3 GREAT SMOOTHIES WITH CHIA

Chia seeds are a pretty incredible and tiny food. Not only do you get to sing the ch-ch-ch-chia song while making/buying/looking at them, they are also a great source of protein, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids. Chia seeds have 4.4 grams of complete protein per ounce and over 6,000 milligrams omega-3! Overnight oats are a great way to add chia into breakfast, but do take some pre-planning. As much as I try to pre-plan meals, I am more of a "what's left-over in the fridge" kind of girl. 

Since I also work from home, breakfast and lunches are usually eaten in. This was not always the case, but when the hubs and I stopped getting to-go lunches, we both started feeling healthier and that feeling is way better than Moe's nachos. These smoothies are things that can be made pretty quick and have chia added to them for a yummy, easy, and ridiculously healthy meal on the go. Of course, you can always add some chia to your favorite smoothie, but these are pretty great as well! 

Spinach, Kiwi, and Chia Smoothie

New Zealand is trying to get kiwi's back on the map- and by kiwis, I mean the fruit. I am all too happy to help with this fruitful endeavor (haha, get it, get it), especially when it can be mixed with spinach and chia for a nice green morning smoothie! Yes, you had me at spinach. And yes, I am having a punny kind of day. There are a couple of other great ingredients listed in the "added" section that I would completely recommend adding to this powerhouse smoothie as well! 

Green Power Smoothie

There is something to love about a green smoothie; they are just so pretty! This green smoothie has all the health power that you would expect to find in a smoothie the color of fresh cut grass. But that is where the similarities to fresh cut grass end. The Green Power Smoothie has yummy things like cucumber (skinned), spinach, non-dairy milk, and orange juice. Yum!  

Blueberry Chia Anti-Aging Smoothie

Here is a non-green smoothie in case you do not like the green ones quite as much as me. This smoothie is also great for those who would prefer to cut as little as possible and exchange cutting for scooping. The anti-aging smoothie comes with lots of extras like olive oil, protein powder, and coconut water. It is, for sure, the easiest smoothie to make. Ever. 

Meat Free Mondays: 7 Fantastic Mashed Potato Recipes

Man has is been a while since we had a Meat Free Monday post. Meat Free Mondays are still one of my favorite days of the week and they have been made so much easier thanks to Blue Apron who usually sends us at least one vegetarian meal a week. These may not be your Grandma's mashed potatoes, but they are all really yummy and a great way to switch up a common and expected part of dinner. Believe it or not, but some of these are quite healthy too!

Smoked Salmon Mashed Potatoes

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How could these not be healthy (and tasty)? They have smoked salmon for protein and omega-3's, plus they look like the biggest party in my mouth ever.

Garlic Purple Mashed Potatoes

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If you have never had purple mashed potatoes, I would highly recommend it. First off, they taste just like the regular kind and second, they are ridiculously good for you. Purple potatoes have the same amounts of antioxidants as blueberries. Boom.

Green Mashed Potatoes

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Since we are on the subject of colorful potatoes, let's talk about these green guys. No, the potatoes are not green, but yes, they are both healthy and green. These use spinach to get that great color and extra health benefits.

Coconut Oil Mashed Potatoes

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These mashed potatoes are pretty traditional, but with one little spin- they use coconut oil instead of butter. That means you are getting healthier fats, fewer calories, and all the benefits of coconut oil in one.

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

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These mashed potatoes have anti-inflammatory benefits since they use cauliflower as one of the main ingredients. Garlic powder also make things sound like one of the best spins on the traditional mashed potato ever. 

Kale Mashed Potatoes

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Let's just agree now, these look like one of the best uses for kale. The kale makes the potato healthier and the potato sounds like a heavenly match for the kale. Win, win.

Cauliflower Mash

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This mash potato recipe is missing one key ingredient that you may never know by tasting them. That's right, this mashed potato uses cauliflower as a substitute for it's starchy buddy. I am seriously dying to know if these can fool all those potato loving 4-year old's in the world