Breakfast Smoothies - Start the Day Right!

Hello blog world!

Annette INSISTS that after I blogged about my "Smoothie Packets," I need to blog about how I actually use them.  You can see our original post here:  Make Ahead Tips for Healthy Eating .

Well, here is the base for most of my smoothies:

My awesome new Ninja blender (makes me happy and makes smoothie making fun and easy), Almond Milk, Non-fat plain greek yogurt, some water, and a smoothie packet.  I also add spinach.  I promise you - no one in my house can taste it!!

Smoothies are a personal taste kind of thing, so there is no magic about a "recipe" involved.  You throw in what you have and go.  For instance, if I run out of Almond milk, I use the skim milk I keep on hand.  No biggie.  You have to do some experimenting to get the taste(s) you and your family members like.  I will say, a little banana goes a long way - consider yourself warned.

That being said, this is how my smoothies are being made these days:

Healthy Breakfast Smoothies 

1 cup of Almond Milk
2 very heaping Tablespoons of plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
   (feel free to use more - lots of protein) 
1 frozen smoothie packet
1 cup (ish) of spinach
1/4 - 1/2 cup cold water 
SPLASH of Vanilla is optional (secret ingredient - lol)
Ice cubes can be added if desired (Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.)

Start with the liquid and yogurt, then throw in the frozen fruit - don't really "throw" it - that would make a mess and could possibly be dangerous. 

Put your spinach in last.

Put the top on your blender.  WARNING: DO NOT FORGET THIS STEP! (Unless you are looking for something that looks like an episode of "I Love Lucy.")  My blender won't even work without the lid - lol - pretty sure they were afraid someone would try that "no lid" thing.
You may want to use the "pulse" button a little at first to break up the frozen fruit and ice cubes if you elected to add them.

Turn that puppy (blender) on and let it do its thing.  Feel free to pack your lunch at this time.

Now listen, TAKE IT TO THE SINK.  I know you're awesome and all, but don't chance making a mess.  Go find an enormous cup, (this makes a huge serving) and fill 'er up.

Voila!

LOOK - IT'S MAROON!!!  WHOOP!!  (For those who aren't Aggies, just try to roll with it :)
Now all you need to do is get a straw and ENJOY!  I pop the top on it and take it right out the door to work with me.  I feel so great starting my day with calcium, iron, vitamins - basically a big, yummy glass of "healthy."

Here's an important tip - PLEASE go ahead and take the 30 seconds and rinse out your blender!  You will not be sorry!  This has yummy, sweet, sticky fruit in it and it will be MUCH more difficult to clean up later if you leave it.

Like I mentioned in the first part of this post, you need to make adjustments and go with what you have on head.  This morning I was out of spinach, so I decided to make a more "tropical" smoothie.
I substituted 1/2 cup of orange juice for the water and put in 2 pineapple spears.

 

WOWZERS! PURPLICIOUS :)

I hope this has helped those of you who are looking for a healthy start to your day and didn't know how to use the Smoothie Packets.  Remember, there is no "right" way and about a million recipes out there.  Experiment and have fun with it.  I promise I have just given you a way to easily sneak fruits and veggies (yeah, even spinach) into your children's' lives!  And I also promise I won't tell! SSSHHH =)

Always in Our PJs,
Annette & Beth

Tropical Fruit Salad

Hello Everyone!

For many of us today starts the first day after the holidays.  Beth and I (Annette) wanted to start this week off with some quick, easy and healthy tips and recipes.  She and I have made some New Year's Resolutions!  (Yikes!) We are going to do a few life style changes.  More exercise and better food choices are part of that change.  Don't get me wrong...we will continue to share a variety of recipes and tips as we have a passion for variety.  Just sayin'! ;) We have many Texas recipes to share with you.

This particular recipe is a family favorite especially with my husband, Pete.  Fruit Salad is the dish he requests the most during the holidays and as that special fruit dish to compliment any meal. I have tried many variations of fruit salad, but, this is my favorite. So here goes!

Ingredients

1 can of lightly sweetened tangerines (juices drained)
1 can of lightly sweetened pineapple chunks (juices drained)
2 bananas (peeled and cut into small chunks)
1 large peeled and diced apple (any variety)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (toast at 350 degrees for about 5-6 minutes to bring out the flavor)
1 small tub of Cool Whip (you can use the fat free if you are really counting calories)No fun though!

In a medium bowl combine your tangerines and pineapple.  Put your apples and bananas in a separate dish and toss with a small amount of lemon (as this keeps them from browning). Combine the apple and bananas with your pineapple mixture.  Add the cooled pecans and Cool Whip.  Gently fold all ingredients together so you do not damage fruit and to evenly coat your mixture.

 Voila!

You can add any variation of fruit or nut that you prefer.  For instance some like to add walnuts instead of pecans.  You can add grapes or any other fruit your family enjoys.  Sometimes I add a small handful of coconut, but, have found that some people really enjoy it and some people really don't.

I hope your family will enjoy this as much as my family does.  I made this at Beth's house at Thanksgiving and everyone loved it.  It's simple, fast and healthy! One of the few healthy Thanksgiving dishes I know how to make so far.  :)

Beth and I hope that you will take every opportunity to spend time in the kitchen and at your tables with your families.  This past Thanksgiving and Christmas she and I were like a well oiled machine.  We laughed and cooked together without getting in each others' way. Not always the way it works with two women in the same kitchen...you know what I mean! Right? :) We had so much fun together!  We hope you will do the same.  Here's hoping each of you have a wonderful day and a very healthy and prosperous New Year!

Always in Our PJs,
Annette & Beth