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!

Slow Cooker Meal: Borracho Chicken

Do you have a slow cooker?

I must say they are handy little items that really save time in the kitchen.  You can prepare a meal in the morning (or the night before) and set it to cook all day and when you get home, voila! dinner is done.

Sometimes, though, you have to do a lot of prep work to even get the food in the slow cooker.  This meal today is all about simple slow cooker meals.  You can cook anything from breakfast to dessert in a slow cooker.  I love that!

The other day I knew we would be out running around for most of the afternoon and most likely to tired to cook dinner so i was looking for a nice meal that would be done in about 4 hours (the time we were gone).  I came across and interesting Latin chicken dish called Borracho Chicken.  I've heard of Borracho Beans and maybe you have too, but never Borracho Chicken. You see Borracho means 'drunken' in Spanish.  I was definitely game when I found out that Tequila was added to the chicken.

This couldn't be more simple to make.  Using canned beans and tomatoes (I used Rotel) made this simple to put together.  The chicken doesn't need browning.  You just put it in and it will braise in the sauce made by the beans and tomatoes.  It came out moist, tender and flavorful.  The perfect dinner that I served with a green salad and a side of rice to help soak up all those yummy juices.  Can't get much easier than this unless you eat out! 

Enjoy!

Borracho Chicken

Serves 4

Time: 3-4 hours

2 cans 14.5 oz pinto beans, undrained

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Salt and pepper

2 cans (10oz) Mexican diced tomatoes with chilies

¼ c tequila

1 T Mexican or fajita seasoning (such as salt free Mrs. Dash)

Place pinto beans in the bottom of a 5 quart slow cooker.  Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.  Place in the slow cooker on top of the pinto beans.  In a medium bowl stir together diced tomatoes, tequila, and seasoning.  Pour over chicken.  Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours.  Serve chicken with beans, tomatoes and sauce.

source:  Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Fast-Fix Family Favorites

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.