It's hard enough trying to get kids to eat their veggies (well, my kids at least), but it can be just as much of a challenge for us grown folks. For this reason, these 5 Easy Delicious Fruit & Veggie Smoothie Recipes are a MUST!
About a year ago I found myself racking my brain trying to figure out how to 'trick' my kids into consuming vegetables, but I'm realizing this is just as much of a struggle for adults....namely ME! Now, to be clear, I am a great healthy-lifestyle consultant/chef, and have a knack of masking the good-for-you stuff in deliciously irresistible tasting vittles, but sometimes it is a struggle to get in what I need at the amount I need. Now, it's not as bad as my 4 y/o last year that would greet her veggies with the whole head turn, hands-out-pushing-away, and verbal exclamation 'EWWWWW'! I mean, I can roast carrots and spice them up to make them sweet like candy (very little natural sweetener added); can roast a green bean so mean that it will make the staunchest of fast-foodies forget about French fries; and can crisp kale so good you won't be able to '....eat just one'! But with all this goodness and mercy cooking in the kitchen, I'm still needing no- brainer, quick and easy ways to incorporate these veggies without re-inventing the wheel...every time. This is the reason why I have devised 5 Easy Delicious Fruit & Veggie Smoothie Recipes that allow you to save the time and effort of trying to conjure up what you should throw in your super blender for your morning...and the kiddies will love them too! Here's a few tips for YOUR perfect smoothie:
GREEN PEACH * 1/2 banana *1/2 cup cucumber * 1 cup kale and/or spinach * 1/2 cup mangoes and/or peaches- in 100% juice (no sugar added) snack packs for lunchboxes are perfect! * coconut water or spring water * ice THANK YOU BERRY MUCH * 1/2 banana * 1 cup kale and/or spinach * 1 cup fresh (if summer) or frozen berries * coconut water or spring water * ice ORANGE YOU GLAD * 1 cup spinach * 1 cup oranges- in 100% juice (no sugar added) snack packs for lunchboxes are perfect! * 1/2 cup carrots * almond milk (80 calorie) * ice APPLICIOUS FRUIT CUP * 1 cup kale and/or spinach * 1/2 banana * 1 small apple * 1/2 cup frozen peaches * 1/2 cup berries * coconut water or spring water * ice A FRUITY BEET * 1 cup spinach * 1/2 banana * 1 beet (peeled and chopped) * 1/2 cup berries * 1/2 cup peaches * coconut water or spring water * ice Enjoy! Make it a Great Tasting Day!
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There's nothing like coming home from work with no idea of what you're going to make for dinner. I mean let's face it, sometimes the savviest of meal planners have at least one day in their lifetime where the leftovers juuuuuust couldn't stretch that extra day, or you completely forgot about that marinating chicken in the back of the fridge that you were supposed to have baked 6 days ago- yep, it's trash now! For these very times, a frittata can be your saving grace! Made with basic staples found any given day in most refrigerators, this dish is an easy save for dinner and the next day's lunch (or breakfast!).
Not only is this recipe convenient because of it's ingredients, but the process that I use literally takes a fraction of the time that it would for the classic egg-casserole bake. Part classic soft scramble and a finish in the oven- you'll be eating in no time! *Feel free to add or omit the added ingredients I've listed, as always- Make it your own! Let me know what twist you put on yours in the comments below! Lazy Greens Frittata 8 eggs, scrambled raw 3/4 cup almond milk 2 cups kale 2 cups arugula 1/2 cup Swiss cheese 1/2 cup muenster cheese 1 tsp dried thyme 1/2 onion, sliced fine 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp granulated garlic/ garlic powder 1 tsp granulated onion/ onion powder 1/2 tsp nutmeg *Chopped green onions, tomatoes, and additional arugula leaves for garnish*
Enjoy! The annual celebration of Earth Day turned 48 this week, and it's theme: End Plastic Pollution!
Earth Day is a great way to really focus on what we as people should do in order to protect and preserve this planet in which we live. It's unfortunate that we have not done a very good job as a whole in this effort. From hunting for pleasure endangering species, to chopping down vital forests and everything detrimental in between, we have not done a very good job in nurturing OUR earth. However, now is the perfect opportunity to re-commit, re-connect, and play in the dirt again- figuratively speaking...or maybe not! This year's focus is on the need to end plastic pollution. So many items we purchase to wear, eat, and drink, often if not always, come packaged in plastics of some sort. In my household, we're doing our part by growing fresh fruits and vegetables to help avoid plastic packaging- garden to table, if you will, ha! But inquiring minds what to know what you are doing to leave your mark on protecting Mother Earth. Not sure about what you can do? No worries! I've formed a list below of excellent steps you can take towards rebuilding a better place in which we dwell. Which ones will you choose to participate in? Let me know by posting in the comments below! AC Art Of Food's Tips To Preserving Mother Earth:
Find even more ways at www.earthday.org! Lots of times my inspiration for a recipe comes from a food or dish I absolutely love, but unfortunately was prepared for me horribly. This recipe revelation was no different for my 1 Amazing Wannabe Wonton Soup! My mother wasn't feeing well a few weeks ago and stated that all she wanted was a nice steamy bowl of wonton soup. Now, I can't remember the last time I had a bowl of this comfort goodness. For the record, my favorite go-to Asian soup has always been the delicious egg drop soup with crisp, crunchy wonton strips for dipping, or simply to crumble on top. However, lately I've been craving this wonton soup now too, primarily because of my mother mentioning it- TRUST, the mind is a plenty powerful and influential thing! So the other day I order some Chinese food for the family, and what do I request? Yep, you guessed it, wonton soup! I could not wait to get home to wrap myself up in this warm liquid goodness. But after one sip, not only could I wait, but I could actually toss it in the trash! It was unsatisfactory to say the very least. The wonton dumplings had no flavor, and the broth reminded me of a mix of oil and tap water, HORRIBLE I tell you! Absolutely NO flavor. And like clockwork, I got in the lab (my kitchen), and conjured up what was a sublime bowl of wonton/vegetable dumpling soup. From the super flavorful vegetable dumplings from @TradeJoes, to the organic vegetable broth spiced with garlic and ginger from the same, it's no wonder why the pot disappeared in a matter of minutes of being made. This is such a nutrient-rich immune beneficial soup because of the very healing powers found in chicken noodle soup- minus animal protein and kicked up a notch with fresh minced ginger, green onions, and garlic. I can't wait for you to try it! Comment below to let me know what your favorite soup is! Vegetarian Dumpling Soup (Wannabe Wonton Soup)
![]() It's not just for party supplies and beach noodle toys anymore. Yes our neighborhood dollar store I have found lately, is the 'go-to' spot for many of our household needs. Not only that, but when my kids visit their grandparents, they always look forward to their ride to this frugal establishment with Papi for their shopping spree- now that's just genius! I mean, my 19 year old just stays home and is obviously not as excited, but his 4 and 8 year old siblings go wild at the sheer thought of the candy and toys they'll grab inside this place! As I stated before, The Dollar Store is where folks usually go for the last minute gift bag, party napkins, balloons, etc. But I have also picked up some fabulous nail polish colors, mail packaging and office materials, greeting cards (good ones too!), wine glasses, and cookbooks for four quarters a piece! What's more, brand name and off-brand comparable food stuffs are also found on the shelves. Everything from frozen fruits and vegetables to seasonings and condiments are found in these stores and make perfect 'cents' to your budget! (see how I did that, ha!) Check out the article in the link below from BuzzFeed and see if the 12 items they list will save you money on your grocery bill too! *12 WAYS GROCERY SHOPPING AT THE DOLLAR STORE CAN SAVE YOU MONEY* This recipe is sublime especially when you don't have much time! This is a great dish for Sunday dinner, but so quick and easy to prepare, you can pull it together on a weekday! Simply add some angel hair pasta and it's deliciously ON!
Enjoy! Now that most of us are on Spring Break, take this time really find out what your kids love to eat! There's no homework pressure, study deadlines, or pesky projects to stress out about, so why not investigate now and prepare for an 'A+' back-to-school week with delicious after school snacks they'll truly love, because they told you so!
Huffington Post has a great article on how to 'healtherize' the suggestions you may receive from your tiny ones. Here's what some nutritionists give their kiddies for snacks, you may find some of these to be your favs as well! https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-nutritionists-kids-eat-for-after-school-snacks_us_5a9f64a9e4b002df2c5ec7ff Enjoy! I am super excited to have been selected as featured chef at this month's upcoming Acoustic Taste event here in Atlanta! On Saturday, March 31st at 8pm, an awesome atmosphere, phenomenal music, and amazing food was to commence! Wait, the FOOD! I was at a standstill trying to figure out what I was going to prepare for this event. My first thought was my tried-and-true Spinach Ravioli with Baby Bella Marinara for the tasting. But that's when the organizer of the upcoming event shared with me the past menus of the previous chefs, and of course within the last two months, yep, ravioli- albeit a different type, it was a ravioli nonetheless.
So after a couple of weeks of seeking inspiration, I receive my 'Ah-Ha' moment! SALMON! But wanting to fuse old school with a bit of freshness, I came up with this bad boy! Why hadn't I thought of this before: traditional canned salmon + fresh filet of salmon + fresh herbs. The answer? A delicious 'Acoustic' Salmon Fillet Bite! My menu item....personified! Acoustic Salmon Fillet Bites 1/4 cup bread crumbs 1/4 cup mayo 2 tbsp dijon mustard 1/4 cup fresh chopped dill 4 green onion stems, chopped 1 tbsp minced garlic 1/2 tbsp Abstract Spice 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp lemon zest 1/2 lb fresh salmon filet- broiled for 10 minutes until just done 1 15oz can of salmon, bones removed 1 tbsp Sriracha
Enjoy! Who are we kidding, life is passing us by quicker and quicker and there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. Unfortunately there is no 'stop' or even 'pause' button for real time. But worry not! What we can control and focus on is living our best, right now! Regardless of our age, we can take hold of the reins starting today, right this very minute, by getting the right amount of sleep, adequate exercise (not overdoing it), and ultimately the proper nutrition our individual bodies need, at the ages we are, this very moment! I don't know about you, but I'm excited and intrigued with the abundance of individuals in their later years, near and upwards of 60 looking amazing and speaking out regarding how they feel the best they've ever felt in life! And what are they attributing it to you ask? Clean and plant-based foods! The proof's in the pudding (pun intended)! These individuals are stronger in mind, body, and spirit. This inspires and motivates me on my laziest of days, to move and be purposeful to put in my body foods that heal, not hinder.
One Green Planet has done a great job of spotlighting 8 individuals you may know at various ages who relay how they optimize their culinary lifestyle to maximize to their fullest potential in the article link below. http://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/plant-based-diet-good-health-age-defying-vitality/ Are you living your best life, right now? Let me know what you nosh on to keep it right and tight, at your age! |
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