Blueberry Coconut Smoothie

                    I'm a smoothie junkie. It's a great healthy way to start your day and -
           incorporate your fruits and veggies. I feel energized when I have a smoothie and
           they are so easy to make at home. I'm a coconut kinda gal and coconut milk has
           gone in all my smoothies for over a year. It's such a treat. This is a great combo.

                                                            Blueberry Coconut Smoothie

                                                       1 container fresh blueberries ( 8 oz )
                                                                        1 banana
                                                              1 cup of coconut milk
                                                                 1 teaspoon honey
                                                                     1 cup of ice
                                                        shredded coconut - for garnish

           1) In a blender - place ice, banana, milk, honey, and blueberries. Mix until blended.

Special Moments...

               Today is my baby girls 7th birthday. I find her getting older very bittersweet.
             I adore watching her grow and becoming such a smart beautiful girl. I also feel
           like I want to stop time. I find myself just stopping in my tracks and taking it all in.
             I love this child so much at times it just takes my breath away. She is a true gift!

A Daughter is a Little Girl that grows up to be a Friend!

Parmesan and Herbs Eggs In a Hole

This is a twist on a classic. All of my family thoroughly enjoy this.

I like to jazz mine up a bit by adding parmesan and herbs. It makes it a little fancy.

I can imagine this as a perfect Valentines Day breakfast or breakfast in bed.

Parmesan and Herbs, Eggs In a Hole

2 eggs

2 slices of bread

2 tablespoons butter

salt and pepper

1 to 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese

thyme, basil and parsley -a sprinkle of each

cookie or biscuit cutter

1) Preheat skillet, add butter and melt. Place bread in pan and crack eggs and place

in each hole. Cook on one side and flip. Add spices and parmesan cheese.

Serve with fresh fruit, coffee, juice and the morning paper!

Citrus Flavored Water

         On New Years, I told myself that I needed to drink more water. Not always an easy
         thing for me. Lets face it, sometimes water is not that appealing. I  feel that if I put
         fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs in the water I drink more - a lot more and I also -
         get extra nutrients. Flu season is here and we all could use a little extra Vitamin C.

                                                               Citrus Flavored Water
                                     
                                                                 2 quarts of water, alkaline, sparkling
                                                                 1 Ruby Red Grapefruit
                                                                 1 orange
                                                                 1 lemon
                                                                 2 limes

                        In a large pitcher fill half way with ice cubes, water and fruit, Stir well.
                      * Note you can use a little agave nectar or honey to make it a tad sweet*

Barbecue Chicken and Cheddar Pinwheels

              The Super Bowl is fast approaching...it is one of my favorite times to entertain.
           Even though my favorite team ( Patriots ) lost this past weekend, doesn't mean that
           I'm not going to celebrate. These little gems are beyond easy and fast to make. Men
               will love them, children and ladies. Make on batch or 10. Enjoy my friends.

                                           Barbecue Chicken and Cheddar Pinwheels

                                           1 package crescent rolls - I used the seamless
                                           1/3 cup bbq sauce - plus 1/3 or 1/4 cup for crescent rolls
                                           1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
                                           1 chicken breast
                                           salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
                                           parsley for garnish

              1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a baking dish cook chicken with a little olive
              oil, 1/3 cup bbq sauce and spices  Cook until cooked though. Take out of oven
              and shred with 2 forks.
              2) Unroll your crescent roll if using one with seams pinch together and spread
              dough out on cookie sheet. Add a layer of bbq sauce, cheese and your shredded
              chicken. Roll and cut into slices. Bake on a cookie sheet for 10 to 14 min.

Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes

There is nothing better than homemade pancakes on a beautiful Sunday morning.

Making pancakes from scratch is very easy and the results are well worth the effort.

These pancakes are light and fluffy. You can add fruit or chocolate chips.The sky is the limit. Valentines Day is coming up, make these for a loved one.

                                                        Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes

                                                                   1 cup of flour
                                                                   1 teaspoon salt
                                                                   1 teaspoon baking soda
                                                                   2 teaspoons sugar
                                                                   1 teaspoon vanilla
                                                                   1 egg
                                                                   2 tablespoons butter, melted
                                                                   1 1/4 cups buttermilk

            1) Preheat pan or griddle and grease.
            2) Mix flour, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. Add egg, buttermilk, sugar butter
            and vanilla. Mixx together. Batter with have lumps but be fluffy.
            3) Using 1/3 measuring cup to make your pancakes all the same size. Pour into
            greased skillet and cook about 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until golden.
             * Note - I usually double the recipe.

Fairy Bread

      One night my daughter slept at my girlfriends house - she has 3 daughters a little
      older than my 6 year old and they made this incredibly easy and adorable lunch for
      her. Let me tell you, it made a huge impression. Fairy Bread, who knew something
      so easy and cute is very requested in my home now. I only make it for her on occasion
      but when she gets it she lights up. I make it for her little friends when they come over,
         to,  Make it for your little girl or your inner girl. Sometimes, I use Nutella. Yum

                                                                           Fairy Bread

                                                                            white bread
                                                                        colored sprinkles
                                                               peanut butter, butter or nutella
                                                                           cookie cutters

           1) This is pretty easy and truly need no directions, take a cookie cutter and make
                       your shape, spread butter and pour on sprinkles. Serve with milk.

                A fun and super easy idea for little girls....especially if she is having a tea party!

Greek Cucumbers

      I have had a long love affair with Greek food. I grew up in a pretty big city and lived
      4 minutes, walking distance to a Greek restaurant..that's when it all started. I was
      obsessed with baklava, moussaka, spanakopita, and all things feta related. I was the -
      only 10 year old that I knew that would order a spinach pizza with feta over a cheese
      pizza. Fast forward 20 years and not much has changed. I will cook anything Greek
      and I will throw feta on just about anything. This recipe is very easy and can be served
      alone or as a side dish...it would go prefect with lemon chicken. Enjoy!!
       
                                                                   Greek Cucumbers

                         2 English cucumbers, sliced
                         2 tablespoons red onion, minced
                         1 garlic clove, minced
                         1/2 lemon, juiced
                         1 tablespoon olive oil
                         1 teaspoon oregano
                         4 ounces feta
                         salt and pepper

                      1) Mix all of the 9 ingredients in a bowl and serve.

                                         Here are a few more of my favorite Greek dishes.
                                 Greek Pasta Salad - Greek Couscous - Avocado Feta Salsa

Lately

                 Lately, I just can't help but feel grateful and blessed. Being in California you
              truly get to see such beauty everywhere you go and it fills my heart and makes
                                    me happy. Take a brief moment and take life in.

                                                                    Malibu

Cheeseburger Pasta Bake

               When I menu plan for the week. It can't always be about my personal tastes.
          I have to keep the kids in mind and make, meals that I know they will love and not
         complain about. I have a couple picky eaters in my house. SIGH. This recipe is pretty
         simple and on a busy week day, we need quick and easy. Serve with a side salad -
                           and some crusty bread..your meal will be complete. Enjoy.

                                                         Cheeseburger Pasta Bake

            1 1/2 ground beef
            1 onion, diced
            1 green bell pepper, diced
            1/3 cup scallions
            1 ( 16 ounce ) box mini bow ties
            2 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
            2 ounces sour cream
            1 cup cream cheese or ricotta
            1/2 cup cheddar cheese
            1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
            1 garlic clove, minced
            salt, pepper and garlic powder

            1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
            Add salt to the boiling water and add the pasta. Cook about 8 minutes or until
            it is al dente. Drain well, set aside.
            2) Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onions, scallions, garlic
            and green pepper. Cook until browned and veggies are tender. Drain fat. Add
            tomato sauce, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
            3) Add the meat mixture to the pasta, stir. Add all the cheese and mix well.
            Place everything in a 9 by 13 pan. You can add extra cheese at this point.
            Bake about 20 minutes. Top with parsley. Serve with salad and bread.
     

         

Antioxidant Salad with Lemon Dressing

          Happy New Year, my friends! Let's start the New Year off on the right foot.
    Every year we make resolutions, some we keep, some we break. I told myself this year
    that I would drink more water, eat more greens and exercise a little more. I'm the type
    of person that likes to indulge a bit and keep a happy balance in life. You will always
    find delicious baked goods and that won't stop with this coming year but I do plan on
    posting a lot more healthy treats for you. It's going to be an amazing 2013!!!

                                                Antioxidant Salad with Lemon Dressing

                                                                 3 cups of spinach
                                                                 1/2 cup blueberries
                                                                 1/2 cup raspberries
                                                                 8 strawberries
                                                                 1 green apple
                                                                 2 celery stalks
                                                                 1 cucumber
                                                                 walnuts or almonds -optional

         1) Mix your salad and I served it with a Honey Lemon Dressing posted below
            but feel free to use your favorite. Enjoy.
     
        Honey Lemon Dressing. 2 teaspoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoons grated lemon zest,
         1 tablespoons honey, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix well.

                      I wish you all a very happy and warm new year, full of joy, happiness and
                      success. Happy New Year!