Eat Banza Review

About Banza

When I said I would make a change in my life and start to eat healthier I didn’t realize what food adjustments I would make. I have taken the approach to lower my caloric intake along with working out throughout the week. This allows me to eat all foods categories (IE: fruits, carbs, fats, proteins, vegetables), just in healthy portions. I need to make choices that are healthy and not top out my calories before I am truley full.  Pasta has been a real luxury as the amount that l am willing to eat in calories doesn’t fill me up. Then I heard about Banza. Game changer!

Banza is a power pasta. Regular wheat pasta is filled with empty calories. With Banza pasta you get double the protein, four times the fiber and nearly half the carbs. The secret to Banza’s pasta is that it is made with chickpeas.

Chickpeas are a secret superfood – they’re naturally gluten free, low on the glycemic index, and Banza’s are certified non-GMO

Starting with humble roots in Detroit, Bazna was the brain child of founder and non-food scientist Brian. By playing around in his own kitchen he came up with and eventually perfected his chickpea noodles, and dude, I am so glad he did!

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Mama’s Experience

Being a noodle lover, like pretty much every person ever, I cant imagine life without them. They are a staple in my household because they are guaranteed meal that my kids will eat. Toddlers have refined pallets that require a short list of foods, including noodles. Noodles with butter. Noodles with sprinkle cheese. Noodles with red sauce. Noodles with yellow cheese. Noodles with Meatballs. Noodles plain – dont you dare try to put something on those noodles this meal. But, its always noodles that will be requested. My kids literally eat some for a pasta withing every 48 hours period if not daily.  These tiny bodies need as much nutrition I can squeeze in. Since they eat very small portions (small bellies only hold so much) I try to make each meal as beneficial as a picky toddler can allow. When I heard about these high protein chickpea based noodles by Banza I got giddy. Like honestly giddy. Can I really add protein to my kids diets in the form of a noodle?!

Here are some highlights I found interesting that I think you will too:

1. Kosher
2. No added sugar
3. Vegan
4. Gluten-Free
5. NON-GMO verified
6. 2 year shelf life
7. Won’t fall apart if overcooked

Here is what this Mama thinks

Size/Shape

• These noodles, based on size and texture when uncooked look identical to a wheat or flour based noodle.
• Cannot see or feel a difference in the noodle itself.
• My kids have no clue its different than the noodles I typically buy.

How It Cooks

• When following box instructions (boil for 7-9 mins, drain and RINSE) they turned out just like a wheat noodle
• Easy to cook, nothing fancy to do
• Average cook time

How It Tastes

• When sauce is on noodle I cannot tell a difference in taste
• When eaten plain can tell a slight difference in taste; smooth flavor (I like it)
• Can tell when eating without sauce in texture it feels soft in mouth, but not mushy, just different slightly

 In the end I love this pasta! My son, who is underweight, really liked them and that is HUGE! This means I can offer him this pasta with butter to increase his caloric intake for the day. I am thrilled with this.

I highly recommend this pasta to, well, everyone!

Using the Penne Banza noodles I made this awesome, easy dish. Check out my new recipe for Weeknight Artichoke and Olive Pasta

Santevia Water Pitcher Review

About Santevia

Our bodies work very hard to maintain a 7.36 pH level. You may vaguely remember this from high school science courses. Today’s crazy high processed foods we consume are all more acidic than we should be eating. “Your pH level impacts all of your body’s cells, tissues, glands, organs, and organ systems–that’s EVERYTHING in your body. Increasing your alkalinity to 7.36 alleviates stress on your organ systems right down to the cells, helping your body fight off illness and disease. Many people are choosing alkaline water to support the body in maintaining optimal pH levels, which also promotes optimal health.” – Santevia Website

Filtering water has some great benefits and if you don’t know much about it, visit Water Filter Way – Feel free to check them out. Trying to figure out the type of water filter you actually need is certainly a time consuming task, it requires research and a lot of your time. Santevia is, in my opinion, the best option for filtering your water in today’s world. Here is why.

When there is an imbalance due to stress, lack of sleep, and over consumption of acidic foods (such as sugar, processed foods and alcohol) your body has to work harder to maintain its optimal pH level. How? By reaching for the alkalizing minerals it needs to counter the higher levels of acid. Unfortunately, these minerals are leached from your bones, organs and tissues. This depletion of resources, combined with the fact that viruses, fungus, yeast and bacteria thrive in acidic environments, opens the door to imbalance and disease in the body. – Santevia Website

By choosing to filter your water with a Santevia Mineralize Alkaline Water Pitcher, you are increasing your health in so many ways. An ordinary water pitcher you may have in your fridge cannot add essential minerals, reduces ORD (oxidation reduction potential), and adds alkaline to give you a water that is more beneficial to your health. It also reduces chlorine, improves taste and odor & is eco-friendly. My favorite part is how much less you need to change your filter! With my old water pitcher I felt like the little indicator on the top was telling me to change my filter after 2 weeks of use. The Santevia filter will last up to 80 gallons, which averages to a cost only .15¢ per gallon.

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Mama’s Experience

Did you know that “one 12oz can of cola contains enough phosphoric acid to dramatically change our pH. If you don’t have enough calcium or magnesium reserves in your extracellular fluid, your body takes the calcium from your bones to neutralize the acid. You’d need 32 glasses of water to neutralize every can of soda you drink. That’s a lot of water!“ – Santevia Website

As someone who likes to splurge and have a can of diet pop occasionally this makes me super grateful that I am using a Santevia Water Filter!

Taste

First off I can honestly say there is a huge difference in taste. I am a person who can taste the difference between different types of bottles water and have my favorites, probably why I spend so much time on Best Products Pro looking for the best options. When I sipped my first glass I was shocked at how good it tasted. I love cold water. I drink glasses and glasses per day. I want to enjoy my water and now I can honestly say I am! I have asked a few people what they thought of the taste as well. Fresh, clean and smooth are some of the words they thought of when drinking water that was filtered by a Santevia pitcher.

Filtering

The first time you use this pitcher you need to filter 2 full pitchers of water through and dispose of the water. This is prepping the filter for use. If you see a slight black or gray color to those first 2 pitchers that is a good sign, because its cleaning and prepping properly for you.

All of the past water filters I have used are the same speed in filtering. I fill the top part and it takes 2-4 minutes to fully get all the water to the bottom section of the tank. If you pour too soon then you get an extra splash on your counter. This filter is the fastest filter I have ever seen. I honestly went and checked to make sure I installed it properly in the pitcher. I thought I didn’t push it down far enough and it was just dumping down without getting through the filter. Nope. It’s just that good! I haven’t seen any other filters this fast, although I haven’t tested many of the new water pitchers out such as you can see when viewing this DiligentChef’s article or similar reviews into other pitchers available.

The filter lasts approximately 1250 glasses of water, which is about 1.5 to 2 months work of water for me and my family. It should be replaced every 2 months if you drink a standard quantity of water.

Here is a video on how to prep your filter for use

https://youtu.be/15tyYm9FspY

Ease of Use

I love how wide the pouring spout is. It allows me to fill my glass with a tad more speed. As a mom-on-the-go sometimes that 2 seconds does make all the difference.

The bottom of the pitcher has a small, clear, plastic ring. I didn’t notice this feature when I first looked at the pitcher and prepped the filter. However, as soon as I went to place it into my fridge, I felt the non-slide feature kick in. That horrifying moment when you push the water pitcher too far and it goes to tip over. Panic mode! Now I no longer has the fear of spilling my pitcher when shifting things around in my fridge. Its not stuck permanently but it would take a super hard shove to knock my Santevia pitcher over.

Over All

Over all, this is one product I know I would recommend to all of my family and friends. Whether you consider yourself ‘crunchy’, if you drink only the occasionally glass orfwater, you chug water by the gallon, if you are single or a family of 8, this is going to be the best water filtering pitcher you will use.

Christian Quote Shop Review

About Christian Quote Shop

Christian Quote Shop started almost by accident. Owner and creator Vickie needed an inspirational gift for a friend. She was not able to find what she was looking for so she created a design of her own and had it made. She started off as Quote Life Boutique. Soon after she saw the need for more Christian based products. She wanted to “make gifts that were inspiring, motivating, joyful,…gifts that touched the soul”. Being lead by the Lord, she took on the journey of starting her own businesses and it surely took off. To her its more than just a store or businesses, it’s her passion. She puts so much love and soul into her work, and it can be seen. Her creations are beautiful, detailed, modern and make the perfect gift.

Vickie, is a fighter. She is a strong, Christian women who goes forward not by her own strength, but by the strength of Christ. Vickie has gone through some hardships, as most all people have in some way. Having overcome, by the grace of God, brain surgery she clung to verses like ‘don’t be afraid; just believe’– Mark 5:36. Fear can immobilize you. Can make you retreat into yourself and withdraw from the world. Fear is not what Christ died for us to suffer from. He give us His grace and love so we can thrive and stand on the Rock of faith.

When I started my Better Choices (a healthier you) series, I knew I was stuck in a fear filled spot. I didn’t know I was scared, but I see now that I was. I was not putting on my ‘shield of faith’ – Eph 6:16-17. Without His Spirit guiding my ways, I would never have the power to move forward out of the dark. Through prayer of my own and of my friends, I have stepped out and taken on His armor in battle. I can move forward, much like Vickie did, with His strength.

Vickie’s other favorite verse is ‘I think myself happy‘ – Acts 26:2. Paul, who wrote most of the new testament, was constantly persecuted for his work in spreading the gospel. When he was on trial in front of King Agrippa he opened his speech with that line. He was in prison and had been beaten and treated very poorly, but he used his own free will to think himself happy. Sometimes we need to fake it until we make it. If I am not happy but want to be, I can put on a happy face until it comes true. I can think of all the happy things and honestly change my own attitude with sheer thoughts. God does not ever promise us happiness. You can’t find that in the bible, but He does have good plans for you. He wants you to have an eternal life. Knowing these things make me happy.

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Mama’s Experience

Part of my Better Choices (a healthier you) series is improving my spiritual health. As a Christian my life is massively effected by my relationship with Jesus. He is were I draw strength from “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” Phil 4:13, where I find rest “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matt 11:29-30 and where I find my eternal salvation, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” Eph 2:8.

I saw that I needed to pull from my faith to make it forwards. I often look at the world and people around me and think, ‘If I am barely hanging in there and I have Christ with me, how are non-believers making it!?’ The hope, life, love, peace and strength that come from my faith are priceless. When I stepped back and saw my need for a change, I knew I needed to pray a LOT. Jesus wants to help me, and He wants me to take care of myself.

Journals

As part of my journey, I have started journaling. My counselor suggested that I get my thoughts and feelings out on paper. I have never journaled before, but I trusted she knew what she was talking about. I have noticed that the times I remember journal are when I am at my weakest. When I am exhausted, mad, angry, at my wits end, depressed or when I am confused. I see that it’s when I am in an ‘extreme’ emotion is when I feel this pull. Others may journal to get out their excitement, happiness, joy and love. These are the best times to journal. It’s when our hearts are raw and real. Not only that, but it’s one of the best ways to let go of any emotions that could be affecting how you live your life. Whilst I found my solace in journaling, others may get their relief by taking some of the best CBD oil products on the market, talking with a close family member or friend, or by setting aside time to exercise and work out. In reality, it doesn’t matter how you find this relief, as long as you let go of it. Journaling is not professional writing that will be seen by the public, but for yourself and God. You can be honest, write random words, jab your pen into the page, draw pictures or images. There is no right or wrong way to journal.

When I reach for my journals I see scripture on the cover. The beautiful journals by Christian Quote Shop help but me put Jesus in my thoughts before I write. I fall short. I sin. I am a hot mess most of the time. But seeing His word on the cover helps pull me back to reality. That it’s okay that I am a hot mess and a crazy sinner. I am not made to be perfect, only Jesus was. But I can move forward by acknowledging my need for a Savior. If you want to help enrich your walk with Christ I highly suggest getting a few of the super cute and way affordable journals.

Shirts

Taking care of my body is another part of my Better Choices journey. “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” Proverbs 31:17, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own” 1 Cor 6:19 and “She is strong…” Prov 31:25 are the main verses I think of when I am working out now. My body was not created to be wasted and disregarded. As a Christian, when I accepted Christ as my Savior, the Holy Spirit was given to me as a gift. This gift is the most precious gift this side of the grave. Having Christ, live INSIDE of me! Me! The holy God of the universe is inside of me. I felt convicted. Should I be lazy and eating unhealthy foods while God is in me? Does God really want a fried and greasy meal? Or would he rather taste the fresh fruits and vegetables He created for us to eat? By sporting Christian t-shirts I can show others my faith and strength.

While at the gym working out, I can glance into the mirror and see this amazing tee shirt that states “She is Strong” and it encourages me. It helps me think of my Lord and how my mind needs to refocus back on Him. He will give me the strength to get through that workout. He will give me the mental strength to move forwards in life.

Pillow

My home is where I spend most of my time. I am a stay-at-home mom and I am in my living room constantly. Playing in there with the kids, walking through it, folding laundry in there, snuggling on the couch with my kids… The living room is a main room in most families lives. Scripture verses on my walls often get overlooked. I don’t always glance up at them. That is me at least. Now, that I have scripture and Truth on my couch, I see it constantly. I make a point now to read it to myself, and out loud to my family several times per day. Having a quality throw Pillow allows myself to stop and think of Jesus Christ.

This pillow is super soft and very durable. My kids love to throw pillows and make cozy nests with all the pillows and blankets they can find. This pillow is perfect for fun and decor. It’s perfect for any room in your house.