Shakin it up!

I was no stranger to whipping up a morning shake but ever since I got my Ninja blander (and I developed a deep interest in my fitness) I barely go a day with out one of my creamy, smooth, icy protein shakes!  It's the quickest, healthiest meal I can grab to go in the morning rush. And I can never get tired of it because i use my creativity and enjoy a different shake every time! But of course I do have my repeat favorites. 

Once you have your base, you can literally throw in anything you have in your kitchen.  Fruit (bananas, berries, apple) veggies (spinach, cucumbers, celery), canned pumpkin, almonds, oats, flax, spices, you name it!  I buy a lot of fruit when it's on sale and freeze it.  Frozen fruit will make your shakes thick and smooth, especially frozen bananas.  I always have these in my ice box.  I even freeze the canned pumpkin, greek yogurt, coffee and other stuff in ice trays so they make the shakes cold and frothy. 

Freezing my fruit!

Here are some of my favorites ones.  I use Almond Breeze Almond/Coconut blend because I am lactose intolerant and because it makes everything taste like a colada...yum!

Strawberry Green Smoothie
8 oz Almond milk 
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup fresh spinach
1 tsp flax seed
1 scoop protein powder (I use EAS Lean 15 in Vanilla)


Pumkin Spice Smoothie
8 oz Almond milk 
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen canned pumpkin
10 almonds
sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice to your liking
8 oz Almond milk 
1/2 frozen banana

Chocolate PB Banana

8 oz Almond milk 
1 frozen banana
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp unsweetened cacao
1 scoop protein powder (I use EAS Lean 15 in Dutch Chocolate)


Apple Pie Smoothie
8 oz Almond milk 
1/2 frozen banana
1 small apple (no need to peel)
10 almonds
1/4 cup oats
sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice to your liking
1 scoop protein powder (I use EAS Lean 15 in Vanilla)

Green Refresher
6 oz coconut water or pineapple juice
1 cup kale (or spinach)
1/4 cup cucumbers 
1 stalk celery 
1 smallgreen apple (no need to peel)

Just throw everything together and blend away!  Enjoy!

xoxoxo Joanna

Follow me on Instagram: @jojoisqueen and on pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jojoisqueen/

Oatmeal Lovers Unite

Who would have known that I would grow up into an oatmeal lover!  As a kid, my Mom would always have a small pot of what we called "mosh" simmering for my Dad.  It had a few real cinnamon sticks floating around in it and we added sugar and milk to taste.  It wasn't my favorite but I ate it when there was nothing else.

Now, oatmeal is one of my favorite breakfasts!  It calms the hunger, soothes my need for something warm and with my creativity, I never get sick of the same boring oatmeal!  I've added bananas, blueberries, cranberries, almonds, granola, coconut, even flax seed...I make a pot and I have breakfast for the next 3 days.  Much healthier and cheaper than hitting up the gas station or golden arches!

The recipe below is currently my favorite (which I recently made for the fam on our Labor Day vacation).  The kids weren't huge fans but I got two thumbs up from our Mosh Lover, my Dad!

You can also find me on Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/pin/131448882844873847/

Apple pie oatmeal

Forget about getting the mid-morning snackies. This breakfast keeps me going for hours.

Here's how I make it:

1 apple, cored and chopped (skins on)

1 cup water

1/2 cup quick cooking oats

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

I bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Then I add the oats, apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The heat gets adjusted to low and the oatmeal is simmered for 2-3 minutes while I stir and feel hungry. That's all there is to it. Serve it with a splash of milk and a little or a lot of brown sugar sprinkled on top. Or add your fav flavor coffee creamer, I added a splash of hazelnut :)

Recipe credit: http://www.familyfeedbag.com/2011/04/apple-pie-oatmeal.html

Enjoy!

xoxo
Joanna

Everyone needs a little spice in their life!

My very dear friend Tanya and I have been making these for a while now.  So much that there is no recipe...we just grab what we have in the fridge and eyeball it.  No matter what, they are always the hit at our gatherings and the first dish to disappear! 


When we started we would be very diligent in removing the seeds but since we love the heat...we started removing less and less seeds and veins.  So they are now these little fiery bombs that could go off in your mouth at any moment!  I thought I had a very high tolerance for the heat, even though my nose and face sweat like crazy, but I was recently denounce of my crown when I was moved to tears by one of these!  Yes, I shed tears!  


And I also need to warn you to wear gloves, especially if you have sensitive skin.  And whatever you do..do not touch your eyes!  Our poor friend Christina learned this the hard way that same night.  It was probably from the same jalapeno that made me cry! That we will call the "jalapeno incident".

Low Carb Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers 

• 6 - 8 large jalapenos – cut tops off, cut in half lengthwise and remove seeds and veins (that's the heat...leave on a little if you are brave!)
• 8 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 
• garlic salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• 1/4 cup crumbled bacon (we use the jarred bacon bits so our vegetarian friend can enjoy them too.  Did you know they are soy based?)

Mix cream cheese, cheddar and bacon together, add garlic salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture into the jalapeno halves and place in a baking dish. Bake at 450* about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and cheese has melted.

You can also throw them on the grill on a piece of foil for about 20 minutes.

Have a beer or any cold beverage handy...you may need it!  Enjoy!

xoxox Joanna

Follow me on pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jojoisqueen/

I live in the Strawberry Capital!

Ever end up with a gazillion strawberries you don't want going to waste because you can't eat them fast enough?  Even Kimmy hearing that you can whiten your teeth by rubbing a strawberry on them wasn't "whitening" enough lol.


Well usually I wash, cut the tops and freeze them to add to my shakes in the morning but I already had a gallon size bag full so I went looking for recipes...on Pinterest, of course!


I like finding recipes with simple ingredients I keep on hand so when the picture got me and I saw I had all the fixins...I got to work.


It tasted just like those cream cheese and strawberry preserves filled croissants...so yummy in the morning with my cup o' Jo ;) and the coworkers weren't too upset that I sabotaged their diets a little.  But it has fruit!


Anyway...the Olympics are calling.  I think I can stay up to see the El Salvador athletes but I don't think I'll make it to the USA...it took 30 minutes just getting through the A's! hahaha


Enjoy your Friday eve!


xoxox  Joanna


Follow me on pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/jojoisqueen/





Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler
 

Start to finish: 10 minutes prep; 45 to 50 minutes bake

Yield: 10 servings

•1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
•1 egg, lightly beaten 
•1 cup milk
•1 cup all-purpose flour
•1 cup sugar
•2 teaspoons baking powder
•1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 quarts whole strawberries, capped and washed
• 4 ounces neufchatel cheese, cut in small pieces
• Plain Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream for serving, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and pour into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together the egg, milk, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Pour directly over the butter in the baking dish, but do not stir.

Add the strawberries, arranging in a single layer as much as possible. Sprinkle cream cheese pieces over strawberries. Place in preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until top is golden brown and edges are bubbling. (Crust rises up and around the fruit, but fruit will still peek out of top.)

Serve hot out of the oven with choice of topping, if desired.

Approximate values per serving (just cobbler): 290 calories, 13.2 g fat (8 g saturated), 51 mg cholesterol, 4.7 g protein, 40 g carbohydrates, 3 g dietary fiber, 245 mg sodium.


http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=387979

Ideas for a Meatless Monday anyday!

Good Morning my beauties!!!

In my search for meatless/full flavor ideas I came across this recipe on Pinterest, of course, and finally tried it last night.  Compliments of Mia's Domain, link is below...

Amazing!  The combination of flavors with the coolness of the sauce is delicious.  I used black beans I cooked myself in the crockpot (so easy and can control sodium and fat) and added a lil parm (cause I love cheese).  And of course added chopped jalapenos to both the mix and the sauce...yum!

Although frying is not the healthiest, I did put the last of the mix in the oven.  We were already full so will try it tonight :)

Happy Friday!

xoxox  Joanna


Follow me on pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/jojoisqueen/

Crispy Black Bean Fritters with Creamy Cilantro Dipping Sauce

Crispy Black Bean Fritters:

3 cups black bean, cooked

1 large yellow pepper, remove seed, chop into small pieces

1 small white onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 large tomato, chopped into small pieces

3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

3 tablespoons all purpose unbleached flour

2 eggs, room temperature

Sea salt and black pepper

Extra virgin olive oil (for frying)

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, stir well to combine. Season with sea salt and black pepper. In a large skillet, add three tablespoons of oil to the pan on medium heat. When hot, add tablespoonfuls of the bean mixture.  Fry on one side until golden brown and crispy (about 3 minutes). Flip over for a further three minutes. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Season with fresh black pepper and sea salt.

Serve with dipping sauce on the side

Cilantro Dipping Sauce:

1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

1/2 small green chili, seeded and finely chopped

1 small garlic clove, crushed

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1 teaspoon sugar

Sea salt and black pepper

Blend all the ingredients for a smooth consistency. Season with sea salt and black pepper.


http://www.miasdomain.com/2011/12/crispy-black-bean-fritters-with-creamy.html