Valentine's Strawberry, Banana & Pineapple Smoothie!

No, it's not another green smoothie, but is still an extremely yummy strawberry, banana, pineapple smoothie and totally loaded with good stuff to help improve health and lightly de-tox.  Plus the pink color is perfect for the upcoming St. Valentine's Day, one of my all-time favorite holidays, being a romantic at heart!

Today I hit the 10 pound weight loss point since the first week in January . . . I am doing this slowly and intelligently through a change in what I put in my tummy.  I also joined Weight Watchers to someday have a body like spokeswoman, Jennifer Hudson (in my dreams at 56 years old!).

Oh, yes, I did blow it (eating healthfully) for one lunch this week when Mr. M. and P. (meat and potatoes) and I stopped 'where the parking lot is full' at a local new and booming BBQ joint, "The Squealing Pig".

I caved!

However, I did order chicken instead of pulled pork and I did have sweet potato fries instead of regular white potato fries.  Oh yea, baby . . .  it was wonderful!  And absolutely no sweet tea, just lemon water.  Hey, one has to splurge every now and then to stay on this health journey, don't ya think?

Valentine's Strawberry, Banana & Pineapple Smoothie

1 banana
1 cup chopped fresh pineapple (this is your de-tox magic ingredient!)
10 medium to large strawberries
2 Tbsp. coconut water
1 tsp. local honey
1 tsp. chia seeds (swells to 8 times larger in your tummy to help you feel fuller)
2 ice cubes (to chill it)

Blend the banana, add the pineapple, blend again, add strawberries, blend again.
Add the rest and anything else that you like, blend again.

Enjoy the full feeling you get from this pretty pink drink!
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Pineapple, Spinach & Ginger Green De~Tox Smoothie!

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Am I having fun yet?  I'm referring to all of these smoothie concoctions that I've been experimenting with.  Well, yes and no.  Truthfully I'd rather be stuffing my face with a deep dish double-layered Chicago style pizza, just to name one outrageously fattening food that I could choose from.  But that's not going to happen for some time and only for a splurge when I visit my son in Chi-town.

So here's Smoothie recipe #2 that I posted a week or so ago.  This green drink was much more effective in it's claim 'de-tox' due to the pineapple.  I mean to tell you that you will be 'cleansing' (to put it nicely) alright!!!  No doubt about the accuracy of the name 'de-tox' in this green potion!  However, since I do not have a juicer, I couldn't churn up the pineapple and spinach into a 'true' smoothie.  So it was a little more lumpy than the first smoothie.  The taste was just fine though, and that's a key factor for acceptability in my book!  You can't even taste the spinach and instead your tastebuds really pick up on the fruit and ginger elements.  It's quite nice!

Here's the recipe for you if you'd like to try it:

Pineapple, Spinach, and Ginger De-Tox Green Smoothie

adapted from Zoomy Yummy

1 1/4 cup pineapple juice

juice from 1/4 lemon

handful fresh spinach leaves

2 slices fresh pineapple

1/4 tsp. fresh grated ginger

Place in a juicer or blender/food processor.

Give it a whirl.

Pour in glass.

Drink up.

Enjoy results!

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Parmesan, Garlic & Basil Crusted Tilapia!

I've been increasing the amount of fish in our nutrition lately and found this delightful recipe (among many) on the web (allrecipes.com).  Normally I like to prepare fish with a lemon-garlic-butter brushed on top, so I was ready to try something new.  This is very good and is quite adapted from the recipe on-line that sounded far too salty.

I combined it with a spinach and lettuce salad with avocado.  The baked potato is supposed to be a 'no-no', but since I'm not perfect, neither was this meal!  HA!

We enjoyed this delicious fish earlier this week and then prepared some salmon tonight with my trusty lemon-garlic-butter to get more of those healthy Omega-3's (click on the link in red italics for the recipe).  I'd prepare this tilapia recipe again . . . but next time, no baked potato!  Sweet potatoes are the acceptable healthier choice of potatoes now.  Baked sweet potato fries would be awesome!


Parmesan, Garlic & Basil Crusted Tilapia
adapted from "allrecipes"

1/3 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese (may add up to 1/2 cup, but taste as you go)
1/4 cup butter, softened (I'd also recommend an Olive Oil butter replacement)
3 tablespoons mayonnaise (I'd use reduce calorie mayo next time)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
a pinch of celery salt (if you happen to have it on hand; or use another seasoned salt such as Old Bay)
2 pounds tilapia fillets
paprika to sprinkle on for garnish

Preheat oven broiler.
Spray pan with cooking spray (I use Olive Oil Cooking Spray).
In a small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise and lemon juice.
Season with dried basil, pepper, garlic powder and celery salt.
Mix well and set aside.
Arrange fillets in a single layer on the prepared pan.
Sprinkle the fillets with more pepper, only if desired.
Broil a few inches from the heat for 4 minutes.
Flip the fillets over and broil for 2 more minutes.
Remove the fillets from the oven and cover them with the Parmesan cheese mixture on the top side.
Sprinkle with paprika for color.
Broil until the topping is browned and the tilapia flakes easily with a fork. Pin It

Avocado with Cilantro Jalepeno Turkey Sammie & Green Smoothie!

Losing weight is hell (at least for most people).  That food we put in our mouthes had better be yummy and filling or it's all over.  I'm an honest person and I'm not going to lie!  It is is overwhelming how much research is out there now on how there's certain genetic predispositions, hormonal changes, metabolism changes, etc. etc. ad nauseum that sabotage our healthy weight.  But it still all boils down to one simple notion that we all excuse away:  getting rid of the crap that we've put in our bodies and putting in the good stuff instead!  That and changing bad physical habits into positive habits such as getting off the damn couch and logging off (dare I say) the computer!

We've all heard the mantras:

Eat more fruits and veggies!

Eat more lean meats and (as Dr. Oz recommends) only one meat a week from a 4-legged animal . . . Mr. M. and P. has to suffer without his red meat.  I'll suffer more without my pork!  So it's hello to more chicken, turkey, fish, and vegetarian recipes.

Eliminate as much processed food as possible (no problem there)!

No fast food!  Doable!

And more!  I can't and do not want to list all of the proven strategies for improving our nutrition.  I'll leave that to the tons of healthy nutrition lists on-line and in the plethora of nutrition and health books on the market!

But I did think that I'd share just a few things that I did this week to drop 2 pounds:

First of all, I don't have enough of the precious resource of time in my life, so the most important element of preparing something in my insanely busy life (and I'm working on that issue too), is that the healthier food and recipes must be SIMPLE!!!

Nothing could be simpler than the green de-tox smoothie and a wonderful sammie that I had over the weekend.  The next post will be a wonderful tilapia recipe that I haven't uploaded the photos yet . . . you know, it's the time thing!

Turkey, Avocado and Tomato Sandwich with Jalepeno Cilantro Hummus

2 slices whole wheat bread

2 Tbsp. Jalapeno Cilantro Hummus (available at Whole Foods)

4 - 6 oz. sliced smoked turkey breast

lettuce or spinach leaves (your choice)

1/2 an avocado, sliced

2 - 3 tomato slices

a few shakes of Mrs. Dash Spicy Southwestern Spices no-salt blend

Salt and Pepper to taste

Toast bread

Spread the hummus on both slices of bread.

Layer each ingredient.

Sprinkle on Mrs. Dash and salt and pepper to taste!

Make any changes that you like!

Enjoy!  This is very good, very filling, and has quite a nice kick to it!

There is no cheese in this sandwich (which causes me to frown) and there is no mayonnaise.  The flavorful hummus and creamy avocado made up the difference very well!

And here's the very first green smoothie concoction that I have ever made.  This was for a different lunch this past weekend and it is surprisingly delicious and filling!  Again, I cannot tell a lie!  Very easy, and quite fun to make as well.

Green De-Tox Weight-Loss Smoothie

(from 'nutrition to invigorate mind body and spirit)

1 - 2 bananas

1/2 cup frozen peaches

1/2 cup frozen mango

a couple handfuls of spinach

1/4 cup of water

ice (if desired)

Add more water if necessary 

Since I don't have a juicer (on the wish list), I used a mini food processor and followed up with my trusty boat motor immersion blender to chop up the spinach leaves more.  The results were just fine.

Again, this is a very good smoothie.  I gulped it down instantly.

But of course . . . I was hungry!

I loved the addition of the mango to this smoothie!

I'd like to try pineapple as well.

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De~Tox Smoothies for Health!

I love clean living, whether it's inside my home, office, car, yard, and even my handbag.  So if I am going to keep everything uncluttered on the outside, I've got to remember to keep it all as clean as possible on the inside . . . of myself!  Over the holiday break from classes I had some time to watch TV and fell in love with all of the healthy advice provided by the Dr. Oz Show and web-site.  So much invaluable information on nutrition is shared from a variety of experts that helps us understand just how much each organ of our bodies is affected by what we put into them.  Dr. Oz has developed an especially effective de-tox and energizing green smoothie that's high in fiber, rich in vitamins, and low in calories.

I found several other green drinks/smoothies on Pinterest that have been given a nod for success that I'd like to try simply for variety.  I've put those together below, along with the correct citation of their origins for you.  Each of their creators say that they really have an increased level of energy to get through their busy days.  Other benefits discovered are better weight loss, improved digestive and immune systems, and more radiant skin, nails, and hair!  And who doesn't need and want those?

Each of these smoothie recipes are fast and easy to prepare.  All that is needed are the ingredients and a blender.  If you are fortunate enough to have a veggie blender, than of course you can use that.

Dr. Oz's Green Drink

2 apples, cored

2 big handfuls of spinach

1/2 cup of chopped parsley

1 celery stick, chopped

1 thumbnail length of ginger root, peeled

1 lemon - juice only (use peel slice for zest)

1 medium cucumber

Place ingredients in a blender, add 4 oz. spring water or a handful of ice cubes, then puree quickly for one minute. Makes two glasses of Dr. Oz’s green drink.

Green drink – Optional ingredients:

2nd cucumber

raw carrot

unsweetened fruit juice

banana

This green drink has a strong taste, so if you're used to sweet beverages, 

the taste will take some getting used to. Dr. Oz suggests adding other items

 at first to sweeten the green drink to your taste.

Anti-Aging Green Monster Drink 

from Dr. Andrew Weil

This green drink is loaded with protective phyto-nutrients, found in fruits and vegetables, known to help boost your body's defenses against cancer and chronic degenerative diseases. It can help correct diet deficiencies - and tastes good, too. A perfect way to get your family to drink to their health.

1 cup apple Juice

1/4 cup carrot Juice

1/4 cup cucumber Juice

3/4  cup kale Juice

1/4 cup organic plain yogurt

1 tsp olivello juice (optional)

1 cup ice

If you don't have a juicer at home, buy good quality organic juices from the market. 

If you do have your own juicer, start with organic produce; 

the fresher the produce, the more juice it will yield. 

You can juice the fruits and vegetables an hour ahead of time. 

You can also freeze the juice in ice cube trays.

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Add more or less ice to get the desired consistency and flavor.

Classic Green Monster

from Oh She Glows

1 cup almond milk, or milk of choice

1 ripe banana, preferably peeled + frozen

2 handfuls organic spinach

1 Tbsp. chia seeds or 1 Tbsp. ground flax

1 Tbsp. nut butter, optional

1-3 ice cubes

protein powder of choice, optional

Add in some powders too:

Navitas Maca powder

Vega Shake & Go

Amazing Grass Wheat Grass

De-Tox Smoothie

from Zoomy Yummy

1 1/4 cup pineapple juice

juice from 1/4 lemon

handful fresh spinach leaves

1/4 tsp. fresh grated ginger

Make Juice Not War Green Drink

from crazy sexy life

2 large cucumbers (peeled if not organic)

big fistful of kale

big fistful of sweet pea sprouts

4 – 5 stalks celery

1 – 2 big broccoli stems

1 pear or green apple (optional)

1 inch of ginger (or less)

Other optional greens: romaine, parsley, spinach and dandelion.

Green Smoothie for Weight Loss

from nutrition to Invigorate mind body and spirit

1-2 bananas

1/2 cup frozen peaches

1/2 cup frozen mango

a couple handfuls of spinach

water

ice (if desired)

Add enough water to blend 

Lisa's Green Monster
from Green Monster Movement

1 handful of ice
1 handful of frozen fruit (strawberries, papaya, mango, bananas, and pineapple)
 1 cup of almond milk
2 handfuls of spinach
1/2 c. to 3/4 c. of vanilla or plain yogurt
1 tbsp. of chia or flax seeds
1 tbsp. of honey
Simply place all ingredients in the blender

The Green Monster Movement blog has an incredible array of green drink recipes posted by readers!  Here's just one more green drink to try!

2 cups spinach

2 cups cucumber

1 head of celery

1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root

1 bunch parsley

2 apples

Juice of 1 lime

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

I'll let you know how this goes!

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Sangria Lightened Up!

There's nothing quite like fresh citrus in the middle of winter!  And in the citrus state of Florida where Mr. M. and P. (meat and potatoes) and I just spent a few chilly days, this was a delightful recipe to enjoy and salute the new year!  For my first healthy food recipe post of the new year, I chose a light version of a classic citrus drink to help me (and you) seriously start the year out right!   It's also another great year for the Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club that's coordinated and hosted by the super health-minded and talented Val of "More Than Burnt Toast".

Like many of you, I love to try new recipes and new cuisines.  The theme this month for the Cooking Light group is "Mexican -- Dreaming of a Summer Fiesta", which is a cuisine that I rarely prepare other than what we enjoy for party appetizers (especially our guacamole)!  So here's a first for me:  Sangria.  This beautiful Mexican and Spanish beverage just sounded so fresh and citrus-y with all of the fruit and spices infused in the liquid concoction!  Plus oranges, lemons, and limes are in the peak of season at this time.  And so gorgeous to look at in the midst of a winter day!

If you live in an area where the skies are cloudy or gray, this colorful beverage should certainly brighten your day.  And it tastes wonderful!

Sangria

1 (1.5-liter) bottle dry red wine, divided
2 Tbsp. brandy
2 Tbsp. Triple Sec (orange-flavored liqueur)
1/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup fresh orange juice (fresh squeezed would be awesome!)
2 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice
2 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
5 whole cloves
3 whole allspice
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
2 cups sparkling water, chilled
8 orange wedges
5 lemon slices
5 lime slices

I had a bottle of "Blu' Italy" Lemon Sparkling Natural Mineral Water 

that I used for this Sangria.  It added a little more lemon flavor, which we love.

Combine 1/2 cup wine, brandy, liqueur, and sugar in a 2-quart glass measure.
Microwave at high 1 minute or until mixture is warm; stir to dissolve sugar.
Stir in the remaining wine, juices, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon. Chill at least 2 hours.
Strain mixture into a pitcher, and discard spices.
Just before serving, stir in sparkling water and the remaining ingredients.

Click on "Read More" for the rest of the gang's recipe selections to complete our Dreams of a Summer Fiesta

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Happy 2012!

Happy New Year to all of you!

Cheers to 2012!

New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA

New Year's Day

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