There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
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​Back in October, I visited Hawai'i for the first time and stayed at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa. While we had tons of fun soaking up the sun by the lagoon at the resort, no trip to Hawai'i is complete without hiking.

Some of the hiking spots in Hawai'i are absolutely iconic, and it's no wonder why. The land and views are absolutely breathtaking (and please remember to treat the land with the utmost respect when you visit!). 

Growing up, I didn't do much hiking - just a few little forest paths as a kid in Rhode Island, but nothing major since my family wasn't exactly the outdoorsy type. I've run a few half marathons, too, but never had been hiking before, especially with incline since my husband and I were coming from Florida. So, to get the best of both worlds, we stuck to trails we could find that were beginner-friendly but still provided some amazing views. Here are some of the four best hikes for beginners in Oahu, Hawai'i.
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Worth noting at the time of this posting that Hawai'i is currently undergoing a bit of a water crisis - everyone has been asked to conserve water when they can because some jet fuel made its way into the water supply. If you're visiting, do your best to practice sustainable, responsible tourism. Support local, be conscious of your water use, and consider volunteering somewhere on the island or donating to organizations like the Hawai'i Community Foundation.
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My husband and I both agreed that Manoa Falls was our favorite hike on the entire trip and one of the best places we visited. Manoa Falls in Honolulu is only about 1.7 miles and is out and back trail, though there is an option to add an additional, longer loop if you want to go further and spend more time here. The trail can get a bit muddy at parts, but was overall safe and easy to navigate. Just watch your step - this is a rainforest, after all!

This trail takes you through a part of Manoa Valley. There are tons of trees the whole way, so even if you go mid-day like we did, you'll get plenty of shade. Some scenes in Lost and Jurassic Park were filmed here, and it is incredibly easy to see why. Going through Manoa Valley felt like being in a whole other world. The valley eventually takes you through to a bamboo field, where the extra trail loop is, before you reach the main attraction: Manoa Falls. The 150-foot waterfall is gorgeous, but swimming in the pool is not recommended. If you do want to swim in a waterfall after a hike, keep reading - there's a place you can do this safely!
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Definitely wear some mosquito repellent and some good hiking shoes that are waterproof. You'll need them! Luckily, at the end of the trail, there are some hoses you can use to clean your shoes. 
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Diamond Head in Waikiki may seem like an obvious choice, but this approximately 1.6 mile hike did live up to the hype. This volcanic tuff cone makes for a beautiful hike with a few places to stop and enjoy the scenery along the way.
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Part of the path is paved, and when you get closer to the top, you have a few options: some really steep stairs, or just more of the path. We opted out of the stairs and had a great view along the way. Don't worry - you'll get to climb more stairs later anyway! I got some training in on the stair master at the gym before our trip and I am glad I did.
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We went just after sunrise to beat the sunrise crowd and it wasn't too terribly busy. We were lucky enough to catch a rainbow over Waikiki Beach from the very top!
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There are also some old military forts from World War II that you can explore here. Just watch your step and you head coming out. If you've watched our recap video, you'll see me bonk my own head on the way out. Oops!
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Also, hold on to your hats. It gets windy at the top!
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The Makapu'u Point Trail is completely paved and a 2.5 mile out and back trail. It being paved makes the incline a bit easier, but the higher you go, the more windy it gets, which was admittedly a bit heart-pumping at the top! 

But this is a super beginner-friendly hiking trail. There's a small unpaved section along the way, but other than that, this was a hike where a lot of people brought their kids or their dogs. It's along the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline near Waimanalo. 
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There are some really nice views from the top. Not only do you get to see the lighthouse from here, but you also have a great. view of some tide pools and Koko Crater. 
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My husband considers this more of a walk than a hike, and I'd say I agree with him. You can go anywhere from 2 to 3.5 miles on this out and back trail depending on how you weave and how much of the botanical gardens you explore. This visit was part of our Majestic Circle Island Tour that we took out of Aulani and I'm so glad it was included.
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The botanical gardens and lush valley along the way are gorgeous and are worth thoroughly exploring, but getting to Waimea Falls is truly a treat. Bring a bathing suit here because you get to swim in this waterfall - and if you're a fan of Lost, you'll definitely want to as you'll recognize this spot.

Life vests are included when you swim in the waterfall (and required). It's pretty rocky getting in, so just watch your step as you make your way into the pool. The water had a slight chill to it but was not unbearable, making it perfect after hiking up through Waimea Valley.

There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
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If you're looking for some Disney magic in tropical paradise, then look no further than Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa. Located on Oahu, this resort focuses on immersing you in Hawaiian culture without laying on the Disney touches too thick. There's tons to do at this resort and Ko Olina makes for a peaceful getaway compared to some of the hustle and bustle of the cities. These are some of the 10 best things to do at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, in Oahu with or without kids.
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Worth noting at the time of this posting that Hawai'i is currently undergoing a bit of a water crisis - everyone has been asked to conserve water when they can because some jet fuel found its way into the water supply. If you're visiting, do your best to practice sustainable, responsible tourism. Support local, be conscious of your water use, and consider volunteering somewhere on the island or donating to organizations like the Hawai'i Community Foundation.
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Aulani has a beautiful infinity-edge pool that overlooks the lagoon. If you’re looking for it on a resort map, it's called the Ka Maka Grotto Infinity Pool. Whether you hang out in the hot tub by the rocks or right on the edge of the pool to overlook the beach, you’ll love this pool.

Ka Maka Grotto is a family-friendly pool, so if you want to enjoy this experience without kids, you can time it just right or you can check out some of the adult-only pools. 

Did you know that Aulani has its own lazy river? The lazy river is included with your stay and takes you around the entire pool area, including the volcano (which doubles as a slide). This is a great way to get a lay of the land while enjoying the sunshine and the water.  

In fact, Waikolohe Stream (the official name of the lazy river) has two different waterslides. The Volcanic Vertical takes you into the nearby pool, but the open-air Tubestone Curl brings you straight into the lazy river.

Don’t worry about being cold. They keep the water temperature in the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit.

Makahiki - The Bounty of the Islands is right on the first floor of the resort. You’ll need to book a reservation ahead of time, but you can enjoy a delicious three-course breakfast including fresh pastries, local fruits, and an entree of your choice. We had our photo taken outside with Mickey and Pluto, then saw Max and Goofy inside the restaurant! 

When we went in October 2021, they did not have the characters going from table-to-table for social distancing, but we got a kick out of watching Max and Goofy “cook” up some breakfast.
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The Ka Wa’a Luau is a great way to enjoy a luau without having to leave the resort. If you’ve been to a few luaus before, then this one may not be for you based on some reviews I’ve seen. But if you’ve never been to one (like me!) then you’ll definitely enjoy this. There are some character appearances and you get to learn some hula moves with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, which is super fun. But the dancers were extremely talented and the food tasted great.  

Pre-COVID, the food was served buffet style. When we went in October 2021, the food was served in some really nice bento boxes. You definitely get plenty of food - I couldn’t finish mine!

Ko Olina has a stretch of four lagoons along the beach. One of these lagoons is shared by Aulani and the Marriott next door. But if you take the path down to the lagoon, you can keep walking and explore the others until you hit the Ko Olina marina. This is a short and beautiful stroll. Plus, you may also see some mongoose along the way! We saw some rummaging through a trash bin.
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It’s not the same as Hanauma Bay, but you can try snorkeling at Aulani, too! I had never been snorkeling before, so we did this as a sort of test run before tackling Hanauma Bay later in our trip. 

The little reef that Disney built here is really beautiful and there are a ton of fish. There are also lifeguards, so if you want to take your kids snorkeling or if you’re an adult who has never been like me, this is a great way to get your feet and fins wet. 

Snorkeling gear is provided here. This includes your snorkel, mask, and a vest. No need to bring your own!
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Did you know that you can go paddleboarding at the lagoon? If you want to try something a tad more adventurous than just soaking up the sun, you can rent out a bunch of different equipment to use at the beach. This includes kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkels. 
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Aulani also offers sailing canoe excursions from the lagoon. You can book a reservation for Hawaiian Ocean Adventures at Makiki Joe’s. If you’re really feeling adventurous, this is a great way to explore the island.
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No trip to Hawai’i is complete without some shave ice (not to be confused with shaved ice - they're different!). You can get shave ice at Aulani and they even offer it with Mickey Mouse ears! I really recommend trying some flavors that are more unique to Hawai’i here, too. Huapia, for example, is a flavor that stems from a coconut-based Hawaiian treat and is really delicious. ​

The Majestic Circle Island Tour picks you up from Disney’s Aulani Resort and is a great way to explore the highlights of the whole island in one day. We made a ton of stops along the way and lunch was included.

Stops included:

• Nu'uanu Pali Lookout (pictured)
• Byodo-In Temple
• Waimea Falls (bring a swimsuit - you can swim in the waterfall!)
• Tropical Farms (you can sample macademia nuts and coffee here, all locally grown!)
• Dole Plantation

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These were most of the experiences available when we went during our stay, but there may be more as places begin to open back up and relax COVID-19 restrictions. There are tons of other activities to do at Aulani, including a Menehune Adventure Trail that’s engaging for kids, spas, ukulele lessons, firepit storytelling with Moana, and more.
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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page!
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Anthony and I recently celebrated our two-year wedding anniversary so we wanted to try a new restaurant at Epcot! We went to Chefs de France, the main restaurant within the France Pavilion. This was our first time (we normally hit up the Japan Pavilion since it's our favorite cuisine in general), but as I also love French food, I was stoked.

We had a fantastic view. We went for lunch at 1:30 and had a great window spot.
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The menu was presented on the table. They have a Prix Fix option that you don't have to order off of, but if you plan on getting an appetizer, entree, dessert, and drink, it definitely saves you money. If you're like us and don't drink alcohol, you do not need to get an alcoholic beverage. They let me get coffee with mine!
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For my appetizer, I went with the French onion soup. It ended up being a really cold and rainy day, so the soup was perfect. It was very savory and hearty, with a ton of cheese on top. This was almost filling enough as is!
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Anthony got the escargot to try. The parsley garlic butter sauce that it was served with really. complemented the snails nicely. This was a first for both of us and we really enjoyed it. The escargot had a similar texture as calamari.

Anthony got the Chef's Salad with Chicken: Chicken with Tomatoes, Celery, Onions, Hardboiled Egg, Swiss cheese, Romaine Lettuce served chilled with a French red wine vinegar dressing. He really enjoyed this salad, which seemed to never end. It was packed with tons of lettuce and veggies, with plenty of protein to stay full. There was a ton of Swiss on this, too!
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I went with the White wine and Lemon marinated Salmon, broiled and served with Rice, Champagne Sauce. The sauce on the salmon had a great flavor that wasn't overwhelming. The salmon wasn't fishy at all and totally melted on your tongue. This portion size was perfect, too - super filling, but not so massive that it was overkill after my very filling soup.
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We both went with the creme brulee for dessert. Anthony had actually never had creme brulee before and it got his seal of approval! I found it to be both light yet flavorful. The top was the perfect amount of crispiness.

Want to try Disney dessert at home? Try my viral, easy DIY Dole Whip!

Everything here was fantastic. None of the flavors were too overwhelming, but everything was still packed with flavor. The presentation on everything was really pretty, too. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this joint, especially if you're going with no kids or with teenagers who don't care for character dining. We noticed there were definitely less small children at this location.

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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page!
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​Protein Milkshake was kind enough to send me a few of their chocolate flavors to sample again. I love their protein so much because it’s fairly low calorie, so it’s easy to fit into your macros while still providing the protein you need to stay satiated.

Their flavors are also so fun, and I love seeing how I can recreate some of the flavors’ inspiration with their protein powders.

Protein Milkshake sent me chocolate cake and chocolate mousse flavored protein recently. My birthday is coming up next month, so we’ll be saving the chocolate cake for that!

But first, I wanted to whip up a tasty treat for anyone craving pie this fall, but maybe isn’t a huge pumpkin fan.

(And if you are a pumpkin fan, they have seasonal flavors too like pumpkin spice latte, so you could totally do this with whatever flavor you wanted!)

Today, we’re making a super easy, no-bake pie. A chocolate cream pie, to be exact! This is protein packed and only requires three ingredients. These are personal sized and are perfect for a pre-portioned out treat.

When you mix your chocolate mousse protein with Greek yogurt, it makes for a great, well, mousse! I used a vanilla yogurt so the chocolate flavors could really shine, rather than be overpowered by a fruit flavor.

But if you wanted to go for a chocolate-dipped strawberry vibe, this would pair nicely with strawberry yogurt too.

I only needed to mix the powder in to the yogurt for about a minute. The result was perfection and it made enough for two mini pie crusts!

Ingredients:

• 1 serving of chocolate flavored protein powder (recommended: Protein Milkshake’s chocolate mousse flavor)
• 2 mini pie crusts
• One 5.3 oz container of nonfat Greek yogurt (recommended: vanilla)

Instructions:

• Put yogurt into a medium sized bowl.
• Add protein powder and mix for about a minute, until the powder is fully mixed in to the yogurt and is smooth.
• Add yogurt to mini pie crusts, evenly dividing.
• Optional: add toppings, like chocolate chunks (I used Lily’s Stevia-sweetened chocolate), whipped cream, fruit, nuts, or sprinkles.
• Serve and enjoy! If not immediately serving, store in the refrigerator.

Stay tuned for a birthday cake for breakfast recipe in November!
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TW: mention of eating disorders 

Hey everyone! I wanted to share a rather raw, real, and vulnerable post with you before I move forward any further with this blog. 

When COVID-19 happened, the world shut down. Everything changed as we knew it. And thus it was a great opportunity for introspection, especially in regards to our health.

I reached a point in my weight loss journey where I realized it was never enough. After losing nearly 75 pounds, it still wasn't enough. I kept trying to lose just five more pounds. And as I discovered in quarantine in early 2020, it ended up costing me my metabolism.

While a lot of fitness professionals will harp about how killing your metabolism isn't real, what I can tell you is that it can certainly adapt. If you consistently eat a very small amount of calories and overexercise, your body will do everything in can to make sure it doesn't die. 

Metabolic tests confirmed this. My cortisol levels were through the roof and my RMR was very low. 

So, I spent some time making sure I ate enough. More than I had in the past. And that meant gaining weight. 

I did a lot of unlearning of what I learned in Weight Watchers meetings. I did a lot of reading on anti-diet approaches to health and health at every size. 

I discovered that I suffered from orthorexia. I fit it to a T. Orthorexia is when you develop an obsession with healthy eating, to the point where your social life suffers and it's all you think about.

I think this blog is living proof of that, no? 

So, with that being said, I wanted to apologize if I ended up leading any of you down a similar path. I've gone back and deleted some of the more harmful stuff on here, including diets that I worked on as part of an influencer campaign that recommended far too little calories to people.

However, there's over five years worth of content and many of you have expressed that this has helped you in a way that hasn't been as unhealthy or extreme as my weight loss journey became. So I will be leaving them up. Just know that they will not be updated further. This blog is not my full time job, and unfortunately I simply do not have the time to really go through everything. I will, however, be pinning this post to the top of my homepage so it's there for those who are new or may not see this. 

So, what does this all mean for the future of this blog? 

I still love health and fitness. I just know now that what I learned on my weight loss journey was certainly not sustainable. I know now that diets don't work in the long run (I'm sorry, they just don't... the statistics don't lie!). I know now that diets are actually designed for us to fail and gaslight us into believing it's our fault. And I know now that weight stigma is so much more harmful than being a bit overweight (in fact, recent studies have shown that people in the overweight category live longer than those in the normal BMI category... but either way, BMI is a racist, sexist, and outdated practice with no real basis in health).  

So I will still be sharing my favorite healthy-ish recipes. I'll be sharing my favorite foodie finds at Walt Disney World (and Aulani, where I recently visited). I'll be sharing my favorite ways to stay active. And I'll be sharing my favorite nerdy things throughout Central FL, especially with conventions popping back up. 

I thank all of you for understanding. If you don't want to hang along for the ride anymore, then that's okay. I totally get it. But if you do still want to stick around, then I'm looking forward to our future here! 
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(These are Amazon affiliate links. This means I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

These are books that I read over the last year and a half that have helped me learn more about health at every size, the history of diet culture, and anti-diet approaches.

• The F*ck It Diet
• Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works 
• Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fatphobia
• Fat is a Feminist Issue 

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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page!
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I have been on a major oats kick lately! From overnight oats to baked oats and even birthday cake, I’ve been having way too much fun making my own oat flour and using it to bake different things. 

If you haven’t tried using oats to make your baked goods a bit more filling (yay, more fiber!), then I highly recommend it. This oat bread base is great for muffins, donuts and more!
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​You can use this oat base to customize your recipes. Feel free to play with this and experiment with your own recipes!
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• 2 cups old fashioned oats 
• 1/2 cup sugar or stevia
• 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 
• 2/3 cup almond milk (can also use cashew or oat) 
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt

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• Run oats through a blender or food processor
• Mix all dry ingredients together
• Add wet ingredients and mix well
• Pour into tin of choice
• Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

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For donuts, I recommend adding some protein for additional flavor and topping with melted chocolate and sprinkles! I love to use Choc Zero chocolate. You can also use reduced fat cream cheese and vanilla Jordan’s Skinny Syrup to make frosting. 

For muffins, I love adding chocolate chips and cinnamon to the mix as well. 

How do you like to eat your oats? Let me know in the comments!

​There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page!

​Summertime means I’m on a strawberry kick! And to be honest, I’m always on a strawberry kick. Strawberries are definitely one of my all time favorite fruit, and any dessert with strawberries in it is an automatic favorite of mine.
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Protein Milkshake offered me to try out their newest flavor. When I saw that it was Strawberry Shortcake protein, I was beyond excited! So, naturally, I had to make strawberry shortcake with it… and this version is totally acceptable for breakfast because it’s oats in disguise! Thank you again to Protein Milkshake for mailing me these samples to try out.

​You cannot beat Protein Milkshake’s macros. It’s exactly why they’re on my list of best protein shakes for Weight Watchers. Their flavors are all around 110 calories each (including this one), and they clock in at 1 SmartPoint per serving if you're following any of the myWW plans! 

Unlike some proteins, they’re very smooth and the flavor is strong. Thankfully it’s not sickeningly sweet, but the perfect balance. 

The strawberry shortcake flavored  protein gave these baked oats such a lovely flavor. This truly did taste like a shortcake! When I opened the package, it even smelled just like a strawberry cake!

Ready to make cake for breakfast?
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• 1 egg
• 0.5 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 1 tsp honey (you can also use a light maple syrup)
• 0.5 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 serving Protein Milkshake protein powder
• Frozen strawberries

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• 1 tbsp 1/3 fat cream cheese
• Stevia to sweeten to your liking 
• Sugar free vanilla syrup

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• Blend oats in a blender or food processor until they are ground like flour.
• Add oat flour and all other ingredients for the baked oats into a blender. Mix until well blended. This should have a similar consistency as a thick pancake batter. 
• Coat 3 ramekins (or a muffin tin if you don't have ramekins) with nonstick spray. Divide mixture evenly.
• Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes. You can also bake it, but your oven times may vary! 
• Mix all ingredients for frosting and top it onto one ramekin when you’re ready to serve. 
• Optional: top with extra strawberries!

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​If you’re making your baked oats in advance, you can store them in the fridge and then reheat in the microwave. They should only need 30-60 seconds in the microwave (depending on your microwave strength).
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If you haven’t seen it already, there’s a viral TikTok snack hack going around: pasta chips!

Pasta chips are essentially just air fried pieces of cooked pasta. This is best when done with a smaller shape, like penne or bow ties. But I’ve seen some influencers like The Korean Vegan do this with ramen noodles, too! So your options are limitless.

​One of my favorite TikTokers is Steph Grasso, a clinical dietician who tried this with chickpea pasta for an added protein boost. I absolutely love Banza’s chickpea pasta and pizza crust, so I knew I had to try this!
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Banza’s chickpea pasta is just made with chickpeas (plus a little tapioca and some xanthan gum). It packs 22g of protein and 8g of fiber per serving! So it’s much more filling than standard pasta.

I tried Banza for the first time when I participated in Veganuary. Their products are vegan and gluten-free, so they fit the bill for a vegan substitute. Anthony and I both really loved it and found that there wasn’t really a flavor difference from regular pasta. And calorically, it’s similar (190-200 calories per 1 cooked cup).

When making my protein pasta chips, I had seen a ton of recipes with Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese. But I wanted to try something different. At the time, I was really craving cool ranch flavored Doritos!

So I whipped up some seasonings that I had and found that this totally hit the spot. It made for a great pre-workout snack! I used penne pasta and it reminded me of Takis.
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• 1 box Banza chickpea pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Paprika, to taste
• Garlic salt, to taste
• Onion powder, to taste
• Ranch seasoning, to taste (I used half of a Hidden Valley packet)

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Don’t feel like making your own? Here are some of my favorite protein chips:

• Quest makes protein chips and protein tortilla chips that are a great grab-and-go option.
• Peatos makes protein snacks. These are very similar to Cheetos and Funions! They use pea protein to give their snacks a plant-based protein boost. I love their nacho flavor.

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​​You can do this with any seasonings whatsoever, but again, this totally gave me Doritos vibes! If you try this seasoning combo, be sure to tag me in your creations of Instagram - I’d love to see them.

​There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page!
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It's been a while since we've made an anime recipe! But now that Mugen Train is available on Funimation, I knew I had to whip up Rengoku's bento box.

Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) is one of my favorite anime. Yes, it's newer, but it has some absolutely beautiful animation. I've already made a very simple version of Tanjiro's udon from the anime's first season. But now we're going to set our heart ablaze with this dish from the flame hashira Rengoku!

This recipe is probably not exactly what Rengoku had. This is definitely a tad Americanized, and I wanted to make it vegetarian-friendly since I don't eat beef. However, aesthetically it's similar and the flavor is pretty close to what he would have had in Mugen Train! It's also very easy to whip together.

​The recipe and ingredients list were put together based off of what I could see in the screenshot from the film; I'm not sure if an official recipe exists out there somewhere. Either way, this is a protein-packed meal that is fit for a demon-fighting hashira.

You can use real beef if you are not concerned about making this dish vegetarian.
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• 1 bag of Gardein beef-less meat (you can use the tips or the Szechuan strips without the sauce)
• 1 green onion
• 1/2 small sweet onion
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp red pickled ginger, cut into strips 
• 6 oz tofu
• 1-2 cups of white rice (depending on how much rice you want your food to sit on; I used 0.5 cup per serving since our bento box was smaller, but you can use 1 cup per serving as well)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil 
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp mirin

• Press tofu to drain water. Set aside if you're wedging it between two heavy objects like I do!
• Hard boil one egg. Cook to your desired yolk texture, though I recommend aiming for 8-10 minutes to replicate the texture of the anime's,
• Cook white rice. Once it's ready, set aside 0.5 cup or 1 cup of rice per bento (depending on how much you made & the size of your bento). 
• Once tofu is pressed, cut into strips or cubes and pan fry with sesame oil until all sides are golden. Add to your bento.
• Cut ginger into strips and add to your bento next to the tofu.
• Cut your green onion stalk into long strips and place on the other side of the tofu.
• Cut sweet onion into strips. Add to a pan with Gardein beef-less meat.
• Add hoisin sauce and mirin to the "beef" and onion mixture. Cook until onions are caramelized and "beef" is fully cooked, about 8-12 minutes. 
• Add 1/2 of the "beef" and onion mixture to the bento. 
• Add the egg once it's ready to the same side as the tofu. 

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Despite being super easy due to being made largely with premade ingredients, this tasted amazing! There was a great balance of light sweetness (from the sweet onion and the mirin) and savory (from the beef). I can definitely understand why Rengoku was chanting, "umai!" when eating this on the train. 

Since it was incredibly simple and delicious, I'm ranking this a 10/10 for both ease of replication and taste. 

Have a food from an anime that you want me to try to recreate? Let me know in the comments below! Plus, follow me on TikTok to see the behind the scenes of how this was made.

There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page!
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Amazon Prime Day is here! This event lasts June 21-22 this year and is exclusive to Amazon Prime members. This year is actually the first time they're making it a 48-hour event!

If you don't have an Amazon Prime membership but want to take advantage of the discounts, you can try a 30-day free trial so you don't miss out.

Similarly to Black Friday, there are a ton of great savings - mostly on Amazon devices and tech products - but there are usually fantastic deals on kitchen appliances or health and fitness products.

Here are some of the best Amazon Prime Day deals in the health & fitness category this year. This list is perfect for Weight Watchers, foodies, weight lifters, and for anyone working towards achieving their fitness goals!

Up To 50% Off InstantPot Cooking Appliances
InstantPot is offering up to 50% off their products, including their 9-in-1 cooker, 11-in-1 cooker, toaster oven, and air fryer.

I use my InstantPot for everything: slow cooking, pressure cooking, and as a rice cooker for the perfect sticky sushi-style rice. Plus, Weight Watchers even has an entire cookbook dedicated to InstantPot recipes! This is a must-have if you're cooking a lot at home.

Save 20% On a RENPHO Smart Scale 
When you're focusing on fat loss and muscle gains, it's important to not let the number on the scale be too much of a hang up. Using a smart scale, like this one by RENPHO on sale for Prime Day, can help you paint the full picture of your body composition.
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Discounts on Various Smart Watches & Fitness Trackers
From FitBit to Garmin, there are a ton of different fitness trackers and smart watches currently on sale. This is a great way to track your workouts, no matter what your preference is.

Up to 45% Off Orgain Vegan Protein Products
When I participated in Veganuaryearlier this year, Orgain was my go-to brand. They offer a great tasting vegan protein that I've found to be less chalky compared to other brands. If you're looking to add more plant-based options into your diet, now is a great time to give their products a try.

​Don't Miss The Savings!
All of these deals are for Amazon Prime members only, so be sure to try a  try a 30-day free trial if you don't already have a membership. 

View all available Prime Day deals here. They update them throughout the day with added flash sales, so be sure to keep checking back!