Meal Replacement Smoothies

So, I got a NutriBullet this summer.  I am really not trying to promote any particular brand, as I know there are several completing ones on the market.  My aunt just recommended this particular one to me.  I LOVE it!!  

I have been playing around with various smoothie combinations.  I have been drinking them for breakfast, and sometimes even lunch.  I have been trying to pack them with protein to use for meal replacement.  It is allowing me to keep better tabs on my total caloric intake for the day, while staying full and I feel great!  Sometimes, I actually prefer a smoothie over some of my favorite breakfast or lunch meals.  

I also make some for the kids to have with their meals.  They are growing like weeds and can use all of the muscle building protein they can get.  I also put some leafy greens in their smoothies.  They drank them for several days before my oldest said, "Hey, are you putting salad in the smoothies?"  Haha!  

Here is a variation of my go to favorite right now.  I think this smoothie has about 320 calories, 7g of fat, 47g carbohydrates, 10 g fiber and 20 g protein (per my fitness pal ap).  It is also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium.  I am not a nutritionist so don't hold me to those numbers.  ;)

Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie

1 c loosely packed fresh spinach

1/2 fresh banana (sliced)

4 medium strawberries (sliced)

1/3 c plain Greek yogurt

2/3 c skim milk (or milk of your choice)

6 raw almonds (unsalted)

1 T old fashioned oats*

1 T chia seeds

1 t honey

little bit of crushed ice

 Put all ingredients in the cup and blend!  Drink immediately.
*If you are on a gluten-free diet, be sure to use gluten-free oats or omit.

Notes:  Other variations I really liked: 

-Replace spinach with kale or a kale/spinach blend

-Replace the almonds with 4 pecan halves

-Replace skim milk with soy or almond milk

-Omit strawberries (don't always have some)
-Replace the strawberries with about 6 grapes
-Replace the strawberries with about 4 cubes of pineapple

-Replace fruit with half of a large sliced peach (remove pit and leave peel on)
-Replace fruit with cucumber and melon

-Sometimes I omit the oats, especially if I have been eat a lot of other carbs that day.

Fettuccine Alfredo

This is a recipe my Mom's friend gave her years ago.  It is a great basic Alfredo sauce.  Because it uses milk rather than cream, I like to think I can feel a little less guilty eating it.

My friend loves Fettuccine Alfredo.  Recently, we had them over for dinner and I made this for her.  We served it with Easy Grilled Chicken (EF, DF, GF) and a tossed salad.  It was a big hit with the adults and kids.

Fettuccine Alfredo

1 stick butter

3 T flour

2 c whole milk

½ c Parmesan cheese

In a saucepan, melt butter.  Stir in flour with wire whisk, until fully incorporated and starting to bubble.  Gradually, add milk, stirring constantly.  Simmer until sauce starts to thicken.  Add cheese and stir until fully incorporated and thickened.

Cook 1 package of fettuccine, as directed.  Place pasta on a plate top with chicken and sauce.  Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. 

In the picture, I mixed the pasta into the sauce for easier serving, especially for the kids.

Overnight Applesauce Oatmeal

I have been intrigued by the increasingly popular overnight oatmeal recipes popping up all over Pinterest.  I decided to try one.  I chose this one because I had all of the ingredients at home and it seemed a little healthier than the almost dessert variety.  We really liked it!  We actually ate them cold which was a nice way to eat oatmeal in the summer.  I plan to try some other varies and may try warming them especially in the winter.  I think these will especially helpful for my husband during the week who usually eats grabs his breakfast and eats it in the car or at his desk when he gets to work.

Overnight Applesauce Oatmeal - Click to here to link to recipe.

Allergen Notes:
This recipe could easily be made gluten-free with certified gluten free oats.  I have also seen several overnight oatmeal recipes that use a non-dairy substitute for milk.