Banana Strawberry Smoothie

I needed a snack that met many requirements : quick, low calorie, treat my sweet tooth and cool off from this heat.  I went to the fridge and this is what I was able to whip up in about 5 min.

5oz Almond milk, vanilla flavored
1/2 banana
4 strawberries
6oz Very Vanilla yogurt, low fat ( I like yoplait thick and creamy)
1 cup ice (crushed if you can )

In a blender pour in ice and milk then fruit and yogurt cover and blend on high until creamy.

* I think any fruit combo would be really good try what you have on hand or like.

This makes about 2 8oz servings and little extra.

8 oz nutrition info:
74 Calories
7 calories from fat
.8g fat
0g sat fat
0 trans fat
1mg cholesterol
79mg sodium
14.8g Carbs
1.2g Fiber
9g Sugar
2.5g Protein

 

A great dinner

I hope I do not get in trouble for linking other sites.
We just had Asian Grilled Salmon, Ginger Veggie Stir Fry and Forbidden rice for dinner and it was SO GOOD all three items rocked. The serving size for salmon is 3.5 oz without extra sauce, Veggies 5oz and Forbidden rice 1/3c Total the cal count is about 438.  I know that is high but the majority comes from the salmon and the many other benefits of salmon out weigh the calories every once in a while. Hope you like it too.

Ginger Veggie Stir Fry- Allrecipes
1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 1/2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger root, divided

1/4 cup vegetable oil, divided

1 small head broccoli, cut into florets

1/2 cup snow peas

3/4 cup julienned carrots

1/2 cup halved green beans

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 1/2 tablespoons water

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/2 tablespoon salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, blend cornstarch, garlic, 1 teaspoon ginger, and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil until cornstarch is dissolved. Mix in broccoli, snow peas, carrots, and green beans, tossing to lightly coat.
2. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Cook vegetables in oil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Stir in soy sauce and water. Mix in onion, salt, and remaining 1 teaspoon ginger. Cook until vegetables are tender but still crisp.               

Asian Grilled Salmon Ina Garten

• 1 side fresh salmon, boned but skin on (about 3 pounds)

For the marinade:

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons good soy sauce
• 6 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Directions

Light charcoal briquettes in a grill and brush the grilling rack with oil to keep the salmon from sticking.

While the grill is heating, lay the salmon skin side down on a cutting board and cut it crosswise into 4 equal pieces. Whisk together the mustard, soy sauce, olive oilgarlic in a small bowl. Drizzle half of the marinade onto the salmon and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
Place the salmon skin side down on the hot grill; discard the marinade the fish was sitting in. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Turn carefully with a wide spatula and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes. The salmon will be slightly raw in the center, but don't worry; it will keep cooking as it sits.
Transfer the fish to a flat plate, skin side down, and spoon the reserved marinade on top. Allow the fish to rest for 10 minutes. Remove the skin and serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Forbidden Rice
1c black forbidden rice
1 3/4c vegetable stock unsalted
1 tsp butter

In a med sauce pot over med-high heat melt butter add rice and saute about 3-5 min. Add stock bring to boil cover reduce heat to low and cook 40 min.  Then remove from heat and let sit 5 min Fluff with fork and serve

Pico de Gallo

To quote a commercial for another product.  "I put that SH*^ on everything"
Below is a guestimate of how much of each item I just eye it and taste and add more.  Make it up adjusting for personal taste. 

 3 medium tomatoes diced
1 half red onion diced*
1 jalapeno diced
.5 oz cilantro chiffand
1 clove garlic either pressed diced or grated**
1 large or about 2 small limes juiced
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

In a large bowl combine everything adjust salt and lime to taste.  Your best bet on getting the right amount of salt is to taste with a chip. 

nutrition 2oz serving 10 cal .1g fat 196mg sodium 2.3g carbs .6 g fiber 1.2g sugar .4g protein
 * if you are not a fan of the raw onion flavor as I am not try this dice the onions place in a med bowl fill with water let sit about 5 min drain in strainer put back in bowl add more water soak 5 min more drain add to mixture.

** great Rachel Ray tip slice the top and bottom of clove off peel then grate over bowl with a micro plane I do it every time I need fine garlic to mix into something.

Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

I promise you these are amazing! Even if you despise Brussels sprouts like my husband and I do give them a try and see.

1 lb fresh Brussels sprouts
1/2 bacon diced
1/2 tsp salt
pepper to taste

Trim the stem end off and remove the outer layer of leaves each Brussels sprout. Rise then pat dry place Brussels sprouts on cutting board and cut each in half and then in half again to make 1/4
In a large skillet over med-low heat fry bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Drain all but 1 tbl bacon grease into a small bowl, do not toss will use more later.
Place pan back on the heat add the Brussels sprouts and the salt. Saute for 20-30 min stirring frequently and adding about 1tbl of bacon grease each time the pan becomes "dry". The Brussels sprouts are done when they are dark brown but not burnt. Remove from heat and add the bacon back to the pan and a little bit of pepper, toss lightly then serve.

In a pinch I have used frozen Brussels sprouts thawed and drained on paper towels for 15 min. It is not as good so try try to use fresh!

Artichoke Cheese Bread

I was inspired by another recipe that called for olives instead of artichoke but we are not olive fans in this house except EVOO :) I did not have the right amount of the cheese called for in the original recipe so I came up with a good mix of what I had on hand. Enjoy, feel free to change it up please share any successes

14.5 oz can Artichoke pieces drained
2 green onions
1 stick butter
1/2 c mayonnaise ( not the MW stuff from Kraft)
6oz monterey jack grated
6oz mozzarella grated
2 oz Parmesan grated
1 roasted red bell pepper in oil diced (optional)
1 loaf crusty French or Italian bread unsliced.

Pre-Heat oven 325
In a large bowl blend the butter and mayo for 2-3 min until almost fluffy. On a cutting board place the artichokes and give a rough chop add them to the bowl. Place green onions on the cutting board slice thin and then give a little cross action chop add to the bowl. Add all the cheese and the bell pepper if using mix together well. Slice the bread in half length wise spread the cheese artichoke mixture in an even layer on each half. Place bread on a sheet try and put in the oven. Bake 20-25 min until the cheese is thoroughly melted and beginning to turn light brown and bubbly. Remove from oven cut into diagonal slices and serve immediately.

ps. You could also use this as a dip with pita chips, pretzels or some other tasty vessel. :) After making the cheese mixture spread into a pie pan or other shallow oven proof dish bake until golden and bubbly.

100 Ways to make your Marriage Rock

Found this posted my a friend on Facebook. I made a copy to hang on my office wall to remember each day. I say you can pick and choose to do what makes you and your partner comfortable. If you want to see the original or join in on the conversation regarding #20 and #21 check it out at www.wearethatfamily.com

1. Write him letters
2. Go on regular date nights
3. Write his name on lipstick on the bathroom mirror
4. Revitalize the romance with intimate dates
5. Pray together
6. Hide notes in secret places
7. Go to bed at the same time
8. Listen to music together-share earbuds
9. Send him on a scavenger hunt in the house
10. Buy him gifts he will love
11. Hide a treat in his glovebox or desk at work
12. Read the Bible together
13. Wear shirts that tell the world you love your spouse
14. Praise your spouse to other people
15. Let them overhear you
16. Read a marriage devotional
17. Porn-proof your home
18. Be best friends
19. Sleep in his t-shirts
20. Look to him to make the big decisions * see below
21. Let her make the small ones
22. Don’t nag him
23. Put down the seat, pick up your socks for her
24. Renew your vows privately with whispers and memories
25. Renew them publicly with cake and bubbly
26. Fight naked
27. Tell him you like him
28. Receive his compliments
29. Pick your battles
30. Show her you love her and tell him you respect him
31. Go away together at least once a year
32. Frame your wedding vows
33. Her: Read For Women Only
34. Hang pictures of the two of you around your house
35. Kiss in front of your kids
36. Make his favorite dessert
37. Have pictures of just the two of you made
38. Make sex a priority
39. Spend time apart occasionally
40. Learn to enjoy something he loves
41. Surprise each other
42. Meet him at the door
43. Dreamstorm
44. Text each other from across the room
45. Be accountable to each other
46. Set reminders on your phone to remember him/her throughout the week
47. Call him right now and tell him you appreciate him
48. Be affectionate
49. Him: Read For Men Only
50. Leave work and come home early
51. Wash, vacuum her car. Keep it full of gas.
52. Give each other romantic coupons
53. Engage every day in meaningful conversation
54. Compliment each other
55. Touch your spouse several times throughout the day
56. Take one day a month to make your spouse your total focus
57. Let each other sleep in
58. Be spontaneous!
59. Argue fair: avoid these words “you always” and “you never”
60. Kiss every day
61. Find tangible ways to serve your mate without complaining
62. Forgive quickly
63. Be honest.
64. But not hurtful
65. Get on the same page: plan your budget together
66. Look your best as often as you can
67. Guard your marriage
68. Get out of debt (and stay out)
69. Laugh together
70. Have a date night in
71. When your together-BE TOGETHER (take a break from phones, technology, etc)
72. Talk about your favorite memories together
73. Tell him he’s sexy just because
74. Tell her she’s pretty, especially when she’s not feeling it
75. Make him breakfast in bed
76. Do her chores for her
77. Get a couple’s massage or host your own privately
78. Read a book out loud together
79. Dance together-soft music (alone) or rocking music with the kids
80. Bring her/him a favorite drink during the middle of the day
81. Exercise together-hikes, bike riding, etc
82. Choose not to be annoyed by an irritating behavior/disappointment
83. Tell him a secret he doesn’t know about you
84. Thank your spouse just because, often
85. Sit on the same side of a booth at a restaurant
86. Lay in bed together and stare into each other eyes, without talking
87. Learn something new together-take an art class, cooking lessons, etc
88. Leave a sweet comment on the Facebook wall
89. Teach your kids about marriage
90. Stop what you’re doing, look them in the eye and listen to their answer
91. Create art together
92. Support each other’s goals
93. Know when to talk and when to hush
94. Consider counseling (even if there’s not conflict)
95. Doodle his name
96. Bring her flowers (even when she says they are too expensive)
97. Wear something he loves
98. Share furniture-sit in his lap
99. Fight for your marriage
100. Remember your spouse rocks-even when they don’t
*I included the “small, big decisions” because my pastor taught about marriage and he was referring to decisions you are hung on… Don’t let those standstills cause serious conflict and even divorce. If it’s a small decision like paint color or home decor or preschool, etc, yield to her. If its big, like a new career, move, yield to him. This advice was more for the husbands..don’t engage over little things. And of course, most decisions you make in marriage are or should be decided together, but don’t have a war over a decision. Of course, this is my opinion. Feel free to disagree.
And yes, I should have put don’t nag each other. I was writing from personal experience there and my hubby never nags me!

Photo A Day Feb 11 and 1

While finally checking out the newest rave website Pintrest I found the Photo A Day Challenge. For the entire year you are challenged to take one theame picture a day. Google Instagram Photo A Day there will be returns with all diffrent blogs facebook and twitter accounts all partcipating you can also find the months list of things for each day. This months list was done by Fat Mum Slim who can be found here http://www.fatmumslim.com.au or Twitter @fatmumslim.
This is so cool I read an article last year on Mental Floss He Took a Polaroid Everyday Until he Died http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/21344 The photographer Jamie Livingston took one picture a day some funny some interesting some very sad as his health was declining. I loved the idea but soon forgot until last night. I was so excited I printed out the list and January's too hoping to back track the time I missed as I move forward.
At the end of each month I hope to print out a collage to hang on the wall and at the years end I hope to scrapbook the whole project. I think it is a great way to document everyday life from a diffrent angle.

So here are my pictures for today.

Feburary 11 2012
Makes you happy. After 2pm a coke and cup of Ice makes me happy and re-energized.











Because I am also back tracking
February 1 2012
your view today. My kitchen I am cooking for the Soup contest tomorrow at church and meatloaf for the community meal.