A Protein-Packed Snack Choice {Hillshire Snacking}

Disclosure #spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Hillshire. This could include Hillshire providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

It's no secret I have a large family. I mean, we're not the Duggars but, five kids in one family is considered large these days. While I would love to have a healthy snack of cut-up apples, gluten-free crackers and sliced organic cheese laid out for my kids when they walk through the door from school, it's just not that easy. I use every minute they're away from home to clean the house, take care of Mabry {who's still at home}, do the laundry and tend to any other household duties. Enter the NEW Hillshire Snacking plates! I CAN now have a healthy snack laid out for them that is also packed with protein {at least 15g per serving!}. Know what that means? Full bellies until dinnertime! {my kids would set up camp in the pantry, if I let them!}

New Hillshire Snacking features premium meats like grilled, seasoned chicken breast and hand crafted salami, and at least 15g of protein per serving. Available in 8 different varieties, including Grilled Chicken Bites paired with Teriyaki or Sweet Chili dipping sauce and Small Plates with Genoa Salami and Gouda, Hillshire Snacking options are perfectly portioned for an everyday snack at home or on-the-go, no prep required. 

Hillshire Snacking Grilled Chicken Bites and Small Plates are going to be perfect for moms {and dads} when they need to pack a lunch for the next field trip they chaperone! {I sure wish I had one of these on the zoo field trip I went on last week. You better believe I'll have one when we go to the museum in two weeks!} 

There are many days that I am working at home and just don't have the time to stop and make myself something for lunch. With any one of these varieties in my fridge {they are ALL delicious!} I can have a quick lunch that will satisfy my hunger. 

I have to also share this story with you. I went to Super Target the other day to pick up a handful of these to share with my family. I also needed them for photos. The next morning I went to the fridge and found that two of the snack plate varieties were missing. It was a huge mystery until I sent a text to my husband. He said "I'm sorry but, those things are GOOD". Okay, I can't argue with that! So, a little warning...these are sure to disappear from your fridge almost as quickly as you stock them!

Want to get your hands on Hillshire Snacking varieties today? You can find them in the refrigerated aisle of Cincinnati, OH, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky Kroger stores, as well as at King Soopers and Super Target stores nationwide! What are you waiting for? Go!

Also, check out the sweeps that is going on now through November 15!

The Beginning of My Weight Loss Journey

Six weeks ago, I decided enough was enough and I got real with myself. For almost thirteen years {since having our first son} I have blamed being overweight on having babies. I gained 65 pounds while pregnant with Jake Austin. After having him I held on to a good 40 of those pounds...for thirteen years. Until now.

In six weeks I have lost 16.5 pounds and 8+ inches. {I lost my piece of paper that I wrote my measurements on so I have re-start and just subtract from my new measurements. Hopefully I'll stumble upon that paper soon. I really want to know exactly how far I've come! I do know at last check it was just over 8 inches.}

What have I done differently? How am I losing weight and inches? It's not a diet. It's not a magic pill. I am eating healthier foods. I completely eliminated sugar and carbs with the help of Four Fit Sisters' Sugar Detox. I stopped drinking soda {biggie for me!}. I drink LOTS of water. I exercise a couple of times a week. And, I started using Plexus.

Plexus has been a game changer in my weight loss journey. Drinking Plexus Slim every morning curbs and sugar cravings that I may have during the day.

Every now and again I have the opportunity to go get myself a new "something". And for years I've just known what size I wear. {No, I'm not going to tell you. LOL} This past week I went shopping for a couple new things to wear to the Type A Parent Conference, that I'm currently at, and just grabbed that same size I always go to. I was SO excited when I got to the fitting room and the pants were TOO BIG!!! Y'all, it didn't occur to me to pick up a smaller size. And, wanna know what? I had to go down TWO pants sizes!!! {Again, not telling you! LOL}

I am feeling so good about my new weight loss journey! I've lost weight and inches and have gained so much confidence!

I don't want this to be all sales pitchy but, if you'd like more info on Plexus send me an email at jonahbonahinjax at gmail dot com. I would LOVE to tell you more!

Are YOU on a weight loss journey? Have just a few pesky pounds that you'd like to lose? Tell me what I can do to help you. I'd love to answer questions and even do the research for you! Let's connect. Email me. DM me on Twitter. Convo me on Instagram. However you're comfy, let's connect! *I'm jonahbonah on Twitter and Insta

What's on the Menu? {Paleo Favorites}

In the last few weeks some serious changes have been made in my house. Well, not so much in my house as in myself. {it's going to be a tough one to get my husband on board with my new eating habits. I dare not call them a diet...they are a lifestyle change!} On August 6th I drank my last soda. {if you know me in real life, you know that that's like taking my right arm. For real.} I gave up soda and traded it in for water. Good ol' quality H2O. I have truly drank more water in the last four weeks than I've drank in the last five years. That's just awful to think of.

To put it in to perspective, I was probably drinking 5-7 12 oz. soda cans a day. A DAY! Who does that?

What's more, I also switched out preservative-filled foods for all-natural yummy goodness. Nitrate-free/sugar-free bacon, hormone-free eggs, almond milk, pecans, fresh berries, coconut sugar {instead of white sugar}, coconut oil {instead of vegetable oil or canola oil}, coconut creamer for my coffee {instead of milk and sugar}.

Know what else? Sugar. Sugar is the devil, y'all. Check your labels. Do YOU know what you're putting into your body? I'm guessing you truly have no idea. 90% of Americans have NO IDEA!! {That's a percentage I came up with on my own but, I'm sure it's about right.} If you were to read the labels of the food you consume you'd probably not eat most of what you're presently consuming. Really. And, it's surprising what the FDA approves. Who are they, anyway?

These last four weeks have opened my eyes to the junk Americans consume. We should be more educated. I seriously am on a mission to more educate myself. I hope to help YOU in the process! With that being said, come back often to see what's new with #jonahbonahgetsfit.

Did I mention I'm on a mission to eliminate the junk in my family's life? It may take some time but, eventually I'd like to have all of my family off of soda, sugars and preservatives. At least 95% of the time!

In an effort, I've been looking for some recipes that are both yummy and health conscious. I think we can all agree to like the following recipes....or, at least, try them. Wish me luck!

This week, I'm going to give these recipes a try. Each of them are Paleo. If you've had one of them, let me know your thoughts. I'm excited to try each of them.


Bacon Wrapped Chicken Strips - Chicken. Bacon. What more is there to love?


Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas - I'm a busy gal with five kids, a husband and two different schools and a part-time gig at both home and away...therefore, I am a firm believer in the slow cooker. She can be your best friend. Let her.


Paleo Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms - Okay, so truth be told, my family will not eat these. Myself, on the other hand, I'll eat these all.day.long.


Paleo Pinapple Stir Fry - Lately, Hubs has been getting home a little later than usual or he's been at football practice with Jonah. This has left me to learn how to grill {with charcoal} on my own. I've gotten pretty good {if I do say so , myself!}. Really. I'm thinking the next grilling recipe of mine should be this one. Pineapple, shrimp and other yumminess. Yes, please!

I seriously struggle 6 nights out of 7 on what to feed my family. Especially since I've started eating healthy. With the recipes above, I feel like they are eating healthy, preservative-free and enough to fill their bellies, that I can rest easy at night.

Do you have any Paleo or extra-healthy recipes to share? Leave a link in the comments. I'd love to gather a bunch of new recipes to have at least a month's worth for my family!

I have another bit of new information to share in the next day or so, too. Stay tuned!

Why I runDisney {2014 #DisneySMMoms Fun Run}

Five years ago if you had asked me if I was a runner I would've laughed at you. Maybe not in your face, but I'd have laughed at you! Running was just not my thing. I would see girls running and WANT to run...but, just didn't.



Before we left Ft Campbell two years ago I started running. Well, I walked first and walking turned into running. Can you believe it? I LOVE to run. I put on my running shoes, grab my iPhone and earbuds and hit the pavement. It's {dare I say it?} relaxing. There's no whining kids. No fighting siblings. No yelling about who "that" belongs to. It's about the only time I get "me time". I should definitely run more often.

On the last morning of Disney Social Media Moms there was an organized Fun Run hosted by the good people at runDisney. I've seen plenty of pictures of runners in Disney races. They all look like they are having so much fun. So, I knew I wanted to participate in this run! And, well, it was only two miles. I can run/walk two miles, for sure!


This was taken at, oh, 5am. If you're gonna run in a race, you're gonna get up EARLY!
{photo credit - Josh Hallett}

Best part? The absolute best part? The run course took us through Downtown Disney, through Disneyland and Sleeping Beauty's Castle, through California Adventure and the Finish Line was in Cars Land. I ran with my good friend Susan and my new friend Gina. {We stopped a LOT along the way to take selfies! We weren't running to finish first. We were running for the experience!}




Lightning McQueen was waiting for us at the Finish Line. So cool!


Best part about NOT finishing in the first group? There's a BIG crowd cheering you on as you cross!


As we crossed the Finish Line.


See me? I'm to the right of Lightning McQueen.

So, why do I run Disney? I run to be a better me. I have weight to lose and a body to get back in shape after having five kids. I run because it's my "me time". And, now I run because I want one of those shiny medals they give you at the end of a race!

Now you want to run a runDisney race, don't you? I do! This Fun Run made me want to run a marathon with the runDisney crew!

There's still space to sign up for the 2015 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. But, hurry!

The 2015 Princess Half Marathon Weekend hasn't opened up for registration yet. When it does, I'm registering! Will you be there? Let's do it together!

{all photos, with the exception of my selfie collage, were taken by the talented @hyku.}