RECIPE: SARAH'S SMOOTHIE - CRUNCHY PB&J

This smoothie is so tasty, I decided it needed its own entry as an Official Recipe! It's very filling, refreshing, and altogether delightful!

CRUNCHY PB&J SMOOTHIE, by Sarah

1 c. plain non-fat yogurt
1/2 serving mixed berries, still frozen
2 T. crunchy peanut butter, or to taste
1/4 c. Grape Nuts cereal

skim milk, to achieve desired consistency 

Blend all ingredients in blender or food processor. Dang, it's delicious! Obviously, you could adjust the ingredients to suit your supplies, but I think that the yogurt, peanut butter and Grape Nuts are mandatory. The type of fruit you use, as well as any additions you'd care to make, are optional. :) 

CAUTION: This smoothie could seriously become habit-forming!

JOURNAL ENTRY: DAY 44, PART DEUX

OK. As Sarah pointed out in her comment below, I got so carried away with my venting about Trader Joe's that I forgot to finish my journal entry! Oops! Here is the rest of my consumption for yesterday (Tuesday):

SNACK

1 Fuji apple with peanut butter

LUNCH

whole wheat quesadilla with cheese and pine nuts

forgot supper (see note above)

SNACK

toasted pita pocket with light cream cheese

RECIPE: SARAH'S HEALTHY TOSTADAS

These look and sound amazing! Can't wait to try them!! I have permission from the Chef to publish this recipe here. Enjoy!

SARAH’S HEALTHY TOSTADAS

Ingredients (for 6 servings):
12 corn tortillas (4'')
2 avocados
1 sweet potato
1 10 oz bag frozen cut spinach
1 16 oz bag frozen corn
1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 jar salsa

1. Bake sweet potato. You can do this a couple of hours before you plan on eating, or the night before. After it's cooled a bit, remove skin and cut into bite-size pieces.

2. Toss the sweet potato, spinach, corn, and black beans into a skillet and cook until heated through. This makes about six 1 cup servings of what I call 'black bean-sweet potato-corn-spinach filling' (I'm so creative with my titles)

3. Spray a skillet with Pam, place 2 corn tortillas in skillet, and cook on medium high heat. Before you turn them, give another quick spray of Pam. Keep an eye on them and turn a couple of times to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. Cook until crisp (~5 min).

4. Divide 1/3 of an avocado between the two tortillas and scoop 1/2 cup of the bb-sp-c-s filling onto each tortilla, mashing down and spreading evenly. Top off each tostada with 2 T of salsa. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Voila!

Nutritional information for 2 tostadas:

Calories 423
Fat 11.1 g
Sodium 146.6 mg
Carbohydrates 68.3 g
Dietary fiber 12.5 g
Sugars 13.3 g
Protein 12.1 g
Vitamin A 160% DV
Vitamin C 35% DV
Calcium 10% DV
Iron 17% DV

JOURNAL ENTRY: DAY 44

OK, so it's so hot in my apartment that I took a nap this evening at 6. Woke up when the dog casually mentioned that he'd like to go outside ... at 8:30!! Holy mackerel. So I took him out, then came in and putzed around on the computer... now it's 9:30 PM, and I realize that I forgot to eat supper. I realized it because suddenly I'm hungry! My long nap notwithstanding, I would like to go to bed at a reasonable hour, and I don't dare eat this close to lying-down time, or the Evil Acid will get me!! :(

Anyway, here is what I ate today:

BREAKFAST
Sarah's Great Smoothie Idea:
1 c. plain non-fat yogurt
1/2 serving mixed berries, still frozen
2 T. crunchy peanut butter*
1 banana (my own addition -- it was getting pretty soft and needed to be eaten)
1/4 c. Grape Nuts cereal

Tossed it all into my mini processor and out came the most delectable smoothie EVER. Cool and refreshing with just the right amount of crunch! YUMMMMM.

*Side commentary about the peanut butter. Back in the early days of this blog, Rachel suggested to me an affordable alternative to Whole Foods' expensive natural peanut butter: Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter, which I tried, and LOVED.

This last Sunday I decided to try Trader Joe's here in Alexandria. First, I would like to say that I did not like the store as much as I thought I would. Maybe it's just that particular store in swanky Old Town, but the prices weren't that great, every other package of fresh strawberries had several moldy ones in there (ew!), and the store doesn't carry sesame seeds OR tahini!! I asked three different employees (because I couldn't believe the first two negative responses!), and they all said nope, don't carry sesame seeds. Don't carry tahini. Whaa?? Found 'em both at my little McGruder's. Figures.

ANYway, I bought some Trader Joe's natural peanut butter, and it doesn't have nearly the flavor and crunch of Smucker's. Same ingredients, btw: peanuts, salt. Period. Smucker's does have more sodium, 120 mg vs. TJ's 45, but TJ's is more soupy, too, after rigorous stirring and refrigeration, it's still soupy, and you can get whole spoonfuls without ANY chunks of nuts, which makes me sad. :(

And that's my unsolicited review of Trader Joe's AND their peanut butter.

JOURNAL ENTRY: DAY 43

OK, in an effort to make up for the last three days of being incommunicado, I am filing today's journal early!

I sincerely apologize for lapse, and for making people worry. I did have a particularly sucky weekend, and in True Fitzgerald Form, retreated into my cave instead of reaching out for support. I have been shown the unwisdom of this form of action by my three fab daughters; I will try to learn from this experience.

So today I did better, although the heat in my apartment contributes to my laziness -- I simply don't feel like spending any time in the kitchen! The weather is supposed to cool off on Wednesday; bring on the thunderstorms if it means a cool breeze through this hothouse!! (Just took Bodhi outside, and when we walked to the western edge of my building, this glorious cool and refreshing breeze lifted my sticky hair from my neck and felt absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, that breeze is nowhere to be found in my part of the building. :(

OK, here are today's notes:

BREAKFAST
1 c. yogurt
1/4 c. granola
1 banana

SNACK
1/2 stuffed sandwich, with most of the bread pulled off and discarded - WAY too much dough around those veggies!!

LUNCH
the other 1/2 stuffed sandwich, again pulling almost all of the bread off of it... the filling was really all I was interested in.

SNACK
1 whole wheat tortilla, toasted
1/2 avocado smashed on top

I realize that was a hefty snack, but I guess it's better than a candy bar, which is what I was craving. I have to admit, if I'd had the cash (or change) on me, I might have succumbed, even after feeling like pond scum over the weekend for my indulgences.

SUPPER
1 c. corn flakes
3/4 c. non-fat milk
1 oz mixed nuts, low salt
1 banana

I may try and use my mini-food-processor in the morning to make myself a smoothie for breakfast... cool and fruity and delicious... I wonder if that will work? I may have to make it in batches... it's a pretty small container on the processor.

Anyway, that's it for today. Heading for bed with no food to digest while my body is trying to rest. Yay! I really need to dig out Deepak's Perfect Health book again... he's got such great tips for a healthy lifestyle. When I do, I'll share what seems useful.

JOURNAL ENTRY: DAY 42

For Sunday, 4/26:

BREAKFAST
none

LUNCH
2 whole wheat pita pockets (small)
1/2 avocado
1/2 cucumber
2 oz Light Muenster cheese
tahini
sprouts

SUPPER
7 corn tortillas, fried in oil and topped with shredded cheddar cheese and salt

SNACK
1 English muffin with Smart Balance

SNACK
1 Sandwich Thin with light cream cheese

SNACK
1 whole wheat tortilla, toasted, with Smart Balance

SNACK
1 Baby Ruth candy bar

JOURNAL ENTRY: DAY 41

For Saturday, 4/25

BREAKFAST
1 c. low-fat cottage cheese
1 serving strawberry/mango/pineapple mixture
1 t. ground flax seed
1 English muffin
1 T. peanut butter

SNACK
1 Fuji apple
1 wedge Laughing Cow Lite Swiss

LUNCH
1 c. tabbouleh
1/2 cucumber, dipped in hummus
1/2 Arnold Sandwich Thins bun

SUPPER
1 1/2 Sandwich Thins buns
Turkey Sloppy Joes