Blueberry Pear Smoothie

Blueberry Pear Smoothie Recipe via Simply HappenstanceBlueberry Pear Smoothie //

It’s so funny with the New Year, one instantly feels the need to refresh, tweak a few things around, and try a little harder… for instance with healthier eating. Am I right? I know for me… even without compiling a bunch of resolutions, I ALWAYS have the urge to clean up my act in the eating department, come January! I think I’ve seriously tried it all, you guys. I’ve done an elimination diet, become completely vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free… I’ve even done two back-to-back rounds of the Whole30! Yikes! Sort of crazy…. I know!

Well, this year is really no different. I started off thinking I may attempt 100 days of Real Food with a dear friend of mine, but I’ve already thrown in the towel. Before you feel sorry for my lack of commitment, please know that I don’t plan on eating ding dongs all day {do they still make those?}. Instead, I am just going to do my best. That.Is.All. After all, I think I know what to do at this point… and I’m sort of over following guidelines.

So, with that being said… I picked up this lovely Juice/Smoothie recipe book from Barnes & Noble over the holidays. {It was in the bargain section, which made me like it even more!} It’s a really pretty book… I highly recommend it for the pictures and for recipe inspiration! 

blueberry pear smoothie | recipe at simplyhappenstance.com [Read more…]

Healthier Spinach Artichoke Dip

Healthier Spinach Artichoke Dip:: Healthier Spinach Artichoke Dip ::

I’m an appetizer and dessert girl. {In fact, I could almost do away with all other types of meals. Small bites of scrumptious food, paired with some fresh fruit or a salad, is sometimes all that I want!} Trader Joe’s makes a delicious spinach artichoke dip that they sell in their freezer aisle. My husby and I have been hooked on it for a while. We love dipping spicy soy + flaxseed chips or pita wedges into the creamy mixture! Since it’s a favorite light lunch for us, I thought I would try to make my own version of the dip… only healthier {that way I can eat more of it, right?!!}. 

Healthier Spinach Artichoke Dip

The original recipe I found on the Food Network created by Ellie Krieger. I adapted a few items in the mixture with ingredients that I prefer {like Greek yogurt in place of sour cream}.  I love how it turned out and I hope that you do, too!  [Read more…]

Spooky Orange Carrot Smoothie

Spooky Orange Carrot Smoothie is a healthy Halloween Treat.:: Spooky Orange Carrot Smoothie ::

Halloween is just around the corner, why not cut the sweets by serving your little ghouls this Spooky Orange Carrot Smoothie! I don’t know about you, but the begging for sweets has already started.  I decided that it’s best not to take my kids to Target in the next coming months.  Believe me, we all love shopping the aisles there, but letting my kids check out the Halloween decor along with the Christmas aisle one row over, and you have them begging and pleading for all of the holiday treats.  I know they will have their fair share of it all, but I am going to try to combat some of their sweets with the serving of this simple and fun Spooky Orange Carrot Smoothie. You will be enjoying the fact that this crafty creation is full of fruits and veggies making this treat truly spell binding….hee hee hee! [Read more…]

Greens Detox Smoothie

Healthy and Easy Greens Detox Smoothie using Aloha Greens:: Greens Detox Smoothie ::

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Aloha, but all opinions are my own. #pmedia #MyAloha #AlohaMoment  https://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

It’s September and school is back in full swing, which means it’s time to get back into a health and fitness routine! This Greens Detox Smoothie recipe, made with Aloha Blend Box of Daily Good Greens, is the perfect start to a busy school day!

Our summer is officially over, as our first full week of school has been completed. The new school year brings along the possibility of a fresh beginning {after a summer filled with ice cream and barbecues}.  I am excited to up my yoga routine, and to use this Greens Detox Smoothie to get my mornings off to a positive and healthy start!   [Read more…]

Almond Butter Honey Yogurt Dip

Almond Butter Honey Yogurt Dip :: Almond Butter Honey Yogurt Dip ::

Summer is approaching… and pretty soon you may start feeling like you’re seriously living in the kitchen with the kids home! Having four children, I do in fact spend what feels like half of my day preparing healthy meals and snacks {especially since we homeschool}. 

This Almond Butter Honey Yogurt Dip is a healthy and delicious snack idea that I got from Weelicious! The recipe only calls for three ingredients with an optional fourth, that I’ve added in. I eliminated use of refined sugars by using raw, unprocessed honey and sweetening it further with one ripe banana.     [Read more…]

Strawberry Lemon Zest Yogurt Pops

  

 :: Strawberry Lemon Zest Yogurt Pops ::

One of my dear friends gave me these Zoku Mini Pop Molds at the end of the school year for being one of her room parents {Such a great gift idea!}. Since we are nearly settled into our new house, I thought it was about time to pull them out of the box and whip up a delicious summer treat for my littles!

I don’t know about your kids, but mine rarely finish an entire large popsicle. Inevitably, it ends up as one sticky mess {which may be half the fun}! They either grow tired of the flavor, or end up dropping the leftovers on the ground, it seems. These Zoku Mini Pops are honestly the perfect size! While they are much smaller than your average ice pop, I did find that the kids were still able to spend several fun-filled minutes enjoying them! [Read more…]