Colorful Protein Smoothie & Run or Dye 5k

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Layered strawberry and blueberry smoothie

With the family vacation to Washington, DC and the recent celebration of Independence Day, I’ve been feeling pretty patriotic.  That’s why I’m still blending up delicious and nutritious Red, White & Blue Smoothies and declaring my independence from sugary soft drinks. This healthy frozen beverage is perfect for a breakfast that won’t have you crashing in an hour or also as a muscle-making post-workout treat.

That time we went to the White House.

That time we went to the White House.

Red, White & Blue Protein Smoothie

  • 1 (11.5 oz.) bottle Vanilla Core Power or milk of choice(divided)
  • ½ cup frozen blueberries
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup of frozen red fruit (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, or mix)
  • Ice, as needed
  • Whipped cream, sprinkles and fresh fruit (optional garnish)
  1. Blend blue layer first. Add 1/3 bottle of Core Power high protein milkshake into the blender along with blueberries. Blend until smooth, adding ice if needed to thicken up. Divide among two 16-ounce glasses.
  2. Rinse out blender before making the white layer. Add 1/3 bottle of Core Power Greek yogurt and small handful of ice. Blend until smooth and pour over blue layers.
  3. Make red layer by adding the remaining 1/3 bottle of Core Power to blender along with red fruit and ice, if needed. Blend until smooth and pour over white layers.
  4. Top with whipped cream, sprinkles and fresh fruit to garnish. Serves 2.

Tip: Place glasses in freezer during the preparation of each layer to prevent melting. However, if the smoothie does melt together (which happens in the hot summer), it still has an awesome tie-died look. 

This yummy layered smoothie isn’t the only colorful thing I have to share today — I’m also pumped for the upcoming Run or Dye 5k race.

Blog_Austin_3

I’ve run a lot of races in my day, but not one that sounds nearly as fun as the Run or Dye –it’s billed as the world’s most colorful 5k. Run with your friends or kids to make vivid memories, everyone will long be swapping stories about the color-blasting on the course!  The Austin, Texas Run or Dye 5k is headed to the Travis County Expo Center on the morning of August 30, 2014 and I have a special discount code for you to use – get $10 off admission with the code BLOGAUSTIN .

If you’re on the fence, don’t be. I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and looking forward to getting messy – and I’m inviting my BRF (best running friend) to join me.  In my opinion, finishing a race resembling a rainbow is so much better than having mud in every body crevice –plus, how much fun to be laughing with friends along the way. So, the deal with Run or Dye is that you wear white running gear  (for the best effect, but you can wear whatever you want) and get sprayed with safe, eco-friendly dye every kilometer on the course – the dye is made with cornstarch and washes off in the shower and allegedly out of clothes (but I wouldn’t wear anything new)!

So, doesn’t this look like a big, beautiful blast – a riotous rainbow of fun?  After the run, hang out at the Dye Festival and “tie-dye” the sky in an overhead, over-the-top showering of color.  Join the Run or Dye Facebook page so you don’t miss out on any of the action. And, don’t forget to register for  Austin, Tx Run or Dye race with the code BLOGAUSTIN for $10 off!

So, have you run a Run or Dye or similar race before – what tips do I need to know?! Please share in the comments.

 

Lemon-Lime Chicken & Grilled Grapes – Love the One You’re With

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I call this post, “Love the one you’re with” after that folksy 1970s song by Crosby, Stills & Nash. I had my heart set on making a grilled steak with tomatoes for dinner but all I had in the fridge was chicken breast and grapes. As the chorus of this oldy-but-goodie goes, if you can’t be with the one you love – honey, love the one you’re with!    

grilled citrus chicken and grapes

Getting flexible and going with the flow is just my way (usually) and I rarely know what I’m making at dinnertime until minutes before – or sometimes the dish just evolves during the process. I know I can’t be the only one leaving evening meal planning until the last minute – pretty sure that “chicken recipes,” “easy dinner ideas,” and “30 minute meals” are some of the most Googled phrases between 4 pm and 6pm.

google search chicken dinner

If you’re guilty of Googling, then I’ve got your back! My recipe for Tuscan Lemon-Lime Chicken with Grilled Grapes (created for my friends at Litehouse Foods) will get dinner on the table in half an hour and impress your family with gourmet goodness. The chicken dinner is “fancy” enough to show off your ad hoc hospitality skills should guests unexpectedly drop by. Of course, you can follow the recipe to the letter – or use it for inspiration and get creative with other fruits and veggies.

Get the whole recipe for Tuscan Lemon-Lime Chicken with Grilled Grapes at the Living Litehouse blog.

I have another grilled citrusy chicken dinner that is a winner – Mojo Chicken Breast with Grilled Citrus. Keeping it colorful and creative and loving the one I’m with! Tomorrow, steak

grilled chicken and oranges

Best Watermelon Tips – Day 7 #LivingOnTheWedge

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#LivingOnTheWedge Watermelon Tips

Did you know the average person eats 16 pounds of watermelon per year?  That’s pretty close to the weight of a typical medium watermelon – but I’m not typical nor am I average when it comes to most things and I could eat another person’s annual allotment in two days – now that’s #LivingOnTheWedge!  My friends and family will agree that I often like to take moderation in moderation — sometimes over-the-top is under rated!  There’s that time I tried to set a Guinness World Record in 6th grade for “Sitting on the Wall.” I held the hideous, quad-burning position for 1 hour and 37 minutes before the school nurse made me stop. Or, when I decided to run an out-of-town, 50 mile ultra-marathon race on a whim literally, on the morning of the event with no training or preparation other than serendipitously having packed my running shoes   . . . . or, that time I won a beer drinking competition on my honeymoon.  I don’t really even like beer.

But I do love watermelon! Here are some tips you should know about picking out, storing and serving watermelon:

good watermelon picking tips

Storing watermelon:  The general rule of thumb is to keep your melons chilled between 32 and 55 degrees. Watermelons won’t ripen any further once they’ve been picked from the vine. However, a watermelon will stay fresh for around a week at room temperature. Freezing doesn’t work well for watermelon, except in the case where you want to use it in a smoothie or frozen treat recipe.

Cutting watermelon: As with any fruit or vegetable, you should wash the exterior before slicing into the flesh. You don’t want your knife to cross-contaminate the inside with any germs that were lurking on the outside.  There are many ways to cut up and serve a watermelon – if you have the patience, you can even use a melon baller for a nice presentation. However, I like to cut my watermelon in half and cross-hatch it into spears for the quickest, most convenient way to serve.

watermelon cutting tip

If you have a watermelon tip to share, please post it in the comments. Or, better yet, join the group at my #LivingOnTheWedge Pinterest board.

watermelon prize pack

If you haven’t already, enter my giveaway for a great Watermelon Prize Pack.

This is the last post in my #LivingOnTheWedge week but please go back and visit all the other the other watermelon love I’ve been sharing since July 1st, the start of National Watermelon Month.

 

 

The National Watermelon Promotion Board is providing me with compensation to share my love of watermelon. However, the opinions and content (unless otherwise noted) shared are my own and NWPB did not tell me what to say or how to say it.

Watermelon Smoothies – Day 6 #LivingOnTheWedge

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#LivingOnTheWedge watermelon

Come over to my house in the morning and you’ll hear the low hum of my blender – it seems to be in constant use!  My husband makes a smoothie to drink during his commute to work and I whip one up to cool down and rehydrate after a run. And, the kids love them for breakfast or as a healthy snack anytime of the day – especially when watermelon is an ingredient.  Everyone loves my recipe for this Watermelon Chia Seed Smoothie. It’s very good for you and very versatile – use the milk product of your choice and put in (or omit) protein powder based on your dietary needs.

watermelon chia frozen smoothie

Directions: Pour 6 ounces of milk (cow, soy, coconut or almond) into blender pitcher. Add 2 cups watermelon chunks and process until smooth. If desired, add one scoop (about 1/3 cup) vanilla protein powder and another 2 tablespoons of milk; process again until smooth.  Add 1 teaspoon chia sees and pulse a few times to mix through. Serves 1.

super green detox smoothie watermelonI place a priority on “eating clean” as much as I can. That being said, I’m no saint – a burger with fries or pizza with the works are two of my favorite ways to splurge. After all, as Julia Child once said, “All things in moderation including moderation”! When I need to hit the “reset” button, this Super Green Detox Smoothie from Watermelon.org helps me get back to my healthy eating plan. It’s packed with watermelon, kale, avocado, hot chile paste and other nutritious ingredients that will get your engine humming once again.    

 

watermelon coconut strawberry smoothieThis yummy Watermelon Malibu Surf Smoothie is blended with strawberries, watermelon, coconut cream and a little something extra — rum! Sure to be a popular drink at your next outdoor party. If you prefer a non-alcoholic drink or are looking for a kid-friendly version, just swap the rum for extra watermelon juice.

 

 

 

Someone special reads my blog and gave me a watermelon for my birthday!

Someone special reads my blog and gave me a watermelon for my birthday!

I’m getting toward the end of my #LivingOnTheWedge week, and I am not anywhere near running out of things to share about watermelon.  I’ve talked a lot about how the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in watermelon can help improve your workouts and keep you hydrated during running and other outdoor, but I shouldn’t fail to mention the basics in nutrition this healthy sweet treat offers everyone.

  • Vitamin A found in watermelon promotes healthy eyes and supports your immune system by bolstering the infection-fighting ability of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).
  • Vitamin B6 found in watermelon assists in the production of antibodies that your immune system uses to fight disease. Vitamin B6 also helps keep your nervous systems in tip-top shape, aids in the restoration of red blood cells, and synthesizes protein.
  • Vitamin C found in watermelon helps keep your body “younger” by warding off cellular damage and medical conditions that can be created by free radicals. Vitamin C also helps promote a healthy immune system ready to combat invading infections and viruses.
  • Potassium found in watermelon helps keep your electrolytes in balance and helps keep you from getting dehydrated.
  • Low in calories, watermelon fills you up and satisfies cravings for “sweet” – this can help in weight management.  A 2 cup serving of watermelon chunks has only 80 calories and no fat.

watermelon giveawayAlso, check out all the other posts on watermelon I’m featuring all week and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a great Watermelon Prize Pack! I also have a group pinterest board to share all the #LivingOnTheWedge love — you are invited to join!

The National Watermelon Promotion Boardnofollow is providing me with compensation to share my love of watermelon. However, the opinions and content (unless otherwise noted) shared are my own and NWPB did not tell me what to say or how to say it.

Watermelon & Chocolate Recipes – Day 5 #LivingOnTheWedge

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Living on the wedge watermelon chocolate

Watermelon and chocolate are two of my favorite sweet things to eat in this world. Summery sweetness meets indulgent richness – the unusual but oh-so perfect pairing was inevitable and why I didn’t think of it sooner is beyond me! So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to my Whirled Watermelon Chocolate Pie – one bite and I’m sure you will also become best friends forever with this duo of deliciousness. What a lip smacking way to end a summery meal, perhaps even after a grill-up of my recipe for Grilled Watermelon Shrimp Kebabs with Sweet Spicy Glaze

frozen watermelon chocolate pie dessert

Whirled Watermelon Chocolate Pie Recipe

For Watermelon Filling:

  • 5 cups seedless watermelon cubes
  • ½ teaspoon liquid stevia
  • 2 packets unflavored gelatin
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1 cup cold heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon liquid stevia

For Chocolate Filling:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream (divided)
  • 2 pre-made chocolate pie shells (8 – 9 inch diameter)

Directions:

  1. Add seeded watermelon to blender; use wooden spoon to mash it up and get juices releasing. Puree watermelon until as smooth as possible.
  2. Measure out 2 ¾ cups of watermelon puree; any remaining can be used for another purpose. Stir ½ teaspoon liquid stevia into watermelon puree.
  3. Pour ¼ cup of the juice in a large bowl and sprinkle with gelatin powder; let dissolve for 2 minutes.
  4. Add ½ cup of watermelon puree that has been heated in microwave for about 45 seconds (near boiling); whisk into bowl with gelatin.
  5. Mix in lime juice and the remaining 2 cups watermelon juice into the bowl; place in refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes.
  6. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites in a medium size bowl until stiff peaks form; set aside; clean and dry beaters.
  7. Beat the heavy cream in mixer until it holds soft peaks; add liquid stevia and beat for a few more seconds; refrigerate.
  8. When the watermelon mixture starts to firm up, add about one-quarter of the whipped cream and beat with electric mixer until smooth.
  9. Gently fold in beaten egg whites and remaining whipped cream with a large rubber spatula, breaking up any globs of whites or whipped cream.
  10. Transfer watermelon mixture to another bowl and return to refrigerator. Thoroughly wash and dry mixer bowl and whisk attachment to make chocolate filling.
  11. In microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and ½ cup of heavy cream by heating and stirring in 15 second intervals until smooth. Let cool for 10 minutes or until near room temperature.
  12. Add chocolate mixture and remaining 1 cup of heavy cream to mixing bowl and beat for approximately 2 minutes, until smooth.
  13. Ready the 2 chocolate pie shells. Spoon in ¼ of watermelon mixture into bottom of each. Next, spoon in “blobs” of the chocolate mixture. Repeat the watermelon and chocolate layers until pie is filled (should just be about 1 more set of layers).
  14. Use the tip of knife to create a swirled pattern. Loosely cover pies and freeze for at least 2 hours, or overnight. To serve, let partially thaw for 10 minutes and slice each pie into 8 pieces. Makes 2 pies (serves 16)!

slice of watermelon chocolate pie

By the way, please notice that this recipe makes TWO pies – if, for some unheard of reason, you are opposed to making TWO pies, just cut the amount of each ingredient in half. I also found that any leftover fillings make really good Frozen Watermelon Chocolate Pops – just pour into a frozen treat mold or paper cups.

watermelon chocolate pops

Watermelon.org also has great dessert recipes that feature watermelon and chocolate. Check out these two family favorites:

watermelon chocolate fondueWatermelon and Spicy Mayan Dark Chocolate Fondue –  I’m just looking out for your health, people! While it might look decadent, this hot fondue is rich with polyphenols found in cocoa powder – and dark chocolate is also great source for iron and magnesium. Plus, you’ll add extra potassium, lycopene and vitamins A and C to your diet with each dunk of watermelon!

 

 

 

watermelon smores dessert Watermelon S’mores — need I say more?

 

 

 

 

 

 

watermelon pinterest boardIf you have a watermelon recipe to share, please post it in the comments. Or, better yet, join #LivingOnTheWedge Pinterest board.

win wantermelon prizesAlso, check out my other posts on watermelon featured all week and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a great Watermelon Prize Pack.

 

 

The National Watermelon Promotion Board is providing me with compensation to share my love of watermelon. However, the opinions and content (unless otherwise noted) shared are my own and NWPB did not tell me what to say or how to say it.