Are you kidding, it's GREEN!

Believe it or not I like to drink the "Green drinks" "Green Machine" by Naked juice and Odwalla Superfood juice drink. My kids and husband all love them too. They are both packed with antioxidants, vitamins, nutrients,etc. and are 100% juice. I always feel energized after drinking either one of these. Don't be fooled by the color and texture it really tastes good! Let me know what you think if you give it a try! Also try this for energy- Banana Berry Nog

Green Machine Super Food, with its apple juice and pineapple juice base, has a sweet and tangy flavor. That's not all! Green Machine has several "superfood" ingredients to nourish you, including spirulina, chlorella, blue green algae, spinach, broccoli, and others. The resulting flavor is truly an experience! It is a truly unique fresh juice product that will nourish and refresh you to the max!

These are no bake energy bars. Quick, easy, delicious, cost saving and they work!

1/2 cup dry roasted unsalted peanuts

1/ cup of roasted sunflower seeds or other chopped nuts

1 cup of raisins, cranberries or other chopped dried fruit

1 cup chopped Michigan cherries ( I used dried cherries)

2 cups rolled or instant oats

2 cups toasted rice cereal ( Rice Krispies)

1/2 cup creamy or crunchy natural peanut butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

Coat a 9x 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Combine peanuts, sunflower seeds ( or other nuts), raisins ( or other dried fruit), cherries, oats and rice cereal in a large bowl. In a second microwave safe bowl, combine peanut butter, brown sugar and corn syrup; microwave on high until bubbling, one to two minutes. Add vanilla and stir until blended. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Coat your fingers with cooking spray and then press down firmly. Let stand for about one hour to harden. Cut into 16 bars.

Individually wrap bars in plastic and keep at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature.

We eat one of these for a pre run meal. If you try these or create your own, please leave feedback! Enjoy~

Nutrition info per bar;

300 calories; 10 g fat; 48 g carb ( 4 g fiber, 22 g sugar); 8 g protein, 72 mg sodium

Vegatable Rotini Caesar

1 pkg.Ronzoni healthy harvest rotini whole wheat pasta
4 cups ( total) of chopped veggies ( I used squash, zucchini, onions & tomatoes)
fresh basil & oregano
1 cup of Cardinis light Caesar dressing
shredded Parmesan cheese to taste
cracked pepper to taste
olive oil

Cook pasta, drain and put in bowl
Saute veggies & herbs in Olive oil till tender
add the Caesar dressing to the pasta
mix in the sauteed veggies
add cheese and pepper to taste
Enjoy~ we loved this. Eat as a meal or a side dish.

Garden Days~

Here are just a few pictures from my garden so far this year. This will be my 3rd year to garden and I absolutely love it. Much more than I had anticipated. We have already harvested spinach and red onions, and several herbs. The tomatoes, squash and zucchini are growing like crazy! Can't wait for those to be ready. Growing our own veggies & herbs has saved lots of money and tastes so much better. Many of the recipes on this blog have the garden foods in them.

I just loved the way these 2 pictures came out with the bees~

Mocha Madness vs.Frozen Vanilla Yogurt

At our house, a few of us found this new ice cream "Mocha Madness". You can tell by it's name that it is just going to be bad for you if you are watching calories :(
So, I decided to come up with a better alternative after reading labels to discover that in ONE cup of Madness there are 420 calories. For my walkers and runners that = 3 to 4+ miles for that one cup!
My alternative is Blue Bell fat free homemade vanilla frozen yogurt, 1 cup = 180 calories. Add some of your favorite fresh berries and enjoy a cool treat and healthy alternative this summer.

Creamy Pasta Bake

This meal can be split into two dinners for freezing.

1 jar ( 30 oz) spaghetti sauce
1 pkg ( 16 oz) whole wheat rotini, cooked, drained
1 1/2 cups light sour cream
1 pkg. frozen, chopped, spinach, thawed, drained
1 cup chopped mushrooms ( optional)
1/2 cup 100% grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 375
Mix all ingredients. Spoon into 13x 9 inch baking dish
Bake 25 min.

Try this instead~ Strawberry Shortcake

This has become a family favorite for birthdays instead of cake and ice cream. It is lighter, healthier and with much less calories. Be good to yourself and ask for this for your next birthday!

Shortcake~ cake, cups or square
light cool whip
sliced strawberries

Through out the iceberg lettuce!

Here are a couple of our favorite salads. Tastes great and very nutritious.

Baby spinach leaves with sliced strawberries, feta cheese, slivered almonds and Brianna's blush wine vinaigrette.

Mixed baby romaine lettuce with cranberries,walnuts & feta cheese.

Fruit salad ~ cut and mix up just about any fruit you have. Use lemon juice on the apples and bananas to keep them from browning.

These are all great for spring & summer!

Chicken and wild rice soup

Serves 2-3 people ( this was quick,easy and very good)

2 boneless skinless organic chicken breasts
1 box of organic chicken broth
1 cup each~ baby or sliced carrots , celery, zucchini & squash
Seasonings~ crushed black pepper, garlic and onion ( to taste)
Uncle Bens all natural long grain and wild rice ( cook separately)

Add chicken and broth in a pot bring to a boil
Simmer at about medium and add everything else except the rice
Let simmer until chicken is cooked and veggies are tender
Serve over the rice.

Homemade Pizza

2 wheat pizza crusts from store or homemade.
I use an organic pizza sauce or Ragu pizza sauce ( natural)
top with shredded cheese, we use Sagento's
other toppings include herbs and veggies from my garden or the store;
mushrooms
spinach
basil
onions
tomatoes
green peppers
black olives
Bake according to the directions on the crust you use.

30 Healthy Snack Idea's for you and your family~

1. popcorn~use a hot air popper and sprinkle with sea salt and organic butter
2. ginger snaps with hot tea ( we like chamomile & green)
3. nature valley granola bars
4. Cliff bars, (organic) I use before workouts for energy
5. veggie chips
6. Kashi bars
7. raisins and pretzels
8. low fat graham crackers
9. string cheese sticks~ low fat (hormone free) and apple slices or grapes
   
10. low fat yogurt ( can add berries and/or granola)
11. organic blue corn chips with salsa
    
12. pomegranate applesauce
13. fruits of all kinds
14. apple slices with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter
15. 10 almonds & 1/2  banana
16. raw carrots and sugar snap pea pods
17. celery with peanut butter spread on top
18. sherbet with ( light) fruit cocktail on top
19. low fat vanilla frozen yogurt with blackberries and strawberries on top
20. small bowl of high fiber cereal or oatmeal
21. cottage cheese and fruit ( 1/2 cup is only 50 calories and high in protein)
22. mini whole wheat bagels with peanut butter or apple butter
23. Advocare Vanilla Meal Replacement shake with fresh or frozen fruit blended in
24. Kashi roasted vegetable crackers with "the laughing cow"cheese and grapes
25. NAKED- Green Machine energy drink, loaded with fruits & veggies
26. sliced apples( MacIntosh when in season) dipped in LightHouse Yogurt fruit dip and Sargento cheese cubes.
27. Archer Farms Sunny Cranberry mix with fresh rasberries and or blackberries, Sargento cheese cubes optional.
28. Oregon Chai Tea with Low fat organic milk or Soy milk. Only 90 calories!
29. Advocare Spark for mental focus & Energy. Favorite flavors;Fruit Punch, Orange Mandarin, Pink lemonade.
30. Pumpkin Seeds
    

Bean & Veggie Quesadillas

Serves 2-3
4 whole wheat tortillas
1 can black beans ( drained)
shredded cheese
salsa- mild
diced tomatoes and mushrooms
baby spinach
cilantro
black olives
sour cream (lite)

Cook tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach & cilantro in olive oil. Set aside
Lightly spray pan with olive oil, then spray one side of tortilla and place in heated pan.
Layer the cooked veggies, beans, cheese, salsa and olives on tortilla.
Spray one side of the 2nd tortilla and place on top of layers ( spray side up).
Heat the bottom side and then flip over to heat the other side ( just like a grill cheese sandwich).
Remove from pan, cut into wedges, place some cheese, sour cream, olives and salsa on top.
You can use any veggies you like to substitute.

Open-face portobello sandwiches

Makes 4 servings~
1-medium tomato,chopped
2 tsp. fresh basil,thyme and/or oregano
1/8 tsp.salt
2- medium fresh portobello mushrooms
1 tsp.balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. olive oil
6 inch Italian flat bread or 12 inch cut in half. Or half of a Boboli Italian bread shell
Finely shredded Parmesan cheese

To Prepare;
Combine tomato, basil, thyme/oregano and salt~ set aside
Wash mushrooms and cut off stems
Combine vinegar and oil, brush or rub over the mushrooms
Place mushrooms on unheated rack of the broiler pan. Broil for 6-8 minutes turning once
Drain mushrooms on paper towels and thinly slice
Place bread on baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes
To serve; top with mushroom slices, tomato mixture and cheese
Enjoy~ this was delicious!