Sponsored: My Hectic Days

Thursday, 28 June 2012

Sponsored: My Hectic Days
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Florida Orange Juice. All opinions are 100% mine.

Being a mom is a job all of it's own, but when you add in owning your own business and running two blogs, days go from busy to B-U-S-Y. I'm talking, little time to eat or go to the bathroom sometimes! It seems like from the time I step out of bed, I am go, go, go.

One thing that has helped me is having a pretty solid morning routine. Once the kids are awake, they are changed and situated for breakfast. I'll admit that breakfast most days is something quick for everyone, it's just easier then hauling out the ingredients and equipment needed to make waffles or eggs. I do try to keep pancakes and muffins in the freezer, but sometimes grabbing some cereal bars and fruit (or 'squeezie' pouches of puree for the one year old) is just way easier.

As the kids enjoy breakfast, I will either work on cleaning up the kitchen a bit or I'll go ahead and have my own breakfast. I always need something to drink when I wake up, and having a glass of Florida Orange Juice is often an easy way to jolt myself awake, quench my thirst, and make sure I'm taking care of myself.

One 8‐ounce serving of 100 percent orange juice is a good source of potassium and folate and an excellent source of vitamin C.

Because I'm so busy, I often neglect my own care and needs. I'll forget my multivitamin, and I know that I don't eat enough fruits and vegetables each day. So having a glass of orange juice in the morning while feeding kids, cleaning up the kitchen, starting a load of laundry, or whatever is a simple and delicious way to get some nutrients in me. And because I'm so busy, I'm already burning those calories before I even take my first sip!

One thing I need to try and do more of is prepare some 'smoothie mixes' to stash in the freezer. Just put OJ and yogurt into ice cube trays to freeze, and once solid add a few of each to a baggie of frozen fruit to keep on hand. Then, just blend for a convenient, on-the-go smoothie.

My oldest loves orange juice, so it's something we keep on hand. I prefer 100% fruit juices over Kool-Aid and other drinks and I'm glad he does too. A refreshing glass of 100 percent orange juice has no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, which may be found in many fruit juice cocktails and sports drinks.

After breakfast is when the kids will play (or go to school, depending on the time of the year) and I get started with work. Monday and Friday, during the summer like it is right now, are easy days. Not much of anything is planned, so I juggle working on projects and playing with the kids in between meals and naps. Tuesdays and Thursdays I have a mother's helper who comes to play with the kids, and so far she's been great. She has free range of the kitchen, so I keep it stocked with healthy choices. Wednesday are appointment and errand day, and right after lunch is when the chaos strikes. We are go, go, go from about 1pm to 6pm!

I really don't know when I get to sit down and breathe... maybe the 3 seconds I get in the bathroom? LOL

I like to keep tabs on brands we use in our home, so you can find Florida Orange Juice on Facebook and Florida Orange Juice on Pinterest if you're interested! A special thank you to Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD for the healthy tips!

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Comments (8)

To tell the truth, in the incredible heat we've been having in Texas - my kids ask me for a smoothie every day. I buy those ready-to-make smoothie mix bags in the freezer section and blend it with orange juice. I swear they like this more than ice cream. And someday I'll get better at it and make it with my own ingredients, but I'm a smoothie newbie for now. This afternoon I'm going to try dropping some spinach leaves into the mix. I hope it isn't a fail.
- 6/29/2012 2:17 PM
- sarahsmurfette@xanga (message)
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@sarahsmurfette@xanga - Try adding wheat germ for extra nutritional value! We make ours out of ice, frozen fruit, and vanilla yogurt.
- 6/29/2012 5:53 PM
- LupusInvictus@xanga (message)
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@LupusInvictus@xanga - That's a good idea. Like I said, I'm new at this. And the spinach, well it was alright, and the kids drank it, but to me it tasted a bit too earthy. Not sure if I'll add it again. This has been their afternoon snack lately, and if you go ahead and wash out the blender right after you pour the smoothies, it doesn't feel like too much work. I'll have to try your version sometime. Have you ever used greek yogurt? I know it's supposed to be healthier but I tried it once with granola in it (courtesy of my brother in law who swore it was delicious) and was disgusted.
- 6/29/2012 11:13 PM
- sarahsmurfette@xanga (message)
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@sarahsmurfette@xanga - I do kale instead of spinach, works better for me
- 6/30/2012 9:00 PM
- vlinder_farfalla@xanga (message)
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@vlinder_farfalla@xanga - I have never in my life bought kale. I confess i'll have to google it. And now I feel lame for admitting that. Hah!
- 6/30/2012 9:11 PM
- sarahsmurfette@xanga (message)
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@sarahsmurfette@xanga - I just started eating greek yogurt because I need the protein, the Dannon vanilla or fruit on the bottom kind tastes like regular yogurt to me. I guess maybe it tastes a little like whole milk yogurt, sometimes a little chunky...I don't know, I think it tastes the same, but my boyfriend thinks it is gross! The plain kind really IS gross though!
- 6/30/2012 10:28 PM
- LupusInvictus@xanga (message)
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@sarahsmurfette@xanga - I think greek yogurt is yummy! I've never eaten sweetened yogurt though so I imagine it would be a huge change for someone who likes their sugar! I like the ones with fruit puree on the top...
- 7/1/2012 7:49 PM
- andweknowthis@xanga (message)
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if you add a little honey to unsweetened yogurt it makes a HUGE difference! :)
- 7/1/2012 8:39 PM
- wretched_epiphany@xanga (message)
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