Getting Schooled.

It's rare that I'm so busy I don't have time to make a smoothie, even a basic recipe. My blender has been sitting under the kitchen island, lonely and unplugged. We've been working on the backyard, getting a new car, enjoying a much needed family getaway to Storyland, and today.... my daughter's first day of school.

We feel so spoiled in that I stay home with my daughter and she plays with me, her friends, and explores new playgrounds daily. So today, all 3.5 hours of school, were a big step for the family! I took the traditional first day of school photos. My husband and I brought her to school together. We got kisses and hugs and then our daughter told us it was OK to leave, since she was having so much fun. Thank goodness her teacher sent me photos on my phone of our daughter having a blast (it really made me stop sobbing and smile!) My little social butterfly really loved school and did fantastic. I am so proud of her! It really makes my weeks of preparation worth it (purchasing a new summer preschool wardrobe, labeling everything with her name, finding the perfect sunscreen, and fine tuning the potty skills!)

Now when Fall preschool starts she'll be a pro!

I just had to share how proud I am! Thanks for reading!



New recipes to come! I promise.

Put on your smoothie pants!

Just like you need to put on your "cookie pants" for delicious cookies, you need to put on your "smoothie pants" for the smoothie I made tonight.

I blended...
Ice
1/4 cup ground cashews ( I used my baby food processor)
2 tablespoons grated Ghirardelli 60% cacao chocolate
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
4oz Stoneyfield vanilla probiotic yogurt
Organic 1 % milk to blend

So yummy and very filling!
Enjoy!

For the Birds.

We are lucky enough to have a duck pond within walking distance of our house. We went this evening to feed them... spinach! The ducks like it and it's healthy for them. (Little did they know they were munching on an organic spinach and romaine mix - hey, I have to do my part to keep the ducks healthy!)

Spinach is definitely for the birds... and the B's!

I made a not-so-exciting but very refreshing smoothie at lunch today...

Pineapple juice ice cubes

2 slices of frozen pineapple

8 oz POM juice

2 cups spinach

This was a single serving smoothie so it was a little "spinachy" but really good on this almost 90 degree day!

Show me the Greens

There's something about greens that make me hungry. It all started when I was pregnant with my daughter. I craved canned spinach with au gratin potatoes. Fast forward to now when I love it raw and steamed - never canned. I still crave spinach, probably for the iron since I no longer eat red meat. Regardless of the reason it's delicious and about to be increased in our diet. I decided it is time to take our green intake up a notch. (By the way broccoli tastes good with every meal!)  I'm proud that our 2.5 year old eats more greens then a lot of adults and I want to keep her as healthy as possible, as well as myself and husband. It's a good thing my favorite organic baby spinach is plentiful at the grocery store!

Tonight I kept it simple and yummy:

Ice

1 frozen banana

1/2 cup frozen peach slices

1/2 cup frozen Maine blueberries

2 tablespoons wheat germ

2 cups+  raw baby spinach

Cold brewed green tea with pomegranate

It's very refreshing!! I had extra so I froze some for Popsicles!

Maybe its because I have green eyes that all things green look good...

Bite, blend and bake....

Here at the B household we treasure our bananas. I buy a LOT each week because bananas are special.  You can bite them raw, freeze them to blend or bake them into delicious gooey-ness! Well, this evening I was in a baking mood. There's something about being under a tornado warning that makes me want to turn every electric appliance on in the house.  Banana bread over-ruled a banana smoothie tonight.

Yum!