Image taken moments before my kids snapped them up

When a couple of my friends were diagnosed with dairy allergies and lactose intolerance, it made me think differently about how I shopped–what would I do if I couldn’t just casually reach for a container of Kefir, crumbled feta cheese for my lunchtime salads, or (hold me) ice cream for special occasions? With this non-dairy dilemma in mind, I spotted these little gems in the frozen novelty section of our grocery store and decided to give them a try.

The verdict: YUM. But only if you like coconut (my husband voted no, but one non-coconut-loving kid voted yes–both said the flavor was subtle) and don’t mind smaller portion sizes. I’m not a fan of the 100-calorie pack trend, not just because of the premium we pay for additional packaging both environmentally and economically, but because so many diet-oriented foods simply don’t taste good. Bottom line: I’d rather have a smaller portion of something delicious–maybe even decadent–that’s prepared with fresh ingredients and care than something that tastes and feels like a consolation prize. These cool treats fit that bill nicely, with the added bonus of being healthier than ice cream.

So Delicious does make vanilla sandwiches made with soy milk (including full-sized), but in my opinion they’re not as flavorful. I haven’t tried the Neapolitan variety, but they look fun (let us know if you have and what you think!). For those avoiding dairy and soy, Turtle Mountain also makes a So Delicious coconut milk yogurt (on my “to try” list) and even Kefir (also on that list). It’s exciting to see options like this out there for those of us who either can’t have or want to scale back on dairy products for a more varied diet.

Girls, tell us: have you found any delicious work-arounds for your dietary restrictions? Tell us about them in the comments section.Similar Posts:

• Foodie Fridays: German Chocolate Brownies
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Kohl’s plus-size swimsuit from Fatshionista

If you’re anything like me, you steer far clear of the traditionally frumpy fat-girl fare of most large department stores, but aren’t necessarily ready for the studded-leather or plunging-neckline, belly-hugging lines of progressive specialty retailers either. That leaves us middle-grounders with a big gap in our shopping repertoire, which, for me, has meant clinging tightly to the few stylish and comfortable pieces I do have in my closet but rarely having anything that was very much fun.

I had passed by dozens of big, boxy Kohl’s stores over the last few years, but they reminded me so much of Sears, JC Penney and other similar stores and so I never stopped until a friend gave me a gift card last year. Once I was in, this non-shopper spent almost two hours picking through the racks of plus-size clothing that hit my sweet spot between fun and funky, stylish and tasteful. Since then I do about 75% of my clothes shopping in Kohl’s women’s plus-size section. LOVE IT.

The store carries sizes up to a 3x / size 24, and I find most of their stuff to be a flattering fit. Their plus-size brands include Adidas, Bongo, Candies, Croft & Barrow, Daisy Fuentes, Danskin, Dockers, Sag Harbor, Sonoma and about a dozen more. If you don’t have a Kohl’s near you, you can still enjoy their plus size yummy goodness via online shopping at Kohls.com.

Readers, if you’ve got any experience with Kohl’s or other larger department stores that have surprised you, share it with us here! Similar Posts:

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I used to love wearing strappy summer dresses, with sorbet-colored skirts swaying just so as I walked. Once I’d gained enough weight to make thigh rub an issue, dresses gradually fell from my wardrobe, supplanted by Capri pants and Bermuda shorts. Add to it the belly I gained and never got around to losing after having three kids, and I sort of forgot how to wear dresses and had no idea what styles fit my new shape.

A year after co-founding FGG, I know better. I can still wear cute dresses, and thankfully, more styles seem to be available in plus sizes these days. A bit of research rendered thigh rub a moot issue, and I learned to look beyond my old standby dress styles and experiment with styles that could accommodate more fullness in the belly and chest areas without making me look pregnant (notes to self: no more Empire waists! A-lines are your friend!).

With this dress-friendly motivation in place, I was excited to discover A Summer of Dresses, an idea that’s as simple as it is clever: wear more dresses this summer, and post photos of yourself to the site. Anyone can participate (here’s how). That’s it. What’s not to love about this idea?

If you need inspiration, check out these plus-sized Etsy shops or these ideas for sundresses for busty girls (we’ll post our reader question on sundresses for less busty girls soon, too). I keep hearing great things about Old Navy’s plus-sized dresses, which are only available online, however. No excuses, girls! I’ll participate if you do; I already know which dress I’m going to wear.

Tell us, girls: do you wear summer dresses? Why–or why not? What’s your favorite style for your body type, or where do you find the best deals?
Similar Posts:

• Ask FGG: “Best Sundresses for Busty Girls?”
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You never know who you’ll meet on a girlfriend getaway

It’s vacation season for many, with great weather and kids out of school as families head off to water parks, resorts, and campgrounds. For moms like me, it’s also girlfriend getaway season, because it’s easier to leave the kids with our spouses/partners/relatives without factoring in school schedules. For others, like our own Angela, it’s time to gather some pals and head north where the weather is divine to relax.

Each July, some of my besties and I rent a house somewhere and convene to . . . well, basically we laugh the entire time. One year, I remember going to bed with a sore jaw from laughing so much. Whether partaking in touristy activities, kicking back, playing pranks on each other, or stopping to meet roadside llamas, each gathering is a non-stop joy-fest and something that’s brightened my existence considerably. Pretty surprising for someone who didn’t have many close girlfriends until adulthood.

There’s something valuable about hanging out with people who are much like yourself, but just different enough to make things interesting. It’s also comforting to have friends who don’t judge you for never losing that baby or college (or whenever) weight, and who see you as beautiful and perfect–right here, right now. This is the stuff that great girlcations are made of. There’s even a magazine devoted to Girlfriend Getaways, which might inspire ideas for a traveling friend-fest of your own, because there’s simply no substitute for gathering with women who “get” you.

Have you done a girlfriend getaway? If not, why not? If you’re thinking of starting one, you know what we’re going to ask: what are you waiting for?Similar Posts:

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Hey, we’ve stuck pretty tightly to our promise to leave weight loss out of FGG content, and focus instead on living a good life right now no matter where you are on the scale (or where you want to be). After all, the blogosphere is stocked full of weight loss-related blogs, men and women struggling to lose it, tame it, make peace with it, or otherwise deal with/manage/handle/understand it in as many different ways as there are bloggers.

But every now and then we come across a site that stands out, that inspires us with its bravery and compelling content, whether we’re on the same road or not. And that’s exactly how we feel about Skinny Emmie — the fantastic blog of a beautiful, intelligent and very genuine woman in Lexington, Kentucky who’s working hard to get in shape (and succeeding) through the healthy, natural process of eating smart and moving her body. Along the way, she shares the incredibly personal road blocks, frustrations, questions, excitement and victories as they come.

One of my favorite parts of Emmie’s site are her videos, which are so raw and personal and exploratory it’s easy to get caught up and keep finding more in the archives to watch. We’ll be going along with Emmie on her wild ride to fitness, and we think many of you will enjoy it too!

Check her out.Similar Posts:

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Enjoying a first: lounging and reading at the pool

On the first day of summer, the solstice marking the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, I’d like to talk about laziness. Not the unproductive sloth that gets us into trouble, but some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Are you getting enough? I know I’m usually not, but this summer, my annual pool passes became golden tickets to be lazy on a weekly basis.

For years, I’ve gazed longingly through kid-made tidal waves at the women lounging poolside, napping or reading. Meanwhile, my boys required constant supervision, reassurance and modeling that hey, this putting our faces in the water deal isn’t so bad after all. But this is my year: not only did I purchase an adorable tankini on sale based on Angela’s recommendations in our Guide to Figure-Flattering Swimwear, but my kids are old enough to splash around in the zero depth pool without my help or encouragement. This means I’m officially one of the Lounging Moms, and it feels fantastic. Sure, I still jump in to splash around with the kids, but now there is a nice balance between getting cannonballed and catching up on summer reading while visiting with my fellow Lounging Moms.

What about you, girls? Do you have an unexpected license to be lazy this summer? What’s it like? And if not, how can you squeeze some lazy days into your summer?

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Homemade Peanut Butter by little blue hen

We are advocates of mindful indulgence here at FGG, as our Foodie Fridays columns demonstrate. And what’s more decadent than the rich, heady aroma and taste of really good peanut butter? Once relegated to lunch boxes with a dollop of Welch’s grape jelly, then avoided due to its high fat content in the “lite” fad era, peanut butter is ready for – and worthy of – the spotlight on anyone’s menu. All-natural and even homemade peanut butters are in vogue now, but this is a trend we heartily get behind due to the payoff in taste, texture, nutrition (great veggie protein source, no trans fats or excess sugar/salt), and satisfaction.

Tee is fond of grinding her own peanut butter at her local whole foods grocer; check to see if your natural foods store has a grinder for make-your-own peanut (and other nut) butters. I’m currently mad about Justin’s Nut Butters, which don’t require refrigeration like some brands and come in a variety of flavors even my picky kids will eat, like honey, maple almond, and even chocolate (a more subtle flavor than super-sweet Nutella, which goes better in desserts or over fresh fruit than as a snack or meal). My family brings Justin’s generously sized individual packs, mini bagels, and apples on hikes – a satisfying snack that isn’t too sugary.

For intrepid DIYers, Cuisinart makes a spice and nut grinder, but according to the recipe from little blue hen (results pictured above), you can use a food processor, too.

Tell us, girls: what do you think of natural or homemade peanut (or almond, or cashew) butters? Are these on your radar yet, or will they have to pry the Skippy, Peter Pan, or JIF from your old-skool-PB-loving fingers first?Similar Posts:

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