Disclosure:  We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.  This post may contain affiliate links. 

For Christmas this year I got an Instant Pot Duo Crisp with air fryer (Amazon link).  I have really been enjoying using this new appliance and can’t believe how much I have used the air fryer function. It is so easy to use and works incredibly well. Meat comes out crisp and so juicy inside.

Since we have a garage full of sweet potatoes from last summer’s crop I decided to make sweet potato chips in the air fryer. I used to make them this way, but frying in grease is such a messy situation.

To help these chips crisp up, I soak them in water first to remove some of the starch. I also slice them thinly. I usually use a knife, but you could use a mandolin or food processor. Soak the sliced sweet potatoes for an hour or even longer. You can soak them overnight or even a couple of days in the fridge until ready to use.

Towel dry your sweet potato slices then air fry for 15-17 minutes until they are perfectly crisp. I cook for 15 minutes, remove any crisp chips and add a couple more minutes as needed for others to finish.  These are so easy and delicious, but should be eaten the day you make them.  Leftovers tend to get soft.  You will need to make in batches so that they are in a single layer in the air fryer.  If you have an upper tray (mine does), you can add a second layer.  

Ingredients:
1-2 large sweet potatoes
Olive oil in a spritzer bottle (amazon link) or cooking spray
Salt

1.  Thinly slice sweet potatoes.
2.  Soak potatoes in water for an hour or more.
3.  Towel dry potatoes.
4.  Spray air fryer basket with olive oil or cooking spray.
5.  Place a single layer of potatoes in air fryer, two layers if you have a top rack.
6.  Spray olive oil on potatoes.  Sprinkle with salt.  
7.  Air fry at 350 degrees F. for 15 minutes.  Remove crisp potatoes and cook thicker potatoes for an additional 1-2 minutes until done.  
8.  Salt as needed, set aside and continue with rest of potatoes.  

Pin on Pinterest

Yum on Yummly to easily save this recipe.

Disclosure:  We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.  This post may contain affiliate links. 

Butternut squash soup is one of my favorite soups, so hearty, rich, and delicious. It’s perfect for these cold, rainy nights.

I love the richness and depth of flavor from roasted and sautéed vegetables and how it all comes together in this hearty puréed warm bowl of delicious goodness.

I cook everything in my Dutch oven then purée with an emersion blender (amazon referral link for the one I use). It is really easy to purée right in the pot, but if you don’t have an emersion blender, you could transfer in batches to a blender. Either way, this soup is delicious. I make it kind of thick and then swirl in some cream for extra richness and to thin it a little. You could also thin it with broth if you like.

Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients:
​7-8 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced
1 onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T. butter
2 T. olive oil (separated)
Splash cooking Sherry (optional)
4 cups vegetable broth (or more to thin)
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. rubbed sage
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
Splash balsamic vinegar
Heavy or whipping cream to garnish

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

2. In a 9 X 13" pan toss diced squash in 1 T. olive oil. Salt and pepper with some fresh ground salt and pepper and roast for 25 minutes. This is a little extra salt and pepper in addition to the amounts in the ingredient list to add another layer of flavor.

3. Meanwhile, heat butter and 1 T. olive oil in Dutch oven (amazon referral link for the one I use) over medium/medium high heat. Sauté onion, celery, carrot, and garlic in the oil and butter until onion is golden. Add a splash of cooking sherry to deglaze the pan (optional).

4. Add broth and seasonings to the pot. When squash is done roasting add it to the pot.

5. Summer about 25 minutes or until squash is tender. Add a splash of balsamic vinegar.

6. Remove from the heat and use an emersion blender to purée the soup. If you do not have one, you can blend the soup in a blender in parts until it is all blended.

7. Pour into bowls and swirl in fresh cream to serve.

​

Pin on Pinterest

Yum on Yummly to easily save this recipe.