Have Your Cake and Spinach Too: Dessert Flavored Green Smoothies for Health & Weight Loss

Posted on by stilllearning2b

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Green smoothies are gaining in popularity as people realize that they are a great way to increase your consumption of leafy greens in a easy and great-tasting smoothie.

You may be amazed to discover that spinach can be make to taste like a mint chocolate chip shake or that kale can be blended into an apple crisp smoothie! Green smoothies are a great, easy way to eat (okay, actually drink) your veggies while enjoying great flavor and the convenience of a shake.

Leafy greens are low in calories yet high in vitamins, fiber and minerals. Their high water content means that it is difficult to eat them whole and raw in large quantities but this same characteristic makes them very blendable. It is quite easy to make almost half a pound of greens disappear into your smoothie!

In addition to the greens, these smoothies are chock full of other healthy ingredients: fruits, nuts, seeds, spices and even dark chocolate. These filling foods mean that these smoothies make a great snack or even a meal and can be a great component of a weight loss plan.

Many of these recipes are kid-friendly and can be a great way to encourage a greater intake of fruits and vegetables.

One of my favorite benefits of green smoothies is that they are easy. The greens don’t require any special prep. The oven is never turned on. All I have to do is throw a bunch of ingredients in the blender and let the machine do its job. It doesn’t get any easier!

This collection of recipes is sure to please your palate and your health!

Chocolate and Willpower

Posted on by stilllearning2b

According to a new study, those who eat chocolate tend to have a lower BMI.  My guess is that it all comes down to willpower.  You see, we only have so much of it.  If you use it all in one area, it tends to be lacking in another.  For example, people that exercise the most also tend to drink more; their willpower was used up going to the gym and they have a more difficult time resisting that glass of wine.  So, it follows that those who give in to a bit of chocolate may have more willpower left over for other areas.

Apparently my willpower was spent at the gym, as I am writing this while enjoying some dark chocolate and a glass of red wine.

This image was selected as a picture of the we...
This image was selected as a picture of the week on the Czech Wikipedia for th week, 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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On the Menu: Cancer-Fighting Tacos, Black Beans Plus, and Banana Chocolate Chip Chia Pudding

Posted on by stilllearning2b

I have today off (yippee!), so I am doing my cooking today.  I started off this morning with a doctor’s appointment.  It went really well.  She was the one who took care of me at my lowest (emotionally and physically, as I lost 20 lbs after he left).  It was great to see her and she enjoyed seeing me healthy and happy.  Now that I’m back to fighting weight, let’s get to the menu!

Soft Tacos With Mushrooms, Cabbage and Chipotle Ranchero Salsa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My main dish this week consists of these unique tacos from The New York Times.  I love their flavor, ease of cooking, and low calorie stats.  I have never bothered to make the salsa; I simply stir a little Tabasco Chipotle Sauce into my normal, cheap, industrial size salsa.  The queso fresca is so delightfully salty and tangy that I never feel the need to add any additional salt.

Black Beans Plus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted some extra protein as well as some red veggies for the week.  I began by lightly sauteing red bell peppers, onion, and a little garlic in olive oil.  I then added some black pepper and chipotle seasoning from Penzey’s Spices.  Next, I stirred in 2 cans of black beans (drained) and simmered gently to let the flavors mingle.  Finally, I topped it with some freshly squeezed lime juice and some tomato slices.

Banana Chocolate Chip Chia Pudding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my boyfriend’s favorite local restaurants is known for their banana chocolate chip pudding.  Their version is decadent.  Mine is not, but it still tastes pretty darn amazing.  I mixed the following in the blender: 1 ripe banana, 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, 1 tsp vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon.  I pored this into a bowl and added 1/3 cup chia seeds and 1/3 cup mini dark chocolate chips.  Leave out for 1 hour, stirring frequently.  Transfer to fridge.  It will set in a few hours.  Top with additional chocolate chips to serve.

I had some of the taco filling left over, so it became my lunch:)  I kept myself away from the pudding though…