Start Your Day Right: Tropical Green Power Smoothie

An apple a day may help with our overly friendly doctor situation, but a handful of spinach for breakfast is the perfect pick-me-up.

I admit, I used to be one of those wake-up-late-in-a-rush-run-to-school-skip-breakfast kind of person; but I also used to be asleep in my 8am Biology class. So Instead, for the student on the go, skip the poptart that will leave your on the edge of a sugar crash mid-day, and get fresh, sustain, energy to-go: The Green Power Smoothie.

Of course, this is just one of many variations here, but the way that the subtle tropical flavors and strong peanut-butter after taste come together is one of my favorites. the Peanut-Butter gives the the protein and brain-power to power through your morning, the ginger and orange to keep your system healthy (even on a rough schedule), and spinach and spirulina to pack it with vital nutrients.

Perfect for anyone on the go, just throw the items together, blend, and pour it a cup together. Trade it out for coffee and you won't regret it.

Tropical Green Power Smoothie

Ingredients

* Handful of spinach leaves

* Full, peeled orange

* 1 peeled banana, cut in half

* 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks

* 1 tablespoon minced ginger

* 2 tablespoon peanut butter

* 1 tablespoon spirulina

* 1 cup almond milk (or vegan milk of choice)

Recipe

1. Wash off spinach and place it into blender or immersion blender cup.

2. Place the rest of the items in the blender or cup (with fresh fruit in the bottom and frozen fruit on top)

3. Blend until everything is chopped and mix thoroughly to desired consistency.

One Pot Meals: Spanish Couscous

Sorry for the terrible picture, made this dinner at a friends and forgot my camera to boot

I'm a big fan of the one-pot meal. Little clean up with so much variety, so much possibility to make it up as you go. Or perhaps I just like to rebel against the traditional omnivore 1-main, 1-grain, 1-veggie meal.

Couscous, the base for the recipe below, is one of my favorite grains for these one pot meals (that and quinoa, but whole wheat couscous is generally cheap). I made this one up on a whim at my friend's house. The ingredients are easy enough for transport and hearty enough to warm the soul as you catch-up with old friends over great red wine.

Spanish Couscous

Ingredients

1 Can, Tomato sauce
1/2 Cup, Whole wheat couscous
1 Large Yellow onion, diced
2 Cups, Fresh Spinach
1/4 cup Olive oil
1 large clove garlic, minced
3 t, Paprika
2 t, Garlic Salt
2 t, Salt
3 t, Pepper
1 Can, Chickpeas


Directions

1. In a large pot, cook 1/2 cup cous-cous according to package directions but omitting half the amount of water called for. Also add in tomato sauce and stir well; cook according to package directions.
2. In a large frying pan, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add in onions and cook until soft and translucent.
3. Once onions are cooked, add in spinach and 1/4 cup water. Cook spinach until wilted, stirring often. If the spinach has not wilted and all the water is absorbed, add more water a tablespoon at a time.
4. Add garlic, paprika, garlic salt, salt, and pepper to the pan and stir well for approximately 3-5 minutes, until fragrant.
5. Remove the pan from heat. Once the cous-cous is done cooking, add in the ingredients form the pan and mix well. Add in the chickpeas and mix. Enjoy!


Peace&Love