Livin' It Up... Mulberry Love Review

(The packaging is so adorbs!)

Little Man watched me open a care package from Mulberry Love. As I was pulling bottles of juice out of the box he asked, "What's a mulberry?"

Crickets.

It looks like a blackberry or raspberry but that's all I could come up with. Scratching my head I resorted to searching the Internet and admitting that Mom doesn't know everything. Supposedly mulberries have a mild honey taste and are a nutrition powerhouse.

Mulberries are a "superfood" loaded with antioxidants and the company, Mulberry Love, figured out a way to bottle up immunity boosting-brain powering properties. Hello health in my hand.

These juices are all-natural with no additives and naturally sweetened.

Grab a bottle to reap the benefits:

• Immunity Boost
• Memory Enhancement
• Inflammation Reduction
• Vital for Vision
• Heart Health
• Energy
• Skin Support
• Hydration
• Increased Metabolism
• Weight Loss

Sunday morning Little Man and I made a trip to Costco to stock up on smoothie making ingredients. No surprise at all, which as you can tell from my previous blog posts I have been on a smoothie kick lately. They are a quick and easy way to fill your body with dense nutrition. 

After we got home, unloading the groceries was quite a workout so worked up quite an appetite. If you've never shopped at Costco it is bulk items and they do not bag anything. The items may be heavy and unloaded one by one. Racking up those steps on FitBit and building those biceps. Ha!

Because it was close to lunchtime we decided on a smoothie to go with turkey sandwiches. As I was making the smoothie Little Man asked if he could try the juice on it's own first to make sure he would like it. So I popped open the bottle of Mulberry Juice with Green Tea and he compared the smell and taste to pomegranate juice, smacked his lips, and let out an "mmm". 

Getting him in the kitchen gets him trying new foods and I'm all about promoting healthy habits. Now that we've fueled our bodies it's time to get out of the kitchen and outdoors to enjoy this almost 80 degree day.

Mulberry Maca Berry Power Smoothie

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 cup Mulberry Love's Organic Mulberry Juice and Green Tea
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup frozen mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries)
• 1 pitted date
• 1 packet Maca energy boost
• 3/4 cup almond milk

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Website: Mulberry Love
Twitter: @Mulberry_Love
Facebook: facebook.com/OfficialMulberryLove
Instagram: instagram.com/mulberrylove_
Pinterest: pinterest.com/themulberrylove

*Disclosure: No monetary compensation was offered or received for this post. I was provided product for review, however, all opinions are my own.  

Doin' Some Cookin'... Blackberry Lemon Salmon

Salmon is one of my favorite fish(es)... I know, improper grammar but it doesn't sound right to me any other way. I've tried cooking it numerous way and before this recipe my go to cook method was to pan sear it in olive oil/butter.

This dish is baked to perfection in just 30 minutes and makes for a gorgeous presentation. I served this with a side of corn and this meal is Beachbody/21 Day Fix approved. Score!

I never would have paired fruit and salmon together and the blackberry sauce is a match made in heaven. Divine! Like tell all your friends "Oh em gee! Make this now!!" good.

(The lighting does not do this dish justice.)

Blackberry Lemon Salmon

Adapted From: Living Better Together

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 2 (4-6 oz) salmon fillets
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup frozen blackberries
• 2 tbsp honey
• dash of thyme
• salt and black pepper, to taste

And Action:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

Place two pieces of foil on a baking sheet and fold the edges up to create a "tray". Add 1/2 tbsp lemon juice to the  bottom of each and place a salmon fillet on top. 

Drizzle each fillet with olive oil.

Bring the edges of foil up and roll down loosely over the salmon.

Bake for 25 minutes.

While the salmon bakes, add vinegar to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer until liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes.

Add blackberries, honey, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot and simmer for about 10 minutes until sauce begins to thicken.

Once salmon is done baking pour sauce over the salmon. Enjoy! 

Doin' Some Cookin'... Triple Berry Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl with Almonds and Chia Seeds

I think I may have found my new favorite way to eat oatmeal. Maybe it has something to do with the raspberries (my favorite fruit at the moment) and almonds I toasted myself (crave worthy!!!). With the weather as cold as it's been a hot breakfast is just what I needed.

This oatmeal will keep you full until well after lunchtime and is the perfect way to start your day with protein, fiber, and antioxidants. An oatmeal smoothie bowl is the love child of two breakfast classics.

You can adapt this recipe to suit your tastes switching it up with different fruit, nuts, and yogurt flavors.

Triple Berry Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl with Almonds and Chia Seeds

Adapted From: Jeanette's Healthy Living

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/4 cup uncooked regular oats
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup raspberries
• 1/4 cup blackberries
• 1 tbsp toasted slivered almonds
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1 container nonfat vanilla yogurt

And Action:

Combine the oats, almonds, and chia seeds in a bowl adding 1/2 cup of water. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Top with the berries and a couple dollops of yogurt, stirring to combine. Enjoy!