Snacks and Shakes

So I really enjoy cooking WHEN I can try new recipes (I loathe doing the same meals over and over). So I thought that I would share a few sites that I really enjoy getting food ideas from and I would love for you guys to leave any comments with sites you visit for food ideas (preferably healthy).
http://hotgarlic.blogspot.com/ This is my favorite. I linked onto this gal's page from a friends and I think she is brilliant! I have tried A LOT of her recipes and love them.

http://munchercruncher.blogspot.com/ Fun healthy recipes and workout tips

http://www.abc4.com/content/about_4/gtu/recipes/default.aspx These are recipes that appear on Good Things Utah- and I have used (and loved) a lot of them.

http://recipesyummyrecipes.blogspot.com/http://jessicasrecipeexchange.blogspot.com/http://www.hungry-girl.com/ Great ideas for swapping ingredients in your favorite recipes/treats to healthier options.

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ Easy Crockpot ideas

http://www.simplifysupper.com/ Weekly meal planners with shopping list

http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/ You can search your favorite recipe, and they give you the "healthified" version of it. Awesome!

I also have a couple great mid-day snack shakes that I love (and I feel like a good mom because my kids love them and they get fruits and veggies without even knowing :) ).

Fresca Shake
1 can Fresca
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
1 cup frozen strawberries

*Blend the Fresca and spinich in the blender first, then add the stawberries. The color is a little funky; you can't taste the spinach but you get all the benefits, including an added boost of energy in the afternoon. This is my kids' favorite shake and we have it several times a week.

Berry Smoothy
1 cup Vanilla lowfat Soymilk
1 small container vanilla Greek Yogurt
1-2T Splenda
1 cup frozen berries (I like blackberries)

Blend it all together on high in the blender. The greek yogurt gives it a smooth/thick consistency (and I've read that Greek yogurt is great for you). Yummy! (You can also sustitute milk for the Soymilk and Splenda with Xagave nectar).

A Berry Good Thing!
(This one is from Hungry-Girl.com)Here's an amazing guilt-free swap you can make in your own home. Save time, money and calories with this awesome recipe! (vs Starbucks Strawberries and crème 410 cal.)

2/3 cup frozen strawberries (just plain- NOT in syrup!)
5 oz. light vanilla soy milk
2 tsp. Fat Free French Vanilla Coffee-mate powder (dissolved in an oz of warm water)
1 oz. Sugar Free Torani Strawberry Syrup (I couldn't find this, so I just use a 1T sugar free jam)3 Splenda packets
3 large ice cubes
2 tbsp. Fat Free Reddi-Whip (I don't think it needs this)
Place all of the ingredients in blender, except for the whipped cream. Blend on high speed for 30-45 seconds. Pour, and top with Fat Free Reddi-Whip. Strawberrylicious!
Serving Size: 12 oz. with whipped topping Calories: 119 Fat: 1g Sodium: 102mg Carbs: 21g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 14g Protein: 4g

HAPPY SNACKING!