Green Smoothie Recipe

I'm in love with vegetables (and fruit)! I love nearly everything in the green department for vegetables. I know this is not a favorite color among many. So, I recommend two things: 1) Take a whole food supplement and 2) blend up a smoothie!

This morning we made a green smoothie comprising of banana, pineapple with its core, fresh spinach and kale, water and ice. Fill Vitamix in this order. Blend for 30 seconds.

*Benefits of banana: potassium, rich in vitamin B6, elimination properties (think electrolytes)

*Benefits of pineapple: antioxidants and inflammatory properties, highest in Maganese, digestive benefits

*Benefits of spinach: antioxidants, carotenoids, highest in Vitamins K, A, C and folate

*Benefits of kale: cholesterol lowering benefits, Omega 3 properties, detox support, several dozen flavonoids, high in vitamins K, A, and C, inflammatory properties

What is your favorite green smoothie recipe? Don't have one? Try this one! Then share with us your favorite smoothie (one that you make). 

Eat (or drink) Well. Live Well. 


*WHFoods dot org

November is ...

Did you know that November is peanut butter month?! I surely didn't until I started planning activities for the children at the after school program I run. 

This month we are doing several activities...

For snack, we've incorporated peanut butter with our freshly sliced apples, graham and regular crackers. We'll be doing a bird feeder with pine cones, bird seed and peanut butter and later we'll be doing a "how to make a peanut butter and jelly" sandwich written activity. Each child will write up how to make a PB&J sandwich including every step and we'll make them according to their directions. I did this activity years ago in the third grade. I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was fun and out of the children in my class only one included most of the steps. After the activity, I will make sandwiches for the children and serve it with a cup of 2% milk for their snack.

November is not only peanut butter month but also Native American Heritage month. We'll be making rain sticks this coming week in honor of my late grandpa who passed away last August. He was from the Oneida tribe. RIP Pops!

It is also the month that we recognize and attribute acts of gratefulness in the public sense through the holiday, Thanksgiving. Growing up this holiday meant a day or 2 out of school, friends over, lots of food to eat, and play time while the adults watched football. As an adult, it is simply a day where phone calls are made to touch base with family members and friends who live far away. It is also a time to have a heart of thanksgiving. Let not just one day of the year be in remembrance of all that God has given but make it a priority to thank Him daily! In the after school program, we'll be doing an activity where the children will talk about what they're thankful for. I hope to receive many responses. Perhaps adding to this will be cards the children can write to their parents to thank them for what they do. 

First 5 Riverside (County, CA)

November is Celebrate Children's Literacy Month and First 5 Riverside is giving away free books to children ages 0-5 who reside in Riverside County CA. Their program is Read Early Read Aloud and you may contact them at 1-800-266-3880 providing them your children's ages and mailing address. Call soon because supplies will run out!!


I just learned about this opportunity yesterday while reading the IE Family Magazine. There was an ad in the November issue. I called them yesterday to request books for the After School Program (ASP) I run for children with LINC Housing / LINC Cares in San Jacinto. I had just taken notice a few days ago that my bookshelf needed more books for the Kindergartners who are ambitious about reading. 


In my ASP, we are in our second month of the "Fall Into Reading" Literacy Program. The children earn bucks for reading and summarizing books (or drawing pictures for those under 7) and they can use these to buy fun items at my "store" that I open once a week. There will also be prizes for the top 2 performers at the end of November for the children who've participated the most. Currently, one of my 5 year olds is in first place! 


First 5 Riverside dropped off 10 books to my program today. I don't know how many they send to homes but it's worth checking. So. Call. Right. Now. (Or wait until the next business day!)

Christmas Cards - White House - Military Children

Military OneSource
The First Lady is asking military children from around the globe for some personal contributions to the finishing touches on the White House decorations this holiday season.

The request is for military children to submit 5x8" handmade holiday cards with words of appreciation for their military parents, as well as pictures and drawings. The White House will display as many of the cards as possible.

Participants are asked to send holiday cards to the following address along with information from where they are sending it by November 16, 2011: Reservation 1, Attn: Social Office, PO Box 8070, Washington DC, 20032

A King's Daughter

After nearly 14 years since receiving my salvation, on Sunday, October 16th, I was water baptized! Why did it take so long? Probably formalities or missed the announcements over the years. I first showed interest in doing so in 2004 but when the church scheduled it, I was on my way out of the country so I missed it. Then when I attended the church overseas, it took a few years before there was enough interest per se for it to be held - who knows this is just speculation. Well, I knew this year that when the opportunity came up I was going to do it rain or shine (figurative/literal) and that's just what happened! I heard the announcement two weeks before and committed to it! Why did I do it? I want to deepen my relationship to and with Jesus Christ. To me, it's not about religion, it's about relationship! Honestly, that's how I treat everything in my life. Relationship trumps everything.  Business cannot be conducted without first having a relationship with people. It's not about products or services, it's about them! So with this baptism, it is about Jesus! I want to fulfill my calling to be a Prayer Warrior for the Most High. It is a pleasure to pray with and for others. How did I feel while it took place/afterwards? I had much peace and sheer happiness. Everyone said they were excited to see me because of the joyful expression I had on my face. I felt my body shake a little after coming out of the water. Matter of fact the feeling was much like surrendering to the Holy Spirit right before you "fall out". I was thankful my husband was there along with my son. My little one after seeing me come out of the water yelled, "my turn!" then proceeded to hand me my towel. What a sweet boy. This was a public declaration that I call myself a Christ follower. I'm a sinner but I am forgiven. I am grateful for a gracious God, Someone who will always love me, One who has chosen me and has equipped me for this journey. Thank you Heavenly Father. #JesusReigns

Chipotle

One of my favorite "fast-food" places is Chipotle. When I first learned of this restaurant 7 years ago, I ordered a chicken burrito and could not finish it in one sitting let alone two. It was definitely large enough (if filled with enough ingredients) to last 3 meals for someone like me. After last year when I decided to become a flexitarian (someone who chooses to eat meat every once in awhile) I fell in love with their veggie bowls. I always get rice, black beans, peppers/onions, corn and tomato salsa, lettuce and guacamole. I take it to go and it serves me two meals. My 3-year old son enjoys eating the veggie bowls too.


Calories for my veggie bowl round out at about 530 and most times I order chips (570 cal.) for a total of 1100 calories. This is fair considering I do not eat this meal all in one sitting. 


What is your favorite item from the Chipotle menu?

Electrolytes

Yesterday I fell sick. =(  It was really like falling out. I called out of work. I am not sure if I caught a 24-hour bug or if it was a delayed effect from my intense workout that I started last Monday. Either way, I know that my electrolytes are low. I am doing my best staying hydrated with good ole water but I'm on my way to the store to pick up foods natural in electrolytes like avocados, bananas, and oranges. I choose to opt out of Gatorade or any "pick-me-up" drink filled with artificial ingredients. I'm looking forward to these yummy foods to not only replenish my electrolytes but to make my belly happy. 


What do you do to replenish your electrolytes?