Willem's Favorite Smoothie!

Like many of you, it is a struggle to get my children to eat healthy on a day to day basis. One way to ensure they are getting enough nutrients, is to hide their veggies in a tasty, yet healthful smoothie. Below, is my son Willem's absolute fave... he even knows my spinach trick now and it doesn't faze him.

1 banana
6 oz. greek vanilla yogurt
1 cup frozen fruit ( I like the strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry blend)
2 tbsp. honey
1/2 cup orange juice
1 large handful baby spinach

This doesn't get any easier! Toss all ingredients into your trusty blender. Puree until smooth. Don't worry! The spinach all but disappears! Your picky eaters won't even know it is in there!

Makes 2 smoothies.

"Anyone will eat it!" Sauteed Spinach

I have learned over the past 13 years of marriage, that disguising vegetables is an important thing to learn if you want your spouse and your children to eat healthy. Now, this recipe doesn't exactly "hide" spinach, but it does appeal to a family boys with the added bacon factor!

3 strips bacon, cut into inch pieces
1/4 cup yellow onion, julienned
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 oz. baby spinach
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper

In large saute pan over medium high heat, cook bacon until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon from pan. Drain all but 2 tbsp of bacon grease. Saute onion until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook slightly. add spinach; pan will be full. Spinach will wilt in about 1 to 2 minutes. Add bacon. Toss together with season with salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

Honey Curry Chicken with Basmati Rice

This is a childhood favorite of mine! When myself and my siblings were small, we always got to pick the meal my Mom would make for our birthday. This was always my pick. I have to thank my mother for giving me her secret recipe... I have adapted it slightly to please my more adult palette.

6 chicken legs (or any other cut you prefer)
1/2 sick unsalted butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp Hot Madras curry powder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Place chicken in ceramic banking dish. Season heavily with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes, until chicken is beginning to brown. Meanwhile, in medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add honey, mustard, and curry powder. Stir together and cook until just beginning to bubble.
Pour over chicken, using basting brush to make sure completely drenched in the sauce. Reduce oven to 350 degrees and cook until broken on top, and chicken is cooked thoroughly, about 3o minutes.


Serve with Basmati Rice. Follow directions on package; Be sure to begin cooking the rice when making the curry sauce to ensure everything is finished at the same time.

Hope you enjoy this as much as I did as a child and continue to this day!

Perfect Morning Juice

If you don't already own a juicer, what is stopping you?! There are many out here from the most primitive to the high end, pricey fancy schmancy ones! Personally, I have the Waring Pro Juice Extractor. It is easy to use, simple to clean, and gets the job done!
I have had my juicer for years and my oldest son and I are always coming up with new, inventive ways to mix up fruits and veggies into a healthful, yet tasty concoction. Below is an every day favorite that I hope you can add to your morning routine!

PERFECT MORNING JUICE

2 gala apples, chopped to fit in juicer
2 oranges, peeled and sliced in wedges
2 -3 carrots, scrubbed
1 orange beet, scrubbed

Add ingredients to your juicer according to directions.
Pour over ice. Sit back, relax, sip your drink and get on with your day, feeling refreshed!

Makes enough for one large glass or two small servings.

Waffles a la "Bananas Foster"

Waffles made with our trusty waffle iron have been a weekend staple in the Nienhuis home for years. Recently, I have been trying to mix it up and stray from the typical "waffles with syrup".

I made these scrumptious morsels this morning... They went over amazingly! Perfect for a chilly Michigan morning as we had today!

FOR WAFFLES

2 cups "just add water" pancake mix
1 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp. malt powder
1/4 cup wheat germ

Blend and make waffles according to directions on box. Makes 5-6waffles.

TOPPING

1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp. salt
4 bananas, sliced 1/4 inch thick

In large saute pan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add brown sugar, syrup and salt and bananas. Sirring constantly, heat until brown sugar is dissolved, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Pour over waffles and enjoy!