Chef Penny Moline shows you how anyone can cook with passion! Keep it simple, Keep it fresh, Keep it safe. And share it with someone you love!

After having some health issues a year ago this month, I have really tried to eat a more healthful diet, and consume more fruits and vegetables to see if I feel better doing so.  A year later, I am at a weight I am happy with, and I feel better than ever.  Here is my secrets to feeling great... I hope they make you feel better too, and stronger, and healthier! 

I start my day off with 32 ounces of water mixed with a pinch of cayenne pepper, and 2 teaspoons of organic cider vinegar.  I drink this FIRST thing... instead of that first cup of joe, I drink water.  It starts my day hydrated... I swear I have lost any belly fat that I might have had... so if this is an old wives tale... I think it's true...at least I am a believer!

Then on my way to work, (I work about 37 miles one way from home)... I have my smoothie...This has helped me not only lose weight, but it gives me energy...( I really noticed when I went on vacation and didn't make a smoothie for a few days...I was CRAVING a smoothie)...plus I feel good about getting more fruits and vegetables in my diet.

As a Chef/Instructor...I don't always eat the healthiest foods.  My job is to not only teach techniques in cooking but, teach how to flavor, season properly and build upon flavors to bring something bland into somthing that explodes with flavor in your mouth...and you can't do this with out tasting...so I like to say... my job is to eat all day!!  I wasn't feeling great about all the white flour, sugar, fat, meats, breads, cream soups, desserts, and all the wonderful things that my students were cooking and serving...so I needed something to fill me up, and make me feel better about..."the tastings", I have to do as part of training students...so when I do eat that chocolate, chocolate bread pudding.... I feel better knowing...I have had something good for me too.

Here is the smoothie recipe that I make every day... try it... and let me know if it makes you feel as WONDERFUL as I do...

Tips:    when using fresh produce please WASH before, putting on your counter, cutting board, or eating!!!  Go to Costco, farmers markets, or buy in bulk whenever possible and you can freeze your ingredients if you need to, such as if they start to go bad, you got too good of deal on something and bought more than you used... you can also just get everything ready to go into your smoothie in a zip lock so it takes no time at all to make straight from the freezer or like I do for my fridge... ..

. Smoothie:

Flax seed (grind first in a dry blender) 2 tablespoons
1/8 fresh lemon WITH rind
1/2 inch whole ginger (remove peel)
3 large Kale leaves
10 to 15 ounces of fresh spinach
1 cup of unsweetened fruit(s) such as strawberries, raspberries,blueberries,mango,pinapple,apple, banana, grapes, watermelon, cantalope,papaya,pear,kiwi
2 cups of water
Blend well and drink within 24 hours.

If the smoothie isn't sweet enough for you add a sprinkle of stevia...or add more fruit.

You can also use any green leaf vegetables whatever you have on hand or is on sale...from beet greens, cabbage, water cress, dandelion, arugula, romaine, green leaf, chicory, purslane...etc...

I also several times a week will add a scant teaspoon of coconut oil to my smoothie... and I use the oil on my lips, face and neck as a wonderful moisturizer.... ( it can even be used as a moisturizer for your hair)...
I use a BlendTec blender... but it took me months to decide to make the investment...

One thing that no one told me... when I first started having the smoothie, I felt like I was putting on weight, my face was breaking out, and I almost gave up... give it some time when you start this...it is your body cleansing out some of the toxins.. Good luck.... here to your

After having some health issues a year ago this month, I have really tried to eat a more healthful diet, and consume more fruits and vegetables to see if I feel better doing so.  A year later, I am at a weight I am happy with, and I feel better than ever.  Here is my secrets to feeling great... I hope they make you feel better too, and stronger, and healthier! 

I start my day off with 32 ounces of water mixed with a pinch of cayenne pepper, and 2 teaspoons of organic cider vinegar.  I drink this FIRST thing... instead of that first cup of joe, I drink water.  It starts my day hydrated... I swear I have lost any belly fat that I might have had... so if this is an old wives tale... I think it's true...at least I am a believer!

Then on my way to work, (I work about 37 miles one way from home)... I have my smoothie...This has helped me not only lose weight, but it gives me energy...( I really noticed when I went on vacation and didn't make a smoothie for a few days...I was CRAVING a smoothie)...plus I feel good about getting more fruits and vegetables in my diet.

As a Chef/Instructor...I don't always eat the healthiest foods.  My job is to not only teach techniques in cooking but, teach how to flavor, season properly and build upon flavors to bring something bland into somthing that explodes with flavor in your mouth...and you can't do this with out tasting...so I like to say... my job is to eat all day!!  I wasn't feeling great about all the white flour, sugar, fat, meats, breads, cream soups, desserts, and all the wonderful things that my students were cooking and serving...so I needed something to fill me up, and make me feel better about..."the tastings", I have to do as part of training students...so when I do eat that chocolate, chocolate bread pudding.... I feel better knowing...I have had something good for me too.

Here is the smoothie recipe that I make every day... try it... and let me know if it makes you feel as WONDERFUL as I do...

Tips:    when using fresh produce please WASH before, putting on your counter, cutting board, or eating!!!  Go to Costco, farmers markets, or buy in bulk whenever possible and you can freeze your ingredients if you need to, such as if they start to go bad, you got too good of deal on something and bought more than you used... you can also just get everything ready to go into your smoothie in a zip lock so it takes no time at all to make straight from the freezer or like I do for my fridge... ..

. Smoothie:

Flax seed (grind first in a dry blender) 2 tablespoons
1/8 fresh lemon WITH rind
1/2 inch whole ginger (remove peel)
3 large Kale leaves
10 to 15 ounces of fresh spinach
1 cup of unsweetened fruit(s) such as strawberries, raspberries,blueberries,mango,pinapple,apple, banana, grapes, watermelon, cantalope,papaya,pear,kiwi
2 cups of water
Blend well and drink within 24 hours.

If the smoothie isn't sweet enough for you add a sprinkle of stevia...or add more fruit.

You can also use any green leaf vegetables whatever you have on hand or is on sale...from beet greens, cabbage, water cress, dandelion, arugula, romaine, green leaf, chicory, purslane...etc...

I also several times a week will add a scant teaspoon of coconut oil to my smoothie... and I use the oil on my lips, face and neck as a wonderful moisturizer.... ( it can even be used as a moisturizer for your hair)...
I use a BlendTec blender... but it took me months to decide to make the investment...

One thing that no one told me... when I first started having the smoothie, I felt like I was putting on weight, my face was breaking out, and I almost gave up... give it some time when you start this...it is your body cleansing out some of the toxins.. Good luck.... here to your