Doin' Some Cookin'... Strawberry Banana Smoothie

This smoothie is made with a classic combo of strawberries and banana making for the perfect afternoon snack. But could obviously be made anytime of the day.

Smoothies are a great way to suck up vitamins and nutrients into your diet.

Knowing that tomorrow is Thanksgiving and having intentions of stuffing myself on all the yummy eats I knew my eating has to be on point. I've been good since Monday following the Whole30 diet and actually making it a point to workout too. Patting myself on the back.

After I sucked this down I ended up throwing on my workout clothes and heading to the gym. This smoothie provided the perfect energy boost to get me through my workout.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Adapted From: Ultimate Paleo Guide

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 3/4 cup strawberries
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• ice, to taste

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Cucumber Salad with Chia Seed Strawberry Vinaigrette

As you can see my all of my recent blog posts salads have become my go to because of the endless possibilities of flavors and textures. With the weather warming up I find myself craving cooling foods.

I love salads with fruit in them. There is something refreshing about biting into a juicy strawberry with a forkful of greens. Ah-mazing!

This salad is a bed of spinach topped with crisp cucumbers, juicy strawberries, and drizzled with a chia seed strawberry vinaigrette.

The vinaigrette is liquid gold with fresh strawberries, zesty lime, and crunchy chia seeds... superfood sneak for the win!!!

Cucumber Salad with Chia Seed Strawberry Vinaigrette

Adapted From: Food Faith Fitness

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show for the Vinaigrette:

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/3 cup strawberries, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• dried cilantro, to taste

Stars of the Show for the Salad:

• 1 large cucumber, quartered
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup strawberries, quartered
• 1 tbsp fresh mint

And Action:

Add all ingredients for the vinaigrette in a small container with a lid and shake until well combined. 

Mix salad ingredients together in a bowl. Toss evenly with the vinaigrette. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Strawberry Spinach Green Smoothie

I've created the countdown calendar above to help keep me on track until my 29th birthday with diet and exercise. A balloon means that my diet was Whole30 compliant and I got at least 30 minutes of exercise in. Off to a good start already.

Smoothies are still my "flavor of the month" breakfast. They are ridiculously easy to make and I love that I can pack fruit and veggies in my diet first thing in the morning. Smoothies retain their fiber unlike juicing.

Strawberry Spinach Green Smoothie

Adapted From: Cooking Classy

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 orange
• 1 1/2 cup spinach
• 1 cup water
• ice, to taste

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Pomegranate Berry Smoothie

Nothing like a smoothie to beat the Texas heat, even Springtime brings high temps. Can we just enjoy a season as it's intended please?!

This smoothie is refreshing and packed with health-protecting antioxidants. Pomegranates have anti-inflammatory properties, reduce the risk of cancer, and can help manage cholesterol and weight loss.

I did not like pomegranate juice the first time I tried it on it's own but now I love it. It's tart with a touch of sweetness. You can use pomegranate juice or pomegranate arils, your preference.

Pomegranate Berry Smoothie

From: Will Cook For Smiles

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 3 strawberries, quartered

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Strawberry Banana Spritzer

I made this Strawberry Banana Spritzer as a quick snack before heading out to have lunch with my best friend for her birthday. The weather has warmed up here in Texas during the days and this was so smooth and refreshing. I chose to use fresh fruit but you can use frozen if you want more of a slushy texture.

Strawberry Banana Spritzer

Adapted From: Juice It! Energizing Blends for Today's Juicer

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup strawberries, quartered
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup tropical kombucha

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'... PB and J Shakeology

PB and J Shakeology

From: Team Beachbody

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• crushed ice, to taste

And Action:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Wendy's Inspired Strawberry Fields Chicken Salad

Because my priorities have shifted to studying for my CLFP exam I have been recording all of my shows to watch on Friday night/Saturday morning to catch up. Even though I get to fast forward through the commercials I couldn't help getting sucked into the marketing of Wendy's Strawberry Fields Chicken Salad because it comes on every commercial break so I catch glimpses of strawberries and bacon. Oh my!

One evening after work I was exhausted, it felt like 100 degrees, and I did not want to cook. I could have easily pulled into the Wendy's drive thru but have been making healthier choices the last week and didn't want to get off course so I pulled into Randalls to gather the ingredients. 

I went on the Wendy's menu to read the salad description so I knew what to get. 

I know I said I didn't want to cook but frying bacon doesn't count. To me anyway. 

This salad is sweet and tangy with spring greens topped with grilled chicken, crumbled bleu cheese, salty bacon, and juicy red strawberries. This salad is perfect for dinner being that it is light and healthy coming in under 500 calories.

Wendy's Inspired Strawberry Fields Chicken Salad

Adapted From: Wendy's

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 2 cups spring mix
• 1/2 cup strawberries, quartered
• 1/8 cup bleu cheese crumbles
• 2 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
• 1/8 cup sunflower seeds
• 4 oz grilled chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
• 2 tbsp fat free balsamic vinaigrette 

And Action:

Layer all the ingredients on top of the mixed salad greens and drizzle with the dressing. Enjoy!