FUN Caprese Salad!

Okay, I've had enough of Christmas treats...I need something healthy!!
While I love to cook, I do have one criteria...it must be simple! I get impatient if a recipe is too lengthy or confusing.


Caprese Salad is always good, but this is a fun way to jazz it up a little. Anyone can make a fabulous Caprese Salad whether they consider themselves a great cook or not!


A fanned Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, Fresh Basil, Olive Oil and S & P. So easy, so good! I originally saw this idea on The Party Dress. I'll include variations that we like as well.

What you need:

Tomatoes (one for each person)

Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

Fresh Basil Leaves

Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar

S & P

How to do it:

Set the Tomato on it's side and cut slices about 1/4 inch apart, being careful not to cut all the way through. You can use any type of Tomato and any size. Just to prove it, I used Roma Tomatoes here.

Cut thin slices of Fresh Mozzarella Cheese. Put a fresh Basil leaf and a slice of Mozzarella together and slide into the cuts. When using smaller tomatoes like Roma, I use smaller Basil leaves or break large ones in half. It is easiest to slide them in together.

Sprinkle on a little Sea Salt and top with a couple grinds of Fresh Black Pepper.

These can be prepared ahead of time. When serving, drizzle a little Olive Oil & Balsamic over them.

Variations: My family loved them with a little Olive Garden Salad Dressing Knock Off drizzled, instead of Olive Oil.

Warm Variation: We also enjoyed them warm (and a little melty). Stuff the cut tomato with cheese ONLY, and put in a 350* oven for about 10 minutes. Watch it closely and take out as the tomato gets warm and the cheese is melty (not sure that's a word, but it works for me). After removing from oven, stick the Fresh Basil Leaves in with the melty cheese. Drizzle a little Olive Oil & Balsamic or Olive Garden Dressing over it and serve.

NOTE: If you put the Fresh Basil in the oven it will get black and wilty and does not look (or taste) very good). Adding it after melting retains the Fresh Basil flavor.


Here's another variation of Warm Caprese Salad.

Super fast, super easy salad to serve with any meal. Enjoy!

BUTTERFINGER (LICK YOUR FINGERS) PIE

Okay, only one more Christmas treat this week, then I am moving to some really easy recipes for quick and special holiday breakfasts and lunches.


This recipe doesn't go into the Goodie Bags, but can be whipped up in 5 minutes flat and put in the freezer for dinner or company or office party...it's always a hit at the office party!


This Butterfinger Pie recipe is soooo easy, yet soooo good!


What you need:
6 Butterfinger Candy Bars (or 18 mini's)
3 oz Cream Cheese, room temp (1/3 of standard package)
1-8oz container whipped topping, thawed (like Cool Whip, but any brand will work)
Pre-made Graham Cracker Crust


Crumble the Butterfinger candy bars into a bowl.
Add room temp Cream Cheese to it and mush together with a fork.
Add whipped topping to bowl and mix thoroughly with fork,
Pour into Graham Cracker Crust.
Freeze!


Wasn't that easy? Let me put emphasis on FREEZE. The family couldn't wait to eat it, so the pie in the pic below isn't totally frozen. I was lucky to get a picture before the whole pie was gone.But the more frozen it is, the better it tastes!! 
Served here with hot chocolate...Mmmmmm!!

VARIATION:
My favorite variation is Heath Bars. Recipe exactly the same using 6 Heath bars. I like to put this one in a chocolate cookie crust. Again, you can purchase the pre-made chocolate cookie crust. (Also goes well in graham cracker).


You can't go wrong with this pie at any holiday gathering! Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!!

RED VELVET SNOWBALLS-3RD HOLIDAY TREAT

The third treat for goodie bags this year is Red Velvet Snowballs. Mmmmm......
The first was Pretzel Kisses and the second was Oreo Bark and Peppermint Bark.


We don't get much snow in Phoenix, at least not that sticks. Last weekend we had enough snow on the ground that cars actually left tracks in the road. But this doesn't happen very often, so we have to get our snowballs other ways.


Only a few ingredients are needed, although you can decorate them with sprinkles or other holiday candies. Let me apologize right now for the first blurry pic. I didn't realize it was blurry until I was done cooking and then, well, it was too late. Because I promised to get this post up today, I didn't want to wait until I could purchase new ingredients to photograph.


Ingredients: 
1 Red Velvet Cake Mix (usually requires eggs, oil and water)
1 Can Cream Cheese Frosting (room temp)
1 lb Candy Coating or Almond Bark or Candy Melts

Make the cake mix according to directions. Let it cool completely.

Using your hands, crumble the cake into a bowl.

Microwave the can of frosting for 30 seconds, then mix in with the cake.

Use a cookie scoop to drop snowballs on a cookie sheet. (You can also use a spoon to scoop and roll it in your hands)

Put the candy coating (or melting chocolate or almond bark) in a bowl and melt in the microwave. Start with one minute and stir with a plastic knife. Microwave in 15 second increments, stirring each time, until it is completely melted.


Spread the candy coating over each cake ball, allowing it to collect at the bottom here or there. Lumpy and bumpy is okay, it makes it look more like a snowball.

If you want to put sprinkles on top, you will need to frost two and then sprinkle them. Frost two more and sprinkle them. If you wait longer than the time it takes to frost two, they will harden enough that the sprinkles will not stick.


These Red Velvet Snowballs are quite rich and oh, so good.
Merry Christmas!!

OREO BARK/PEPPERMINT BARK-2nd HOLIDAY TREAT

Here is the 2nd of several quick and easy treats to make for the holidays. Can whip these up in a matter of minutes for last minute guests or to fill goodie bags. If you missed the 1st treat, you can see the Pretzel Kisses here.


Today's recipe has variations so you can actually create multiple flavors quickly. Here I will show Chocolate Peppermint Bark and Oreo Bark.


This process is so quick and easy. Start by crushing candy canes and Oreos in gallon size baggies before starting.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK

Purchase Almond Bark in chocolate and vanilla. You can also use 'melting chocolates' or 'candy coating'...different names in different stores. I found Candy Coating at Fry's and Almond Bark at Walmart. Michaels, JoAnn's and all grocery stores will carry one or the other.

Almond Bark typically comes in a 1 pound package.
Break it in half and put one half in a microwave safe bowl.
Microwave for 1 minute. Use a plastic knife or silicone spatula to begin stirring. Continue to microwave in 15 second intervals until melted. It will continue to melt as you stir.

Now you can use a variety of containers to create the candy. I prefer a flat plastic storage container because I can twist it to pop the hardened candy out. You can use several small ones or a larger (9x13) size flat container. You could also use a cookie sheet, you just need to be able to twist it a little. I spray my plastic container with non-stick cooking spray. I'm not sure it is necessary but I do it anyway.


Pour the melted chocolate into the plastic container. Spread to about 1/8 inch thick.

Next put 1/2 pound of the Vanilla Almond Bark in another bowl and melt. Start with one minute in the microwave and stir. Add 15 seconds increments, stirring between each one.


Pour the melted Vanilla Bark on top of the Chocolate. I like to dribble it all over. It will not spread as you pour, so it's important not to dump it all in one spot. If you do, you will end up with a 'dirty' mixture of black and white as you try to spread it. That's not so bad, you can cover it with candy and it still tastes great. After dribbling the white on, take a plastic knife and gently cut through it, which spreads it and creates cool designs. You can do it nice and neatly, or a little chaotic.

Next, pick up a handful of crushed Peppermint and sprinkle on top. It's important to have the candy already crushed because you don't want the chocolate to harden while you are busy crushing candy canes.

Now, stick the plastic container in the fridge to harden.


Next I take 1/2 pound of Vanilla Bark (white), put it in microwave bowl and melt. Same process...start with one minute, stir, add 15 seconds, stir, etc.


When melted, add a couple handfuls of crushed Oreos and gently fold in. Pour into another flat plastic container and spread gently with the plastic knife. Put it in the fridge to harden.

When hardened (only takes a few minutes), twist the container so you can pick up the entire piece of bark. Gently break into pieces of whatever size you want. Here is a plate of peppermint and Oreo bark side by side.

This is great in goodie bags for neighbors, friends, co-workers, car-pool buddies, postal carrier, hair dresser, and well, anyone! It is also great to set out at a party broken into small pieces. It is always the first to go!
Merry Christmas!!

PRETZEL KISSES-FIRST OF HOLIDAY TREATS!

I know I usually post about healthy habits, including recipes, exercise, juicing etc. Don't be confused with this post. I still value and support a healthy lifestyle. But, it's the HOLIDAYS! And I just can't help but make treats. So I thought I'd share some of them.


There are always people we like to give a little something to. Heck, if I was independently wealthy I'd buy gifts for everyone I know! I love seeing the look of surprise and pleasure when someone receives something unexpectedly.


But, I digress...little holiday bags full of homemade goodies are  perfect for neighbors, co-workers, carpool buddies, mail carrier, music teacher...well, you get the idea. Goodie bags are great for everyone. It's a little piece of homemade love.


Here is the first item I made to fill my goodie bags. I call them Pretzel Kisses. They are so easy and so good!

PRETZEL KISSES
Preheat oven to 225* while preparing pretzels
Place pretzel squares or knots on cookie sheet
Place Hershey's Kiss centered on each pretzel

Put cookie sheet with pretzels and kisses in the 225* oven for 3-5 min. (You can test one by pressing M&M into it until you get the feel for  how they look when warmed completely.) If you heat them at higher temp they will melt and drip. Heating at low heat just warms and softens them.


When kisses are warmed through, remove from oven. Set M&M on top and gently press into kiss. I used plain and peanut M&M's. You could also use peanut butter M&M's.

Place cookie sheet in fridge for 30 minutes to let chocolate harden. Then you can throw them all into a plastic container for storage until you are ready to fill your goodie bags. I like to keep them in the fridge until giving them away.

Stay tuned for more goodies for holiday gifting or parties.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Blending VS Juicing

The question that was posed to me is: "Can I make juice in my Vita-mix?" (or other turbo charged emulsifier) 

You can make smoothies, soups (cold or hot), and blends in a blender or emulsifier. But you can only get juice by using a juicer. I have both a vita-mix and a juicer. I use them for different purposes and love them both...I would not want to give up either.


Putting carrots in your vita-mix will give you a thick, sludgy carrot soup type blend. Putting carrots through your juicer will give you a nice sweet carrot juice with little pulp. Pour it through a strainer for an even clearer juice.


A juicer gives you the nutritional and antioxidant value of the fruit and veggies without the pulp that requires chewing. It allows you to get the nutrients of 2-3 lbs of veggies in one juice, where it would be next to impossible to eat that amount in a meal.


A commercial strength blender gives you the opportunity to make smoothies, blends and soups from raw ingredients. This allows you to enjoy the foods you love while getting the full nutritional value available because you are eating them in raw form. Even hot soup in the vita-mix has not been cooked, thereby retaining full unaltered nutritional content.


If you don't have either, and want to purchase one piece of equipment to help you move to a healthier lifestyle, I would recommend getting a juicer first. (Next post we'll discuss types of juicers and recipes).


If you have both, then you have the opportunity to enjoy a diet of intense nutritional therapy prepared in a variety of ways.


But since the questions posed to me today was about the Vita-mix, here are a few raw blender recipes:


TOMATO COCKTAIL
1 Cup Fresh Tomatoes
1/2 Tbsp Lemon juice
1/2 Extra Lg Vegetable Bouillon Cube
1/2 Cup Boiling Water 
Dash Dry Mustard
Optional: Dash Salt


Note: For a cold version, use 3/4 cup ice in place of boiling water, and run for 1 minute or until smooth.


Place all ingredients in Vita-mix container in order listed. Secure 2-part lid. Select VARIABLE, speed #1. Turn on machine and gradually increase speed to #10; then to HIGH. Run for 2-3 minutes, until smooth. Serve immediately.


ORANGE JUICE PLUS
2 Medium Oranges, peeled and quartered
1/4 Cup Water
3/4 Cup Ice Cubes
1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract (may use a little more, to taste)


Variation: Add 1/2 cup fresh pineapple (or canned pineapple if canned without sugar)


Place all ingredients in Vita-mix container in order listed. Secure 2-part lid. Select VARIABLE, speed #1. Turn on machine and quickly increase speed to #10; then to HIGH. Run for 1 minute or until smooth. Serve immediately.


SWEET GREEN SMOOTHIE
20 oz Water
1 Tbsp Flax Seeds
1/2 Tbsp Hemp Seed
4 Tbsp Protein Powder (should be 1 scoop or 1/2 scoop depending on your brand of protein)
1 Cup fresh Kale (1 large kale leaf)
4 Cups fresh Spinach (roughly 4 good handfuls)
3 large frozen Strawberries (see below tip)
1/2 frozen ripe Banana (see below tip)
1 Lg spear frozen Pineapple (roughly 1/2 cup, see below tip)

Place all ingredients in Vita-mix container in order listed. Secure 2-part lid. Select VARIABLE, speed #1. Turn on machine and slowly increase speed to #10; then to HIGH. Run for 1 minute or until smooth. 
Makes approximately 40 oz of smoothie. Definitely a full meal or enough to share or to carry with you through out the morning or afternoon.


TIP
I keep sandwich baggies in the freezer containing 3 strawberries, 1/2 banana and cut up pineapple. When I make this smoothie I can grab a bag that is ready to go (saving time) and it makes the smoothie ice cold like a smoothie should be.


Do you own a juicer or a commercial strength blender, or both? Do you have a favorite blender recipe? Please share it so I can try something new.

Is there fiber in juicing?

As friends become interested in juicing, they often ask "will I lose all the fiber in the vegetables by juicing?" The short answer is "No".

Did you ever wonder what fiber is and what it does; why it is important to eat fiber?


Fiber is the portion of the plant that moves food through the digestive system. It is generally categorized as either 'soluble' or 'insoluble'. Both types of fiber help to increase bulk, soften stools, and shorten the transit time of food moving through the intestinal tract. Both soluble and insoluble fibers are present in whole plan foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes and grains. There is generally only soluble fiber in juice.


Soluble fiber (like pectins and gums) partially dissolves in water and forms a type of gel, but it is not digested. It absorbs digestive bile, which is made from cholesterol. When it's eliminated, it causes more cholesterol to be converted to digestive bile, thereby lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol. Soluble fiber also helps sugar be more slowly absorbed, which helps regulate blood sugar and control diabetes.


The best vegetable sources of soluble fiber are broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, turnips, beets, squash, and pumpkin. All of these can be juiced and the taste 'hidden' by other ingredients. So, if you don't care for the flavor of any of these veggies there is a way to get the nutrition from them while not tasting them.


Insoluble fiber is also indigestible, but does not dissolve in water. It absorbs water and serves as a bulking agent as it passes through the digestive system. Insoluble fiber promotes regular bowel movements and prevents constipation. It also helps to maintain a balanced pH in the intestines. It is important in cleansing because it removes toxic substances that tend to accumulate in the colon. There is lots of insoluble fiber in vegetables like dark, leafy vegetables, green beans, and root vegetable skins, as well as fruit skins.


In simple terms, fiber doesn't stay in your system. It moves through the intestines, scraping away toxins and residue that line the intestines as a result of the 'not so healthy' things we eat.


In the past it was thought when juicing fruits and vegetables, a significant amount of nutrients remained in the fiber of fruits and vegetables, but that theory has been disproved. The Department of Agriculture analyzed twelve fruits and found that 90% of the antioxidant activity was in the juice rather than the fiber.


In other words, drinking a glass of fresh juice gives you the same amount of antioxidants as eating 2-3 lbs of fruit.


It was also thought that the juice had no fiber. Juicing got a bad rap in the early nineties because it was thought that the juice lacked fiber. But that assertion was simply not true; only the insoluble fiber is removed in the juicing process, and it's loaded with soluble fiber, which is excellent for the intestinal tract.


A 2006 study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, found that "Cancer and cardiovascular benefits may be more attributable to antioxidants rather than fibre." The researchers concluded that " the theory that pure fruit and vegetable juices are nutritionally inferior to whole fruit and vegetables, in relation to chronic disease risk reduction, is not justified."


In other words, the high antioxidant content and intense nutritional therapy provided by fresh juice is an excellent and proven way to fight and prevent cancer as well as other chronic diseases.


The recommended fiber intake for adults is between 20 and 35 grams per day, but the average American's daily intake of dietary fiber is only around 14 to 15 grams. It is easy to double that by juicing once each day. You can drink 2-3 lbs of veggies in one juicing, where it would be next to impossible to eat that amount in a meal.


So, the bottom line is that most people get more fiber from juicing each day than they would from eating regular meals, unless they are already eating a diet very high in raw vegetables including a very large salad every day.


Go ahead, try it! You may be surprised at how much better you feel after juicing for just a few days.


Are you thinking of juicing? Do you already juice and would like to do it more frequently? Are you a regular juicer and won't give it up?














Reference Material: 'Juicing, Fasting, and Detoxing For Life', Cherie Calbom, MS (all references to studies and research found in chapter 2 references).