A Super Green Smoothie

Ok so I'm not really super health conscious but I like to attempt to eat healthily. I'm completely addicted to Pinterest these days and have come across so many recipes for avocados and smoothies. I recently got a bunch of avocados and am getting tired of having them just one way- on toast with sea salt. Found lots of great avocado recipes on Pinterest (see here) including more than a few yummy smoothies.

To me that sounded like a fantastic way to get more fruits and veggies in without trying too hard. After researching extensively to try to find one combining ingredients I had in my fridge I found several but none had all I was looking to combine. So the little genius I am decided to combine several recipes and kind of come up with my own. It tastes really good but I think maybe more avocado might be nice.

Try it for yourself and let me know what you think. By all means tailor it to your dietary needs and/or use what you have hiding in that fridge of yours.

Ingredients:

• ½ c almond milk, coconut milk/water, or plain yogurt (I used vanilla almond milk)
• lime juice
• ¼ avocado, pitted
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 kiwi, chopped
• ½ cucumber, peeled or not
• 2 tsp honey
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ice

Optional Ingredients:

• handful spinach or kale
• 1 apple and/or pear, cored and chopped
• 1 banana
• handful green grapes
• ½ mango, cored and chopped
• 3-4 slices pineapple, cored and chunked
• cilantro or parsley (help get heavy metals out of your body)
• 2 tbsp chia seeds

How to Make:

1. Place liquid, avocado, spinach in a blender. Blend on low speed until smooth.
2. Add celery, pear, apple and herbs and blend at high speed.
3. Add banana, pineapple, and lime juice and end with frozen fruit or ice and chia seeds (if using)
4. Blend on high speed until smooth
5. Transfer into tall glasses

Fab Find Foodie: Silk Pure Almond Milk Review

PLEASE NOTE: I did not write this review, however i would never post a review in any of my blogs if I did not (1) get the author's permission and (2) agree with the views presented in the author's review.


6/22/2010 02:21:00 PM Posted by Fab Find Foodie

Almond Milk is a product that has become quite popular as of late.  It's supposed to be a great alternative to cow's milk!  You're probably familiar with the brand Silk, which is known for their soy milk.  (Which I also love!)  But have you tried their Pure Almond Milk yet?  Almonds are said to have incredible health benefits!  They are recognized by health professionals as a nutritious addition to a healthy diet. A serving of almonds provides an excellent source of vitamin E, protein and fiber. In fact, almonds are higher in protein and fiber than any other tree nut. Plus, they're naturally low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free.

I received two coupons for a free half gallon of Silk Pure Almond Milk.  This was my first time trying Silk Pure Almond Milk, so of course I wasted no time running down to the store so I could get my first taste!!  The thickness was comparable to whole milk, but it's ivory in color.  The flavor is exceptional!!  I tried the Vanilla first and I cannot express enough just how good it was!!  My two year old refuses to drink milk, and she loved Silk Pure Almond Milk!  The Original is just as delicious!  (I'd suggest Vanilla for those of you that like a sweeter taste, and the Original for less sweetness.)

I'm not a huge milk fan, so having products like Almond Milk are great options for me!  Silk Pure Almond Milk is great to drink as is, but it's also really tasty in coffee, over granola and my fav is poured over oatmeal!!  You can also use it in soups, smoothies and as a replacement for milk in baking!!  However you decide to use it, the one thing I'm confident in is that you'll love it!

***Get a coupon for .75 cents off Silk Pure Almond Milk***

HOW TO CONNECT TO SILK:

Website. Facebook.  Product Locator.

 

HOW TO CONNECT TO FFF:

Website. Facebook. Twitter. NetworkBlogs.

4 Proven Ways to Stop Stress Eating

It's common to respond to stress by distracting yourself with your favorite comfort foods. But now that you're following the South Beach Diet lifestyle, you know that turning to common comfort foods (processed chips, white potatoes, sugary sweets, etc.) may cause swings in your blood sugar that could cause cravings and lead to weight gain. Here are some healthier ways to cope:

1. Stick with the program. If you follow the guidelines set forth by the South Beach Diet, you'll be less likely to have cravings and, as a result, you'll be less likely to turn to food when you face stress. Plus, snacks are encouraged on the plan, so you won't feel deprived.
   
2. Keep your hands busy. Find something else to do with your hands besides eat. Keep the daily crossword nearby, knock off some chores, or distract yourself by calling your friends or family. (Don't use the kitchen phone!)
   
3. Be ready for stress snack-attacks. It's worth repeating that snacks are encouraged on the South Beach Diet, so keep the right foods on hand. Make sure you've got a supply of crunchy vegetables like celery sticks, green and red pepper strips, cauliflower buds, and broccoli florets — you can even cut them up and stash them in resealable bags in your veggie drawer. Feel the urge to dip? Try hummus or eggplant dip, or a bit of spreadable, low-fat cheese (six grams of fat or less per ounce). Also, stock your cupboards and desk drawers with nonperishable South Beach Diet–friendly items like nuts; high-fiber, whole-grain crackers and cereals; dried apricots; and even cans or pouches of water-packed tuna.
   
4. Work out. Exercise is not only a great way to stay fit and manage your weight, it's also a fantastic stress reliever. If going to the gym isn't your thing, clear your mind with a brisk walk around the neighborhood. 

Copyright © 2010 Waterfront Media, Inc.

http://www.southbeachdiet.com/sbd/publicsite/dailydish/dd_20090511.aspx 

Fit in Fruits and Vegetables

Eating fruits and vegetables can do some amazing things for your body: help stave off chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, keep your skin healthy and your brain sharp, and help you lose weight without your feeling hungry. But the sad fact is that three out of four people don't get close to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, which is the minimum amount recommended in the Healthy Living With Ellie program. If you count yourself among that majority, here are some tips to help you fit more of these nutritional powerhouses into your life!

• Buy bags of prewashed greens so you can make a salad in no time.
  
• Keep blueberries and grapes in the freezer, and nibble on them while they're still frozen.
  
• Make an extra-large batch of vegetable soup. Freeze the leftovers in single-serving containers for easy, instant homemade lunches on busy days.
  
• Every Monday, bring five pieces of fresh fruit to work, and eat one every day. Keep the fruit in a basket — not only will you eat more but you'll enjoy how it looks!
  
• For a satisfying snack, spread some peanut butter on apple slices or a banana.
  
• Take a half hour each week to cut up fresh fruits and veggies and store them in sealed containers. No one can resist a ready-to-eat fruit salad, and peppers, celery, and carrots are much more enticing when they are already washed and cut.
  
• Visit your local farmers' market. You'll be amazed at the array of colorful, delicious produce you'll find.

Going forward with the Healthy Living With Ellie program, make sure to eat at least two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables every day.