Archive for Shake It Up!!!

Pineapple Delight!

February 8, 2012 · Filed under Fruit, Kid Tip, kids, Shake It Up!!! · Tagged ,

We are big pineapple fans!!!  If ever there was a food that can instantly transport a person to a place and time, it has to be this one!  Pineapple=Hawaii!  An instant burst of sunshine, a tropical breeze, and hula music playing in the background!  ALOHA!!! 

I love it when they are ripe and in season because they are CHEAP!  $2 or $3 for so much deliciousness!  It must be that time of year because they are popping up in all the stores!  I also love how easy it is to tell if a pineapple is ripe.  You want to look for a golden-yellow color that has started at the bottom and is making its way up towards the top.  Then, of course, smell it…it should smell sweet!  I have always pulled on the leaves at the top.  If you tug and it slips right out your pineapple is ready to eat.  However someone told me this is a myth…I don’t know, it seems to work for me!

Pineapples are such a nice break from apples, bananas, and oranges this time of year.  Remember they have a thick skin so no need to buy organic or worry about any of that.

1 Cup of Pineapple has 80 calories, 2g of fiber and 1 g of protein, not bad for such a sweet treat.  There is 16g of sugar, but all natural from the fruit! And check it out-ALL the Vit C you need in one day in one serving!  Not bad, especially during cold & flu season!

Nutrients in Pineapple
1.00 cup (165.00 grams)
Nutrient%Daily Value
vitamin C 131.4%/manganese 76.5%/dietary fiber 9.2%/vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 9%/copper 9%/vitamin B1 (thiamin) 8.6%/folate 7.4%

The “Pineapple Boat” is a favorite treat in our home!

Served with awesome chopsticks for easy picking!  Throw a few frozen berries on top and VOILA!

Now if I can do this, anyone can.  I use an ice-cream scooper to get the extra’s out after I cut some of the bigger chunks out.  Here is the best part.  Any of the stuff scooped out, or any pieces that don’t look so great at the end…DON”T toss them!  Put them in a ziplock for the next night! You can also use the other half to fill it all the way up.

So two nights ago was the “Pineapple Boat” and last night was the:  

“Hawaiian Breeze Milkshake”

1/2 cup raspberry Kefir (any flavor or just plain will work), 1 cup almond milk, and the leftover pineapple.  I have to admit it was pretty darn good!  All good stuff, healthy, fun, kid food and two THRILLED kiddos!

Kids chopsticks.  These make eating everything way more fun!!!  Click on the picture and you can see them on the Amazon site.  We received them as a gift-great gift by the way!

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Matcha Smoothie

February 1, 2012 · Filed under Costco, Kid Tip, kids, Products I can't live without, Shake It Up!!!, Vegetarian · Tagged , , , , ,

Think Green!!!

I LOVE Matcha Green Tea.  I am an addict!  My previous post on Matcha lists all the great reasons to drink it, Matcha? You Betcha!

I find around 3:30 to 4pm I need a little pick me up and this has been my go-to snack as of late. 

Matcha Smoothie

1 cup ice

1 cup Almond Milk

2 teaspoons Matcha Green Tea powder

(I mix it up with a little hot water from the microwave before dumping in the blender)

Blend and serve!   

If you don’t like the taste of Matcha…add 4 to 5 drops of agave nectar or stevia to the mixture while it is blending.  I grab a handful of pistachios (about 1/4 a cup) and I am golden!

This afternoon pick me up weighs in at 200 calories, 17 g of fat (heart-healthy fats from nuts, remember these fats do not make you fat), 7g of protein, 4g Fiber, along with Vit A, Vit C, Calcium, Iron, Vit D, Vit E, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Thiamin, Copper, & Vit B6-hard to beat this combo! (Just the smoothie is 40 calories).

And takes less than 5 minutes to make!  Easy!

The kids?  No, I don’t have them on Matcha tea…YET!  But they join me with the pistachios and sliced up pear…still green…still easy…and so GOOD for them!

We love to shell pistachios in our house, but you can also buy them shelled.  Costco sells “Wonderful Pistachios“, just make sure you measure out the 1/4 of a cup…1/2 a cup becomes closer to a meal, than a snack.

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Rocco’s Rockin’ Watermelon

August 25, 2011 · Filed under Shake It Up!!! · Tagged , ,

Green Tea Watermelon Super Punch

As quoted from Rocco DiSpirito’s new cookbook Now Eat This! Diet:  “I CRAVE SMOOTHIES. I have 2 to 3 a day. Did I mention I’m forming a support group? This smoothie is one of my favorites. It’s souped up with high-antioxidant matcha (green tea powder). This one is made with yogurt, too—a wonderful probiotic food that has been shown in studies to help with fat burning. Oh, and if you suspect you’ve been unintentionally overdosing on smoothies, get help”.

Well when one reads that it is hard to not go make the smoothie!  Our Family LOVES watermelon, can’t get enough!  You all know how I feel about my matcha green tea, and my Greek yogurt so this smoothie seemed like the perfect cocktail!  Sure-fire hit!

ABC's photo was much better than mine

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups ice
  • 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
  • 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt, such as 0% Fage Total
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice (I use almost fresh.  Try Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key West Lime Juice…it is awesome)
  • ¼ cup agave nectar (I don’t think you need this.  Make, then add if you feel it needs to be sweeter)
  • 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
  • 4 teaspoons unsweetened matcha green tea powder

DIRECTIONS:

  • Toss all ingredients into a blender and blend for 5 minutes to increase volume.
  • Serve in glasses with a straw.

PER SERVING: (SERVES 4)

The 411: 176 calories 0g fat/0mg cholesterol/ 22mg sodium/37g carbohydrate/1g fiber/6g protein

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There’s An App For That

July 16, 2011 · Filed under Shake It Up!!! · Tagged ,

You Know I LOVE A Good Smoothie!  A while back I posted the link to some fabulous smoothies Whole Living compiled for their readers!  (Smoothie’s)

***Remember to watch your calories, some of these pack a 1/2 days worth of calories into one drink!

Now they have an AWESOME Smoothie App!  If you have an Ipad or Iphone check it out!
Whole Living Smoothies

I also found this great list of Smoothie Boosters (the ones in red are boosts I use) from Amazing Wellness Magazine:

Supercharge your smoothie by adding superfoods and supplements in liquid or powder form.


Our favorites include:

  1. LICORICE ROOT (liquid or powder)
    Adds a sweet flavor, helps with inflammation and pain, PMS symptoms, liver health.
  2. COCOA
    A low-fat source of chocolate flavor, cocoa is rich in antioxidants, including resveratrol; helps with mood and energy, heart health.
  3. HONEY (use raw or organic)
    Contains natural antibacterial, sedative, and cough-suppressant properties.
  4. COCONUT OIL
    Adds sweetness to smoothies, helps with energy, weight loss, and healthier skin and hair.
  5. MATCHA (green tea powder)
    Boosts the antioxidant value of any smoothie and imparts energy and stronger immunity.
  6. ACIDOPHILUS (liquid or powder)
    Improves digestion, bolsters the immune system, helps treat candida.
  7. PROTEIN POWDER
    Helps with weight loss and satiety.
  8. PSYLLIUM (powder)
    A scoop or two of psyllium powder can help enhance digestion, promote regularity, and regulate blood sugar.
  9. MAGNESIUM (powder)
    This vital mineral helps with heart health, stroke prevention, diabetes, mood and memory,
    and PMS.
  10. ECHINACEA
    Helps with immunity, reducing duration of an illness, and fighting bacterial infections.
  11. PROPOLIS (granules)
    This mixture of resins, vitamins, minerals, and bioflavonoids is collected by bees from trees. It is thought to help inhibit the spread of bacteria and viruses; increases energy.
  12. GINGER ROOT
    Used as a digestive stimulant for thousands of years, ginger modifies the body’s inflammatory response and can help prevent migraines and ease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

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Be Green, on the inside.

January 4, 2011 · Filed under Fruit, kids, Organics, Shake It Up!!!, SuperFoods, Veggies · Tagged , , , ,

The New Year usually means DETOX!  Lord knows I need it!  My gem of a husband knows me too well and for Christmas I got a shiny, red, revved-up machine!  V6 baby!  Ok, not a car, a Vita-Mix blender.  I have eyed this for 2 years, pretty much since I started eating clean, and let me tell you it was worth every red-cent he spent!

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!  My kids have had more kale, flat leaf parsley, tomatoes, carrots, arugula and spinach since Christmas Day than they have had since birth…and the best part is they have no idea!  Add one apple or pear and all they taste is sweet!  SCORE!

Now that said I have felt a bit guilty not sharing all of the awesome smoothies and concoctions we have been drinking -but I know from experience that a normal blender just cannot do to veggies what a Vita-Mix does…and I pretty sure 99% of you, and your kids, would GAG if you had a green paste for a snack!

So in the spirit of giving I set out to find a Green Drink that is “regular blender friendly”, and can allow you to Detox, or just load up on some phytonutrient-rich GREEN yumminess and give your liver a good rinse…(incase like mine it was bathed in red wine over the last month)!

Kid Approved

Green Smoothie

1 cup kale or collard greens firmly packed, stems removed, coarsely chopped (4 oz.)
1 Granny Smith apple, coarsely chopped
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 1/4 cups water

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more water.

The 411 on the Green Smoothie (Serves 2) Per serving: 105 calories; 0 g saturated fat; 0 g unsaturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbs; 32 mg sodium; 2 g protein; 4 g fiber.

For 25 more of these, please visit the 28 Day Action Plan at http://www.wholeliving.com/photogallery/smoothies#slide_1

 Tip:  Stick with the Green/Red ones for more nutrient dense options, and watch the sugar!  Also note most of the calories listed are for 2 servings, if a smoothie has a 100 calories drinking the whole thing is a great snack…at 400 calories you just shot your day-and could have had a KILLER milkshake!

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Another yummy, easy, breakfast shake

May 12, 2010 · Filed under Breakfast, Shake It Up!!! · Tagged , , ,

(Recipe and photo from Whole Living)

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons flaxseeds (or buy ground and store in the fridge)
  • 1 medium banana (6 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2/3 cup ice cubes

Directions

  1. Place the flaxseeds in a blender and puree for 30 seconds until they are coarsely ground.
  2. Add the banana, yogurt, honey, and ice cubes and puree until smooth and thick. Serve immediately.

Get your protein, potassium, calcium, fiber, and omega-3s in a delicious morning shake.

Per serving: 245 calories; 9 g protein; 4 g fat; 49 g carbs; 4 g fiber.

Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes

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Magical Breakfast Blaster

April 19, 2010 · Filed under Breakfast, kids, Shake It Up!!! · Tagged , , ,

Reposting per a discussion I had today.  Really, I know many Mom’s reading this blog can tell you NO ONE in your home will complain when you make this for breakfast!  And you will love rinsing the blender out and being all done with meal one!  Add a healthy piece of toast like (Mack’s Flax-buy it at Costco and freeze it, remember real food will go bad), with some peanut butter and you have served a pretty well-rounded, healthy breakfast..with little effort. 

 At our house we set the alarm so we are downstairs early enough to all eat breakfast together and chat about the day ahead !  NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Seriously, mornings are chaos at our house.  Ideally the kids have oatmeal, high-fiber cereal with fresh fruit or yogurt, or maybe eggs and toast.  But MOST mornings we are on the run so the cereal gets inhaled, or breakfast barely gets finished and we throw fruit or a snack bar at them in the car. 

Doctor Oz shared the shake he and his wife serve their kids for breakfast and it looked like a winner.  Sure enough both kids SUCKED it down! 

So blend it up and throw it in some to-go cups if you feel like the kids didn’t get enough to eat!  Check out the protein, they will be ready to hit the books FOR SURE! 

The Magical Breakfast Blaster

Magical Breakfast Blaster

Ingredients

Makes 2 servings so double for 4 ppl 

1/2 large ripe banana, broken into chunks (or other fruit of your choice)
1 scoop (1/3 cup) Whey Protein
1/2 tablespoon flaxseed oil
1/4 cup frozen blueberries (or any frozen berries)
1/2 tablespoon apple juice concentrate or honey or agave nectar
1 teaspoon psyllium seed husks
8 ounces water 

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Optional: Add a few cubes of ice, as well as powdered vitamins. Cover; blend until fairly smooth. 

PS.: Don’t forget to say MAGICAL, that part is VERY important! 

The 411 on Magical Breakfast Blaster: | 136 calories per serving/Healthy fats: 2.4g/Fiber: 6.3/Protein: 29g

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Get Your Green ON

March 20, 2010 · Filed under Shake It Up!!! · Tagged , , , ,

So another St. Patty’s Day has passed, but keep getting your GREEN ON!

This is an easy AND delicious way, to sneak in some GREEN!

Get Your Greens Smoothie

Serves 2

Who knew it could be so easy and delicious to incorporate greens into your morning routine (courtesy of your local Whole Foods)!

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups plain almond milk, rice milk or hemp milk
1 1/2 cups packed baby spinach
1 1/2 cups frozen cherries or berries

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

Get Your Greens On 411:    120 calories (20 from fat),  24g total carbohydrate (4g dietary fiber, 20g sugar), 3g protein

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Power your day with a Purple Power Smoothie

November 14, 2009 · Filed under Breakfast, Shake It Up!!! · Tagged

Makes 1 Smoothie

Time=5 minutes

1/2 banana

1/2 C frozen blueberries

1/2 C acai-blueberry juice

1/4 C soft silken tofu

1/4 C plain soy

1 tsp. lemon juice

 purplepowersmoothy

BLEND

219 calories

3g total fat

43g carbs

46 mg sodium

4g fiber

7g protein

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Sunshine in a bottle, it could save your life

November 5, 2009 · Filed under Costco, kids, Products I can't live without, Shake It Up!!!, SuperFoods

This is hands-down one of my favorite finds, and favorite products.  I found Wellesse Vitamin D  last year at Costco and have been a die-hard believer since!  (I have also seen it at our local Walgreens.)

It is estimated that 70% of all Americans (kids too) are deficient in Vitamin D.  Vitamin D is crucial to our being.  Experts believe we need around 1,000 units of vitamin D a day.

Dr. Oz has said that “Vitamin D is critically important for preventing cancer and critically important for reducing heart problems.  It’s linked to multiple sclerosis, to juvenile diabetes.  It’s one of the best ways of reducing infection rates.  It’s got a ton of things that it does for you to make your immune system function the way you want to function.”

There are also studies showing Vitamin D deficiency is linked to depression, osteoporosis, and many other chronic conditions.

You can get Vitamin D naturally through sunlight, you need about 10 minutes a day of direct sunlight, but if you live in the Northern portion of the USA this might be near impossible.  I know in Seattle it is not even a consideration.  So if you are not taking a Vitamin D supplement you are probably deficient.  A simple blood test can tell you your Vitamin D levels.

Many multivitamins have vitamin D2 not vitamin D3 - which is the preferred & recommended form, and found in this product.  Wellesse is clear and tastes GREAT!  I just add it to my water bottle in the morning.  For the kids I put it in their water or juice.  It has a yummy berry taste and in no way taste like medicine!  Just 2 teaspoons (how easy is that) does the trick! 

vit D

Here is the 411 on Wellesse

  • 1000 IU Vitamin D3 – the preferable form of vitamin D
  • Fast absorbing liquid that’s easy for the whole family to enjoy
  • Supports immune, breast, colon and bone health
  • Just 2 teaspoons, once a day, for adults or one teaspoon for children over age 4, means no more pills to swallow
  • Research has shown that nutrients from liquid sources can be more easily absorbed than from solids

    • I haven’t tried the Wellesse Calcium & Vitamin D3 liquid yet but my guess would be this is a sure thing too!

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