Apricot Creamsicle!

I hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day weekend! I know we are!   ♥  It's so nice to relax on a 'staycation.' :)

Anyways, we've been getting lots of apricots in our weekly Abundant Harvest Organics box of local, seasonal, & organic produce!

Last night, I was inspired to make this...

Apricot Creamsicle Smoothie!

Jon: "It doesn't really have cream, does it?"
Me: "Nope!" ;)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apricots, frozen (in halves)
• 1 banana, frozen (in halves)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/3 cups almond milk
• optional: whipped cream (I used dairy/soy-free Rice Whip!) 

Directions:
 Blend! :)

(serves 2)

This Week's Agenda:

• Complete the paperwork for my 2nd client!
• Pedicure with my mom! ♥ 
• Update business website
• Join Ladies First gym... hello 'girl time' with my friend, Amber; cardio, yoga, & sauna!
• Create another Facebook ad
• Yoga class on Tuesday ♥
• Send out my 1st newsletter!
• Officially complete business license with DBA form from L.A. County
• Get ready for my first workshop/seminar
• Job interview with the City of Palmdale
• Finally order my business cards...thank you Alyssa Craft Design!
• Visit my sister, Alyssa, in Oregon!

Interesting Reads:

Maybe we shouldn't consume soy?
What?! Beer contains estrogen?
9 Factors Affecting Metabolism
8 Drug-Free Natural Highs
Why Support Farmers' Markets?

Enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day weekend!! Are you making anything healthy? :)

*Featured Recipe*

Greetings! I hope you are having a great week!!

Just wanted to post a quick update... "Tropical Mango Banana Sherbert" was featured on the Integrative Nutrition blog today!

If you are looking for some healthy recipe inspiration... or ideas on what to make with seasonal produce, check out the blog!

There are 100 original recipes, all by students and graduates of Integrative Nutrition! :)

Happy end-of-the-week!!

Tropical Mango Banana Sherbert!

It's almost Friday!! How is your week going? ♥

I am so excited about events have happened so far! I feel like I need to 'pinch' myself because I cannot believe reality... :)

1. Integrative Nutrition mailed me my official certificate to begin supporting clients!
2. My health coaching website has officially launched!
3. I welcomed my first client into my 6-month program!!!
4. Last night I met Joshua Rosenthal, the founder/director of Integrative Nutrition, & fellow IN students/grads in Hollywood!!! It was amazing to connect with so many positive, like-minded people!!

Ahhhhhhhh! I hope I can keep up this pace! ;)

The W Hotel was perfect for an IN meet-up!

Anyways... yesterday, I made a delicious treat by accident! (I was craving cold + sweet, so I just grabbed some fruit from the freezer and threw it into the food processor! All of the sudden, I realized that I had just made "Tropical Mango Banana Sherbert!" ♥

Ingredients:

• 1/2 banana, frozen
• 2 slices mango, frozen
• 1 tablespoon coconut milk
• blueberries, dried or fresh 

Directions:
Place banana and mango into food processor, add coconut milk. Blend for about 1 minute, until the mixture has a smooth consistency. Scoop out with an ice cream scoop. Top with blueberries (or fruit of choice!)

Makes 2 servings.

I hope you have an amazing rest of the week!! ♥

P.S. If anyone would like to "like" my new Facebook page, I would ♥ the support! (And I gladly return the favor!) http://tinyurl.com/6g4awyy

P.P.S. Is anyone in California going to WorldFest this weekend?! My mom and I are going on Sunday! :)

Clementine Banana Soft Serve!

Greetings! I hope this Wednesday finds you well & having a great week!

This week, Integrative Nutrition has informed my class that we are ready to begin seeing clients!! I've been crazy busy lately with finalizing my business cards, website, business license, etc. But I am loving it! I've never been more excited about anything in my life! (except when I met Jon ♥) More than anything... I want to be an entrepreneur and improve the health & happiness of people everywhere!

Sneak peak...

Thank you to my sister, Alyssa (a graphic designer), for this amazing logo!! 

  

Ahhhhhhh! I am so happpy!!! Everything is coming together!!!

Anyways, on to the recipe for Clementine Banana Soft Serve! 

The other day... I was craving ice cream. This seems to be a common craving when the weather warms up. So I whipped up an easy, healthy, & refreshing treat! It was so delightful, I just had to share!

Clementine Banana Soft Serve

Ingredients:

• 1 banana, frozen (in halves)
• 1 clementine, frozen
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• strawberries (optional)
• 1 tablespoon carob chips (optional)

Directions: 

Place banana and clementine in food processor, add vanilla. Blend until mixture has a 'soft serve' consistency.

*note: If mixture is not becoming creamy, add a dash of liquid, such as almond milk or water. Garnish with sliced strawberries and carob chips! ♥

What are the Benefits of Carob?

• Carob contains vitamins A, B, B1, B2, B3, B6, D; calcium; iron; potassium; magnesium; manganese; and about 8 percent protein. It's also very rich in fiber and pectin, and low in sodium. One tablespoon of carob powder contains two grams of fiber and one cup contains about 40 grams. Pectin helps to eliminate toxins from the body.

• Carob does not contain theobromine, caffeine, phenylethylamine or fromamide, stimulants in commercial chocolate that can cause migraines and allergic reactions in some people and are toxic to dogs and cats. It also does not contain oxalic acid, which hinders absorption of calcium and zinc.Carob has a natural, mild, sweet taste of its own, so it doesn't need much sugar to sweeten it. For those who don't like chocolate or are allergic or sensitive to it, carob powder is a great substitute for cocoa powder in any recipe.
  
  Source: eHow

*Update* I've added must-see documentaries to the Inspiration page!

Have an amazing day and great rest of the week!!

Tropical Green Smoothie!

Happy Friday health & wellness lovers! I hope you had an amazing week... and are getting ready to enjoy your weekend! ♥

Today, I wanted to share a delicious green smoothie recipe that was given to me by one of my Integrative Nutrition classmates! (It is the best green smoothie I've ever had!) It is sweet and has a very 'tropical' flavor!

Tropical Green Smoothie
Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut water
• 1/2 cup mango, frozen
• 1/2 cup pineapple
• 2 kale leaves
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• handful of sprouts (I used Trader Joe's micro greens)

Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender!

*Note: If you are not using a Vitamix blender, it is helpful to first blend the coconut water with the greens, then add in the fruit.

*Benefits of Green Smoothies*

• Improved digestion
• Weight loss
• Increased energy
• Detoxing
• Alkalizing
• Improved mood
• Glowing skin

P.S... Since many of you have contacted me with questions about my experience as a student at Integrative Nutrition, I wanted to let you know that there is an informational webinar tomorrow! (Saturday, May 7 @ 11am EDT) This link will lead you to the registration page! :)

Have a great weekend!!