3 Nutrient Rich "A's"!

What better place to begin than at the very beginning of the "nutrition alphabet" with some of the most health beneficial foods right at our fingertips? Pop these into your shopping cart and relish in the taste, texture and vast multitude of ways they can be prepared and enjoyed!

Artichokes: Could nature be prettier in a veggie than when you get to the inside of an artichoke? The merlot/purple color blended with the olive green tones is GORGEOUS in there, and divine both to the tongue and our health! There are only 25 calories in a medium artichoke with 16 essential nutrients, boasting also a good source of fiber, vitamin C and folate. Containing also Cynarin and Silymarin, a powerful antioxidant, it benefits the liver and regenerates healthy tissue. Used with a multitude of recipes from a simple Parmesan cheese and artichoke dip to steamed herb butter glazed baby artichokes tossed with chicken and wild rice, artichokes are super versatile, and as part of a low fat, high fiber diet, can help reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and birth defects. I personally LOVE them whether atop thin crust pizza, tossed in a pasta with shrimp and pesto or simply steamed, dipping the yummy leaves into a mixture of fat free sour cream with lemon juice and lemon pepper. The best part is the heart and stem at the end. ABSOLUTE PURE BLISS!

Avocados: The most fabulous fruit EVER! It is tasty on its own, has an aphrodisiac effect {woot woot!} is creamy, and awesome in recipes, atop sandwiches, in salads, made into guacamole or simply in fresh salsa scooped onto a chip. One medium sized avocado has about 100 calories and almost 12 grams of FIBER! Avocados also provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. They also act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit. It comes in it's own serving bowl, and keeps your digestive tract working nicely and your colon cleansed. Mixed with honey, a ripe avocado even makes a nourishing facial mask for thirsty skin. Yum!

Asparagus: Whether raw or steamed, roasted, grilled or pickled, asparagus is awesome for both variety and nutrition! Boasting an excellent source within it's slim stature of Vitamin B folate and Vitamins A, C and K with great fiber, having a serving of asparagus 2-3 times a week is optimum. Chop it into a stir fry, mince it and put into eggs or quiche, stem and blend for an amazing soup, eat it raw for an on-the-go snack. The only adverse effects with asparagus? Your urine will smell funky {haha and EW!} but your heath benefits will outweigh that greatly! Also, asparagus is high in Vitamin K, so the effectiveness of anticoagulants may have an interference.

From Within Your Skin

What radiates from you? What causes your glow, your light you bring into the world? Do you SHINE? If so, do you try to SHARE that shine, that light from within, with those with whom you encounter, those who surround you, as well as those far away and also those whom you do not even know at ALL?

YOU are an incredibly orchestrated, beautifully created and perfectly shaped part of this world, crafted with unending love and immeasurable joy. You wouldn't be here if you were not meant to be and you have a WALK and a PURPOSE and a REASON for being here all your own.

Into you was breathed an amazing breath from which you continued on... a starting point to ALL you would become, do and experience in this life. In that first gasp, you began to flourish and revel in the newness of all things opposite to your previous surroundings, and you had to sustain the changes and events that followed as you grew, learned and overcame challenges. And you continue to do so every day, sometimes flourishing, sometimes flailing, but ALWAYS with a deeper purpose, although you do not know what the full and intended purpose of your existence is.

That same breath we continue to breathe also encompasses our fears, triumphs, despair and joy, and we have also given the sweet echoes of LAUGHTER into the world. The sounds of even one lone person in this huge world are heard, no matter what volume they voice them or what place they reside. And when it is laughter and excitement, and sweet words of kindness and compassion and truth and light, it blankets and comforts the hearts and lives of those among us TREMENDOUSLY. We are to lift and bring the gifts of light and hope and service into the lives of others by His light and His breath that was placed initially within us. Whether in prayer or in person, the positive lift of our heart to another is hugely impactful, and reaches farther than we will EVER know.

And you reside in your skin a creature of your habits, you know exactly what makes you YOU! Do you make it a habit to keep your outlook POSITIVE? Do you have a "glass half full" state of mind? Do you laugh and let your laughter be contagious? Being self confident and having self assurance is attractive and when you resonate positive energy, positive people are DRAWN to you, and those that can use a "positive push" will BENEFIT from you! It could take but ONE simple gesture to turn one's entire frame of mind and emotional status around, and that gesture, whether in word or action can be as simple as holding a door open, as personal as holding someone's hand, or as compassionate as lending your shoulder to gather tears.

Be confident in who you are and know that you ARE beautifully and perfectly made and that you ARE immensely loved and cherished! Be also aware of someone who could use hearing that sentence and PLEASE SHARE IT with them! Be understanding and know that NOBODY is above another except to lift another up. Enjoy being in the skin you live in and know that you CAN begin today to make better choices to make it a healthier skin to live within. Embrace the moments and the memories you are experiencing, and tell those you love THAT YOU LOVE THEM! We are all here unknowing of when our last breaths will be, so use them wisely, with integrity, love and empathy for everyone. And embrace life to the fullest... make every day from beginning to end productive, working toward your goals and dreams!

Lastly, a smile is contagious, so USE it. And LAUGH! Laughing blesses us with better health, a better emotional status, and deeper personal and social enrichment and overall well being. Laughter is, after all, the very best medicine next to LOVE!

Lime/Lemon/Orange Cream Pie

Limes are sooooo heavenly to use in summertime desserts, and this ABSOLUTELY DELISH recipe from my friend, Becky, is the epitome of summertime cool refreshment and sweetness!

Note: You can also substitute the lime {or I used Lime Margarita mix woot woot!} with lemon juice or orange juice... they all make amazing flavors for the pie!

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup full fat sour cream mixed w/ 2 Stevia pkts and 1 Tbsp vanilla extract *
OR 1 pkg cream cheese mixed with 2 Steva pkts and 1 Tbsp vanilla extract*

(reserve a 1/2 cup for topping the pie after freezing)
1 cup lime juice
1 graham cracker crust {a large sized one was perfect!}
Fruit of choice for garnish

Whisk the sweetened condensed milk with the juice of choice in a bowl, then whisk in the sour cream/cream cheese mixture until smooth. Pour into the graham cracker crust and place into freezer for 4 hours at least.  Spread a thin layer of sweetened sour cream atop pie after frozen, then freeze for an hour longer, decorating it with small sliced limes/raspberries, lemon slices, etc. as a garnish.

*NOTE: The original recipe calls for 1 container of Light Cool Whip. I am not a fan of high fructose corn syrup, but if you are ok with it and love Cool Whip, go for it!

Super easy, super refreshing and super yummy... ENJOY!

Shrimp/Chicken and Romaine Stir-Fry

My dear friend, Jackie, introduced me to this absolutely delicious recipe and I have made a few twists to it. The shrimp or chicken add perfect lean protein and the romaine lettuce and the cruciferous low carb veggies are amazing as fiber and nutrient rich additions, the flavor is divine, and the ease of it is fantastic. I LOVE it for lunch or dinner alone or atop spaghetti squash, shredded steamed zucchini, quinoa or brown rice.*

Sauce:
1/3 cup chicken broth
3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar (unseasoned)
1 Tbsp sugar or 1 Stevia pkt.
1 & 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (OR 1 tsp. chili garlic paste)

Stir Fry:
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 garlic cloves, minced fine or garlic-pressed
1 Tbsp. finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
1/2 cup sliced fresh red pepper, cut into 1" pieces
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup fresh chopped broccoli florets
1 & 1/4lb peeled, deveined large shrimp, patted dry
{OR 1 & 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, bite size pieces}
6 cups chopped romaine lettuce hearts (2-3 hearts)

Stir together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Heat oil in a large 12"-14" saute pan over medium high heat, stir frying garlic, ginger and onion until fragrant. Add broccoli and red pepper and stir fry about 3 minutes to soften. Add shrimp and stir fry until almost cooked through, about 3 minutes. Add half of romaine and stir fry until it begins to wilt, then add remaining romaine and stir fry until shrimp are cooked through and romaine is just wilted, about 1 minute. Stir sauce, then add to stir fry and simmer, folding through for about 2 minutes.

*Great over brown rice or quinoa on "Free Days", 7 and 14!}

Salsa de Fuega

I literally found this scribbled on a piece of paper in my recipe notebook, tattered and bent up and undoubtedly frantically written by me following feasting on such a treat and desperate to have the recipe, but then having a waiter or chef rattle off it's contents at lightning fast warp speed so as to throw me off. But you see, I am a PRO when it comes to collecting info. Especially info involving food. Should have been a spy. Needless to say, it is fresh, fantastic and it ROCKS over omelets, over fish or chicken, cradled atop pita chips, is FAB folded with sour cream and shredded roasted chicken and stuffed into romaine leaves or whole wheat wraps. I eat it by the spoonful straight too, as I am a confessed vegetable addict. My own personal twist? I add drained, rinsed black beans and a few spoonfuls of fresh from the ear sweet corn to add some extra color, fiber and texture. I LOVE IT and I know you will too!

Lots of fresh tomatoes! {I use 6-8}
1 small yellow onion
1 small red onion
1 bunch green onions
1 green pepper
1 orange pepper
1 yellow pepper
3 cloves garlic
1 jalapeno
2 avocados
big bunch of cilantro
juice of 1 lime
juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

De-seed and chop the peppers and jalapeno and saute' with chopped onions in olive oil over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes to lightly pan sear. Place in large food processor. Deseed and chop tomatoes and slice the garlic and add to processor. Pulse/chop to desired consistency. Pour into large bowl. Mince up minced cilantro and green onions and fold into mixture. Add drained, rinsed black beans and corn if desired and fold gently in. Squeeze the juices from the lime and lemon into a bowl and chop and add the avocado to it to coat. Fold all together into mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste. PERFECT to take to a BBQ or potluck! Put it in a pretty bowl and let the devouring begin!

Vegetable Frittata Wedges

Mmmmmm! What a PERFECT way to create a delicious brunch with your garden's bounty!

Aren't garden fresh vegetables so personally rewarding to enjoy? You know they are picked at their peak, that they have been grown with love and care by your hands, that they taste amazing and that their nutrient content is also fabulous for your body and health. So, showcase your harvest in a BEAUTIFUL way as these Vegetable Frittata Wedges provide a vibrant addition to both your recipe collection and meal menu.

2 tsp olive oil
Olive oil pan coating spray
1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 can (11 oz.) asparagus spears. drained
1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
1 zucchini, cut into thin strips,
8 eggs, beaten
Fresh ground black pepper and salt
3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated

Coat a quiche dish with the olive oil pan coating then spread the olive oil around the base of the pan. Spread the red and yellow onion slices in a thin layer to cover the bottom of the pan. Arrange the asparagus, red pepper strips and zucchini strips like wheel spokes on top of the onions, alternating colors to make it pretty. {Omigoodness, isn't it just SO pretty?!}

Next, gently pour the beaten eggs over the top of the arrangement and sprinkle on salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top and bake, uncovered at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and then cut into thin wedges and serve. Serves 6-8.
Recipe courtesy of "Ultimate Recipe Cookbook", by Trident Press.

Vibrant Giveaway Winner! {June 2011}

{OMIGOODNESS!!! Please pardon the wait for the June drawing announcement... I am moving to a new home and in doing so, have been endlessly packing and have boxes up to my ears and surrounding me in my office... but NOT too many to block my monitor to post the June winner! Thank you ALL for your patience and as ALWAYS, I love, love LOVE each and every comment and that you all love the blog!}

Okay, here is the glimpse at the beautiful giveaway gift I fell in love with immediately when it/they caught my gaze...

This picture does not do them any justice as in person they are really amazing!

Adding that sweet, shimmery, OH SO SPARKLY {and dare I say SEXY?} accessory to her summer wardrobe is our June Giveaway Winner! Congratulations to Heather Richins!!

These BEAUTIFUL earrings by Vera Wang have a super subtle smoky grey hue... perfect to complement a summer tan with so many colors from butter yellow, white, pale blues, black, etc. They seriously will look fantastic and will add an extra glow to your natural radiance!

Enjoy adding this summer sparkle to business casual attire, a sun dress or even a simple white tee/tank top, jeans/shorts and sandals. And again, I SO thank you for your comments and super sweet words! Please email your address to me at tracy@vibrantdrinkactlife.com and I will get these out to you!

Thank you to EVERYONE who leaves comments - it is my pleasure to share something with you that captures me!

Fireworks & Popcorn Lollipops!

In celebration of our freedom and the heritage and history of our wonderful country, the Fourth of July, America's "Independence Day", is a real party in the U.S.A.! From rural "Americana" to the vibrant city lights, coast to coast and everywhere in between, we love the culture, diversity and vibrancy that is within this beautiful country of ours.

And the fireworks are pretty awesome too ...

Especially when you are lying on your back on a cozy quilt gazing up at them ...

And enjoying a goodie of some sort, between the "ooh's and aah's"...

Something convenient, non-drippy, easy to hold for all ages, yummy and delicious and especially easy to eat in the dark! Like THESE little sweet beauties I found from a darling site I follow HERE, where you will also find how to make that ADORABLE "Beadboard Flag" pictured at the top!

"Popcorn Lollipops"

• 6 quarts popcorn
• 16 oz. mini marshmallows
• 1/4 c. butter
• 1 T. Jello-O powder, {my fav is raspberry}
  
• white chocolate chips {Ghiradelli!}
  
• sprinkles {match color to holiday/event}
  
• lollipop/popsicle sticks/halved wooden skewers
• cellophane bags and ribbons
  

1} These are made just like Rice Krispie treats! Melt the butter and marshmallows together, until marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat, and stir in Jell-O. Keep stirring until the powder is dissolved. Pour mixture over popcorn, and fold together

2} Coat your hands in butter, then form popcorn mixture into balls. Lay them out on a sheet of wax paper. Once they are all formed, place a stick in the bottom of each popcorn ball.

3} Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. Dip the lollipops in to the chocolate, then sprinkle to your heart's delight. Place them in a heavy glass or bowl, then into the freezer for 2-3 minutes until the chocolate has hardened. Of course you can lick the melted chocolate bowl and spoon for that matter while you are waiting.

4} Place a cellophane bag over the "Popcorn Lollipop" and tie a ribbon around base to secure.

Red and white sprinkles with blue ribbons would be super cute and patriotic to celebrate the 4th of July, and I thought even coating them completely in white chocolate and then sweetened flaked coconut would be fabulous for a wintertime! A little silver bucket of "snowballs" left outside a door for a holiday gift would be darling and creative tied with a ribbon and note card.