3 GREAT SMOOTHIES WITH CHIA

by Jenni in

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

by Jenni in

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

Healthy St. Patrick's Day Recipes

by Jenni in

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and I cannot wait. The hubs and I will be celebrating this Irish holiday for the first time ever, which is a bit ridiculous considering he is part Irish. Even though we will not be home, I do plan on making some fun foods and [at least] looking at some yummy drinks.

Thank goodness there are so many healthy green foods that taste delicious; it makes this St. Patrick's Day food planning so much easier! Of course, we could make guacamole, it's green, right? But let's take these recipes a bit beyond the normal and do some super yummy, somewhat easy, and very Irish for this holiday celebrating one of Ireland's most well known patron saints.

Also, have you decided what green thing you are wearing yet? The hubs said that mint green was out of the question for a real Irish place, so I am now at a loss. Are forest green pants "green" enough? Hopefully.

Matcha Green Tea Pancakes

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Let's starts St. Patrick's Day off right with some super yummy, pretty healthy, and nothing to do with Ireland Matcha Green Tea Pancakes. No, these pancakes are not from a recipe out or Ireland itself and a I kind of doubt that many Irish people will be eating them on the 17th. But, they are green pancakes that I do not have to feel guilty for eating and that is good enough for me!

Kale and Leek Colcannon

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Colcannon is a traditional Irish food that uses potatoes, kale, cabbage, or leeks. At Halloween it is an Irish tradition to make colcannon and hide coins in it for others to find while eating. Although this colcannon does not come with money, it does come with some seriously good superfoods that taste like good ol' comfort food.

Potato-Cabbage Soup

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Yes, another green dish. What can I say, I love the cheeball in this holiday. This potato and cabbage soup is another Irish dish that is surprisingly healthy, green, and yummy. This recipe is also quite simple and quick o make, as far as soups go.

Spicy Tahini Baked Kale Chips

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This recipe is great at any time of the year and I will alsways find an excuse to make it. Kale chips are amazing. They are yummy, healthy, and take care of that pesky potato chip craving that I get like ALL THE TIME. Yes, I am a recovery potato chip addict. Phew, feels good to get that off my chest.

Roasted Lemon Cabbage

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If you are planning on having corned beef and cabbage on St/ Patty's Day, Kalyn recommends this roasted cabbage recipe and I quite agree with her. If I liked cabbage, I would be making this yummy looking dish right now instead of writing about it to you. Thankfully for all cabbage lovers out there, I am not the greatest fan of this super healthy superfood. Grow-up, taste buds so that I can enjoy this fantastic looking dish.

Lucky Leprechaun Dip

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You had me at tahini. Yes, this dip has white beans, tahini, cashews, kale, and parsley. So far, it sounds like the best green dip to ever be created in the history of man. It is also pre-named for St. Patrick's Day so even the cute name creation has been done for us.

Green Mac n' Cheese

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Homemade mac n' cheese just might be my kryptonite. I cannot say no. This mac n' cheese comes in the green variety and is much healthier than our usual carb and fat filled option. The green in this is from fresh spinach that has been pureed.

Guiness Float

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You read that correct. This is a dessert and an Irish drink all in one. It is also the first (and only) thing on our St. Patrick's Day list that is not green. But, it is Guiness and ice cream, so I think I can survive it's lack of proper pigmentation.

Side note: The Guiness float is not exactly what I would call healthy.