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Pearlicious Smoothie

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I wanted to make a smoothie for my girlfriends who were over for lunch that was green but not too overpowering with “greenness”. This turned out to be a perfect addition to our salad based lunch and had the right about of creaminess, not too sweet and very refreshing. I remade it for the kiddos a few days later as their breakfast smoothie but added in some extra mango to sweeten it a bit more for them. The result was two empty glasses and two happy campers. Give it a worth and let me know how your crew likes it!   Pearlicious Smoothie 1 cup coconut water ½ cup non-dairy milk 1 pear (organic)* ½ cucumber (organic)* ½ avocado 1 cup mango, frozen (optional sweetener for kids) 1 tsp cinnamon (mixed in or sprinkled on top) * If not using organic fruit and vegetables, remember to peel off the skin before adding to the high-speed blender. Measure liquids into the high-speed blender then add remaining fruit and vegetables. Process until smooth and serve … [Read more...]

Tortilla Soup

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This weather has been all over the place this summer. One day its 88F the next its 68F, my system and meals don’t know if they should be warm or cold. Luckily we have lots of options and fun things to prepare with the seasonal summer treats. My Gabi requested a tomato soup last weekend, something I usually serve in fall or winter but I was with her on craving something warm plus I had a handful of veggies that needed to be used. Decided on creating a tortilla soup! Mexican inspired meals are so popular at our house. We do a lot of vegan bean-based meals for my husband and I but then throw in some organic chicken or ground beef for the little ladies. Such meals are great because we are eating (and I am preparing) one dish but get to add our own toppings. Hubby will add some extra jalapeños, salsa or Tabasco and a little cheese and I’ll throw in some extra avocado and cilantro. Gabi will have hers with some cheese too. Plus with a soup like this I will serve it with a big bowl of … [Read more...]

Pomegranate Baby Kale Salad with Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

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In spring-summer my go-to lunch is a salad. Rarely the same one, often thrown together with last night’s left-overs or veggies and beans we prepped Sunday night. I love creating a pseudo-salad bar in my fridge where I can just reach in and throw different items together for lunch. Today’s lunch is an example of that. I had bought pomegranate arils for Twin A who put them in our cart at Trader Joe’s on Sunday but hasn’t “been in the mood” to eat them all week so not wanting them to spoil I threw them into our salad! Love the pop of color and crunch they provide plus the hint of sweetness.   These little gems are known to be one of the oldest fruits, originally found in Persia. It has long been toted as a fruit very rich in antioxidants, nutrients and a symbol of vitality, fertility and health. A delicious add-on to today’s lunch! I have always loved mushrooms and often pick them out of a stew or tomato sauce when no one is looking. I just love ‘em!! Portobellos though, were never a … [Read more...]

Fiesta Quinoa Salad

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I had some girlfriends over for lunch last week, something I love to do. Entertaining is a different story when it’s a smaller group of adults versus a few families. I love to do both but it was bit more relaxing to just prep food for a few other moms. One of my friends is vegetarian and another is a tri-athlete often training for the next big race. I wanted to make something that would suit everyone, taste delicious and not require a lot of heavy lifting in the kitchen. I drafted up several menus beforehand, which is typical me, even for a casual small lunch I still had so many ideas and plans, but I kept coming back to this easy, delicious quinoa salad. I love quinoa for so many reasons: taste, texture, its filling, quick to cook, very versatile, gluten-free, a great source of vegan protein, plus it is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Quinoa, unlike most grains (though technically it is a seed) is a complete protein, which means it contains all the essential amino … [Read more...]

Red Lentil Dahl with Baby Kale

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This weather thing has me and my body never knowing what to expect!! This year’s spring and summer so far, have been all over the place. Lots of rain with bouts of sunshine then colder days, then repeat with the rain again. Can’t we just have a hot and sunny summer universe? We didn’t complain too much about the horrible winter you gave us, Mr. Sun please shine down on me! I came downstairs this morning to a super cold kitchen after leaving the kitchen window open last night. It was +87F degree yesterday after all. But this morning it was chilly, rainy and grey. Today was my “rest day” from working out with Tracy Anderson, so my body really craved something warm and healing for lunch. The girls slept in and the hubby is out of town for work, so I got some time this morning to myself, sacred time for me! My favorite time to prep things is in the morning in a quiet kitchen. This gives me time to think, plan and just start the day out on the right foot. Washing, chopping, prepping food … [Read more...]

Blueberry Frozen Greens Smoothie Bowl

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After the kids went to bed last night, I chopped and prepped a bunch of veg to go into my vitamix, then poured a huge glass of water and put it next to nice big lemon. I had the good intention of starting my day out by detoxing my liver with a refreshing lemon water followed by a very green vegetable smoothie.   Instead, Gabi woke up at 5am telling me her tummy was requesting breakfast, specifically “mommy waffles”. When a hungry tummy speaks we must listen, especially when it speaks for homemade waffles! So did I do this while sticking to my good intention set the night before? Well I had half the glass of water (16 ounces) but without the lemon and only after I guzzled down my left over milky iced coffee from the fridge!! Smelling the waffles and also having an opportunity to have breakfast alone with my youngest daughter while her sister and dad still dozed, it was a no brainer, I had to share in the waffle fun instead of my green smoothie. Plus I didn’t want to wake up the … [Read more...]

Rainbow salad

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With two young girls, our lives are very colorful to say the least. It’s hard to imagine life without them.  My twins are very colorful little people and big artists, always creating something...very colorful of course!  To play on their love of color, I like to talk with them about why it important for us to eat lots of colorful foods, and play the "rainbow plate" game (see past post) or when we go to the grocery store or market to pick out the most colorful fruit and veggies they can find.  It’s a fun way to teach them about healthy food and for them to try new versions of things, something which is not always easy with young kids. I love coming back from the store this time of year and throwing to together what ever I have and making a “rainbow salad”, sorry not always good at coming up with names for my salad bowls but they really are rainbow salads!  One tip I'll pass on which is nothing new but that I have found to be incredibly helpful is to pre-chop some items ahead of … [Read more...]

Collard Greens Slaw

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One of my favorite things about spring is the many delicious foods it brings.  Don’t get wrong I love my fall fruits and veg (apples, pumpkins, root veg, etc.) but there is something so refreshing about spring produce!!  Probably has a lot to do with where I live.  Maybe if I lived in a warmer climate I wouldn’t get so excited seasonal foods or about the seasons changing but there is something magical in the air when the snow has melted, days get warmer, a smell of the BBQs in the breeze at dinner time and seeing the kids out playing with neighbors they haven’t seen much of over the winter months.  It makes the winters not seem so bad. I am a big fan of a big salad bowl lunch or dinner.  It’s pretty much what I have throughout the spring and summer months.  I don’t really have a favorite or even one that I do on a regular basis.  I am always changing it up based on what I have on hand or what I am craving.  I find my cravings (or what my body needs) changes depending on the season, … [Read more...]