Berry Smoothie

Always looking for nutritious snacks that only need a few steps, and this is just one of those recipes!  You can make this ultra-healthy or ultra-decadent.  Use Greek Yoghurt 0%, natural sweeteners like juice, and fresh fruit; or, use Vanilla Greek Yoghurt and add a 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream for a dessert-like version--you choose.

I am featuring a compromise of the two option.  Check it out!

Equipment:

Blender, ie Magic Bullet / Nutri-Bullet / Ninja Blender / Waring 

(Nutri-Bullet is highly recommended for its' versatility & easy clean-up.

Measuring Cups

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Greek Yoghurt (0%, 2%, Vanilla, Fruit-flavors)

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup pomegranate / cranberry juice

1/4 cup water

1/3 cup frozen blueberries

1/3 cup frozen raspberries or blackberries

1/2 cup frozen strawberries (approx 5 strawberries)

1/3 frozen banana, (approx 4-5 1/4" slices)

2 tsp honey or agave syrup 

Instructions:

1. Begin filling the blender cup with yoghurt, juices, water.

2. Add your frozen fruits and sweetener.

3. If you want the decadence, add the whipping cream in place of water.

Grilled PB and J

Remember summer camp? Bag lunches with luke warm drinks and soggy or wilted sandwiches? Did you ever get tired of the PB & J? Or PB & Wonder Bread?

Well, it might just be time to renew that old classic for quick snacking after life-guarding, mowing lawns, or a long day of fighting off zombies over summer break. 

This simple twist  might just surprise you, and become a favorite when you head back to class in the fall!

Note:

Grilled sandwiches rarely get burnt if you have everything prepped and ready to go.  
Make sure the butter is soft to spread a thin layer on outer side of bread without tearing--this produces that consistent color of golden brown without too much fat added. 

Equipment:

Knife, to spread butter, jam, & PB

10-12" Non-Stick Skillet

Spatula, to flip sandwich 

Ingredients:

2 slices of your favorite bread

Softened butter, easily spreadable

Peanut Butter, chunky or creamy

Jam, with real chunks of fruit

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands. 

2. Have butter softened and spreadable.

3. Heat skillet with 1/2-1 tsp of butter over MEDIUM flame/heat. 

4. Spread one side of each bread slice with butter and the other with peanut butter. 

5. Place butter-side down into skillet.

6. Spread the other buttered slice with jam and place facedown on top of PB.  

7. Once the bottom slice is golden brown, (you can check by simply lifting it up with spatula) turn sandwich over until 2nd side golden brown. 

Banana & Honey Option: 

Use sliced bananas (instead of jam)

Drizzle honey over bananas

1. Follow Steps 1-5 as above. 

2. Instead of jam, however, layer banana slices into PB and drizzle honey over top and on plain side of 2nd slice of bread.

3. Place honey-side onto banana-PB layer. Spread a little butter on the outside.

4. Complete as above until both sides are golden brown.

Note:

Grilled sandwiches rarely get burnt if you have everything prepped and ready to go.  
Make sure the butter is soft to spread a thin layer on outer side of bread without tearing--this produces that consistent color of golden brown without too much fat added. 

Your done. Snack complete!

St Patty Cure

What A Gorgeous Color.

St Patty's Day is really just like any other Thursday night in college. Or Friday night. Or Saturday. But you need 'the morning after' nourishment, right?

Monday morning eventually arrives in full swing. So, you might as well be prepared!

Aside from being trendy right now, smoothies really are a great meal substitute if the ingredients are good-for-you. The recipe below can be used for any on-the-go breakfast, pre- or post-workout routine, snack or however you see fit.

Head over to any health or kitchen store and buy yourself a mini-protein shake blender: single serving, easy to clean and requires minimal shelf space. Try the recipe below. Experiment. Possibilities are endless. Other recipes will follow.

Tip:
If you like smoothies, bulk up on seasonal fruits by pre-cutting and storing them in zip-lock baggies in the freezer!


St. Patty's Green Smoothie Cure
(Modified from 'What's Gaby Cooking' blog recipe 'Green Machine Smoothie')

Equipment:
Magic Bullet or equivalent blender
Blender cups
Electric Socket
Electric bill 'PAID'

Ingredients:
1/2 banana or blueberries, frozen
1/4 frozen mango, chopped
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 apple, chopped
1 c fresh spinach, washed
1/3 cup Greek yoghurt, plain or flavored
2/3 cup ice water
2-3 ice cubes

Instructions:
Pack all the ingredients into blender cup. And blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Optional:
Scoop of Vanilla Whey Protein Powder, if you are seriously being healthy or working out and want a little more "umph"

Happy St Patrick's Day!
Be Safe!

Love vegetables? Cooking? Being different?

These Rickshaw Bags say it all

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