Healthy Memorial Day Weekend (Yummy Treats)

It is time for Memorial Day Weekend and all the festivities that come along with it; and that typically means time with friends, family, and a whole lot of food.  Although this weekend tends to bring so many temptations for eating, eating, eating…and typically not the healthy choices we should be going for, how can we help ourselves stay on track?  With these nutrient-rich, delicious, and exotic recipes! 

To Drink – Blueberry Lemonade (with basil)

3 Cups blueberries

2 Cups freshly squeezed lemon juice

Several 4 inch strips lemon zest

2 Tablespoons honey or agave nectar

1/4 Cup sugar

1 Cup boiled water

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5 Cups water

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½ Cup frozen blueberries

1 thinly sliced lemon

Basil or mint

Combine blueberry puree, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, sugar, and hot water in a blender or food processor; mix until it is a smooth consistency.  Pour mixture and remaining water into your pitcher.  Add additional blueberries and lemon slices as a garnish.  If desired, add basil or mint.

To Munch – Sweet Potato ‘Fries’

4 large sweet potatoes – peeled

4 egg whites – beaten

2 Tablespoon olive oil – sprayed onto baking sheet

Salt

Pepper

Parmesan Cheese

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1 teaspoon truffle oil - sprayed

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1 Tablespoon cinnamon – ground

1 Tablespoon thyme

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

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Cajun spice mix 

(serves 8-12)

Heat oven to 450F (500F for your fries to get crispier) and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray (I use a gadget that allows me to spray olive oil…very neat).  Cut your sweet potatoes into ½ inch ‘french fries’.  Toss sweet potatoes in your egg white mixture until all are coated; strain off excess mixture.  (NOTE:  for this step you can also use olive oil).  Place fries in a single layer on your baking sheet and sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and parmesan.  Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, turning the fries over at least once during the cooking time (to add more crunch).  When your fries are slightly browned on the outside, yet soft in the inside, take out and enjoy! 

To add even more excitement to your yummy sweet potato fries, once you take your fries out of the oven try spritzing with truffle oil (use the gadget I mentioned above) or sprinkle with your cinnamon, thyme and brown sugar mix.

For Dessert – Banana ‘Ice Cream’

4 Bananas

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4 Tablespoons organic peanut butter

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2 teaspoons cinnamon

Slice bananas.  Spread into a single layer on a baking sheet or plate and freeze (only takes about 15 minutes).  Puree until smooth.  Serve and enjoy!  (You can also try adding the peanut butter, cinnamon, or both!)

For some more healthy Memorial Day recipies, go to:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_memorial_day_recipes

http://www.elanaspantry.com/top-10-healthy-memorial-day-recipes/

http://www.coastalliving.com/food/entertaining/healthy-light-memorial-day-menu-recipes-00414000070220/

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  Cheers to Vibrant Health!

Janell