MODERATION.......

I just needed to put that out there - mostly to remind myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




The last few weeks I have really, really, really been trying to up my intake of fruits and vegetables!! It's easy to tell myself I eat plenty of servings...but some days I wonder. Some days I think I eat Cheese more than anything :) All week long I have been thinking that when it comes to the other food groups - Meat, Dairy, eggs, grains(did I miss one...I really didn't pay attention in health class..maybe a beans, nuts category?? legumes..okay who knows) - I really want to focus on eating in moderation and indulge in fruits and vegi's. So this week I am going to try to make my servings of vegi's and fruits more than any other food group. Is anybody freaking out????




For the last week I have been making myself a smoothie everyday in my cheap-o blender. You don't need anything fancy, it really only takes less than 10 minutes. The coolest thing about smoothies is there really is no wrong, no recipe - just throw stuff in. I have had 7 different combos this week - all were yummy!!

I start out with 2 handfuls of ice from my ice maker, putting that in the blender first - then I turn the water faucet on and add 1 or 2 seconds of water...see I told you there is no recipe, I mean who measures in seconds..well me! Okay I think one of the main ingredients for any good smoothie is banana...but hey that's me. I know my hubby takes a sip and says...it always just tastes like banana...okay maybe you want to leave that out if you are one of those people?? I use 2 bananas and the riper the better, the sweeter as a matter of fact I had some yucky 2 week old bananas the other morning - perfect!! And when you get really ripe bananas and you aren't using them just throw the whole banana in the freezer with peel and all.....when you need it at a later date for blending or baking, they are FINE!!! oh and can you please throw out the whole "bananas are high in carbs" and whatever other bad diet things you have heard about bananas


>>>>>>>>Back to the smoothie.........so after I get my bananas in there I think about some other form of juice. Most of you have orange juice in the fridge, apple juice?? those are good.....a few chugs..glug, glug in the blender. Me personally - I just peel an orange and squeeze all the juice into the blender, let in some pieces of orange sections...or cut up an apple....but bottled juice is good too. I have a nice bottle of Pomegranate I have been trying too!

Once I have poured in my liquid..which is important....without any liquid your ice won't blend, your motor will just burn :) Okay..the next step - choose a green..do you dare?? I throw in a handful of spinach or kale. Greens are so good for you and aside from salad there is no other way I really eat them, so I throw in a handful!! Believe me when I say...you do not taste the green!!!! Put enough yummy sweet fruit in and it will cover it right up. Try it both ways..compare...you will see!!!! this is Kale

so after you have your green...if you have dared - go pick out some fruits! Me, I am not a big seed in my teeth gal....so I haven't tried any strawberries this week...I might! But one thing I do love is pineapple - so in goes some pineapple and maybe kiwi, apple, grapes and blueberries. I have frozen blueberries year round - I get a whole crate in August when it's berry season then I just toss the berries in a few ziplocs and feed off of them all year long!! Freezing blueberries is easier than boiling water! I put the frozen blueberries right into the blender! And hey it's not the wrong time of year to freeze them, pick up a container at the store today and store them in the freezer...they won't ever go bad!

Somedays I pick out 2 or 3 fruits, other days 5 or 6!!!! there is no rhymore or reason, let your taste buds be your guide!!!

Once I have my ingredients in - I hit the blend button. I taste and maybe add more of something if needed - Then I pour it in a glass and enjoy. BUT!!!!!! the coolest part about smoothies - you can freeze them!! so I usually pour the remainder of my smoothie into a plastic container with a lid. SOOOOO, any day I can just take the smoothie out of the freezer and thaw on the counter.....or even more delightful I pour the extra into 2 smaller containers...like the picture below...freeze...and then after dinner when I am craving some sort of sweet dessert, I take one out set it on the counter for about 10 minutes and then start eating it with a spoon like it's a frozen slushy!!!!!!! How's that for a guilt free dessert!!!!!!