.the ultimate juicing guide.

it's official! i boarded the juicing train! toot toot! and i am loving it!

i have been juicing like mad lately and it's all i can think about. it's as if my body is now craving the sweet nectar that comes from all those fresh fruits and veggies, that simply eating an apple just doesn't provide. and i mean, it's crazy to think about how much goodness goes into a simple glass of juice! seriously when would you actually eat 5 carrots + 2 apples + 2 oranges + a handful of kale in one sitting?!?!

and i have to tell you, it's doing wonders for my body!! i just feel better. i have more energy. and even my hair is getting full again [damn baby hormones were threatening it's thickness :( ].
it's as though my body is saying, "finally! thank you!!"

another benefit that i can see coming from my juicer is the fun we'll have once jack is old enough to help [yep, i'm a total mother now!]. it's a great way to get your kids in the kitchen, helping out by putting the fresh produce in the tube then squishing them all down, and watching them sample all the different concoctions. super awesome and super fun way of sneaking in all those healthy and nutritious nutrients that some may have trouble getting in those little people!

so to entice you all to try it for yourself, i've gathered a few [more like a ton!] tested and truly delicious combo's that we've loved over at casa d'trebaczkiewicz. hopefully it makes it a little easier, and perhaps a little less intimidating, to board your own juicing train as well!

one || kale, spinach  + pear smoothie: 1 healing cup spinach leaves, 1 heaping cup kale leaves [chopped, and ribs removed],  1/2 pear, 1 frozen banana, 1 1/2 cups cold almond milk [or soy milk or orange juice], 1 tbsp honey. in a blender add kale, spinach and almond milk. blend until no kale bits remain, then add pear, banana, and honey. blend until smooth. **picture and recipe via joy the baker.

two || orange, spinach, basil + hemp seed smoothie: 1/2 litre fresh squeezed orange juice [roughly 12 oranges], 1 cup spinach, 1/2 cup basil, 2 tbsp hemp seeds. blend all ingredients. **picture and recipe via urban organics.

three || peach, kale, + coconut smoothie: 1 cup frozen peach slices [if you use fresh peaches, just add ice cubes], 1 cup packed kale [torn into pieces and stems discarded], 1/2 frozen banana, 3/4 cup coconut water [may need more or less, depending], 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger, 1 tsp raw honey, [you could also add a big scoop of greek yogurt or a glug of almond milk for added creaminess]. combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth **picture and recipe via camille styles.

four || lean green power smoothie: 1/2 pineapple [peeled, cored and chopped], 1/2 english cucumber [peeled and chopped], 1/2 ripe pear [peeled, cored and chopped], juice from 1 lime, 1 cup baby spinach leaves, 10 mint leaves [chopped], 1 tsp agave nectar, crushed ice. puree ingredients in a blender until smooth. **picture and recipe via camille styles.

five || earth day smoothie: 2 cups kale [ribs removed], 2 1/2 cups coconut milk, 1 cup filtered water, 2 medjool dates, 1 cup frozen banana [cut up], 1 cup frozen mango, 1/2 avocado, 1 tbsp spirulina, 1/2 tsp maca, 1 tbsp flax seeds, 1/4 tsp bee pollen. combine all ingredients in a blender to mix. sprinkle with pee pollen.  **picture and recipe via urban organics.
**other tasty combo's: green goblin smoothie: 4 - 6 kale leaves [ribs removed], 1 frozen banana, a handful of strawberries [yes, add the stems even! the more green the better!], a handful of blueberries, 1 large orange [peeled], 1 cup unsweetened almond milk. blend everything together. - adapted via reboot with joe. lemon-lime juice: 1 lemon, 1 lime, 2 asian pears, 2 green apples, 2 carrots, 1 thumb-size piece of ginger, 2 cups purple cabbage. combine in a blender - via reboot your life. kiwi spinach chia seed smoothie: 1 ripe kiwi [cut into chunks], 1 frozen banana [cut into chunks], 10 cups packed baby spinach, 2 tbsp chia seeds, 10 cups coconut milk. add all to blender - via urban organics. pineapple kale mango smoothie: 1 banana, 1/2 cup diced pineapple, 1/2 cup freshly juiced pineapple, 1 cup chopped kale, 1/2 cup diced mango, 1 cup almond milk or coconut milk, 1 tbsp cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. blend everything together - via urban organics.

one || beet, carrot + apple juice: 3 raw beets [peeled], 8 carrots, 1 cucumber, 2 granny smith apples, 2 lemons [peeled], 1-inch piece fresh ginger. juice, stir and enjoy. **picture and recipe via urban organics.
two || strawberry, pear + coconut water juice: 3 cups strawberries, 1 pear [core removed], 1 lime, 1 small piece of ginger, 1/2 cup coconut water. juice, stir and enjoy. **picture and recipe via urban organics.
three || beetroot juice: 2-3 beetroots [medium size, ends trimmed], 5 big carrots, 1/4 lemon [peeled], 2 apples, 2 cm fresh ginger. add everything to your juicer. **picture and recipe via a tasty love story.
four || blackberry, pear + grapefruit juice: 8 ounces [250g] thawed blackberries, 3 ripe pears, 2 grapefruits [peeled]. add everything to your juice and enjoy. **picture and recipe via food thinkers.
five || strawberry + cucumber smoothie: a heaping 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries,  1 cup cold almond milk, 1/2 english cucumber [chopped and de-seeded], 1 to 2 tbsp honey, a squeeze of lemon if you'd like. combine all ingredients into a blender. **picture and recipe via joy the baker.
*other tasty combos: beet juice: 1 beet, 2 apples, 4 carrots, 1 pear, handful of spinach - via small fry blog; red juice: 1/2 cup fresh watermelon, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, 1/2 cup frozen sour cherries, 1/4 cup water. mix all together - via heather christo;  rhubarb apple carrot: 2 - 3 stalks rhubarb, 2 carrots, 3 apples, 1 inch knob ginger - via urban organics.
**other tasty combo's: cinnaberry smoothie: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/2 mango, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, 1/2 cup cantaloupe, 1 banana, 1 large carrot, dash of cinnamon. add all ingredients into a blender and top with cinnamon - via reboot your life. strawberry pineapple mint juice: 1/2 large pineapple [peeled, cored and cut into chunks], 1 cup strawberries, 1 pear, 30 mint leaves. blend everything together - adapted via reboot your life. pineapple, blackberry, kiwi juice: 1/4 large pineapple [peeled, cored and cut into chunks], 1 cup blackberries, 1 kiwi, 1 pear, 30 mint leaves. blend everything together - adapted via reboot your life.

one || good morning juice: 2 sweet potatoes, 6 carrots, 4 oranges. cut up everything and add to juicer. **picture and recipe via reboot with joe.
two || cara cara orange pineapple: 1/2 cup fresh pineapple [cut into chunks], 1/2 banana, 1/2 cara cara orange [peeled and cut into chunks], 1/4 cup mango [peeled and cut into chunks], 1/4 cup coconut milk [or milk of your choice], 1 tbsp kefir, 1/2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp ground flax seed, 1/4 tsp cinnamon. **picture and recipe via urban organics.
three || carrot lemonade: 1 qt freshly squeezed carrots [about 3 lbs], 6 medium lemons [freshly juiced], 2 - 3 cups water, stevia to taste, 1-inch knob ginger [optional]. juice everything and mix together. **picture and recipe via marcus samuelsson.
four || orange sunrise: 2 orange bell peppers [seeded], 1 navel orange [peeled], 4 carrots, 1 large handful of fresh pineapple chunks, 1 lemon [peeled]. add all to juice and stir. **picture and recipe via reboot with joe.
five || pomegranate citrus juice: 2 small grapefruits, 2 oranges, 2 tangerines, 1/2 lime, 2 pomegranates. juice everything together and mix. **picture and recipe via whole living.
**other tasty combo's: the melon smoothie: 1 cup cantaloupe, 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup coconut water, 1/2 cup ice. add all to blender - via reboot with joe. strawberry, grapefruit, orange, and raspberry juice: 2 cups strawberries, 2 grapefruits [peeled], 1 orange [peeled], handful of raspberries. juice all together - via urban organics. carrot, orange and mango juice: 8 carrots, 1 mango [pitted], 1 large strip of orange peel, 1/2 peeled blood orange. juice, stir and enjoy - via urban organics.

one || orange cream: 4 valencia oranges [peeled], 2 cups date water [soaked in water for an hour]. peel the oranges and place them in a blender. soak dates in 2 cups of water, then pour the liquid into the blender. mix all together. **picture and recipe via kris carr.
two || lime-coconut smoothie: 1 thai coconut [meat and water], 1 lime [juiced], 2 frozen bananas, 1 tbsp of coconut oil, 1 tbsp of raw coconut flakes. mix all together and enjoy. **picture and recipe via kris carr.
three || almond joy smoothie: 3/4 cup greek style yogurt, 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, 1 1/4 cup chocolate soy milk, 3/4 cup almond butter. mix in a blender and enjoy.**picture and recipe via sweet potato chronicles.
four || strawberry cashew milkshake: 1/2 cup cashews [or blanched almonds], 1 cup water, 1 tsp agave nectar, 1/2 tsp vanilla paste, pinch cinnamon, 3 strawberries, handful of ice cubes. **picture and recipe via heather christo.
five || raspberry coconut smoothie: 1 cup frozen raspberries, 1 1/2 cups filtered water, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1 banana, 3 tbsp ground flax seeds, 1 tbsp honey. mix all together in a blender.  **picture and recipe via urban organics.
six || sexy shamrock shake: 1/2 frozen banana, 1 cup baby spinach leaves, 1 cup coconut milk [or other nut milk], 2 drops vanilla extract [good quality], 2 - 3 drops peppermint extract. blend all together and enjoy. **picture and recipe via kris carr.
**other tasty combo's: funky monkey shake: 2 frozen bananas [peeled and cut into chunks], 2 cups milk, 2 tbsp natural almond or peanut butter, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp flax meal, 1/2 cup greek yogurt. mis everything in a blender - via sweet potato chronicles; spiced peach pear juice: 2 peaches, 1 large pear, 2 carrots, 1 cup of green grapes [optional, for sweeter juice], 1-inch piece of ginger, pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove powder. juice and sprinkle top with spices - via reboot with joe. peach pie juice: 3 large sweet potatoes [peeled], 4 ripe peaches [pitted], 2 golden delicious apples [pitted], dash of cinnamon. juice all in juicer, then sprinkle with cinnamon on top - via reboot with joe.

So friends, I'm curious...what's your favourite combinations?

.super sesame bars.

once i had a taste for those amazing green kitchen stories hemp protein bars [recipe here], i went on the hunt for another type of treat that i could have on hand for those mid-day cravings. that's when i  found their super sesame bars, which turned out to be the perfect snack.
they are surprisingly sweet for a super nutritious bar, filled with lots of goodies like super berries and walnuts, but filling enough that just one little square hits the spot. they have been a huge hit over with us treb's, minus the little guy. he's still a bit too young ;)

Super Sesame Bars

[via green kitchen stories. Makes around 18 bars]

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups walnuts

1 cup sesame seeds [you can also use half unhulled and half hulled]

1/3 cup goji berries

1/2 cup dried super berries [such as aronia, inca, mulberries or unsweetened cranberries]

4 tbsp honey or maple syrup

3 tbsp coconut oil

1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1 tsp salt

Directions

1] Lightly toast the walnuts in a large saucepan on low heat for a few minutes. Transfer them to a food processor and blitz into a coarse flour. 

2] Add the sesame seeds to the sauce pan, make sure the heat is low as the sesame seeds are very heat sensitive - you want to lightly toast them without burning.

3] Meanwhile, add all the berries to the food processor. Pulse for at least a minute, then pour everything into the sauce pan. Add honey, coconut oil, shredded coconut and salt and stir around until everything is combined, sticky and warm.

4] Cover a 8x10-inch [20x25cm] baking dish with parchment paper and pour the sesame mixture into it. Flatten it out with your fingers and the backside of a spoon [dip it in water to prevent the sesame seeds from sticking to it]. Put in the fridge for at least an hour, then cut them up and wrap in sandwich paper.

.cheesy quinoa burger.

last night i made the most delicious dinner. perhaps a little on the light side, but amazingly tasty. and a little healthy too!

cheesy quinoa burgers!

i originally pinned these ages ago and just keep by passing them by in my weekly dinner planning, however after trying to use up some of my pantry staples, i decided to give the ol' quinoa jar a dust-off. see, i actually don't love quinoa. rice, pasta, couscous, or potatoes - sure! but quinoa i just can't seem to master. until now! this recipe is crunchy and light tasting, full of protein and may just be one of my newest fav dishes! the husband approved as well, so bonus!

and because this recipe is so versatile, here are a few changes you could potentially make:
1] throw some heat into the mix. add some tabasco or sriracha sauce to the recipe and treat it as an actual burger [minus the bun] by adding some slices of avocado and tomato then topping with the tzatziki.
OR
2] i would cook a meat dish to accompany it and use this recipe as a side dish. chicken, salad and cheesy quinoa cakes?! don't mind if i do!!
OR
3] make these as an appetizer. make the burgers smaller and top with a tsp of tzatiki or fry sauce [equal mix of mayo/ketchup] and pile on a plate = perfect appie!!
OR
4] for a dairy free version [not my cup of tea, but perhaps for someone else!], substitute the cheese for daiya cheese or tofu!

Cheesy Quinoa Burgers

[recipe adapted from here. Makes approx. 10 burgers]

Ingredients:
2 rounded cups Cooked Quinoa ]see below for cooking instructions]

3/4 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese [or other variety, if you prefer]
1/2 cup low-fat Cottage Cheese
1 medium Carrot, finely grated [OR 1 cup shredded Zucchini, squeezed dry]
3 Eggs
3 tbsp All purpose Flour
2 Green Onions, including white parts
1/2 tsp Sugar
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1/4 tsp ground Cumin
1/8 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Garlic Powder
Olive Oil, for frying

To cook Quinoa for the above recipe:
1 cup uncooked Quinoa
2 cups Water
1/2 tsp Salt
*In a medium saucepan bring 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt to a boil over high heat. Add quinoa and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 18 - 20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and the seeds are tender. Allow to cool for a few minutes.

Directions:
1] Make the cooked quinoa [as per above]
2] In a large bowl, combine the 2 rounded cups of cooked quinoa, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, carrot [or zucchini], eggs, flour, green onions, sugar, pepper, cumin, salt and garlic powder.
3] Heat a frying pan on medium with a couple teaspoons olive oil. Mixture will be slightly sticky, so using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, drop mixture into pan and lightly flatten to 1/2-inch thick. **To help them stay in patty form and not fall apart, cook them on medium-low to medium heat slowly so they have longer to set-up and cook without burning. Makes them easier to flip, too!**. Fry until golden-brown, about 4 minutes on each side.

Easy Tzatziki
[recipe from here]

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Thick Plain Greek yogurt
3 tbsp Sour Cream
1/2 Cucumber, peeled, seeded and grated [then squeezed of excess water]
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Sugar
1 tsp dried or 2 Tbsp fresh Dill Weed
Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
Directions:
1] In a small mixing bowl blend together the yogurt, sour cream, grated cucumber, garlic powder, sugar, and dill weed. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Chill. **This is best if made a couple hours in advance!

.hemp protein bars.

lately i've been on a huge healthy baking kick. it's partly in an effort to put better things into my body during those sweet-tooth cravings, especially while i breastfeed my son, but it's also partly because of one particularly special friend of mine. yes, chels, that's you! she definitely knows her stuff on organic healthy cooking and inspires me on a daily basis!

this girl is simply an amazing cook. everything i've had from her is incredible....soups, cakes, coconut 'whip cream' and those awesome 'major milk making cookies' [which i'll be posting the recipe very soon!], but the other day she was over and gave me a little taste of these super healthy hemp protein bars that she had made and i was hooked! what a great way to quench hunger, get a little extra protein [also extra energy!] and additively tasty too! peter and i were both craving them the instant she left and i knew i had to have the recipe, which she kindly obliged and now i can share it with all of you.
tip: these would also be great to have post workout!

also, chelsea is currently blogging for urban organics so head on over and like their facebook page for more tasty recipes and tips on healthy eating! she also posts a smoothie of the week recipe, which i cannot wait to jump on the bandwagon with!

Hemp Protein Bars

[via Green Kitchen Stories, seriously go check out their gorgeous photography. mine don't even come close to doing justice! makes about 15 bars]

Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients

1 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1 cup dried shredded coconut

1/2 cup hemp hearts [shelled hemp seeds]

1/2 cup hemp protein powder [you can use hemp hearts instead]

4 tbsp chia seeds

2 tbsp bee pollen [optional, and i used honey which worked great]

Wet Ingredients

20 fresh medjool dates, pitted

6 tbsp coconut oil, room temperature [which is in its hard state. you can also use butter instead]

4 tbsp cacao powder

1 tsp vanilla extract or 1/2 tsp ground vanilla

Add After Blending

6 tbsp rolled oats

2 tbsp poppy seeds

Directions:

1] In a food processor or blender, pulse the dry ingredients quickly. Do not over-process, you want it a little crunchy. Place the mixture in a bowl and set aside.

2] Add all wet ingredients to the food processor or high speed blender and run until pureed. This might take some time, and if your blender isn't strong enough you might have to help out by stirring around a few times with a fork or add a dash of water [that's what I had to do!]

**If you don't have a food processor, place your pitted dates on a plate and mash with a fork until they are sticky and smooth as caramel, it'll take a few minutes. Then add the remaining ingredients one by one and kneed it by hand until well combined.

3] Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients, add oats and poppy seeds and stir until well combined [I had to use my hands to combine]. 

4] Spread the batter evenly into a 11 x 7-inch [28x18cm] baking dish. Make sure it becomes quite compact [I, again, used my hands to spread and push the batter down]. Place in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Cut into bars. Wrap them in paper and store in an air-tight container in the fridge, which will keep for around a week.

.kale and brussels sprout salad.

To be honest, this salad sounded rather 'interesting' the first time my husband suggested we make it. And I admit it, I was skeptical.
But after trying it, it has quickly become my newest favorite salad. So incredibly delicious. I highly urge you to think of this recipe the next time you want a new side dish with dinner. Especially when feeding a large group......I'm thinking easter, christmas, thanksgiving perhaps?
Healthy, Easy and a total crowd pleaser!!

Kale & Brussels Sprout Salad

[original recipe found here]

ingredients:

1/4 cup fresh Lemon Juice

2 tbsp Dijon Mustard

1 tbsp minced Shallot

1 small Garlic Clove, finely grated

1/4 tsp Salt, plus more for seasoning

freshly Ground Pepper

2 large bunches of Kale [about 1 1/2 pounds total], center stem discarded, leaves thinly sliced [yes, raw]

12 ounces Brussels Spouts, trimmed, finely grated or shredded with a knife [and yes, believe it or not, RAW!]
1/2 cup Purple Cabbage, finely chopped or grated [OPTIONAL]

1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided

1/3 cup Almonds with skins, coarsely chopped

1 cup finely grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese

directions:

1] Combine lemon juice, dijon mustard, shallot, garlic, 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of pepper in a small bowl. Stir to blend; set aside to let flavors meld. This can be made way ahead of time and actually tastes better the longer it sits.

2] Mix thinly sliced kale and shredded brussels sprouts in a large bowl. I also thought that it would be nice if you wanted to add some purple cabbage for color, but this is totally optional.

3] Measure 1/2 cup oil into a cup. Spoon 1 tbsp oil from cup into a small skillet; heat oil over medium-high heat. Add almonds to skillet and stir frequently until golden brown in spots, about 2 minutes. Transfer nuts to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle almonds lightly with salt.

4] Slowly whisk remaining olive oil in cup into lemon-juice mixture. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. 

5] Add dressing and cheese to kale mixture; toss to coat. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Garnish with almonds.

DO AHEAD: Dressing, Kale mixture, and Toasted Almonds can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover dressing and kale mixture separately and chill. Cover almonds and let stand at room temperature.

.the athletic one.

On another completely different note from this morning, I just want to express a 'momma-bear-proud-moment' with you all.....

And although Peter would say I am making a bigger deal out of this then I should [it's usually what i tend to do!], I am super proud of my husband, who this past weekend ran the Canadian Derby Edmonton 1/2 marathon in 1:40:54! Pretty darn impressive, no?

I think that works out to 137 out of 1261 people! That's pretty cool, babe.

What a guy. And I love him so.

Also, I want to mention Peter's Uncle Mietek, who ran the 1/2 marathon in 1:30:08 [he's our family runner!].....

....And our very talented friend, Chris, who ran the full Marathon in 2:43:13! Yeah, he's kinda a wicked running phenomenon. 4th in the City! Congrat's Gentlemen.

.Tasty Apple Crisps.

I made these yesterday when I noticed an abundance of apples in our fridge.

The recipe {and the top picture as I ate mine too quickly} came from Ontario Apple Growers.

Boy, they sure where a nice little treat.

*Note: These little suckers can stay in a sealed container for up to 3 days, so make a bunch and munch away!

xo

.Plate of Goodness.

So in all my efforts to feel healthier and get fit this summer {ok, so it's been a late start, but still...} I came across this super cool awesome plate that I seriously am considering buying.

And I would use it. Then My little chicklets could use it when they get bigger.

I found it here and I just think it's oodles and oodles of cuteness.

I found this plate appropriate because 1/2 the battle with getting fit and healthy {the other 1/2 is working out} is the food, and knowing your portions. 

Knowing how to load up your plate at mealtime. 

I know I certainly struggle with this so much when Husband brews up a delicious meal and having zero self-control, I often forget this simple and effective eating habit. 

So I need this plate. And then I think my little kids will can learn healthy eating habits from this plate. And it's just so darn cute. This Plate.

Healthy Eating Breakdown:

• 1/2 of your plate should be veggies. I like to steam mine slightly {I got a steamer for Christmas one year and it's still one of my fav gifts! If you don't have one, I suggest picking one up}, and drizzle a little olive oil, a pinch of sea salt and pepper over it. Broccoli is a favorite, but sometimes we switch things up with carrots, cauliflower, or red/green peppers {FYI: I roast the peppers, not steam them}. The trick is to try and make your veggies selection as colorful as possible! Pretty and Nutritious! 
• 1/4 of your plate should be lean protein. Things like fish {white is best}, chicken, turkey {which is also a huge fav at the Trebaczkiewicz's household right now}, or eggs.
• 1/4 of your plate should be healthy whole grains. Things like barley, brown or wild rice, quinoa, mutligrain toast or Oats. Now, sometimes it gets hard to think of creative ways to fill this side of the plate with something other than rice, but seriously try to get creative. If we are craving a pasta dish, then we reach for brown rice pasta {it's super good and easy to find in any grocery store. Tip: After cooking B.R. pasta as you would normal pasta, and then straining it, give it an extra rinse to get ride of the starchy taste. Trust me it helps}. If we are craving a casserole type of bake, we will cook a barley with chopped mushrooms in it {I have an amazing recipe I will post later on for you}. If we want to try something a little lighter, we brew up some quinoa and throw in some fresh ingredients which usually create a grain salad!
• Remember that a tiny bit of Fat is ok. Not the dessert kind of fat, but the oils, butters, and sauces that your foods are prepared with. Also nuts, avocados, fish, and even peanut butter come with good fats. Just eat them in moderation....or as the plate shows, one little dabble!!
• For snack time, try fresh veggies instead of chips. Dip them into some delish hummus instead of fatty ranch dressing {this one I'm bad for...I like my ranch} but it actually tastes really, really good! A nice alternative. Try hummus with cucumber, carrots, peppers, tomatoes or celery {the cucumber + hummus is my personal favorite}.

Do you have any suggestions for a delicious and healthy snack?

.Healthy Breakfast.

i have a confession to make. i am one of 'those people'. the ones who don't eat breakfast.

there, i said it. now this is where you point your finger and lecture me on the benefits of eating this 'most' important meal of the day. and the worst part is, i know! i just can't get around to feeling hungry that early in the morning. it just isn't on my radar in the a.m. hours. to be honest, i am more worried about not forgetting deodorant or wearing clean underwear and sadly breakfast is the last thing on my mind.

that is until the traffic begins.

then i think of that luscious coffee, and how good it would taste with a croissant. then i go and buy one; spending my money on coffee (even though i have a free cup in the office or at home), on the croissant (un-healthy & spending more money again), and making myself late while waiting in the drive-thru.

it's a vicious cycle, BUT a cycle that this lady is going to kick!!

starting today.

i found this helpful breakfast meal plan here. and it's going to do the thinking for me. it lists a bunch of delicious and nutritious breakfast ideas. quick and easy. 

easy peasy.

{and if you want to try one out for yourself, click on the link below}

1) Raspberry Orange Pomegranate Smoothie

2) Poppy Seed Bagel with Lox and Fixins

3) Cheerios cereal with Fresh Raspberries and 1% Milk

4) Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate chip Muffin

5) Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

6) Quinoa Porridge

7) The Green Monsta - Spinach, apple, and avocado smoothie

8) Egg Sandwich with baby Spinach

9) Whole Wheat Waffles with Peanut Butter and sliced Bananas

10) Whole Wheat French Toast Kabobs with Fresh Fruit

11) Peanut Butter and Jelly on an English Muffin

12) Old Fashioned Oats with Kiwi, Banana, Mango, and Grapes

13) Multi grain Cheerios cereal with Milk and a Banana

14) Greek Yogurt with fresh Berries and a sprinkle of Grape Nuts

15) 1/2 Bagel with reduced fat cream cheese, 1 Fried Egg, Sauteed Red & Green Peppers

16) Breakfast Bruschetta

17) Pomegranate Parfait with Greek Yogurt, Kashi Go Lean, Pomegranate seeds

18) Trail Mix with Pecans, Dried Cherries, Dried Golden Raisins, Almonds, Cashews, Dark Chocolate Chips, Puffins Cereal

19) Flax Bread toasted with Cashew Nut butter and sliced Persimmon

20) 1/2 Red Grapefruit, 1 slice of Ezekiel Bread toasted, and 2 Hard Boiled Eggs

Some More.....

21) Bran Flakes cereal with Fresh Peaches

22) Shredded Wheat Cereal with Fresh Blackberries and Honey drizzled

23) Old-school Porridge (7 Variations)

24) Flax or Ezekiel Bread with Cottage Cheese, and Tomato Slices

25) Breakfast Couscous