The Perfect Healthy Treat: Special K Chewy Snack Bars

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Special K®.

When it comes to snack time, we all want something wholesome that tastes like we are indulging... Something that leaves our taste buds in awe but doesn't end up "sticking to our hips". Since I'm really committed to losing these extra lbs. I'm carrying around, I've been doing my research on healthy yet tasty treats lately and today I'm sharing a new found snack time indulgence that I just love, a snack that you can take with you anywhere and enjoy any time of the day: Special K® Chewy Snack Bars.

Special K® is one of my favorite brands, they have some of the most delicious (and healthy) snack foods... but their new Chewy Snack Bars have to be among my favorites! They are made with the best ingredients; think rich chocolatey chunks, crunchy salted pretzels, real fruit pieces and chewy rolled oats. These yummy bars deliver great taste and provide the perfect crunchy yet chewy texture you crave!

Plus, these new snack bars are only 100 calories per bar, letting you indulge without stressing about calories. I love crumbling mine up and sprinkling them in yogurt or just eating one on the go while exploring the great outdoors with the hubs. Special K® has always been a favorite brand of mine but they really have outdone themselves with their new products(did I mention they also have some new brownies on the market?)

With four delicious flavors – Berry Medley, Blueberry Bliss, Salted Caramel Chocolate and Salted Pretzel Chocolate – they offer plenty of variety so you will never get bored snacking! My personal favorite was the Blueberry Bliss bar but they all are absolutely delish! Which Special K® snack bar do you want to try first?

 Visit SpecialK.com for more information on the new Special K® Chewy Snack Bars or find them near you in mass retailers now! Be sure to stay up to date on Special K's newest snacks too, connect with the best snack makers in the world on facebook and twitter.

3 Days To Green With Evolution Fresh + {a $40 GC giveaway}

I was provided with samples to facilitate this review, but all opinions below are my own and I only share products that I think my readers will enjoy!

I know I've talked about this in nearly every post since the New Year started but I'll say it again, I'm on a mission to get fit this year. I was actually really good over the holidays and even stayed on track the past two weeks... but I'm going to be honest, I have some delicious treats in the fridge gearing up for the big game and upcoming blog posts which means that I need to be hyper conscious of my calorie intake to avoid gaining back what I worked so hard to lose.

With my future indulgences in mind, I've decided to team up with Evolution Fresh juices again {read my past post here}.  This time I'm taking part in The 3 Days To Green with Evolution Fresh, the healthiest challenge ever and the tastiest too! This challenge involves having a delicious Evolution Fresh green juice everyday for three days straight, how easy is that? My challenge will include my favorites - Sweet Greens and Lemon and Essential Greens with Lime. These juices are "green monsters", packed with more than one pound of GREEN vegetables in each bottle and so incredibly flavorful - I promise you'll fall in love.

Evolution Fresh is actually so excited about their challenge that they are hosting a giveaway centered around 3 Days To Green. Twenty-Five lucky winners will win 1 Month of Evolution Fresh green juice, a Jawbone Up24 (a life changing fitness band), a Lululemon $125 Gift Card, a Food 52 Cookbook, an adorable Evolution Fresh™ green zip up hoodie, and an Evolution Fresh™ 18oz. water bottle! I really want to win this prize but... I have my fingers crossed that you win as well, head on over to enter and if you treat yourself to the challenge then you'll receive 60 extra entries!

Now here's some really awesome news, I've teamed up with a group of bloggers to host a giveaway hop and my giveaway is going to make you super happy and super green! We are all Welcoming Winter in a big way and I'm super excited because I can help you buy some delicious superfood juices to nourish your body and help you achieve your fitness goals this winter, after all - bikini bodies are made in the winter!

Evolution Fresh and I are going to supply one of my readers with a $40 gift card to go score some Evolution Fresh Greens of your own from Starbucks! So who wants to buy some delicious juices from the little green mermaid? Be sure to subscribe and follow me too, because I'll be hosting even more Starbucks/Evolution Fresh giveaways very soon!

Enter to win this giveaway and try Evolution Fresh for yourself with the Giveaway Tools form below:

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: This giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on January, 30 2015. The Welcome Winter Hop Event Bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. Companies and bloggers, if you would like to participate in events like this one, sign up to be emailed about future events hosted by The Review Wire.


Be sure to enter all of these other awesome giveaways participating in the giveaway hop:

Apple, Peanut Butter, and Quaker® Simply Granola No-Bake Cookies { An easy, guilt-free snack }

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Quaker. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #LoveMyCereal #QuakerUp

We all know Quaker® makes some of the most delicious cereals on the market and with so many options like Quaker® Real Medleys®, Quaker® Oatmeal Squares, Quaker® Simply Granola, and Quaker® Life it's a sure bet that I'm powering through my morning routine with Quaker® in my system! But lately I find myself including these awesome cereals in my diet as snacks through out the day and I've noticed I've been using them as an ingredient in new recipes that have become regular meals in our home!

There are so many recipes that I want to share with you guys using Quaker® products but today I'm talking about ooey, goeey, super tasty Apple, Peanut Butter, and Quaker® Simply Granola No-Bake Cookies. These cookies are probably my favorite snack, ever... mainly because they are super easy to make! We all know I'm all about a super easy recipe, so this no-bake cookie recipe can be made in 3 quick steps!

So I know it's great that this recipe is easy and delicious, but if you are like me and you are watching your figure, take note: these "cookies" aren't bad for you! Made with wholesome ingredients that will leave you feeling fantastic and energized - the perfect way to stay on track with your diet and still satisfy your sweet tooth! I may have eaten 6 of these in one day... and I totally don't feel guilty!

Now I know what you are thinking, "Guilt-Free cookies?! Yes, please!"
Am I Right?
So here's my super easy recipe for these tasty "cookies":

Apple, Peanut Butter, and Quaker® Simply Granola No-Bake Cookies Ingredients: Granny Smith Apple Whipped Peanut Butter Quaker® Simply Granola: Oats, Honey, Raisins, and Almonds 1. Simply slice an apple into thin slices. 2. Spread peanut butter on apple. 3. Sprinkle a liberal serving of Quaker® Simply Granola: Oats, Honey, Raisins, and Almonds on the peanut butter covered apples.   Enjoy!

These are seriously so good... but I'm thinking my next batch of cookies will probably involve coconut sprinkled on top because everything is better with a little bit of coconut! I bet even the pickiest eater in your family will love these cookies. Now that I've shared one of my favorite granola recipes, I'd love to hear how you eat your granola...?

Oh & just in case you were wondering, everything I used for this recipe is available at your local Walmart! Grab a bag of Quaker® Simply Granola: Oats, Honey, Raisins, and Almonds and all of the other delicious Quaker® cereals today.

Kick-start the New Year with KIN Community and The Laughing Cow®

Our discussion today about the #KickStartToANewYou Youtube Collab
is sponsored by The Laughing Cow® and KIN community!

It's that time of the year, the time when gyms are packed full of people, we see a surge in decluttering and organizing pins on pinterest, and well, almost everyone does some little tweak to their routine. We're all trying to stick with our New Years resolutions and this year KIN community is giving us tutorials on a little bit of everything lifestyle related to help all of us keep up a clean house, a healthy body, a balanced life, and a creative mind! 

My goals this year include eating healthier, working out more, focusing on getting my degree (WOOHOO), and working really, really hard on my blog. I'll be honest, so far I haven't implemented many changes in my routine but today is the day. I'm snacking healthy with The Laughing Cow Light Original Cheese and Spreads, I'm also going to squeeze in a little yoga practice so I'm mentally prepared for my first day of school tomorrow, and of course, I worked extra hard on a few upcoming posts for the blog.

It's all about a mindset and I'm super pumped about what I'll achieve this year after getting inspired by KIN Community's "New Year, New You" Playlist. It features all kinds of different videos to help you through out the year. So far, I think the "How To Stop Binge Eating" video may be the most helpful in my life, but the DIY Necklace Organizer is pretty amazing as well! What video is your favorite?

We all have a variety of resolutions we want to stick to this year and I truly believe if we all stay motivated, anything is possible. I'd love to hear more about your goals in 2015. This year, what do you hope to achieve, overcome, change, or even dream of?

{Healthy & Delicious} Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Made With Cauliflower - Gluten Free, Low-Fat

I keep telling you all about my healthier lifestyle and this month I'm really trying to share some of my favorite healthy (and delicious) meal and snack ideas! This Pepperoni Pizza Casserole is so incredibly delicious... It's a creamy, cheesy casserole that tastes just like pizza, maybe even a bit like "Pizza Rolls" but even better!

While the taste could even fool the Ninja Turtles into thinking they are eating pizza, the best part about this casserole is that it's super easy to make - basically fool proof! You'll need a blender, a microwave, and an oven but I promise it's not a complicated recipe at all. So put on your apron and grab a head of cauliflower, it's time to mix up the best casserole you've ever had...

Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Made With Cauliflower Casserole: 1 head of cauliflower 2 Tbsp Heavy Cream 1 Tbsp Butter 12 slices pepperoni 1/3 cup low-fat Italian cheese blend a dash of salt & pepper Topping: 9 slices pepperoni 1/2 cup low-fat Italian cheese blend Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Wash and trim the cauliflower, break all of it up into medium pieces and place in a microwave safe bowl with 2 tbsp of cream and 1 tbsp of butter. Microwave on high for 9 minutes. Remove from microwave, stir mixture thoroughly, and microwave again until cauliflower is tender, which should be around 6-8 minutes. Remove from microwave and put into blender (or food processor) with 12 slices of pepperoni and 1/3 cup of Italian Cheese. Puree until smooth, add a dash of salt and pepper. Add additional cream if the texture of the puree isn't right. Spread the cauliflower mixture into an oven-ready casserole dish. Cover with the topping ingredients and Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until done. Enjoy!

If you have picky eaters or pizza lovers in your home that don't really like veggies, I highly recommend this recipe to trick them into getting tons of deliciously healthy cauliflower in their diet. It's so scrumptious that no one even notices that it's healthy and can be served as a meal or an appetizer... I know it doesn't seem like it should taste this good, it sounds like it's going to taste crazy but I promise - it's so incredibly good, you should probably make two batches! I wouldn't lie about pizza, so you'll have to take my word for it and whip this dish up this evening!