Smoothie Prep

We tend to buy bananas in huge bunches. I guess huge might be an overstatement but I do know that guests to our home are always shocked by the amount of bananas ripening on the counter. 

When the bananas ripen to a perfect spotty brown it is time to peel and freeze them. The first thing we do is take pictures of these beauties. Then we peel them down. After making a mountain of peels we break each of these in half and store two bananas per freezer bag. It makes it easy when using bananas later on in smoothies. I usually makes smoothies with either half, one or two whole bananas. Pre-protioning them makes smoothie making very quick when I'm in a rush. 

After we put all of the bananas in the freezer it's time to break out all the new bananas. And then we just wait for them to ripen into more beautiful bananas! 

Mini Pot Pies

On the first day of the new year that we all decided to head to the pool for some sunshine, I wanted to bring some easy to eat lunch snacks. I have to say, the worse part of this is the crescent rolls that were purchased for this dish. If you have more time, you can make a easy dough with coconut flour that can be found online. But, for a quicker version use a crescent roll.

The three styles.

The Pizza:
Motz Cheese
Bruschetta
Pepperoni

The Green Monster:
Broccoli
Raw Cheddar Cheese

The Quiche:
Egg
Green Peppers

These all get placed in little dough covered muffin tins and baked in the oven at 375 - 400 for about 15-20 minutes depending on your oven. The Quiche tray needed a few minutes longer to make sure the egg cooked all the way through. Be sure to check before eating!

Then we took these babies down to the pool to catch some sun. How wonderful is sunshine, peach ale, and these delicious personal size potpies.

The Dinner

This cooking adventure was fun due to the fact that not even our buddy was following a recipe. Fly by the seat of your pants always tastes good when the person cooking knows what they are doing. Fly by the seat of your pants tastes like char and shame when I'm cooking. Lucky for us, our friend knew what he was doing.

These dishes were made in small batches and it was perfect because those who did not like shrimp did not have to have it, it was perfect. I chose to top my shrimp-less bowl with plenty of parm and pepper.

And of course, a perfect end to a perfect meal. The perfect cigar with friends. Cheers!

Special Prep

Nothing says love like family dinner night with friends. Of course half of the fun is in these pictures. And half of the happiness was that our friend, who is also an amazing chef, was the one doing the cooking.

Look at that plate of heaping veggies! Start with chopped asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and red peppers. For those guests who love seafood we have some chilly shrimp just waiting to get cooked.

Then add Fat Tire, it's worth looking up, and some parmesan cheese. The really good kind. Shred into one giant snowy mountain of savory flakes. (I ate at least a half cup of shredded cheese before dinner even hit my bowl.)

And of course, don't forget the noodles. Prepare the Olive Oil...It's cooking time!

The Grill Night

Grill Night!

Chicken: Simple Secret Marinade. A little pepper and pink salt.

Asparagus: Garlic, Butter ( the real kind, from grass fed cows ), and pink salt

Zucchini: Natural Italian Dressing

Drink: Your choice! We chose a delicious Riesling and then CHEERS!

Prep, Glorious Prep

Half of the fun of cooking for me is the prep. I love the shopping, the veggies uncut, and even all the foods when they are diced and prepped up. Trader Joe's is great for trying new veggies and their produce case is always brimming with new vegetables to try.

This night we used endive, which I'll post about soon. I had no idea what it was, I just knew it was pretty like a tulip! I made a fresh salad out of it but didn't take pictures this time. So that will be a post for another time.

Also, check out the pretty zucchini we grilled! I never liked it when I was younger, a story for another time, but I tried it grilled and liked it again!

Cheating Homemade Pizza Night

Homemade Pizza Night (the cheaters way)

Instead of making pizza dough from scratch, using a healthy substitute can work in a pinch. Some good examples are whole grain english muffins, or sprouted grain bagels or english muffins. 

You'll Need:

-whole grain or sprouted pizza base (english muffin or bagel)

-organic marinara sauce

-fresh motz cheese

-one fresh tomato to top it

How to make:

Turn on oven to broil.

Cut your choice of pizza base and place on baking sheet

Cover pizza with sauce

Grate motz cheese over pizza

Cut up small tomato and place in center of pizza

Put in oven and bake under broiler for 5-7 minutes. These crisp up quick so keep an eye on them. 

Enjoy!

The First Tomato

Is this entire post dedicated to a single tomato? Yes. Because, this is the very first tomato off the container plant on the patio. 

So the first three pictures are there so you can see how bright and beautiful it is. The last one is to show that it's pretty much a tiny tiny tomato. I used it to garnish a homemade pizza. Which I will post next! 

Jackie on Day 2!

Here is the day two for Jackie's journey! I love sharing her adventure. I am excited to share her whole first week! Enjoy.

Day 2

Today was a little harder for me!  I am a teacher, and I had to take my students on a field trip today.  We were going to the movies.  And yes Selma was amazing and powerful--I suggest you see it! I woke up late, but made time for some Shakeology.  I had mixed the chocolate powder with some coffee, almond milk, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice.  I also of course had my cinnamon coffee!  I have gotten two of my coworkers to buy into the cinnamon coffee!!  It’s a hit!  MY eating today was terrible!! But it’s okay!  

What I ate:

Chocolate shakeology shake

Snack: Almonds, popcorn

Lunch- One cheeseburger, (the bad part) and a coffee

Snack 2: Greek yogurt

Dinner- Half a chicken breast sauteed with Frank’s red hot, kale, spinach, and cauliflower over brown rice.

After dinner- Hot lemon water.

Today’s work out- Piyo hardcore on the floor!  A nice 30 minute ab workout!

Tip of the day- Detox tea!

After dinner drink Hot lemon and ginger water!  This is the way I can curb my sweet tooth!  I put water in a teacup and heat it up.  I then put it in a cup with 2 slices of ginger and 2 slices of lemon.  It tastes great, adds to my water intake, and keeps me full while watching tv! (Yes I have a problem with the mindless TV watching/eating this stops me!)

Lemon/Ginger water benefits

Here’s to a better tomorrow!

-J

Featuring Jackie's Whole Foods Challenge!

Over the next few days I will be sharing with you someone else's Whole Foods Challenge. Jackie will be keeping a journal every few days on how her challenge to eat whole, unprocessed, foods goes before she goes on vacation. Here is her First Entry:

I am Jackie and I have decided to start a clean eating project.  A little background on me; since graduating college (4 years ago) I have struggled with maintaining a weight I was happy with.  I notice I gain weight in relationships since everyone always wants to go eat.  I have gone through every diet, but diets suck and they are not made to last. I am a teacher and a cheerleading coach so I am always busy! I needed a lifestyle change.Since the holidays and a terrible break up (nothing cures a breakup like some ice cream, some booze, and chicken wings am I right?!) I have had a hard time getting back into my healthy eating.  I have been working out, but abs are made in the kitchen. I have noticed that I have been more tired and feeling bloated.  I have 2 weeks before I leave for vacation and would like to be in my best shape.

This is me pre-challenge!

So I will be blogging my journey and sharing a tip a day with you guys!

Day 1:

This morning I woke up, looked in the mirror, and said “Here we go, today is your day!” I made it through Day 1! I am feeling better, I had more energy so much that I couldn’t fall asleep!  I spent an extra two hours watching Serendipity.  

What I ate today

7:30 am- I started my day with a blueberry and strawberry Vanilla Shakeology shake.  I love shakeology because it’s a great treat, gives me needed vitamins and energy, and is an easy breakfast.  I mix it with Almond milk to give it a creaminess.

Todays morning snack included two hard boiled eggs

Lunch- 1/4cup whole wheat mac and cheese, 1 cup of kale and 1 cup spinach

Afternoon snack- greek yogurt and an orange.

Dinner 6 scallops cooked in 2 TBS of balsamic vinegar, some minced garlic, and a dash of onion powder.

-Spinach sauteed with garlic

After dinner- lemon tea!

Today went well.  I did a yoga work out tape.  Since everyone can do a 30 minute work out!

Today’s tip removing sugar and adding cinnamon!

Everyday I have coffee it’s a religion at this point!  However, the sugar is the killer!  

Try adding cinnamon to your coffee!  It will help curb your cravings for sugar!  It also has so many health benefits!  It also helps increase blood flow which boosts your metabolism.

Health benefits of cinnamon

-J