Nectarine-Blueberry Parfaits

 

It's summer time and the feeling is easy...

Sitting outside on these mild summer nights we've been having is just Heaven! Taking time out to relax with family after a meal helps to wind down the day and slow down the pace. 

We just love long summer evenings. To top of a scrumptious dinner I like to serve a light dessert with some kind of fresh summer fruit. Perfect for summer, and lighter and healthier than our standard ice cream cone! MGG is a fanatic for having a little something sweet, which is usually ice cream. Can't blame him, I'm right there with him too! 

These parfaits are the perfect solution to a light dessert. The creamy yogurt, crunchy granola, and flavors of nectarine and blueberries go so well together. It's a definite winner in my book! These would be wonderful for breakfast, or served at brunch. Kids love them too. You can also vary the fruit used. Peaches would be excellent and are so juicy right now.

What combinations would you choose?

Enjoy!

Nectarine-Blueberry Parfaits

serves: 2

2 6 oz cartons lite vanilla yogurt
1 cup granola
1 ripe nectarine, pitted and sliced
1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Place 1/2 carton of yogurt into each of two dessert glasses or bowls; top with half of the granola Top with half of the nectarines, half of the blueberries. Repeat layers with the remaining yogurt, granola, nectarines, and blueberries.

California Salad

Yum

 Happy 4th of July!

So many wonderful memories of this holiday and my childhood.  Joining the 4th of July parade with my bike all decked out with red, white, and blue flags and crepe paper in the spokes.  Then having a great cook out in the back yard and finally going over to the park to lay on a huge blanket and watching the fireworks at night.  Oh, I just love the feeling of this holiday!

These days we often have a pool party and grill prior to watching the fireworks.  Sometimes we have a potluck style get together, other times we have a themed menu.

This year we're having a potluck style get together with many friends.  Each bringing their own favorite dishes.  Tons of food, lots of friends, great fun!

I'm bringing a wonderful salad I call a California Salad.  My inspiration came from a small salad shop that we used to eat at frequently.  They had this salad that was full of fruit, topped with chicken, and had a sweet dressing.  This is my version, and it's perfect for any potluck, or holiday celebration.

To make this easier use leftover roasted chicken, (or roast a breast or two fresh, or pick up a rotisserie chicken!) and slice the breasts thinly.  

Hope you enjoy this salad, it's fresh, light, and delishhh!

California Salad

1 head of Romaine Lettuce, torn

1/2 c Blueberries

1 1/2 c Strawberries, sliced

1 c Pineapple, cut into chunks

1/3 c Mandarin Oranges

1 Roasted Chicken Breast, sliced

1/3 c Pecans Halves 

1/3 c Poppyseed Dressing

Fill a bowl with the torn lettuce.  Add blueberries, strawberries, pineapple and Mandarin oranges.  Add slices of roasted chicken breast on top.  Sprinkle with pecan halves.  Drizzle with poppyseed dressing.  Toss to distribute dressing and serve.

Black and Blue Smoothie

I'm running out the door...life just got a little more busy.

Things have ramped up quite a bit lately.  Getting ready for a big move to a new house, planning a wedding, flying here and there on business.  You get the idea. 

Which is one reason I'm bringing you this quick breakfast smoothie today.  I'm ready to leave for a day full of activities and don't have time (again) for breakfast.  I miss my weekend breakfasts, let me tell you!

Another reason to share this smoothie is that I LOVE smoothies!  Summer is here and fruit is abundant. Yea! So bring on the smoothies.  

This one sounds like a bruiser...but it's really all about the fruit.  Blackberries and blueberries to be exact!  Love, love, love the combination.  I'm sure I don't need to tell you that they are packed with vitamins, or that smoothies are very filling and a good substitution for breakfast...or a snack.  Make them for the whole family, they will love you for it!

Black and Blue Smoothie

1 6 oz container vanilla lite yogurt

½  medium banana

½ c blueberries (fresh or frozen)

½ c blackberries (fresh or frozen)

¼ c milk

½ c ice cubes

Directions

Combine ingredients in a blender and mix until combined.  Serve in a tall glass and enjoy!

Beet Salad

 A quick salad is always a treat.

Especially during the warmer months when we have plenty of fresh vegetables and a lighter meal is in order.
I like to try various combination with my salads.  Changing up the greens or the vegetables I use.  Add some protein and possibly some fruit and you have one heck of a salad.  The combinations are endless!

Today's salad is a Beet Salad.  Beets, raspberry vinaigrette, and apples make this salad the perfect answer to a sweet craving.  

This is a fantastic salad!  I love the flavor combination of the beets.  If you don't have fresh ones take some help and buy them packaged.  Trader Joe's has delicious baby beets packaged and ready to go.  Also as a quick tip, some grocery store salad bars have sliced beets, and may carry hard boiled eggs and artichokes.  It's easy to pick up just a few so that you don't have to buy in quantity.  So easy!

Hope you enjoy a new, fresh salad!


Beet Salad

Serves 1

4 cups mixed greens
1 crumbled hard-boiled egg
3 sliced baby beets
1/2 cup apple slices
2 artichoke heart quarters
1 tablespoon sliced almonds

2 tablespoons bottled fat-free raspberry balsamic vinaigrette
fresh ground black pepper  
2 graham cracker squares

In a bowl combine all ingredients from the mixed greens to the almonds.  Drizzle with vinaigrette and fresh ground black pepper.  Toss to combine.  Serve with graham crackers.

How to Build a Balanced Breakfast

I know I've posted a lot of yummy breakfast dishes over the past several years.   Sinful ones, and healthier ones.  But those sinful breakfasts are usually saved for special occasions or a nice weekend meal.  

So what do you eat every day?  Me?  I'm always on the run getting ready for work and usually end up taking breakfast to work.  A grab and go breakfast is perfect for me, and I bet a lot of you too!

So I was browsing recipes on the internet and came across this wonderful formula for making a balanced breakfast.  Easy to put together and even easier to take along with you.  How perfect is that?

I thought this was a perfect post for today since I'm running out the door and don't have time for much of a breakfast myself.  So my breakfast of today consists of:

Whole grain toast
2 T low sugar blackberry jam
Smoothie (recipe coming soon!)

When compiling your first meal of the day, remember this simple formula:

Whole grain + dairy/protein + fruit = healthy breakfast

     

Include whole grains for the starch portion of your meal. This will be your main carbohydrate source. The dairy/protein digests more slowly than carbohydrate, helping you feel satisfied. And fruit is rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber -- plus it's a healthy carbohydrate source.

Here are 6 healthy breakfast ideas.  All low in calories, carbs, and a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamins.

 

Healthy Breakfast #1: Sausage and Cheese English Muffin

Whole Grain:
--Whole wheat English muffin
--1 teaspoon light vegetable oil spread
Dairy/Protein:
--Morningstar Farms Original vegetable sausage patty
--3/4 ounce reduced-fat cheese
Fruit:
--3/4 cup blueberries

    

Healthy Breakfast #2: Cereal and Milk

Whole Grain:
--1 cup Kashi GoLean cereal
Dairy/Protein:
--3/4 cup fat-free milk
Fruit:
--1/2 cup strawberries, sliced

   

Healthy Breakfast #3: Blueberry Muffin

Whole Grain:
--Fiber One frozen blueberry muffin, thawed
Dairy/Protein:
--Hard-cooked egg
Fruit:
--1 cup cantaloupe cubes

  

Healthy Breakfast #4: Apple and Cheese

Whole Grain:
--Amy's Apple Toaster Pop, toasted
Dairy/Protein:
--Light string-cheese stick
Fruit:
--Small apple

   

Healthy Breakfast #5: Bagel with Peanut Butter

Whole Grain:
--Thomas' 100% Whole Wheat Mini Bagel
Dairy/Protein:
--1 tablespoon Smucker's Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
Fruit:
--1 large orange

  

Healthy Breakfast #6: Cinnamon Swirl Bread and Spread

Whole Grain:
--2 slices Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat Cinnamon with Raisins Swirl Bread, toasted
Dairy/Protein:
--2 tablespoons reduced-fat cream cheese
--1 teaspoon honey
Fruit:
--1 kiwifruit

 

Here's to a healthier breakfast, and one's that grab 'n go!!!

Enjoy!

Pictures and recipes courtesy of DiabeticLivingOnline.com

It's almost Mother's Day!

Time to honor all the Mother's.  They are amazing in their own right.  Able to care for the entire family, and yet still be her own woman.  

This post is in honor of my mom, whom I lost just two months ago.  My guiding light...

Always strong but soft.  A mix of oak wrapped in velvet.  Kind, generous, and loving....always there for support or to listen.  A great cook who taught me my love of food.  

Today's dish is just perfect for a Mother's Day Brunch or Breakfast.  One of my mom's favorite dishes was waffles.  Her favorite was pecan waffles.  (We say "Pe-con" not "Pe-can"! What do you say?)  But, today I'm making a healthier waffle with citrus flavors.  

Brunch always reminds me of waffles and spring is the perfect time to bring in some light and fruity flavors.  This dish is light, tasty and satisfying.   The presentation is just elegant.  See how pretty!

So make your precious mom a wonderful plate of waffles for breakfast this Sunday.  Or if a full brunch is in order I posted a wonder group of dishes titled Spring Brunch about a week ago.  Just put the key words "Spring Brunch" in the search bar above.  There's nothing better than great food along with fun family times.

Multi-Grain Citrus Waffles

adapted from BHG

Makes 6

3/4 c flour
1/4 c whole wheat flour
1/4 c oat flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 t Splenda brown sugar blend
1/4 t baking soda
1/8 t salt
3/4 c low fat milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 c canola oil
1 1/2 t orange zest
1/4 c low-sugar orange marmalade
3/4 c fresh blueberries and sliced strawberries

In a large bowl combine all flours, baking powder, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.  Make a well in center of flour mixture.

In a medium bowl combine milk, egg, oil, and orange zest. Add egg mixture to flour mixture all at once. Stir just until moistened. 

Pour batter onto preheated and prepared waffle maker and cook according to manufacturer's instructions.  Repeat with the remaining batter.

Meanwhile, for sauce, heat marmalade in a small saucepan, until melted. Stir in berries; heat through. Spoon sauce over warm waffles.

Spring Brunch: Spinach and Strawberry Salad

 

 Spring fever is in the air.  

The weather is wonderful and what better time than now to have a nice Spring Brunch.  Make this for Mother's Day or just because.  

It's time to lighten up your dishes and celebrate with the season's fresh spring fruits and vegetables available now.  

I've seen some beautiful strawberries lately.  Plump, ripe, and juicy they make your mouth water just imagining how they taste.  So strawberries are the center of attention in today's salad.  Simple, delicate, but light and tasty.  A perfect first course for a wonderful meal!

I made this for Easter this year and it was a hit with everyone.  So here's the starting course of this wonderful Spring Brunch.  I'll be bringing the main course, side dishes, and dessert over the next week.

Remember to take time out with your family, to slow down and enjoy life...and a good spring meal!

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Serves: 8 to 10

Time: 10 Minutes

2 (6-ounce) packages fresh baby spinach

2 pints fresh strawberries, sliced

1 English Cucumber, sliced

Raspberry Vinaigrette

Combine baby spinach and strawberries in a large bowl; toss with 1/2 cup Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing just before serving.