"Ice-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal." – Voltaire
It’s a heat wave in Boston. Cool down with this vibrant Berry Beet Smoothie. Look at that color! The magenta is amazing, and you can’t even taste the beet. The mango and berries leave it perfectly sweet. Enjoy this smoothie as breakfast or a snack – -it’s utterly refreshing either way.
Last summer, Tone It Up’s Bikini Series introduced me to protein muffins: great as a breakfast, snack, or dessert. I think my favorites are snickerdoodle, almond peach and now these Red Berry Coconut Protein Muffins. They’re dense, bite-size snacks and perfect with your morning cup of coffee. Plus, these muffins are naturally sweetened with banana and maple syrup. While just a hint of coconut, I enjoy the raspberries and strawberries baked into each bite.
I didn’t want to call these brownies because I don’t think of these as a true brownies without chocolate chips, so I settled on bars. Plus, are brownies ever really healthy? Maybe, maybe not. (Deep, pondering life thoughts by Annie to be continued . . . .) Whatever I call them — Dark Chocolate Coconut Raspberry Bars — can be a dessert or double up for a snack. Made grain-free using cocoa powder and plant-based chocolate powder as the base, these bars came out darkly dense made tart with raspberries.
Don’t hate it until you try it: Raspberry Açai Cauliflower Smoothie. I’m a sucker for trying new food items, especially when I see these unsweetened açai purée packets continually pop up on multiple nutritionist recommended grocery lists. Açai (“ah-sigh-EE” but don’t even ask me to correctly pronounce this; I still butcher the name) is chuck full of nutrients and antioxidants due to its deep purple color — similar to blueberries and blackberries. Look for unsweetened packets in the freezer section making them easy to store and easy to have on hand. You can find them at Trader Joe’s for $4.49 or Whole Foods for $6.99 (at least that’s what it’s going for in Boston proper aka Beacon Hill). Since the purée packets are unsweetened, I added banana and frozen pineapple for some natural sugar. Frozen cauliflower adds nutrients and texture, and you can’t even tell there’s cauliflower in this thing.
Continue reading “You Won’t Even Know There’s Cauliflower in This Smoothie”
I haven’t made overnight oats in a while and I must say, what a way to get back in the game. It’s (hopefully) getting warmer with spring officially trying to make its way into the New England weather and the daylight slowly growing longer. Although I usually grab cinnamon and vanilla for breakfast items and/or smoothies, this was different. The combo of raspberries, cranberries, and spices were great. Served hot or cold — you choose just how to enjoy Cinnamon Vanilla Berry Overnight Oats.
Yesterday, Boston was 90ºF and muggy. Not in the mood for a hot, complicated breakfast? Neither was I. This take a little planning to make the chia pudding ahead of time, but all in all, it’s a quick, easy and definitely refreshing meal. Pineapple, raspberries and watermelon are all in season, so perfect timing to buying bulk and freeze. Packed with vitamin C, this thirst-quenching Layered Chia Smoothie refuels, cools and hits the spot.
I thought it was strange to put ground cinnamon and vanilla extract in smoothie, but Real Simple must be doing something right. Sorry I ever doubted you, RS. Both enhanced the natural tart sweetness of the raspberries. I tried this two ways: first, as a bowl (hence the Raspberry Kiwi Smoothie Bowl) and secondly, as a smoothie. I followed the smoothie recipe twice more and added some protein powder for a heartier breakfast the next few mornings. Stored the pre-made smoothies in Mason jars and I have breakfast on the go. Not only tasty, but the color is gorgeous! The smoothie bowl was the perfect under-the-weather treat.
I don’t even know where to begin. This yogurt bark was great and easy and fun to make. I see many variations cropping up in the near future, like peanut butter banana or strawberry mint or… Like I said, it’s so easy, I’m going to have to gobble up this batch so I can make another. I’ve been looking for something other than dark chocolate to satisfy my sweet teeth and stumbled upon the idea for yogurt bark. Tossed in everything but the kitchen sink, not so patiently waited for this to chill and voila! Vanilla Yogurt Bark. You’ll forget it’s not chocolate, but a delicious frozen treat.
This may seem really simple and like a no brainer, but I still don’t know why I don’t make these Yogurt Bowls more often. I love yogurt. I love granola. I love fruit. Why not always put them together? I just discovered Siggi’s Icelandic-Style Skyr at Whole Foods. I really like that their yogurts are high in protein but low(ish) in sugar. They’re also very recycle friendly — plus! Siggis also uses few ingredients and ones I can actually pronounce. I’d say this Yogurt Bowl is a win-win.
Continue reading “In Love with Simplistic Yogurt Bowls”
Yummmm. Literally yum. That’s all I have. I made this when I was fighting off strep and it was beyond delicious. The vitamin C and antioxidants from the raspberries were just what I needed paired with some of Aloha‘s Daily Good Berry Blend for a superfood boost. You can’t beat the creamy, smooth consistency that the avocado (yes — avocado in a smoothie!!), bananas and unsweetened cashew milk offer. It’s like taking a sip of smoothie heaven. You’d think you’re sipping a heavy cream-based ice cream milkshake and not the superfood-dense Creamy Avocado Raspberry Smoothie.
Eat Drink Savor Repeat 