Over the years, we’ve connected with so many amazing blogger moms. Many of these women wanted to know more about the food they feed their families and we wanted a way to empower them with information and continue the dialogue on healthy eating. We are all trying to communicate the same message: We’re invested in feeding our families in a healthy way, and in order to do so, we need to know what’s in the food we’re eating. As a result, the Yo-Getters ambassador group was born!
We wanted to get to know this passionate group of moms better so what better way than to highlight a new Yo-Getter each month? Our latest Yo-Getter under the spotlight is Marianna Nichols!
Marianna is the founder and editor of the mom and lifestyle blog Marianna, where she blogs about life, family, reviews and green living. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and four sons and is dedicated to raising her family with wholesome foods, as well as teaching them how to care for our planet. Marianna and her family enjoy hockey, fresh baked cookies and all things Star Wars. Their favorite Stonyfield flavors are anything from the YoKids line – her boys love them all!
Chandra Carson: Thanks so much for joining me Marianna! Can you tell me a little about yourself and your family?
Marianna Nichols: I was born and raised in New York and moved to Connecticut to start my family 9 years ago. My husband and I have 4 young boys; our youngest is 2 and our oldest is 7, with 5 year old twins in between. We all are big Star Wars fans, even myself, which is no big surprise in a house with 5 men!
CC: I bet! Can you also describe your blog and what inspires your posts?
MN: My blog is a mixture of everyday life and parenting stories as well as product reviews and green living ideas. I started blogging 3.5 years ago to share my green journey and hopefully get others to take small steps to be more green themselves. And I love finding new eco-friendly products to share with my readers.
CC: That’s awesome! What do you like to do when you’re not blogging?
MN: When I get a free moment from mommy and blogging duties, you will always find me reading. I have roughly 200 books downloaded onto my Kindle that I am slowly working my way through.
CC: Wow, that is impressive. So what are your favorite meals to cook?
MN: I enjoy cooking traditional Italian meals like chicken parmesan, sausage and peppers or spaghetti and meatballs. Sadly, I have 4 very picky eaters who are not all on board with those foods just yet.
CC: Yum, they sound pretty good to me! Ok, now here’s a tough one: if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
MN: I suppose chocolate wouldn’t be the healthiest answer?! I would probably pick some type of fruit like an apple or cherry, that way it could satisfy my sweet tooth while also being nutritious.
CC: Wait, isn’t chocolate a superfood? 
Can you share any tips for getting kids to eat healthy?
MN: This is definitely a challenge, as any parent probably knows. Educating children about food definitely plays a big role and I like to talk to my kids about healthy food choices and what foods are good for their bodies. They know that desserts and sweets are a special treat that we don’t get every day. And they know that vegetables are good for them, even though they never eat them. I just keep trying and hope someday a green bean makes it into their mouths.
CC: Those are definitely great tips. Now, can you share the reasons why is organic food important to you? What are your top 3 organic food must-haves?
MN: Organic food is important to me because I want to know what is in my food and know that it is not genetically modified, wasn’t grown with pesticides or any other toxins and is free from artificial ingredients. The top 3 organic must haves in this house are 1. Fruit – our fridge is packed with a variety of organic fruits 2. YoKids Yogurt – With four young children, we go through a crazy amount of yogurt each week. 3. Peanut Butter – I like our peanut butter to have just 2 ingredients: peanuts and salt. I won’t buy a peanut butter that has any kind of sweetener in it.
CC: Great choices! And what is your favorite Stonyfield product/flavor?
MN: This is a tough choice but since I love chocolate I would have to go with the Chocolate Underground yogurt. I am itching to try the After Dark Chocolate ice cream next!
CC: Yum!! Ok, now name 5 items you never leave home without.
MN: Five items I never leave home without: Reusable water bottle, snacks for the kids, iPhone, Kindle and shopping bags.
CC: Thanks so much Marianna! And where can our readers follow you?
MN: Lots of places!
Blog: www.marianna.me
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenmamaspad
Twitter: @greenmamaspad
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/greenmamaspad
Instagram: @greenmamaspad
Google Plus: www.gplus.to/MariannaBlog
Yo Baby comes in Blueberry. I wish your adult size yogurt was not only plain and vanilla and strawberry, but also blueberry. I believe it would sell well given people knowing how healthy blueberries are. Thanks from SW Colorado.