We're Parents

About Andrew

Andrew is the dad and designer behind We're Parents.
Born and raised in NJ, he currently resides there with his fiance and their two beautiful daughters. When not working, you can find him underneath his car, riding his motorcycle, or on a snowboard in the winter. The way to his heart is through lasagna and chocolate chip cookies.

Chocolate Chip Popcorn Ice Cream Sandwiches

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These Chocolate Chip Popcorn Ice Cream Sandwiches are the must have treat of the summer. Perfectly sweet & fun for everyone no matter your age! A perfect chocolate dessert for summer. 

You’ve never had an ice cream sandwich like this. These Chocolate Chip Popcorn Ice Cream Sandwiches are literally dessert perfection. 

Salty and sweet are the perfect combo, especially when it comes to dessert.  This combo of salty popcorn plus sweet cookies, ice cream and chocolate are literally a match made in heaven.  It may be an unlikely pairing and one you’ve never thought of, however, once you try it, you will wonder why you’ve never tried it before!  

Another reason this is a great reason is that kids will go nuts over making it.  Kids love making popcorn. Whether you make it on the stove or in your microwave, the pops send them in a gigglefit every single time. 

Then, you’re combining popcorn with chocolate, putting ice cream between two cookies, and then putting them all together. 

What ingredients do you need to make Chocolate Chip Popcorn Ice Cream Sandwiches?

  • Popcorn 
  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Chocolate bar
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies

That’s it!  These four ingredients are all you need to make these delicious ice cream sandwiches.  They do take a little bit of time to make, but it’s perfect for a fun project once the kids are off school! 

How do you make Chocolate Chip Popcorn Ice Cream Sandwiches?

You’re going to make these in batch processes.  First, you need to make your popcorn according to the instructions.  Depending on if you are making this in a bag or with kernels on the stove will depend on how you make.  You want to choose a non-buttered popcorn to work best for this recipe.

Once you have your popcorn made, you need to reserve approximately 2 cups of the popcorn.  With the remaining amount, feel free to eat it, make a popcorn necklace, or anything else. 

In a microwave safe bowl or double broiler, melt the chocolate bar down.  Dip your cooked popcorn into the chocolate, then place on a wax lined baking sheet. Freeze for 20 minutes. 

Take one large scoop of ice cream and place it between two chocolate chip cookies.  Then, push the chocolate coated popcorn into the sides gently. 

Serve them immediately or place in an air tight container in the freezer until ready to serve.  Good for about 2 months. 

Can I prep these chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches ahead of time?

Absolutely! Make the recipe as directed and instead of immediately serving store in an air tight container in the freezer for up to two months.  Eat one at a time or serve all together.  It’s best to take out 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Can I make these vegan or allergy friendly ice cream sandwiches?

As parents, we are fully aware of food allergies and preferences and are working to make our recipes inclusive for everyone. With that, we are happy to say that you can totally make these vegan or allergy friendly ice cream sandwiches. 

You can purchase or make allergy friendly chocolate chip cookies. As well as purchasing or making non-dairy popcorn. We like to pop our own kernels in a little bit of oil and use from there.  Our go to Top 8 Free chocolate is Enjoy life.  Just melt down 1/2 cup of chips in the same process as using the bar in the original recipe.  And lastly, swap with a non-dairy, allergy safe ice cream. Even a banana nice cream would work, it would just have a banana taste. 

Follow the recipe instructions as written and you’ll have food allergy safe ice cream sandwiches! 

What are other cookie recipes that I should try?

There are endless cookies that you should try, but here are some of our favorite! 

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Chocolate Chip Popcorn Ice Cream Sandwiches
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
0 mins
Freezing Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 

These Chocolate Chip Popcorn Ice Cream Sandwiches are the must have treat of the summer. Perfectly sweet & fun for everyone no matter your age! A perfect chocolate dessert for summer. 

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookies, dessert
Servings: 6 cookie sandwiches
Calories: 564 kcal
Author: Andrew
Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked popcorn
  • 1 quart vanilla bean ice cream
  • 4 oz baking chocolate bar
  • 12 chocolate chip cookies
Instructions

  1. Make popcorn according to instructions on bag or container using. Cool.

  2. In a microwave safe bowl or double broiler, melt chocolate bar down.

  3. Dip popcorn into chocolate and place on wax lined baking sheet.
  4. Freeze for at least 20 minutes.

  5. Take one scoop of ice cream and sandwich it between two cookies.

  6. Push popcorn gently into sides of ice cream.
  7. Serve immediately or place on a baking sheet and into freezer until ready to serve.

  8. Store any leftovers in freezer safe container up to 2 months.

Recipe Notes

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

 

**Please see notes above recipe card about allergy friendly baking for this recipe. 

Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Chip Popcorn Ice Cream Sandwiches
Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)
Calories 564 Calories from Fat 279
% Daily Value*
Fat 31g48%
Saturated Fat 17g106%
Cholesterol 72mg24%
Sodium 209mg9%
Potassium 501mg14%
Carbohydrates 64g21%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 45g50%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 665IU13%
Vitamin C 0.9mg1%
Calcium 216mg22%
Iron 2.8mg16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

 

This post was originally published on 8/29/17 and updated on 5/15/19.

The Best Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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This is the Best Sweet Potato Pie Recipe you will find for your fall get together! Surprise everyone with this amazingly delicious homemade sweet potato pie. 

best sweet potato pie recipe

Holidays Are A Special Time

When you think about holidays, what comes to mind? For me, it’s a ton of things. I actually start to get a giddy and smirk in a way that if you seen me from afar you would think I lost it! Fantasizing about how giving everyone becomes — and I don’t mean just presents.

I mean more simple things. Like more people holding the mall door open after walking through. It’s such a simple gesture, but if your from the Jersey/Philly/New York/Bmore/DC regions — Folks walk around like “The Walking Dead” most of the year. So, when this time of the year hits, I don’t take it for granted.

The cities and town also become more beautiful. With amazing decorations and music that gets even the grinch doing the “whip and nay nay”. But, what I truly look forward to the most is family and tradition.

For me nothing compares to that quality time.

I love “people watching” in my old household. Seeing mom and dad holding hands, feeding each other. Remember you use to get all grossed out, but now you think its cute (well, I’m still grossed out). My older brother still taking advantage of me. Like tapping on one shoulder and when I look, stealing my last bite from over the other shoulder (just wait till he needs to find his key to go home later). My little sister somehow after all these years still has my parents giving her whatever she wants (so jealous).

Yet and still loving every moment.

homemade sweet potato pie recipe

Passing down family traditions

What are your family traditions for the holidays? You can see some of our holidays traditions that we do every year, but I want to focus on one in this post.

It’s one that I started years before Larisha and I even got together.  That’s right, I started a tradition in the family myself. A food tradition. And this family tradition I have already started passing down to my little girls. But I want to include you too! Our big girl has been helping me make this sweet potato pie recipe since she was 2!

kids in the kitchen mini chef mondaysWhether or not you’ve ever had Sweet Potato Pie before, you really need to make it happen this year.  It’s really quite incredible and easy to make. It’s the best sweet potato pie recipe ever! I mean even my mama calls to make sure I’m making it so you know it’s gotta be good!

sweet potato pie recipe

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Pie

To make homemade sweet potato pie isn’t complicated.  It’s one of the more simple dessert recipes to make for Thanksgiving or other fall holidays. The full recipe is below, but the ingredients you need to make sweet potato pie are:

  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Brown Sugar
  • Whole Milk
  • Eggs
  • Nutmeg
  • Cinnamon
  • Vanilla
  • Store bought graham cracker crust or to make your own crust you’ll need unsalted butter, brown sugar, and graham crackers

How to Make Sweet Potato Pie

If you’ve never made a homemade sweet potato pie recipe before, you may be a little intimidated. I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to be.  It’s as easy as pie (HA! – Dad joke!)

You start by boiling potatoes until soft. If you are making a homemade crust for the sweet potato pie recipe,  you’ll want to do that while potatoes are cooking. Then, mash the potatoes.  Add in butter. After that, add in the brown sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix all that together until it’s nice and smooth. Pour into crust and let bake at 350 degrees for 65-75 minutes.  A toothpick should come out clean when inserted. Cool and serve. It’s great topped with homemade whipped topping or ice cream!

How to make sweet potato pie

Other Sweet Potato Recipes to Try

We think this is the best sweet potato pie recipe and a must have for the fall. However, with fall goes great pricing on sweet potatoes.  You should try these other sweet potato recipes sometime during the fall as well!

The Best Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

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The Best Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
1 hr 5 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 5 mins
 

This is the Best Sweet Potato Pie Recipe you will find for your fall get together! Surprise everyone with this amazingly delicious homemade sweet potato pie. 

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dessert, pie, sweet potato recipes, thanksgiving recipes
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 440 kcal
Author: Andrew
Ingredients
  • 1 lb sweet potatoes
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
For crust (buy a 9in graham cracker crust or make recipe below)
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups graham crackers crumbs, about 9 whole crackers
Toppings
Instructions

  1. Boil Potatoes for 50 mins making sure water is always covering the potatoes or until soft. *If making crust, see directions below and make while potatoes are boiling.

  2. Immediately drain and run cool water over potatoes and skin the potatoes.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  4. In a large bowl, mash the potatoes.
  5. Add in butter and mix well.
  6. Add in brown sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla.
  7. Mix until smooth.
  8. Pour into pie crust.
  9. Bake for 65-75 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean.
  10. Let cool and serve.

  11. Top with Homemade Whipped Topping if desired. 

For the crust
  1. Mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and crumbs into a pie dish. Press down evenly with the back of a spoon until all the mixtures is evenly spread on bottom and up the sides of the dish. Cook at 350 degrees for 7 minutes, then let cool completely before adding filling.
Recipe Notes

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

Nutrition Facts
The Best Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories 440 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 95mg32%
Sodium 175mg8%
Potassium 292mg8%
Carbohydrates 55g18%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 36g40%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 8745IU175%
Vitamin C 1.3mg2%
Calcium 85mg9%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin this Best Sweet Potato Pie Recipe for later: 

This post was originally posted on 11/23/2015 as part of Mini Chef Mondays. Scroll down to see our original images. And see some other amazing recipes from our friends apart of our Mini Chef group.

  1. Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake with Whipped Cream // Courtney’s Sweets
  2. One Hour Bread Recipe // Momma Lew
  3. Homemade Berry Granola // Baby Loving Mama
  4. The Best Sweet Potato Pie Recipe // We’re Parents
  5. Cranberry, Orange, & White Chocolate Bars // Frugal Novice
  6. Easy French Pastries Kids Can Make // Eating Richly
  7. Thanksgiving Fruit and Cheese Turkey Centerpiece // Giggles, Gobbles and Gulps
  8. Easy Peasy Cheesy Puffs // Step Stool Chef
  9. Twinestrone Soup // Vegging at the Shore
  10. Banana Smoothies // Mom’s Messy Miracles
  11. Harvest Kale Salad // O’Boy! Organic
  12. Zwetschgenwähe: Swiss Plum Pie // Can’t Google Everything

 

the best sweet potato pie recipe

sweet potato pie recipe

Almond Butter Protein Pancakes

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These Almond Butter Protein Pancakes are the perfect breakfast when fueling up for adventures, a long day of swimming, or a great workout. 

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StartAHealthyRelationship #CollectiveBias

Whether you do crossfit, plan to go swimming for the entire day, or have a long hike ahead of you, you need energy. And that energy comes from the ingredients you put into your body. I didn’t use to be great at getting the proper nutrients into my body before a long day. However, now that I have kids, and seem to be more on the go now than when I was little, I’ve learned to be better. When we know we are going to have long days, we love to start with a protein packed breakfast like these Almond Butter Protein Pancakes.

We love MaraNatha Almond Butter that you can find at your local Walmart store. The richness from the almond butter makes the flavor of these protein pancakes really pop to give you the flavor you crave in the morning.  For this recipe we use the MaraNatha Creamy No Stir Almond Butter. MaraNatha picks only the best heart-healthy California almonds, then roasts and double-grinds them to a delicious, creamy, velvery smoothness. The process makes it super spreadable.
We also love that there’s a MaraNatha No Salt or Sugar Added Almond Butter. No additives in here, just the perfect taste of almonds!

It’s the perfect choices of nut-lovers who love an active, healthy lifestyle. You can easily pair MaraNatha almond butters with fruit when you’re on the run too. Grab MaraNatha at your local Walmart or hover over the image below to shop online.

 

Almond Butter Protein Pancakes

These delicious almond butter protein pancakes will have you fueled up for your next adventures. We start with oat flour, add bananas, MaraNatha Creamy No Stir Almond Butter, and a few other ingredients for one of the best breakfasts you’ve had in a long time. Get even more protein in when you spread MaraNatha on top of the pancakes instead of or with maple syrup.

Earn up to $2 back with Ibotta! 

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Almong Butter Protein Pancakes
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Resting Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

These Almond Butter Protein Pancakes are the perfect breakfast when fueling up for adventures, a long day of swimming, or a great workout. 

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: protein pancakes
Servings: 6 pancakes
Calories: 416 kcal
Author: Andrew
Ingredients
  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup almond butter
  • 2 bananas, mashed
  • 4 eggs
  • coconut oil, divided
Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine oat flour*, baking powder, and cinnamon. 

  2. Add in almond butter, mashed bananas, and eggs. Mix with a blender, just until well combined. 

  3. Let batter sit for 10 minutes before using. 

  4. Heat a skillet with a small amount of coconut oil over medium. 

  5. Add 1/6 of the batter to a skillet, cook for 2-3 minutes on one side, flip and cook for about 2-3 minutes or until Cooked through. 

  6. Repeat with remaining batter. 

Recipe Notes

**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. 

**If you do not have oat flour, you can make it by blending old fashioned oats until a flour consistency is achieved.

Nutrition Facts
Almong Butter Protein Pancakes
Amount Per Serving (1 pancake)
Calories 416 Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Fat 27g42%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 109mg36%
Sodium 51mg2%
Potassium 819mg23%
Carbohydrates 31g10%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 15g30%
Vitamin A 185IU4%
Vitamin C 3.4mg4%
Calcium 284mg28%
Iron 3.1mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Grab off your local Walmart shelves today!

Dairy Free Baked Chicken Quesadillas

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These dairy-free baked chicken quesadillas as so insanely delicious, they’ll have you forgetting that you’re even missing any dairy. Try out these delicious stuffed quesadillas today! 

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ProgressIsPerfection #CBias #CollectiveBias

Even though I loved dairy, when we had our first baby, Larisha had to go dairy free. Obviously, she wasn’t going to cook multiple meals when it was just her, I and a tiny newborn, so subsequently I went dairy free also. I was surprised how easy this little switch could be. I thought it was going to be miserable, but it was really quite simple. One of our favorite meals quickly became chicken, bean, and avocado quesadillas. Surprisingly, the avocado actually binds the tortilla shells together like cheese would do and it’s absolutely delicious!

How to make a dairy free baked chicken quesadilla?

First, we start by soaking the chicken in Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk for 30 minutes.  After that, we dredge the chicken in a combination of flour, bread crumbs, and taco seasoning. We then baked the chicken for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Then, it’s time to put the quesadilla together. The topping possibilities are endless, but the basic of this recipe is a 10″ tortilla, avocado, chicken, and black beans. Other toppings may include: salsa or tomatoes, jalapeños, corn, cilantro, onions, and more.

This one dairy-free recipe seriously made my transition to a healthier lifestyle of much easier! It’s a must have recipe. If you are also gluten-free, you can try this on a corn tortilla, but just be extra careful when flipping since corn tortillas never hold up as well as flour.

Making Life Easier

Another thing that has made parenting easier recently is learning about Walmart’s online grocery pick up. It’s completely free as long as you purchase at least $30 in groceries. I was able to easily choose everything I needed and schedule a time and day for my pickup. It’s available everyday from 8am-8pm at my location (check your location to verify hours). Once I arrived at Wal-mart, I found the large orange pick-up sign and pulled into a parking spot designated for pick-up. Once there, I was able to call and say that I was there and they brought all my items out to my car for me.

For our Dairy-free baked chicken quesadillas, we use Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk. It’s both dairy-free and lactose-free and has a great wholesome taste that our whole family loves. Feeling and eating healthier doesn’t have to be hard, and Silk’s Progress to Perfection helps along the way.  We’ve always touted our “semicruchyish” journey, where we believe everyone can make small steps towards a better, healthier, more eco-friendly lifestyle and that’s just what this Silk program aims to accomplish.  That small victories are still victories. So start by swapping out your milk and you’re one step closer!

For our Wal-mart Online Grocery Pick-up we were able to get unsweetened almondmilk for our quesadilla recipe, along with dark chocolate almondmilk and Silk Vanilla Almond Dairy – Free Yogurt Alternative, which pairs great with fresh fruit on top!

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Dairy Free Baked Chicken Quesadillas
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 

These dairy-free baked chicken quesadillas as so insanely delicious, they'll have you forgetting that you're even missing any dairy. Try out these delicious stuffed quesadillas today! 

Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 4 quesadillas
Calories: 501 kcal
Author: Andrew
Ingredients
  • 2 cups Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk
  • 2 boneless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp homemade taco seasoning
  • 4 10" flour tortillas
  • 2 avocados
  • 1 cup black beans
Optional Toppings
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1/2 cup red onions, diced
  • 1/2 cup salsa (or diced tomatoes)
  • 1 jalapeno, sliced thin
Instructions

  1. Soak cubed chicken in almond milk for 30 minutes. 

  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

  3. In a bowl, mix together the flour, breadcrumbs, and taco seasoning. 

  4. Drain any remaining almondmilk from the bowl after 30 minutes. Dredge the chicken cubes in the flour mixture and placed on a lightly greased baking sheet. 

  5. Baked chicken for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and reaches a temperature of 165 degrees. 

  6. Remove from oven. 

  7. Using a fork, smash the avocados until no large chunks remain. 

  8. On one tortilla, spread 1/4 of the smashed avocados across the entire tortilla. 

  9. Add 1/4 of the baked chicken and 1/4 of the beans onto one side of the tortilla. 

  10. Add any optional toppings you may want. 

  11. Fold tortilla in half. 

  12. Place tortilla in a large skillet over medium low heat. 

  13. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Or until golden brown. 

  14. Remove and repeat the process with remaining ingredients. 

  15. Serve alongside a side of salsa. 

Recipe Notes

*Nutritional facts are only estimates and do not include any optional toppings. 

Nutrition Facts
Dairy Free Baked Chicken Quesadillas
Amount Per Serving (1 quesadilla)
Calories 501 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 36mg12%
Sodium 593mg26%
Potassium 938mg27%
Carbohydrates 56g19%
Fiber 12g50%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 225IU5%
Vitamin C 11.1mg13%
Calcium 233mg23%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin this delicious Dairy Free Baked Chicken Quesadilla for later!  

Tips for Making Better Food Choices When Traveling

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Eating healthy while traveling doesn’t have to be hard. Check out our tips for making better food choices when traveling and be prepared for your next trip!

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OceanSprayOrganic #CollectiveBias

tips for eating healthier while traveling

We have finally found a sweet spot in our family travel.  Up until this point, the little one was a bit too unpredictable for us to plan a lot of travel. When we went to Disney last year, it was a bit difficult and we knew that within a few months it would be smooth sailing.  Well, at least as smooth as it can be when traveling with kids. 

We took some smaller trips last year and then towards the end of the year, Larisha said she was going to take a solo trip to Cleveland with both our girls. I thought she was nuts.  I was determined she was going to turn around halfway and head home. When she finally got to Cleveland, she said how great the girls did. We knew then, that the tides had turned. We committed to our goal of getting to Colorado this year and that happened too. The plane ride was a wee bit tricky, but nothing crazy. We were so excited.

Now, that means we are pretty golden for traveling with the kids.  It took us awhile to get here, but sign us up for all the day trips, staycations, vacations, week long excursions, you name it. We’re ready!

One thing, though, is that it’s not always easy to eat healthy while traveling. Fast food always seems to be the convenient option, but we all know it’s not the best. For the last few years, I’ve been trying to eat healthier, make smarter choices, and live my best life.

5 Tips for Making Better Food Choices When Traveling

1– Pack Your Food Ahead of Time

eating healthier lunch while traveling

  • This may seem simple, but so many people don’t utilize this method, including my past self.  I remember the first time I took Larisha to the Jersey shore, she started packing a cooler. This is how she grew up, but I didn’t have a clue what she was doing. Ever since that moment, I’d been a fan of packing lunches.
  • If you are using a cooler or lunch bag with ice packs, you can pack deli sandwiches and light refrigerated things like cheese sticks, yogurts, and grapes.
  • If no ice packs, stick to shelf-stable. PB&J sandwiches are a great option, alongside granola bars, nuts, jerky, or dried fruit/fruit chips.

2– Looking for a place to stay with a kitchen so you can cook for yourself -and more

how to eat better while traveling

  • Before worrying about eating healthier when traveling, we used to just look for somewhere with free breakfast.  The problem with that is it’s not always healthier. Most of the time, it’s high carbs, sugar, and sodium foods that don’t provide a lot of nutritional value.
  • Instead, look for places that actually have a kitchen. This way you can head to a local grocery store (or now have Amazon deliver most places) and you can cook meals yourself.  You’ll be saving time, money, and be able to control the healthy choices you make.

3– Going into a grocery store instead of stopping for fast food

better food choices when traveling

  • We all know fast food isn’t the healthiest option.  But we also don’t always have time to stop and sit down in a restaurant.  The next best option is to run into a grocery store.  It’s still a fast option and most grocery stores now have prepared options or bars where you can choose your own food.
  • You still want to make sure you are looking at ingredients and nutritional labels to make sure you are making the best choices.
  • Instead of grabbing a juice out of the cooler container or fountain, head down to the juice aisle and grab NEW! Ocean Spray® Organic 100% Juices.  It’s a natural, healthier option, fresh from the farm,  and more cost saving since you get more for your money. (Tip: if you must have cold beverages, you can get a glass of ice almost anywhere for free).

better food choices on your next trip

4– Stay hydrated

eating healthier on a trip

  • Staying hydrating will help keep you moving, alert, and full between meals.
  • Water is always the best option. But sometimes you just want more flavor or you simply want juice. Ocean Spray’s New Organic Juice is a delicious option.

5– If you have to stop at fast food or a restaurant…

  • I get it. There’s going to be times when this is the only option. Focus on the healthy choices. Use a nutritional calculator and focus on low sodium, carbs, and fat with high protein. These will help you keep going and not feel tired, bloated, or weighed down. If you are smart with your decisions, you will find an option at every fast food place you could imagine.

We hope these tips help you on your next adventure!  Stay tuned to see where we’re going next by following us on social media on Facebook and Instagram!

Ocean Spray® 100% Juice comes in Organic Cranberry, Cranberry Apple and Cranberry Blueberry. Grab a $2.00 off ONE (1) bottle coupon Ocean Spray® Organic 100% Juices and try yourself today! We grabbed ours from our local ACME, but check out the store locator to see the closest place to grab yours today. Ocean Spray® 100% Juice Organic Cranberry contains no added sugar, preservatives, or artificial flavors, just goodness in every sip. Each juice is non-GMO and is USDA Organic certified!

ocean spray organic juice

 

 

Chicken Quinoa Bowl

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This Chicken Quinoa Bowl is a healthy alternative to rice bowls and a great, protein packed dinner option!

Disclosure: This Chicken Quinoa Bowl shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Mazola® Corn Oil. All opinions are mine alone. #SimpleSwap #CollectiveBias

chicken quinoa bowl

Since having kids, our life has been all “semicrunchyish”. It’s where we are working to make small changes one at a time to live a better and healthier life. This lifestyle is also teaching our children to make healthier choices from the start. One easy swap we made was to stop deep frying things and using butter so often. When cooking chicken like in this chicken quinoa bowl, we use an oil, like Mazola® Corn Oil, for grilling indoors. You only need a small amount. A clinical study showed Mazola Corn Oil reduces cholesterol 2x more than extra virgin olive oil. To learn more about this claim, see Mazola.com.

Another easy swap came a few years ago when Larisha told me she was making quinoa for dinner. Keen-What? She was all, “Don’t worry, it’s fine.” Whenever she says that, I know to worry. Dinner is usually going to end up being eggs or a smoothie because she’s experimenting and well, I don’t like experiments. Surprisingly, this “keen-wha” turned out delicious.

We’ve been eating quinoa for awhile now since then and we actually prefer it to other starches. It was one of the first changes that we made to living a less indulgent life and it’s completely stuck with us. What we’ve found works best is to make small changes and swaps one by one instead of drastic shifts. This helps to get used to things gradually instead of suddenly so much and it becoming overwhelming.

cooking healthier meals

How Long Does It Take To Cook Quinoa?

One of the reasons we love this chicken quinoa bowl we’re sharing with you today is because you can cook it fast. Traditionally, rice takes upwards of 40 minutes. However, quinoa can be ready in as little as 15 minutes. You always want to rinse quinoa to remove the coating. The coating can make quinoa taste soapy or sometimes bitter depending on your taste buds and no one wants that. Then, you have two options:

how to make a quinoa bowl

  1. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa to 2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer. Then, let cook for 15-20 minutes (until no liquid is remaining).
  2. Our preferred method is to toast the quinoa and add some flavor. Using a bit of oil, like Mazola Corn Oil, sauté onions and garlic for 2 minutes. Add in the rinsed quinoa and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Then, add chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer. And let cook for 15-20 minutes (until no liquid is remaining).

easy chicken quinoa bowl

Chicken Quinoa Bowl

This recipe is a great way to make a better-for-you dish this New Year. Perfectly cooked quinoa is topped with chicken seasoned and grilled in corn oil. Paired alongside are black beans, your favorite fresh slaw recipe, corn salsa, avocado, and cilantro. To top it off, a few fresh squeezes of lime juice to have the absolutely perfect dish. Quinoa boosts higher dietary fiber and protein than white or brown rice making it healthier for you. Using a low-sodium chicken broth to cook the quinoa adds in flavor with the added salt content.   Additionally, cooking the chicken in a bit of corn oil versus butter or another fat and grilling instead of frying yields a healthier meal all around.

simple chicken quinoa bowl recipe

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Chicken Quinoa Bowl
Author: Andrew
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp Mazola® Corn Oil divided
  • 1/2 cup sweet onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup quinoa rinsed
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 lb chicken breasts cubed or small slices
  • 1 tbsp chicken rub seasoning
  • Optional Toppings: corn salsa fresh slaw, avocado slices, black beans, chopped red pepper, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, lime wedges, corn vinaigrette or dressing
Instructions
  1. In a sauce pan, add 1 tbsp corn oil on medium heat.
  2. Add in the onion and garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
  3. Add in the rinsed quinoa and stir constantly to toast for 2 more minutes.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
  5. Add lid and reduce heat to simmer for 15-20 minutes until no cooking liquid remains.
  6. While quinoa is cooking, season cut chicken breasts with chicken rub seasoning.
  7. In a grill pan, heat remaining tbsp of corn oil on medium heat.
  8. Add chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes or until chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165.
To Assemble Your Chicken Quinoa Bowl
  1. First layer quinoa on the bottom of your bowl.
  2. Then, add your chicken.
  3. Next, add your desired toppings. In the photos shown, we used a fresh broccoli slaw, corn salsa, black beans, cilantro, avocado slices, and topped with lime juice and a sweet corn vinaigrette.

Mazola® Corn Oil can be found nationwide. It’s made of 100% pure oil with no additives. It’s also cholesterol free making it better-for-you. One of the best things about using a cooking oil is that its smoke point is 450°F. This mean that it’s great for high heat applications like stir-fry or sautéing. The 40 oz. bottle can be found in most major grocery stores, so head to your local store and grab a bottle today.

chicken quinoa bowl with mazola

365 Daily Quotes of Encouragement

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Everyone needs a little pick me up sometimes.  Start your day off right with this 365 Daily Quotes of Encouragement Free Printable! 

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BigelowTea #TeaProudly #CollectiveBias

365 daily encouragement

Three years ago, I walked into our bedroom to see what appeared to be some sort of explosion.  There was stuff everywhere.  Papers and scissors, craft boards that I haven’t seen since high school social studies class project days, and some bottle of stuff called Mod Podge. I had no idea what was going on at the time. Larisha could sense my confusion and said, “Don’t worry, just making a vision board.” A-do-what?

365 daily motivation

Since then, I’ve seen the effects on how having something that is in your face to read every morning can change your mind set and help you reach your goals. Waking up and reading, “You are awesome” or “You’ve totally got this” when you aren’t in such a great mood to start can absolutely change the mindset of anyone. If you’re willing that is. 

motherhood moments

Larisha and I also realized that this type of encouragement helped our girls as well, mainly our older girl right now. You see, she’s at this awesome, but vulnerable age currently.  Telling her to pick a paper out of the jar that says “You are beautiful” or “Today’s going to be amazing” lights her up so much.

While the visions boards are old news for us, the encouragement jar is something new. For us, we try to pick one of the 365 Daily Quotes of Encouragement out of the jar as a family. Every morning, our new tradition starts by making a cup of Bigelow tea- we’ve really been loving the Green tea with pomegranate. Then, whatever that piece of paper says, we try to stick to that as our mantra for the day.

bigelow tea

January is actually Hot Tea Month, so it’s the perfect time to pick up a new tradition of a cup of tea and daily quotes of encouragement jar. You can hover over the image below to see how you can easily purchase Bigelow tea at Walmart.

 

We truly believe in the power of encouragement. Because of that we wanted to make this as simple as possible.  We have (almost) every thing done for you. The supplies you need are:

  • Scissors
  • Quart size Mason Jar or other container
  • Bigelow cup of tea (favorite flavor up to you! Hint: Try the Orange & Spice)

All you need to do is make your favorite cup of tea. Then, enjoy while you are waiting for the printable to print out. Next, cut out all the phrases of encouragement while you drink your tea. Finally, place in a jar and pull one out each day.

daily motivation for dads

 

 

What are your New Year New You goals or plans for the year? Leave a comment below and let me know! Make sure the next time you are out shopping, you can a box of Bigelow tea from Walmart.

Check out more from Bigelow on social!
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bigelow tea

#TeaProudly #Sweepstakes (1/16 to 2/28)

daily encouragement for kids

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Sausage and Apples (Vegan Option Included)

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Delicious Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with “Sausage” and Apples is a perfect option for lunch, dinner, or brunches!
Disclosure: This Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Sausage and Apples was originally sponsored by Morningstar Farms. 

twice baked sweet potatoes

I think for the first year ever, I actually met all my wellness goals this year.  Every year seems to be a struggle after the first month or two, but not this year.  This year, I actually did it.  It was a lot of work and maybe a little pouting. Larisha would probably say a lot of pouting. But, it all paid off.  I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been and it feels amazing.

How and Now What?

As we go into the New Year, it’s time to set new goals. I did two things differently this year that I think really adding to me keeping on track.

  1. I shifted my mindset.
    • Every time that I thought I wanted something bad to eat, I told myself I had to eat nuts or a fruit first.  If I couldn’t do that, I was just bored and needed to go do something else.
  2. I allowed myself a cheat day.
    • Every Saturday I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted. We typically ordered out or made a heavier meal that we didn’t have during the week.

These two little things greatly changed how I took on this year and lead me to the healthiest year I’ve ever had as an adult. Eating healthier versus an exercise focus really helped also. Now, for this year, I really want to focus on portion control and working towards a more plant-based diet. However, I’m not ready to give up that taste of meat in meals just yet.

Starting the Day off Right

Over the years of my journey to being healthier, I’ve consistently done one thing: ate breakfast. It starts your day off on the right foot and kickstarts your energy in the right direction.  On my journey now towards a more plant-based diet, I’ve found MorningStar Farms® Sausage, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches. They are great for on the go and they are kid-approved too. It’s a simple swap that keeps me on the right track.

morning star farms products

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Sausage and Apples

One thing that helps stay on track is meal planning and meal prepping.  With these Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Sausage and Apples, you can make them on the weekend and eat them over the next few days. I’ve swapped traditional sausage for MorningStar Farms® Original Sausage Patties and loaded in more fruits and vegetables. Bonus: It’s vegan and vegetarian friendly!

vegan twice baked potatoes

It’s really a super simple recipe. Bake the sweet potatoes until fork tender. While that is happening, cook the filling mixture. Then, slice and remove the sweet potato. Combine the sweet potato with the filling mixture.

twice baked potatoes recipe

Then, you fill the sweet potato shells back up with the filling mixture and then cook for 15 minutes more.

how to make twice baked potatoes

Then end result is a flavor packed meal. MorningStar Farms® veggie sausage is packed with plant protein power is the perfect way to start your morning off right. And while this is a great breakfast, it’s definitely doable for lunch or dinner too. As a meat lover, I’m here to tell you that this meal is for everyone! You have to taste it to believe it.

how do you make twice baked sweet potatoes

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Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Sausage and Apples
Author: Andrew
Ingredients
  • 4 sweet potatoes washed
  • 4 tbsp coconut oil divided.
  • 1/3 cup sweet onions diced
  • 2/3 cup mixed bell peppers diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 sprigs of fresh sage 4-6 leaves
  • 2 cups apples diced (I used fiji and )
  • 5 MorningStar Farms® Original Sausage Patties (If vegan, use 8oz browned vegan sausage)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
  1. Heat an oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Using a fork, poke holes throughout the sweet potatoes.
  3. Cook sweet potatoes on a baking sheet for 45-60 minutes or until a fork easily pierces through them.
  4. While that is cooking, in a large skillet on medium heat, add 2 tbsp coconut oil.
  5. Once melted, add in onions and peppers.
  6. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  7. Add remaining 2 tbsp of coconut oil, garlic, paprika, red pepper flakes, sage, apples, and MorningStar Farms® Original Sausage Patties.
  8. Reduce to medium low heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking.
  9. Flip the sausage patties over and cook for another 5 minutes, still stirring often.
  10. Add in 2 table maple syrup.
  11. Remove from heat and place into a large bowl.
  12. Cut the sausage patties into pieces.
  13. Once the sweet potatoes have finished cooking, remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
  14. Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees.
  15. Slice length wise.
  16. Carefully remove the sweet potatoes from skin and put into bowl with sausage mixture.
  17. Gently mash the sweet potatoes (it's okay is some smaller chunks remain) and then combine well the sausage mixture.
  18. Add the mixture back to the sweet potato skins and cook again at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
  19. Remove and serve. Can stay refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Enjoy!

thanksgiving twice baked sweet potatoes

You can find the MorningStar Farms® Original Sausage Patties and breakfast sandwiches that I featured in this post and other great veggie products at your local Walmart in the frozen section.

Pear Pomegranate and Honeycomb Salad

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This Pear Pomegranate and Honeycomb Salad is a delicious and light salad meal that pear well with a Citrus Vinaigrette.

Disclosure: This Pear Pomegranate and Honeycomb Salad shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DonVictorHoney #HappyHealthyHoney #CollectiveBias

pear pomegranate and honeycomb salad

My biggest goal in life is showing my girls how to live a great life. How to make the best choices and always feel a sense of pride when you complete your goals. Shortly before we had our first daughter, I was diagnosed with pre-hypertension. I felt at first like I was doomed. Then, we had our daughter and I knew I had to fight harder than I ever had before. I was prescribed a medication for my condition, but I knew pretty early on in this journey, that I wanted to come off that medication. I was advised that weight loss, exercise, and better eating habits could all aid in that dream becoming reality.

Fast forward, and we now have a five and a two year old. I’m no longer on that medication. At the start of 2016, I vowed to do even better. Get even healthier. Show my girls what great exercise and eating habits looked like.

Turning a New Page

We’re heading into 2018 and I’m determined to live an even more amazing lifestyle. Larisha and I’s journey has always been about small changes to get to a healthier life versus drastic all at once.  We know that we are more likely to maintain our goals if we accomplish them this way. I’m successfully at a point where I’m happy with the way I look and feel and now it’s just about maintaining my current lifestyle while implementing more small changes to get even healthier.

Looking for small, better-for-me changes

One thing that I started doing about mid-year is eating a salad for dinner one night a week.  Typically, I’ve always just done lettuce, cheese, sunflower seeds, and croutons. It’s not really unhealthy, but it’s not really providing me with any benefits either.  Larisha and I began playing around with flavor combinations and I’m loving this Pear Pomegranate and Honeycomb Salad. It’s delicious and wholesome, as well as the crunch that I’d typically search for from croutons.

how do you use honeycomb

We’ve been using raw, natural honey for a while now, but never actually eaten the honeycomb. Now, it’s easily available at your local Walmart with Don Victor® Orange Blossom Comb Honey Globe Jar. Honeycomb is a guilt-free sweet and with Don Victor® Honey, you can get the superior taste at a cost affordable price.

spring salad ideas

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Pear Pomegranate and Honeycomb Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 

This Pear Pomegranate and Honeycomb Salad is a delicious vegetarian main dish salad recipe. It uniquely features honeycomb for an added crunch. 

Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 242 kcal
Author: Andrew
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Pull the honeycomb out of the Don Victor® honey jar.
  2. Chop 1/2 of the honeycomb into pieces.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, chopped honeycomb, pomegranate, feta and pears.
  4. Drizzle with 2 tbsp of honey.
  5. Store leftover Don Victor® honey in a cool, dry place.
  6. Serve alongside a citrus vinaigrette or your other favorite dressing.
Nutrition Facts
Pear Pomegranate and Honeycomb Salad
Amount Per Serving (3.5 cups)
Calories 242 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 33mg11%
Sodium 466mg20%
Potassium 439mg13%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 32g36%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 5785IU116%
Vitamin C 19.9mg24%
Calcium 251mg25%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

summer salad recipes

Don Victor® Honey is raw, filtered honey, and not heated or processed in any other way. Learn more by following along on Facebook and Pinterest.

can you eat honeycomb

In addition to our salad, you can spread honeycomb on toast, pancakes, biscuits and more. Heating will make it soft to spread along the bread even though it doesn’t melt. You will love the aroma from the honey. Don Victor® honey is the perfect complement to new and more conscious recipes for the New Year. Buy one for yourself and buy one for someone else. Don Victor® Honey is found at Walmart in the Hispanic aisle. Head to your local store to grab today. We look forward to creating a more wholesome journey with you in the New Year!

Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Teriyaki Sauce

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Disclosure: This Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Teriyaki Sauce shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SeasonYourHolidays #CollectiveBias

Contrary to what Larisha might tell you, I’m actually the better of us in the kitchen. Just because I don’t do it often, I blame work, I can actually make my way around the kitchen really well.  And just an aside, the kids think my cooking is better too, but hey, we don’t have to agree or anything on that either.  Let me stop before I have to sleep on the couch for the next few nights.

We were recently discussing what to take to our holiday get together in a few weeks and decided that we would make Coconut Shrimp with sweet teriyaki sauce.  Whenever we see family for the holidays, there’s always an abundance of food for dinner, but when you get there a few hours early, some appetizers are nice to have on hand. I mean, a man is hungry and the smell of dinner has my belly making flips. Feed me!

A spin on coconut shrimp. 

Typically, we’re always given a pina colada sauce with coconut shrimp, but one time at a restaurant, Larisha accidentally dipped her coconut shrimp in the teriyaki sauce and fell in love.  Ever sense, she loves the combination together. The deep soy sauce flavor with garlic mixed in with the sweet bits of coconut just add a great flavor combination. Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Teriyaki sauce is the perfect dish for whatever the occasion.

For this recipe, we start by heading to our local Walmart and grabbing Kikkoman® Less Sodium soy sauce for a healthier recipe and Kikkoman® Panko Bread Crumbs (Japanese Style).  These are a must if you are making this recipe. Don’t worry the Less Sodium variety doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor, it’s still amazing.  Kikkoman® also has a variety of Gluten-Free products certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). You’ll be able to find the Kikkoman® Panko Bread Crumbs in the breading aisle (usually next to the spices) rather than an Asian section that your store may have.

Once we’re home, it’s time to put everything together.  The sweet coconut fried with the crunch of the bread crumbs and then dipped in the sweet teriyaki sauce is just enough to make my mouth water thinking about the holidays coming up when I can have them again.  They are the perfect appetizer to take with your or even a great dish for a brunch this holiday season.  Grab the recipe below!

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Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Teriyaki Sauce
Author: Andrew
Ingredients
For Shrimp
  • 2-3 cups vegetable oil
  • 1 cup Kikkoman® Panko Bread Crumb
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 20 large shrimp pre-cooked
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Pinch pink salt
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs beaten
For Sweet Teriyaki Sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger minced
  • 1/2 cup Kikkoman® Less Sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tea cornstarch mixed w/ 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tbsp ACV
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
Instructions
For Shrimp
  1. In a flat baking dish, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and pink salt. Stir to combine.
  2. In another flat baking dish, combine Kikkoman® Panko Bread Crumbs and coconut.
  3. In a third dish or bowl, beat the eggs.
  4. One at a time, dredge shrimp first in the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and lastly into the coconut mixture.
  5. Place on a plate. Repeat with each shrimp.
  6. Place the vegetable oil In a medium size pot, over medium high heat.
  7. Once it's hot enough to fry, add shrimp and fry until evenly golden brown. 2-4 minutes.
  8. Transfer to a plate lined with a towel to soak up any remaining grease.
  9. Repeat until all the shrimp have been cooking.
For Sauce
  1. Add all sauce ingredients to a small pot.
  2. Bring to boil.
  3. Turn to low and simmer for 8 minutes.
  4. Add cornstarch and water mixture and stir to combine.
  5. Let heat through for 1-2 minutes and then remove from heat.
  6. Serve with finished coconut shrimp.

For all your holiday entertaining needs, keep Kikkoman® in mind.  There are currently Ibotta deals for $.50 of Kikkoman® Soy Sauce or Kikkoman® Panko bread crumbs available now.  Love our coconut shrimp with sweet teriyaki sauce and now need even more holiday inspiration?  Check our other Kikkoman® inspired holiday creations.

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