Breakfast Smoothie #461

Today's post is titled "smoothie number 461" because that's how many smoothies I have made since purchasing my blendtec a little less than a year ago. It has a built in digital counter so you can keep track of your own crazy! And that's not counting the hundreds I made before that in my magic bullet.

My name is Allison and I am addicted to smoothies. Admitting it is the first step. If you having smoothie lust as well I strongly recommend buying yourself either the blendtec or the vitamix. I will save the debate over which is better for another day (they both have there merits) but here is how you know if you need one.

• Do you frequent smoothie king, jamba juice, or robeks a couple times a month at 4/dollars a hit for blended fruit that cost 25/cents?
• Do you curse with your everyday blender when you are eating the end of your smoothie with a spoon due to underblending?
• Do you want to watch your child suck down handfuls of spinich, kale, carrots, and beets before they head off to school?

If you answered yes to any of these questions it is $400 blender time for you. No regrets.

This morning's smoothie might be my laziest one yet, a good one to start with for a smoothie novice. And with minimal blending required any blender can handle it.

Here is my smoothie requirements every morning:

• Healthy dose of probiotics to strengthen against the booger onslaught of the kindergarten classroom.
• At least one fruit and one vegetable
• 5g of protein

Here is how to do it:

1. 10 Frozen mango chunks (I love the ones from Trader Joe's, cheap and so sweet)
2. Big scoop of plain yogurt
3. 1/2 cup or so of water depending how you like your consistency
4. scoop of Amazing Grass Cacao Superfood

If you make it and you don't like the flavor add more mango, or switch to flavored yogurt. The possibilities are endless. And if you don't like the flavor of this one just wait until I post my almond butter-bananas-strawberry recipe. It will rock your world......

Mmmmm, kind of like chocolate

Tonight is for the parents. I have discovered a new treat and I am loving it. Raw Cacao Nibs.

If you like bitter dark chocolate then you are going to love this.

I have enjoyed them two ways:

1. Mix 1:2 cacao nibs with dries berries (I used goji and mulberry) and your favorite nuts (for me macadamia and pistachio) Consume by the handful.

2. Add to a bowl of some tasty yogurt. I like Trader Joe's plain unsweetened greek yogurt.

As I continue to play around with this new found snack I will keep adding new places to use it. But in the meantime check out the benefits.

http://livesuperfoods.com/raw-cacao-nibs.html

I will add that I had some concerns about the "energizing" aspect of the nibs. I am super sensitive to caffeine and am quick to palpitations with stimulants. I found that two tablespoons of cacao nibs midday left me awake and motivated but not crazed or uncomfortable. Still I think I will limit the consumption to adults only in our household. Zoe gets all the cacao she needs in her cacao superfood powder but that is another story......

Quick and Dirty Breakfast

Why quick and dirty? Well, this breakfast if definitely quick and my kid hates to get out of bed on school days so quick is important. Why dirty? Well, I am not gonna lie: it could be healthier. But it could be worse too. Check it out.

Trader Joe's Gluten free pancakes. They come three to a pack/ four packs a box. My recipe is simple.

1. Remove pancakes from plastic and pry apart.

2. Wrap in paper towel and microwave 45 seconds. Flip over(still in paper towel) and heat another 20-30 seconds. Let the stack sit for a minute steaming in the paper towel.

3. Spread Trader Joe's Almond Butter with Roasted Flaxseed on one side of one pancake. Stack another on top, spread again and lay the last one on top.

4. Enjoy your triple stack almond butter pancake sandwich delight.

*If you have a few extra minutes you can toast them after the initial microwaving. They are super tasty when they are crispy! With just microwaving they have a very chewy texture.

Now the important part. How does this triple stack stack up against the competition?

Trader Joe v. Eggo Buttermilk frozen pancakes:

Fat 4.5g 9g

Calories 230 300

Sugars 10g 11g

Protein 5g 6g

Fiber 2g 1g

Obviously there is more on a nutrition label, but this is what I care about. I feel good knowing I sent my kid to school with some carbs to fuel her, flaxseed for omegas and digestion, almonds for protein, and no artificial colors or flavors. Of course, to wash down the triple stack I make a mango and greens smoothie but that's for another day...

Celeriac: Your new potato

For my first post I thought I would make something quick, quirky and something I could snack on while I type. Celeriac, or celery root, can be treated just like a potato but has healthier stats:

	Celery Root v. Potato Calories 42/ 118 Carbohydrates 9g/ 27g Dietary Fiber 2g/ 2g

To make celeriac chips:

1. Cut off the outer brown skin

2. Slice it thin like you are making potato chips

3. Drizzle with grapeseed oil (you could use olive oil but it will burn quickly without vigilance)

4. Season however you'd like: sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, old bay, curry powder, etc.

5. Bake at 400 degrees until crispy and brown.