Easy Triple Berry Smoothie Recipe

Sometimes I don't want a heavy breakfast before I exercise in the morning. That's when I turn to my single-serve blender and create a refreshing smoothie.

This easy berry smoothie recipe is a nutritious mix of nut-based protein, vitamin-packed fruits and healthy seeds. People with a lactose intolerance or a sensitivity to soy can indulge without worry.

Photo Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Triple Berry Breakfast Smoothie
2 cups almond milk, regular or vanilla flavored
1/2 cup ice cubes
1/3 cup frozen raspberries
1/3 cup frozen blackberries
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1 Tbs light agave syrup or raw honey
1 Tbs milled flax seed

Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse on a high setting to chop the frozen berries and ice cubes. Blend until smooth, and enjoy your berry smoothie.

Next time try a Chocolate-Covered Banana Smoothie or a Raspberry-Banana Smoothie. Both make a great, light breakfast or a delicious afternoon snack.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: Did you miss day one of the 2012 Blogging from A to Z April challenge? Check out my "A" post about apples!

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An Apple A Day: Kicking off the 2012 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge!

Fresh Apples. Photo by Scott Bauer.

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, that's the perfect way to kickstart the 2012 Blogging from A to Z April challenge! Today, we're talking about America's favorite fruit: apples!

If you're new to Whole Foods Living, you're in for a (healthy!) treat. Each day this month (excluding the last four Sundays) I'll spotlight a healthy whole food, ways to live chemical-free and helpful cooking tips to keep your meals healthy. I'm even planning a nutrition quiz or two!

So, Are Apples Healthy?
Apples are packed with phytonutrients that help regulate blood sugar and balance the good bacteria in the digestive tract, according to The World's Healthiest Foods. To get the most nutrition from an apple, eat it in it's whole foods form. Apple juice and applesauce are a result of processing, and lack the fiber and vitamins found in a fresh apple.

Healthy Apple Recipes
One of my favorite quick breakfasts is crispy apple slices dipped in nut butter. From peanuts to almonds or cashews, you really can't go wrong. The combination of protein (from the nuts) and sugar (from the apple) is the perfect post-morning workout snack.

If you're looking for a healthy alternative to apple pie, try making sweet baked apples. After halving and coring an apple, place it skin-side down in a baking pan with a little water. Fill the apple with a mixture of organic raisins, chopped walnuts, a dash of cinnamon and a big squeeze of honey or agave syrup. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. This sweet treat will satisfy your dessert cravings without the calories of a fat-filled pie crust or chemically-treated refined sugar.

What are your favorite ways to enjoy fresh apples? Please share your ideas or links to recipes in the comments below! I'm always looking for a new ways to indulge in apples.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: Check back tomorrow for day two of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. I'll be sharing a yummy Berry smoothie recipe for the letter B!
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2012 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge

Each April, bloggers around the globe participate in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. Since every blogger interprets the rules differently, here are my personal goals for this blog, Whole Foods Living:

• Provide valuable information about nutrition
• Share recipe ideas and menu plans
• Explain that Whole Foods Living extends beyond the kitchen
• Post at least once a day in April, excluding the last four Sundays
• Focus on one letter of the alphabet for 26 days 

Follow the blog challenge by signing up with a Google account or email address in the left margin of this page.

Are you also blogging for the A to Z April Challenge? Please share your blog's URL in the comments below so I can check out your progress!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

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Gluten-Free Brown Rice Tortilla Recipes

Recently I discovered that Fareway on the northside of Sioux City stocks Food for Life Brown Rice Tortillas. I've been experimenting with the whole grain brown rice tortillas, and here are my three favorite ways to eat these tasty gluten-free tortillas.

Brown Rice. (Photo by Fir0002, Wikimedia Commons)

Cheesy Quesadilla
I like keeping the tortillas flat since they tear easily. Since I was craving Mexican food, making a quesadilla was a no-brainer. I lightly oiled a hot skillet, placed one brown rice tortilla in the pan and topped it with shredded cheddar cheese. If you like spicy quesadillas, try adding pepper jack cheese.

Then, I added another tortilla and let the quesadilla cook on each side for a minute or two. Unlike wheat flour-based tortillas, rice tortillas get an extra crispy crust which made this treat very easy to hold and dip. Try serving with a side of salsa, sour cream or guacamole for a delicious Mexican appetizer.

Panini-Style Sandwich
Recently, I stuffed cheese and vegetables between two rice tortillas to create a panini-style sandwich. This is a great way to get rid of leftovers or add extra hidden vegetables to a meal. Since I'm a vegetarian, I kept the sandwich simple by layering mozzarella cheese, spinach and fresh sliced tomatoes on my panini. After five minutes in the oven, the sandwich melted and toasted. Other toppings to try include sliced deli turkey or a mixture of ham and cheese.

Gluten-Free Tortilla Pizza
This is my personal favorite recipe using rice tortillas. Making gluten-free pizza from a boxed mix is simple, but costly. Using brown rice tortillas is much easier and adds a serving of whole grains to my diet.

To make a substantial crust, I use two tortillas separated by a sprinkling of shredded mozzarella cheese. Then, top the pizza with tomato sauce, more cheese and favorite pizza toppings. After five minutes in a 400 degree oven, the cheese was melted and the tortilla crust was crispy and golden. This tortilla creation reminds me of crispy, thin crust pizza.

Are you looking to add more whole grains to your diet? Brown rice tortillas are a great way to start! Let me know how you enjoy preparing tortillas!


Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague


PS: Want to read more about going gluten-free?

Gluten-Free Diet Traps: Avoiding High-Calorie Foods
Gluten-Free Pasta: Mung Bean Noodles Prepared Three Ways
Starting a Gluten-Free Diet
5 Naturally Gluten-Free Desserts

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