Marina Delio's Blog, page 27
September 30, 2015
Spirulina Super Green Smoothie
I think the first time I heard about spirulina and its amazing health benefits was from one of my favorite inspiring vegan athletes, Rich Roll. Rich had posted his top plant-based proteins and spirulina was on the list. Next thing I knew I was scooping up spirulina from the bulk bin and adding it to my daily smoothie - especially on strenuous workout days. I add one teasspoon of spirulina to my smoothies and though it dyes the smoothie rich green, I really don't taste it. This week I made a super green smoothie with spirulina, kiwi, and tropical fruit. It is incredibly refreshing and a great way to recharge after a workout or just to get you through that afternoon slump. So, what is this spirulina stuff anyway?
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September 29, 2015
Spinach and Feta Egg White Wraps
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of AllWhites Egg Whites for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Although I follow a plant-based diet, there are times my family and I feel like we need a protein boost. In those times I often turn to eggs as they are a meatless, high protein food. As I mentioned a few posts back, my hubby and I are both training right now (him for cycling 100 miles, and me for a half-marathon). While we are burning off so much energy, it's important to refuel with a lot of delicious balanced foods. Today I made these egg white wraps packed with fresh spinach, feta cheese, and tomatoes. Spinach and feta is one of my favorite flavor combos and reminds me of some of my favorite Greek foods. Adding pesto to eggs is such a simple way to make them incredibly flavorful. I don't know why I don't always add pesto to my eggs! I added a few fresh basil leaves at the end for even more fresh flavor. These wraps are flavorful and filling - perfect for building lean muscle after a workout. Here's how to make them.
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Although I follow a plant-based diet, there are times my family and I feel like we need a protein boost. In those times I often turn to eggs as they are a meatless, high protein food. As I mentioned a few posts back, my hubby and I are both training right now (him for cycling 100 miles, and me for a half-marathon). While we are burning off so much energy, it's important to refuel with a lot of delicious balanced foods. Today I made these egg white wraps packed with fresh spinach, feta cheese, and tomatoes. Spinach and feta is one of my favorite flavor combos and reminds me of some of my favorite Greek foods. Adding pesto to eggs is such a simple way to make them incredibly flavorful. I don't know why I don't always add pesto to my eggs! I added a few fresh basil leaves at the end for even more fresh flavor. These wraps are flavorful and filling - perfect for building lean muscle after a workout. Here's how to make them.
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September 8, 2015
Vegetarian Gyros with Grilled Vegetables
Since becoming a vegetarian/pescatarian several years ago, I haven't missed or craved meat at all. If I want a burger, there are a plethora of veggie burger options with just as much flavor and protein. There is one thing I have missed, however. Gyros. Maybe it's my half-Greek heritage, but that soft flatbread with tangy cucumber yogurt sauce that runs down your hand is one of my favorite things ever. I realized recently that I don't have to miss gyros though - I can create a vegetarian gyro that is just as tasty as the original. And I did! It's so simple, that I'm not sure it's right to even call this a recipe. 
This is a great 2-night recipe. Grill lots of summer veggies the first night and use the leftovers for a quick gyro dinner the next. CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
September 7, 2015
Lunch Box Cooking Class at the Santa Barbara Public Market 9/26 Santa Barbara
I am so excited to announce that I will be a part of a super-fun Back-to-School weekend at the Santa Barbara Public Market. My daughter and I will be leading a class on September 26th at 12:30 to share loads of healthy lunch box inspiration. If you are in town I hope to see you there! The SB Public Market is one of my favorite places to visit and the Back-to-School weekend will be full of fun, from story time, to crafts, to cooking classes! Please join us!
To register for my class, please call 805-770-7702 to reserve. The class will be $15 for kids and $25 for adults. Splits of champagne will be available for purchase from the Market. Hope to see you there!
September 3, 2015
Vegan Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding
A nutritious chia pudding that tastes like pumpkin pie and is made with just four ingredients! This post is sponsored by Coconut Dream. Recipe and story by me. 
pumpkin pie chia pudding Pumpkin is creeping back in for the fall season and I personally couldn't be happier. Too soon? The weather may still be summery, but October is next month. You can't even walk through a shopping center without being bombarded with pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin pie smoothies. Pumpkin has wonderful health benefits, so I try to add it into my diet as much as possible.
Among some of the health benefits of pumpkin:
Eye health thanks to Vitamin A
Cancer fighter thanks to beta-carotene
Weight loss from the high fiber content
Promotes wrinkle free skin thanks to carotenoids (source)
The problem is that many (most?) of the tasty pumpkin treats are not very healthy. They are often loaded with excess sugar, artificial colors, and GMOs. Yikes. So I am overjoyed to share this healthy pumpkin snack/breakfast/dessert that tastes just like pumpkin pie. Take 2 minutes to stir it up at night and you can grab a pumpkin pie chia pudding in the morning to go. These are GMO free, vegan, and gluten-free.
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pumpkin pie chia pudding Pumpkin is creeping back in for the fall season and I personally couldn't be happier. Too soon? The weather may still be summery, but October is next month. You can't even walk through a shopping center without being bombarded with pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin pie smoothies. Pumpkin has wonderful health benefits, so I try to add it into my diet as much as possible.Among some of the health benefits of pumpkin:
Eye health thanks to Vitamin A
Cancer fighter thanks to beta-carotene
Weight loss from the high fiber content
Promotes wrinkle free skin thanks to carotenoids (source)
The problem is that many (most?) of the tasty pumpkin treats are not very healthy. They are often loaded with excess sugar, artificial colors, and GMOs. Yikes. So I am overjoyed to share this healthy pumpkin snack/breakfast/dessert that tastes just like pumpkin pie. Take 2 minutes to stir it up at night and you can grab a pumpkin pie chia pudding in the morning to go. These are GMO free, vegan, and gluten-free.
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September 2, 2015
Mommy & Me Favorite Sandwiches with Hellmann’s #SqueezeMoreOut
This post was sponsored by Kitchen PLAY on behalf of Hellmann's
As I sit at my laptop, the house is quiet for the first time in nearly 3 months. My littlest started kindergarten and my big girl went back to school this week. It’s not always easy, but we are getting back into the swing of early mornings. Going back to school feels bittersweet. I can’t believe my babies are not babies any longer and I miss them and worry for them while we are apart during the day. On the other hand, I’ve gotten to work without screaming in the background, exercise daily, and even eat lunch sitting down. As most of you mamas can probably relate to, lunchtime for the past 8 years has involved little sitting and eating, and lots of running around refilling water, grabbing a napkin, cleaning spills….
Hellmann’s asked me to create a sandwich to celebrate the release of their all new Hellmann’s Squeeze Bottle – a sleek squeeze bottle that makes sandwich-making fun and mess free. With it’s precision tip and clean lock cap, you can literally #squeezemoreout without all the fuss of a jar. My girls and I had a blast writing love notes on the bread. So here we have our favorite sammies of the week! Mommy and me version. Above, my big girl’s favorite, egg salad with lots of crunchy celery. I’ll post my simple recipe at the end. Egg salad is such an old-school lunchbox favorite. I remember making it myself as a kid, although it probably would have been much less messy made with squeeze bottle mayo. If you know me, you know I love having fun with the kids’ lunches and adding lots of fresh colorful fruits and veggies.
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As I sit at my laptop, the house is quiet for the first time in nearly 3 months. My littlest started kindergarten and my big girl went back to school this week. It’s not always easy, but we are getting back into the swing of early mornings. Going back to school feels bittersweet. I can’t believe my babies are not babies any longer and I miss them and worry for them while we are apart during the day. On the other hand, I’ve gotten to work without screaming in the background, exercise daily, and even eat lunch sitting down. As most of you mamas can probably relate to, lunchtime for the past 8 years has involved little sitting and eating, and lots of running around refilling water, grabbing a napkin, cleaning spills….
Hellmann’s asked me to create a sandwich to celebrate the release of their all new Hellmann’s Squeeze Bottle – a sleek squeeze bottle that makes sandwich-making fun and mess free. With it’s precision tip and clean lock cap, you can literally #squeezemoreout without all the fuss of a jar. My girls and I had a blast writing love notes on the bread. So here we have our favorite sammies of the week! Mommy and me version. Above, my big girl’s favorite, egg salad with lots of crunchy celery. I’ll post my simple recipe at the end. Egg salad is such an old-school lunchbox favorite. I remember making it myself as a kid, although it probably would have been much less messy made with squeeze bottle mayo. If you know me, you know I love having fun with the kids’ lunches and adding lots of fresh colorful fruits and veggies.
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September 1, 2015
Almond Energy Balls Recipe
These protein energy bites are perfect for snacking, fueling up before a workout, or replenishing after a workout. They are easy to naturally make vegan and gluten-free.
delicious homemade energy protein ballsFall seems to be training season in our household. Yummy Hubby is back to regular 50+ mile bike rides as he trains for the Santa Barbara Century Ride, the kids start fall sports, and I am training for my third half-marathon in November. With all of that energy being used up, it's important to put quality fuel back in. So today I made a batch of energy balls that have protein from almond butter and a little natural sugar, but no refined sugar - as per usual. These protein balls are addicting! They are sweet, crunchy, a little salty, and super satisfying. Keep a batch of these energy bites in your refrigerator for when you need a pick-me-up. Here's how to make them, it's easy, I promise.
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August 29, 2015
Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Muffins with Chia and Chocolate (vegan & gf options)
These nutritious oatmeal muffins with peanut butter, chia, and chocolate are easy to make vegan and/or gluten free. 
Healthy peanut butter oatmeal muffins with chia seeds
I'm happy to report we made it through the first week of school. And with very few tears, at that! My second grader got to school and bolted off to meet her friends on the playground with nary a glance in my direction. My kindergartener, on the other hand, looked at me with big doe eyes filled with a mix of excitement of nervousness about a new classroom, new school, and new friends.
To celebrate the first week, we made these luscious peanut butter, oatmeal, chia, and chocolate chip muffins. As usual, they are free of refined sugar, and easy to make vegan and gluten-free if needed. These muffins are higher protein and fiber than most, thanks to peanut butter, oats, and chia - so they are extra filling and nourishing. So much different the the sugar laden grocery store muffins. They are a snap to make - and start to finish take about 25 minutes.
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Healthy peanut butter oatmeal muffins with chia seedsI'm happy to report we made it through the first week of school. And with very few tears, at that! My second grader got to school and bolted off to meet her friends on the playground with nary a glance in my direction. My kindergartener, on the other hand, looked at me with big doe eyes filled with a mix of excitement of nervousness about a new classroom, new school, and new friends.
To celebrate the first week, we made these luscious peanut butter, oatmeal, chia, and chocolate chip muffins. As usual, they are free of refined sugar, and easy to make vegan and gluten-free if needed. These muffins are higher protein and fiber than most, thanks to peanut butter, oats, and chia - so they are extra filling and nourishing. So much different the the sugar laden grocery store muffins. They are a snap to make - and start to finish take about 25 minutes.
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August 28, 2015
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl
This easy recipe makes one tasty chocolate peanut butter smoothie or smoothie bowl. It's vegan, gluten-free, and free of refined sugars.
healthy peanut butter smoothie bowl
The first week back to school was a hot one. Fall feels far away and after school time has been spent at the pool. Because turning on the oven sounds completely miserable when the house is already 90 degrees, I've been relying on smoothies and smoothie bowls. Which is actually a delicious and nourishing consequence of this heat wave. Yesterday when I got back from hot yoga (yes, I must be crazy to go work out in a 95 degree room) I made this decadent tasting smoothie bowl.
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healthy peanut butter smoothie bowlThe first week back to school was a hot one. Fall feels far away and after school time has been spent at the pool. Because turning on the oven sounds completely miserable when the house is already 90 degrees, I've been relying on smoothies and smoothie bowls. Which is actually a delicious and nourishing consequence of this heat wave. Yesterday when I got back from hot yoga (yes, I must be crazy to go work out in a 95 degree room) I made this decadent tasting smoothie bowl.
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August 11, 2015
Mexican Rice Rainbow Bowls
One of my favorite meals right now is the ever colorful Rainbow Bowl. They can be sweet or savory. Sometimes I make a thick smoothie base and top it with pretty lines of seeds, nuts, granola, and fruit for a nutritious and colorful breakfast or snack. Other times, like here, I use a base of greens, quinoa, or rice and top with a rainbow of ingredients. This recipe is ridiculously easy. In fact it's really not a recipe at all. Let's call it rainbow bowl inspiration. CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
