Apple Green Goddess

Good Morning All!  If  you're like me, you've been a bit bored of your breakfast foods lately!  I love my eggs and veggies in the morning but I think I overdid it with my eggs in Pittsburgh and need some new sources of protein without making a big mess before the day gets ahead of me!

I found a smoothie recipe that I tried out today (tweaked as I did not have all the ingredients) and I feel so good and ready for the day that I thought I'd share it.  I have a tough time with too much fruit in my smoothies as it takes my blood sugar level through the roof!  Here is a recipe that tastes sweet enough and includes so many great nourishing ingredients that it will definitely help to combat the stress of the day and give you a boost of energy!

Apple Green Goddess
makes 12 oz.

2 handfuls of baby spinach
1 banana (frozen is preferred but room temp is fine)
1 apple
4 ice cubes
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
1 1/2  t. cinnamon (use less if you're not ready for a nice strong cinnamon flavor)
1/2 t. ground ginger
1/2 c. rice milk
1 t. maca (optional but if you have it, use it!)
1 t. ground flax seed (optional)
1/2 c to 1 c. water based on desired thickness

Optional topping:
cinnamon to dust
granola
1 T. almond butter
(or other topping ingredients)

Put the above ingredients in the blender in the order listed.  Top if desired.
Get ready to energize!!

Krista


Notes on maca:  maca is a superfood that you can find at the health store.  It is made from the maca root that has been used by the Andean societies as a source of nourishment and healing for thousands of years.  Studies have found four alkaloids present in maca known to nourish the endocrine system.  It has also been used as a stress fighting adaptogen to increase stamina, boost libido and combat fatigue.  It is a nutrient dense food packed with vitamins, plant sterols as well as many essential minerals, fatty and amino acids!

Need a fix of chocolate and peanut butter??

Here's a very cool treat for you (yes and you can share it with your kids if you are that nice!) ... the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter without the serious sugar of candy.  This brand of peanut butter makes different varieties but on those days that fruit just isn't cutting it ... you know those days that you crave the comfort food of your youth?  Get a jar of Peanut Butter & Co's  Dark Chocolate Dreams http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/... just like peanut butter it's easy to spread, goes great with bananas, apples or you can melt it for those ice cream treats!  There are no hydrogenated oils, no high fructose corn syrup, no gluten and only 7 grams of sugar per 2 Tbsp.

I have a thing for chocolate and peanut butter ... I remember those days in college that my suitemates and I would hit every vending machine in the dorms trying to find peanut M&M's!  Oh how we loved them! Especially at 3:00 am!  However those grams of fat, sugar, and fake colors don't appeal so much to me anymore.  So, I found this jar and even though I kind of feel a little guilty eating it ...  (but not so awful that I might cry when I see the wrappers in the garbage the next day) it truly hits the spot!  Yes, I'm a recovered SUGAR ADDICT!!!

Cheers to Chocolate and Peanut Butter!
Krista
 http://nutropolitan.tumblr.com/tagged/dark+chocolate+dreams/page/11

PS  Here's a link to a Livestrong article on M&M's:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/318329-peanut-butter-mms-nutrition/

Pittsburgh - 3 Down 2 To Go!!

Pittsburgh Zoo

We are 3 treatments into this Cyber Adventure already!  I am so tired ... not from the treatment but from doing some really cool things here in Pittsburgh!  I told you this was my Spring Break!  Seriously, I am not going too crazy (Please don't yell at me to take it easy ... this was my doctor's order: "keep up your regular pace")  but I am lucky to have my sis and mom here to share it with and do things we never have time to do at home.

They've nicknamed me "leopard lady" since that mask is so tight during radiation that I seriously have spots (it's a mesh mask) for hours afterwards!  I have to laugh as it's just too funny!  Anyway that's why there's a picture of me trying to bond with the leopard today at the zoo - he wanted no part of me!  Humor me people!  My brain is fried (literally)! 

At this point I have no side effects and I will continue to tell my body not to take on any swelling as I really am happy not to be on steroids.  So far my brain is taking my advice.  I still have an Art Museum to see tomorrow!

Thanks for the support my friends!!
In Gratitude,

Sweetest moment of the day ...

Krista

Pittsburgh Here We Come!

Really?  I'm doing Spring Break in Pittsburgh??  
Yes, the land of steel, rivers and hospitals await myself, my sister and my mom!  I have the opportunity to work in some girl time with some radiation.  University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at Shadyside will be my home base for the Cyberknife treatment next week.  Cyberknife is a pinpoint type of radiation that targets only the tumor not the surrounding healthy tissue.   The plan is five treatments Monday through Friday. My remaining tumor was not fully removed as it's location is pretty tight with the artery and nerves.  I have made the choice to "take the bull by the horns" to fry it and prevent it from going onward and upward  causing more damage to the remaining nerves and my "good" eye.   I'm looking forward to working with some awesome doctors and support staff. They even let me bring my own music to radiate to!  Throw in some visits to museums, good restaurants and maybe a movie and that's pretty much a week off for me! 

Thanks to everyone who has offered to help.  I'm leaving the kids and Big B home for this one.  I'm sure they will have a ball ... probably eating chocolate chip pancakes at the diner every night!  Which is fine... just don't tell me about it!

I'll update you with my Spring Break picts! 
Keep sending all your positive vibes so I can kiss this remnant goodbye for good!
Peace,
Krista

Here is a link to cyber knife info:
 http://www.cyberknife.com/cyberknife-treatments/brain/how-used-treat-cancer.aspx

Crazy Sexy Smoothie

I promised a green smoothie to you so here is one I'm happy to share!  Check out Kris Carr's website - she is inspiring and very cool!  She has beaten her cancer with the help of nutrient dense foods for 9 years!  You can get her ebook with amazing smoothie and juicing recipes online.

Enjoy :)

Green Goddess Smoothie
Kris Carr
Woodstock, NY
facebook.com/KrisCarr.FanPage
twitter.com/Kris_Carr
crazysexylife.com
Adjust the recipe according to your crazy sexy taste buds!
Makes 16 oz.


1 avocado*
1 - 2 pieces of low-glycemic fruit: green apple, pear,
berries and cantaloupe
1 cucumber
A fistful of kale or romaine or spinach
Coconut water (or purified water)
Stevia to taste, and or a sprinkle of cinnamon or some
cacao (optional)
* Use coconut meat or raw almond butter or nut milk in
place of avocado.
Prep and wash all produce. Blend and serve.

Carmelized Onion Chicken with a Broccoli Side Salad!

This is a very easy recipe that actually tastes more complicated than it is!  I haven't made it in years but found it in the old messy recipe binder I have so I gave it a go.  Everyone loved it and it really is a one skillet dish!  I serve it on top of rice with this Broccoli Chinoise on the side.  I think it's great and compliments the chicken really well!

Carmelized Onion Chicken

(serves 4)

1 lb of chicken tenders
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. freshly ground pepper
1 t. olive oil
1/2 cup sliced onion
1/2 cup raspberry jam
1 T. red wine vinegar
1 T. low sodium soy sauce
1 t. minced ginger  (I use a microplane to grate it when frozen)
1/2 t. dried rosemary
fresh rosemary to garnish

Directions:
1.  Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.  Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onion, and saute for 2 minutes.  Add chicken to the pan, saute 8 minutes or until chicken is done.  Remove onion and chicken from pan.
2.  Add jam and remaining ingredients to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk.  Return chicken to pan; cook 4 minutes stirring occasionally.

Yield:  each serving size is 3 ounces of chicken and 1 T. sauce

Broccoli Chinoise
1 lg bunch of broccoli (about 3 stalks)
1 T. sesame seeds

dressing:
2 T Sesame Oil
1/4 C. rice vinegar
1 T soy sauce (reduced sodium)
1/2 t. sugar
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes to taste

1.  Cut the flowerets off the stalks, cut the stems on a slant into slices about 3/8 inch thick, and cut the flowerets into bite sized pieces.  Place the broccoli in a steamer rack and steam until tender crisp (about 5 to 7 mins).  Run under cold water when finished.
2.  In a heavy skillet over medium heat, taost the sesame seeds until they are golden, shaking pan to avoid burning the seeds.  Remove the seeds from the pan, and, when they are cool, sprinkle over broccoli.
3.  Combine the dressing ingredients, and pour the dressing over the broccoli, tossing to mix the salad well.

In Good Health,
Krista

Hello birdies...

Have you noticed the birds are getting busy here in the Northeast?  I love hearing them early in the morning because it means that we are closer to SPRING!! :)  Yes, it's still early and we could get a wallop of winter in the next month but the weather has been mellow and even if it's a tease for us, I am looking forward to it!

For me that means I change my food prep a bit.  Not that the grill has been closed all winter but I look forward to more seasonal fruits, veggies, salads, and smoothies!  I love throwing what ever fruit I have into the blender for my kids who drink them without protest!  I have a chapter in my upcoming book on "Efficient Cooking Methods" that helps busy moms use tools such as the blender for easy and healthy foods.  Most of us don't realize all the jobs a blender can do for us!  While I love to use them to mix up fun party drinks like Margaritas in the Summer they are really helpful in the kitchen in so many ways.  You can incorporate natural whole foods while not losing any of the original flavors you may be accustomed to.  Blenders are great for making smoothies, milk shakes, soups, dips and spreads, breads, all kinds of desserts and more.

One trick I use it for is hiding food from being noticed.  When I make lasagna I like to add some kale to my sauce for extra nutritional value without being obvious to my family.  You can certainly add a few leaves (depending on the size of the kale) without being noticed.  I also love to add beans such as cannellini to my chicken noodle soup!  I add some beans to the chicken broth and combine in the blender until smooth. It looks creamy and really adds a nice flavor with the benefits of the beans to those who would never ever eat a bean if put in front of them!  You can pretty much add whatever you'd like to try in a recipe without it being detected if you use a blender with some great blender power.  I've had many blenders over the years.  Most of them don't last very long but if you are serious about using an exceptional blender, please take my advice and invest in the VitaMix blender.  It is used every single day in my house (several times a day) and it's amazing!!!
http://www.vitamix.com/

Berry Delicious Smoothie

Yield: 3 cups (720 ml)

Preparation: 10 minutes
Processing: 45 seconds

1 cup (150 g) frozen pineapple

1 (118 g) ripe banana, peeled

1 cup (150 g) frozen unsweetened strawberries

1/3 cup (50 g) blueberries, fresh or frozen

1/3 cup (30 g) cranberries, fresh or frozen

1/2 cup (120 ml) ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid. 2. Select Variable 1. 3. Turn machine on and slowly increase to Variable 10, then to High. 4. Blend for 45 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

Health Classification: Diabetic Friendly, Low Fat, Low Sodium, Low Cholesterol, Heart Healthy, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Raw

 Stay tuned for the green smoothies in my next blog!

Be Well,
Krista

Coming soon:  
"Winning the Game:  The Busy Mom's Manual to Refueling Her Athletic Family in Six Easy Steps"