Is it the weekend YET?

Wow. It seems like this work week is taking forever to pass. I can't wait to get a lot accomplished over the weekend. I have quite a bit of work lined up for me over the weekend, which includes donating a TON of clothes to goodwill, de-cluttering the basement, and packing up the summer shoes & clothes for the move. I am going to buy a bunch of those rubbermaid containers for sure!

I feel like my cold isn't getting any worse, I actually feel pretty good. I think it is has something to do with some of my remedies.... Green Goddess soup for any sickies?

                                                      (looks like some nasty baby food is being consumed but trust me, some serious delciousness is actually emploding here)

Every morning on my way to work I make a Green Smoothie packed with lots of greens and drink it on my drive in.

Into the Vita-Mix goes 1/2 frozen banana, couple chunks of frozen mango or strawberries (or whatever else is in the freezer at the moment) a couple handfuls of spinach and kale, a scoop of Amazing Grass Chocolate Infusion Amazing Meal (I purchase mine from Whole Foods where it is cheaper by a couple $$) 1 Tablespoon of flax oil and 1/4 cup (or more depending on how thick you like your smoothie) of almond milk (I use unsweetend vanilla Blue Diamond brand) BLEND and enjoy. It is actually really yummy and I enjoy it and I know it is extremely healthy. I am hoping this is helping my body cure this virus on it's own.

Hope everyone has a great weekend & enjoys this gorgeous fall weather.

Nichole

Running on Empty

I feel like I have been running on empty. I am battling a cold right now, seems like everyone has around my household as well. Bad cough, itchy throat and not much energy. I am trying remedies that I know have worked for me in the past and I am hoping to conquer this virus!
I am eating lots of greens and soups (always feel good on a sore throat), drinking a lot of water, and working out (as long as I have the energy to do it). I made a batch of Green Goddess Soup which is a recipe from my cousin Haley Montemayor who is developing her own blog and website at Healthy Habit Lifestyle. Hopefully she posts the recipe soon!

The Green Goddess soup is a VERY green soup and amazing at that. 24 Cups of chopped greens (kale, spinach and swiss chard) in this soup & I love eating it knowing how healthy it is for me! This has got to beat that virus, RIGHT!?

(re-heated and enjoying for lunch @ work)

Very Green Goddess like, No?

This would be a fantastic baby food recipe!

Speaking of babies.. I was lucky enough to hang out with my little cousin Silas on Sunday and take him to an indoor pool party. I LOVE THIS BOY!!!!

& he loves the water. He loves to splash splash splash!!!!

Sleeping Angel. :) So tired from all the splashing.

I think Miso soup has some healing abilities as well. What do you think?

Not sure about the packaged kind but I am hoping so! I love Luden's throat drops, taste great and really help my irratated throat.

I am getting ready to move out of the city and into the country. I am extremely excited to move but not looking forward to packing! I started packing some of my decor and books off of my bookshelf.
My living room looks like this....

Can't wait to be in the new place and enjoy a more peaceful life. Right now I am on a busy intersection and can always hear traffic, lots of people walking by, garbage blowing in my front yard is inevitable. I am ready to move on. Looking forward to a quieter lifestyle and even though I love the city - it will only be a short drive away. You know who else can't wait to move....

They have no idea what's coming and the BIG yard they will get to run around in. We will also have a large field directly behind our yard. Less than 30 days now! I better get on that packing.... :o & feeling better.

Nichole

Vegan Overnight Oat Parfaits

I have been eyeing up Angela's VOO Parfait's for awhile now. Finally I tried it. I get it. These. Are. Amazing.

I have tried the regular vegan overnight oats but how BRILLIANT to make them with banana soft serve.
I whipped this baby up quick and devoured it just as quickly.

1/3 Cup Regular Oats

3/4 Cup almond milk

2 T Chia Seeds

1 ripe banana (mashed)

1/4 pure vanilla extract

Mix together in a bowl and refridgerate overnight.

Make banana soft serve, in food processor or blender.

1 banana with a splash of any milk, process until smoove.

Then layer the goodness... and toppings of choice.

Topped with coconut and cocoa nibs.

I would like to eat this everyday.

I hope you try it.

My lovely Kujo... guarding his bone. haha

Nichole

Cherry Banana Soft Serve

Frozen cherries, frozen bananas and an ice cream craving. What's a girl to do???


Whip up some cherry banana soft serve of course.

Into the VITA-MIX went

• 3 frozen bananas
• 2 handfuls frozen pitted cherries
• splash of almond milk
• couple drops of stevia or sweetner of choice

Blend for a few seconds - maybe 10 depending on your blender.

This was so good, tart and sweet at the very sametime.

Here is a strawberry banana version...

With carob chips and bits and pieces of Raw cookie dough bits.

Sweet tooth satisfied. For Now.

:)

Nichole

 

Alaskan Feasting & Refried Black Beans

My birthday was back in August and my dad sent me a large box full of delicious, wild Alaskan seafood. I recieved 2 large salmon filets, 2 smoked salmon filets, 2 large bags of frozen shrimp, and scallops. Thus far I have made honey salmon with aspargus.......

Marinate fish in honey glaze for a couple hours before grilling. This fish turned out fantastic! I also made scallop scampi by cooking the scallops in a white wine, butter, garlic mixture, and topped over pasta. The shrimp have just been boiled and enjoyed with cocktail sauce. I am slowly devouring the whole box of seafood!

One of my favorite foods has got be authentic mexican food. My Grandma is the best at making it. I love love love, did I mention LOVE her refried beans?!?!?!

It is always a treat eating them whatever she prepares along side of them. I recently took some leftover beans home and made Huevos Rancheros for breakfast!

When I am at home I do my best to re-create a vegan pinto refried bean dish. I was completely out of pinto beans, so I decided to use the black beans I had instead.

Vegan Refried Black Beans

• 1 can black beans
• 1 TBSP Earth Balance or other Vegan Butter
• Salt & Pepper to Taste

Bring beans and butter to a boil, remove from heat mash and add salt and pepper to taste.
ENJOY!

I love to put mine into a Ezekial wrap, add avacado, spinach, tomato and jalepenos. It is sooo good and this picture is making my mouth water because I am hungry for lunch right now as well!

If you try it let me know how you like it! Easy way to enjoy some vegan mexican dish at your home!

Nichole

Happy Labor Day!

I hope you are enjoying your family and friends on this glorious non-working Monday. There was a thunderstorm in Milwaukee Monday morning that lasted from 8am-10:30am and it got sunny for awhile and it is supposed to thunderstorm again later today. I love the sun, but sometimes I enjoy a rain day, it's great to clean, light some candles and enjoy the day at home. I picked up some lovely scents from Bath & Body  which I love.  I picked up a few different scents for the Wallflowers but with the fall weather I am loving Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin and..............

Vanilla Caramel... yum.

Thursday night I was a concet I was very eager to go to... LADY GAGA! She played at the Bradley Center on September 2nd. She puts on a fantastic show and it was really neat seeing all the fans that dressed up like her. I mean this is the wildest costume I seen somewhere wear...

and yes someone wore it or, their own homemade version but it was pretty interesting to say none the less. I stayed pretty simple with jean capris, flip flops and a sparkly tube top.

Yep. Right there!

 I wasn't sure how long we would be walking, because of the parking situation.

This picture was taken with my Blackberry. Not too bad hey?

My Aunt Eileen and I, in front of Gaga's bus!

Watch some live video on my youtube page here.

Great concert, she sings totally live and she is so fun to watch. Great outfit changes, never been to a pop show like this, only rock concerts, but it was so much fun!!!!

Moving on...

I made some delicious Nut Butter Parsnip Fries and they were delicious.

Ingredients:

• 
  
  3-5 medium parsnips, cut into fry like strips
• 
  
  1-2 Tbsp almond or other nut butter
• 
  
  2Tbsp peanut butter
• 
  
  1 Tbsp EVOO
• 
  
  1-2 teaspoon sea salt

Preheat oven to 400F

In a bowl mix together nut butters, olive oil and salt

Toss parsnips in the nut butter mixture and line baking sheet.

Bake for 30-40 minutes and 45 minutes for a crispier fry.

These fries were amazing!!!!!! I could not stop eating until they were gone. ENTIRELY.

Make these fries and be amazed recipe from Oh She Glows.

Nichole