Green Machine Smoothie

I love anything Brooke does.  So when she mentioned she was obsessed with this new green smoothie I had to try it.  Plus I really need to up the veggie intake.

So easy, so good.  My son loves it too which is awesome since he seems to have a love/hate relationship with greens lately.  Loves to throw them, hates to digest them.

It usually makes more than enough so I give my son his own cup.

 But he always seems to steal mine too.

Here is the recipe Brooke uses.
Here is the original recipe from Iowa Girl.

I do this:
1 cup almond milk or non fat milk
1/2 cup greek yogurt.  I usually just use plain since that is what I buy for other days
1 tablespoon peanut butter (or just a heaping scoop with a regular kitchen spoon)
1 frozen banana sliced (I've done it with out the banana and it doesn't taste that different, just added some ice)
4 cups of baby spinach  (I just fill the rest of the blender)
* I usually add some agave syrup if I don't have french vanilla yogurt to give it some sweetness

Blend and sip.

So delicious and you can't taste all that spinach.  Like a peanut butter banana treat.

Food Face

Bath time has been increased to every night after meals like this.

I went to a great luncheon hosted by Big City Moms the other day about starting solids for your baby.  It was so much more than just how to start solids.  Nutrition, home made tips, importance of organic, safe feeding products, shaping future eating habits and meeting other NYC moms.

I started making organic food for him last month and thought I was doing well.  This luncheon really helped to show me how to really take advantage of making your own and not losing any of the nutritional values by cooking or preparing it incorrectly.

Petit Organics sponsored the luncheon and one of their owners was the speaker.  She was extremely nice, knowledgeable and didn't just push their food but really wanted us to learn how to make our own and provide the best options we can for our own children.

She also had a nutritionist speak and for us to refer questions to.  I will say they had some strong feelings towards a formula free diet due to the amount of soy and what is in rice cereal but I think you just have to take away what you think is best for your child and what you are able to do.  They did voice some great alternatives to formula.  I am definitely going to start making my own cereal for him and making sure it is brown, oats or barley.

I learned so much about why glass and BPA free is important, priority of which produce should really be organic, what to feed when, the FDA on baby food and produce, the ultimate goal of a healthy diet for a baby and most importantly all the hidden ingredients in jar and packaged baby food.  Even the organic.  To me, this was a huge eye opener and gave me even more reason to make my own food.  They also were extremely helpful in the correct way to make your own food, freeze and prepare.

I could go on and on about what I learned but if you have any questions or want to know more feel free to email me.

They obviously did not sponsor this post (I am not that influential) but they did give two jars of their organic, natural sweet potato food.  Big hit with the boy as you can see above.

The Veganist

I made this shirt but it got stuck together in the wash. 

Did anyone catch Oprah last week?  I'm not an Oprah watcher but I dvr'd it when I saw Michael Pollan speaking again.

My husband and I were inspired by his appearance on Oprah last year and after reading a few of his books.  We really enjoyed trying Alicia Silverstone's Kind Diet last year.

Today's episode was a good reminder why we should eat natural, organic and even vegan'ish.  If Oprah can't commit fully, who really can?

She had her staff try being Vegan for a week.

Although if I was given a huge bag of vegan products and food from Whole Foods it would be a little easier and cheaper.  And my own personal chef or cafeteria.

This video is really funny of a staffer not so happy with the challenge.  You can watch Lisa Ling's tour of a slaughter house after, but it made me a little sick.

Just something to think about.  Or read about.

A few of my other vegan flirtations
Cupcakes
Dishes

Define Yourself

My sister is all into her fitness and eating well routine again.  She looks good, feels good and is making us all jealous of her dedication.

If you are in the Houston area check out Define Body & Mind Studio.  It is a type of core fusion work out if you are looking for it in another city.

Their is also a DVD that she gave me for mothers to do a Define workout while wearing their baby.  We did it together while she was here last week.  It's great!  My son really seems to enjoy it too.

Power Foods

A few random thoughts and posts today to start off this week and end this month.  

I bought this book on Friday.  I am very excited about it.  I'll post as I go.

Yogurt Benefits

Yogurt should be a staple of every woman's diet. There are many health benefits to eating just a cup a day. It is even a great snack for kids too. But are you eating the right kind?

If you regularly eat yogurt or think you should start (which you should) check out this clip to make sure you aren't just eating a bunch of sugar and which brands could be more beneficial.

I used to be a big fan of Light & Fit or Weight Watchers until I realized that they use artificial sweeteners. I switched over to Fage greek yogurt and love it. It is very thick, but I measure out 3/4 cup, add fruit and some granola. Delicious.

Yoga Works

Only mothers seem to get it when I say, " I still have one chin and two ankles so everything is good". Is that offensive? Sorry.

I feel very lucky at where I am weight and health wise in this thirtieth week of pregnancy. Although I have my share of sugared lemonade drinks, milkshakes and oreos, I have concentrated on eating a healthy diet and making sure to get some exercise in each day. Living in a walking city helps.

Yoga has been a great outlet. I originally planned on signing up for classes to help my body and meet other people, but ended up really enjoying a dvd that I purchased. Plus, it's free (after the $12 purchase). Three times a week my husband gets up and goes running in the park. As soon as he walks out the door, I pull out my mat and push play. It's been a great motivator for both of us.

SPRI Prenatal Yoga DVD

At first I thought the video was very easy and just stretches. Let me tell you, it gets harder. I'm not bored of it yet and I still feel some of the positions challenging. I guess they knew what they were doing. It is broken up into 4 sections. There are also three people, Shiva, Brita and Poppy. I know, how new age. Each in a different trimester so that you can adjust the workout for what is best for you. I like that. I think it would be good even if you aren't pregnant.

I didn't spend the money on a yoga strap, block or blanket. So I use an old J.Crew belt, a large throw pillow and the 1st season of the OC on dvd as my block. Works well and I can read about Seth and Summer during a boring pose.

What's Been Cook'in

We've been cooking a variety of recipes at the cup of sweetness household lately. All vegan, mostly healthy and incredibly delicious. And of course, easy.

From my Babycakes vegan, mostly gluten free cookbook:

Raspberry Scones

Blueberry Muffins

Kind Diet inspired dishes

Whole wheat pizza with grilled onions, mushrooms, black olives and soy cheese

Tomato soup with kale chips

Much like when you roast brussel sprouts and the tiny leaves fall off and get really crunchy. They're delicious! Recipe from here.

Decaf Cappuccino with Soy Milk

My new favorite treat. It's rich and sweet and delicious.

Roasted Kale with Meatless Meatballs

I am really enjoying kale. The meatballs were ok, better with a sauce then plain. I mean, they are meatless, not sure how great they can be.

Steven's Famous Fruit Smoothies

Delicious! Made with frozen fruit, fresh banana, soy milk, a little agave sweetner and a splash of orange juice.

White Truffle Radicchio Pizza

I have to recommend making this even if you eat a steak a night. It is so good with the truffle oil. Great for serving as an appetizer when entertaining or for your main course. Recipe is in the Kind Diet book, or here. SO EASY!