Lighten Up Your Life in 2014

“Enjoy life. There’s plenty of time to be dead.” – This quote kind of cracks me up, but also reminds me that life is too short to worry about the small things. My word of the new year is “Balance” – figuring out how to balance out all of the zillion things competing for my time and attention on a daily basis as a work-from-home mom. I always use the month of January to make a plan for the new year – I evaluate the past year to figure out what worked, what didn’t, and what to work on in the new year. {Which means, my full list of goals is coming soon – I like to share ’em, to keep myself accountable.} And one area of life that definitely needs to be balanced is the whole health/diet/exercise part. My game plan is a “slow and steady wins the race” type of attitude, so I’ve been making lots of small swaps to slowly-but-surely make real, solid, sustainable lifestyle changes. And while some of them are a challenge, there’s one super-duper easy swap I’ve made recently that I wanted to share, because I think you’ll love it too….

Remember this? This is my new fave way to cook chicken – “Healthier Kicken’ Chicken.” There was a really good spice mix we’d been buying off the shelf, but it wasn’t really the healthiest thing we could be eating. So, the Mister helped me create our own blend of spices that taste almost the same, and I swapped out the unhealthy oil for a lighter version – LifeOiL. You can read more about how this oil is packed with healthy stuff that’s great for your diet – but I know what really matters to you; how it tastes, right? Well, lemme tell ya – I was honestly surprised at what a difference in has made in so many recipes. It just tastes…. Lighter? Fresher? Brighter? I’m not that much of a fancy-foodie type, and didn’t think I’d notice a difference in something as basic as a cooking oil – but I am a total convert. For real.

I love trying this stuff out in new dinner recipes each week. {And since it’s a new year, and I’m working on eating a healthier and more balanced diet, I’ve been experimenting with lots of new recipes!} One that really helped it’s light flavor shine recently was when I whipped up this quick and easy veggie soup. I actually was skeptical – it was from the #SimpleStart app from Weight Watchers, which I love, but I’m just not a veggie lover. I didn’t know if I’d like big chunks of veggies when they weren’t even hidden in with loads of noodles, chicken, and sauces. But – all I did was add a bit of LifeOiL to a pan, cook up a few veggies until they were slightly soft, add low-sodium chicken broth and some diced Italian tomatoes, a few seasonings – and BAM! Amazingly delish soup in about 15 minutes, and I swear the LifeOiL makes a difference in the taste. I’d give it a hashtag of, #OhMyYum. :)

Another recipe where LifeOiL rocked it was this one – the Super Loaded Stuffed Baked Potato. I love the way that LifeOiL helps the potatoes cook up with just a touch of crispness on the outside skin, without leaving a heavy, greasy taste. I didn’t even need to add any butter or anything – just some baked chicken, veggies, and fat-free cheese. Nom nom nom.

And because I love this stuff so much, I want to make it easy for you guys to try it too. It’s one of those products where you really tell a difference after using it, and want everyone else to check it out too! You can find it at more and more grocery stores all the time – right now it’s at most Walmart and Albertsons shops. I definitely can’t recommend enough that you go and pick up a bottle or two the next time you’re shopping – but I’m also going to give you a chance to WIN 3 big full-size bottles, enough to stock your pantry for quite awhile. Just use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below to get your entries in. The more entries you complete, the more chances you have to win.