Shakes & Smoothies

A couple of weeks ago, we decided to start working towards eating healthier (again), and I found this week long cleanse from Shape. We didn't do the full cleanse, but did opt to do the shakes/smoothies for breakfast and lunch most days. They were pretty good, filling, and we both lost a few pounds. Here are a few of our favorites.

Chocolate Morning Wake-up: Combine 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 cup baby spinach, 1 frozen banana, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon superfood greens (I didn't have this on hand so I left it out), 2 tablespoons protein powder, and 1 cup ice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately. (Makes 2 servings.)

Blueberry Protein Power "Shake": Combine 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, 1 frozen banana, 2 cups frozen blueberries, 1 scoop (1/4 cup) protein powder, and 1 cup ice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately. (Makes 2 to 4 servings.)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup: (Aaron's favorite, of course) Combine 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 cups baby spinach, 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cored Bartlett pear, 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1 cup ice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately. (Makes 3 servings.)

Chocolate Avocado Goddess: Combine 1 avocado, 2 tablespoons dark unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons agave nectar, 1 frozen banana, 1 cup ice, and 1 cup unsweetened almond milk in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately. 

Campfire Ham and Cheese

We just returned home from a great camping trip at Garner State Park, and this trip we planned our food a little differently than usual. We prepared a number of our meals ahead of time, packed them up, and warmed them over the grill or campfire. This recipe based on the recipe from tablespoon.com was one of our favorites!

• P.S. We hope to make this at home, too! It's not just for the campfire!
• Ingredients
• 1  loaf Italian bread (10 to 12 inches)
• 3  tablespoons butter, softened
• 1  tablespoon spicy brown or country-style Dijon mustard
• 6  slices (1 oz each) Muenster cheese
• 3/4  lb thinly sliced fully cooked ham
• Directions
• Heat gas or charcoal grill. Spray 25x18-inch sheet of heavy-duty foil with cooking spray. Without cutting all the way through, cut loaf of bread into 12 (3/4-inch) slices, cutting to within 1/4 inch of bottom. Stir together butter and mustard. Spread every other slice of bread with slightly less than 2 teaspoons mustard mixture, creating 6 sandwiches. Fold each slice of cheese in half diagonally; tuck each into sandwich. Divide ham evenly among sandwiches, tucking in to fit. Place loaf on center of foil. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again, allowing space for heat circulation and expansion. Place foil-wrapped loaf on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and loaf is hot, turning loaf frequently. To serve, open packet carefully to allow steam to escape. Remove foil from loaf; pull apart sandwiches.

Toasted Ham and Cheese on English Muffin

This quick and healthy sandwich has become a staple around our house lately. It's tasty, filling, and low-calorie, AND it's great for breakfast OR lunch!

Ingredients
1 Whole Grain English Muffin
2 slices smoked ham
1 slice Muenster cheese
1 t. Butter (optional, according to me... mandatory for Aaron)

Directions
Butter both sides of the english muffin (if desired). Place a couple slices of ham and a slice of cheese on muffin, and then toast for a couple minutes. Once cheese is nice and bubbly and the english muffin is nice and golden, you're ready to slap that sandwich together and go!

Serve with:
Breakfast - fresh fruit
Lunch - Edamame, baby carrots, salad

Nutrition Info (without butter): 
220 Calories, 24 Carbs, 8 g Fat, 14g Protien