Green Smoothie

I know once you read the ingredient list, you may be very skeptical that this is palatable...much less tasty... trust me, it is! My very picky 20 month old LOVES these, and I do too. This particular one isn't very "green" because of the frozen berries, but there's still spinach in there. I took a before and after pic for proof.




Here's the "foundation" recipe I use:
One banana
One cup of organic fresh, spinach
1/4-1/2 cup of yogurt or milk (My favorite yogurt is Stonyfield Farms Low-Fat French Vanilla)
1/2 cup ice cubes (I subbed frozen mixed berries for the ice cubes this time)
1/4 tsp Almond extract

Makes one large smoothie.

Mix in ideas:
1 T Almond Butter or Peanut Butter
1 T Flax Seeds
Orange Juice instead of milk/yogurt


~Abby



adapted from:
http://greenmonstermovement.com/

Homemade Pizza

What else is as versatile as homemade pizza?  I will give my recipe for pizza dough, as found in the little Cuisinart recipe booklet that came with my food processor, but then I will leave the toppings to YOU to decide, with a list of some of our favorites. 

My husband and I make regular "date nights" at home after our daughter is asleep, by heating up a pizza and watching a DVD at home.  Our favorite frozen pizza is DiGiorno's supreme, but it's also a guilty pleasure, and not too healthy.  When possible, I make a double batch of this pizza dough, and make about 6-7 pizzas, freezing them in vacuum-sealed bags (or just wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil).  That way, I can pop in a homemade-frozen pizza any night -- this way it is tastier AND a bit healthier too!
My daughter also enjoys decorating her own little pizzas.  This is a really fun kid recipe!

~Leah

Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

2 tsp. active dry yeast (should equal 1 pkg. - .25 oz)
1 tsp. sugar
1 1/4 cups warm water (105-115 F)
3 1/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
4 tsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided

In a 2-cup liquid measure, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water.  Let stand until foamy, about 3-5 minutes.  Insert dough blade in work bowl and add flour, salt and 2 tsp olive oil.

With machine running on dough speed, pour liquid through small feed tube as fast as flour will absorb it.  Process until dough cleans sides of work bowl and forms a ball.  Then process for 30 seconds to knead dough.  Dough may be slightly sticky.  Coat dough evenly with 2 tsp. olive oil; transfer to a plastic food storage bag and seal the top.  Let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes.  While dough is rising, prepare any pizza toppings.

Place dough on a lightly floured surface and punch down.  Roll into desired crust sizes.  Arrange pizza crusts onto lightly oiled cookie sheets or pizza pans, and poke gentle holes all over with a fork.  Bake for about 5-10 minutes (partway cooked, just until it hardens a little bit.)  Remove from oven and spread toppings on top.  Bake again immediately for about 10-15 minutes until done, or freeze for later use.

Toppings:
We use Emeril's Spaghetti Sauce straight from the jar for our "red sauce."
Grated Mozzarella cheese
Red and Green Bell Peppers
Pepperoni
Italian Sausage
Olives
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Canadian Bacon
Fresh or canned pineapple
Crumbled Goat Cheese
Sliced tomatoes
Fresh Basil