Favorite Smoothie

I know it's freezing outside but I love this almond delight smoothie with strawberries and blueberries from the life cafe at our health club. 

I figured it would be easy to do an at home hack. 

I like to drink this right after a morning workout.  It's healthy, refreshing, and I love the subtle almond taste.  I like to start the day off on the right foot with exercise and a frozen drink even with the freezing temps outside.

Almond Delight Smoothie with Strawberries & Blueberries

1 cup sweetened vanilla almond milk

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup ice

1 cup vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 cup strawberries

1/4 cup blueberries

Place all ingredients in your high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

 

Enjoy!

Here are some of my favorites for your at home smoothies:

Need A Pick Me Up

Some days I wake up and need a bit of a pick-me-up.  My green tea isn't gettin' it done-not because I was out partyin' late night (those nights are few and far between) but I just need an energy boost that will get me going.  Some days it's hard to get motivated to organize closets and wipe baseboards.  Do ya hear me?  Also, with winter crashing down on us it's important to stay active and be healthy so those-gasp…..germs don't find us! I feel that it's important to keep our immunity up-none of us want to bite the dust especially with all that cleanin' that needs to get done:)

I am definitely the mom that likes a great drink!  And I don't mean a margarita at 9a. -Tee Hee

So we're making green smoothies in the kitchen today-ones that don't taste like grass.  Yummy ones that taste great and are good for you too.  The best combination!!!

I'm thinking seasonal produce works best for this one and you can't taste the spinach.-Yay for all those who don't like to drink your salad.  Also, check out this fruity water detox  to stay hydrated.

Greatest Green Smoothie

1 large pear

1 large mango

2 clementines

juice from one lime

2 cups spinach

1 cup ice

Put all ingredients in blender and blend on high until smooth.

D-lish and green!

Milk...It's Not Just For Drinkin'

This time of year when the temperatures are below freezing my skin becomes dry like the Sahara.  I love the spa splurge but when there's no time for an appointment-create a sense of luxury in your own shower.  Don't think that's possible????-try this body scrub…..

Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Scrub
1 cup whole milk
1 1/2 cups raw oatmeal
1/4 cup honey
1tablespoon olive oil

Whip up a scrub for your next shower.  Every mom needs a little pampering this time of year.  Simple ingredients and fantastic body exfoliating results! It will leave your dry,winter skin feeling soft and smooth.  Mix the ingredients together in a bowl until they form a thick paste. Apply the mixture onto clean skin and massage for a few minutes with your fingers. Rinse the scrub with warm water and a washcloth and pat dry. Apply your favorite body lotion.

These few ingredients are pure and readily available.  Milk contains high levels of vitamins A, D, E, which is why dairy products are fantastic anti-inflammatories.  The oatmeal is soothing on rough skin.  The honey is naturally antibacterial and full of antioxidants.  The olive oil acts as a moisturizer and leaves skin feeling hydrated and healthy.  Looks good enough to eat too-HA!!!

Enjoy your in-home spa with this perfect natural body scrub!

Great Start

It's so important to start the day off right with a healthy breakfast.  One of our family favorites during the school week when we are short on time is what we like to call Yogi and Granola.  It takes 1 minute to prepare, the kids love it and it's super healthy as well.  

Yogurt and Granola 

Great Start Breakfast

Ingredients 

Favorite Granola Cereal-ours is Vanilla and Almond

Favorite Vanilla Yogurt-ours is Chobani Vanilla Blended Greek Yogurt 

Favorite Fruit Topping-ours is fresh raspberries

Other options 

any vanilla yogurt (doesn't have to be Greek)

fresh blueberries

fresh strawberries

fresh peaches

fresh pineapple

Begin by choosing your favorite vanilla yogurt.  Add granola cereal and top with fresh fruit. Voila!  

Super fast and a perfect healthy way to start the day.

1 serving of Chobani Vanilla Yogurt 120 calories

1/4 cup Vanilla Almond Granola 120 calories

1/2 cup Fresh Raspberries 30 calories

Total= 270 Calories

So try it for breakfast or make it for an afterschool treat!

I would love to hear about your favorite healthy starts.

Blast of Winter Workout

Today was the first day back to school for the kids and the first day back to the gym for me.

With everything that has been going on around here in the last month I have not been the dedicated gym rat that I once was.  We have been baking waaaaaay too many sweets-our oven has had the workout! So fun of course, but not good for the waistline.  And whoops, those skinny jeans are entirely too skinny!  So it's time to saddle up-I mean lace up those running shoes and hit the treadmill.  I find that I enjoy running 3 or 4 days a week and training with weights 1 or 2 days and taking 2 days off.  For me, that's a good balance and I won't get burned out doing the same thing every day.  Health and wellness has become the true motivator for me-well and the leather leggings of course!!!! So it's a new year and my leather leggings are hanging in the closet-time to hit the gym!

Happy New Year

Happy 2014!!!!  So excited to be starting a new year.  I love the reflection that a year gone by brings and the anticipation and hope for the new year to come.  In 2014 I hope to be grateful, loving, giving, joyful, faithful, kind, thoughtful, present, and healthy.  The beginning of the new year is full of possibilities and just like the snow falling outside today-clean and new.  It's time for a post holiday detox to get rid of that "I've eaten way too much" feeling.

 New Year Detox Water

1 Large Pitcher of Spring Water

Raspberries

Peeled Grapefruit

Sliced Cucumbers

Sliced Pears

Fresh Mint

*additional add-ins

Sliced Lemons

Sliced Limes

Cranberries

Blueberries

Combine ingredients into pitcher. Allow to chill in refrigerator for 1-2 hours. Drink throughout the day. 

Make a new pitcher each day.  

Try this Summer Detox Water which takes advantage of my favorite fresh summer fruits.

I also love these fruity ice cubes.  The perfect addition to any glass of water.

It's so important to hydrate during the dry winter months as well as give your metabolism a kick.

Check out this great Green Smoothie Recipe and this Strawberry Smoothie Recipe if you need a extra shot of healthy.

This is a great way to begin 2014!

Check out all my favorite gear here!

I love this winter workout!

My faves for making at home detox water: