Mini Post....

We are in the midst of selling our house so posting is at a minimum this week BUT....here's a recipe to get you by.

I love smoothies. When Tim or I are in a rush, craving something sweet, or wanting to get our greens some way besides sauteed in a pan we go for smoothies. You can cram as many great ingredients in your juicer, blender or vitamix as you want. They are amazingly fun for kiddos and if you want to get really sneaky on them, you can get in their greens by making them a green smoothie. They'll never know they are eating yummy kale or spinach or collards!
Here is one of my favorite recipes for when I want something sweet like a chocolate milk shake. It's super easy and will rock your world I promise.

Chocolate Bliss Shake
3 cups frozen bananas
2 cups almond milk (it’s amazing with FRESH almond milk, but any milk will work)
2T raw carob powder or cocoa powder (adjust to taste…cocoa tends to have a stronger flavor than carob)
1 t vanilla (non-alcohol)
1/4 cup agave nectar or 2 packets stevia
Pinch of sea salt
(For an extra kick, you can add a bit of cinnamon)
Put all ingredients into your blender.
Blend.
Drink
Enjoy

Feel Good Shopping

Ever think about how much we consume? I mean how much we shop, buy new things..how much time corporations put into marketing campaigns just to get us to spend more money on things they have convinced us we need?

I do and have been thinking about it more over the past several months. What do I really need and what are ways I can decrease my spending habits.

Recently I came across a great site called Etsy. It's a great little online store for all things recycled, reused, and handmade. I love it! Most of the products are handmade, many by artists. It is such a great place to buy thoughtful, unique gifts for other, or just a little something for yourself. They have everything, believe me. Plus it is such a great way to buy things that are home made by someone, or something recycled and turned into something fantastic, all ways to decrease our impact on using natural resources and an amazing way to support some seriously talented folks out there!

"Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.”

The skinny on soft drinks

I'm posting a link to an article on soft drinks written by my friend Jill McLaughlin. It's a great article about our addiction to soft drinks and the damage they can cause, read it at your own risk!

"The United States ranks first among countries in soft drink consumption. The per-capita consumption of soft drinks is in excess of 150 quarts per year, or about three quarts per week."

Winter Recipe

The end of winter is approaching, but man the cold weather and chilly mornings don't seem to be leaving anytime soon. So, give yourself a treat and some extra time in the morning by whipping up a batch of tasty, hearty muffins. They will be a great breakfast for several mornings and a yummy snack too!

Oatmeal Muffins
DRY:2 cups quick cooking oats

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

¼ cup chopped dried apricots

¼ cup chopped dates

½ cup chopped almonds or walnuts

2 Tb ground flax seeds or flax meal

1 Tb baking powder

½ tsp cinnamon
WET:

2/3 cup water, soy or rice milk

½ cup canola oil

4 oz silken tofu

¼ tsp sea salt

½ cup agave syrup, brown rice syrup or maple syrup
Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir well to combine. Combine all wet ingredients in a blender and blend until well combined. Stir wet ingredients into the dry, and stir until just combined. Oil a muffin tin and fill 2/3 full. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

"Food should be fun"

Thomas Keller