Fresh Blueberry Spinach Smoothie

I found a delicious smoothie recipe I just have to share with you! I've made this smoothie several times over the last few months; it's surprisingly simple, but has a great flavor and consistency.
It's made with fresh blueberries, banana, almond milk, and spinach for a nutritional boost. You can also add an optional teaspoon of chia seeds for a healthy dose of omega-3.
Hope you enjoy this recipe. It's a great way to start out your morning or to end your day. That's what's on my table tonight! 
  
















Fresh Blueberry Spinach Smoothie:
Serves about 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 2 medium bananas
• 1 cup fresh baby spinach
• 2 cups vanilla Almond Breeze, unsweetened
• 1/4 cup coconut water
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional)

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender on high for about 30 seconds. Add more almond milk for a thinner consistency if desired.

Note: Feel free to add 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or a scoop of protein powder if you would like more protein in the recipe.

Blackened Cajun Turkey Tenderloin

I found an excellent seasoning to compliment my turkey tenderloin and with a few additional spices I created this recipe to share with all of you. 
Louisiana Blackened Seasoning is a great spice to have on hand. Even if you don't have this available in your cabinet I've included instructions on how to make your very own flavorful rub below. The turkey came out moist and tender, and works well when paired with rice and beans. Veggies or pasta also make for a good match. That's what's on my table tonight! Enjoy!

Baked Penne with Chicken Sausage

This pasta bake is one of my favorite meals. It's easy, nutritious, and very versatile. I've made it many different ways just using whatever I have available in my pantry. It is a little heavier than some of my other posts because it's a pasta dish. To help balance out the meal you can use vegetable or wheat penne, as well as adding plenty of veggies, or using Greek yogurt and tomato sauce.

One serving is approx. 1 1/4  cup and is about 15 points on the Weight Watchers program. To reduce the points use less cheese, or none at all. You can even prepare it as a vegetarian dish. Hope you enjoy this flavorful meal as much as I do. That's what's on my table tonight!

Baked Penne with Chicken Sausage :

Serves about 5
Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Total cook time: 55-60 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 1 12 oz. Barilla veggie or wheat penne pasta
• 1 lb chicken sausage
• 1 5-6 oz. bag baby spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup prepared tomato sauce (preferred Prego roasted garlic and herb)
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup milk (can use skim to reduce the calories in the meal)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (more or less if desired)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional: for spiciness)
• Olive Oil cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
3. Spray a small frying pan with cooking spray. Put chicken sausage over medium heat for 12-14 minutes, or until browned. When almost done, add in garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Turn off heat and remove sausage. Slice into bite-sized pieces.
4. Place the spinach in the bottom of your pasta strainer. When pasta is done, pour pasta and pasta water over the spinach into the strainer, allowing the spinach to wilt slightly.
5. Pour pasta, sausage, spinach, and tomatoes into bowl with garlic.
6. Add tomato sauce, yogurt, milk, 1 cup of the cheese, and spices to bowl. Mix very well. Pour into casserole dish. Cover dish with foil.
7. Cook for 35 minutes covered. Remove foil, cook for an additional 10 minutes. Add additional cheese if desired.

Tropical Fruity Nutmeg Smoothie

Tropical smoothies are awesome for breakfast, snack time, or dessert. This creamy, delightful indulgence is made with the fresh taste of mango and banana, which makes a great end-of-the-day sweet treat. What I love about smoothies is you can be as creative as you want. If you'd like to enjoy this for breakfast you can add flaxseeds, protein, or chia seeds for extra nutrition. That's what's on my table tonight!

Tropical Fruity Nutmeg Smoothie:
Serves about 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 3 large bananas
• 1 cup pineapple chunks, frozen
  
• 1 cup cubed peeled ripe mango
• 2 cups almond milk
• 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons of  flaxseed meal (optional)
• A pinch of nutmeg 

Directions:

1. Put everything in a blender and blend on high speed for at least 30 seconds until completely smooth.
2. If you use frozen fruit chunks, you'll have to add more milk or water for a thinner consistency.

Creamy Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

I wanted to try something a little different this week, so I whipped up this tater tot casserole. This is a meal that both adults and children can enjoy!
It's an inexpensive entree to toss together on a busy weeknight or weekend. 

There are many variations on this recipe, but I'd recommend adding sour cream instead of milk; this will give this dish a nice rich creamy taste. Adding two cans of creamed soup instead of one will really help to keep the meal moist. Until next time, that's what's on my table tonight!
 

Tater Tot Casserole:
Serves about 6-8
Prep time: 10-12 minutes
Cook time: 30-45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lean ground turkey
• 1/2  onion, diced
• 1 - 32 oz package Ore Ida tater tots (or can use 1/2 depending on size of casserole dish)
• 1/2 - 10 oz can cream of mushroom soup (Campbell's brand preferred)
• 1/2-10 oz can cream of chicken soup (Campbell's brand preferred)
• 1 - 8 oz container sour cream or light sour cream
• 1 cup low fat milk
• 1 1/2 -cups grated cheddar cheese
• pepper, to taste
• all purpose seasoning, to taste
• salt, to taste
• garlic salt, to taste (optional)

Directions:

1. Brown ground turkey and diced onions in a pan; add pepper, all purpose seasoning, salt, and garlic salt to taste. Drain excess liquid.
2. Pour ground turkey & onion mixture into the bottom of  a casserole dish. 
3. In a separate bowl mix together the soup, sour cream, and milk.
4. Pour the soup mixture over the top of the ground turkey layer; spread evenly to cover the meat mixture. Top with tater tots, sprinkle with grated cheese over the entire casserole.
5. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 30-45 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese is completely melted.