Healthy Banana "Ice Cream"

Yes, you read that correctly, you actually can make ice cream "healthy," let us explain...so, as you've read over the past couple of weeks, both M & H are on missions to Be Better in 2013.  Like a lot of people do during the New Year, we've re-committed to our healthy routines, and are stepping it up a notch in almost every aspect of our lives.  While M's goal is to lose weight and get back to her normal size, H has had to say goodbye to most dairy and is focusing more and more on vegan recipes.  However, both of us have a soft spot for sweets...

Enter: healthy ice cream!  It's not actually ice cream at all, it's actually more of a frozen banana whip cream, but it sure tastes like ice cream!  M found this recipe on one of her favorite blogs, That's So Michelle.  All you need are bananas, almond milk, a food processor, and whatever other fruit, chocolate, or other flavors you want to add.  Yes, you read that correctly, you can count the ingredients on one hand.  Here's how you make it!  *please excuse the crappy iPhone photos, M is without a camera at the moment...

1.  Cut about 4 bananas into slices, place into big plastic freezer bag. If you're adding other fruit, slice other fruit you'll want to add, and put it in a separate freezer bag.

2.  Place in freezer for 2-3 hours.

3.  Dump bananas and other fruit into food processor, pulse until you get this consistency.

4. Little by little, add almond milk to the mixture, until you start to see this (see below, like banana whipped cream).  Quickly add chocolate chips, peanut butter, cinnamon, vanilla, shaved coconut, berries, or whatever you're adding, pulse a couple more times to completely mix.

5.  Pour entire mixture into tupperware container and put in freezer for an hour or two.

6.  Remove mixture, put in bowls, garnish with berries or a little shaved chocolate or coconut & serve!  I like mine plain or with a couple of chocolate chips.

Do you have any healthy recipes you use to satiate your sweet tooth or cravings to share?

Planes, Trains, & Sticking to your Goals

Both of us travel a fair amount for our jobs, so we're no strangers to the temptations to veer wildly off track with our health goals while traveling.  Seeing as though it's a new year and we're full of hope for the 2013 year, we thought it might be a nice idea to share some of our own travel tips to help you stay on task with your health goals while on the road!

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1. Drink water, skip "boredom snacks"

We know it sounds kind of silly, but when you're on the go, sitting in airports or train terminals, or in the car, it's easy to forget to drink enough aqua.  Further, the temptation to over-caffeinate or over-indulge with specialty drinks while waiting seems to be EVERYWHERE.  Don't let airport waiting turn you into a boredom drinker/eater. Make sure you get a bottle of water once you're through security, or bring an empty water bottle you can refill once you can find a (clean) bubbler.  Staying properly hydrated while traveling will help keep your energy level up once you reach your destination, and you're more likely to work out or go sight seeing once you arrive instead of face-planting into your bed.  If you absolutely need to get a snack at the terminal or at a rest stop, try and keep it healthy & portion-controlled.  Fresh fruit, 1 serving of nuts or pretzels, string cheese, natural granola bars and yogurt are usually all safe bets.  Just make sure to check the sugar & salt content before you buy it.

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2. Make room to sweat

When I'm traveling I always make sure to check the conference/meeting agenda or wedding weekend schedule of events well ahead of time.  More often than not, especially if it's a work trip, there is a LOT of sitting around in the cards.  Once I know what my schedule is going to look like, I try my hardest to plan a workout almost every day I'm away.  If I'm not going to get to go to the gym or for a run, I try to plan something active that day like a walking tour of the city I'm in, or something more adventurous, like hiking or asking the hotel staff for safe & scenic running routes in the area.  I also make extra room in my suitcase for workout clothes (these can double as pajamas the night before I wear them to sweat in) and always, always bring sneakers.  

3. Grab a friend/significant other or take a class

It's hard working out on a regular basis, but when you're not home on a normal schedule, its even harder.  Sometimes the best motivation is to become the motivator and get your coworker or significant other to the gym or for a run while you're away.  It will make you feel good to be the fitness team leader, and whomever you drag with you will most likely thank you for the extra nudge after its all over.  Alternatively, if you don't have time to do a full-fledged workout, try taking short walks around the hotel halls/staircases or outside during those 15 minute breaks between meeting sessions.  Just two 15 minute walks will get your heart rate pumping and you'll be less likely to get sleepy during those last couple of speaker panels.

image via pinterest

4. Get plenty of rest

This is tricky, especially when you're running to connect flights, attending day-long meetings and networking events or celebrations that go well into the night.  It's really hard to get your beauty rest, but the worst thing is returning from a trip feeling completely drained.  In order to stay on a semi-normal sleeping schedule, I try to wind down tv watching and computer time at the time I usually would at home, and read before bed.  I also bring ear-plugs and a face mask so that different room elements don't disturb my sleep.  When navigating social / networking events, I also keep my alcohol and food consumption at a normal level so that I'm not prone to be one of the colleagues shutting down the bar/reception.  

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5. Eat responsibly, but indulge a little

Most of these tips have emphasized normalcy, responsibility, and regulating over-indulgence.  However, you ARE on vacation, or traveling for work, so you do deserve a *little* wiggle room.  In order to make sure I don't get carried away, I scope out the offerings at buffet-type gatherings, and only eat the healthy options. If I successfully do this, than I get to have whatever I want for dessert.  If I'm doing a plated meal, I order the healthiest thing on the menu, or pick and choose what won't make me feel over-full if it's a 3+ course meal.  When ordering room service, I usually get a salad option with grilled chicken or fish, or a grilled chicken/fish entree with steamed vegetables.  I let myself get a small dessert OR a glass of wine, and always order everything made without oil or butter.  This is especially important when ordering breakfast via room service - beware - most hotels use CREAM and BUTTER to make their omelettes, scrambled eggs, etc.  Even if you order egg whites, make sure you tell the cooks to make it healthy so you don't blow your diet!

So, those are 5 of our healthy travel tips, anything we forgot?  Do you have tried and true healthy travel tips?

One Dish Fish

Fish can be an intimidating protein to cook.  If done well it will be a star dish, but if done wrong it can be disastrous.  I like to incorporate fish into my diet as much as healthily possible.  I also like to ensure I  am getting plenty of vegetables, and not just green ones.  So having a recipe that incorporates both of these elements, as well as being fast and easy, and only using one cooking dish is my own personal miracle.

I have to say up front this recipe is not 100% my own creation.  I found the base of this recipe years ago online.  I no longer remember where, in fact I have since thrown away the printed recipe.  Over the years, though, I have added my own modifications, mostly to include more vegetables.  This dish is a great simple, healthy meal that also makes for a quick clean-up.  The original recipe called for Tilapia, however I have found that any light white fish will work.  The photos in this post are using European Plaice which just happened to be the fish on sale at my store this week.

Ingredients:
1 Bag Ready to Eat Leaf Spinach (I do not recommend using frozen spinach)
3-4 White Fish Fillets (Tilapia or similar)
1 Can Petit Diced Tomatoes (you can dice your own, you would probably need 4-5 tomatoes)
1 Can Vacuum Packed Corn
3-4 Scallions
2 Tbs Vegetable or Chicken Stock
Cajun or Creole Seasoning
Onion Powder
Garlic Salt  

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Empty the bag of spinach into a large baking dish.  I use my large lasagna pan.  Sprinkle the spinach with onion powder and garlic salt.

Step 2:

Season the fillets with the Cajun or Creole seasoning to your liking.  If you prefer you may also skip this step, but I do recommend at least a little salt and pepper seasoning.

Step 3:

Drain the can of tomatoes and distribute the tomatoes and corn over the top of the fillets.

Step 4:

Dice the scallions and sprinkle on top of everything.

Step 5:

Add 2 Tbs of vegetable or chicken stock to the pan. It might seem like you should add more, but trust me this will be enough to create steam to wilt the spinach.

Step 6:

Cover your baking dish with foil and place in the oven for 20-30 minutes, when the fish flakes easily with a fork it is done.

Step 7:

Enjoy!  I like to serve with a couple pieces of garlic bread.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, if you try it please drop by and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!