Green Smoothies - Not Love at First Taste

I have to say that I didn't jump right onto the Green Smoothie band wagon.  In fact at first I absolutely despised green smoothies!  The thought of actually drinking spinach made my stomach turn (and I love spinach)!  So what changed you might ask?

Source: zupas.com via HeavenBoundMama on Pinterest

Well, my entire perspective on the Green Smoothie changed when I simply just started experimenting with different flavor combinations in my blender (Oh, and the fact that they are insanely good for you helped too)!  You see I always like to challenge myself when it comes to New Years resolutions.  And I always have at least one New Years resolution focused around health and nutrition, and drinking 2-3 Green smoothies a week def. fits the bill!  

I  knew if I was going to be successful in accomplishing this little New Years resolution of mine that I better find a combination of fruits and veggies I actually liked!  

I started by looking at popular recipes online and then just started throwing random fruits and veggies together in my blender.  I have tried countless fruits and veggies; bananas, spinach kiwi, apples... the list could go on.  And I didn't only experiment with fruits and veggies but bases as well - like water, coconut water, milk and kefir all of which added a slightly different texture, consistency and flavor! 

So what Green Smoothie has been my favorite so far - Pineapple Banana! 

Pineapple Banana Green Smoothie:

Serves 1 

3/4 Cups Frozen or Fresh Pineapple (I like Frozen Trader Joe's Pineapple Tidbits - they blend well!) 

1 Ripe Banana (Since I use frozen fruit I don't freeze my banana) 

2 Handfuls of Baby Spinach 

1-1.5 Cups Water (or Coconut water) 

1 Spoonful of Vanilla Protein Powder (optional - I don't always use) 

Ginger

1 - Place everything but your spinach and iceberg lettuce in your blender and blend until smooth. 

2- In small batches blend your spinach and iceberg lettuce into your smoothie until there are no large chunks. 

3-Pour into a glass and enjoy! 

Often times I take my green smoothie to work with me.  If I make it the night before I just pout it into a sealable container (I love blender bottles, they stay sealed tight) and pop it in the fridge! 

Tell me - Do you like Green Smoothies? What is your favorite one?

Wheels in Motion

I always get excited when I receive my issue of Cooking Light  in the mail, and this month was no different!  As soon as I got back to my apartment I flopped down on the couch to flip through pages of delicious looking recipes.  

My monthly issues of Cooking Light always ends up looking a little worn and ragged with a million recipes "dogged eared" in the hopes that I will someday make them!  There is no doubt that the first place I turn for healthy recipe inspiration is Cooking Light.  

Yesterday, as I was pondering how to use the rest of my Rotisserie Chicken (which was an impulse buy for my Moms Pasta and Veggies with Olive Oil) I found inspiration once again in the pages of my Cooking Light Magazine.   The recipe that sparked the creative wheels was -  Spicy Thai Basil Chicken from Cooking Light.   So armed with my leftover Rotisserie chicken I set out to experiment in the kitchen! 

The results... Flavorful, 

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken - Slightly Adapted from Cooking Light 

Ingredients:

2 Teaspoons Canola Oil 

1/2 Cup Minced Shallots 

1/2 Cup Thinly Sliced Red Pepper 

4 Teaspoons Fresh Minced Garlic

1/2 a Rotisserie Chicken Shredded

2 Serrano Chilis 

2 Tablespoons Low Sodium Soy Sauce 

2 Teaspoons Brown Sugar 

1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper 

1 Cup Basil Leaves 

1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice 

Lime Wedges for serving 

Directions:

 

1- Heat 2 Teaspoons Oil and Sautee your minced shallots for 2 min.  Add your red pepper and continue cooking for 1 minute.  Finally add your garlic and sautee for 30 seconds. 

2- Add your soy sauce, serrano chilis, brown sugar and black pepper in with your shallots mixture.  

3- Slowly add your shredded rotisserie chicken handfuls at a time, and cook on low till the chicken is heated through.  

4- Remove chicken from heat, and stir in chopped basil and lime juice. 

Serve along side Sesame Rice and some lettuce leaves for wrapping! 

Happy Monday All! 

Recipe Alert - Makes these Tonight

Happy Friday Loves!

Monday night I got to spend the entire evening with my little sister, and we had a blast!
Talking, Laughing, Cooking and Frozen Yogurt were a few of the highlights from our evening!

I made these delicious Spicy Avocado Chicken Enchiladas - From The Novice Chef!

Source: thenovicechefblog.com via Miranda on Pinterest

And, Oh My Goodness were they good!
The homemade enchilada sauce came together in a breeze, and had a great flavor!  It was also extra spicy!

I subbed in black beans for some of the chicken, and used pepper jack cheese!
If there is one recipe you should make this weekend it is for sure these enchiladas!

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Tackling a Resolution

Thank you all for sharing in my excitement about my blog and Cooking Light! 

I am still very excited about the opportunity that has presented itself - I think 2013 might be a good year for my little blog! 

Speaking of 2013 I have already started prepping for one of my New Years Resolutions (read my New Years Resolutions here)!  Yes, you heard me correctly!  I have already started for my Half-Marathon! 

I am following the Hal Higdon Half Marathon Training program, and so far so good! I didn't do any formal training for my 10 miler, but I thought it would be best to tackle 13.1 miles with a little training!

I plan on running my half marathon in early May!  That gives me over 12 weeks to complete training!  Derek has decided to tackle this long milage with me along with two of my co-workers - And I have to say it will be good to have all of them as running partners. I absolutely love running races with Derek, he is such a good motivator! 

All 4 of us will be following the same training plan! 

I have to say I am a bit nervous but super excited to tackle a half marathon.  I haven't decided what time I would like to finish the half in.  My only goal right now for the half marathon is to completely run the whole race!

So here is to training and to completing one of my 2013 New Years resolutions! 

Tell me, what is the furthest race you have run?

Exciting Blog News & Weekend Recap

Happy Monday Lovelies!

Another weekend has come and gone, but I have to say it was a good and relaxing one!

Before I jump into a few highlights from my weekend, I wanted to share some exciting blog news!

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Cooking Light (Yes, only my favorite food magazine ever!!) to be apart of their Blogger Community!

I was thrilled that Cooking Light wanted to feature my blog in their selected group of bloggers!

Check out my Cooking Light Blogger Profile Here!

I still can't believe that my blog was picked!

More to come on this exciting oppotrunity!

Now for a few highlights from our weekend!

The weekend started with a little pampering!
Mani's and Pedi's with Derek's sister Athena!

 

Love this new "It" color
Grey!

I experimented some more with Green Smoothies!

Source: greensmoothiespower.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

So far so good with my New Years resolution of 2-3 Green Smoothies a week!  Stay tuned for a few of my favorite Green Smoothie Recipes!

We cheered on the Minnesota Vikings Saturday night at Nikki and Jason's as they battled the Green Bay Packer.

Lunch with my Family in Cannon Falls! 

Found a great little Deli! 

and a Matinee Movie!  Derek and I finally saw Les Mis! 

I loved it!  I am itching to see the Broadway version now! 

I thought the movie was extremely well done! 

What did you do this weekend?

New Years Resolutions - 2013 Edition

Well it is that time of year again. 

Time to start fresh, and think about all the things we would like to accomplish in this New Year we have been given.  I find that I don't like to have one big New Years Resolution.  I like to have several - Some New Years resolutions that will stretch me, and others that will just hold me accountable. 

So without further blabbing from me, lets get on to my list of New Years Resolutions! 

1 - In 2013 I want to run a Half Marathon

and another 10 miler! I guess you could say I want to be fit in 2013!

Guess I better start training! 

2 - Read More - And well relax more too!   

Three Cups of Tea has been on my "Reading List" for a very long time! 

3- Drink a Green Smoothie 2-3 times a week! 

(Source) 

Here is to good health in 2013 - Still on this path to living a healthy life!

4- Pray More - I want to become stronger in my faith, faith needs to be at the for front of my life.  Not just an after thought. 

5- Blog More - I have been really slacking here!  I still love blogging - I just need to make time for it, and need to remember why I started this little blog!  

5- And last but certainly not least - Respect and Love others.  

I want to always think and consider the people that I love and care about the most, I never want to hurt them! 

What are your New Years Resolutions?

Hello 2013!

Hello Lovelies, and Happy New Year!  

Can you believe it is already 2013? I can't!

As a New Year begins, i always find myself looking back on the past year and my accomplishments. 2012 was a year of up's and downs, and many changes.   I moved home to Minnesota, got a job at a major corporation, and moved to the City to name a few!  

I ran a 5K, 10K, and a 10 Miler (bring on the Half Marathon), 

 (After my 10K) 

(My 10 Miler Time) 

Spent quality time with family and friends, 

and learned that I hold the key to my own happiness. 

I know there is a lot to look forward to as I move on into a New Year!  Here is to making 2013 just as good if not better then 2012!  

Stay tuned for my New Years Resolutions! Happy New Year Everyone!