Green Smoothie

The green smoothie. Something i never thought i would enjoy but has recently swept the "fit" world. So, i thought, why not try it. It has now become my favorite breakfast or post work out sip. I know what your thinking...you're not sure about that bright green color, can you taste the veggies you ask?

I get it, cause those we're the exact questions i asked myself. But let me reassure you, the spinach in this yummy smoothie is, though visibly vibrant and noticeable, is practically invisible when it comes to taste.   

The spinach (or green veggie of choice) adds a great dose of nutrients the the already healthy and sweet fruits. I usually add a little honey, but if you wanted just the fruit alone would make it sweet and satisfying.

Go on. Give it a try...you won't regret it!

Green Smoothie
Adapted from Nutrition to Invigorate Mind, Body and Spirit

Ingredients:
2 small handfuls of Spinach (or green leafy vegetable of choice)
1/2 C. Frozen Peaches *
1/2 C. Frozen Mango *
1 Banana
1/4 C. or more of Almond Milk or Water
1 Tbs Honey , to taste (if needed). 


*You can use any light colored fruit instead of peaches or mango if you prefer, such as kiwi, pineapple, apple or pear.

Directions:
Rinse spinach, measure out ingredients, and place in blender. Blend together until smooth and enjoy.

Chocolate Ice Cubes for Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day!! Hope you all are enjoying the day with your loved ones. Just a quick little treat to share with you. Some chocolate Ice Cubes to liven up that glass of milk with a little chocolaty goodness!

  

Pumpkin Spice Latte

September 23rd, the official first day of fall, or so it's supposed to be. Here in California it has been somewhat of the opposite to what one might expect with temperatures of 75 (which i realize for most is relatively cold, but for the bay area it's pretty warm). This being the case it doesn't quite feel like fall yet therefore i haven't felt the need to break out my fall boots or lovely wool coat, or switch to a warm beverage instead of my summer drink, iced decaf latte. But i know that as September comes to a close and we approach my favorite month of the year, October, that fall will come and the weather will turn shortly there after.

Avacado Shake

Anyone here a Boba fan? Or even know what it is, Ha-ha-ha! Well I didn’t until a couple years back when it started spreading as the new “it” drink. As with all foodie fads in Ca this one started in L.A. then spread to the bay area. Ever since then I have been enjoying the delectable sips of Thai iced tea with Boba (aka Tapioca pearls). But that is not what this post is about. This post is about a drink that I discovered through my experiences at the local Boba place we often go to; an Avocado shake. I had heard from several people that avocado ice cream, shakes are great but I could never bring myself to try it. Well as you could have guessed I eventually mustered up the courage and am so glad I decided to try it. A very creamy shake with that sweet nutty flavor that an avocado has but with a bit more sweetness added.

A couple months have gone by since I first tried the avocado shake and I decided I was ready to attempt it at home. My results we’re a bit more smoothie like than shake so I made a few adjustments to the recipe that I thought would add some creaminess, either way it is definitely a Winner!!  

Avocado Shake

Adapted from A Cozy Kitchen

Ingredients:

1 Avocado

1-2 Tbs Sweetened Condensed Milk*  

1 Scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream

1/4 C. Coconut Milk

3-4 ice cubes

Pinch of salt.

* I would add this last after tasting since the ice cream will sweeten it already. I made a few alterations in order to use the ice cream but if you want the healthier version please feel free to play around with the measurements and check out A Cozy Kitchen for the original recipe.

Directions:

Blend together all ingredients except for sweetened condensed milk for about 30 seconds, just until starting to combine. Taste and see if you need a little more sweetness, if so add the sweetened condensed milk otherwise continue blending until smooth and creamy; I usually blend on a pulse so that I don’t go overboard and end up with too thin of a shake.

Serve in jars, cups or glasses, and enjoy!

Makes 1 serving but could easily be doubled or even tripled.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie with a twist

Sometimes in life it takes a little push, someone else to share with you something you might be missing out on. This was exactly one of those times. I love going to Jamba Juice, or any other smoothie place but have never ventured into making my own. Not because I didn't have the capabilities; my blender has sat in my cupboard for these past three years, but because I've always had this irrational fear that a homemade smoothie wouldn't be as good as one from a smoothie shop. Oh boy was I wrong!
This particular moment of revelation came on our last visit in Oregon, where my nephew and  Sous chef  loved to make smoothies. They we're delicious! So I got to thinking, I can do that; and I did. Since our return I have made the smoothie my regular breakfast; a great way to help me in my goal to eat healthier!
This particular drink was a mix of your typical strawberry banana with my last minute idea to add a little extra umph!

Strawberry Banana Almond Smoothie

Ingredients:
Large handful of Frozen Strawberries (about 1 Cup)
1 Large Banana (Frozen and broken into chunks)
Small Handful of Almonds 
1/4 C. Low Fat Vanilla Yogurt
1/4 C. 1% Milk or Orange Juice (i used milk)*
2 Tsp Honey

* Add the Liquid slowly and as needed to thin the smoothie. you might need more or less depending on preference and your blender.

Directions:
Add yogurt, a little milk to blender, followed by the berries, banana and almonds.Swirl some Honey over the top and blend until smooth and drinkable, adding milk or O.J and stirring when needed.Makes 2 servings or one large mug. Enjoy!

Product Review: Flavored Milk Straws

Hey there folks! just a quick note on a fun food product for those with kids or for those of us "grown ups" who enjoy the whimsy of childhood foods. I discovered these little charms While shopping for a few food items for dinner and butter beer cupcakes, found here.

 at Raley's grocery store on our recent visit to Roseville.

They we're so FUN!!! all you have to do is fill a glass with milk and sip through the straw and you get a yummy glass of chocolate milk in a very fun way! And plus they are preservative free, gluten free and come in many different flavors; Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry and Cookies and Cream. They cost $1.99 for 5 straws, so not as cheap as chocolate syrup, but definitely a fun treat, every now and then!

* All views are my own and i do not speak for any company in regards to this product.

Domestic chaos and new obsessions

picture from http://www.kuchkhaashai.com

Two days to go, the kitchen a mess and our bags still not packed i sat there; hand on my chin, signifying that i was in deep thought, trying to decide whether or not i wanted to attempt making a lime simple syrup. my guilty pleasure when eating out is taco bell and my most recent obsession is their Lime sparkler...So refreshing!! So as i was already in the kitchen and had the ingredients i decided to Go for it. what a great addition for our upcoming camping trip, i thought. The result, a very yummy, cheap and easy version that was very well received by my fellow campers! Many thanks to Nigella Lawson's lime syrup recipe, intended of course for a cake but worked quite well for my beverage. The only slight challenge was getting the syrup to completely dissolve into cold soda, so i suggest using room temp. soda and adding ice after stirring. 

Ingredients: 

for syrup:

1/2 C. Lime Juice 

Zest of 2 Limes 

1 C. Granulated Sugar 

for sparkler:

1-2 Tbs Lime syrup 

7Up or sierra mist

Ice 

Lime wedge 

Directions: 

combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over med-low heat. allow to boil for 2-3 min more, stirring consistently. Remove from heat, and using a flour sifter strain out lime zest over small bowl, cool in fridge for about 10 minutes before transferring to a glass bottle or container. 

for assembly:

In medium glass, add 1-2 Tablespoons of Lime syrup, depending on taste. squeeze one lime wedge over syrup, then go ahead and drop it in! Add a little amount of soda and stir until well combined. Add plenty of ice and then pour in lemon lime soda until 3/4 of the way up the glass. Give it one more good stir, and Enjoy!! 

Adapted from insanitytheory.net/kitchenwench (Originally Nigella Lawson's How to be a domestic Goddess).