Weekly Recipe: Smoothies

So this is going to be the quickest, easiest, recipe ever. Smoothies are so versatile so I'm just putting the ingredients down for what I've been sipping on lately. 

Honestly, I haven't felt like cooking. At night I just have some veggies in the form of a salad or stir fry with a protein (usually beans) and then a smoothie. I Get my fruit intake plus they're GOOD!

Smoothie Recipe #1:

1 cup nonfat, vanilla flavored Greek yogurt

1/2 cup (or less) orange juice

Strawberries

Blueberries

Smoothie Recipe #2: 

1 cup nonfat, unsweetened, plain yogurt

Splash orange juice

Strawberries 

Blueberries

(Also good with a tablespoon cashew or almond butter)

Smoothie Recipe #3:

1 cup nonfat milk

Strawberries

Blueberries

Mango

I'd like to try adding cottage cheese at some point too. Of course I will try more fruit and ingredients but I want to use up what I have first before buying something else. The frozen fruit from Trader Joe's can seem expensive but I've had the bags for three weeks now and I have a smoothie every night (except on weekends). This weekend I'll pick up some other stuff. 

Tonight I'll see how I like it with a banana since Chema picked up some while I was at work. Smoothie #3 is my favorite. It's nice and thick and not too sweet. 

Some people say adding spinach is good because of the iron and the veggie serving. Haven't tried that yet but I'd like to. Bottom line: experiment! Smoothies are great anytime of the year!

Things I'm Loving (September Edition)

So I've decided to introduce a new idea to the blog: monthly loves. 

I plan to add all types of new things I've tried and like for the given month.

No, I didn't invent the idea. I know. But I figured it would be a nice change from marathon training updates, hair updates, and fitness stuff. 

Plus, it helps me stick to my budget. There's always tons of non-necessity things that I want to buy every time I go to the supermarket. Limiting myself to a few new things a month will keep me in check....hopefully.

September's edition starts with FOOD!

When I was in Spain I had been CRAVING this like crazy! I wanted some cashew butter as well but haven't found it yet. I need to locate a Whole Foods near where I live because Trader Joe's (at least the one near me) only has almond butter and peanut butter (yucky!). 

 

These have to be the sweetest and softest raisins I have ever eaten in my life. I think it's because it doesn't have vegetable oil added to it. If you notice, most raisins have it because it makes them shiny and so they don't stick together in the package. These don't!

I love shredded wheat! This stuff is great and I've tried the other two flavors in my grocery store (cinnamon and vanilla). As you all know Kashi is great when it comes to all-natural ingredients. This cereal has only whole wheat and cane sugar in it. This is my power breakfast when I add some fruit and nuts.

These are SO delicious! They are easy, portable, sweet potato patties! It hits the spot when I want something sweet and still want to be healthy. There's only 8g of sugar per patty. I usually eat about two.

This is some dense bread. I only need to eat one piece to get full. Each slice is only 100 calories (not that I count calories) and is nice and thick. When I have lunch I like to have salty and sweet. So I cut a slice in half. The first half I spread with almond butter, sprinkle with some raisins and a drizzle of honey. The second half I eat with some cheese, and non fat turkey slices. Or, like today, with one of my veggie hotdogs (see below).

Here's a close up of this delish bread. I'm a bit nervous about the salt content so I'll probably try something else when it runs out.

This was my try veggie meat experiement. I've tried sausages before (don't remember the brand) and they were delicious. These smell horrible. Like chemicals. However, I got past the scent and tried them and they aren't bad. I'd buy them again. They are really chewy but taste faintly like smoked meat. These are small so if you want to make it a meal you'd have to eat two and a side dish!

I had to get my tea fix! I LOVE tea! I don't discriminate: I love white, black and green tea. I prefer loose tea but these tea bags aren't bad. It tastes fresh and like authentic green tea. I've been drinking it three times a day since I got it!

That's it. I've also been enjoying some old favorites like cottage cheese (non fat of course!), apple cider (I love the fall!) and greek yogurt (also non fat). I also found a wonderful farmer's market not too far from where I live. It sells wonderful, fresh fruit and veggies as well as nuts and plants. The next time I go I give a tour for the blog. But I'm loving it! I wonder what's in store for next month...

Oops! Almost forgot! Pecans we got from the friendly, local, farmer's market! They are nice and freshly picked tasting. Gotta love the farmer's market.
 

Greek Frozen Yogurt

Greek Frozen Yogurt

3 cups greek yogurt (non fat or low fat)

5 Tbsp. honey

Walnuts (optional)

Put yogurt in a metal bowl and add the honey. Mix it so that the honey makes swirls in the yogurt. Freeze it until firm. Then serve and top with walnuts.

 This freezes pretty solid so if you do freeze it all the way you will need it to sit out for awhile so it's soft enough to serve. Try 2 hours and then check it until it reaches the consistency you want. You can do anything with this. You can add fruit purees, herbs and spices. A quick, easy, healthy, dessert! Enjoy!