25

Apr

Easy Yogurt Dip

Matt gave me cheery flowers. Aren’t they cute? Thanks, Matt.

Yesterday was my lifelong friend, Melissa’s, birthday. We’re exactly 2 months apart, to the day. Weird, right? But I’m older. 🙂 She is such a fun, fabulous lady. Those around her love her and are grateful for such a selfless, caring, hilarious person. And Melissa, among her charming quirks, loves dip. All kinds of dip. And she likes the action (verb) of DIPPING. Not tobacco, mostly cheese, salsa, bean, chocolate, or any tasty snack variety. So here’s a dip for you, Meliss, and the rest of us that is fun and fancy free.

Now for a cheery snack…fruit and yogurt…the ultimate guilt-free, filling snack/dessert.

Easy Yogurt Dip
serves 2, but easily doubles/triples

  • 6 ounces plain, unsweetened yogurt (Greek or regular)
  • Drizzle of raw agave nectar or another honey/sweetener (1/2 teaspoon of agave)
  • 1 TB sunflower seeds
  • 1 TB flax seeds
  • 1 TB of __________ (Whatever you like…chopped chocolate, pecans, almond butter, etc.)–>optional
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon ( a dash or two)


Mix all of the ingredients together and serve cold. Cut up some fruit (bananas are divine with this), and serve!   
 

Happy eating!
Laurel

~Laurel~

13 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

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15

Sep

Busy Girl’s Smoothie

Wow, what a great couple of days! My parents came through Portland for a couple day stay on their way to Seattle for an Alaskan cruise. We ate a ton and saw a lot. We are so glad they came to visit!

In the meantime, they went on their cruise this morning, and Matt & I went to our neighborhood farmers market. It was so busy and so packed full of enticing goods…farm fresh organic produce, baked goods, artisan crafts. And lot of crepes, omelets, barbq, gourmet breads, and other ethnic tasties to stuff in our faces. Highlights: my Marionberry scone and Matt’s sausage pinwheel sandwich; a 2 1/2 foot long zucchini for $2; and tomato varieties that included chocolate cherry, pineapple and too many heirlooms to count. I’d never seen or heard of these before! How fun.
We got our produce for the week or 2 and are so excited to try! How about now? And quickly, so I’m not late for work?

BUSY GIRL’S SMOOTHIE
2 servings
1/2 cup milk
4-6 oz of low fat yogurt
1/2 cup berries
1/2 apple
1 banana
3 cups spinach

Combine all ingredients in a blender, then add 4-6 ice cubes. Drink half and share the rest with a friend!

Happy Saturday!!

~Laurel~

14 years ago Short URL

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10

May

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

I used to love those parfaits from the golden arches, the layers of blueberries, strawberries and granola in between sweet vanilla yogurt. The downsize: lots of sugar. The positive: still healthier than a burger. 🙂 But who wants pounds of sugar in yogurt and fruit? Shouldn’t heavy sugar consumption be saved for cakes and cookies? Yes, I think so, too. So here’s a giant (not so sugary) version of it…eat it all and feel good about it!

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
2 servings
2/3 cup chopped strawberries
1/2 cup chopped blackberries or bananas or blueberries
2 cups plain yogurt (Greek is great, too)

A Layer Guide

4 teaspoons honey or 1 TB agave nectar
1/2 cup lowfat granola

Chop the fruit. Get out 2 glasses.

Layer in this order:

  • yogurt (1/2 inch full in the glass)
  • drizzle of honey/agave
  • strawberries (about 1/2 inch)
  • yogurt
  • granola
  • yogurt 
  • drizzle of honey/agave
  • blackberries
  • REPEAT…
  • top with extra granola, strawberries, and one last drizzle of honey/agave
Fun, Pretty, Easy! (only call me two of these…but call my food all of these, please.)
Listening to…Norah Jones’ newest album.
sideways…don’t try this at home. It’s not Dairy Queen.
Why this is awesome:
  • Matt found an old iTunes giftcard
  • He handed it to me and said, “Buy the new Norah Jones album! She’s one of your faves!” And I agreed to all of it. And then I realized that I haven’t ordered an album on iTunes since before grad school, when I was footloose and fancy free (and had money for iTunes. Sigh.) And I forgot how.
  • Her music really is good. Like really good. Complexly simple. For sure.
Happy day, friends!

L

~Laurel~

14 years ago Short URL

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