Filling the Freezer - Green Drink Ready to Blend

I try and drink a green drink or smoothie made with kale and fruit everyday. Great way to get a couple servings of veggies and a fruit or two in my diet. I find that I often can't use up the kale before it goes bad or I have fresh kale but I'm out of bananas or pineapple. I decided to package up my green drink ingredients and freeze them. That way I'll always have what I need to get my greens in for the day. 

Note: The greens seemed to give off a gassy or strong smell when I opened the bag after it had been in the freezer a week or so. It tasted fine but I just want you to be aware of the possibility.

My recipe is pretty simple...

To make two 6-8 ounce drinks I fill each quart size freezer bag with the following:

3-4 cups kale, washed and chopped 

1/2 banana

1/2 apple (peeled if it isn't organic)

1/2 cup pineapple chunks (canned in juice or fresh)

1/2 cup pineapple juice or a combination of water and juice

(If you don't want to use juice just eliminate it from the bag. Add water to the blender when you're ready to make the drink.)

-you can substitute any fruit you like-

Prep

Wash, peel and core the apple (unless it's organic then I don't peel) 

Cut the apple and banana in to chunks.

Drain the pineapple juice in to a measuring cup.

Layer the apple, banana and pineapple chunks in the bottom of a freezer bag. 

Pour the juice over the fruit. (This will keep the fruit from turning brown.)

Stuff the kale in the bag and close it up. 

Each bag contains 1/2 apple, 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup pineapple
chunks, 1/2 cup juice and about 3 cups kale.  This make
two servings of 6-8 ounces each. I drink one with breakfast and
one for an afternoon snack. 

TIP
To remove the air insert a clean straw into the bag. Close the bag around the straw. Suck the air out of the bag. Quickly remove the straw and close the bag. Not quite the same as a Food Saver but does a pretty good job.

Place the bags in the freezer and use within one month.

To use put 1 cup of water in a blender and add the frozen ingredients. Blend to desired consistency.
You may need to add more water or juice to your liking.
If your blender can't handle the frozen fruit  and liquid you may need to defrost the bag first.

Defrost over night in the fridge or allow the bag to sit in a bowl of water for about and hour until defrosted enough to blend.

It feels good knowing that I won't be throwing out any more kale. 

Enjoy!

Patti

Joining other health seekers at:

Holiday Battle of the Bulge

My Typical Breakfast - by Patti

I find it's easier for me to stick to a basic eating plan for breakfast and lunch. I don't want to have to think about it too much so I have a few go to meals that I turn to.

This is what I usually eat for breakfast.

If I'm in a big hurry to get out of the house or I'm eating breakfast late I have:
Almond milk and fruit smoothie
Blend until smooth-
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup fruit (frozen cherries are my favorite but I also like banana and pineapple)
This is 1 WW plus point.
This meal in a glass gives me a good dose of calcium (450 mg) and one fruit. If I don't have this for breakfast I usually have one in the afternoon.

If I'm in a hurry or don't feel like cooking I have:
Cereal and Fruit
1 Shredded Wheat biscuit (the big biscuits, no sugar added)
Banana (the only fruit I like on cereal)
1/4 cup of milk (I don't care for too much milk on my cereal)
This meal gives me a dose of fiber (one biscuit 3 grams), one fruit and a little bit of calcium.
This is about 3 WW plus points

Most mornings I make the time to have:
Egg, Veggies and Toast
1 cup veggies such as broccoli, spinach or zucchini
a little bit of onion and peppers
1 tsp olive oil
1 egg
1 TBS grated cheese
1 slice Ezekiel bread toasted with 1 tsp butter
Saute the veggies in oil until tender, add the beaten egg and stir till cooked through, top with a little cheese.
Including the toast this is about 6 WW plus points

This breakfast gives me a good protein, healthy oil,
whole sprouted grain and one serving of veggies. It also
keeps me satisfied until lunch time. 

What do you like to eat for breakfast. Care to share?

Today is the day the Lord has made!

Enjoy it!

Patti

How I Get My Fruits and Veggies - Trina

What I've been eating to try and get in my

5 servings of fruits and vegetables

Mixed Green Salad with orange peel, a squeeze of fresh orange juice, salsa and tropical mango dressing. I discovered that I enjoy salads with citrus flavors. 2 tbsp Tropical Mango dressing is 1PPV.
Nutrition Facts for the 2 tbsp of this dressing: Fat 1.5g, Carbohydrate 5g,  Fiber 0g,  Protein 0g,  Sodium 90 mg, Sugar 4g

Mixed Green Salad with taco meat

Working on my spaces!

Pre-cut fruits and vegetables in my refrigerator

I put half of a small paper towel in the bottom of the containers of my pre-cut fresh fruits like strawberries.The paper towel absorbs excess juice and seems to keep the fruit fresher longer.



My Berry Parfait



Contains:  6oz. Fage 0% Greek Yogurt - 2PPV, 1 Truvia  or Pure via

2 tsp. honey 1 PPV, cinnamon and berries all layer throughout.

Yum!

Healthy Habit 2 - Eat at Least Five Fruits and Veggies a Day

Our new habit is to eat at least five fruits and vegetables everyday.

If you're following Weight Watchers:

Fruit counts as zero points if there's no added sugar. Go for fresh or frozen with no additional sugar or fruit canned in fruit juice. (Drain off the juice.) Dried fruit such as raisins do have a point value.

For veggies to count as zero they shouldn't be cooked in butter or covered with a sauce.

See the WW material for a complete list of fruits and veggies that are zero points.

A few ideas:

• Good For You Fruit Smoothie
• Chop an apple and cook it with your morning oatmeal
• Don't buy fruit flavored yogurt. Use plain yogurt and add lots of fresh strawberries or peaches.
• Pack a snack to take with you. Carrots and celery travel well.
• Add lettuce and tomato to your sandwiches.
• Don't forget to count cooked veggies such as tomatoes in the chili or spaghetti sauce.
• Grate carrots and yellow squash in with the ground beef when making meatloaf. Add nutrients plus make the meal moist.
• Use thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant in place of lasagna noodles in you favorite recipe
• Don't forget mushrooms. Eat them raw in a salad or saute them in a little oil and garlic. I've heard that mushrooms will absorb impurities from the body. I'm not sure if that's true but they are tasty and zero points! (not counting the oil)

 Don't forget to keep up working on Habit 1-your journal.

What's your favorite way to eat fruits and vegetables?