Wednesday, November 17, 2010

START THE DAY THE RIGHT WAY!




As I have said before - I spend my life either on a diet or breaking a diet (and the latter seems to be winning at the moment!!!).  But I think that if you start off with something healthy, filling and tasty, you are giving yourself the option of being good for the rest of the day!!!!

Kim, who writes a wonderful blog called Stirring the Pot, wrote about a Banana & Vanilla Milkshake some time ago, and there is a reason why she was so enthusiastic about it - it is delicious!  This is my version:



Banana and Vanilla Milk Shake

1            Frozen Banana*
3            Ice Cubes
1/2 tsp   Vanilla
1 cup      Fat Free Milk
1 tsp       Honey*


Blitz!


I have tried a few variations on the theme (the biggest disaster was adding a spoon of coffee powder - yuk!), but I think that this is the best (and easiest) version.

*If the banana is very ripe, you might not need the honey.




Continuing on the theme, in the new Leon Cookbook there is a recipe for a Carrot, Orange and Ginger Juice - not rocket science perhaps, but a fantastic combination of flavours (that I wouldn't have come up with) that for some strange reason, really, really fills you up! (and they say is a great cold-buster too - Happy Days!)

Carrot, Orange and Ginger Juice.

3      Carrots
1      Orange
1      Piece Ginger (thumb nail size)

Juice the carrots - if you don't have a juicer  (and I wouldn't blame you, they are a killer to clean) just use juice from a carton
Juice the ginger (or grate)
Juice the orange and add to the carrot and ginger juice, stir and enjoy.

21 comments:

Chele said...

I seem to be doing a fantastic job of breaking my 'healthy eating plan' at the moment, will keep this in mind for when I am being good lol

Gloria Baker said...

Nice and yummy recipe! gloria

Please Do Not Feed The Animals. said...

Hmmm, not sure that would keep me going but I would enjoy it along with something like a piece of toast and peanut butter.
I make banana milkshakes quite a lot as I love them and the kids do too but usually just banana and milk blitzed up. I'll have to try adding some vanilla.

Laura said...

I love fresh carrot juice! Both of these sound like delicious drinks, though my cold is definitely calling for some carrot, orange, and ginger juice at the moment. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

I love both of these and must get my juicer back out... I like to add beetroot to my carrot juice for an extra healthy kick... although it does turn my poo bright red... have I gone too far?

Brownieville Girl said...

Chele, failing abominably myself too!!

Thanks Gloria.

PDNFTA - If I'm eating breakfast I usually consume quite alot, but this juice really seems to do the business!

Laura - hope your cold gets better soon.

Dom - waaaaaaaaaay T.M.I. !!

Kitten with a Whisk said...

I love smoothies!

Anonymous said...

this looks so yummy!

ruairi said...

This is great, i do a similar thing, only its made up of butterscotch instead of banana and vanilla...im more of a diet breaker....(!)

Danielle said...

Yum(: I love healthy shakes and smoothies. I could eat them even if it was freezing outside. As for the diet's, I was on a very dangerous diet a while ago, and in my opinion eating right is the way to go. Eat the stuff you bake in moderation and eating healthy beats any miserable diet(:

Unknown said...

I am a firm believer of that too - start the day out right and you're more likely to be be good to your waistline the rest of the day!

These both look awesome! Healthy and refreshing!

Danielle said...

Okay so from your first photo, I could swear it was a pint of Guinness...just sayin. :)

Consumed: My Culinary Adventure"

Jen said...

LOL Danielle, that is what I thought too! Yum that smoothie sounds fantastic. I am going to rush from the computer and make one for myself for breakfast this morning!!

freerangegirl said...

Mmm I love homemade smoothies - so much nicer than shop ones. I think I might even get up anot earlier to make me a banana one!

Unknown said...

I love them both, refreshing & healthy.

Jemima said...

Leon is on my Christmas list! I am very much on a diet at the moment x

Brownieville Girl said...

Me too Kitten!!

Thanks BBKD

Ruairi - didn't need that idea - I'll have to try it now!!!!!

Danielle - I agree, but it's the moderation bit I have yet to master!!

DWaD - thank you.

Danielle - He, he he - Guinness for breakfast ... mmmmmmmm???

Jen - hope you enjoyed it!!

FRG - nicer and cheaper!! Takes very little time.

Jennifurla - virtuous start to the day :-}

Brownieville Girl said...

Brilliant book LC - I'm going to do a review of it soon, just getting through a few more recipes first!

Maxine said...

Hmmmm, love ginger in juices.
Bestway to start the day with a freshly made juice.
Have you tried Watermelon with Pear - its just so thick and delish or Sugar Snap Peas with Green Apples - so refreshing.

M

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Isn't that the truth about trying to heat healthy! I have these new rules I'm trying to follow, especially "Rule 12" which is "Avoid all-or-nothing thinking" just because you may have slipped on one meal don't throw the day away! It's helping!

Kim said...

Thanks for the shout out on the banana vanilla shake. Yours looks delicious and is making me think of having one again for breakfast! I think it's my favorite smoothie :)