Oh How I Love Smoothies....

Photo by khawkins's04

My smoothie adventures stem from very different sources

1. My kids have always loved smoothies. We would grab some at the mall as a treat. I watched as they would make these very expensive yummy drinks and took notes. I'm always looking for ways to copy cat recipes to save money.


2. I've always wanted a juicer. Several years ago, my Mom, Sister and myself found Hallelujah Acres  and started following their vegetarian diet plan. Much of what Hallelujah Acres has in the diet is raw foods and juices. I currently eat meat so I have a modified version I follow but Mom is still a vegetarian. I've always needed wanted to purchase a juicer so I am saving until I can purchase one with cash. Until then I make smoothies.


3. Not long ago I had gotten really off track with my diet. I was eating whatever, whenever. Cakes, cookies and fast food were my weapons of choice. While laying in bed very sick with some virus I caught, I happened to see a documentary called Fat Sick and Nearly Dead. Ding Ding Ding! Hello its your wake up call..... Needless to say I've done a 180.

Now for breakfast we have smoothies. These are a delicious way to get several raw fruits and veggies into our diet.

Inspiration

Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.

Henry David Thoreau

Bleach Alternative

Photo by Vox Efx

   'But I love my bleach! Why should I give it up? I normally can get it cheap, it works great and well...I've always used it. So why switch?' Yes this was me. Kicking and crying not wanting to give it up.

    When you research liquid bleach, and products that contain it, you'll find they have a diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite. Sodium hypochlote is a skin irritant and can cause burns or blisters. The fumes can be irritating to the lungs (it should be avoided by those with respiratory or  heart conditions). It can irritate eyes, causing redness and burning. 

   'Oh! So that's why I have to spray my Bleach Bathroom Cleaner while holding my breath, run away as quickly as possible and wait for the air to clear (cough cough).' I don't know about you but this alone is enough reason for me to consider an alternatives. 

   Ever wonder why your towels and wash cloths don't last very long? With regular use of bleach in your laundry the fibers will start to break down. If not properly rinsed out the residue will continue to break down fibers in the presents of humidity. 

   'Ok so I'll consider giving it up. What can I use instead?'

•    Sunlight is one of the cheapest (can't beat free) ways to whiten your laundry. Try adding lemon juice as a spot treatment. This will boost the whitening power of the sun.
• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide is a great spot treatment. It is milder than chlorine bleach and can be used on most fabrics. (please test a small area first) Apply with a cotton swab, allow the area to dry and reapply if needed.
• Vinegar is a mild bleach that is safe for most fabrics. I use vinegar as a fabric softener as well. Use as a presoak for heavily soiled clothes. Add one cup to the presoak cycle. Vinegar brightens and deodorizes. Vinegar can make cheap dyes and fabrics run and fade. Please test a small area first. 
• I also use a bleach alternative I found here. I've used this great recipe on all fabrics. I liked it so much, I made my Mom a batch. Thanks Frugally Sustainable for this great recipe.

Inspiration

Most men lead lives of quiet desperation andgo to the grave with the song still in them.

Henry David Thoreau

Green Clean - Bleach Alternative Recipe

Photo by Vox Efx

   'But I love my bleach! Why should I give it up? I normally can get it cheap, it works great and well...I've always used it. So why switch?' Yes this was me. Kicking and crying not wanting to give it up.

    When you research liquid bleach, and products that contain it, you'll find they have a diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite. Sodium hypochlote is a skin irritant and can cause burns or blisters. The fumes can be irritating to the lungs (it should be avoided by those with respiratory or  heart conditions). It can irritate eyes, causing redness and burning.

The Second Chance Quiche

 

photo credit

   This quiche recipe earns it *name by using leftover veggies. I normally have an odd assortment of veggies by the end of the week. This is one way to use them up  A lonely zucchini, three or four mushrooms, a carrot, a forgotten baked potato from a previous dinner, a tomato about to give up...all get a second chance to be something great.

Quiche Base:
(Printable Recipe)

• 3 eggs beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 Tbsp Ghee or melted butter plus 1 Tbsp. separated 
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup shredded cheese- I use a combo of (or what I have) of cheddar, mozzarella, a dash of Parmesan. Use what you have & like
• 1/4 tsp sea salt and pepper
• dash of Italian seasoning (don't have any? skip it)

   To the base add 1 cup finely diced vegetables in any combo you like. Such as:

• Spinach 
• Mushrooms
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Potatoes (you can also grate a cold baked potato)
• Onion
• Tomato
• 1 clove minced garlic or a dash of garlic powder

   You get the idea. Have fun with it. Experiment. Spinach and mushroom is a classic quiche, but me... I like mine with D. All of the above! 

  

Ok on with the details. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (or if using a handy dandy toaster oven I found 350 works best). Saute veggies (excluding tomatoes) in 1 Tbsp Ghee or butter until softened. Beat together milk 2 Tbsp ghee (or melted butter)  seasonings and eggs. Combine egg mixture with remaining ingredients and vegetables in a large bowl. Pour into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be slightly brown. 

 This recipe is easily doubled. Any leftover quiche can be reheated for dinner, lunches etc.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 serving (113.3 g)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 186 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 15.0g 23%

Saturated Fat 8.4g 42%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 156mg 52%

Sodium 172mg 7%

Total Carbohydrates 4.1g 1%

Dietary Fiber 0.7g 3%

Sugars 2.9g

Protein 9.1g

Vitamin A 66% • Vitamin C 8% Calcium 17% • Iron 5%

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

The above nutritional facts are based on:

Ingredients (Makes 4 servings)

3

 eggs

1/2

cup  milk

2

tbsp  Ghee

1/2

cup  cheddar cheese

1/4

 salt

1/4

 pepper

1/4

cup  spinach

1/8

cup  mushrooms

1/8

cup  zucchini

1

 carrot

1/8

cup  broccoli

1/8

cup  onion

Please visit Calorie Counter to analyze your favorite recipes....






*Thank you John

Photo by Lori L. Stalter
This post was shared at Traditional Tuesdays @ Delicious Obsessions

The Second Chance Quiche Recipe

photo credit

This quiche recipe earns it *name by using leftover veggies. I normally have an odd assortment of veggies by the end of the week. This is one way to use them up  A lonely zucchini, three or four mushrooms, a carrot, a forgotten baked potato from a previous dinner, a tomato about to give up...all get a second chance to be something great....