Spinach-Fruit Smoothie

Doesn't it look delicious? Indeed it was...

The beauty of smoothies is that the sky's the limit.  2Bit loves making smoothies. And, especially with her new(ish) food processor (Thanks to a AJ's sweet parents). So, if you don't like an ingredient in today's smoothie. Make whatever changes you so desire...

What You'll Need:
1/2 Beet
1 Kiwi
1/2 lemon
1 Large handful spinach
1/2 c. unsweetened almond milk
4-5 Ice cubes
1/4 c. fat-free greek yogurt
1 tbs chia seeds*
3 tbsp agave syrup or Xgave nectar (get at kroger in organic section)

*Chia seeds were used by the Aztecs. They are more rich in omega 3 fatty acids than any other plant food; they are high in protein and antioxidants; they are helpful in maintaining body hydration b/c of their absorbing power; you can get them in the bulk section of health food stores.

This Week's Favs

        UK Victories...

{http://www.cbssports.com/}

UK plays UConn in the Final Four this Sat night at 8:45 p.m.!!!!

             Peppermint Tea...

            Friends' Birthdays...

2Bit Carrot Cake- (Stay posted for the recipe)

                   Puppies...

...and puppy breath of course

           Pastel Nail Polish...

....to remind 2Bit it is Spring, despite the unwelcome bitter COLD.

     

              Budding Trees... 

{http://glynnesoaps.com/soap_blog/}

           GROUPON Deals...

    Walks through Henry Clay Estate Park...

{http://www.tcc.edu/welcome/collegeadmin/OIE/SACCR/Conference_Information/2009/2009_Conference_Info.htm}

Happy Birthday Rachie-Poo!!

Rachael, Rachael- It's the day of your birth,

If only you knew how much you are worth.

2Bit could fill this page with memories galore

Annoying voices and laughter is what we adore.

But spare the world we will this day,

Of any mention of the Cheeto babe.

May this next year bring love and blessings each day

That we hope to be apart of it every step of the way!

Love Always, 

2Bit

Happy 25th Birthday, Rachael!! We LOVE you!

Happy Birthday Botto!

Perhaps you remember the Botto White Bean Chicken Chili???  Well, it just so happens that it's that Wesley Botto's Birthday today!! 

2Bit loves our friend, Botto! We hope you have a joyous birthday and know how special you are to so many people.

Love Always, 

2Bit

30 Healthiest Ingredients

{http://www.10superfoods.com/}

Real Simple Magazine recently published the 30 Healthiest Ingredients saying, "Stock your pantry and refrigerator with these nutritious, expert-recommended foods"

 2Bit could not agree more....

Almonds

Avocados*

Barley

Black Beans*

Blueberries*

Broccoli

Bulgar

Chard

Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)

Edamame*

Eggs

Extra-virgin olive oil*

    Kale*

Kidney Beans

Kiwi*

Lentils*

Mushrooms

                                                             Oatmeal*

                                                            Oranges

                                                     Peanut and almond butters (all-natural)*

                                                            Pumpkin

                                                             Quinoa*

                                                            Sardines

                                                            Skim milk

                                                            Spinach*

                                                            Sweet potatoes*

                                                          Walnuts

                                                          Whole-grain pasta

                                                           Wild Samon*

                                                            Nonfat Greek yogurt*

The * is next to all 2Bit's favs. Try out all of these, if you haven't already, and find your favorites! Make it a habit to eat and cook with them! Hoorah for optimal health!

2Bit would add green tea, beets, flax seed and 70% dark chocolate :) to that list...

Is MSG Creepin Around Your Food?

duun duun dunnnnnnnn

In a hurry to fix something quick and easy? So many casserole recipes seem to call for condensed/cream of mushroom/chicken soups. And who doesn't rely on it when in a pinch?? Recently 2Bit was reading how MSG(Monosodium Glutamate) is in most canned soups, esp. those "cream of"/ condensed kinds. 2Bit knew the dangers of MSG, but had not even thought about where it was lurking... 

Being such an avid label/ingredient checker, 2Bit could not believe to find that this one had slipped past her. Previously I was stocking my pantry with Kroger brand "cream of mushroom soup," since it's cheaper. That was just for the occasional recipe, however I know for a lot of people, these soups are a cooking staple.

So, the solution?

 Start checking your labels!! Either try organic products or just keep checking the label until you find one without it. For instance, when I was at Target, the Campbell's cream of chicken didn't have MSG but the "low-sodium cream of chicken" did and so did the "cream of mushroom" and "cream of celery." Probably b/c since it's less flavorful than chicken they have to compensate with enhanced flavoring agents. 

Another MSG-free option

Here are other names for MSG that are used in an effort to disguise:

glutamate, monosodium glutamate, monopotassium, yeast extract, glutamioc acid, calcium casinate, sodium casinate, hydrolyzed protein, gelatin, hydrolyzed corn gluten, texturized proteins, yeast nutrietn autolyzed yeast, natrium glutamate

You may be asking, "What's so wrong with MSG?" Inform yourself...


"MSG is an excitotoxin. It has been found to cause all types of medical problems. It is physically addicting and can cause feelings of depression, headaches, make you more hungry, among other health problems. The food industry has lobbied congress to pass laws allowing MSG to be put into foods and not be listed on the ingredients label."


http://www.healthy-foods-lifestyle.com/monosodium-glutamate.html

http://doctor.ndtv.com/faq/ndtv/fid/7317/Does_monosodium_glutamate_(MSG)_harm_the_food_in_any_way.html


 http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_msg_harm_your_body#ixzz1GnMwxL00

http://www.truthinlabeling.org/

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtOiAEoB2tvLiWlD_1bebJNAFUx4w1GNI1O_rOrc85a4vMSDA799mC1vW78gJ2r8mgzYJb3XCv25UY4h6XxWJdDfrSuBa-jHCl1uvpcx2iBIk9xG9LFYQi-K8LarCEzqCGGQO0UUNynhN/s1600-h/MSG_1.jpg

Spring Forward With Lemon Berry Muffins!

Make no mistake. This is the worst day of the year. I, 2bit Joy treasure my sleep so much that all year long I look forward to the daylight savings time Fall Back Day (yes, it gets capitalization like  a real holiday!). As much as I look forward to the grand Fall Back day, I loath spring-forward. I love spring, I hate spring-foward.

But, it's all good in the hood, and this is by far the best spring forward ever. I have actually looked forward to it, but for other reasons. To kick start the celebration of.... 2Bit Joy's spring break, warmer weather, 2Bit Joy's birthday, having later sunsets, flowers blooming, birds singing, bees buzzing, all sorts of twiterpation, and Michael being here, let's make some perfectly springy muffins!

These muffins are a nice lemon and raspberry / blackberry combo, and they couldn't BE more spring. I used frozen berries, and I think any frozen or fresh berry would be great with these, especially blueberries.

They have lemons, they have berries, but the most spring-like feature is that they are pretty lowfat / low calorie! For a muffin anyways.. So, you can eat these and still fit into your summer swimsuit! 

Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt (non-fat, please)
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1-2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (depending on how lemony you want it!)
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (use half wheat flour for a heartier muffin)
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 cup frozen raspberries / blackberries / blueberries

Directions 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin tin, or line with paper liners. 

In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, oil, lemon juice, egg whites, and, if using, lemon extract. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and mix until just blended. Gently stir in the frozen raspberries. Spoon batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups. 2Bit prepared the batter the night before and make them in the morning so they would be eaten warm.

Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Cool muffins in the tin on a wire rack. 

 

Here’s to a wonderful spring season,

 

What Items are You Eyeing??

Can 2Bit be honest in a moment of consumerism?

{Anthropologie}

2Bit is all about the sales and deals in life. We just hate paying full price for things, even more so, knowing they will drop more on sale.

{Anthropologie}

This is a most joyous day for 2Bit Cara. I have been on a quest for a warm, waterproof, black winter coat with a sturdy hood...One that would last the test of time, simple yet fulfill its purpose. I saw THE one back in January- a black/waterproof/ down-filled Marmot coat BUT, it was on sale from $279 to $219!! 

For some of you, that might have been an adequate sale, but not for cheapskate, me! It was so hard to walk away, but I knew there had to be a better deal at the end of winter, so I was willing to look for something cheaper.. But, being a nanny, I get some down time, esp. when the lil muffin is sleeping. Browsing online yesterday I found my coat for $139 with NO tax or shipping cost! The scavenger in me mentioned waiting for it to go on sale even more, but Mr Hubby Hochhalter, who was probably so sick of me talking about it said, "Don't you dare! You have been obsessed with this coat. That's a great sale." He didn't have to tell me twice...

What items are you eyeing?? 2bit loves to fantasize with other consumers....

{Anthropologie}

Below:
A couple items I'm willing to hold out on OR get when I get around to it..

Brown, preferably cognac colored
boots...

                  

             A sleek black or tan purse...         

              Liquid Eye Liner...

Climbing shoes....Yay.. hubby Hoho got these for me so we can climb together. What a man!!
 

A turquoise nose ring...

Random, I know, but we be always needing fridge magnets...

Etsy is full of geniuses...

Lastly...

I have been holding out to find the perfect diamond cross necklace since 8th grade.

 

OR 

They are all WAY too much mula...

While on the subject of "too much mula," if I had an endless amount to spend on jewelry, I would buy these Rosemark items:

{$6,125}

either of these...

and throw this in too...

{$1,895}

A girl can dream, right?

2Bit is curious, what's in your materialistic dreams?