The Green Smoothie Challenge

Last month as I was attempting to catch up on my facebook news feed I stumbled across a page for the blog Young and Raw. A friend of mine had signed up for their 30 day green smoothie challenge and intrigued I decided to sign up myself. Being new and "green" (har har) to the green smoothie scene I was a little intimidated to get started. Ingredients like kale, parsley and celery in a SMOOTHIE?! I put my judgements away in the corner of my mind and set off to the grocery store to stock up on ingredients. A few days in and I was HOOKED and proudly sharing my photos all over facebook, instagram and twitter (photos are PRE-blending, obviously).

 What's all the hype about?? Green smoothies ROCK!! Only a few days into the challenge I had more energy, a cold I had felt coming on had retreated and I found myself craving my smoothie the moment I rolled out of bed. Kale became my green of choice. I learned I despised parsley but a little cilantro in a smoothie can be a thing of beauty. Coconut water is my fave liquid add-in but in a pinch a little tap water does the trick nicely. An avocado is a sure-fire way to add a creamier texture and a little lemon/ginger will send a cold packing quick. After almost 30 days of following recipes I now feel confident enough to whip up a bad-ass smoothie from ingredients I have in the crisper or hiding in the back and neglected corners of my freezer.

So how and why do green smoothies rock? Green smoothies have been attributed to weight loss, healthier skin and nails and shinier hair. The high nutrient content of a green smoothie naturally detours your body's common cravings for junk food and leaves you feeling fuller throughout the day. What gal wouldn't want to get in on some of that action? The blending of the greens and fruit allows your body to easily absorb the valuable goodness inside - vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll  and fiber.  According to the teachings of Dr. Ann Wigmore, “consuming chlorophyll is like receiving a healthy blood transfusion”. Green smoothies are also full of antioxidants which strengthen your immune system making you a little more super mom than you already are.Giddy up.

Interested in getting in participating in the next green smoothie challenge? Check out Young and Raw and subscribe to their mailing list. And be sure to check out their variety of rocking recipes too while you're visiting!!

Green Monster Smoothie

 

Green smoothies have been attributed to weight loss, healthier skin and nails and shinier hair. What gal wouldn't want to get in on some of that action?? Why?? The high nutrient content of a green smoothie naturally detours your bodies common cravings for junk food and leaves you feeling fuller throughout the day. The blending of the greens and fruit allows your body to easily absorb the valuable goodness inside - vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll  and fiber.  According to the teachings of Dr. Ann Wigmore, “consuming chlorophyll is like receiving a healthy blood transfusion”. Green smoothies are also full of antioxidants which strengthen your immune system making you a little more super mom than you already are.Giddy up.

What You'll Need

• 1 frozen banana (tip- heat for 20 seconds in microwave to make cutting easier)
• 1/2 cup 0% vanilla greek yogurt (or try our fave vegan option - So Delicious coconut yogurt) 
• 1 cup vanilla almond milk
• 1 tbsp. all natural peanut butter
• 4-5 cups baby spinach

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to blender. Blend on high until smooth and delicious!! Pour into a tall glass - enjoy!!


Just in case you're thinking this would taste terrible, like something Popeye would whip up after a bender, stop right there. What do they taste like you wonder?? Like peanut butter and banana!! Trust me - whip one up for yourself.

Our New Food Blog HAS ARRIVED!!

For the past year or so I have been contemplating starting a faaabulous vegetarian food blog to share my love of cruelty free cooking and offer a health conscious generation a few new options in the kitchen. Our busy vegetarian family is constantly on the go mixing things up with a new concoction or two each day. The Foxy Vegetarian was a project a long time coming. I'm pleased to share a labor of love and hope with this that a few of you will find some renewed inspiration in your own kitchens. Please check out our new blog over at The Foxy Vegetarian and follow along with us on Facebook.

We celebrated our launch with a truly incredible new vegan cookie recipe that your friends won't believe is vegan..trust me!! Chocoholics rejoice.

We hope to see you there!!

Leftover Halloween Candy??

Ok maybe you won't have any leftover Halloween candy in your home....but maybe..just perhaps..this will inspire you to save a few candy bars to make something special. We whipped up these candy bar cupcakes after last Halloween and handed them out to eager friends and family following a serious candy overdose. So I had ulterior motives for trying to pass off some of our excess candy?? When cleverly disguised as a cupcake no one seemed to mind helping us out with our overabundance of the sugary sweet stuff.

Spotted: Autumn Brittle

Savor the flavors of Fall with this delectable recipe for Autumn Brittle from Adventures in Cooking. Pumpkin seeds, cranberries, almonds and cashews give this brittle it's crunch and distinctive flavor reminiscent of cooler months. Try bringing along a batch of this to your Thanksgiving festivities this weekend....guaranteed to give your family a little something extra to be thankful for.

Creamsicle Smoothies

Mmmmm....this smoothie is like drinking down an ice cold creamsicle. The ultimate refresher for a hot Summer day!! Get your blenders ready...set...go!!

What You'll Need

• 1 can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup vanilla soy milk
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup ice (add more if desired)

How-To

1. Combine all ingrendients in blender and blend on high. Add more ice if desired until icy smooth consistency is achieved.

Enjoy!!!

Blueberry Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

Who doesn't love a soft, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie?? These cookies boast a little something extra than your standard every day classic - fresh blueberries!! These bad boys are both husband and kiddo approved!! But I'll be honest...they didn't eat NEAR as many of them as I did. Hey - I'm eating for two!!

Blueberry Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies
Source: Adapted from Cookie Madness.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, room temperature
  
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup fresh blueberries

How-To

1. Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. Beat butter until creamy. Add in sugars and mix until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla, baking soda and salt. Add egg and mix well. Add flour and stir until just combined. Add chocolate chips and blueberries, combine gently.

3. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto cookie sheets. Bake for 8 1/2 minutes. Allow cookies to cool at least 5 minutes before transferring to a rack or plate.

These cookies are AMAAAZING!! I promise you will never look at chocolate chip cookies the same way again!!

Dino Lunch

A simple cookie cutter lunch for my dino loving gang. PB&J sandwich, cucumbers, chickpeas, raspberries and a cheese sun. RAWR!!

We LOVE Chex Gluten Free!!

If you know anyone with a gluten intolerance it's almost a guarantee you have heard the same old complaints about the lack of delicious gluten free foods available. Whether you avoid eating Gluten because of medical reasons or for the digestive benefits no one should have to suffer with bland alternatives in this day and age. Good news for Canadians is that Chex Gluten Free has now arrived in grocery stores across the country!! Chex is celebrating the arrival of their delicious new cereals with a twitter party taking place TONIGHT at 8:30pm. Look for the hashtag #ChexGF for great conversation, recipes and chances to win great prizes from Chex (including a Cuisinart hand blender)!!!

Our family was lucky enough to have the opportunity to try out the new gluten free cereals for ourselves. The cereal is available in two delicious flavors, Rice and Honey Nut. The Honey Nut cereal was so well loved by my snack loving kiddos that we went through an entire box in 2 days!! I have to say I can't blame them..it's now one of my very favorite cereals and from now on I am hiding that box on a very high shelf!! Chex Gluten Free is not only a fabulous choice for breakfast or a midday snack it can also be used in a variety of unique recipes that your whole family is sure to love. Check out Life Made Delicious for the top 10 list of gluten-free recipes using Chex Gluten Free.

We recently made up a batch of Chex Brittle which was of course gluten free and a crowd pleaser.

Chex Brittle
Source: Adapted from the original recipe on Life Made Delicious


Ingredients

• 4 cups Chex Gluten Free Rice Cereal
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl mix all ingredients until evenly coated. Spread on cookie sheet in single layer.

3. Bake 12 minutes. Spread on wax paper until completely cool. Store in an airtight container.

*If you find your brittle is a little too sticky for your taste just leave out for a little longer..it will turn out nice and crunchy!!

Enjoy!!

Disclosure: I am participating in the Chex Gluten Free program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of General Mills. I received a Chex gift pack and a gift card as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Hummus and Toasted Pita Wedges

Hummus is a real power snack..it's packed full of whole proteins because of the chickpeas and it comes together in only a few minutes in your kitchen. We are a BIG fan of dips in this house and luckily we managed to perfect this recipe in one weekend of experimentations. This dip is awesome served with toasted pita wedges.

Hummus

Ingredients

• 1 can (2 cups) chickpeas, drained
  
• 2/3 cup tahini
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 gloves garlic, mashed
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. cumin
• Parsley (for garnish)
• Olive Oil

Directions

1. Add chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt and cumin to a food processor. Mix until smooth. If your hummus is a little thick add some olive oil and mix again.

2. Add a little fresh parsley and a sprinkling of cumin to the top of hummus before serving.

Toasted Pita Wedges

Ingredients

• 4 Pitas
• Olive Oil
• Sea Salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Cut pitas into triangular slices. Brush both sides of all pieces with olive oil and place on a large cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt. Bake 8 minutes.

3. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Arrange on a plate next to the dip of your choice and ENJOY!!

When Life Gives You Lemons...Make Something DELICIOUS!!

There is just something about lemons...maybe it's their bright sunshine color or fresh burst of scent...but they always put me a lighter mood and remind me of warmer weather. I've been saving up these recipes for a rainy day when I could use a lift and thought I would share my collection with you all to enjoy as well. Happy baking!!

1. Lemon Lemon Loaf, Pass the Sushi.

2. Lemon Ice, The Idea Room.

3. Lemon Burst Cake Mix Cookies, Tidy Mom.

4. Lemon Drop Jello Shots, Bakers Royale.

5. Simple Microwave Lemon Curd, My Baking Addiction.

Cupcake Cupcake Toppers

Totally adorbs!! For the ultimate cupcake lovin crowd why not try serving up a batch of these cupcake topped cupcakes at your next shindig. Such a whimsical idea. Check out the fabulous how-to over at one of my favorite blogs, Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.

Creme Egg Clone Recipe

Excitement cannot even begin to describe how I felt when I came across this recipe for Cadbury Creme Egg Clones. I have been a devoted fan of the chocolate, gooey treat since I was a little girl. To be able to make my very own clones at home?? BLISS!! Check out the recipe at MomsWhoThink.

Stuff We Love: Ninjabread Men

BAD-*SS!! These NinjaBread Men are so awesome. I can't think of someone that wouldn't love receiving a batch of these guys as a gift. I think I am going to HAVE to impress my next group of guests with a plate of these on the table. Such a gnarly idea. Score a pack of your own NinjaBread Men cookie cutters for $8.64 at ThinkGeek.

*All prices have been converted to Canadian dollars.

DIY Marshmallow Fondant

Ooohhhh....how pretty and delicious does this colorful marshmallow fondant by Clockwork Lemon look?? I had no idea you could make your own fondant from marshmallows. This is for sure going to be my go-to recipe for parties from now on.

The Sandwich Flower Lunch

My kids went crazy for this garden themed lunch today - no those leaves are NOT real...I added them on digitally as an afterthought. We created our garden of sandwich flowers by tightly rolling vegetarian lunch meat and cheese in a whole wheat tortilla. The tortilla roll was then cut into 1 inch slices and each slice was secured onto a baking stick. A half slice of bread was placed in the bottom of a small bowl and then covered with chickpeas. The sandwich flowers stand straight when nestled securely amongst the bread and chickpeas. Try taping some paper leaves to the baking sticks and/or serving your sandwich flowers in a flowerpot for a more dramatic presentation.

Worms In Dirt - A Spring Dessert

Doesn't this look tempting?? Ok..maybe not..but trust me this is one cup full of delicious fun. Make your childs day by whipping up this simple dessert by layering chocolate pudding, oreo baking crumbs and a few gummie worms. Tadda..instant worm digging fun and a special treat to boot!!

Another Very Hungry Caterpillar Lunch

That pesky caterpillar is on the loose again!!! This time it looks like all of those strawberries have gone to his head. We made this fun The Very Hungry Caterpillar inspired lunch with peanut butter and jelly tortilla rolls, Pringles cheese cracker Stix for the legs and antennae and a jumbo strawberry with raisins for the head. We served some banana chips and fruit smoothies on the side. YUM YUM!!