smoothie time

 

In an effort to use all my bounty from Bountiful Baskets, I've taken to making smoothies in the mornings using this helpful little guy.  Someone just asked me what my recipe was, so I decided to share with you!

 

Morning Smoothies

•  5 frozen strawberries (I remove the stems before I freeze)
• 1 frozen banana (cut up, then frozen)
• 1 Activia yogurt
• 1 cup soy milk (I use the 4 oz. yogurt container as a measuring cup)
• 1/2 cup orange juice (again with the yogurt measuring cup)
• Another fresh fruit - I've used mangos, pears, apples, oranges, grapefruit
• Emergen-C vitamin packet (my own vitamin Boost, just like Jamba Juice!)
• Method:  combine everything and blender until all fruit is mixed in

By using the frozen fruit (thanks for the tip Jamey), I don't have to add any ice.  This makes about 20 ounces of smoothie and is a great texture.  Does anyone have any smoothie recipes they like?

Here's one I tried and didn't like... It sounded good in theory, but I didn't care for the peanut butter.

Ingredients:

• 3 bananas
• 1/2 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup milk (soy, regular, almond, etc.)
• 1 1/2 cups ice cubes
• 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter
• 1 tsp. ground flax seed and/or wheat germ (optional)
• Method:  In a blender, combine all ingredients.  Blend until smooth, and serve immediately.

This recipe came from Give Me Some Oven.

What's Cookin' - Spaghetti Squash

I gave this guy a chance since it came in our Bountiful Basket... I must say, it's pretty amazing!  Slicing ours in half length wise was a bit of a chore - I thought for sure Josh was going to slice a finger off, but he's pretty careful.  I scooped out the seeds and popped it in the oven.  I was surprised how easy it was to scoop out the guts and it just came out in perfect spaghetti strands.

I served it with chicken and marinara.  If I hadn't breaded the chicken, it would have been a carb-free meal!  I'm not sure I would buy it in the store, but that's what I like about Bountiful Baskets!  We try things we haven't before and if it shows up again in another basket, I'll know what to do with it.

Cold Shower Update

After one week of doing the cold shower thing, I got a stomach bug!  So much for an immune system BOOST!!!!

Final conclusion:  FAUX REMEDY!!

the cold shower: folk remedy or faux remedy?

In my opinion, I have been sick too much in the last year.  I'm healthy.  I exercise.  I eat ok.  I take my vitamins.  I wash my hands (but not too much).  So what else can I do to keep from getting sick?

November's issue of Real Simple, my undisputed favorite magazine EVER shared 6 Natural Cold-Prevention Strategies

 

The list consists of the standard preventative measures - get enough sleep, exercise and a couple of strange ones: eat oysters (for the zinc content) and take hot AND COLD showers!  Since I don't eat seafood, the cold showers really caught my attention.

 Here's what Real Simple has to say about them:

Temperature fluctuations jump-start your immune system, says Donielle Wilson, a naturopathic doctor in New York City. At the end of a shower, stand under the hottest stream you can take for 30 seconds, then turn the temperature to cold for 10 seconds. Repeat three times, finishing with cold.

I have tried this for three showers, so far.  It is definitely a form of torture, but it wakes me up better than caffeine.  It is also quite the endurance challenge as well.  I have never counted to 10 so fast!  Today's counting was a little slower and I think I'm actually getting the hang of it.  Although I can't imagine ever looking forward to it.

EarthClinic Folk Remedies boasts the following benefits:

• Brings blood to the capillaries, therefore increasing circulation throughout the body.
• Cleans the circulatory system.
• Reduces blood pressure on internal organs.
• Provides flushing for the organs and provides a new supply of blood.
• Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.
• Contracts the muscles to eliminate toxins and poisonous wastes.
• Strengthens the mucous membranes, which help resist hay fever, allergies, colds, coughs.

Folk Remedy or Faux Remedy??

Either way, I'm going to keep at it.  If anyone else gives it a shot, let me know!  I'll keep you updated of any sicknesses.