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Fig Almond Smoothie

Fig season is my favorite season. This Fig Almond Smoothie makes great use of all of the fresh figs around right now.

Fig Almond Smoothie

Late summer and early fall are fig seasons here in New York City. The farmer’s markets have tons of little baskets filled with purple and green figs. The scent is so sweet and they are absolutely gorgeous. As soon as I see them, I have to have them. So, I buy them. I buy way too many of them.

I bring home my fig baskets and I put them in the fridge. And then I try to think of new ways to use them, new recipes to make, and new ingredients to pair them with.

And all of this is not only because I love to create foods using the figs, but also because if I leave them in the fridge, I will eat them all as-is. All of them. In a matter of hours. So, not only do I need to be creative, but I need to be creative rather quickly.

This year, I’ve discovered the wonder of using figs in smoothies. I’ve always been one to put dates in my smoothies as a means to sweeten them, but it wasn’t until recently that I tried using figs this way.  Well I can tell you with certainty that they give this smoothie a great sweetness and an incredible texture. And they are so pretty as a garnish too!

It’s so important to eat seasonally. Eating with the seasons means you are getting the highest level of nutrients from your food at the most affordable prices. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are reasonably priced, provide the most nutrition, and are less-likely to be tampered with in terms of additives and preservatives. Read this article about what’s in season during late summer and then go wild… like I do with figs.

This is a smoothie that vanilla lovers will go crazy for. For some reason, many of my favorite smoothies are chocolate, but this one is now at the top of my favorites list. I just love the taste of the almonds mixed with the figs. There’s no actual vanilla in it, so maybe it’s one of those illusions — one of those we eat with our eyes things — because this tastes very vanilla to me. Whatever the reason, it is so creamy and so clean tasting and so delicious. And, it’s really good for you!

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Figs are great for your digestion. For more digestive tips, download my free Healthy Digestion ebook now.

Fig Almond Smoothie

Here are some of the amazing healing ingredients in this Fig Almond Smoothie:

Oat milk is the base of this smoothie. Oats are good for lethargy and anemia, can soothe digestion, and can help strengthen your bones. Oats are also good for reducing cholesterol, so they are a heart healthy choice. This ancient grain can also help reduce some types of swelling in the body and, a little known tidbit: they can be eaten to help stop lactation.

I use cauliflower for breads, crusts, rice, smoothies… everything. It can be used in so many forms… and, it’s really good for you. In Chinese medicine we use it to aid in digestion and help with constipation. One of the things I find most amazing about this cruciferous vegetable is it’s ability to help with age-related memory loss (My menopausal friends will appreciate this benefit!). It contains a healthy amount of Vitamin B, Vitamin K and Omega-3 fatty acids and can help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. Cauliflower also helps the body with detoxification and with reducing inflammation. So, as far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier.

Collagen actually heals tissue, it helps to heal your intestinal/gut lining.  Some people who suffer from IBS and other common intestinal issues, have been found to have decreased levels of collagen in their bodies; adding collagen has helped heal these conditions. Collagen strengthens bones and muscles, keeps your joints healthy, improves flexibility and concentration, and helps heal your digestive system. It also keeps you looking youthful.

Figs have the highest amount of calcium of any fruit and are a good source of fiber. They are good for anemia, constipation, indigestion and fever, and they are also good at fighting fatigue and boosting memory retention.

In Asian medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus.

Cinnamon is one of the best herbs to warm the body. It’s great if you have a cold. If you are nauseous or have diarrhea, go for the cinnamon. It also gives you energy and helps with menstrual pain. Cinnamon is a Chinese herb: “gui zhi” is the cinnamon twig and “rou gui” is the cinnamon bark. Both are warming and are used for a variety of ailments. In the winter I add cinnamon to all sorts of foods. It helps with the common cold, swelling, various menstrual issues and some aches and pains. Be careful with it if you have a fever because it is so warming.

Fig Almond Smoothie

If you make this Fig Almond Smoothie  recipe, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Fig Almond Smoothie
Print
Recipe type: paleo, vegan, vegetarian, grain-free, gluten-free
Cuisine: smoothie, breakfast
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
This Fig Almond Smoothie is a great alternative to all those chocolate and green smoothies we love so much. This smoothie is so creamy and light... you'll love it!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup oat milk (make sure it's gluten-free if you need it to be)
  • ½ cup frozen cauliflower florets
  • 3 ice cubes
  • 1 scoop of collagen
  • 3 figs
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • small pinch of salt
  • ¼ cup fresh chopped coconut (or can use coconut cream)
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in blender.
  2. Whiz it up until smooth and creamy.
  3. Pour into a pretty glass.
  4. Enjoy!

Fig Almond Smoothie

Eating Seasonally In Late Summer

Do you know what foods you should be eating now that summer is well underway? Read ahead to learn all about eating seasonally in late summer to get the most nutrients and the biggest bang for your buck…

eating seasonally in late summer

Eating Seasonally In Late Summer Is A Must

By eating what’s in season, you are getting the highest level of nutrients from your food at the most affordable prices. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are reasonably priced, provide the most nutrition, and are less-likely to be tampered with in terms of additives and preservatives. 

Summer is the perfect time to stay out of indoor grocery stores and spend more time at outdoor markets. The farmers markets are bursting with colors and freshness and gorgeousness. If you don’t usually go to an outdoor market this time of year, you really have to try it… it will make your day! Do you know that saying “you eat first with your eyes”? Well, it’s true. The more beautiful food appears to you, the better it will taste.  And, in the summer you can add your sense of smell to that goodness equation because the scents and aromas as you peruse the markets are absolutely infatuating.

I don’t know about you, but when I smell fresh corn or fresh tomatoes that are being kissed by the sun… oh my… I just end up buying everything in sight because I must have it all. Some of my best recipes have been created because I have so much extra summer produce sitting on my counter and in the fridge.

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I have picked my 6 favorite, nutritious, and healing late summer produce items and detailed them for you below. Be sure to add these 6 items to your basket when you are at the market. Eating seasonally in late summer is so delicious!

If you eat the right foods and herbs for your unique body and circumstances, you can heal yourself. All you need is the correct information. And I’m here to give it to you. So, read on and learn more ways you can easily start to heal yourself with my top favorite 6 fruits and vegetables that are in season during late summer. And, if you want to learn more about healing whatever your specific concerns are, I’d love to help you create a healthy lifestyle plan specifically for your unique needs, so sign up for a free phone consultation and we can chat about it.

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post for some awesome late summer produce recipes. If you are like me, and you end up with enough food for an army instead of a single family, I’ve got you covered.

 

Summer Is Well Underway — What Should You Eat?

1. Tomatoes

In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to smooth your digestion and to help detoxify your body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections. This goes for all varieties of tomatoes. So, go grab some yellow, red, orange, purple, green, and brown tomatoes. Mix up the varieties too — heirloom, roma, cherry, grape… they are all so good this time of year.

At this time of year, tomatoes are at their most flavorful. They ripen in the sun and the taste just explodes in your mouth. This is the season when you can eat a tomato in your hand as if it were a peach. I love to thickly slice some tomatoes, put them on a plate, drizzle them with a good quality extra-virgin olive oil, and sprinkle them with sea salt. Simple and perfect.

2. Peppers

Like tomatoes, peppers come in so many beautifully different shapes, sizes, and tastes.

Bell peppers help with indigestion. If you are feeling bloated and full from over-eating a lot lately, consuming bell peppers will help reduce this feeling. They are also good for blood circulation and, research has shown that they are good for people with a low appetite or anorexia. It used to be common in China to use green pepper tea to soothe indigestion.

Hot peppers contain more vitamin C than any other vegetable and they are good at fighting off the common cold. So, if you like spice, as I do, use a generous amount of whatever hot peppers you like. The main component of hot peppers is capsaicin. Capsaicin actually works with your body and mind to make you feel happy. It’s also good for reducing swelling and can relieve some types of arthritic joint pain. If you have high blood pressure, check with your doctor before eating too many hot peppers because they can actually raise the blood pressure in some people.

One of my favorite things to do with peppers is to slice them up and dip them in hummus — this keeps me from eating the chips and I’m the big winner here because summertime peppers are better than chips any day of the week! I like to mince or slice some bright colored hot peppers and add them to eggs, soups, and my collard-wrapped sandwiches. Yum!

3. Corn

Corn is one of the foods that if I can’t find organic, I just won’t eat.  Many corn crops are so heavily sprayed and are full of GMOs, so if I can’t find it organic, it stays at the market. But,once  late summer arrives, organic corn is easier to find — so I’m a happy camper.  As more people are expressing concern about GMOs, it seems to be getting easier to find good corn at the markets even a bit off season.

Corn benefits the gallbladder, is good for hepatitis, heart disease, and hypertension. Cornsilk is a Chinese herb (Yu Mi Xu). It’s often used to reduce edema, help with hepatitis and to reduce the symptoms of some painful urinary conditions. If you can’t find organic fresh corn, buy a bag of organic frozen corn!

When corn is seasonally at peak  in late summer, I love to eat it raw. The kernels are so sweet and crunchy. When you scroll down to the bottom of this post, be sure to check out my recipe for Raw Corn And Vegetable Salad.  I love to add raw foods into my diet whenever possible and I urge you to do the same. Cooking food destroys some of its nutrients and natural enzymes; getting  fresh raw food’s full compliment of enzymes helps with digestion.

4. Figs

Figs have the highest amount of calcium of any fruit and are a good source of fiber. They are good for anemia, constipation, indigestion, and fever, and they are also good at fighting fatigue and boosting memory retention. Basically, figs are brain food, a digestive aid, and an energy-booster!

If you are craving sweets and you happen to have some fresh figs on hand, grab one, sit in a comfy chair, sniff the sweetness, and slowly eat your fig. The sensory pleasure is so much more than what you’d get from candy or cake! Also, it’s great to dice up some figs and use them on hot cereals, yogurt, or as a topping for  your favorite nice cream. Another tip: instead of sweetening your smoothie with another type of sweetener, add a fig to the mix in your blender!

5. Melons

Melons are great at this time of year. They are sweet, ripe, and prevalent. Eat all of the varieties to get the full benefits of the wealth of nutrition this amazing fruit offers.

All types of melons are good antioxidants, and help cleanse the body.  In Chinese medicine, we use them to lessen the discomfort of some types of arthritis, digestive issues, fever, and some kidney and bladder conditions.

Watermelon is actually considered a Chinese herb (Xi Gua).  It’s great if you are overheated during these hot days; it cools you off from the inside-out and it quenches thirst. The rind of the watermelon is also a Chinese herb (Xi Gua Pi). This is even more powerful at relieving summer heat and generating fluids in the body. So, the next time you are cutting up a beautiful fresh melon, don’t cut off all of the white/light green rind and eat a little bit of it along with the sweet red flesh — it will do your body good!

And, we shouldn’t leave out the seeds… watermelon seeds can be boiled in water and you can drink this as a tea that is good for your kidneys.

Cantaloupe and honeydew also have many of the same benefits mentioned above. Cantaloupe also has a good amount of vitamin C and minerals. Honeydew is a good source of vitamin B and minerals.

Bottom line: go out and buy some melons while they are in season!

6. Grapes

All colors and varieties of grapes are in season during late summer. My favorite variety is the dark purple or red grapes. The darker the color of your grapes, the better. Dark purple grapes contain compounds that inhibit the growth of cancer and detoxify the body.  If you can, buy the darkest grapes you can find, with the seeds in them, and eat them seeds and all because grape seeds are also good for protecting against cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease.

And, as an added benefit, red and purple grapes will boost your mood… hmm… taste great, make you happy, and fight illness… gotta get some!

For an awesome snack, wash some grapes, put them in the freezer, and grab these frozen treats whenever you want a sweet snack — simple, but sooooo good!

Here’s A Few Ways To Use These Late Summer Fruits And Vegetables

If you make any of these late summer recipes, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

1.  Raw Corn And Vegetable Salad

raw corn and vegetable salad

This salad is raw, can be customized however you like, and is the perfect accompaniment for all of your grilled and roasted dishes.

2.  Berry Fig Yogurt Parfait

berry fig yogurt parfait

Parfaits are just plain fun! And this one takes advantage of late summer’s figs and blackberries.

3.  Kale With Tomatoes And White Beans

kale with tomatoes and white beans

This side dish is perfect for when you want a fresh-tasting warming plate of awesome veggies.

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Berry Fig Yogurt Parfait

Parfaits are fun. And this berry fig yogurt parfait is delicious and energizing!

berry fig yogurt parfait

It’s getting to be the dog-days of summer — but if you’re a dog lover like I am, it’s not a bad thing at all! Yes, I know, nobody likes those ridiculously hot and humid days — the ones where the air is heavy and everything seems to move in slow motion. But summer is awesome! Even when it’s hot! You can go outside with nothing but shorts and a tank. You can walk down the street drinking the hugest iced coffee or smoothie. You can smell that warm, sweet, summery scent of the flowers and trees…

And here, in NYC, where everyone aspires to leave the city in the summer, I am happy as a clam. I’m not crazy though. I don’t turn on my oven much, and I stick to the shady side of the street. And, I eat things like this awesome berry fig yogurt parfait.

I hesitate to even call this parfait a recipe — because really you can make it however you like — but I am including the recipe for how I made this one because it’s so delicious and cooling and refreshing.

By the way, I made my parfait dairy-free by using the most delicious coconut yogurt I’ve ever had. I used Anita’s coconut yogurt — it’s so good, I might even say it’s life-changing!

If you’re feeling really ambitious, here’s my recipe for Homemade Coconut Cinnamon Yogurt.

berry fig yogurt parfait

This parfait is as easy as it is healthy:

In Asian medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus.

Figs have the highest amount of calcium of any fruit and are a good source of fiber. They are good for anemia, constipation, indigestion and fever, and they are also good at fighting fatigue and boosting memory retention.

All berries are good for you and contain antioxidants. As a general rule, the darker the color, the more antioxidants, making blackberries even better than other berries at fighting cancer and other illnesses. Blackberries also can help relieve intestinal inflammation and diarrhea, and they are good for your skin. And, even more importantly, they taste great…

Research shows that pumpkin seeds may reduce blood sugar and increase bone density. And, because they are rich in iron, they are good if you are tired or have anemia. In Asian medicine, pumpkin seeds are sometimes used to get rid of intestinal parasites and to decrease inflammation in the body.

Bee pollen is considered one of the most nutritious substances you can put in your body. It is higher in protein than anything animal-based and it contains an amazing amount of amino acids. It’s good for your energy, your skin, your breathing and your allergies. Add a spoonful to whatever you can. I know there are differing opinions as to whether bee pollen is vegan; so if you would prefer to leave it out, that’s just fine.

berry fig yogurt parfait

Berry Fig Yogurt Parfait
Print
Recipe type: breakfast, lunch, snack, dessert
Cuisine: vegan, vegetarian, grain-free
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
This is the perfect summer breakfast, snack, lunch... anytime treat. It takes only a few minutes to prepare and it's healthy and refreshing!
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Place a little bit of each topping in the bottom of a glass or bowl.
  2. Spoon half of the yogurt on top of those toppings.
  3. Add more toppings, then more yogurt, then more toppings.
  4. You are done!
  5. Enjoy!

berry fig yogurt parfait

Cherry Berry Smoothie Bowl

This cherry berry smoothie bowl is delicious, healing, and has everything your body needs to stay healthy!

Cherry Berry Smoothie Bowl

I remember the first time I had a smoothie bowl. I had been seeing them pop up in photos all over the internet and I thought they were the most beautiful things. Yeah, I’m a bit of a freak that way — I think food photos are gorgeous the way other people think pictures of amazing sunsets are the best…

Then, I went to visit my daughter at college, and I went to a juice bar (I can find a juice bar in any city) and lo and behold they had a whole smoothie bowl menu. I ordered one, ate it, and then went back every morning for another one.

Smoothie bowls are the perfect way to start your day.

I still think these bowls are awesome. I put all of my greens and superfoods in them and I top them with such great healthy toppings. There are just so many options!! I get excited just thinking about it!

This Cherry Berry Smoothie Bowl was one I made for my husband. He’s a happy camper when he gets a great smoothie bowl for breakfast. As with all smoothie bowl recipes, feel free to add whatever ingredients you like and top it with things that make you smile.

I know the smoothie bowl craze is bound to end sometime, but not in my house! And, if you want a simple but great smoothie of a different type, try my Banana Chai Smoothie.

Cherry Berry Smoothie Bowl (close)-0558

Here’s some of what I put in my bowl:

Cherries are one of the best foods to combat many types of arthritis and joint pain. Also, because cherries help improve circulation, they can be helpful for post-stroke patients. In Chinese medicine, we also believe that cherries help to maintain the body’s “essence” or life-force. I always keep a bottle of organic black cherry juice in the fridge and I often drink a few ounces before bedtime or put a little in my smoothies. I also keep bags of frozen cherries in the freezer. And when fresh cherries are in season, you can always find a big bowl in my kitchen.

I love to add bananas to smoothie bowls; they give it a great natural sweetness and a nice thick texture. Bananas are good for your intestines (an old Asian remedy was to eat a banana every day to relieve hemorrhoids) and your lungs, and they even help relieve the effects of overindulging in alcohol.

Most people think of Popeye (I just realized I’m really dating myself with this reference!) and iron when they think of spinach. It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.

In Asian medicine, nuts are known to be good for your brain, heart, skin and reproductive system. Almonds are particularly nutritious. They are a good source of protein and they give you energy. And, they are gluten-free. Almonds will help relieve a cough and asthma and are also good for constipation.

Figs are good for anemia, constipation, indigestion and fever. They are also good at fighting fatigue and boosting memory retention.

Lucuma powder is made from a South American tropical fruit. It’s sweet and contains a good amount of calcium, magnesium and potassium. It also has a great anti-inflammatory effect and can improve the condition of your skin. If you don’t have access to lucuma, you can use coconut sugar or add any sweetener that makes you happy, or just add more figs or a few pitted dates.

I add grass-fed gelatin powder to my smoothie bowls. Gelatin is great for your bones, joints, sleep, skin, and hair. It’s a superfood and it’s a protein. (See the recipe below for the one I like and where to buy it.)

Cherry Berry Smoothie Bowl

Cherry Berry Smoothie Bowl
Print
Recipe type: Breakfast, Smoothie Bowl
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
This smoothie bowl is deliciously refreshing and will energize you for the day; it's an awesome breakfast!
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Put cherries, cranberries, banana, almonds, figs, lucuma, and gelatin in a blender. Whiz it up until it's smooth.
  2. Pour into a bowl.
  3. Arrange toppings so it makes you happy.
  4. Enjoy!