One of my favorite flavors is Coconut. Its my top choice when picking candles or lotion and definitely when it comes to smoothies or desserts. Something about the scent puts me in a tropical state of mind. On my last trip to the grocery store I found my cart filled with multiple coconut products. SO Delicious Coconut Milk both unsweetened and vanilla flavored (another one of my favorite flavors) and a variety of Coco Cafe's.
Coconut milk has many different benefits and is a great replacement for regular milk. It is packed with:
For more benefits of Coconut Milk, check out this article Fabulous Fat: 15 Benefits of Coconut Milk.
One of the ways that I have been using this wonderful coconut milk is in this Bikini-Ready Tropical Chia Smoothie that I found on Yummy Mummy Kitchen. It's fruity, filling and so easy to make.
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamins B1, B3, B5, & B6
- Iron
- Selenium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
For more benefits of Coconut Milk, check out this article Fabulous Fat: 15 Benefits of Coconut Milk.
One of the ways that I have been using this wonderful coconut milk is in this Bikini-Ready Tropical Chia Smoothie that I found on Yummy Mummy Kitchen. It's fruity, filling and so easy to make.
This smoothie calls for 1/2 cup of frozen mango, 1/2 cup of frozen pineapple, 1/2 of a banana, 1/2 tablespoon of chia seeds and enough coconut milk to get the smoothie mixed thoroughly. Remember, you can use any fruit flavors that you would like or that you have on hand. Delish!
Now, onto my next coconut obsession. Coco Cafe! This wonderful drink is a mixture of coconut water (hydrating), espresso (caffeinating), and a splash of reduced fat milk. They come in three flavors Regular, Mocha, and Vanilla. While all three are great, I'm a fan of the regular flavor because it isn't as sweet as the others. I love these in the morning when I am slightly dehydrated but really need some caffeine.
I also love showing up to train a client, really early in the morning and showing up all pumped and ready to kick their butt. I'm sure it can be quite scary to have me walk in with my crazy caffeine eyes at 6am, but a half asleep trainer would not be good. So thanks to these wonderful drinks I can continue to frighten my clients :)
Now, onto my next coconut obsession. Coco Cafe! This wonderful drink is a mixture of coconut water (hydrating), espresso (caffeinating), and a splash of reduced fat milk. They come in three flavors Regular, Mocha, and Vanilla. While all three are great, I'm a fan of the regular flavor because it isn't as sweet as the others. I love these in the morning when I am slightly dehydrated but really need some caffeine.
I also love showing up to train a client, really early in the morning and showing up all pumped and ready to kick their butt. I'm sure it can be quite scary to have me walk in with my crazy caffeine eyes at 6am, but a half asleep trainer would not be good. So thanks to these wonderful drinks I can continue to frighten my clients :)
I have noticed that these little babies have a decent amount of sugar, mostly from the coconut water itself but I'm sure the milk adds a little too. Just keep this in mind :)
Crazy Part 2 - Quinoa
What is quinoa and why am I crazy about it? While quinoa is often lumped into the cereal or grain category, it is actually from the same family as spinach, swiss chard, and beets. With a similar texture and taste as brown rice, quinoa can be used in any way that you would use rice. Now, here is why I love it. Unlike brown rice, quinoa is extremely nutrient dense, is considered a complete protein, is super easy to make, and works well as leftovers/plan-aheaders.
Benefits of Quinoa:
Basically, no matter what you add to the quinoa you have a meal that is high in fiber, protein, and antioxidants.
Cook the quinoa according to the package directions and then sauté up some veggies in garlic and olive oil to add to the quinoa. For the recipe above, I drained a can of tomatoes with jalapeños and added them to the quinoa to add more flavor. I then added sautéed asparagus and shrimp, as well as some feta cheese.
Benefits of Quinoa:
- Overall nutrient rich protein - Adequate source of all nine essential amino acids.
- Twice as much fiber as most other grains.
- High concentration of flavonoids - powerful antioxidants that help corral cell-damaging free radicals.
- Anti-inflammatory Components
- Maintains Nutrient Benefits even after Cooking
Basically, no matter what you add to the quinoa you have a meal that is high in fiber, protein, and antioxidants.
Cook the quinoa according to the package directions and then sauté up some veggies in garlic and olive oil to add to the quinoa. For the recipe above, I drained a can of tomatoes with jalapeños and added them to the quinoa to add more flavor. I then added sautéed asparagus and shrimp, as well as some feta cheese.
Remember, mix and match any protein and any veggies you have on hand. Get inspiration from pasta and rice dishes and create a quinoa version. Next on my list is Vegetable Fried Quinoa!
Hope you are having a crazy week!!
Hope you are having a crazy week!!