Son's Smoothie Recipe

Hubby loves smoothies, and he inspired our son to come up with his own version of a smoothie.  My son asked if he could make his own smoothie version.  We said yes.  I purposely stayed out of the kitchen to allow him to experiment with the ingredients.

After about 5 minutes, he walked out of the kitchen and presented this to me.  I was very proud and impressed, so I asked him if we can share his recipe on my blog.  (It's very refreshing!)  Recipe is below.

Servings: 3-4

Ingredients:

• 15 strawberries
• 2 bananas, cut into 7 pieces each
• 2 cups of Greek yogurt, vanilla flavored

1.  Blend the ingredients in a blender for 45 seconds to make thick smoothie.

2.  If you want a thinner smoothie, blend for about 1-2 minutes.

Remember, you can add or deduct any of the above ingredients, all depending on your taste buds.  Bon appetit! 

Recipe Contest for Healthy Aging Month

In an effort to promote wholesome eating and in honor of Healthy Aging Month, BrightFocus is holding a recipe contest. Your recipe should include at least three ingredients from the list below that are believed to be beneficial to brain and/or eye health. Visit www.brightfocus.org/recipes to learn more.

Avocados Bell peppers Berries Broccoli Brussels sprouts Canola/ olive oil Cantaloupe Carrots Cauliflower Citrus fruits Collard Greens Flaxseed oil Fortified dairy Fortified milk Green beans Kale Legumes Lima beans

Mango Nuts Oily fish (tuna, salmon, sardines) Okra Oysters Peas Poultry Red grapes Spinach Squash Strawberries Sweet and white potatoes Tomatoes Wheat germ Whole grain Yellow corn

Avoid foods that contain saturated fat and sugar.

Your recipe should benefit our audience of older Americans who are experiencing problems with vision or mental functioning and may need help following the recipe or shopping for ingredients.

The contest will run from September 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015.  Three winners will be chosen by BrightFocus Foundation. Each winner will receive a $100 Amazon.com gift card and BrightFocus prize pack.

Quick, healthy chocolate dessert - no cooking needed!

*contains amazon affiliate link

 (c)Markus Rothkranz from LOVE ON A PLATE by Cara Brotman and Markus Rothkranz.

Chocolate can be decadent, but here’s a healthy dessert recipe from the “uncookbook”   Love on a Plate: The Gourmet UnCookbook* that’s easy to make for your family.  No cooking needed!

 (c)Markus Rothkranz from LOVE ON A PLATE by Cara Brotman and Markus Rothkranz.

Delicious Freezer Chocolate with Marzipan Filling
This chocolate gets hard within 30 minutes of being in the freezer.  It can be kept in the freezer indefinitely, but needs to be eaten right away when taken out because coconut oils melts at room temperature.  Pure raw coconut oil is really good for you.

1 cup cacao powder (sifted to remove lumps)
1/4 cup carob powder (sifted to remove lumps)
1/4 cup cashew butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup coconut oil (warmed to clear liquid at room temp)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix in bowl, pour in mold or dip things like fruit in it and put in freezer. Ready in one hour.

Marzipan
1 1/2 cups almond meal
1/4 cup maple syrup

Grind almonds into a fine power in a coffee grinder to make the almond meal. Then mix with the maple syrup and knead into dough.  You can eat immediately or use it as a filling for the chocolate that has hardened.  Stores in refrigerator for long time.  For a whiter-looking marzipan, use skinned or blanched almonds.

Reprinted with permission of the publisher from LOVE ON A PLATE: The Gourmet UnCookbook by Cara Brotman and Markus Rothkranz. Copyright (c) 2014.

Roasted Almonds and Walnuts Recipe

On his day off, Hubster likes to mess around in the kitchen, especially on cold, winter days.  He decides to come up with his own recipe of Roasted Almonds and Walnuts.  Yes, I have permission to post this delicious and warm snack on our blog!

So without further delay, I present to you the recipe!  As we say in Arabic, Sahtain (many know the French version Bon Appetit).

Ingredients:

You can determine how the size of the portions.

• Raw Almonds
• Walnuts
• Spices such as Saffron, Cinnamon, Chili Powder, Black Pepper, and Sea Salt 

Put the Almonds and the Walnuts in the pan on low heat.  Put about 2-3 ounces of water over the nuts.  Add  each of the spice listed above one at a time.  Do NOT forget the Saffron because that is what makes it special.  Keep stirring the ingredients.  Cover for one minute to be sure the spices are soaked into the Almonds and Walnuts.  

Be sure to uncover after one minute, and roast for another five minutes and don't forget to stir in between.  Total time roasting: 10 minutes.

Did I mention that Hubster loves Dates?  (In fact, we've always made sure Dates were available in our household).

 Hubster made me Cinnamon Tea as well.

Hubster said this image reminded him of his childhood, sitting at the beach, watching the waves and the boatings, while snacking on dates, and drinking tea.

 Sportsboy, my 9 year old, designed this plate.  He put his artistic touch to make a pattern, which turned out to look like a flower.

I gave my Nikon to Sportsboy to practice taking photos.  This is what he came up with.  I think it is hilarious.  

Go Nuts Celebrating Trail Mix Day (August 31st)

Trail Mix Day is a coming up and here is a unique granola recipe. This sweet and salty combination is a favorite of all ages, easy to prepare and ready to eat in minutes!

Mix it up with these nutritious and delicious ingredients, guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds (without the bulge.)

• Granola: Take advantage of chewy delicious warm oats prepared in minutes with T-fal ActiFry –a revolutionary multi-cooker that puts out granola with only 193 calories and rich in fiber. Recipe found below and at www.tfal.com
• Dried Fruit:  Pineapples, blueberries and apricots (just to name a few!) Less than 200 calories and loaded with vitamins
• Nuts and seeds: The touch of salt you crave with the protein and healthy fats you need
• Craisins: Tangy and sweet with zero grams of fat
• Chocolate pieces: Add M&M pieces to satisfy your sweet tooth (dark chocolate contains antioxidants good for the heart!)

Nutritious and Delicious Granola

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats

¾ cup coarsely chopped unsalted nuts of your choice

½ teaspoon of canola oil

1/3 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup of dried fruit of choice

1. Put the oats, nuts, oil, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir until evenly coated.
2. Put the oat mixture into the ActiFry pan and cook for 7 minutes, until the oats and nuts are well toasted. Add the dried fruit and cook for an additional minute.
3. Remove ActiFry pan from its base and allow the mixture to cool for 15 minutes. It will crisp further as it cools. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

MadeJustRight.com™ Launches Spring To Life Recipe Contest

MadeJustRight.com, an Earth Balance-hosted online community passionate about cooking and the quality and source of their food is launching the Spring to Life Recipe Contest in conjunction with EQAL, a media company. The competition runs from April 11-May 8 and asks cooks nationwide to enter their best plant-based recipes made with Earth Balance® products for the chance to win the grand prize; a trip for two to New York City with eco-friendly accommodations, an Aveda spa day, and dinner at popular vegan restaurant Candle 79. The winner’s dish will be featured on Candle 79’s prestigious menu for one night.

“With spring comes new, fresh and exciting recipes,” said TJ McIntyre, vice president general manager of Earth Balance.  “We’re excited to launch a contest that encourages health enthusiasts, foodies and home cooks to showcase their best of the season. We can’t wait to see the creative, delicious and healthy dishes our members submit."

Throughout the four week contest, a team of culinary experts will evaluate the recipes based on appeal, ease of preparation and creativity to select two winners every week, for a total of eight. They will each receive a year’s supply of Earth Balance® products, a Forks Over Knives DVD and t-shirt, and the opportunity to win the Grand Prize to New York City. 

To qualify, recipes must be plant-based, contain an Earth Balance® product, including spreads, sticks, nut butters and soy milk and feature one or more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans nuts or seeds. Each week, cooks will compete to have the top recipes in a different category. Following is the recipe category schedule:

• April 11-17: Appetizers
• April 18-24: Side dishes
• April 25- May 1: Entrees
• May 2- May 8: Desserts

The eight winners will be considered for the final grand prize for a glamorous trip to New York City. All winners will be announced the week of May 9, 2011.

More information about the Spring to Life Recipe Contest is available at MadeJustRight.com.

Related articles

• Fresh List of Entrepreneurial Contests (businessinsider.com)

National Salad Month: Healthy Recipes from Wellspring

Photo credit: 5WPR

This month, Wellspring Camps, the leading weight loss organization for young adults and families across the U.S. has come up with a few healthy salad recipes for National Salad Month this May!  We all know how important it is to keep our kids and families eating healthy, but Wellspring has made it easy with these delicious salads that the whole family will enjoy!

• White Bean Salad: A tasteful mix of seasoned white beans and peppers that is only 77 calories and 0.3 grams of fat
• Grilled Asparagus & Sweet Pepper Salad: A colorful delicious dish with only 64.2 Calories, and 0.78 grams of fat
• Egg Salad: Everyone enjoys egg salad, and this recipe will keep you guilt free with only 30 calories and 0.6 grams of fat

Keeping your family happy and health is important, and at Wellspring, they make is easy to enjoy a delicious meal without the guilt!  This May for Salad month, try these healthy salads, or visit the Wellspring website for more delicious recipes!

White Bean Salad

Serves 7
Serving Size:  1/2 cup

1-15 oz can navy or cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
4 oz Red Bell Pepper, diced
2 Tbsp Parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp Scallions, sliced
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 Clove Garlic, minced
Salt to taste

Mix all ingredients together.  For the best flavor, let salad sit in refrigerator for an hour.

Calories:  77
Fat:  0.3g

Grilled Asparagus & Sweet Pepper Salad

servings – (4)

Ingredients
1 pound of fresh asparagus spears
1 medium orange bell pepper
1 small or medium red onion
1 lemon
1 lime
1 orange
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons of dijon mustard

Method:

·         preheat grill to 375 degrees

·         prepare vegetables for grilling by trimming off rough ends of asparagus, cutting the pepper in half and removing the seeds, and slicing the onion.

·         grill asparagus for only 2 or three minutes. (you still want it crunchy).continue grilling the onion and the pepper until they are flavored but still crunchy. place in refrigerator to cool down.

·         zest the lemon, lime, and orange and set aside.

·         squeeze juice from the lemon, lime, and orange and set aside.

·         combine vinegar ,dijon mustard, salt, pepper, citrus juices.

·         chop the onion and pepper then cut the asparagus into thirds.

·         combine dijon vinaigrette, citrus zest, and vegetables, then toss until evenly coated.

64.25 Calories
3.18 grams Protein
.78 grams Fat

Egg Salad

Ingredients

8 ounces Egg Beaters
2 ounces Fat Free Mayonnaise
1/8 tsp White Pepper
½ tsp Red Wine Vinegar

Method:

1.        Scramble egg beaters according to package directions

2.        Cool eggs for 30 minutes

3.        Combine egg beaters, FF Mayonnaise, white pepper, and red wine vinegar.

Yield: 5 – 2 ounce servings

Nutritional Information:

30 Kcalories
4 grams Protein
.06 grams Fat
2.75 grams Carbs.

Spice Up Thanksgiving Leftovers with this Recipe for Turkey Enchiladas

According to the National Turkey Federation, over 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the United States during Thanksgiving last year… leaving millions of Americans wondering what to do with all those leftovers after friends and family head out the door.

For a tempting alternative to the traditional turkey sandwich, Dedric McGhee, executive chef of Thyme on the Creek, the in-house restaurant at the Millennium Harvest House Hotel in Boulder, CO is offering up his leftover-ready recipe for Green Chile Turkey Enchiladas.

Photo credit: Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Millennium Harvest House Boulder

Green Chile Turkey Enchiladas

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 medium onion, peeled and diced
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2-4 ounce cans of chopped green chilies
  
• ¼ tsp cumin
• 1/3 tsp oregano
• 1/3 tsp coriander powder
• 1 ½ cups shredded turkey
• 2 cups cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses
• 1 pack corn tortillas
• 1 pint sour cream
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salsa

Directions:

1. Add the butter to a warm sauté pan. 
2. Add onions and sauté until translucent. 
3. Add garlic and cook until it becomes aromatic. 
4. Add flour and cook for 1 minute. 
5. Pour both cans of green chiles into pan.
6. Add cumin, oregano, coriander, chicken broth and a little salt and pepper. 
7. Simmer for 5 minutes at low heat.
8. Place turkey in a mixing bowl. Add 1/3 cup of the green chile mix, 1/3 cup of sour cream, 1/3 of the cheese mixture and salt and pepper. Mix well.
9. Grease a 13x9 baking dish. 
10. Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of filling in each tortilla and roll up. Place the rolled tortillas in the baking dish seam-side down. Continue to add rolled tortillas until the top layer is filled.
11. Pour the rest of the green chili on top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining cheese. 
12. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Serve with sour cream, green onions and salsa.

Mambo Sprouts Launches Healthy Recipe Contest

Mambo Sprouts opens its annual Mambolicious Healthy Recipe contest, calling for tasty original recipes featuring natural and organic products. The contest promotes natural ingredients and aims to get a wider audience involved in choosing ingredients that are both healthy and eco-friendly.

All cooks are invited to get out their aprons and submit original recipes that incorporate one or more of our sponsors’ products into a healthy recipe and enter it into one of the following five categories:

• Savings Savvy: Tasty, generous portions on a tight budget.
• Kids Eat Smart: Healthy and nutritious meals kids will eat.
• Quick & Easy: Recipes that can be prepared and cooked in 30 minutes or less.
• Classic Alternatives: Recipes for people on special diets such as gluten-free, diabetic, or wheat-free.
• Desserts with a Twist: Desserts that are both healthy and delicious.

Winning recipes will incorporate one or more products from the Mambolicious contest sponsors including Jane’s Krazy Mixed-up, The Ginger People, Ian’s, Lightlife, Brown Cow, SAN-J, and Equal Exchange.

The contest will be judged by Peggy O’Mara, a natural living author and publisher of Mothering magazine; Chef Keith Snow of HarvestEating.com, a social network dedicated to seasonal cooking; and Kimberly Lord Stewart, award-winning food journalist and author of Eating Between the Lines: The Supermarket Shoppers Guide To The Truth Behind Food Labels.

“I’m excited to see the recipe submissions,” said O’Mara. “This contest is a wonderful opportunity to highlight how easy, affordable and delicious healthy food really is.”

The first place winners in each category will receive gift cards and an assortment of natural and organic products valued at approximately $600. One grand-prize winner will take home $2,500 cash plus products and prizes with a total package value of approximately $4,000!

Recipe submissions could be randomly chosen to appear in the new Mambo Test Kitchen video series. Visit www.mambosprouts.com/events/recipecontest09/test-kitchen.html to see the featured selections.

This year, Mambo has added a video category and invites people to submit their own cooking videos to Mambo’s YouTube Group page at www.youtube.com/group/mambolicious. One video winner will be selected to receive a prize package.

Submissions will be accepted from May 4 to June 15. Full rules and an online entry form can be
found at www.mambosprouts.com/events/recipecontest09.

ABOUT MAMBO SPROUTS: Mambo Sprouts Marketing is a full service health, natural and
organic foods and products marketing and promotions company. Through their online, mail and
in-store programs, Mambo Sprouts reaches over 2 million proven N&O shoppers quarterly.
Mambo offers manufacturers and retailers a complete range of customized programs including:
the industry's first and only natural product co-op mailer featuring an optional custom solo mailing; Mambo Sprouts natural and organic product Messenger newsletter and coupon books distributed quarterly to 385,000 N&O consumers; MamboTrack, offline and Web-based market research services; offline and online mail list development; Go Mambo!, Mambo Sprouts’ mobile promotions van that travels throughout target regions distributing product samples and coupons at major events and festivals; Web marketing including natural product instant e-coupons, sample offer promotions, and a monthly targeted health e-newsletter. Mambo Sprouts is based in Collingswood, New Jersey.

For more information call (856) 833.1933 or visit www.mambosprouts.com