I’ve found the perfect way to stay hydrated and energized during a blogging conference, trade show or any event where you need to keep your star-power bright.

You’re going to want one of these, especially before all the spring-time travel begins! This is the best water bottle ever!

My good pals over at Dexas International know me soooo well. They know that I’m always on the go… or just playing catch-up with my crazy life.

Drinking lots of water is the name of the game (as we all know), but having something healthy to eat when you are on the verge of your next meal is just as important (that’s when we make bad choices… or at least I do).

Dexas has the answer: The Snack-DuO water bottle… the only bottle that has two side-by-side chambers: one to hold whatever you like to drink, and another to hold a snack.

And, before I continue, because this is important, the Snack-DuO is made of Tritan™ copolyester, a BPA and BPS-free plastic. No bisphenols in this high impact-resistant bottle! Good to know, especially because there’s so much talk about the risk of using plastic water bottles that aren’t BPA free!

Do you workout or go to the gym? I really try (key word: try) to work out everyday. I know that after a workout I need to eat something… especially something healthy. Before I work out, I fill the snack-side of the Snack-DuO with protein bar bites, trail mix or almonds. Okay, sometimes I fill it with M&M’s, but that’s only sometimes.

The bottle is watertight and holds 12 ounces of liquid. The snack chamber holds 1½ cups of your fave snack, which is more than a serving size of most healthy snacks. Love that the Snack-DuO is also dishwasher safe.

The Snack-DuO is great for commuting… or for making sure the kids have a healthy snack before their after-school activities!

Now… doesn’t this sound like the best water bottle ever? Order your Snack DuO here!

Are you making a pumpkin pie from scratch this Thanksgiving? Don’t throw out the best part!

I’m talking about the seeds, of course!

After you wash and cut open the pumpkin, scoop out the pulp and seeds. Place them in a big bowl and then call one of the little kids into the kitchen. Tell them their job is to remove the seeds from the “slime” (use that word, they’ll think it’s cool). Have your helper drop the seeds into a separate bowl.

After the seeds and pulp have been separated, rinse the seeds in a colander and then lay them out on paper towels to air dry. Put them in a re-sealable plastic bag until you’re ready to use them (they’ll hold for about a week).

There are so many ways to roast pumpkin seeds. Here’s my recipe for how to make Candied Pumpkin Seeds, which are great to snack on, top a salad or sprinkle in your oatmeal. They also make sweet little hostess gifts!

I made these very Spice Island spicy, not hot spicy. Click here to read more and to get the recipe!

The kids are on vacation but, hey, guess what? You’re not!

Big and little people still need to be fed, so why not make something quick and easy that can be thrown on the grill or in the oven like these Island Chicken Drumsticks?

Here’s what you do:

1. Buy one of those 12-packs of chicken legs (or more if you’re feeling particularly ambitious).
2. Prepare the dry rub from spices you probably already have in your pantry. You don’t need to follow my recipe… use what you have!
3. Heat up the grill or oven and in 20 minutes dinner will be ready.

If you DO make extra drummies, you’ll have something to feed the hungry horde for lunch tomorrow or a picnic dinner the day AFTER tomorrow. Perfect. Easy. Just like summer should be!

       Print this recipe.    

Deep fried. Twice. Carb-loaded. Starchy.

Yep, that’s my kind of comfort food: tostones. And I just found an easier way to make them: a tostonera.

You have nooo idea what I’m talking about, do you?

Tostones are twice fried* chunks of smashed plantains, which are the bigger, firmer cousin of the banana, but with a lot less sugar. They’re a staple in Cuba and the Caribbean, as well as other parts of the world. They’re available in many supermarkets or ethnic grocery stores.

Back to the tostonera. You have to smash the plantains after the first fry, so a tostonera makes it easier. This little gadget is also great for getting the kids to help. What kid doesn’t like smashing things?

Here’s a demo. Don’t forget the first fry before the smashing begins (I don’t show it in the video)!

The tostonera I found in Cuba is metal, but they are also made of wood, plastic and bamboo and come in different sizes.

Now…get out there and start smashing!

*Twice Fried: That phrase probably makes you shudder, but remember I said it was a comfort food… that means only occasionally. Tostones also make a great appetizer served with a dipping sauce!

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