Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Healthy Blender Breakfast Shakes
Now that warm weather is upon us, blender shakes are the perfect breakfast. They are fast, easy to make, cold, and full of good healthy foods. First of all, the in-season fruits are in abundance such as apricots, peaches, berries, melons, etc. and they are the best to start with. However, frozen fruits are great too - any kind. Just pick your flavor and make a variety for each day. Here is a basic recipe and you can add many, many other ingredients as you have them and as your taste buds prefer.
Healthy Blender Breakfast Shakes
1 1/2 cup water (or juice)
2-3 cups fresh or frozen fruits (see fruit combinations below)
1 banana (frozen ahead of time is best)
handful of raw almonds
1-2 scoops soy milk powder, protein powder or nutritional booster
added sweetening will depend on what fruits you use, how sweet you like it, and if you use juice or water - you'll have to experiment
1-2 tsp. each other additives: sesame seeds (for extra calcium), flax seeds (good for omega 3), bee pollen, ginseng, raw wheat germ, etc.
1-2 cups ice (if fruit is fresh)
In blender, blend ingredients all together 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Makes 4-6 servings. Enjoy this for breakfast all by itself, or with whole grain toast or cereals.
Popular fruits combinations:
strawberry banana
blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, banana
cantaloupe and banana
apricot, peach and banana
papaya pineapple
pineapple banana coconut
make your own creative combination!
Healthy Blender Breakfast Shakes
1 1/2 cup water (or juice)
2-3 cups fresh or frozen fruits (see fruit combinations below)
1 banana (frozen ahead of time is best)
handful of raw almonds
1-2 scoops soy milk powder, protein powder or nutritional booster
added sweetening will depend on what fruits you use, how sweet you like it, and if you use juice or water - you'll have to experiment
1-2 tsp. each other additives: sesame seeds (for extra calcium), flax seeds (good for omega 3), bee pollen, ginseng, raw wheat germ, etc.
1-2 cups ice (if fruit is fresh)
In blender, blend ingredients all together 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Makes 4-6 servings. Enjoy this for breakfast all by itself, or with whole grain toast or cereals.
Popular fruits combinations:
strawberry banana
blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, banana
cantaloupe and banana
apricot, peach and banana
papaya pineapple
pineapple banana coconut
make your own creative combination!
Monday, May 16, 2005
On-The-Go Healthy Foods!
When the weather starts to warm up and spring and summer are here, there are all kinds of on-the-go activities constantly. Most all these activities require food preparations or picking up something quick to take along.
On-the-go foods don't have to be unhealthy "junk food" items. There are some great foods that everyone will enjoy and they are easy to grab or require little preparation.
Here are some great snack foods to grab on a moments notice:
1) Apples, bananas, oranges, etc. always come prepacked and, if on hand, can be quickly added to any lunch box or basket.
2) Raw nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, cashews are great snack nibblers. Remember that if they are raw, they go into the body as nourishment, while if they are roasted, they go into the body as high calorie, fat items.
3) Trail mixes consisting of raw nuts and dried fruits can come in a variety of combinations, always yummy to snack on.
4) Fruits roll-ups, dried fruit snacks and such (which should be just fruit) are also great to have.
5) Popcorn can be popped for a great treat (traditional methods are better than microwaved), and if it is popped with hot air, it doesn't need much added fat or salt.
6) Rice cakes and whole grain crackers with healthy veggie dips and spreads are a great snack to have along.
7) Don't forget all the wonderful fresh cut veggies with dips, hummus (see recipe below), etc. I find that almost everywhere I go, I take a veggie platter and dip and it is always one of the first things to be consumed. Everyone likes veggies and dips!
There's a lot out there that's just poor foods, but there is so many great foods that provide good nourishment. On-the-foods can be good nutritious ones, we just have to plan and think nutritiously!
On-the-go foods don't have to be unhealthy "junk food" items. There are some great foods that everyone will enjoy and they are easy to grab or require little preparation.
Here are some great snack foods to grab on a moments notice:
1) Apples, bananas, oranges, etc. always come prepacked and, if on hand, can be quickly added to any lunch box or basket.
2) Raw nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, cashews are great snack nibblers. Remember that if they are raw, they go into the body as nourishment, while if they are roasted, they go into the body as high calorie, fat items.
3) Trail mixes consisting of raw nuts and dried fruits can come in a variety of combinations, always yummy to snack on.
4) Fruits roll-ups, dried fruit snacks and such (which should be just fruit) are also great to have.
5) Popcorn can be popped for a great treat (traditional methods are better than microwaved), and if it is popped with hot air, it doesn't need much added fat or salt.
6) Rice cakes and whole grain crackers with healthy veggie dips and spreads are a great snack to have along.
7) Don't forget all the wonderful fresh cut veggies with dips, hummus (see recipe below), etc. I find that almost everywhere I go, I take a veggie platter and dip and it is always one of the first things to be consumed. Everyone likes veggies and dips!
There's a lot out there that's just poor foods, but there is so many great foods that provide good nourishment. On-the-foods can be good nutritious ones, we just have to plan and think nutritiously!
