Doin' Some Cookin'... Apple Pie Smoothie

Enjoy apple pie anytime of the day with this delicious smoothie without the guilt. It seriously tastes like apple pie a la mode. If only I had some whip cream to top this off and another dash of cinnamon, mmm.

But don't be like me in wanting to make something healthy unhealthy. Don't ditch your diet.

Instead grab for five ingredients and whip up this smoothie... Easy as pie. Had to, I'm lame.

Apple Pie Smoothie

Adapted From: Whole Foods Market

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk
• 2 packets cinnamon spice oatmeal or 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Green Ale

This Green Ale juice is tart from the lime and granny smith apple but it's worth the pucker face because it's filled with a plethora of nutrients.

Green Ale

Adapted From: Juicing Recipes on Instagram

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 lime, peeled
• 1 granny smith apple
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 cucumber

And Action:

Run all ingredients through the juicer and stir to combine. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Sweet Citrus Avocado Green Smoothie

I'm kinda in a detox mode right now after hitting a four week plateau. Self-inflicted since I let working out and healthy eating go by the wayside. It's time for me to trade in dairy, soy, legumes, carbs, sugar, and alcohol for whole foods. So I decided to start my second round of Whole30 yesterday and it feels good to be back in the swing of things.

It's time focus on healthy habits and green smoothies make it effortless to do so.

This smoothie packs some of my favorite items from the produce section, especially avocado. Avocado makes this smoothie creamy while the clementines give it a bright citrusy flavor.

Sweet Citrus Avocado Green Smoothie

Adapted From: HealthyHealthyLife.com

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 2 clementines, peeled and segmented
• 1 cup baby kale
• pinch of fresh parsley
• 1/2 of an avocado
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup coconut water, chilled
• ice, to taste
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• dash of cayenne

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Strawberry, Apple, and Banana Smoothie

I have big plans to make my way through a list of almost 100 smoothies. Just because I effin' love smoothies that much and not to mention they can be a fairly healthy option for any meal of the day.

Because the weather in Texas has been known to jump from winter to spring in February I'm so not ready for t-shirts and shorts. That is why I am so dedicated to my weight loss this time around. I get it, my track record hasn't been the best but for the last month I've got it together losing an average of 2.5 lbs a week!! Down 9.5 lbs so far. Yay!

Whipping up a smoothie only takes about 5 minutes making breakfast a breeze for a quick-on-the-go option as in on-the-go to work. Boo! (Not really. I love my job!) Adding bananas to my smoothies is one of my favorite additives for natural sweetness and to help thicken it up. Blend it, pour it, drink it, and breakfast is done, easy peasy!

Strawberry, Apple, and Banana Smoothie

Adapted From: Katie's Cucina

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 fuji apple, cut into bite size chunks
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is so delicious and simple to make. The sauteed apples are the best part. In fact, I plan on making just the apples again for a side or dessert. Love them!

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Adapted From: Lauren Duke

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 package cinnamon spice oatmeal
• 1 sweet red apple sliced and diced
• 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
• ground cinnamon, to taste

And Action:

In a small skillet heat coconut oil over medium high heat. Add the apples and cinnamon, tossing to coat and stirring on occasion until browned and softened. 

Cook oatmeal according to package directions. 

Top oatmeal with the sauteed apples. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Slow Cooker Apple Pie Steel-Cut Oatmeal

I'm slowly becoming a "not morning" person. I use to be an all-day person rising before the sun and now I terrify myself in the early morning hours, not because of the way I look, although, a couple more hours of beauty sleep may put me at super model status, but because of my desire for quiet and an extra two hours to acclimate to the day. Who am I becoming? My mother!!!... and I say that sincerely, love her lots!

This oatmeal is intended to be made the night before but if you are like me and prioritize movie marathons ahead of cooking, then make this right when you wake up, grab your coffee, lounge around all of Sunday morning, and have this for brunch instead.

This is sort of a two-fer, you get yummy breakfast and your place will be perfumed with the sweet scent of apples and cinnamon. Your kid will think you made apple pie and you get to crush that notion when they find out it's oatmeal. Sweet revenge, literally, for them talking your ear off about Pokemon which you know nothing about.

So... my internal body clock is off with my waking hours being outta whack and not conforming to society's norms regarding seasons as this recipe would be perfect for Fall and this is perfect for feeding the ghrelin monster in those first couple hours of waking. But, I've always been seasonally challenged and my waking hours are now closer to afternoon on the weekends... I also chop my hair off in the Winter and eat soup in the Summer. Rebel status.

No matter the season or time of day... make this!

Slow Cooker Apple Pie Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Adapted From: MyFitnessPal

Makes 5 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 4 cups vanilla almond milk
• 2 granny smith apples (or whatever you have on hand), chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• splash of lemon juice
• topping ideas, optional: peanut butter, chopped pecans, freshly chopped apples, brown sugar, spoonful of salted caramel sauce

And Action:

Add all of the ingredients into your slow cooker excluding the toppings, stir well. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Give it a good stir. Add toppings if desired. You can store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week. To reheat, add a splash of almond milk and heat up in the microwave.

If you are pressed for time, throw the ingredients excluding the toppings in a pot over the stovetop for 7-10 minutes, stir, and add toppings if desired. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Pineapple, Apple, Mint, and Lime Juice

After watching numerous food documentaries, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead in particular I always think I'd be able to stick with a juice cleanse, "rebooters" attempt 30+ days, but I have never made it past day 2. This Italian loves her carbs and can't give up food, especially the act of chewing. These juice cleanses boast that you could potentially lose a pound a day when exercise is incorporated.

While that seems like an easy fix it's not a lifestyle I could continue. I'm okay with counting calories and fitting in working out with juicing on occasion as a meal substitute.

During my weekly grocery trip to Whole Foods I will grab one bottle each of whatever fresh pressed veggie based juice they have available and substitute one or two meals a day with juice. I have a Breville Juice Fountain but like the convenience of grabbing premade bottles. Who likes doing dishes anyway?

The only time I bust out the juicer is when I come across a new recipe that I have to try.

From the 21 Day Flat Belly Challenge comes this recipe, P.A.M. Juice, for use in a mojito. Mojitos! My happy hour weakness. I never buy liquor for home and didn't have white rum on hand so I left it out. It's just not the same but still tasty in it's own right. It's refreshing, light, and fruity.

While the addition of alcohol would have made this for a tasty cocktail it's not worth the bloat. This juice is a natural de-bloater due to the natural properties of pineapple helping with water retention. All women suffering from PMS symptoms could benefit from this one. AND! If you are PMSing do your loved ones a favor and add that shot of white rum.

Pineapple, Apple, Mint, and Lime Juice

Adapted From: Popsugar Fitness

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 2 granny smith apples, cored and seeded
• 1/3 pineapple, chunks
• mint, to taste
• 1 lime, peel removed

And Action:

Run all ingredients through the juicer making sure to add the mint with the pineapple chunks. Feel free to add the white rum if you please. Enjoy!