All posts by M. Terry

DIY McDonald’s Mango Pineapple Smoothie

My daughter, Aleyah, is a sucker for advertising. Just down the road from our house is a billboard broadcasting McDonald’s summer smoothies. She picked out the mango pineapple one as her possible favorite flavor, so I promised that I’d recreate it for her. This was an opportunity for me to explain that “made with real fruit” doesn’t qualify the smoothie as a healthy choice, but rather it implies that there are added ingredients to this summertime drink. Here are the ingredients in McDonald’s Mango Pineapple Smoothie:

Water, clarified demineralized pineapple juice concentrate, mango puree concentrate, pineapple juice concentrate, orange juice concentrate, pineapple puree, passion fruit juice, apple juice concentrate, natural (botanical source) and artificial flavors, contains less than 1% of the following: peach puree, cellulose powder, peach juice concentrate, pear juice concentrate, xanthan gum, pectin, citric acid, colored with fruit and vegetable juice and turmeric extract, ascorbic acid (preservative)

I researched clarified demineralized pineapple juice concentrate to see exactly what that is, but came up with very little. Considering that it begins with “demineralized” (which I assume means that minerals have been stripped away), and that I can only find limited information, I prefer to stay away from it. And since their base is juice concentrate rather than the fruit itself, it takes away the benefits of the fiber and other nutrients found in the whole fruit. Hence the reasons for a DIY smoothie for my family..

Mango Pineapple Smoothie

Place all ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth. Use the smaller amount of milk for a thick smoothie or add more milk for a thinner drink. Makes about 2 smoothies. I add brown rice protein to mine to keep me full longer.

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by M. Terry on July 30, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by M. Terry on July 30, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/07/30/diy-mcdonalds-mango-pineapple-smoothie/

Pacific 7 Grain Non-Dairy Beverage Review

Pacific 7 Grain Non-Dairy Beverage

On a recent trip to Whole Foods I found this non-dairy beverage on sale, had a Whole Foods store coupon, and a manufacturer’s coupon so I decide to give this a try (it was basically free!). This “milk” product contains oats, brown and white rice, triticale, wheat, barley , spelt, and millet. It is on the sweeter side, so drinking solo was a bit overpowering for me, but we use it in smoothies and it is the perfect base for our fruity treats such as our recent favorite- mango pineapple smoothie.

 

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by M. Terry on July 30, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Food, Nutrition, Product Review
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Posted by M. Terry on July 30, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/07/30/pacific-7-grain-non-dairy-beverage-review/

Summertime Pastimes

This past week has been a celebration of food, family, and successes! From setting up  “Chopped” at my kitchen table for my girls (they had only been bugging me to do this for a good part of the summer), to visiting our favorite local mango spot twice,  to having  family and friends over for dinner, to watching my 5 year old conquer bike riding, this “close to the end of summer” week has been carefree and fun!

For our lunchtime session of “Chopped”, I gave my girls pickles, baked red potatoes, leftover taco meat, and a red pepper. They HAD to use each of these ingredients, but were able to use additional items from the kitchen. Aleyah’s creation was a semi-hollowed-out potato stuffed with meat and topped with melted, grated cheese and red pepper slices topped with chopped carrots and pickles. She also added a slice pf pita topped with hummus and pretzel pieces.

Anna also made the same meat/potato combo, but she made a carrot, pickle, and red pepper salad, and then asked for grapes and  bananas to make a fruit salad as well. Another prime example of the creator eating AND enjoying their own creation!

Every summer we take the scenic drive up to our favorite mango spot. There is a family that has mango tress galore on their property and sell to the locals during the summer. For $20 we get a large bucket of various mangoes. The free samples were gnawed upon by my children until there was just a sliver of soggy mango skin left. We have been enjoying fresh mangoes as well as mango smoothies throughout the week!

All of those mango smoothies have paid off because my Anna took to the streets with her bike and her Daddy this week and successfully rode her bike for the first time! I love how kids beam with confidence when they are victorious in accomplishing this rite of passage. Two down and one to go before we begin to build family bike riding memories- can’t wait until all five of us can hop on our bikes and go!

The highlight of our week was spending time with out-of-town family. Our Sunday night dinner, our visit to the zoo, and even a simple trip to Sam’s Club topped this week. Thank you Uncle Chris and Aunt Wendy for coming- we love you!

All of these activities would mean little without my loved ones beside me. Take the time this weekend to enjoy the carefree summer routine- spend it with the ones you love doing the things that they love. There are no regrets in savoring these God-given moments!

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by M. Terry on July 28, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Food

Posted by M. Terry on July 28, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/07/28/summertime-pastimes/

An Olympic Race

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Last night, I had the privilege of leading the kids at church in a cooking lesson. I had an even greater privilege in teaching them a Bible lesson. Since the Olympics lay just ahead, I taught them about running the race…the race of a follower of Jesus. As I taught from  1 Corinthians 9, I tied in the awarding of the Olympic medals with that of striving to win imperishable “medals”- the crowns that are given to a believer for the good works done in the name of Jesus. Paul writes “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win…Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim”. As a Christian, we run with one purpose in mind- sharing Jesus with others. No earthly treasure will compare to that of a heavenly crown – a crown that will be humbly laid at the feet of my Lord and Savior and that will last for eternity.

Onto the lighter side of our time together, and continuing with the Olympic theme, we cooked up some traditional English fare in honor of London, the host city. We made shepherd’s pie and individual trifles. For the shepherd’s pie, I followed Alton Brown’s recipe. In place of lamb, I used ground chicken and for the potatoes, I used red potatoes and kept the skins on them. I left the butter and half and half out of the mashed potato topping and replaced that with reduced fat sour cream. I poured a bit of broth into the pie once everything was assembled to keep it moist and flavorful.

For the dessert, the kids sliced peaches and strawberries and used grapes to create a beautiful french vanilla yogurt trifle.

It all went well, and the meal received rave reviews! And the only one who didn’t care for the shepherd’s pie? That’s right- one of my own- Oh well!

 

 

 

 

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by M. Terry on July 19, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Food, Recipes, religion, Spiritual
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Posted by M. Terry on July 19, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/07/19/an-olympic-race/

Target Practice

I miss the mark sometimes. I aim and shoot. My arrow lands on the bull’s eye like I intended, but this bull’s eye is almost always the one labeled “SELF”. In my arrogance, I’ve changed the game by placing “ME” in the middle of the target when that small, center circle should really be “JESUS” with its encompassing ring being “OTHERS”. I’ve hit the bull’s eye, but I’ve totally missed the mark.  I am blind to the opportunities around me because the object of my affection is me.

Several months ago, God assigned me a task, and I put it off. Not sure why, but I did. I mentioned it to my girls, and Aleyah didn’t let me forget. She is a planner, a task-oriented individual so she has the makings of a great accountability partner. Last Sunday, we completed this act of service. It costs me $3 and 10 minutes. There was an immediate blessing as we simply saw the response of those whom we served. Just an hour or so later, God extended that blessing as He gave to us just what we had given away! What a lesson for my kids and for me. How many times have I (and do I) neglect to serve God and others? A simple task yielded a blessing for the recipients, my family, and for me, so I’m praying that I keep my eyes opened to what God has called me to do for others.  I’ve been reading Radical and this David Platt quote really struck me…

“What if we gave like this (referring to the widow and her mite), not because of the critical need around us, but because this kind of giving is actually what the heart of Christ in us both demands and desires ?”

My heart sank last week when a woman made a comment on how a few people who came to share God with her hadn’t bothered to help her out when she needed it. This illustrates my point of missing the mark. As a follower of Christ, I need to daily make Jesus as my focal point, my bull’s eye. There will be days that I neglect to do that as I allow  “self” to push it’s way back to the center. Jesus knew it would be a constant struggle to remove ourselves from our main focus- that’s why he commanded us to take up our cross daily. (Luke 9:23) I know there will be many more times that I am blinded to the needs around me because I’m concerned with only myself, and so I’m thankful that He is patient with me, and that He is not yet done transforming me!

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil.1:6

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by M. Terry on July 12, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Motivation, religion, Spiritual, Uncategorized

Posted by M. Terry on July 12, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/07/12/target-practice/

“Peanut Butter Cup” Wafer

Today we had our cousins over for lunch. In order to keep things simple for me, the kids pitched in and helped with dessert.  Here is our remake of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups:

Spread peanut butter on flat side of each wafer and lay on wax paper of foil. Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and heat in microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted.  Place melted chocolate into a zip top bag and snip a very small hole off the corner to make a disposable piping bag. Pipe chocolate over cookies. Place in fridge to chill and set slightly.

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by M. Terry on July 9, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by M. Terry on July 9, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/07/09/peanut-butter-cup-wafer/

Chilled Carrot Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Chilled Carrot Cucumber and Tomato Salad
This is a light and refreshing addition to your summertime lunch or dinner. Serve by itself or over a bed of lettuce or mix with any whole grain such as brown rice or farro.
2-3 carrots, sliced on the diagonal
1-2 cucumbers, sliced on the diagonal
1 large tomato, chopped
Spritz of olive oil
Drizzle of rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Place all vegetables into a medium bowl. Spritz with olive oil and drizzle with rice wine vinegar. Add in fresh parsley, garlic, and salt and pepper. Gently stir to coat. Chill in fridge until ready to serve.

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by M. Terry on July 9, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by M. Terry on July 9, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/07/09/chilled-carrot-cucumber-and-tomato-salad/

A Farmer’s Market and A Pirate’s Ship

Today I took the kids to the local farmer’s market with the intent of allowing them to choose which fruits and veggies to buy to enjoy with  our lunch and for the next few days. Aleyah picked out pickling cucumbers and a pineapple. Anna chose a mango and yellow squash, while Joel wanted apples (so adventurous!).

After our hot stroll through the market, we walked down to the river to the pirate ship that has been docked there. Despite the fact that we were beginning to smell like pirates due to sweat dripping from our bodies, Joel didn’t want to leave.

Home was a welcomed respite from the heat, and the kids enjoyed their PB & J and PB & honey sandwiches along  with their farmer’s market picks of fresh mango, cucumbers, and apple slices. A great finish to a fun morning!

 

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by M. Terry on July 7, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by M. Terry on July 7, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/07/07/a-farmers-market-and-a-pirates-ship/

“Cherries In the Snow” Frozen Treats

“Cherries In the Snow” Frozen Treats

These small treats were inspired by my girls’ favorite nail polish color named “Cherries in the Snow”. Here is our spa-inspired recipe:

Stir slightly thawed frozen yogurt, cherries, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Line mini muffin tin with mini baking cups. Place a large dollop of the cherry yogurt into each cup and sprinkle with granola. Place into freezer until set.  Makes about 6-8 treats.

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by M. Terry on July 5, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by M. Terry on July 5, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/07/05/cherries-in-the-snow-frozen-treats/

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

Enjoy this wonderful day with your family and friends!

“I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth–that God Governs the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”
~Benjamin Franklin

May we continue to lift our country up to the Lord

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by M. Terry on July 4, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Family, Motivation, religion, Spiritual
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Posted by M. Terry on July 4, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/07/04/happy-4th-of-july/

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