Fruity Smoothie

As a huge smoothie lover, I regularly try to enjoy these great frozen beverages daily.  I love their rich, creamy texture and how quick and easy they are to prepare. Step 1: Dump delicious ingredients into blender. Step 2: Blend. Step 3: Enjoy!.. okay we get the picture.  For a mid afternoon snack the other day, I decided to use up the rest of the frozen fruit and create a delicious and refreshing concoction.  The end result was even better than I had hoped, fruity, creamy, and delicious.  No one would believe you if you told them it was 100% healthy and vegan.

Fruity Smoothie
(Serves 1)
Ingredients:
-1 cup frozen mixed fruit (mine was a mix of peaches, strawberries, and melon)
-1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
-7 vanilla stevia drops (or 1 tbs liquid sweetener, agave, maple syrup)
-1 tsp pure vanilla extract
-chocolate chips or more fruit for garnish (optional)

Blend in high powered blender or food processor.  If your blender is not very strong, thaw fruit slightly before use.

Variations:
-add 1 tbs cocoa powder and chocolate chips
-play around with different fruits
-try with canned coconut milk for a richer treat


Food For Thought
Do you prefer smoothies or milkshakes?

What really is the difference? My guess would be that smoothies are generally fruit based, while milkshakes are made with a creamy agent like ice cream or milk.  I love smoothies for energy-boosting snacks, but a good coconut-milk milkshake makes an awesome dessert!

Healthy Carrot Muffins

Zucchini Muffins,  Carrot Cake, Spinach Ice-cream, Sweet Potato Bread...

These are just a few examples of the many ways vegetables are creeping their way in to the world of sweets.  While all of these are great options for veggie-packed desserts, today I decided to take inspiration from one of my favorite vegetables, the nutrient-packed carrot, and create a healthy, delicious sweet treat.  I was going to make a carrot bread, but my muffin tins looked a little sad and lonely... hey muffin tins have feelings too!   Anyway, I decided to go ahead and use this great batter for muffins, making it a quick an easy snack or light dessert. However, this batter would also be delicious in a bread, slathered with some creamy earth balance or vegan butter... erhgg now I'm hungry, so without further a due..

Healthy Carrot Muffins
 (Makes 16 muffins or 1 loaf of bread)

Ingredients:

Dry: 

-1 cup oats, processed into flour(use food processor or blender)

- 1 cup flour (I used a mixture of 2/3 cups white whole wheat flour and 1/3 cup brown rice flour)

- 1 tbs coconut flour

-1 tsp cinnamon

-1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

-1/4 tsp salt

-1/2 tbs baking powder

-1/4 tsp baking soda

Wet:

-1 cup unsweetened almond milk

-1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana

-1 tsp apple cider vinegar

-2 flax eggs (2 tbs flax + 6 tbs water, let sit 5 minutes)

-2 tbs orange marmalade

-1/4 cup maple syrup

-1 1/3 cup packed, grated carrot(about 3 medium sized carrots, pat with paper towel before adding to batter)

Add-Ins

-1/4 cup chopped nuts(I used walnuts)

-1/4 cup shredded coconut

-1/4 cup finely chopped dates(adds sweetness-you could use raisins)

Process oats into a fine powder, whisk with rest of dry ingredients.  In a separate bowl, whisk wet ingredients.  You may need to heat the marmalade up a little to help it incorporate.  Add wet to dry, and fold in add-in ingredients.  Pour into muffin tins or a loaf pan.  Muffins: Bake at 375° for about 20 minutes.  Bread: Bake at 350° for about 30- 40 minutes.

Let cool about 15 minutes before eating, as it allows the muffins to set.  

Yum, yum, yum....

Variations:

-Omit dates and coconut, add 1/2 cup-1 cup vegan chocolate chips

-Replace carrot with zucchini for zucchini muffins, omit coconut (you could add chocolate here too!)

Food For Thought

What's your favorite veggie-packed dessert? 

I would say my favorite veggie-filled dessert has to be either carrot cake or chocolate chip zucchini muffins.

Chocolate PB Smoothie

Chocolate and peanut butter..the most magical combination ever created, perhaps even my two favorite foods.  One of my favorite ways to enjoy these flavors is in the form of a smoothie, and lucky for you I did just that.  The way the rich chocolate, coating your throat with deliciousness, balances the nutty peanut flavor in this smoothie will truly make your taste buds dance.

Chocolate PB Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 large frozen banana

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk(or try coconut milk!)

7 vanilla stevia drops (or 1 tbs agave,stevia packet, or other sweetener)

2 tbs PB2 or 1 tbs Creamy PB

1 tbs natural cocoa

dash cinnamon

vegan chocolate chips (optional but highly recommended!-I used Enjoy Life brand)

1 tbs coconut flour(optional but thickens and adds fiber!)

Blend all ingredients in a blender.  It's that simple! Now go enjoy your smoothie!

Food For Thought

What's your favorite combination of flavors?  Peanut Butter and Jelly? Chocolate and Banana?  

Also one of my favorite new finds, Enjoy Life "Mega Chunks"!  You better watch out "Mini Chips", I predict these chunks are going to take the chocolate lover's world by storm!  They truly our Mega, offering a great addition to cookies and baked goods.  My favorite is to use them in baked oatmeal!

Mexican BRB

BRB is a popular meal in my diet, short for "Beans and Rice Bowl".  This version has a spicy Mexican flavor, chocked full of black beans, roasted tomatoes, and creamy avocado.  This dish makes a great light lunch served with fruit, or even a hearty dinner.The basic concept of this bowl is to layer your choice of rice or grain(brown rice, barley,quinoa, polenta,etc), beans(white, red, black, lentils, chickpeas, even a mixture), and finally top it with your favorite veggies, toppings and flavorings.  Now for the Mexican version...

Mexican BRB  
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup cooked brown rice(or other grain)
-2 tbs salsa or 1/4 cup roasted or diced tomatoes(add dash chili powder if using plain diced tomatoes)
-1/4 cup cooked black beans(or from a can, drained and rinsed)
-1/2 cup broccoli or other bulk vegetable
-1/4 cup frozen and thawed corn(optional)
-salt and pepper to taste
-toppings(avocado, fresh diced tomato, onion, jalepenos, crushed corn chips, more salsa)

Cook the rice according to package instructions(I like to make extra and save for a later date so I just have to microwave it).  While still hot, mix in salsa or tomatoes.  Stir in beans, veggies, and add salt and pepper to taste.  Top with cubed avocado, tomato, onion, jalepenos, crushed corn chips, and more salsa if desired.
Note: May be spicy depending on if you add salsa and/or jalepenos.

Food For Thought


What's your favorite BRB?