Drink Your Skin Beautiful

If you could drink something that made you look better and tasted good at the same time, would you?

Silly question.

Smoothies are a quick, easy way to get a lot of nutrients that you may not consume another way.

This is a great recipe packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that infuse your skin with new life.

The measurements below make 2 servings.
 

Throw all the above in a blender (I like the Nutribullet) and pulse until there are no lumps visible.

I prefer my smoothie consistency to be on the frostier side (like Jamba Juice), so I use frozen ingredients to achieve that (frozen banana, frozen blueberries, frozen kale.) You could even put the yogurt in ice cube trays and freeze that so you can just pop some out and throw in the blender.  Plus, if you freeze the fresh ingredients, they last longer and you can keep them on hand easier.

If you're not a berry lover, pineapple is a good substitute. And coconut water is a good additions as well.

Enjoy!
 

Breakfast Eureka - Plenti: Packed Full of Goodness

Disclaimer: Sponsored Post. Click here; see below.

I'm terrible about eating breakfast. They say it's the most important meal of the day, and on a leisurely day I do like to eat breakfast. I love breakfast foods, but on a regular morning, feeding myself is the last of my priorities. In fact, after getting myself up and dressed, the kid up and dressed, his meals for the day packed, the dog walked, our bags packed and everything into the car, usually breakfast doesn't even make it ON the morning priority list. After taking care of everyone and everything else, I neglect to take care of me. And I know I'm not the only mom to do so.

I need something full and healthy that I can grab and go. I don't have the mental energy to spend time on my own food. That's why this new hearty Greek yogurt from Yoplait is so great. Plenti yogurt cups come in 8 different flavors (a variety of fruits, and vanilla, my personal fave), and in addition to their smooth flavor and texture are loaded with oats, flax seeds and pumpkin seeds. Greek yogurts can tend to be on the tart side, which usually means I have to take a minute to doctor it up with honey or something, but these are just the right amount of sweet that they need nothing extra.  Just grab and go.

The addition of the oats, flax and pumpkin seeds add extra texture to the yogurt, but I'm good with that.  Pumpkin seeds have great nutritional benefits (magnesium, zinc, anti-oxidants, to name a few), and flax seeds are high in protein and fiber to help keep you full.  

I actually like even more crunch, so I do keep some sliced almonds on hand and add a topping. I actually don't need much more than this for a filling breakfast, and I feel good about myself for remembering to eat and for actually eating something good for me. 

This little cup has simplified my mornings - eureka! - and gives me energy to start my day.  If you're like me, you'll be so happy with this find!  Let me know what you think!

Color = Flavor Turkey Patties

Another easy and flavorful dinner meal achieved last night.  Satisfied my husband's need for meat/protein, my desire for fresh veggies/salad, and my 19 month old chowed down without much coaxing. What more can one ask for?

The most time-consuming part is the veggie chopping/patty assembly.  The patties cook quickly (we used our Foreman grill, 5-6 minutes.)  We had frozen sweet potato tots as our side, and those required the oven.  So with the oven preheat and the tots' cook time, we could prepare and cook the patties and everything was done about the same time (30-40 min).

Naked Greek Feta-Zucchini Turkey Burgers

Originally found on Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 5 • Serving Size: 1 burger plus salad
Calories: 221 • Fat: 11 • Carbs: 10 g • Fiber: 2 • Protein: 20 g • Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 445 mg • Cholesterol: 73 mg

Ingredients

For the Patty:

·         5 oz grated zucchini (when squeezed 4 oz)
·         1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
·         1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs
·         1 clove garlic, crushed
·         2 tbsp grated red onion
·         1 tbsp fresh oregano
·         3/4 tsp kosher salt and fresh pepper
·         1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
·         oil spray

For the salad:

·         1 cucumber, diced
·         3/4 cup quartered grape tomatoes
·         2 tbsp chopped red onion
·         1/3 cup kalamata olives
·         1/4 cup roasted peppers
·         2 tsp red wine vinegar
·         1 tsp olive oil
·         kosher salt
·         1 tbsp crumbled feta

Instructions:

Squeeze ALL the moisture from the zucchini with paper towels. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, zucchini, breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix well, add 1/4 cup of feta, mix and make 5 equal patties, not too thick so they cook in the center. Refrigerate until ready to cook.

In a medium bowl combine all the salad ingredients. Mix well.

To cook indoors: Heat a large nonstick skillet on high heat. When hot, lightly spray oil. Add burgers to the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook on one side until browned, then flip. Flip over a few times to prevent burning and to make sure the burgers are cooked all the way through.

If grilling: Clean grill well before cooking and oil the grates generously to prevent sticking. Cook the burgers on medium heat about 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the center.

Enjoy!!
 

Click here for a print-friendly recipe document.