FFTF (Food For Thought Friday): Coconut Oat Cookies and Asperger’s Syndrome

Ok, it’s finally over.  The whole holiday thing.  The business of hustle and bustle.  I thought it was time to get up another FFTF (Food For Though Friday).  It’s been a while.

Today’s post offers a recipe for coconut oat cookies with dark mint chocolate chunks. Can I get an ummmmmmmm? =)  Ok, this one is simple and quick and great alternative to the butter-laden, high-sugar cookies that we are all too familiar with.

• 1 cup whole oats
• 1/3 cup ground flax seed (flax flour)
• 1/3 cup dessicated coconut (unsweetened)
• 1 Tbsp melted butter
• 3 very ripe bananas
• 1-3 Tbsp agave syrup or honey ( or maple syrup -*I can’t it here =( )
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup dark mint chocolate chips or chunks (if you can’t get dark chocolate chips, you can add peppermint extract to the cookies by mixing it in with the melted butter and coconut)

Mix all of the dry ingredients.  Mash the bananas and add to the dry ingredients along with the rest of the wet ingredients.  Mix in the chocolate.

All done.  Simple eh.  You must let me know what you thought if you do decide to make them ok.

Ok, if you’ve noticed in the top right hand corner of my blog, it’s all about the 5 ‘Fs’ – Faith, Family, Fitness, Food and Fun.  Today’s FFTF topic is about Asperger’s Syndrome because my little cutie (6 almost 7 years old), Cauê has it.

Asperger’s Syndrome is on the ‘Autism Spectrum’ and is considered high-functioning autism.  As one adolescent American boy put it, it’s like he’s half autistic, half neuro-typical.  If you were to see Caue and talk with him and see him playing on his own, you’d have no idea that he has autism.  However, after getting to know him a bit and seeing the way he is in school and the way he learns – as well as his obsessions – you would start to think that there is something a little different about him.

I’m not going to share too much on the subject, but I am going to share a really awesome music video that my husband found on Youtube about it.  Please check it out and let me know what you think.  Being that we live in Brazil and my husband is Brazilian, it is in Portuguese.  I have, however, translated it for you to understand the message of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tzHqUtUaA8Asperger’s Syndrome

Translation: 10 things that a child with Asperger’s Syndrome wish you knew…

• 1. Before anything, I am a normal child!!!
• 2. I have horrible motor coordination – buttoning a shirt or tying up shoelaces is a sacrifice
• 3. I have an extraordinary ability to comprehend – I have an exceptional memory to for facts and dates. I can learn to read on my own.
• 4. I am a concrete thinker and don’t understand the abstract.
• 5. I have an extensive vocabulary – I have a pendant, repetitive and stereotyped language.
• 6. I can’t look into your eyes when I speak with you.
• 7. I believe in everything you tell me and I don’t understand irony.
• 8. I can be mistaken as a little genius.
• 9. Please help me with social interactions.
• 10. And above all else, love me unconditionally!
• And just 3 more words – Patience, Patience, Patience!

PATIENCE! Oh my goodness.  I am NOT a patient person.  But I am so thankful that God has given me Caue to raise and love and teach and ‘be patient with’.  God is developing this much needed virtue and fruit in my life through my relationship with my son.

Have you ever heard of Asperger’s Syndrome before? Do you know anybody that has it?  Tell me your experience.

FFTF – Spirit: Breath of Heaven Body: Healthy Prestigio (Chocolate Coconut) Tarts

Ok, it’s another FFTF (Food for Thought Friday) – Food for the body and the spirit.  I loooooovvve the Christmas season, so this post is very befitting.  For the spirit I will be sharing a bit about how the Christmas song, “Breath of Heaven” has impacted me.  And for the body, “Healthy Superfood Prestigio (Chocolate Coconut) tarts.  Hope you enjoy.

I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I’ve done
Holy Father, You have come
And chosen me now to carry Your Son

I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, be with me now.

Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy
Breath of Heaven

Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of Your plan
Help me be strong, help me be, help me

Amy Grant

Listen to a version by Eden’s Bridge here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLXvGNUOtZM

Sometimes when I listen to this song I start to cry.  I think it’s because of the simplicity of it and the way that Mary addresses God, “Breath of Heaven”.  She was just a young girl when a unexepected visitor showed up and shared a message with her that essentially changed the entire course of her life.  She was engaged to be married to a simple carpenter, and she herself, was just a simple girl – that loved God.

As she silently prays to her maker, she’s extremely vulnerable and expresses to Him just how scared she is.  She knows that the world is a cold place and she is feeling all alone.  And rightly so.  Imagine being in her place.  A virgin, engaged to be married, in a society where it is absolutely unacceptable and punishable to have had sexual relations before marriage.  And now she is carrying the son of God.

She pours her soul out to the only one that could possibly understand what she is going through.  God, hold me together (I’m losing it).  God, be forever near me (I feel so lost).  God, lighten my darkness (the stone cold reality of this world is blinding me (I can’t see you).  God, pour over me your holiness (for you are the only one that can ease my anguished heart and replace the lack of tranquility with overwhelming peace).

I think it’s amazing how she addresses God as, “Breath of Heaven”.  The word breath signifies life.  Every bodily function depends on breathing as breathing is the most fundamental of all the body’s systems.  It’s at the very core of life.  When one stops breathing, one dies.

She also recognizes that she’s weak.  She doesn’t see herself as one that is wise enough to be carrying such a serious responsibility.  But the beautiful thing is that, even though she’s full of doubts and even though she considers herself as unwise, it didn’t matter to God.  What mattered was that she was willing to offer all that she is.  What mattered was that she had a heart of humility and recognized she needed His strength, and not her own.

What do you think of this song?  What are your thoughts concerning it?  Leave a comment and let me know.

Ok, who else out there loves a good dessert or tasty little treat, but hates the refined sugar?  Being that it’s the Christmas season and all, I thought I’d create this little goody for my kids (ok, for me too, I confess).  Try it out and let me know what you think.

Yes, this is my little girl enjoying what’s left over of the filling

Healthy Prestigio (chocolate & coconut) tarts

Crust:

• 1/2 cup chopped cashews
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup dates
• 1 Tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
• pinch of salt

Place all ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until incorporated.  Fill mini cupcake tins with paper liners.  Press 1 heaping teaspoon of the mixture into each to form a crust.

Filling:

• 4 small bananas or 2 large
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 honey
• 4 Tbsp coconut milk
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 Tbsp melted butter or coconut oil

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until fully incorporated.  Spoon around 2 good teaspoons of the mixture into the cups.  You can garnish with some shredded coconut and then place in the freezer until ready to enjoy.

FFTF – Spirit: Then he smiled at me… Body – Kale Salad with Mango and Coconut

I absolutely love this time of year and the Christmas holiday.  I have such good memories growing up, with the house all decorated and all of the pretty lights, time with friends and family, gift giving (and receiving) and, of course, good food.  I figure that, since it’s the Christmas season – and I love it so much – I would write a bit about some of my favorite Christmas songs and what they mean to me.

(I had to take this picture because it was my little guy that put the presents in baby Jesus’ arms and I thought it was so cute)

The Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me,
A new born King to see,
Our finest gifts we bring,
To lay before the King,
So to honour Him,
When we come.

Little Baby,
I am a poor boy to,
I have no gift to bring,
That’s fit to give a king,
Shall I play for you,
On my drum?

Mary nodded,
The ox and lamb kept time,
I played my drum for Him,
I played my best for Him,

Then He smiled at me,
Me and my drum.

(To hear Josh Groban’s version of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRCEqDc4jD8)

This song, “The Little Drummer Boy” has really spoken deeply to me in the past and I absolutely love its message.  I started my missionary career in 2000 and have been all over the world since then.  But when I got pregnant with my first son I fell into a bit of a depression, thinking that my life was all over.  I couldn’t see how I would be relevant as a missionary anymore.  I would say to God, “So what then God?  Am I just going to be a mother and wife?  Is that all you have for me now?” (as if that wasn’t important and relevant enough already).  

Soon after having Caue (that’s my son’s name), we left Brazil for a time of training and investing in our areas of work.  It was during that time that God really spoke into my life, using this song.  I was doing a music for missions school and was really seeking God about how I could really be relevant.  Finally, after a few weeks of praying and pleading for an answer God brought the remembrance of this song to mind.

The first verse speaks of a king being born.  Now, being a king was a big thing.  He was the one who created all the laws, led the justice systems and overseed his kingdom as he saw fit (http://www.ehow.com/info_8392008_duties-kings.html).  Three wise men came to see this new king and bring him gifts in order to show their respect and reverence.  In order to honour him.

The second verse speaks of a poor little boy.  He wasn’t of any importance.  No one knew who he was.  No one traveled half way across the world to visit him.  He was just a humble little guy.  He didn’t even have enough money to bring the king a gift.  He thought he didn’t have anything of worth. So he offered to play his little drum for him.

Now the third verse is the one I love the most.  It speaks of how this little guy didn’t let social differences stand in the way of him giving his all for the king.  He played his drum for him.  He played his best for him.  With the little he had.  I’m sure he wasn’t the best drummer in the world.  He just gave it his all, no matter what.  And then it came… the king… the son of God… the ruler of all… SMILED AT HIM.  How precious is that.  He didn’t smile at him because he had kept good rythm. He didn’t smile at him because he was perfect.  He didn’t smile at him because he was refined and well-trained.  NO! He smiled at him because of his humble heart.  Because in his humility he offered his best.

Do you think you have to be perfect to be relevant? Do you think you have be well educated and trained to make a difference in this world.  I couldn’t see how I could be relevant after having children. Now I know that – in what ever I do – if I do my best out of humility of heart – that is a powerful tool in the hands of an almighty God.  And the king will smile on me.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Ok, now for the food part.  I know that it is winter time for most that are reading this and soups, stews and other hot dishes are what’s popular right now.  However, in Brazil we celebrate Christmas in the summer and it is blazing hot.  My recipe for you today is something that many would probably prefer in the summer, but I really like this salad so am sharing it with you today.

• 1 1/2 cups kale
• 1/2 tomato
• 1/4 red pepper
• 1/4 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 Tommy mango
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• your choice of protein
• top with cilantro and season as desired.

I used a can of tuna as my protein, but you can use whatever you desire.

Related articles

• The Little Drummer Boy (remedyministries.wordpress.com)
• The Little Drummer Boy (inbetweenthelinesblog.wordpress.com)

FFTF – Spirit: Neediness and the infusion of peace Body: Healthy Raw Energy Balls

FFTF (Food For Thought Friday) – Spirit: Neediness and the infusion of peace, Body: Healthy Raw Chocolate Balls

As you may know by now, I absolutely love the daily devotional book, “Jesus Calling”, by Sarah Young.  Some days the words from that book just jump out of the book and into my spirit.  Today’s was like that and the following are my thoughts provoked by it.

We live in an age where independence is highly valued and neediness is despised.  However, I believe that we will only find true peace in our spirits when we surrender to the maker of all things. I have found the key to true inner peace.  My recognition of how dependent I am on Him and how needy I am of Him is the key to entering into a deeper intimacy with my creator and lover of my soul. As I come away to that secret place where only He and I sit together, He infuses His peace into my innermost being and allows me to find rest and tranquility of mind and of heart.

I am not my own.  I cannot live a life of independence – and I wouldn’t want to.  I am totally and completely needy of Him.  And I am found in Him, nestled in the palm of his hand as He shelters me and sustains me ‘whole-istically’.  And when I start to fall away from Him – when I try to do things on my own – that’s when stress enters into my life again and peace fades away.  But He love me so much.  And He remembers that I am made of dust.  And soon enough he nudges me and leads me back into His keeping again.

How about you? Do you value being independent? What do you think about this topic?  Leave a comment below and let me know.

Now…. for the yummy stuff.  Who wants healthy chocolate balls.  Oh, I do I do!

Raw Energy Balls

• 1/3 cup whole oats
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup protein powder (all whey or brown rice in vegetarian)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 Tbsp all natural peanut or almond butter
• 1 Tbsp flax seeds
• 2 Tbsp raisins

1. First grind the oats and then place mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Put in the fridge for about 30 minutes to chill.
3. Take out of the fridge and then form balls with your hands.

Makes about 12 balls, depending on how big you make them.

FFTF (Food for Thought Friday) – Gluten-free Quesadillas & “Do you have a calling?”

FFTF – Food for the body and the spirit

Happy Friday to you!  Who doesn’t love Fridays? I think almost everybody does? It’s the start of the weekend, which means it’s time to relax, have some fun, meet with friends, spend quality time with family, etc. Sooooo, why not start off the weekend with some yummy quesadillas? – but not the ones you may be used to.  Check out this gluten-free recipe.  Then check out the “Food for the Spirit” below.

serves 4

Tortillas (adapted from http://stupideasypaleo.com/2013/08/23/simple-paleo-tortillas/)

• 2 eggs and 2 egg whites
• 1 1/2 teaspoons melted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup arrowroot powder
• 2 tsp ground coconut
• Pinch of salt

Filling

• Some type of meat (shredded chicken, turkey breast, Canadian bacon, etc.)
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• a little olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste (optional)
• 20 spinach leaves

First make the tortillas.  Crack the eggs into a medium-size bowl and whisk.  Then add the butter, baking soda, arrowroot powder, ground coconut (or coconut flour) and pinch of salt.  Spoon an 1/8th of the recipe (about 4 Tbsp) into an 8 inch round non-stick frying pan and swirl it so that it covers the surface.  it will be very thin, as if making crepes.  Cook through on one side (about 1-2 minutes) and then flip and cook the other side (1-2 minutes). This recipe is so easy peasy and delicious.

Now for mounting the quesadillas.  But first you need to sauté your tomato and onion.  Just pour a little olive oil into a frying pan and add the tomato and onion until it is nicely sautéed.  Then take one tortilla and place the meat on first (quantity is up to you). Follow with 1/4 of the cheese, 1/4 of the sauteed tomato and onion and 5 spinach leaves.  Place another tortilla on top and put in a pre-heated oven, just until the cheese is melted.  Or, you could nuke it in the microwave.

These were so good they’ve become a staple in our household now.  Arrowroot is a great option for those that don’t want gluten in their diet.  It is very low in calories and fat free.  It also has relatively more protein than other starchy food sources such as yam, potato, cassava and plantain and is easily digestible.

For the Spirit

Do you have a calling?

Of course you do.  We all do.  We were made with a purpose.  You have a calling in life.

In the Bible – in the book of Genesis – God called Abraham to leave his country and go to a place that He was going to show him (Genesis 12).  He, essentially, was the first missionary recorded in history. Moses also had a calling – to deliver the people of Israel from the oppression they were suffering in Egypt (Exodus 3).  Then there was Gideon (Judges 6), the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 3), the small boy, David, that became King (1 Samuel 16), and the list goes on throughout the entire Bible.

Then there was Staci. Huh?! Wait! There was no ‘Staci’ in the Bible. That’s right. I was born long after it was written. God doesn’t change though.  He’s still passionate about the human race.  He still wants to create, love, impact, inspire, and be known by those he made. He still works on establishing His kingdom here on Earth.  “How does he do that though?”, you may ask. He does it through us. He does it through people. He gives us, His creation, the amazing privilege to co-create with Him. And He gives us satisfaction in fulfilling the mandate he’s given us.

On ‘wiki.answers.com’ I found this definition on ‘What it means to have a calling in life’:

“It is based on the belief that each person is placed on Earth by God to do something.  For some people it may be something great, for others it may be a small and simple thing but it is something that only that one person can do.”

I received a calling from God to go into the nations of the world and minister to the deepest needs of people, which are not always the most obvious needs. Sounds pretty heavy, doesn’t it? I received my calling in such a personal and intimate way. My experience was very supernatural.  Not all people have a strong experience like mine. However, all people receive their calling through relationship with the Almighty Himself.

So, how then can one find their calling in life? The answer is RELATIONSHIP.  You need to first have a relationship with God. And how does one come into relationship with God? Check out this site: http://odb.org/personal-relationship-with-god/.

Please leave a comment and let me know about your calling.  How did you receive your calling?  What has God called you to do?

Check out my facebook page for my newest favorite breakfast recipe, Apple Yogurt Bowl – https://www.facebook.com/godcolouredgirl

Food For Thought Friday – Zucchini Crust Pizza and Intertwined in Intimacy

For the Body: I am always interested in new, different and healthy ways to prepare food.  And, of course, how to incorporate more and more veggies into my and my family’s diet.  This week I made a pizza for my family, however, I made it with a zucchini crust.  It was so yummy and it’s a great way to get your veggies, not to mention, get veggies into your kids.  It is also a lot lighter than your traditional pizza and is gluten/wheat/simple carb- free.  The following recipe has been tweaked from here: http://www.foodandnewyorkcity.com/2013/09/skinny-zucchini-pizza-crust.html

Crust: 2-3 small zucchinis, 1 egg, 1 egg white, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese shredded, 1 tsp garlic powder, black pepper to taste, a pinch of salt, 1/2 tsp cumin, any other seasoning you like

Toppings: 1 cup ground chicken or turkey seasoned, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded, 4 Tbsp tomato or pizza sauce, 1/2 onion, 1 bell pepper, 1 tomato, 1Tbsp olive oil, 1/8 – 1/4 cup thinly sliced olives

Directions: First make the pizza crust.  Shred the zucchinis and extract the maximum amount of water possible.  You can either put in a cheese cloth and wring it until you just can’t wring anymore, or you can place in a strainer and press with a bowl to allow the excess liquid to come out.  Place in a medium sized bowl and add the shredded cheese, egg, egg white, garlic powder, pepper, salt, cumin and other seasonings.  Then line a pizza pan with parchment paper and press the mixture into it to form the crust.  Bake in a preheated oven at 230C (450F) for 20-40 minutes (depending on your oven – here, in Brazil we use a gas oven and it took a good 40-45 minutes).

Cook up the ground meat and season it as desired.  Cut up the onion, bell pepper and tomato and saute in the olive oil over low heat.  I also add a little salt, but you don’t have to if you don’t like.

Once the crust is done, place the toppings in the following order.  First the tomato or pizza sauce, then the cheese, onion/peppers/tomato mixture, ground meat, olives, and cilantro.  I also put a bit of spinach, but it’s up to you.

Check out my facebook page for the nutritional benefits of Zucchini-good and healthy. Please leave a comment and the bottom and let me know what you think.  Or if you have any other ideas or suggestions for other uses with zucchini.

 

For the Spirit: I love my morning quiet times.  I also love my late afternoon prayer walks.  Oh my goodness, they’re so refreshing.  They’re a time for me to be renewed, to get centered and to be strengthened in my spirit.  Most importantly though, it’s the time I come to meet with my creator.  He lives in me, and without Him I am nothing.  He and I are intertwined in an intimacy involving every fibre of my being (quoted by: Jesus Calling – Sarah Young).  I used to struggle with my morning quiet times.  I am not an early morning person.  Just ask my mom and brother.  They can tell you the horror stories of my morning attitudes and of me coming out of my bedroom, looking like a ghost.  I have recently, however, found a system that really works for me.  And not just for me, but for my whole family as well.  I love my morning coffee.  However, I don’t get around to having it until everyone has had their breakfast, made their beds, had their shower and gotten dressed.  By that time I am wide awake and alert.  I put on Youtube educational videos for Caue (my son) in my room and a short dvd for Hannah (my daughter) in her room.  I then sit down with my tablet (which has my devotional book and Bible) and hot cup of coffee, close my eyes and enter into that place of peace, tranquility, stillness of spirit, soul and being. I lift my thoughts and prayers up to the Almighty and He sits with me in that time and strengthens me.  I read His word and my devotional and am fully fed.  And once again, I can sense that I am not my own.  That He’s with me.  That He’s in me.  That He knows be better than I know myself.  And life just becomes so simple, stress-less and free.  I wouldn’t change that for anything.

How about you?  Do you have a special place or a special time that you come away to be with your maker?  How does God touch your heart and meet with you?  I would love to hear your experience.  Please leave a comment and let me know.

FFTF – Eggplant and “Where does your confidence reside?

Food For Thought Friday – YEAH!

I have found a new yummy dish, inspired by my wanderings around the internet on different foodie sites.  As I’ve mentioned before, I am passionate about being healthy, eating well and staying fit.  It does wonders for me, not just physically, but for my spirit as well.  God made me and caused yummy delicacies to grow on this earth so that we humans could be creative and inventive with the resources He has provided.  And so, here you have it: my fun little experiment with eggplant.  It was soooooo delish, and even my hubby liked it.  There will be no problem in making this savory dish again, because I know he will appreciate it and we both will eat it all up with no problem at all.

Eggplants are loaded with good, healthy stuff.  Not only are they an excellent source of soluble fibre, manganese and potassium, they are also very low in calories and fat.  They are also high in antioxidants and are great for cardiovascular health.

So here you have it:

Stacked Eggplant Pizza Rings – Serves 2

-8 1/4 inch eggplant rounds

-1 egg plus 1 egg white

-panko or bread crumbs (enough to bread the eggplant)

-Canadian bacon or turkey breast (or meat of choice or omit)

-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

-1/2 cup tomato or pizza sauce

-1 red or yellow pepper sliced (can use green if you want)

-1 small onion sliced

-2 cloves garlic chopped

-1 Tbsp olive oil

-2 tsp salt

-1 tsp demarara (raw) sugar

1. Chop the garlic and slice the peppers and onion.  Caramelize along with the garlic on low heat with the olive oil, salt and sugar.  Put aside.

2.  Place eggs in a bowl and the bread/panko crumbs in another bowl.  Take the eggplant rounds and dip in the egg wash, then cover with the cumbs.  Line a square pan with tin foil, place 4 eggplant rounds on the bottom.  Then place the meat, followed by the cheese, half the mixture of peppers and onion, and tomato/pizza sauce.  Then place the other 4 rounds of breaded eggplant and top with the rest of the sauce, cheese and peppers/onions.

Preheat your over for 5 minutes at 205C (400F), then bake for 1/2 hours.

And there you have it, 2 stacked eggplant pizza rounds each.  You can have together with a nice side salad of mixed greens and a light dressing and you’re set.

Ok, I always like to post a recipe together with some “Food for Thought”, because just as our physical bodies need food for life, our spirit also needs to be fed.  I absolutely love the devotional book by Sarah Young, “Jesus Calling – Enjoying Peace in His Presence” (http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-Enjoying-Peace-Presence/dp/1591451884).  I try to read it everyday in the morning.  God has really used it to bring his word to life in such an intimate and personal way.

Have you learnt to appreciate difficult days?  Do you believe that, together with God you can handle anything?  We, as humans may change like shifting shadows, but God is always the same – today, yesterday, tomorrow, forever.  Our confidence resides in this.  In Him we live and move and have our being.  Our very breath depends on Him.  Do you believe this?  Please leave a comment and let me know.  Or go into my facebook page (button on the right side) and press like and let’s discuss this topic a bit.

Green Smoothies – Ummmmmmm Who Wants One?

Ok, as you may already know, I have been doing a project called, “40 to 40”.  I’m down to my last two weeks of it, however I’m thinking of extending it until my actual 40th birthday on November 27th. Anyhow, I’ve been whipping up green smoothies in the morning for breakfast and they are deeeelish.  I thought I’d just share some of my experiments with you.  I’m telling you, they’ll do your body good. How can they not? They’re full of natural, healthy ingredients that God made for us to enjoy (And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food).  So give them a try and you’ll reap the benefits.

1.  Kiwi, Banana and Chocolate Smoothy

3/4 cup skim milk, 1/4 cup skim yogurt, 1/2 small banana, 1 kiwi, 1 cup kale, 1 Tbsp cocoa powder, 1 Tbsp whey protein powder, 1/2 Tbsp ground flax seeds, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp vanilla, 10 drops liquid stevia.

2. Pineapple, Banana and Coconut Smoothy

1 small banana, 1/2 cup pineapple, 1 cup kale, 1/4 cup skim yogurt, 1/2 cup skim milk, 3 Tbsp coconut milk, 1 Tbsp protein powder, 1 Tbsp oats, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 10 drops liquid stevia.

3. Apple Pie Smoothy – This one is so seriously good I had to name it ‘Apple Pie’.

1 apple cut up, 1 cup kale, 1/2 cup skim yogurt, 1/2 cup skim milk, 1 Tbsp oats, 1 Tbsp sliced almonds, 1 Tbsp protein powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 10 drops liquid stevia.

You just throw all the ingredients into the blender and you’re good to go.  I used a magic bullet because of the single cup and all, but any blender will do.

*If you don’t drink milk, you can substitute with some other type of plant-based milk (almond, rice, soya, etc.)  Unfortunately I can’t get almond milk here (north-east Brazil), but I so wish I could.

*I also can’t get a decent greek yogurt here as well that isn’t loaded with sugar or artificial sweeteners.  Ultimately, it would be better to use Greek yogurt for its high protein value.

*Of course, you don’t have to use kale if you don’t like.  You can use spinach, mixed greens, or whatever your heart desires.  Go ahead and be inventive.

Ok, now for some spiritual food:  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

What does this spiritual food mean to you?  Leave a comment and let me know; I’m very interested.  Also, do you have any special smoothies that you enjoy?  I would love to know about them and try them out. Let me know in the comment section here below.  And if you like this, why not hop on over to my Facebook page and press the ‘like’ button.  And if you found this pinteresting, go ahead and pin it. Thank you and BIG smile.