My Wellness Resolution

Happy 2017! I can’t believe the new year is here! I planned to write an “end of the year letter” but between the holidays, family time and a bit of relaxation time…it just simply didn’t happen! My favorite thing to do at the end of the year is to write down my goals for the  coming year. This has been a tradition of mine for the last few years. I actually enjoy reading them at the end of the year, too! It serves as great reflection and I am always pleasantly surprised by what I wanted to happen vs what the universe had in store for me!

What I don’t do…is make resolutions! I’ve never been good at keeping them. I think it’s all the pressure…

I tend to set myself up to slip by making them too big and unrealistic. But healthy eating without dieting is something I always strive for. And this year, I’m tackling that with small steps every day, such as making sure I have a nutrient-packed breakfast, like a Burt’s Bees Plant-Based Protein Shake or a bowl of steel cut oatmeal + protein!

I’ve partnered with Burt’s Bees to help introduce their new collection of Plant-Based Protein Shakes. For 30 years, they’ve been nurturing skin with nature’s most powerful ingredients and now their helping to nourish the body from the inside out. What I like about Burt’s Bees Protein Shakes is that they are a holistic health package. All three formulas enhance your daily nutrition with 15 grams of plant protein as well as vitamins and antioxidants. And two of the formulas support specific areas. Protein +Gut Health supports digestive health as part of a balanced diet, and Protein +Healthy Radiance gives your skin a healthy glow. They’re also made with organic ingredients, no GMOs, and no artificial sweeteners or flavors.

So when Burt’s Bees asked me to help launch these brilliant protein powders – I was thrilled! I have been a huge fan of Burt’s bees forever. They are such a thoughtful brand and have always been nature’s biggest champion! I created three recipes for Burt’s Bees that are super easy, delicious, and will shake up your morning routine giving you a nourishing, protein-packed start. (You can also find them on BurtsBees.com.)

My Chia Cherry Chocolate Smoothie is great if you have a sweet tooth. It is like a treat without the guilt. It’s a rich smoothie using chocolate Burt’s Bees Protein Shake, cherries, chia seeds and blackberries.

My Green Vanilla Mint Smoothie has the benefits of kale, spinach and avocado, but you’ll be surprised you can’t taste them – just a delicious vanilla smoothie, thanks to vanilla Burt’s Bees protein shake.

And if you are looking for something a bit more filling, my Banana Chai Steel Cut Oats recipe is a twist on regular oats. Made with vanilla Burt’s Bees Protein and coconut milk…slow cooked and spiced with Chai tea and cinnamon.

To kick things off, let’s do a lil step by step guide to these steel cut oats, shall we?

Then bring coconut milk and water to a slow rolling boil. The water helps to keep the coconut milk from getting too hot and burning…next you add your banana…

In a separate skillet, warm 1 – 2 T of coconut oil and add the steel cut oats.

Warming the oats before you slow boil them brings out their natural nutty flavor. I never skip this step…

Add the oats to the milk mixture. Let simmer, and stir constantly, reducing heat to low.

Once the oats are cooked, turn off the heat. You don’t want to add the chai contents while the oats are too hot, it will burn the tea leaves. Gently fold in the Burt’s bees protein of your choice and (if desired) garnish with maple syrup.