Quitting Caffeine with Dandy Blend

I spent last week up to my eyeballs in notecards. Usually, my frantic last minute studying is accompanied by a large cup of coffee or three, but this week I traded in my mocha for an herbal substitute c/o Dandy Blend. 

*I was sent Dandy Blend for review. As always, this does not affect my opinion of the product or company in any way. You can read my full disclosure here.

Clean Start for the New Year

Simple Pumpkin Smoothie

I know Thanksgiving is over, but I'm still holding on to a recipe I made around that holiday. I figured if I'm still hooked, its about time to share with all of you. This recipe is a little different- It's not great. (Ok, but keep reading) I'm not a huge fan of pumpkin, which could contribute to my less than stellar remarks about the flavor... Don't get me wrong, it's good, just not mind blowing. So why do I keep drinking it? It's tastes good enough, but makes you feel absolutely amazing all day! When I drink this orange goop for breakfast, I feel lighter, healthier, happier, and tend to eat healthier throughout the day to keep up the good feeling. 

Say what? A Green Smoothie Recipe

Today is my birthday. 

The big 21! 

When I woke up, my wonderful boyfriend offered to take me to our favorite little place for breakfast, and I did the unthinkable. 

"Could I have a green smoothie instead?"

What? Did that really just come out of my mouth?

Yes. Yes, it did. 

It's that good. 

It's also great way to sneak in some fruits and vegetables!

I like the pineapple to be frozen and the banana fresh. I think it makes the smoothie a little more creamy. You can also throw in some chia seeds, or other supplement type things if you'd like. 
The best part is the pineapple and banana overpowers the kale. You won't even know it's there! 
But if by chance the kale is too much, start out by putting only a few pieces in, and build up by smoothie from there.

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite green smoothie recipe?
Please share 
:)

The Best Banana Muffins Ever

I've reached 100 followers, and I've made you muffins! 

Well... I've made 12. First come first serve ;)

As you may have guessed, I've come to share a recipe post with you. 

This recipe was given to me by my lovely mother. We have been making this very recipe together since I was little. I have no idea where she got it from, but  if you've seen it before feel free to share your source. 

*To give you an idea of how amazing these muffins are, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I'm writing this post before the muffins are even out of the oven. The need to share this recipe was so great, I haven't even taken the "final product" photo. Don't fret, they should be done before I hit publish. 

This is one of those recipes that is so simple, someone with a decent memory could probably memorize it. I am not that person, and have the recipe displayed on my fridge. If you're capable of such a superhuman activity as memorization, you may want to consider using that power for this recipe. You won't regret it. 

The apple sauce really helps keep these muffins moist, and those little apple sauce cups you get in packs are exactly half a cup!

P.s. I add another tspn of vanilla... don't tell. Oh, and two-three extra bananas. Depending on how long I let them sit, and how shriveled they've become.

Two bowls. 

Wet ingredients (bananas, vanilla, etc) in one, Dry ingredients (flour, sugar, etc) in the other. 

Combine slowly. 

That easy!

The secret to this recipe is letting the bananas ripen to a point of mushy that-doesn't-even-look-like-a-banana.ness. 

Its a lifestyle choice, actually. Every time I by bananas, I let the last one sit around on the counter for awhile. My roommates start asking when I'll throw it away. Friends start questioning my cleaning habits, and staging interventions. That's usually the point I hide it behind the fruit bowl. Then I'll throw it in the freezer. Once I've got 4-5, its baking time!

Yummy. 

I threw in a pretty fresh banana too... the black ones were a little small.

I used whole grain baking flour. Yummy!

These pictures are incredibly unattractive. It's really one of those "you have to taste it cause it's not pretty" foods.

Pick your poison, and grease the pan. I've used Pam here, because it was the first thing I saw in the cabinet, but your welcome to use whatever makes you happy, or least unhappy. These muffins are notoriously sticky things when baking, and the grease helps with the whole removal-in-one-piece process.

Yes. There was wine with baking... It's 93 degrees in my house, and its midnight. Sometimes you need wine.

But back to the glorious muffins. The black bananas make these babies pretty sweet. If sweet isn't what your going for tone down the ripe.

Is there anything you would brave the oven for this scorching summer? Share the recipe!

Stay Cool Snack

Well hey there stranger, 

I know I haven't said much in a while, but lives gotten in the way. Also, it has been beautiful out lately, which has led to me spending more time outdoors than with my laptop. Fear not, I've got plenty in store for my lovely readers! 

While you wait, enjoy a grape. 

Really though... 

It has been sooo hot out, and I have been doing everything I can to stay cool. 

Recently, I have not been able to stop reaching for these, and thought it was only appropriate I share. 

So here are some frozen grapes for you all. 

We give our puppy ice cubes to stay cool, and he loves them!

But ice cubes were never my thing. It just seemed so... boring. Frozen grapes, on the other hand, are delicious. Throw a couple handfuls in a container and toss them in the freezer for a few hours. When it gets hot, and you're looking for something to snack on, you'll be glad you did. 

On a totally unrelated not, I've got some great things planed, including giveaways, a fabulous brand review and a great way to get this oh-so-effortless beach hair. 

What's your go to stay cool snack?

The most amazing Salsa-Side-Dish type thing

Ok. So I know the name sounds oh so yummy- I was feeling really creative with that one. 

But really...

this stuff is good 

and easy

and cheap

And you can make a TON of it just as easy as a little. 

Doesn't that look good?

Ok, so here it is:

Black Beans (1 can- rinsed well)

Corn (3 ears- cut off)

Rotel (2 cans-drained)

Cilantro (2 handfuls)

Lime (1 or 2-squeezed)

*Rotel is a canned tomato/pepper/salsa-y thing- You can substitute diced tomatoes and jalapenos

Serve cold as a side dish or with chips as a salsa. 

Yum! 

What's your favorite summer recipe? Share the link or leave it as a comment below! 

Almost Homemade Soup (in under 5 minutes)

OK. Not that impressive. Almost homemade? Yeah... I know. 

Not that impressive. 

But you haven't tasted this soup. It's simple, healthy, and budget friendly. 

Black Bean Soup

Ingredients?

2 cans black beans, and about 3/4's of a can of your favorite salsa. 

(maybe a little cheese and cilantro, if you want to put in a little extra effort)

Oh. and a food processor. Or a blender.

-Rinse the black beans thoroughly. 

I used a can of rotel instead of salsa, as I didn't have any on hand. 

(rotel is basically canned salsa- tomato, peppers, and such)

-Put one and a half can black beans and the salsa in a food processor/blender. 

-Turn on. High. About 45 seconds.

-put mixture in pot with remaining black beans. 

-Heat. 

Serve topped with shredded cheese and cilantro. 

So easy! 

No final photo. Let's be honest. Black bean soup isn't all that pretty. 

Heats up quick, and uses your favorite salsa, so you're bound to like it!

What's your go to recipe when you've only got a minute?

A Bite: Couscous for Lunch

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well" 

-Virginia Woolf

Food is fuel. 

Choose Wisely. 

I've been meaning to post a couple of recipes for awhile now, and after making this 

Mango, jalapeno couscous with black beans

for lunch today, I couldn't help but share. It's so simple, quick, and delicious! 

Sooo Easy to make: 

. prepare plain couscous according to directions on the box (about 5 minutes)

. dice 1 mango 

. dice 1 jalapeno 

. heat 1 can black beans

. Combine

(pictured: 2 servings couscous according to box instructions- ends up about 4-6 servings)

Enjoy!