Thursday, November 21, 2013

New and Improved Green Smoothie!!!

About a year ago, I started making Green Smoothies for my family.

There are truly a hundred reasons why this is the absolute BEST thing you can consume for Breakfast!!!!

If you look at my previous post and recipe for a Green Smoothie, you will notice, it is simple and I kept it under 250 calories while still being full of nutrients.  My new and improved version is closer to 500 calories, but being PURE nutrients, this should not be an issue to you, *even if you are a calorie counter*.

I have kept the essence of my recipe and routine the same, but added a few fantastic ingredients!

Here's the new and *Improved* Green Smoothie:

To keep time & budgeting in check, I purchase my ingredients at Costco & Whole Foods every 5 weeks and create at least 30 pre-packaged baggies at a time.

The Sandwich Baggie:
4-6 Strawberries: Costco- $10 for 1 Bag
1 large handful Fresh Spinach: Costco- $5 for 1 Bag
1 Cup Blueberries: Costco- 2 Bags @ $12 ea

The Snack Baggie:
2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seed ~$7
1 Tbsp Chia Seed: 2 lb Bag, Costco $14 (Use 1/2)
1/2 Tbsp *Raw Reserve: Whole Foods- $40
1/2 tsp *Powder Probiotic: Whole Foods- $10
1/4 tsp Cinnamon: On hand
1 Scoop Protein: Costco- $42 (Will use half)






* Powder Probiotic
Yes, Probiotics are super easy to just take in Capsule form.  If you happen to have the powder available, it is actually EASIER to make sure you consume your probiotic (like don't have to worry about remembering to take it) because you have put the dosage in the pre-made bags...... Zero remembering required.... Make Sense?


*Raw Reserve
I purchased this for the first time at Whole Foods for $40 but I found it on Amazon.com for $25..... um yeah... ship it please!
This is BY FAR, THE MOST important ingredient in the Green Smoothie.  You can research for yourself, but this 'green powder' is like a smorgasbord of super-foods all wrapped up into 25 calories of powder per serving (that tastes like grass) and is easily hidden in the smoothie!!!  This is worth it's weight in GOLD!

The liquid Nettle leaf that is pictured here is just one of my special additions (catered to what I feel I personally need).  There is actually Nettle in the Raw Reserve, so I wouldn't go as far as stating that everyone needs extra Nettle Leaf.




When you are ready to make your smoothie, put the following in the blender:
Two ripe (spotted) bananas- I purchase around 20 Bananas per week ~$5
1/2 Cup Organic Vanilla Yogurt - $3 per container, need 1 per 5 smoothie mixes
1 Pre-Made Sandwich Baggie Pack (See above)
1 Cup Vanilla Rice Milk: Costco- Case of 12 cartons is $15- I use 1 carton per 3 smoothies
1-2 tbsp Honey

Blend well then add ice.
Once the consistency is to your liking, add the Pre-Made Snack Baggie of dry ingredients and mix quickly and gently. *You do not want to over blend the mixture with the chia seed in it- as a natural pectin, your smoothie will end up Jell-Oish like.

This makes 2 large servings (Me & My Hubs) if one of the kids wants one, I add another banana and extra ice.
For 30 pre-made portions (60 servings) = Roughly $110.00 total or $1.80 each.

That's a pretty cheap Breakfast for a LOT of benefits if you ask me...........



Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Tortellini Skillet



Ingredients:
12-16 oz Cheese Tortellini
10-12 Chicken Bouillon Cubes
1 tray or chub Ground Italian Sausage
1 tbsp Crushed Garlic
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
1 block Cream Cheese
1 Can Diced Tomatoes
1 Bag Fresh Spinach
1 Tray Sliced Mushrooms
Parmesan Cheese for Garnish


This meal was FANTASTIC!  Super easy and you can make with meat or without.


First you need to brown a tray of ground sausage.  I used mild and it was a bit spicy for my little, but yummy nonetheless.

Next, Get a pot of water boiling with a few bouillon cubes in it and cook the tortellini.  Do NOT drain the water.

To the cooked sausage, add the garlic and block of cream cheese.  Mix well, then add 1 can of diced tomatoes (undrained) and a bag of fresh spinach.  Let all cook together.

Last, add the cooked tortellini with some of the chicken stock water (like 1-2 cups) and seasoning to the pan, then mix well.

Garnish with Parmesan Cheese.

This was quite literally done in less than 20 mins.  My hubs said the first bite tasted just like pizza!  I would have to agree!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Chicken Corn Chowder


Simple quick soup that doesn't need a Crockpot or a lot of time.  In fact, if you have cooked chicken, you are almost done.....

I threw about 8 frozen chicken tenders in the Crockpot, covered with a can of creamed corn and 3 cubes of chicken boullion and set on low.
... I left for work.
When I came home, I used a 'Mix n Chop (pampered chef tool) to chop up the chicken.
Into the Crockpot I added:
Enough Milk to fully cover the Chicken
1 can kernel corn (drained)
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 head of cauliflower cut in small pieces and steamed slightly.
Ample amount of parsley.
Handful of shredded cheese.
Then:
I cut up 1 package of thawed bacon and cooked until crispy..... threw in crock.

Turn Crock up to warm and let get bubbly

Season as you please....

********In case you needed a laugh today**********

My spell check *always* tries to change "Crockpot" to "Crack Pit"..... Now wouldn't THAT be interesting.......



Monday, November 4, 2013

November Meal Planning

11/1, FRI: Out to Souper Salad
11/2, SAT:  Meat, Cheese, Crackers, & Fruit Plate
11/3, SUN: Family Date- Clam Fettuccine, Salad & Fresh Bread
11/4, MON: Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwiches and Salad 
11/5, TUE:  Chicken Corn Chowder & Garlic Bread
11/6, WED:  Breakfast (Pumpkin Pancakes)
11/7, THU: Mustgo
11/8, FRI:  Date Night - Kona Grill/ Varsity Pub
11/9, SAT: Family Movie Night - Buffet
11/10, SUN: Roastish & Potatoes
11/11, MON: Out to Mongos
11/12, TUE:  Beef Soba Noodle Stirfy 
11/13, WED: Leftovers 
11/14, THU: Ham & Cheese Sammies
11/15, FRI: Out to Pad Thai
11/16, SAT: Fight Event @ Party Barn
11/17, SUN: Chicken Salad Pitas
11/18, MON: Homemade Pizza
11/19, TUE:  Crocked Beef Stroganoff with Rice
11/20, WED: Mustgo
11/21, THU: Taco Ring
11/22, FRI: Alexias School Play  
11/23, SAT: BSU Game- Cheesy Rotini w/ Veggies + Ham & White Bean Soup 
11/24, SUN: Audreys Birthday @ Red Lobster
11/25, MON: Mustgo
11/26, TUE:  Out to Mongos 
11/27, WED: Homemade Pretzels & Hot Mustard
11/28, THU: THANKSGIVING @ Smiths
11/29, FRI:  Black Friday Event at BoaB -Turkey Wild Rice Casserole
11/30, SAT: Salmon Benedict with a Garlic Crumpet & Home Fries/ Beef Barley Soup