spananas

my 'rents came over to love on their grand baby this past weekend! so of course i whipped up a few things.

i started with a HUUUGE salad complete with romaine mix, fat-free feta, black olives, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots all drizzled with Braggs liquid aminos, Braggs apple cidar vinegar + a little agave nectar,

and i used up the rest of a papaya to make some papaya-lime salsa.

here's the original recipe again, but i added strawberries and avocado this time and it was SO much creamier. i highly suggest adding them every time!

this stuff is fabulous paired with seafood! and if you make enough of it, whip out some multi-grain chips or make your own by slicing up a whole wheat tortilla and baking it in the oven until crispy.

roasted, whipped sweet potaters topped with pecans and cinnamon (recipe will be in the ebookie)

and finally, baked, garlic & herb tilapia.

family and food together makes me one happier woman! i sincerely cherish being able to cook for my parents.

then....

for dessert, cinnamon.... apple.... almond cake! the stuff on top is apple whipped cream. it's sugar-free, fat-free cool whip, diced red delicious apple, and greek yogurt) all blended into a sweet, light, heavenly topping. oh AND, i grinded on some of Trader Joe's cinnamon sugar ;)

cinnamon apple almond cake

the stuff:

4 tbsp diced apple
3 tbsp whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tbsp applesauce
1/2 tsp apple pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 tsp coconut crystals

do this:

set 1 tbsp of the diced or sliced apples aside along with the coconut crystals, and set your oven to 325 degrees.

mix the wet with the wet and the dry with the dry, then combine. (i made two cakes using my cupcake pan.)

distribute the coconut crystals evenly in the bottom of the two empty cupcake slots, as well as 2 tbsp of the diced/sliced apples (1 tbsp in each slot).

pour the batter on top!

cook for 12-15 minutes, but watch it closely.

take the cakes out, let them cool slightly, then flip them over onto a plate, pineapple upside down cake style. yummmmmmmy!

top with the apple whip, or eat it plain.

2 'cup'cakes or 1 big one

**you DON'T have to use the coconut oil if you don't want to!** i included the nutritional adjustments just in case you omit it, but it does enhance the flavor and texture of the cake a lil bit. your call.

so i was thinking... you wont know what going on over here unless i tell you, duh! i'm working on two books right now which is what's taking so long. the first will be for our 6 Pack USA clients and is almost complete, then i can really focus on the Fit Foodie Le book! both of them will be available for purchase- you don't have to be a 6 Pack USA client to access the book and get the recipes though. the Fit Foodie Le book will be a combo of cleaner, healthier, classics like some of the recipes i've already shared with you, and tons of new recipes for snacks, dips, dressings, soups, stews, pastas, aaaaagggh!!!!!

i am TOO excited about it and i hope you are too! please be patient though and keep counting down with me.

before i let you go, pleeeease go check out my feature on Fitness, Food, and Style!! i met Dani via Instagram and she is one amazing woman, my goodness. i'm over here struggling to keep my blog alive with one kiddo and she has FOUR!!! what!? she was in the IT industry for a while and became a full-time SAHM (stay at home mom) after the birth of her second child. her blog is super informative for mothers or for anyone striving to just living a healthier life overall. show her some love, please!

BUCKLE UP!!!!!

i could not WAIT to make my own baby food!! having the power to put the best, nutritious, healthy, whole foods into my growing little man is such an awesome honor i take pride in.

around the 1 yr mark last month, Chiso started hating all things vegetables. i was in denial and thought he would remain the garbage disposal we all know and love him to be. they now usually end up in the seat of his high chair with him, become toys, or he just does this:

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i can get him to eat fresh fruits in raw form (strawberries, bananas, pears, blueberries, etc....) all day long. veggies don't even make it anywhere near his mouth as he puts his hands over his face when he sees or smells them coming. where did he learn this behavior!? needless to say, i'm still putting my blender to good use.

if i can hide spinach in a smoothie, i can do the very same thing with Chiso's food. sure this is nothing new, but it is so gratifying watching him eat his vegetables and literally lick the bowl clean. :twisted:

making different combos is where the fun begins! or not, lol. can't win'em all. but here are some cool pairings you can try (thanks, Marguerite!):

spananas: 1 cup cooked spinach, 1 banana, half an avocado. cook/microwave and blend. i use breast milk to get the mixability going in the blender. you can also use water or formula.

sweet potatoes + bananas + turnip greens (got carried away but hey, he ate it)

potatoes + zucchini

tastes just like mashed potatoes, but sneak in some sautéed veggies. cauliflower works GREAT here too! even got over on ol' Sonny.

banana + avocado

one of his favs- the texture is incredibly creamy.

apples + prunes

very sweet, which is prolly why he likes this combo.

add either chicken, lean ground turkey, or tilapia to these concoctions for a complete, balanced meal. Chiso's fave:

spinach, grilled chicken, and bananas.

notice a trend here? Chiso won't eat it if it doesn't at least smell like bananas! so, base your combos off of your critter's favorites.

1. hand-pick the ingredients: you have total control! pick a VARIETY of all-natural, organic, or raw, fresh fruits and veggies in the peak of their season, as well as lean cuts of meat. and please...don't limit your baby! besides, if they don't like it, you can eat it :lol: when fresh isn't available, frozen is the next best thing. 2. chop and cook: steam, sauté, roast, bake, boil until tender 3. blend: blender, baby food grinder, food processor, fork 4. save money!! that's a no brainer vs. buying the jarred/packaged varieties. you can make a nice batch that will last 2-3 days, and that coincides perfectly with the 4 day wait rule. finally, your baby gets more nutrients this way; no additives or preservatives, just the real thing. win-win.

know that the food your baby likes and dislikes will change like the weather. good luck, and DON'T give up!

what are some of your LO's fav combos? please share!