4 Ingredient Energy-Boost Smoothie

I love smoothies. They're my go-to food choice for a post-workout replenisher, a snack when I'm in a hurry or as part of a meal. I go to school every day and sometimes I'm there for up to 7 hours. I'm always on the lookout for quick and healthy meals to take with me, especially since it's so easy to steer in the direction of a fast-food place or vending machines. 

I made this earlier today. It was delicious! I tend to experiment a lot with the ingredients I put into a smoothie but this is probably one of my favorites. 

What you'll need: 

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1 cup of unsweetened almond milk (you can also use other variations of almond milk, skim milk, etc. Whatever you prefer!)

1 scoop of vanilla protein powder* 

*Note: I use the brand Naturade Total Soy. I buy it at Sam's Club. 

I use this brand because of the nutritional value as well as the taste. I can't complain about the price either. It's almost a 4lb bag for $20! I'm all about getting the best deal for my buck. :D

One of the wedding presents I received was a Ninja food processor and I love it! I've been using it obsessively since we got it last year. That's what I use to make all my smoothies. 

Directions: Add all the ingredients to your food processor or blender and blend until smooth. 

I like my smoothies to be cold and thick. If you don't like this type of consistency, use fruits that aren't frozen and add ice cubes instead.

Enjoy! :)

Eat Your Heart Out Pizza!

Pizza is one of my guilty pleasures. I mentioned in one of my earlier posts that it's hard to eat just one slice, at least it is for me. You can't go wrong with a crispy crust, cheesy goodness and warm assorted toppings. However, I was doing some research on the nutritional value of one slice of pizza from popular places like Domino's and Pizza Hut and I was in disbelief at the high number of calories, fat and carbs for just one slice of cheese pizza. Of course, these numbers change depending on the type of crust and cheese used, but still! A slice of cheese pizza can have 230-350 calories, 8-13 grams of fat, 26-37 grams of carbs. 

This inspired me to seek a healthier version of one of my favorite foods. I was at my parents' place when they introduced me to a multi-grain, low-fat pre-made crust that they found at Wal-Mart. I've been dying to make a crust from scratch, when I find one I like I'll be sure to blog about it! 

You begin by pre-heating the oven per the instructions on the package. Then brush olive oil - or whatever oil you prefer - on the crust. Then, the fun begins. You can choose whatever toppings you want! I was limited to the choices my parents had: for the "sauce," I used low-fat refried beans, about half a can, and spread it all over the crust. I shredded up cooked chicken, fresh spinach and diced tomatoes for toppings. I sprinkled cheese for my parents but omitted it from my slices. I placed it the oven...

Viola! I wish you guys could be here to smell this pizza! It was heavenly. 

I can't have pizza without red crushed pepper flakes. It was super tasty! I ate two slices and was stuffed! Satisfying and filling! This is definitely a healthier alternative to deep dish pizza! Also, the package came with two pre-made crusts for $2.24, which saves you money as well. ;) Next time I want to try an all veggie-style pizza with mushrooms, bell peppers and olives with a homemade pizza sauce!