Doin' Some Cookin'... Avocado Tuna Salad

Tuna salad sandwiches in my household consist of tuna and mayo. We're simple like that when it comes to tuna. However, with being on this weight loss journey I have branched out and tried a handful of tuna salad recipes and am loving how versatile canned tuna can be and it's a pantry staple. 

This Avocado Tuna Salad has a lot going on but trust me it all works even Little Man loved it and chose a tuna salad sandwich over hot off the grill chicken. So you know this is good. But feel free to opt anything that doesn't float your tuna boat. 

Mayonnaise gets replaced with avocado which helps add creaminess and acts as a binding agent and onions, celery, and apple give it some crunch. 

Avocado Tuna Salad 

Adapted From: HelloHealthy

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 can tuna, drained
• 1/2 avocado
• 1/4 cup celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/4 red apple, chopped
• 1/8 cup walnuts, toasted
• 3 tbsp pickle juice
• 1 tsp dried dill
• 1/2 tsp spicy brown mustard
• 1/8 tsp cumin
• salt and pepper, to taste

And Action:

In a small bowl, mash avocado until smooth. Combine the rest of the ingredients. Serve on toasted bread. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Apple Pie Smoothie

Enjoy apple pie anytime of the day with this delicious smoothie without the guilt. It seriously tastes like apple pie a la mode. If only I had some whip cream to top this off and another dash of cinnamon, mmm.

But don't be like me in wanting to make something healthy unhealthy. Don't ditch your diet.

Instead grab for five ingredients and whip up this smoothie... Easy as pie. Had to, I'm lame.

Apple Pie Smoothie

Adapted From: Whole Foods Market

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk
• 2 packets cinnamon spice oatmeal or 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Livin' It Up... Little Man's Tailg8 Football Birthday Party

I love a themed party and have had the privilege to throw them for my Little Man. Up until his fourth birthday is when he got to start picking the themes for his birthday parties.

FIRST BIRTHDAY:

His first birthday was spent traveling to Oregon and Ohio visiting relatives as they celebrated his birthday with multiple parties. This was one the best years because we didn't have to do any of the work. However, I do enjoy the planning, prepping, hosting, and find some pleasure in the clean up because I know what I provided for him.

(First birthday party ever!! At Gramma Rox's house in Bend, Oregon)

(Birthday party with Little Man's dad's side of the family in Ohio)

(Smash cake)

SECOND BIRTHDAY:

Hosted a Dinosaur themed grill out at our place. Our apartment had a spacious front porch and grassy area for setting up chairs and fitting everyone in. The boys played in the ball pit and bouncy house all afternoon and evening while the adults stuffed their faces with food and booze. 

(My tired birthday boy with milk dripping from his chin.)

(Photo booth)

THIRD BIRTHDAY:

Little Man was obsessed with the Disney movie, Cars, so this birthday party was a no brainer. Another birthday hosted at the apartment and filling the yard with chairs and people to grill out. 

FOURTH BIRTHDAY:

Still being a Disney kid but lost interest in Cars and had a new obsession with Toy Story. Go figure, room decorated and toy boxes filled with Toy Story items and two months later he was over it after Angry Birds hit the scene. The morning of his birthday party he invited his best friend at the time, Carter, to the zoo. That afternoon we had a party at the house with food catered from Pappas BBQ. After food, cake, and gifts we headed to the pool and swam until the sun went down. This year also started the tradition of custom cakes from Elite Treats here in Kingwood, Texas.

FIFTH BIRTHDAY:

Little Man can't think of anything other than Angry Birds, as such, party planning was a breeze. We invited his friends to his favorite restaurant, Sharky's and then over to the apartment for cake. 

SIXTH BIRTHDAY:

This year was different. He didn't want a birthday party and instead wanted to go camping. His only request was for s'mores and an alligator cake. 

SEVENTH BIRTHDAY:

Over the Summer of his 6th year his Grandma Debbie took him to Saint Arnolds Brewery for root beer floats and sent him home with a six pack. It must have been on his mind all year because when it came to plan the party he requested his party be at Saint Arnolds Brewery. When inviting his friends I was kinda worried the parents would think that was odd and wouldn't be on board. In fact, they thought it was a great idea and we all had so much fun. The kids got us kicked out of the tour because they were laughing. Brewing is serious business, I guess. We sat at the brewery all afternoon eating pub food and drinking root beer. 

EIGHT BIRTHDAY:

With Summer being out and Little Man being with me this year for his birthday I decided to host a get together at the apartment. He has been obsessed with football and it was an easy pick for him this year. How convenient for me because I got to use a cheeky tagline when sending out his invitations: "Tailg8 Birthday Party". 

Yes, the party was hosted on a Thursday night which is not a convenient night for most but it works for our situation because Little Man's guest list was extended to his three best friend's he's had since Kindergarten and the boys all go to the same after school care. I took that Friday off and offered to take the boys to the daycare for the afternoon after Little Man got picked up by his dad. 

We did a football tailgate theme grilling hot dogs, hamburgers, and making root beer floats to enjoy with the custom Oreo cake from Elite Treats. 

(Party favors)

(Little Man with his best friend since Kindergarten, Ethan, and Ethan's little sister, Emerson)

As stressed out as I get during the month leading up to the party and the emotional rollercoaster I experience all of the hard work is always worth it after seeing his smile. While I don't want his ninth birthday to get here too soon I am excited to see what next year has in store for us.