Acai-(ah-sigh-ee) The fruit Grown in the Amazon Rainforest

Have you heard of this amazing fruit? Truly a "Gift from Mother Nature". A fruit that has a rich, berry-cocoa flavor that makes it taste amazing, and its packed with more antioxidants than blueberries or pomegranates, plus loads of healthy Omega fats, protein and dietary fiber. All that in one fruit? I ask....I'm loving it.

Some great facts:
It has similiar amounts of protein as a whole egg (wow)
More antioxidants than blueberries,strawberries,and cherries. Almost 3x's more than blueberries!
Has up to 30 times the amount of anthocyanins that red wine has. Anthocyanins reportedly have anti-inflammatory qualities, so the Acai berry could potentially be helpful for those with arthritis or inflammation of the joints.
The berry has lots of vitamin E and other vitamins, too.
Tons of fiber

Here's some other benefits I found

Anti-aging (i'm in ), heart health, improved sleep, increased energy, and research shows that it may even have cancer destroying properties! Other health benefits include improved mental focus, improved digestion, improved blood circulation, and stronger bones and muscles.

Ok..I'm hoked! My friend Felicia introduced me to this great fruit. She puts it in her smoothie every morning. It wasn't till just recently that I read up on the benefits and now I desire to really make it part of my daily diet.

You can find it at health food stores in tons of products. I buy it in the frozen smoothie packs and add them to the shakes we make.

Enjoy...

All Natural Cleaning Products.

Have you ever thought about the fumes and harsh chemicals in cleaning products? Here's a line of products that Publix and most grocery stores carry. All plant and mineral-based ingredients, cuts through grease, grime and dirt with the power you'd expect from Clorox or other strong products.
Go check out cleaning products ingredients today. Turn your closet into a GREEN UTILITY CLOSET!

Check them out. http://www.greenworkscleaners.com

Panko covered Chicken Fingers. So, what is Panko?

Kids love chicken fingers, but if you are like me I'm not too crazy about them. I never buy the frozen ones. You know... the ones loaded with fat, preservatives, coloring and a whole lotta of air and fluff. No meat... Since the kids begged me this weekend to buy "tyson" frozen nuggets and I went into shock when I read the label I said NO WAY. I'll make you some myself.

Here's a yummy recipe using panko's in leau of bread crumbs. Panko's are japanese bread crumbs. They offer a much crispier taste than traditional bread crumbs. You can find them in the "bread crumb" section at the grocery store.

Another lunch box tip: Not another boring sandwich please....make some extras and send the kids to school with some chicken fingers. Add a little sauce on the side and BANG! You got a winner lunch.

Panko Chicken Fingers (source:food network)
1 large egg
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
Ranch, honey mustard or barbecue sauce for dipping, optional
Carrot, cucumber and or celery sticks, optional

Whisk the egg and buttermilk in a medium bowl. Soak chicken pieces in egg mixture while you gather remaining ingredients. Meanwhile, in another shallow bowl combine panko with paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper, to taste. Set a rack on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Lift chicken from buttermilk, letting excess liquid drain back into the bowl, then dip into panko and turn to coat on all sides.
Carefully place chicken in oil and cook until they are golden and crispy and cooked through, about for 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to the rack to cool. Place in sealed container. Pack in a lunch box with their favorite veggies and ranch, honey mustard or barbecue sauce for dipping.

Good Morning Shakes-Loaded with Vitamins

The kids love this shake. It's a great meal replacement or mid day snack. Not to mention loaded with vitamins! The funny thing is that the kids friends come over and request them. I always love that kinda compliment.:)

For myself: If I want less calories I use half water and half soy milk. Use a full
scoop for adults :)

Vanilla Shake

1/2 Scoop of Spiru-Tein Vanilla Or any other flavor
1 Cup of Soy Milk- my fav. West Soy Vanilla Plus
1/2 to a whole banana
1 or 2 tablespoons of Peanut Butter (Naturally More Peanut Butter)
Several Ice Cubes

Place and Blender and blend away

For a lil extra help: add some flax seeds

All these products can be found at Publix or Walmart
Spiru-Tein can be purchased at Chuck's Health Foods or any GNC

Chicken Cilantro Soup

This is a quick easy meal and it's delicious. My son loved it. Even his lil buddy had some. I added several more pieces of chicken so I can plan ahead for a chicken salad recipe for the kid's lunches for this week. How's that for planning ahead. Sneaking in...using up din din time to make ahead "lunch meal plans". Love that! Just sneak out that chicken when you take it the other's one out and shred them up for that salad. ohhh..



Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe courtesy Danny Boome


2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, diced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 jalapenos, finely diced (use only one for kiddos)
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes (in the Can area. sometimes in health foods)
1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
2 limes, juiced, plus wedges for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 (8-inch) flour tortilla, grilled, cut into thin strips
1 avocado, pitted, sliced
1 cup shredded Monterrey cheese

In a large saucepan heat the vegetable oil. Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes. Once the onions have softened add the garlic and jalepenos and cook for another minute. Pour the chicken broth, tomatoes and beans into the pot and bring to a boil. Once at a boil lower heat to simmer and add your chicken breasts. Cook the chicken for 20 to 25 minutes. Once chicken is cooked remove from pot. When cool enough to handle shred it and set it aside. Add lime juice and fresh cilantro to the pot. In a serving bowl add a mound of shredded chicken. Ladle soup over chicken and top with a lime wedge, grilled tortilla strips, avocado slices and cheese.