Building An Amazing Smoothie

In between classes, I bought a smoothie from the University Center and let me tell you..it was not good.  My Bangin’ Berry was watery, lacked in flavor and was not worth the $3.50.  After throwing it out, I got to thinking about what makes a really good smoothie and how I could easily make my own at home.  So, I decided this post would be a crash course to making an exceptional smoothie because some of us have probably never used a blender before.  Let’s talk ingredients.

1. FRUITS

There are two options: fresh or frozen.  I would recommend frozen because not only are they cheaper, but they make better smoothies.  The freezer section is endless with berry combos, citrus mixtures, etc.  Choose to your hearts desire.  Assuming this is a single serving deal, measure out 1 cup or 1 1/2 cups of your chosen fruits.

ColleenHolland.FrozenBerries

2. VEGGIES

Yes, it is wise to add veggies to this smoothie.  Why?  Because they add double nutritional value with vitamins that include fiber, etc.  Depending how leafy green you want to get choose anywhere from kale to spinach and carrots to avocado.  1 cup of any of these options is advised.  It will still taste good, I promise.

Ingredients

3. LIQUID BASE

A liquid base is needed to make this smoothie smoother and easy to drink.  Obviously.  There are an array of options like juice, water, milk, coffee, iced tea, etc.  Any of these options are guaranteed to make a good drink.  If you don’t want it too watery, beware of how much you add.  Anywhere from 1/2 cup to 1 cup is advised.

Unknown

If you’re wanting to make it a little creamier, adding a couple tablespoons of yogurt, cottage cheese or ice goes a long way.

4. A LITTLE EXTRA

nuts4

For a little extra flavor, some good ingredients to add are honey, vanilla extract, almonds or even maple syrup.  They will add a little sweetness and who doesn’t like that?

Hopefully, breaking down a smoothie helped figure the best way to make one!

Happy Spring Break!

A Mighty Bowl of Goodness

So, I’ve been really trying to figure out how to incorporate veggies into my meals more.  I don’t know about you..but I am not a fan.  But, there’s no escaping it!  Veggies provide lots of essential vitamins and minerals, and freezer veggies are respectively priced.  Anyways, I needed a solid dinner to fill me up and I put some odds and ends together.  I ended up making a pretty good bowl of veggies, protein and carbs, and the best part is that it actually tasted good!  Due to my distain for greens, I’m going to assume that if I like it then anybody would.

Overall Price:

Ingredients: $3.50

-1/2 a sweet potato (.50 cents)

-1/2 cup of bell pepper (.50 cents)

-1/2 cup of broccoli cutlets (.50 cents)

-1/2 cup of rice (.30 cents)

-3 strips of chicken ($1.50)

-1 tablespoon of olive oil (.20 cents)

Directions:

1. Prepare/cut up the sweet potato, bell pepper, broccoli and chicken and preheat oven to 425 degrees

IMG_8260

2. Put mixture onto pan and cover with olive oil and put it oven for 20 minutes

IMG_8262

3. While the veggies and chicken and cooking, prepare rice by mixing with 1 cup of water and microwave it for 5 minutes

4. Mix veggies, chicken and rice together and enjoy!

IMG_8264

 

Overall Thoughts:

This dinner was very filling and GOOD.  All the flavors mixed together for a great overall meal that I can make again!  I’m thinking next time to add some seasoning or sauce.  I’ve also found an appreciation for sweet potatoes.

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Quesadillas

So, I know that Frugal Food is all about decently healthy meals..but here’s the thing.  I had a sweet tooth and a REALLY bad one at that.  I could have indulged a lot more, trust me.  Last night, I was binge watching Scandal because I needed a break from the obsessive midterm season and decided to make peanut butter banana chocolate quesadillas.  I love those three ingredients together and I love quesadillas.  It was a match made in heaven.  It’s a single serving dessert that you will want to make over and over and over.

Overall Cost: .90 cents

Ingredients:

-1/2 banana

-1 whole grain tortilla

-2 tablespoons of peanut butter

-1/2 cup of chocolate chips (melt them. it tastes better for some reason.)

Directions:

1. Spread peanut butter on tortilla and layer banana and melted chocolate

IMG_8242

2. Cook quesadilla on medium heat until both sides are golden brown

3. Enjoy!

IMG_8249

Overall Thoughts:

This is my new go-to guilty pleasure.  Everything just melts all together, is super gooey (can be messy), and is everything it should be!

Happy Cooking!

5 Healthy Snack Combos To Eat This Week

It’s that time of year again: midterm season. DUN DUN DUN..

These next two weeks will be crazy with two research papers, four exams and loads of laundry to pack for spring break..joy.  It can sound super easy to run to the vending machine during your six hour grind at the library or emotionally eat to cope with the stress.  But, I challenge you.  I have come up with five amazingly, healthy snacks combos that will fuel your body with good energy and nutrients, and your spring break bod can still shine!

1. Rice Cakes and Peanut Butter

Rice cakes make a great substitute for bread on the go and it’s even better when paired with a nice source of protein!  Eat with fruit to jazz it up.

lf-he-beck0530lf001

2. Chocolate Milk and Banana

Bananas are packed with potassium and good carbohydrates, while chocolate milk provides protein and essential minerals!  Plus, it’s chocolate.  What’s not to love?

a502f6caba1300db07caadd6e3f79dec.jpg

3. Hummus and Celery

Although hummus can be dense in calories, in the right portion it is a great source of lean protein.  Serving with celery or any other veggies can guarantee getting those greens in and their multiple vitamins!

Unknown

4. Nuts, Craisans and Dark Chocolate

A quick on the go snack for minerals, energy, fats, fiber, protein, etc.  Adding dark chocolate is recommended if craving sweets.

32479499-Almond-Craisin-and-Chocolate-Chip-Trail-Mix-Stock-Photo

5. Greek Yogurt and Honey

Honey contains sugar but also Vitamin C and folates, while  greek yogurt improves digestion like no other and provides amino acids. Put them together and have a delicious combo.

8e7585d2b4fe430c7c667ac37ba95769

Hopefully, this helps to navigate the balance of nutrition and cravings!

Chicken Avocado Burrito Wrap

I’m all about avocados this week!  There was a sale at Walmart..it was too good to pass up.  It’s just a normal Saturday consisting of homework and trying to keep up with ridiculous amounts of reading.  Anyways, I needed to take a lunch break and decided to try this yummy wrap.  It only takes ten minutes to make and I mean..avocado..chicken..burrito.  What’s not to love?

Overall Cost: $5

Ingredients:

-1/2 an avocado

-1 tortilla

-1 cup of mexican blend cheese

-1 cup of shredded chicken

Directions:

1. Combine cheese, chicken and avocado

IMG_8209

2. Apply to tortilla

F4052ADE-667E-4CE6-BD84-BBC79CA77911

3. Grease pan and cook wrap for 2 minutes each side at a medium heat

4. Enjoy!

IMG_8214

Overall thoughts:  Oh my goodness, this burrito was so yummy that I want to make it again tomorrow.  It’s fast, easy to make and has a nice overall nutrition value.  If you’re one for spices, cilantro might be a nice addition to the flavor.  I am considering making a bunch of these and freezing them for later use.  If you didn’t already know: the freezer is your friend.

Sweet Potato Toast

Alright, the need to be creative and frugal was a must this morning.  The fridge and pantry were pretty bare and I didn’t get a pay check until this afternoon.  I had lots of odds and ends going on and I was trying to pull all of them together for a somewhat decent meal.  It ended up being a combination of a sweet potato, an avocado and some eggs.  Put it together and you get..sweet potato toast topped with diced avocado and a scrambled egg.  Yes, yes I know it’s oh so fancy.  I must say this though; don’t knock it until you try it.

Overall Cost: $2.50

Ingredients:

-1 small sweet potato (.70 cents)

-1 small avocado (.80 cents)

-2 eggs ($1.00)

Directions:

1. Slice sweet potato into even, medium sized slices

IMG_8175

2. Put the slices through the toaster 2 or 3 times depending on your preference

3.  While the sweet potatoes are toasting, slice/dice the avocado and scramble the eggs

F084B24D-20A2-4D96-9575-732423CCAAFF

4. Layer it all together and enjoy!

IMG_8188

Overall Thoughts:

One word: yum.  I would have never thought of a sweet potato as a substitute for bread, but I must say it will be done more often.  Sweet potatoes are a great way to pack in fiber and other essential nutrients into a meal!  Top that with eggs and avocado and you’ll be full with energy for the morning.  For the future, I am going to be experimenting with other toppings like peanut butter, fruit and more!  Until then.

Happy Cooking!