Color Me Kris: healthy recipes

Showing posts with label healthy recipes. Show all posts

Hey love! Have you ever walked into a spider web? You know, you feel it, freak out for a sec, then check yourself over to convince yourself you're good and carry on. That happened to me this morning, while I was putting my son on the bus. When I came back inside, I sat down in the living room. I felt a weird sensation, looked down and there it was...a HUGE spider crawling up my shirt! I seriously almost killed myself trying to get it off of me and get away. I tripped over my dog, and stubbed my toe on the edge of the couch in the process. I eventually mustered up enough courage to grab a shoe and seal its fate. I appologize in advance to all you bug enthusiast out there.

If you're wondering, I'm okay. I did need a little something celebrate the fact that I didn't get eaten by that vicious ugly spider. Which was totally a small spider, but don't judge me, it looked 100x bigger when it was on my clothes!

This sunshine smoothie was enough to calm my brain. It deliciously incorporates bananas, clementines, and vanilla yogurt. Yum! This recipe is enough to share, so half it if you'd like, or if you're having a morning like me just enjoy it! {If you love smoothies check out this:blueberry muffin smoothie or peach cobbler smoothie}.

Here's What You'll Need:
2 clementines
2 bananas (ripe ones are best)
6oz. Vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup milk (I use 2%)
1 cup ice

Here's What You Do:
1. Peel your fruit and break it apart.
2. Place all ingredients into blender and blend til smooth.

The warmth and comfort of a delicious bowl of creamy tomato basil soup. You're welcome.

Here's What You Need:
2 (14oz) cans diced tomatoes (I buy the ones seasoned with garlic and onion)
1 (14oz) can of whole peeled tomatoes
1.5 cups chicken broth (or if you prefer, vegetable broth)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 an onion; chopped
1 TBSP butter (or if you prefer, olive oil for sauteing onions)
1 TBSP garlic powder
1.5 TBSP dried basil
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Shredded cheese to garnish (optional)

Here's What You Do:
In a large pot warm your butter (or oil) over medium heat.
Toss in onions and cook until translucent.
Pour in cans of tomatoes including all the juices.
Add broth, garlic, basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Allow to cook for about 10 mins. Add in heavy cream.
Reduce heat and simmer (stirring occasionally) until ready to serve.
Top with shredded cheese, before serving.

If you've been coming here awhile, I'm sure you've already honed in on my love affair with spinach and cheese. I just can't help myself. And since were talking about love affairs, I mind as well admit to the one I have with tomatoes also. I swear, I must have Italian in me (which totally reminds me I haven't shared with you what I asked for, for my birthday). I'll update you on that really soon.

Now, on to these breasts.

I used fresh spinach, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese (in the form of cheese sticks). Hey, like I said I'm addicted to cheese and yes I eat cheese sticks on a regular basis, so I literally ALWAYS have them on hand, even if I don't have cheese in any other form.

The chicken was rinsed and pat dry. Then four slits were made in each breast. Two spinach leaves were neatly tucked into the slits and the artisan tomatoes and mozzarella was placed atop.

I mean seriously, this dish is not only delicious, it's absolutely beautiful.

A little garlic, salt, pepper, and dried basil was added for flavor.

Trust me this one will have the whole family wanting to kiss the cook!

Here's What You'll Need:
2lbs. chicken breast
4-5 small artisan (cherry) tomatoes; quartered
1 cup fresh spinach
3 mozzarella cheese sticks sliced about the size of a coin.
1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1.5 tsp garlic powder

Here's What You Do:
Preheat oven to 375F

1. Rinse chicken and pat dry.
2. Use a knife to cut slits in each chicken breast (about 4 slits per piece).
3. Take 2 spinach leaves and stuff inside of each slit on chicken
place tomato and mozzarella coins atop spinach.
4. Place all dry seasonings in a small bowl. Stir with a spoon to combine.
5. Using your fingers, sprinkle seasoning all over chicken breast.
6. Spritz a baking dish with cooking spray (or lightly grease the dish).
7. Add chicken to the baking dish and place in oven.
8. Cook for about an hour. (I had large breast so they took an hour to cook, if yours are smaller, you may want to start checking the oven around the 40min mark).

Apples are one of my favorite fruit. So naturally this smoothie is near and dear to my heart. It shares the same concept as my peach cobbler smoothie. Same process different fruit! By the way did you know you could freeze apples?

Here's What You'll Need:

2 apples, sliced, cored; frozen

1.5 cups milk (your favorite kind)

1tsp cinnamon

1tsp vanilla

2 tbsp honey

3tbsp quick (or rolled) oats; dry

Here's What You Do:

Place all ingredients in blender. Blend til smooth.

I made these bars a couple days ago and I've been keeping them in the icebox. I promise you every single time I open the fridge (which is more than I'd like to admit) I have to nibble on them. They're just so good!

Oh and they are no baking and only 3 ingredients. It doesn't get much better than that!

Here's What You'll Need:
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey (for firmer bars reduce this to 1/4 cup)
1/2 of quick oats (you can also use rolled oats)

Here's What You Do:
Combine all ingredients and press mixture into a square pan.
Refrigerate several hours to set.
Cut into squares to serve.

Tips:
Keep bars in fridge until ready to serve. Keep all leftovers in fridge.

Oh my gosh these are seriously yummy. And that's not even the best part. They are guilt free and so easy to make!

All you do is slice an apple, removing the core. Then spread a little peanut butter on each slice and top with your favorite goodies. I used mixed nuts, coconut chips, and white chocolate morsels.

This combination gives a delicious crunch and was very filling!

You can totally top yours with whatever you're in the mood for.

Here's What You Need:
1 Apple (I like to use the granny smith apples, but you can use whatever you prefer)
1/4 cup peanut butter
A handful each of your favorite toppings such as raisins, coconut, peanuts, walnuts, chocolate morsels, cashews, or dry cranberries.

Here's What You Do:
Slice apple into thin slices.
Remove center core. ( I just removed it from each slice with a knife).
Spread peanut butter on each apple slice
Top each slice with toppings of your choice.

As you may know, my sister recently had a baby. My nephew is now 2 months old, and Tiffany is ready to start attempt to get back to her pre-pregnancy weight.
I'm the eldest and have always been the motivator in the family, but being at a distance now, has made this more challenging.
I am determined to take this journey with her (as I can stand to shed a few pounds) so I created a private online group for us to share, meals, workouts, and other helpful info. One of the things I've found myself sharing often, is the smoothies I make at breakfast. So it hit me, why not share them with you guys also?!

Up first is the peach cobbler smoothie. Tons of peachy goodness and it's soooo perfectly cinnamony (wait is that even a word?).

This is among my favs to enjoy in the morning. One of the reasons I love it so much is because, not only is it a delight to the taste buds, it is also very filling. It's the goodness of dessert without the guilt factor. Now tell me that isn't awesome!

This smoothie incorporates the sweetness of peaches and cinnamon, bathed in vanilla milk and sprinkled with oats.