Pasta Caprese

(This photo was taken by a friend of mine, Aubrey. Same recipe, better photo! Why is everyone a better photographer than me?)

This is one of my most favorite pasta dishes ever, ever, ever!!! I am a sucker for anything with tomato, basil and mozzarella though, right? Anyway, one other reason why I am obsessed??? It is so fresh and light! I just love it! It is perfect for any occasion! Picnics, parties, or family dinners! It is pretty much just like my "Bruschetta pasta", but of course because it is from scratch, it is a bit better! I just love it!

INGREDIENTS:

5 fresh tomatoes, diced

1 can of diced tomatoes

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 cloves mashed garlic

1 Tbsp sliced sun-dried tomatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

1 lb. your favorite pasta

1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella cheese packed in water, cut into small cubes

15 fresh basil leaves, finely shredded

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut the tomatoes into a small dice. Drain them in a colander.

In a large bowl, combine the drained tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic. Season to taste. Let sit for 10 minutes to marry the flavors. Cook the pasta right before you serve it. Add the pasta the cheese and the basil to the tomato mixture and toss gently. Add the salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!!!

The Green Smoothie: My New Obsession!

This Smoothie is the best thing that has ever happened to me (food-wise)! We bought a

vita-mix a few months ago and have been doing lots of fruit smoothies since. We would always add spinach to the smoothies and they were good. But my sister Kim made a full on Green Smoothie for me over Christmas break and I completely fell in love and we've been drinking them pretty much every day since! I simply cannot get enough of it! I crave it all day long! On days when we run out of ingredients and I can't make it, I totally miss it! Yes, I'm aware...I am completely obsessed, but I'm ok with that! Here is why I love it so much, it tastes amazing and it is also nice to know that I am giving myself a lot of really important nutrients and vitamins, but most of all it is because I love how it makes me feel. I feel so clean, refreshed and energized! You just have to try it to believe it. Also, I LOVE that my family is obsessed with it as well!

At first my kiddos were reluctant to drink but we told them that we wanted to see who could do the best green mustache...it worked and they've been hooked ever since! Now they ask for it all the time.

INGREDIENTS:

(These are all approximations, I kind of just throw things in there.)

For a Giant smoothie, filling the whole vita-mix:

~About 1/2 to 3/4 cup of Apple juice

~2 or more large Kale leaves

~4 to 6 inches of an english cucumber

~1/3 to 1/2 of a bunch of Flat-leaf Parsley (Gotta be flat-leaf)

~About 3/4 cup green cabbage

~1/2 to 1 cup Pineapple

~1 large banana

~A squeeze of lime

~Some Ice

~Also, a teaspoon or two of aloe juice, if you have it.

~I also add whatever I have that I pick up at the store, like radishes, also bok choy is a superfood so I'm gonna give that a shot next time.

Blend it all until it is completely smooth. No little kale bits. (I think this is all about right, I've never really measured, so kind of just throw it all in!) ENJOY!!!

Micah was showing us how strong he already grew from just a few sips.

I just love Jade's little pony-tail in this one!

And Mitch pounds two huge glasses pretty much every day!