May 14, 2013

Kids Multi Calm Tropical Smoothie Recipe {Featuring Natural Vitality}

 

Hopefully you have entered to win the $60 GC to Natural Vitality already, but if you haven’t, go HERE.

 

I wanted to feature another recipe using Natural Vitality supplements. My first recipe was using their Calm magnesium anti-stress drink mix. I called it my After a Good Morning Run Calm Drink. It was yummy and now I want it every morning!

 

Using the Natural Kids Calm Multi I made a smoothie for my kids. Kids Calm Multi contains over 24 organic fruits and veggies, omega-3  DHA & EPA, vitamins & minerals, magnesium, calcium and amino acids. So much good stuff packed into this liquid supplement.

 

Kids Calm Tropical Smoothie Recipe {w/ Natural Vitality}

Kids Calm Tropical Smoothie {2 servings}

8 fl. oz. of water {you can also use juice or milk}

2 tablespoons Natural Kids Calm Multi

8-10 organic frozen strawberries {I bought mine fresh and froze them}

 

Put it all in a blender and blend till smooth and no chunks are left. This recipe can be altered to use any fruit, or even fresh fruit and some ice. I prefer to use water because the strawberries are sweet enough on their own. I have two young kids, ages 3 & 5, so they don’t need a large smoothie. If you have an older child than this recipe can serve one, just follow the serving size on the Natural Kids Calm Multi.

 

I love that my kids enjoy smoothie’s like this that aren’t full of ice cream or juice because they get enough sweetness from the fruit. I also don’t like to put yogurt in smoothies because my kids like to have yogurt for lunch and I like to limit yogurt to once a day.

 

Natural Vitality provides a variety of natural and organic supplements that the American diet is lacking. You can read my full review HERE.

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January 24, 2013

Simply Wonderful Lavender Lemonade {Recipe}

 

I love lemonade, especially when it is homemade! I was able to pick to huge bag-fulls of lemons off their Meyer Lemon tree this last week. It has inspired some creativity! I am going to experiment with the lemons and try to make some home cleaners and recipes with the whole lemon, utilizing both the juice and the peel!

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of freshly juiced lemons {preferably organic}
  • 5 cups water {divided}
  • Lavender buds {or the whole head of buds}
  • Sugar {you choose what works best for you!}

 

Start by juicing the lemons till you have 2 cups! Heat up water and measure out 2 cups. Pour 1 tablespoon of lavender buds into the hot water. {In my picture you will see yellow with the lavender, it is a lemon peel. Unfortunately, I left it in too long and I could taste the bitterness of the peel, so maybe do without the peel.} Pour your sugar choice in the hot water as well and let it dissolve. I actually used Stevia for the first time in this and I think I used 5-6 Tablespoons and it doesn’t taste super sweet. Sugar options would be agave, refined sugar, honey, whatever you want. Mix most of the sugar with the warm water so it dissolves, but feel free to add more to your finished product to sweeten to your likeness. After the lavender has steeped for 5-10 minutes, use a strainer as your pour the hot water into the lemon juice. Add three more cups of water to the pitcher and mix.

 

 

Tips:

  • Feel free to use more than one tablespoon of lavender. In this recipe it is subtle.
  • If you don’t have separated lavender buds, you can pick lavender from your yard. I just throw in the whole flower section, green part and all!
  • You can steep mint as well to make a mint lavender lemonade or just use it as garnish! Or use basil!
  • Experiment with sweeteners and how sweet you want it! I personally like my lemonade a little sour!

 

Now you have Lavender Lemonade! Enjoy!

 

Posted by at 6:17 pm 6 Comments

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November 18, 2012

Tasty Popcorn Recipes {Snacktime Saturday}

 

My kids love to snack at night, so I make popcorn to satisfy the cravings! I don’t buy popcorn in a bag and toss it in the microwave. I buy organic corn kernels and pop them on the stove!

 

I have two kinds of popcorn recipes to share: one savory and one sweet.

 

 

Add oil {whatever oil you prefer} to a pan and let it heat up on high. I then add in 1/3 to 1/4 cup kernels. Place the lid back on and let it continue to heat up. Shake the pan around a little. Once the kernels start popping, shake the pan more vigerously. When the popping slows down turn the heat off and keep shaking till you don’t hear any more popping. Be careful when you remove the lid because some may still be popping and will jump right out of the pan. I then add the popped corn to a bowl.

 

 

To make the popcorn savory I normally use canola oil. Once in the bowl, I will drizzle with olive oil and nutritional yeast. Gently shake the bowl to coat evenly. I do not measure the nutritional yeast out, but I love the way it tastes so I always pour in a lot! You can also add a little salt, but it isn’t necessary because the nutritional yeast is a little salty tasting.

 

 

 

To make the popcorn sweet, I normally use coconut oil. Once in the bowl, I drizzle more coconut oil over the popcorn along with a chocolate sugar mixture. Gently shake the bowl to coat evenly. To make the chocolate sugar mixture, I take one part cocoa powder to three parts sugar, I also add some cinnamon, but that can be left out if you prefer. Since I make this popcorn at least once a week, I make a large amount at once and store it in a mason jar. When I need it, I just shake out the desired amount.

 

 

 

YUM! My whole family loves popcorn and I am glad that I can make this popcorn without butter and salt. Popcorn can be enjoyed in a healthy way without being plain and boring!

 

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I am linking up with Snacktime Saturday this week over at Crunchy Farm Baby and Young Nesters.

 

Do you make popcorn? Have any popcorn toppings/recipes you would like to share? I would love to try something new!

 

 

Posted by at 7:10 pm 7 Comments

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August 28, 2012

Tomato~Basil Summer Pasta {Recipe}

 

 

I made pasta for dinner last night, but with the summer heat, hot pasta is not as appetizing! Instead I cool the pasta off and serve it cold or lukewarm with just a couple ingredients from the garden.

 

Print
Summer Pasta
Author: 
Recipe type: Main
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

Serves: 2-4
 

Fresh summer pasta
Ingredients
  • pasta noodles
  • large organic tomato
  • basil
  • sea salt
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • mozzarella or Parmesan cheese {optional}

Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions {omit salt}.
  2. Chop up tomato into bite size pieces. Cut up the basil.
  3. Drain pasta and rinse off. You can let it cool off or serve lukewarm.
  4. Add tomato, basil, and sea salt to the pasta. Pour in desired amount of olive oil. Toss together. Top with cheese if desired.

 

I used home grown tomatoes and basil! This meal is so simple to make and tastes great with just a little bit of salt and olive oil! I used Bari Basil infused olive oil, which gave it extra flavor! Enjoy!

 

I am linking up with Delicious Dish Tuesday! Head on over and check out all the great recipes!

 

 

Posted by at 2:18 pm 1 Comment

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August 13, 2012

Israeli Couscous Mexican Salad

 

 

 

If you have noticed a theme, I love Mexican food. This recipe is very similar to the Mexican Quinoa Salad, but the grain gives a very different taste. I think when I was originally introduced to both of these salads, they were very different, but I took ideas from both and combined them. To be honest, if I could choose just one to eat, it would be this one! I think quinoa is better for you, but I love the way the Isreali couscous tastes in this mix.

 

5.0 from 1 reviews

Print
Israeli Couscous Mexican Salad
Author: 
Recipe type: Main
Serves: 4
 

Ingredients
  • 1 cup Israeli Couscous
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped into bite size pieces
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 heaping cup of frozen organic yellow corn
  • handful of sliced tomatoes
  • handful of chopped cilantro
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • green salsa
  • 1 avocado chopped into bite size pieces

Instructions
  1. Cook the Israeli Couscous according to the package directions.
  2. Once cooked, add black beans and frozen corn to hot pot to warm up.
  3. In a large bowl combine the red bell pepper, tomatoes, cilantro, salsa and lime juice. Mix together. Add the Israeli Couscous mixture and toss together.
  4. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust lime juice and salsa if needed. Before serving, add chopped avocado.

 

Enjoy!

Posted by at 2:19 pm 6 Comments

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August 2, 2012

Healthy Breakfast Drink ~ Banana, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Smoothie {Recipe}

 

With the summer heat, my bananas have started to turn ripe quickly! I decided to whip up a breakfast smoothie for the kids and myself.

 

 

Here is everything you will need to make a banana, peanut butter, chocolate breakfast smoothie.

 

Start by adding ice to a blender and about three very ripe bananas. My little helpers added the bananas!

Then I add a large spoonful of organic smooth peanut butter.

Next add a heaping spoonful of organic (fairly traded) cocoa powder

I normally make the smoothie with unsweetened almond milk, but we were trying out this vanilla Flaxmilk. It adds a little vanilla flavor!

***Also add a spoonful of flax if you have it***

Blend it up!

We all enjoy this healthy breakfast treat!

I am going to be linking up with Mama Chocolate for Delicious Dish Tuesday!

Come check out all the great recipes!

Posted by at 4:38 pm 10 Comments

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July 27, 2012

Do you Chia?

 

 

Have you ever used chia? I have used it in a few recipes, as well as an egg substitute. Chia contains ALA, alpha-linolenic acid, which is an Omega-3 essential fatty acid that supports heart health and fiber which supports normal functioning of the digestive tract. Chia seeds are easily digestible and don’t have to be ground.

 

A suggested serving is 1 tablespoon a day. One way to make sure you get this is to add Chia to iced tea or any other drink. Place 1 tablespoon chia seeds in 1/3 cup water and let sit for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. That’s it! Just add it to juice or tea and enjoy. It took me a while to get used to it, they kind of taste like tiny boba. I have learned to just swallow instead of chew on the seeds.

 

 

 

Do you chia?

Posted by at 4:10 pm 8 Comments

Filed Under: Kitchen, Recipes ·

July 18, 2012

Mexican Quinoa Salad {Recipe}

 

 

Ingredients

3/4 cup uncooked quinoa

1 1/2 cups water (or chicken or vegetable broth)

Dash of garlic powder

Dash of ground cumin

Dash of salt

Dash of freshly ground black pepper

1 cup frozen sweet white corn

1 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed

Handful of chopped cilantro

Handful of grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

Green Salsa (optional)

Avocado (optional)

 

Add the quinoa to a pot and cover with water/broth. Stir in spices. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes (or until all the liquid is absorbed). When the quinoa is done, throw in the frozen corn and black beans and cover for about 5 minutes. After, add in remainder of the ingredients (into pot or transfer to a bowl), mix well, then serve and top with additional cilantro if desired. You can also eat it with tortilla chips or add them on top!

 

If you would like it a little spicier, you can add a dash cayenne pepper when making the quinoa. I also like to add some fresh lemon juice right before I eat the salad!

 

Enjoy!

 

If you are looking for more salad recipes check out the Summer Salad Linky on my blog. I am also linking up to  Coping with Frugality and Delicious Dish Tuesday, check out all the recipes linked up there as well!

Posted by at 3:15 pm 3 Comments

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July 15, 2012

Kale Salad {Recipe} and Summer Salad Link Up

 

 

I am on a salad kick right now! When it is too hot to cook or bake, creative salads can be the main course! I currently eat a salad everyday for lunch and sometimes for dinner too! I get on a certain salad kick and eat the same salad everyday for a week or two, but then I want something different!

 

Recently I have been on a Kale Salad kick (and a Kale chip kick as well).

 

 

Ingredients:

Kale, chopped or torn into bite size pieces, preferably organic

Dried cranberries, handful (or other dried fruit)

Apple, sliced into bite size pieces, preferably organic

Sliced Almonds (or other nut)

Avocado, cut into bite size pieces

Something Crunchy- I have tossed in tortilla chip pieces, homemade croutons, and even broken flax seed crackers, anything to give a little crunch (not a lot, you still want the salad to be healthy).

Dressing: Lemon Olive Oil, Fig Balsamic Vinegar, garlic powder, salt, pepper & Dijon mustard.

 

The dressing I make to go with this salad includes Bari olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which are infused. I hardly ever measure anything, but I use more vinegar than oil, and small amounts of salt and pepper. I add the Dijon to make it a little more creamy. If you don’t have infused oils and vinegars, use regular ones. Maybe if you have lemon you could add some juice to the dressing.

 

I find that kale is harder to mix in a salad than lettuce, so I like to mix some dressing with just the kale in the bowl to give a nice coating, then add the rest of the ingredients on top (then add more dressing if desired). I find that there are many adjustments that can be made to this salad. So take what you like and add some of your favorite ingredients!

 

(This is going to be a link up which means that other bloggers are going to leave their summer salad recipe posts and you can visit them all and hopefully find some new recipes to try out!)

 

Please share any salad recipes you have! If you are a blogger you can link-up your salad recipe post or if you don’t have a blog email me your recipe at babybensmama (at) yahoo (dot) com and I can possibly feature your recipe this week! For my personal use, I am looking for mostly vegan/vegetarians salads and other vegetable dishes, but for the linky feel free to share your favorite recipes and possibly find new favorites.

 

This linky will last all week ending on Saturday night the 21st. Feel free to link up as many salad recipes as you want throughout the week. And remember that salads come in all forms :)

Posted by at 9:05 pm 11 Comments

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July 12, 2012

Revenge of the Vegetarian Book {Review}


I am mostly a vegetarian! I don’t cook any meat in my house…ever! I do eat meat though, especially if someone else makes it for me. I choose to not consume a lot of meat, as does my husband, for many reasons. One of those reasons is that we eat mostly organic food and organic, ethically raised meat is very expensive and hard to find! I am currently trying to do a vegan diet in order to lose weight. And when I say vegan, I mean a mostly vegetable, lentil, nut, fruit diet. In general, I don’t eat a lot of dairy, besides cheese and if it is in some breads or baked goods. We drink Almond Milk in my house. I plan on starting a Vegan/Vegetarian Recipe page on my blog dedicated to HEALTHY recipes. (Sidenote: You can be vegan or vegetarian and still eat a ton of unhealthy food! My goal is to post healthy vegan/vegetarian recipes!)

 

When I saw this book up for review, I jumped on it! I have actually never read a book about being a vegetarian and I thought this looked amusing! Revenge of the Vegetarian is truly a humorous spin on being a vegetarian and how you fit into the world of meat eaters!

 

Revenge of the Vegetarian: A Humorous Spin on the World of Vegetarianism is written by Jim Tilberry who has been a vegetarian since 1998.  The book covers vegetarian topics, such as 10 reasons to become a vegetarian, including the reason that you can show off your vocabulary with words like “vegan”, “tempeh”, and “seitan”.  Another part includes types of vegetarians, and gives them all official names. And if you need advice about “coming out” to mom and dad, don’t worry because there is a whole section dedicated to that as well! Also, if you need advice on how to deal with meat eaters, this book is chalk full of helpful tips! There is also a physic section with interviews with famous vegetarians of the past including Gandhi, Socrates, and Ben Franklin! If you are wondering what the world would look like if vegetarians were in charge than this is the book for you. Did I tell you there were drawings and pictures throughout the book to illustrate all these ideas? :)

 

I thought this book was humorous and should be read by vegetarians and vegans who have a sense of humor. This book makes fun of everyone, especially meat eaters. This paperback book is a real easy read, only 70 pages, and very enjoyable.

 

You can buy this book on Amazon for $11.95!

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

 

Posted by at 6:42 pm 5 Comments

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