Lemon Quinoa Cilantro Chickpea Salad

This salad will change your life.  If you are not a salad lover, you will love this salad.  If you are not a grain lover, you will love this salad.  If you are not a lemon lover, well, we can't be friends anymore.  I'm kidding(ish.)  This is probably the most amazing salad I have had in a long time and it's all due to the quinoa, garbanzo beans, avocado, cilantro and zesty lemon vinaigrette.  You might want to make a double batch of this.  Trust me.

Lemon Quinoa Cilantro Chickpea Salad (adapted from raudette.com)

For the salad:

1 c. quinoa
2 c. vegetable broth
2 c. baby kale (can also use spinach)
1 bunch cilantro, stems removed
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. cherry tomatoes, halved
2 avocados, diced
4 green onions, sliced

For the dressing:

2 small cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 2 lemons
2 t. dijon mustard
2 t. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 t. cumin
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper

Place the quinoa and broth in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil on the stove.  Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 12-15 minutes until the quinoa has absorbed all the liquid.  Remove from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes.

Place the kale and cilantro in a food processor and process until they are finely chopped.  Add the greens to a large bowl along with the beans, tomatoes, avocado, green onion and cooled quinoa.  In a small bowl with a tight fitting lid combine the dressing ingredients, shake to combine, then pour over the salad and toss.  Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes so the flavors can meld and serve!

4 servings (409 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com

Banana Fig Smoothie

As you've probably figured out, we like to make smoothies at our house.  It's a great way to get fruit into kids (especially fruits they wouldn't normally eat out of hand).  For example, my 8 year old does not like bananas but if I put them in a smoothie he will drink it!  Win!  I picked up some figs at Trader Joe's last time I was there and I wanted to try a smoothie so I found this super easy one and made it over the weekend.  It was thick, creamy and perfectly sweet (with no added sweetener) and SO easy to put together.  You do have to slice and freeze the bananas overnight (they act as the ice cubes here) but, other than that, it is easy, peasy!  Enjoy!

Banana Fig Smoothie (adapted from allrecipes.com)

2 bananas, peeled, sliced and frozen overnight (I cut mine up and put them in a freezer bag)
6 fresh figs, halved
3/4 c. skim milk
3/4 c. orange juice

Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth!  Serve!

3 servings (183 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

The other morning I sent my husband out on a 10 mile run and I thought "hmmmmm.....what can I do to make his return a little sweeter?"  With the help of google I found this amazing smoothie that I whipped up in no time and he loved it!  Plus, it has good stuff in it that runners need (i.e. protein.)  My 8 year old liked it too!  Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie (adapted from dairyfreecooking.about.com)

2 medium ripe bananas
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1/4 c. agave nectar (you can also use maple syrup or honey)
1/4 c. peanut butter (I used natural)
3 c. vanilla almond milk (you could also use skim milk and add a dash of vanilla extract)
1/2 c. ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth!

4 servings (290 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com

Sangria

Summertime is the perfect time for Sangria!  This sangria is great because it's just the right amount of sweet but not too sweet!  I like to use a Spanish rioja for my sangria but, by all means, buy something affordable.  A red zinfandel would work well too!  There is a lot of other stuff added so it will hardly be bad no matter what kind of wine you use!

Sangria (adapted from foodnetwork.com)

2 bottles red wine (such as rioja)
1 c. brandy or cognac
1/2 c. triple sec (or other orange flavored liquer)
1 c. orange juice
1 c. pomegranate juice
1/2 c. simple syrup, cooled (1/4 c. water + 1/4 c. sugar melted together over medium heat until the sugar dissolves)
Orange slices 
Blackberries
Apple slices
Club soda or tonic water (if desired)

Mix all ingredients together in a large pitcher at least 24 hours before you want to serve.  Serve over ice with a splash of club soda or tonic water to add a little fizz, if desired.  

12 servings (228 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com

Raspberry Banana Smoothie

I really like smoothies but I have never had much success making them at home.  This recipe, however, made the best tasting smoothie I've ever attempted at home and with no added sugar (they are never sweet enough for me.)  Enjoy!

Raspberry Banana Smoothie (adapted from craftbakesewcreate.blogspot.com)

1 cup frozen raspberries
1 banana
6 oz. fat free vanilla yogurt
1/2 c. milk (I used vanilla almond milk)
3 t. milled flax seed (optional)

Place all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.

This is not a make ahead dish but it is super quick!

Serves 2 (197 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com