Drink your greens.

As I said yesterday, when I know I have a stressful week coming (i.e. midterms and a mondo paper), I stuff myself with vegetables. Here's another (sneaky) way to do just that!

The combination of the pink raspberries and green chard creates

a lovely chocolate hue... that looks nothing like pond scum...

Chocolate Raspberry (and Greens) Smoothie
Don't limit yourself to what I did. The idea is to drink your greens so add whatever else you like after that initial ingredient! The chocolate raspberry mixture is delicious but don't be afraid to experiment with other fruits, no fruits, nut milks, nut butters...

Ingredients:
2 bunches greens of your choice (I used rainbow chard)
2 handfuls of frozen raspberries (or blueberries, strawberries, rasberries...)
a heaping spoonful or two of unsweetened cocoa powder
optional: natural sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, stevia...)
water (or juice or non-dairy milk of choice)

Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
Add enough water to achieve desired consistency.
Drink your greens and cheers to your health!

Macadamia Medallions

It's a crazy week for me. A midterm in my hardest class and a 15-page paper due. Yikes.

A lot of times when people get stressed, the first thing that takes a toll is their health. Not only because sleep and exercise are usually given up, but also healthy eating habits go out the window. This is the last thing you want to do in stressful situations. You want to be ready to take on the world, not be pissed off, fatigued, and needing a nap.

My #1 method for staying healthy when crunched for time: Have all the makings of a kick ass salad ready. That way if I have to wake up early and prepare lunch in a stitch before heading out the door or if I get home after a loooong day, it's a no brainer what to do: stuff oodles of vegetables into me and let the chlorophyll brighten my life!

Wash and chop your greens ahead of time, have salad dressing on hand, chop veggies to throw in, cook beans and whole grains... Just make sure you have everything that you need for a salad that you actually enjoy eating.

Mixed greens, microgreens, cooked beets, pesto,

homemade salad dressing, Macadamia Medallions

Macadamia Nut Medallions

For a little extra salad oomph. [From Rawmazing]

Ingredients:
1 c macadamia nuts, soaked at least 6 hours, rinsed and drained (you are soaking the nuts for texture, do not omit this step)
juice from1/2 lemon
2 t dried Italian herbs
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Pulse ingredients in food processor until fluffy texture is achieved.

Shape into medallions for immediate use or store in an airtight container in the fridge.