It's time for a SELF-INTERVENTION...

source: Home Grown Hospitality

I'm gearing up to start TWO very powerful 30-day challenges next week...
related specifically to properly fueling my body and changing some bad habits I've developed.
And because the two challenges compliment each other...
I'm starting them the same day - Monday, April 1st.

Click the "Read More" button below to find out what I'll be doing...

GOOD THiNGS | Simple Green Smoothies 30-Day Challenge

It seems there's been nothing but sugar on the blog lately! *wink*

How about a little detox from all the sweets today?
Let's focus on something I think is perfectly festive for St. Patty's Day...
and is absolutly nutritious and good for you too...

Green Smoothies

We've talked Green Smoothies before...here and here.
Today, however, is a bit different...

Click the "Read More" button for the entire scoop...

GOOD THiNGS | Bananas over bananas

Over the Summer...
something happened.

In my search to reach for healthier snack alternatives...
I became obsessed with bananas.
I thought I'd share with you what I refer to as...
My "Banana Evolution"...

It all began with these...

Green Smoothies

After including  lots of green smoothies for my breakfast or lunch...

I started noticing my thirteen year old daughter snacking on something interesting...

The frozen banana halves I had stocked in the freezer for my smoothies.

She just wrapped some plastic around the cold, frozen banana and ate it like a popsicle.

She swore they tasted just like ice cream so I had to try it. YUM!

Which then inspired these...

Banana Popsicles

I decided to add a stick to fresh cut bananas and then freeze them...making them an official popsicle.

Shown here using rods from The Pastry Pedestal™

Which led to the ultimate treat

Soft Serve Banana Ice Cream

Frozen Bananas + Food Processor = Banana Ice Cream

Variations of this ultimate treat quickly evolved...

Soft Serve Banana Nut Ice Cream

Frozen Bananas + Blender  topped off with Honey + Walnuts = Banana Nut Ice Cream

(see how the blender creates more of a creamy outcome vs. the firmer version from the food processor).

Soft Serve Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

Frozen Bananas + Blender + Peanut Butter = Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

Topped off with a super simple homemade raw chocolate syrup:

2 TBSP Agave Nectar + 1 TBSP cocoa powder

Can it get any better than that?

A whole food, simply made yummier by freezing it.

I love it.

SUPPLIES NEEDED (Makes 1 large serving or 2 small servings)

• 2-3 frozen bananas (sliced or cut into chunks prior to freezing)

• Food processor or blender

Optional: Toppings 

INSTRUCTIONS

Using a blender or food processor, add 2-3 frozen bananas.

Blend for a few seconds until bananas reach a creamy, "soft serve" ice cream consistency.

Sprinkle with nuts, fruits or raw syrups to keep things nice & healthy. *wink*

Serve immediately.

TiPS:

Using a Blender - you may want to put the bananas in the blender and let them thaw for a few minutes prior to blending.

                                 Your results will be more creamy than "soft serve". Still delicious.

Using a Food Processor - I prefer the consistency of the ice cream I got using my super mini food processor.

                                               It's more of a true soft-serve ice cream. 

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to discover such a simple, healthy,  FUN snack alternative.

I hope you'll be inspired to try it out yourself.

I'm working on perfecting a "fall" flavored version.

I'll let you know what I come up with.

Make it a great week, friends!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

The Peanut Butter + Banana version is my absolute favorite.

But then again...we all know I have a weakness for peanut butter. *wink*

Lots of fun things coming up...

Including a FUN giveaway announcement!!                                      

DiSCOVER | Green Smoothies & Photo-A-Day

It's Summer...
and although I'm still up at 3:45 a.m. most days...
trying to slip in extra work hours before anyone wakes up...
I've still been able to sneak in some fun here and there with the kids.
(which is also the main reason for getting such an early start on my day).


I've also discovered a couple of new things I've chosen to implement into my daily schedule...
I thought you may be interested in them too...

THING ONE

Green Smoothies

I've got some lifestyle goals for myself...
one of which includes continuing to incorporate more vegetables into my daily diet.
This green smoothie recipe is one of the best I've found, (thank you Grandma Kirkland)
and allows me to start my day off right.

RECIPE AND INSTRUCTIONS (Makes 2 servings)

5 cups spinach (or kale) 

2 medium bananas (frozen)

2  1/2 cups water

1/4 lemon (frozen)

agave nectar (to your liking)

1/2 cup frozen pineapple/mango pieces

Combine everything using a heavy-duty blender.

TIPS:

Purchase the following items in bulk from Costco/Sam's and then freeze in Gallon Size Ziploc Bags

Spinach (yes, you can freeze spinach. I didn't know that either).

Bananas (peeled and cut in half)

Lemons (quarter the lemons and freeze - seeds & rind included)

Pop the cut lemons in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes and then shake the bag so the lemons don't stick/freeze together.

Pineapple/Mango Frozen Fruit - already bagged *wink*

THING TWO
Photo-A-Day Challenge

I have discovered "PHOTO-A-DAY" prompts created by Fat Mum Slim.
These are daily prompts to inspire you to photograph/document the everyday.
The list of prompts above is for the month of July.
(Today is July 16th so the prompt is "sign").

Taken straight from the Fat Mum Slim website

Here’s how to play:

1. Look at the list. What’s the prompt for the day? Let’s pretend it’s self portrait.

2. Take a photo of yourself, either in the mirror or some way else.

3. Upload your photo to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, your blog, Pinterest or where ever it is you want to share your photo. Use the hashtag #photoadayjuly so people can find your photos

4. Check out everyone else’s photos. Comment or like them!

For me...

PHOTO-A-DAY was just what I needed to push me to document the everyday...

which has led me to REALLY look at the little things around me...

and photograph things I may have previously thought to be insignificant...

which in reality are the little details of my life that tell my story.

It's also inspired me creatively.

I've been having so much fun using the amazing apps available for

truly taking my "iPhoneology" to an entirely new level.

Here are a few examples from my Instagram feed...

Photo Prompt: Building

Photo Prompt: Open


Photo Prompt: Chair


Photo Prompt: Fun


Photo Prompt: Best Part of Your Day


Photo Prompt: Busy


Photo Prompt: Self Portrait


Photo Prompt: Something Cute



Photo Prompt: Drink


Photo Prompt: Empty

I LOVE looking back through my photos...

remembering the little moments.

If you are inspired to join the Photo-A-Day challenge - jump right in.

And don't stress if you miss a day. (or two...or three - don't sweat it...it's supposed to be fun - not a arduous task). *wink*

Otherwise, if you are just looking to make photo-taking more fun...

check out the list below:  

My favorite iPhone apps: (most are available for Android phones too).

Leme Camera

Phonto FREE

LensLight

Pixfx

BubbleFrame

Pixlr-o-matic FREE

I'll be sharing a simple tutorial this week to take you through the steps of my process.

Another FABULOUS TiP:

From my computer, I absolutely LOVE using Pinstagram for viewing my Instagram photos.

Pinstagram makes it super easy to

• follow others

• comment on photos

• "LOVE" photos

• Pin photos to "Pinterest"  (super cool)

• Post to Facebook

• Post to Twitter

I hope I've helped to get your week off to a great start!

If you've been inspired to join PHOTO-A-DAY...I'd love to know.

Looking forward to a fun week ahead!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I've been packing J's lunches in the morning...

and sending him off with a green smoothie too.

He wasn't excited at first...

But after tasting the smoothie - he's not complaining. *wink*

Besides, it makes me feel good knowing I'm pumping him up with good vitamins.