Banana "Ice Cream" - aka "I'm in love"...

Soooo easy and soooo yummy! Funny thing is I don't ever typically like banana "flavored" anything except bananas or coconut! This was perfect after running around in the warm sun. I will make this all summer, for sure. Had to share this batch with Connor, then he came back wanting more!

Banana "Ice Cream"

1 banana (broken into about 4 pieces, frozen 1 day or more)
Coconut milk (original)
Vanilla extract

Break up a banana and freeze it in a ziploc for at least a day. Place in blender with coconut milk and dash of vanilla (I didn't measure either, sorry!). I'm sure if you used vanilla bean it'd be healthier, but close enough. Blend just until mixed, about 30 seconds. Voila!

I cannot stress how yummy, not overly sweet and refreshing this simple snack is....try it! Kids will love it too :)

Black bean yum yum

After getting my finger attended to and after a discouraging conversation with our dad (he thinks this way of eating is too extreme) I was more determined not to give up. I finished my black bean soupy yum yum. My garlic was large since I was newly fearful of my finger-slicer of a knife, but can't wait to eat this for lunch tomorrow with my new dressing for my salad. Maybe I CAN do this...

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- 1 can organic (lower sodium) black beans
- 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, minced or powder
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 tomato, cubed
- mrs dash original, tomato basil to taste

Add enough water to cover the bottom of a medium pot. Heat and add onions and garlic to water saute. Add tomatoes, let cook on medium for 5 minutes. Add drained beans and season to taste. (i added lots of seasoning)

Simmer on low for 45 minutes. So easy!
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Recovery and Determination

Strawberry almond vinaigrette


I had to get this done to dress my salads! Experimental, but pretty good...will post the ingredients later

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Humus salad lunch

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That humus was kinda chunky! (I guess I was so hungry I didn't blend long enough)
- 1 can organic garbonzos
- about 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp tahini
- garlic powder
- splash of lemon juice

next time will add some paprika and maybe something like red peppers to flavor it more. Sun dried tomatoes would be good, but not sure if allowed. ?

Today's humus was a lot blander than I expected, and I ended up adding lots of garlic and even some Mrs. dash original. I ate it, lol. Then an apple and some pineapple. I'm full but surrounded by unhealthy foods and craving some. For a second I contemplated eating a strawberry poptart! I'm not cheating for now...

my first smoothie

So I cheated a little today. Feel guilty and promised myself I'd make a veg & fruit packed smoothie for tonight with my dinner (I ended up making a bean burrito with a flour tortilla and tomatoes, but hey, NO cheese!). I even went out and bought a new blender. After much reading and contemplation in the blender isle, I ended up with a Ninja that is a food processor as well for $50 at Target. I need both, and I've read great things about the Ninjas. So far, great!

I only substituted blackberries for ice. Pretty good, I can taste the greens a little and it would be awesome with sweetened vanilla milk :D But I guess that's against the whole point. Tomorrow I'm so excited to make some humus. Yumm :) Hopefully I won't continue to feel so lost and confused about what to eat.

And here's a picture of my yummmmmmmmy smoothie.
Recipe inspired by: http://www.vegetablecarnival.com/emilys-green-monster-smoothie

-1 cup unsweetened almond milk
-2 large handfuls of spinach
-1 handful of chopped kale
-1 banana
-1 apple
-1 cup of frozen blackberries (or sub another frozen fruit)