Chocolate Smoothies

Chocolate Smoothies... we love 'em!!

I usually have one a few times a week, because I'm allergic to coffee and this gives me the same kick that coffee used to. And it's sweet!! If you know me, you know I love me some sweet!!!!

These things are sooo easy to make!! Take two ripe bananas, (they don't have to be this ripe, just not on the green-side. Eeew!) and some Raw Cacao Powder, (NOT Cocoa!) and some Alcohol-free Stevia.

Start by putting some chopped ice in a high-speed blender.

Mine is a Blendtec which I love!!!!

Break up the bananas and fling 'em in..

Next, two tablespoons of the Cacao Powder.

Fill about this much of the dropper with the Stevia.

(Or sweetener of your choice. Stevia has no calories, so I'm all over that!!)

Add two cups of water.

Put the lid on that bad-boy...

And give it a whirl.

Blend it for about a minute.

And it's done!!

Come to Mama!!

Once you get the hang of it, you can start to improvise. Use some of these ingredients to give it different flavors and textures.

Even unsweetened Shredded Coconut is great in these.

Here's one for you! Enjoy!!!!

For more of a chocolate-fix, please take a peek here...

http://somanythingstolove.blogspot.com/2012/03/death-by-chocolate.html

You can find all of these ingredients in stores like Lassen's, Whole Foods, Sprouts... or on Amazon.com

There are SO many things to love!

I love Followers and comments too!

Thank you!!

Signing off for now,

gabriele

How To Sprout Alfalfa Sprouts. Yum!

I love sprouts. And I've learned how to grow 'em! Piece of cake!! Mmmm... cake.

This is a Portobello Mushroom 'Burger" I made for myself. Those are Sunflower Sprouts. I didn't grow those. I just ate 'em. Good stuff!

I even throw in a handful of sprouts when I'm making my daily green smoothie. Healthy!!

So here are some quick directions, if you've never grown them before. Easy-peasy!
In sprouting jars (which you can find in most health-food stores) put two tablespoons of  Organic Alfalfa Seeds and six tablespoons of water, per jar. Not plain old tap water. Filtered, spring water, etc.

Let them sit in that overnight.

The next morning (or when you remember that they're there!) drain the soak-water.

Then, just add clean water, give them a good rinse and pour it out.

 They'll look like this. I shake the jars, to bring them to the bottom.

 Do that same routine every day. Rinse, drain and sit them in a nicely lit area, but not in direct sunlight.

 It usually takes them five days to sprout. Seven days if it's colder weather.

 Look at these babies! Aren't they getting cute?! :-) I talk to them. (And you know you talk to your plants, when nobody is around!)

 Look at how my babies have grown!!!!

 And they are done!! (In more ways than one.)

Put some of that good water in a big bowl, throw them in and give them a little bath.
Swoosh them around so that most of the brown seeds fall off. You won't get them all. No. No you won't.

Take them out and plop them on some paper towels. Change the water and do it again, if they need it.

I found the neatest Rubbermaid container! I think it's for keeping lettuce fresh, but it's absolutely perfect for sprouts!!

If there's any water left on those little guys, it drains to the bottom and they don't have to sit in it!
Nice, yeah?! I'm cool like that.

This is how they get stored in the fridge.

They last for several days. 

 Unless you eat 'em right away.

My happy little sprouts. I love them!!!!

Here's a shot of where they sat and grew. In my art studio. Something else that I love!!

If you've never sprouted before, give it a try!! You can use them in so many ways. Not only in green

smoothies and on mushrooms... try them in soups and sandwiches. Kids love them in sandwiches!! Heck, when I'm in a hurry, but need a little something to nourish me, I'll grab a couple of handfuls and just pop them in my mouth! It ain't pretty, but it gets the job done.

HAPPY SPROUTING Y'ALL!!

There are SO many things to love!

I love "Followers" and comments too!

Thank you!!

Signing off for now,
gabriele

We Love Halloween!

My, now ten year old, granddaughter's first Halloween.

Halloween was so easy, when these photographs were taken.

A little bit of paint and you called it a day.

This is my oldest son as Gene Simmons, of "Kiss".

The costumes were simple and fun.

Here is my youngest son as a clown.

My youngest daughter, as "Pippi Longstocking".

Complete with a stuffed monkey.

(As in 'toy'. Don't sick PETA on me!)

My youngest son as "Dolly Parton".

(I'm sure his back hurt at the end of the night.)

My oldest daughter as a gypsy, my youngest daughter as a ghost,

and my oldest son as...

Your guess is as good as mine.

Whatever he was, it went over big in the neighborhood -

He came back with two bags of candy!

Which I rifled through, as I did everyone's, as soon as they went to bed -

helping myself to as much chocolate as humanly possible.

As they got older, they knew that the Halloween candy-bags must be hidden from Mom,

if there was to be any left for them, in the morning!

(Other than the sour, hard candies and Tootsy Rolls.)

Even I would get dressed for the occasion.

I was the Bride of Frankenstein for many years, just

the outfit would change. The hair and make-up stayed the same.

Brushing-out my hair afterwards, was quite the adventure.

Painful doesn't even begin to cover it.

Then, I decided I'd be something else one year -

And Dolly came to town again!

I generously padded my front...

My rear and my hips.

(Dolly would be proud.)

Here is my oldest daughter, the gypsy, again.

And this is her, now fifteen year old daughter, when she was little.

Wearing a fairy costume, that her mom made for her!

Such a good mom!

And here is the same little cutie-pie.

(I want to reach in there and poke her little tummy!:)

And here is her, now twenty year old daughter,

with the same little one, her sister.

(Making a very interesting face. Was it something I said?)

My oldest granddaughter (above) used to love "The Count"!

I bet she still does.

(This one's for you, Sweetie.)

These days, the costumes are fancy.

Very fancy.

Very, very fancy!

But, even now, home-made is still good enough!

This is my, now nine year old, grandson.

Have a safe and fun Halloween, everyone!!

There are SO many things to love!

I love "Followers" and comments too!

Thank you.

Signing off for now,

gabriele