Smooth Move

A typical weekday work morning goes something like this.   Wake up at 6:45, take a shower, get dressed, get the kids dressed, make my lunch, fill water bottles, pack up work files, pack backpacks and get out the door by 7:45. And, this is with the enormous help of a husband who makes the best coffee I have ever had, gets the kids breakfasts, and packs their lunch.  We somehow have it coordinated down to the last minute, and the only thing missing is time to make my breakfast- which I no longer need to do thanks to this great smoothie recipe.   I typically double the recipe which will make 6 servings, put them in freezer safe tupperware, and take one out each morning to thaw while I run around the house like a mad women, throw it in a to-go cup and drink it all morning at work.

Breakfast Smoothie  - makes 3 servings

a handful of romaine lettuce (or other green, celery etc)
2 bananas
6 strawberries (or other berry, pineapple, etc)
grated ginger (optional)
2 1/2 cups Coconut water (see below)
1/4 c. aloe vera juice (see below)
3 scoops of whey protein powder (see below)
Blend well.

A little more about the ingredients.  Coconut water is expensive and can be hard to find, so hit your local health food store.   The benefits, besides the taste, are that it is super hydrating, has a lot of potassium and minerals, and low sodium.  Think of a sports drink without all the crap.   If the price still puts you off, try the recipe with half water, half coconut water.  Aloe vera juice is another favorite of mine.  Its great for digestion, among other things.   If you suffer from GI problems, especially heartburn, this is the best natural remedy, so add as much as you like.  The whey protein powder is to add the necessary protein.  I don't use yogurt, because it doesn't freeze well and has a lot of sugar- if you do use yogurt, make sure it is plain to help decrease some of that sugar!

2 servings of breakfast smoothie, ready for the freezer.

Soaked

I had pretty much come to the conclusion that the words "oven- baked" and "fries" should never be used together.   My efforts have always yielded limp, chewy results that even ketchup couldn't help. So, I stuck to roasting, mashing, and hashing until I discovered the single best tip that put fries back on the menu at the Cannizzaro house.  So, without further ado, the ultimate fry tip:


You need to soak the potatoes, I mean really soak them- for at least a half an hour.


 I know, I know, this seems completely counter- intuitive (or at least it did to me), but trust me on this one, it is the key to making crispy, delicious  oven-baked fries.

Crispy (oven- baked) Fries

Ingredients
Potatoes local if you can get them
Coconut oil health benefits 
Salt & pepper to taste


Peel (if desired) and slice potatoes into uniform slices.  Place in a bowl of water for at least 30 minutes.  Dry completely.   I use a salad spinner, but laying them on paper towels will work as well.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper (do not skip this step, or they will stick to the pan).  Place potatoes in a bowl. Toss with coconut oil, salt & pepper. Place potatoes in a single layer on baking sheet.

 Cook for 45 minutes to an hour depending on how thin you sliced them. Flip potatoes  half-way through cooking time. mmmmm. crispy.

Beets me

So, I am a beet lover.  I didn't know that until a couple of years ago when we joined a CSA at Jericho Settlers Farm. I love them roasted, I love them hot, I love them cold, I love them raw.   So, with a dinner invitation in a few hours and no time to go to the store, I see what's left from the farm.  In the words of my very  fancy four year old- Voila!

Raw Beet, Carrot and Ginger Salad

Ingredients

5 small beets 

2 carrots 

1/2 lemon juiced

1- 1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger root

4 TBSP olive oil

1 TBSP raw honey

salt & pepper to taste

Peel and shred the beets and carrots.  (I used a food processor, but a hand grater or mandolin would work as well).  Place in a medium bowl.  In a small bowl mix together lemon juice, ginger, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. Combine, cover & chill.