PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO PREPACKAGED MEAL LABLES ...

 
Today, when you purchase some of those prepackaged meals, take a closer look at the nutrition value of the meal. Some of those meals have a sodium content as high as 2000mg that's more than you need in a day.

Follow this chart when making a decision whether to purchase ready-made meals for your family or NOT ...

Recommended adequate sodium intake:

- 1,000 mg for children age one to three.

- 1,200 mg for children age four to eight.

- 1,500 mg for people age nine to 50.

- 1,300 mg for adults age 51 to 70.

- 1,200 mg for seniors over 70.

Consuming more than 2,300 mg or a teaspoon of salt per day increases your risk of health problems. However, most adults consume far more than the recommended amount of sodium - a little more than 3,000 milligrams on average. Take immediate action to reduce your sodium intake. Here are some suggestions ...

- Set sodium -reduction targets for key food categories.

- Require high-sodium warning labels where necessary.

- Monitor sodium levels in foods and conduct regular surveys of dietary sodium intake.

Your body needs only 500 mg of sodium per day to function under normal circumstances.Unless you are an endurance athlete who will need more and should consume fluids that contain sodium if they are exercising for more than two hours ...

Besides pushing away the salt shaker, you can take steps such as:

- Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.

- Choosing fresh, frozen or canned food items without added salts.

- Sticking to unsalted nuts and avoiding salty snacks like chips and pretzels.

- Opting for fat-free or low-fat milk, low-sodium, low-fat cheeses and low-fat yogurt.

- Selecting unsalted, fat-free broths, bouillons or soups.

- Seasoning your foods with herbs and spices instead of salt.

So please if you continue to purchase food items that are ready-made, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FOOD LABELS! They are there for you HEALTH! ...

Strawberry Carrot & Apple Juice

This juice here will be a good start to having you on your way in the morning and throughout the day. I'm always looking for a new way to incorporate fruits and vegetables into my diet. Juicing is another way to enjoy your fruits.

It's not always easy to get the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables onto your plates let alone in your stomachs to be considered the adequate amount your body needs to function day to day. You would have to be an animal of some sort to constantly be eating  all day. Let's face it no one can eat as much as we are told to eat and maintain a good healthy diet.

 For this drink I gathered up some food stuffs and came up with this ...

• 10 Large Strawberries stems removed
  5 Medium -Large Carrots
  2 Large Apples (1Fugi & 1 Granny Smith) cored 
   

** to remove stems from strawberries just insert knife into top close to stem and circle around. This way you don't loose a lot of berry**

Push all fruit through the juicer dilute with equal parts water stir and ENJOY! ♥

 

Strawberry Carrot & Apple Juice ... Bottoms UP!

Tropical Fruit Stalker Smoothie

2 Stalks of Celery chopped (about  1 1/2 cups)
10 Fresh Strawberries
1/2c Frozen Pineapple Tidbits
1/2c Frozen Peaches
1/2c Frozen Mango about 6-7chunks
6oz of Coconut Water
Blend all ingredients til smooth and ENJOY! ♥

 Tropical Fruit Stalker Smoothie ... Bottoms UP!

Apple Orange Grapefruit Juice

 

 Moving away from the traditional glass of store bought Orange Juice, I decided to make my own ... YAAY ME!

 The list of ingredients were as follows: 

1 Red Delicious Apple cored and cut in quarters
2 Golden Delicious Apples cored and cut in quarters
2 Red Grapefruit peeled 
2 Navel Oranges peeled

Push all fruit threw the juicer stir, pour in your favorite glass and ENJOY! ♥

Apple Orange Grapefruit Juice ... Bottoms UP!

Tips on making DELICIOUSLY SMOOTH SMOOTHIES ...

Tips on making Deliciously Smooth Smoothies

 

Smoothies aren't as complicated as many people think. They are very healthy, high in fiber, they have many calories and nutrients, enough to count as a whole meal. To enjoy this delicious treat, all you need is a blender and and inventive attitude (a pretty glass will do as well).

A good blender can run you in the price range of $100 up to $300 or more, of course that's for the high quality ones. You can find a nice blender for $40 to $60. A resale shop would be a good source to find an old style to a fairly new one. It's completely up to you and how much you're willing to spend.

Here are a few tips that will get you on your way to making Deliciously Smooth Smoothies ...

Tips on making DELICIOUSLY SMOOTH SMOOTHIES ...               

1. Clean your Fruit: Always wash and inspect your fruit first. Remove any rough parts of the fruit, i.e. stems, seeds, skin, peelings. At this time you can cut the fruits and veggies to fit before you placing them in the blender.  
2. The use of Frozen Fruits: When using frozen fruits there is no need to add ice to your smoothie. You will have a "icy cold" beverage as it warms down while you're drinking it. You can add any combination of fruits and vegetables to your smoothie. Don't be afraid to experiment. A great way to save time is to place your fresh cut fruits and vegetables in the freezer beforehand. 
3.  Adding your Liquids: You can add any liquids of your choice to the smoothie. Liquids should be added first before your fruits and vegetables go into the blender. Any type of yogurt, milk or juice, coconut waters or just plain water would be sufficient in making a smooth textured smoothie. You determine the thickness by how much or how little of liquid you choose to add. 
4.  Blend on low first and gradually proceed to high: if using a blender with various speed levels using the pulse lever to chop first and then proceed to the various speeds. Low to high will insure a smooth and creamy blend.
5. If you can't eat 'em, drink 'em: You can make some delicious soup recipes in the blender. A nice chilled watermelon or cantaloupe soup even a gazpacho soup can be made in the blender. If you choose to do this, don't freeze your fruits and veggies.
6.  What about the EXTRAS?: You can add any extras YOU like. If it's protein powder you like, add it. If it's flavorings you like, add 'em. There is no particular rule of thumb when it comes to making the smoothie of your choice. Just make it GOOD!
7.  Remember this is your smoothie: What ever you think would be a good smoothie idea for you, is not too far fetched. You don't have to have all fruit or all vegetable, mix it up. Take advantage of making your smoothie. The benefits of drinking your fruits and vegetables this way, are far more greater than you trying eat them. 
8.  Take Your Time: Although you are gonna want to gulp down this delicious drink. Slowly drink and don't forget to chew as you began to swallow. By doing this it will help with digestion, remember this is a meal your consuming. Also your body will have the chance to react as it becomes full.

So now that you know the tips on how to make deliciously smooth smoothies. How about making yourself one! Don't for get to share your ideas and post 'em up on this page ... Remember Smoothies Are MOORE! ...

Strawberry Melon Salad

Strawberry Melon Salad ...

 

This salad was exciting to make. Although I love to eat fruit. I don't always like to have it the traditional way. Who said you had to eat watermelon off the rind or cut up up in a bowl (hey I do like it like that ~.*) I'm getting side tracked. Back to the salad OK! OK!  ... It's always nice to sit in front of the tube (TV that is, OK Cable!) with a good salad on hand enjoying my favorite show(s). What better way to welcome spring, all the beautiful vegetable colors. Watermelon with a few little buddies make up a wonderful delight for your belly, taste buds too!  


Here's what I pared the watermelon up with ...

Seedless Watermelon Chunks, Cantaloupe Chunks, Mandarin Oranges, English Cucumbers and Tomato and Basil Feta Cheese (I love this stuff ~.~) on a bed of  Fresh Romaine Salad Greens 













Top it off with your favorite salad dressing or vinaigrette and .... ENJOY! ♥ 

Watermelon Berry Red Orange Juice Smoothie

Watermelon Berry Red Orange Juice Smoothie ... Bottoms UP!

This smoothie will be a hit at any of your summer events. It's a great Mix & Mingle Drink for your guest: at your Bachelorette Party, an Open House Event. Or just as an extra special something for your dinner guest.

It's always nice to have that special something to get your guest to talking about your party. You can even dress it up a bit more (for the grown ups) by adding some Tequila and Lime to the drink to make it stand out a bit more (for those of you who don't mind a little alcohol).
What ever you choose to do, have a wonderful time while you enjoy this sultry drink. While putting this drink together, just imagine yourself sitting out enjoying the calm breeze of the night after a long days work. Something to look forward to. Here's a list of ingredients:

2cups of Watermelon chunks (seedless)
1c Frozen Raspberries
1c Frozen Whole Strawberries
1 1/2c Tropicana Red Orange Juice

 Blend til smooth and ENJOY! ♥

 

Pineapple Banana Raspberry Yogurt Smoothie

Pineapple Banana Raspberry Yogurt Smoothie ... Bottoms UP!

I wanted something to show honor for those who continue to fight The Fight Of Breast Cancer. My Mom and Sister are Breast Cancer Survivors as well as several friends. It's important to give your love and support to those we love especially when they are going through the many trials within their lives. We are given a life that only we can live to the best of our abilities and when family and friends help, it makes it that much more special to enjoy. I chose this one to be my cover photo as a remembrance for me to continue to do what I need to do. When you are faced with seeing your loved ones develop a strength to get through difficulty, you gain a new found respect for your life. Watching my Mom and Sister encouraged me to become the best and not take my life for granted. 

The main thought for me to began making smoothies, was for my loved ones while going through chemo and was not able to eat regular meals. The smoothies were easier to digest and not so time consuming when trying to eat. 

If you are caring for a love one or friend who may be going through a life threatening battle of some sort, drinking smoothies can help them to maintain a good eating habit. For this smoothie the ingredients are as follows: 

 1c of Frozen Pineapples Tidbits
1c of Frozen Raspberry
2 Bananas peeled
1 1/2c of Greek Yogurt
6ozs of Coconut Water
Blend all ingredients until smooth and ENJOY! ♥

Strawberry Blood Orange Spring Salad

Strawberry Blood Orange Spring Salad ... Now Thatz GOOD EATN!

It's my belief that when you are to eat a salad, it should contain all that one plate can hold (your belly too for that matter). I'm not into to just the traditional salad plate consisting of, lettuce, cucumber and tomato. Although that was what we've known a salad was to consist of. 

To me, salads can be as adventurous as you are. When you look out on the tables and tables of goodies at the farmers market, the unique colors are so inspiring. So should your salad. As you began to smell the many fruits and vegetables, you can only imagine their taste, as it reaches your mouth and the satisfaction after you've eaten it. 

This salad is light and tasty to the very last bite ... It has fresh organic strawberries,  juicy blood oranges, seedless (english) cucumbers, delicious red seedless grapes, meaty heirloom tomatoes and slivers of red onion, all layered on a bed of fresh romaine salad greens. I chose to top it with a raspberry vinaigrette (you may use the dressing of your choice). 
Don't limit yourself when it comes to making a delicious and filling salad for you and your family. This salad can be served with a meat portion or, all by itself ... ENJOY! ♥

The Nutty Professor Strawberry Banana Chocolate Smoothie

The Nutty Professor Strawberry Banana Chocolate Smoothie ... Bottoms UP!

About five or six months ago I would have ran down to the Wendy's on the corner and got me a Chocolate Frosty. That thought is what prompted me to put this smoothie together. 

I wanted all my favorites in on place and I wanted to enjoy every single bit of delight voila! 

Chocolate, Banana, Strawberry and Yogurt with Nuts ???

1 1/2c Chocolate Almond Milk

1c Organic Vanilla Yogurt

2 Frozen Bananas chopped

7 Fresh Strawberries stems removed 

  

 I was anticipating the taste as I began to blend all the ingredients up. I knew this was not only going to be better than the Wendy's Frosty, it would be a healthy treat and I would enjoy the nuttiness of the chocolate almond milk. 

Not to mention the nuts on top!

 

Sometimes, you just gotta treat yourself to something good and healthy without the gilt of cheating and counting calories ... 

Please ENJOY! ♥

Watermelon Strawberry Cherries Jubilee Smoothie

Watermelon Strawberry Cherries Jubilee Smoothie ... Bottoms UP!

 

When you are looking for the perfect barbecue drink ... 

this is it Summer in a Glass

 

1/4 of a Personal Sized Seedless Watermelon
1c Frozen Whole Strawberries
1c Frozen Tart Red Cherries
1 1/2c Santa Cruz Organic Berry Nectar 100% Juice

 

Blend all ingredients until smooth and ENJOY! ♥

      

**if this drink is too tart for you, add any sweetener of your choice**

Triple Berry Frozen Yogurt

Triple Berry Frozen Yogurt ... Spoons UP!

 

 What do you do at the end of the day when you all you wanna do,

 is nothing????

 How about, you make a frozen treat!

All you need is,

2c Frozen Berry Mix
1c Vanilla Greek Yogurt 

(any yogurt of your choice will do)

Blend on super high speed until it's a thick consistency, you can place in freezer for and hour or two to thicken even more... scoop up and ENJOY! ♥

Blackberry Strawberry Mango Pineapple Smoothie

Blackberry Strawberry Mango Pineapple Smoothie ... Bottoms UP!

 

1/2c of Frozen Blackberries
1/2c of fresh Strawberries - stems remove and sliced
1/2c of Frozen Mango Chunks
1/2c of Frozen Pineapple Tidbits
8oz of Coconut Water add more if you like

Blend til smooth and ENJOY! ♥

Apple Pear Strawberry Kiwi Juice

Apple Pear Strawberry Kiwi Juice ... Bottoms UP!

 

1 Red Delicious Apple cored
1 Granny Smith Apple cored
1 Bosch Pear cored
2 Kiwi Fruit peeled
1 Handful of Fresh Strawberries stems removed

Push all fruit through the juicer and ENJOY! ♥

This is a good morning coffee substitute packed full 

of vitamins and fiber .... ♥

Mia's Domain: Thai Coconut Shrimp Rice Noodles

 

Mia's Domain: Thai Coconut Shrimp Rice Noodles: 1 packet vermicelli (glass noodles) 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 cans full cream coconut milk 2 tablespoons Thai green curr...