Author Archives: Ilise "Baker Babe" Reilly

Ever since discovering Chai a few years back, I have looked to its spicy heat to warm many cold mornings.

Enjoy room temperature, or microwave for 60 seconds for a sumptuous winter treat.

• 1/2 a banana
• 1 cup skim milk
• 1 scoop vanilla Live Rite protein powder
• 2 1/2 tsp Chai spice mix
• (Or you can make your own with 1/2 tsp powdered ginger, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and a 1/4 tsp: cardamom, ground cloves, and nutmeg)
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

Blend and enjoy!

Refreshing and not too sweet this quintessentially ”November” shake highlights the best of the season.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 scoop vanilla Live Rite protein powder
• 6 oz skim milk

Directions:

1. Wash and chop the cranberries.
2. Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.
3. Enjoy!

You’re going to need:

• 1 banana for every 2 ghosts you want to make (or 1 baby banana per ghost)
• 1 box raisins
• 1 chopstick or skewer for each ghost

1. Peel each banana.
2. Cut each one in half width wise. If you are using baby bananas, cut off just enough to give the banana a flat bottom.
3. Using your chopstick, hollow out eyes and a mouth  on each banana.
4. Place a raisin in each hole you have created ( creating the eyes and mouth).
5. Place each banana 75% of the way onto a chopstick or skewer.
6. Serve as individual treats, or mix them in with a fruit salad or even oatmeal (pictured).

Have a great Halloween!

Sounds spooky, but it’s oh-so-sweet; try out this tasty Halloween treat!

• 1 scoop vanilla Live Rite protein powder
• 1/2 a banana
• 6 oz skim milk
• melted dark chocolate (to paint your spooky ghost onto the glass)

1. Melt dark chocolate in microwave until liquid (no more than 30 seconds).
2. With a small paintbrush (or unused makeup brush) create your “ghost face” on the inside of the glass.
3. Blend the remaining ingredients until smooth.
4. Pour your banana shake into your ghost glass and viola! A Boo-nana shake!

In honor of all those affected in any way by breast cancer, we will be walking with Making Strides this weekend to help find a cure.

Kick off your walk with this Pink Power Protein shake.

Rich in anti-oxidents, this pretty shake will give you both the energy & the drive to help us make a difference.

See you at the walk!

Here’s what you need for 1 Pink Power Protein shake:

• 1/3 cup chopped strawberries
• 1/3 cup raspberries
• 1/3 cup chopped apple
• 1 scoop Vanilla Liverite Protein Powder
• 6 oz skim milk

Blend all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth.  Pour into a glass & enjoy.  Feel free to add a pink straw!

No, it’s not a slice of pie in a blender…but it might as well be! Dig in to this delicious Pumpkin Pie protein shake with none of the guilt.

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop Vanilla Live Rite Protein powder
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice

1. Blend all ingredients together until smooth; the consistency should be creamy and thick.
2. Pour into a glass and top with *optional* whipped cream and an extra dash of pumpkin pie spice.

Serve cool or warm

How do you make pesto less fattening and more natural? You do it paleo style!

If you haven’t heard of this latest craze, it focuses on avoiding processed and cultivated foods; in short, if it can’t be hunted or gathered it’s not paleo.

This pesto trades in the traditional olive oil for its paleo counterpart the avocado, and nixes the parmesan cheese (you won’t even miss it).

Try it out for a healthier and heartier pesto tonight.

Here’s what you’re going to need:

• 2 packed cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup Avocado puree
• 1/3 cup raw pine nuts (Macadamia nuts and walnuts can be used as a cheaper alternative)
• 3 garlic cloves

 Let’s get started:

1. Start by removing the avocado from its skin, and disposing of the pit.

2. Chop basil and garlic.

3. Combine all ingredients in a food processor (I used a Magic Bullet) and pulse until smooth.

4. Serve immediately over tomatos & crustini (pictured) as a great appetizer, whole wheat pasta or use as a salad dressing.

There’s just something about fall that makes me feel “nutty” (I set myself up for that one!) Embrace autumn with this cinnamon spiked almond shake.

Gather Up:

• 1 scoop Vanilla Live Rite protein powder
• 1/3 cup almond meal (you can make your own by blending raw almonds in a food processor
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 6-8oz almond milk (you can substitute skim milk)

Let’s get blending:

1. If you’re making your own almond meal, use 1/2 cup of raw almonds, and pulse in food processor. The moisture from the almonds may make the almond meal sticky, bit that’s okay.

2. Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.

3. Serve with an extra dash of cinnamon on top.

Every once in a while, you need a little comfort food, whether it was a long week at work, or your child had a rough day at school.  For many, childhood favorites help bring a sense of calm, so try these faux fast-food favorites, with a healthy home-made twist.  I always start with the Veggie Fries (since they take longer) so that the meal will be ready all at once.

Try this banana split shake recipe that wont split your pants!

You’ll need:

• 1 banana
• 1 scoop vanilla Liverite Protein Powder
• 6oz skim or soy milk
• 1/2 cup ice
• 4 Maraschino cherries
• Chocolate syrup (optional)

What to do:

1. Blend all your ingredients (except for 1 cherry) together for about 30 seconds.
2. Top your shake with your remaining maraschino cherry and *optional* chocolate syrup. Enjoy!