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Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl

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This Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl will keep you happy and healthy… it is so good!
salted caramel smoothie bowl

I go through phases. For awhile I had to have a smoothie every single morning. Then I decided I wanted something hot for breakfast so I changed up my smoothies, made them a little lighter and fruitier, and had them as mid afternoon snacks. Then I stopped them completely. Then… this next phase happened: Smoothie Bowls any time I had the urge. This phase is my favorite phase. I love coming home for lunch and making one of these. I also love making one for a snack. And breakfast… well that goes without saying. I love this unstructured smoothie bowl phase.

I’ve decided that I like my smoothies even more when they are thick enough to eat with a spoon. When I can top them with glorious fresh fruit, crunchy toppings, and superfoods. This phase seems to be lingering for quite awhile and I couldn’t be happier.

This Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl is my latest obsession. It tastes amazing. It includes as many superfoods as I feel I need in the moment, and can be topped with anything that floats my boat. And really… is there anyone who doesn’t like the taste of salted caramel?

Years ago when I started making so many smoothies, I would make mine differently than the ones I made for my family. Mine would come out all kinds of green and brown and they’d really look pretty unappealing. For my family, I would inevitably leave out the greens and they’d be all kinds of pretty. This kept us all happy.

I’m not sure what it is about creating an extra thick smoothie that can be served in a bowl, but whatever it is, it allows me to create the same bowl for all of us. I have found my creative flow with these bowls and I highly recommend you experiment and customize your bowl to your liking and your needs.

salted caramel smoothie bowl

Free healthy digestion ebook

This smoothie bowl happens to be great for your digestion… please feel free to download my free ebook now to learn more about optimizing your diet for digestive health.

salted caramel smoothie bowl

Here are some of the healing ingredients in this Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl recipe:

In Chinese 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 equally as important, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. This recipe calls for coconut water.

Cashews are really a multi-tasking nut. I use them all the time so I say it all the time: Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts. Most of the fat in cashews is unsaturated and is made up of oleic acid; this is the same acid that is found in olive oil, making these nuts a heart-healthy choice. I like to use a cashew-based yogurt for this bowl.

I use cauliflower for breads, crusts, rice… 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. Frozen cauliflower makes this bowl so thick and creamy.

Dates are rich in potassium, dietary fiber and tannins. Fiber is good for your gut and tannins help the body fight inflammation and infection. Dates are also rich in vitamin A and iron. The most amazing thing about dates is that they can be used to replace sugar in almost anything. I stopped using sweetened protein powders in my smoothies and now I use unsweetened ones but I add a few dates.

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.

Maca Root has many healthy benefits including increasing libido, helping menopausal symptoms, relieving menstrual cramps, regulating hormones, and increasing energy.

Flax seeds can relieve constipation and lower cholesterol.

Sunflower seeds help lower blood pressure and can relieve headaches and dizziness. In Eastern medicine we recommend eating sunflower seeds if a person is troubled by certain severe intestinal symptoms like dysentery, or intestinal worms or certain parasites. These seeds also contain calcium and magnesium and have anti-aging properties. In Chinese medicine they are often prescribed to get rid of rashes. I like to use sunflower seed butter in this recipe.

salted caramel smoothie bowl

Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl
5.0 from 1 reviews
Print
Recipe type: paleo, whole30, dairy free, gluten free, grain free
Cuisine: smoothies, smoothie bowls, breakfast
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
This Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl will make you smile while keeping you healthy. It's great for your digestion and can help fight inflammation.
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients (except toppings) into a high-speed blender and whiz it up until smooth.
  2. Scoop into a bowl.
  3. Top with whatever makes you happy.
  4. Enjoy!

salted caramel smoothie bowl

Immune Boosting Pina Colada Smoothies

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These immune boosting pina colada smoothies will take your mind off your worries and send you straight to your memories of the perfect tropical vacation.
immune boosting pina colada smoothies

I am writing this as I sit here in my apartment practicing social distancing. This is week 2. Or is it week 3? Do you remember the movie Groundhog Day…?

Anyway, one of good things to come out of this forced time at home for me has been that I am really getting into recipe creation — even more than usual. Sometimes I feel like I’m on the show Chopped. What’s in my pantry? What’s in my fridge and freezer? What can I make? It’s actually kind of fun…

Immune boosting recipes have become my regular fix. I’m now seriously addicted to everything immune-boosting. And this is a good thing.

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For lots of great information on how to boost your immune system with foods, download my free ebook now.

Okay, back to this recipe for these amazing Immune Boosting Pina Colada Smoothies. These are made with only 6 ingredients. All they are missing are the cute little paper cocktail umbrellas. And, these will amp up your immune system.

immune boosting pina colada smoothies

Here are  the amazing healing ingredients in these Immune Boosting Pina Colada Smoothies:

Pineapple is great for your digestion and it can help stop diarrhea. It’s especially good in the summer because it fights against heatstroke. And, if you haven’t tried drinking pure pineapple juice when you have a cough… you’ve really been missing out because pineapple juice is the best cough suppressant around!

In Eastern 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. I like to use canned coconut cream for these smoothies.

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. And, as we know, if your gut is healthy, your immune system can be at the top of its game.

Hemp seeds are a superfood. They are high in protein, easily digestible, and contain a full complement of amino acids. They contain disease-fighting phytonutrients that are good for your blood, immune system, tissues and skin. Hemp contains a specific fatty acid that acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory. It also helps balance hormones, making it a great choice to fight the symptoms of PMS. This super seed is also good for your liver and your brain.

Reishi is amazing. It’s a Chinese herb and a mushroom that acts as a superfood. In Chinese medicine, we use it for longevity support and we take it every day in many different forms. The Chinese name for reishi is Ling Zhi. It’s also known as Ganoderma. But, whatever you call it, it is like the rockstar of Chinese herbs. This medicinal mushroom calms the mind, reduces anxiety, relieves restlessness and boosts the immune system.

Oranges will help boost your levels of vitamins A, B and C. In Chinese medicine oranges have been used for many years to help coughs, colds and anorexia. Lately, oranges have been widely touted for their ability to help heal colon cancer. I peel my oranges and lay the rinds in the sun to dry, and save them for tea or for cooking because the orange rinds are an actual Chinese herb. I dry out the peels of oranges, tangerines, clementines… whatever I have. Dried tangerine peel, or “chen pi” as it’s known in Chinese medicine, is one of the greatest and most easily accessible herbs around. It’s especially good for digestive issues like abdominal discomfort, distention, fullness, bloating, belching, and nausea. It’s also great if you have a cough with a heavy or stuffy chest.

immune boosting pina colada smoothies

Immune Boosting Pina Colada Smoothies
5.0 from 1 reviews
Print
Recipe type: paleo, whole30, nut free, grain free, gluten free, dairy free
Cuisine: smoothies
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 3
This immune boosting pina colada smoothie will heal you. It will increase your immune system, soothe your digestion, and make you feel like you are in the tropics.
Ingredients
  • 1 fresh pineapple, rind cut off and flesh cut into chunks (no reason to remove the core)
  • 7 oz coconut cream
  • 2 scoops collagen powder
  • 3 Tbs hemp seeds
  • 1 tsp reishi powder
  • 2 mandarins, peeled (or can use oranges, tangerines, or clementines -- but if using small clementines use 3 or 4 or them)
  • 8 large ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients in your blender.
  2. Whiz it up until smooth.
  3. Enjoy!

immune boosting pina colada smoothies

Fig Almond Smoothie

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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!

Free healthy digestion ebook

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

10 Best Foods And Herbs To Boost Memory And Concentration

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Are you forgetful? Is it hard to concentrate? Do you need help focusing? This list of the 10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration will make your life so much easier!

10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration

Eating the correct foods and herbs will help you with memory, concentration, and focus. We all have trouble focusing sometimes. And, how frustrating is it when you forget what you were just about to say, or when you walk into a room to get something but you forget what that something is? Ugh… I just hate when that happens. But, and this is a big but (no pun intended…), when you add the correct combination of foods and herbs into your daily routine, your brain starts to perform at its highest level. Like when you were younger. Or like before you had kids. Remember when you could sit and focus on one task before moving onto another one?

If any of the above scenarios resonates with you, then this list of the 10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration is for you.

First, let me tell you that I use my brain all the time. I laugh when people call me a professional student, but it’s kind of true. I went to college and got a degree in Journalism. Three years later, I went to law school. After practicing law for about 15 years, I went to cooking school. Then, several years after that, I went back to school for my Masters degree in Oriental medicine and a license in acupuncture. And now, I’m combining everything into what I’m so passionate about: food as medicine. So, yeah, I’m kinda sorta a professional student and I’m always studying, reading, and learning.

Each time I went back to school, it became harder and harder to hold the information in my brain. Exams seemed to be getting more difficult and it took me longer to study than it used to.

But, hey, I was studying Chinese herbs and eastern nutrition… hmmm…. a lightbulb went off. Physician, heal thyself!

So, when I tell you that these 10 foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration are the ones you should use, I know from where I speak.

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Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

I always relish the chance to test everything I learn out on myself before I recommend these things to my clients. And this was an awesome opportunity for that honor. After years of testing (literally — see what I did there?) I came up with this list. My status as an “A-student” did not suffer, and just this past week, I got a call from one of my favorite clients who told me she has been incorporating what she called the “Smart Ten” into her diet for 3 weeks, and already she’s noticing a huge difference.

I just LOVE this kind of success!

Food is brain medicine!

10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration

Here’s The List Of The 10 Best Foods And Herbs To Boost Memory And Concentration:

1.  Collagen

Collagen strengthens bones and muscles, keeps your joints healthy, improves flexibility and mental concentration, keeps your digestive system running smoothly, and helps keep you looking and feeling youthful. I put collagen in my coffee, tea, and smoothies. You can use this daily… yup, every day.

2.  Huang Qi (Astragalus)

Huang Qi is a Chinese herb. It’s like magic; it builds qi/gives you energy… you can really feel it working while you are eating. Like many herbs, huang qi is an adaptogen. This means it works with your whole body; it helps your whole body deal with stress and it works exactly as your body needs it to at the time you are taking it. It works especially well for your brain’s neuron health.  My family makes fun of my excitement for herbs, but they also are happy to reap the rewards when they eat my herb-infused foods, so think about tossing in some herbs the next time you boil a pot of something…

3.  Coconut

In Chinese 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.

4.  Long Yan Rou (Longan Fruit)

Long Yan You is a Chinese herb that strengthens your qi and blood. This means it gives you energy when your body is weak. This fruit is a little bit like a lychee. It’s particularly good at remedying forgetfulness and at calming the mind. The fruit is most often sold dried and is a little sweet and a little smoky tasting. It can be eaten raw or cooked. I used to love to sit with a bag of longan fruit next to me when I was driving for a long distance — it just seemed to wake me up and perk up my brain just the right amount.

5.  Egg Yolks

Eggs are nature’s perfect food — they come in a perfect container and are so nutritious. I truly wish people would stop splitting them up and eating just the whites. I am a big proponent of eating the whole egg. So many of the nutrients and the taste are in the yolk; I’ll never understand separating nature’s perfect food.  The yolks contain vitamins A, D, E, and K, and they protect the health of our neurotransmitters. They also contain choline which can help keep your brain in tip-top shape.  All of these benefits are associated with the yolks, not the whites! Eggs sometimes get a bad rap because of cholesterol, but it’s been shown that in 70% of people, eggs do not raise cholesterol, so don’t assume they are bad for you. Buy organic eggs and you are really doing the right thing.

Here’s more info on the incredible egg: Everyone Loves Eggs And You Should Too.

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Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

6.  Bone Broth

Bone broth is filled with bone marrow and essential fatty acids — these things promote optimal brain health. It also contains glycine, which is an amino acid that helps with memory, concentration, stress, and focus.  You can make your own bone broth, but you don’t have to anymore. Bone broth is now available in tons of markets. It’s sold in boxes just like chicken or vegetable broth. The glucosamine in bone broth can reduce inflammation and strengthen the bones. It’s also great for your skin, hair, and nails. This is a great thing to use for a quick soup base, or to just sip on during the day. Sometimes I’ll have a hot cup of bone broth first thing in the morning for a quick healing pick me up.

7.  Beets

Beets are SO good for you. I try to find ways to fit them into my meals as much as possible. Really… many times a week. Beets nourish blood and tonify the heart. They help with blood flow to the brain and recent research has shown that they may help fight against dementia.  Athletes are starting to drink beet juice as a form of endurance therapy. They are anti-carcinogenic, good for anemia, and they can relieve constipation. I also think it’s a great idea to eat them raw sometimes because their amazing goodness is even more pumped up this way.

8.  Blueberries

Blueberries are filled with antioxidants and have been shown to help fight  Alzheimers Disease and dementia, as well as cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. In some circles, they are known as “longevity berries.”  They help improve memory and also protect brain tissue.

9.  Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is a combination of bee pollen and honey. It contains a huge amount of acetylcholine, which helps with concentration and focus.  This bee product has been shown to have good results in Alzheimer’s patients. Aside from brain health, royal jelly will also boost your immune system. I like to take a spoonful of royal jelly with a little bit of bee pollen sprinkled on top… here’s to my brain health!

10.  Kelp

Kelp noodles are all the rage now. I love them. You can buy a package in the refrigerated section of many markets now. All you do is rinse them in cold water, drain them, and then add your favorite sauce — I like a nice thick spicy curry sauce with mine. Kelp is a vegetable from the sea. It contains a lot of great minerals, including iodine; many people are iodine deficient these days. We need iodine for proper thyroid function, weigh control, brain health, and organ function. Kelp also contains fucose, which is an essential sugar that helps with memory.

 

So, What Should You Do Next?

This Paleo Blueberry Cobbler is brain-healthy and delicious!  Keep scrolling for more ways to use this list of the 10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration…

10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration

There are lots of recipes that optimally use the brain boosting foods in this list. But, the easiest way for me to help you get your memory, concentration, and focus in top shape, is if you join me in a free phone consultation. We can chat about exactly what your unique issues are, and I will suggest some great fixes for you. So, CLICK HERE to be taken directly to my calendar and pick your time slot now… really, I can’t wait to meet you!

This recipe for Beet Sweet Potato Soup has beets to feel the blood in your brain, and you can add Chinese herbs to the soup while it’s cooking for extra brain-boosting power.

beet sweet potato soup

Pumpkin Turmeric Latte

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pumpkin turmeric latte

I have never been a “winter” person. I just hate the cold. But, over the years as I have learned to practice gratitude on a daily basis, I have found many things I love about winter. Don’t get me wrong — I still prefer a beach to a snowy mountain, but there are so many reasons to truly be happy about winter. And one of those things is a steaming cuppa… And this cuppa pumpkin turmeric latte is really something to make you smile, no matter how frigid the temp outside may be. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr….

Other than steaming favorful lattes, some of the things I now truly feel grateful for about winter are:

* Watching huge snowflakes fall from the sky (okay, so a lot of the time, I’m inside watching them, but still grateful)
* Christmas music (all the way from Thanksgiving to New Years)
* Fuzzy boots
* Big cozy sweaters
* Delicious bowls of hot steaming soup
* The smell of chestnuts roasting in the street vendors’ carts (yup, it’s just like the song says)
* My dogs’ total happiness in the snow
* Christmas movies

During the winter, I experiment with latte recipes all of the time. I mean, it’s like I’ve become possessed or something. And, I have never steamed my milk! I heat up my ingredients in a pot and these blitz it in the blender and pour it into my favorite mug. And ta-da we have an awesome latte.

Turmeric lattes are all the rage right now. There’s a little cafe around the corner from me that has them on the menu. But… blechhhhhh… they are gross. And I have no idea why. I mean, if you are putting in the right ingredients, it’s not hard to make it come out right. Anyway, these are the right ingredients, so go ahead whip this up!

And, after you drink this awesome pumpkin turmeric latte, if you want to try another warming winter recipe, try my Hot Chocolate Smoothie Bowl!

pumpkin turmeric latte

Here are some of the healing ingredients in this pumpkin turmeric latte:

Pumpkin can help reduce pain and fever and can soothe stomach irritations. It’s a great food to treat constipation, allergies and asthma. It’s high in vitamin A and can help protect your lungs and intestines from cancer.

Turmeric is actually a Chinese herb (Jiang Huang). It is great for reducing inflammation throughout the body. If you suffer from aches and pains in your joints, try turmeric. It can help relieve menstrual pain and some other abdominal pains but, if you are pregnant, ask your doctor before you eat too much turmeric.

Black pepper is also a Chinese herb (Hu Jiao). It’s used to control vomiting and diarrhea and is good for some stomach pains. This common herb also can help the body more easily absorb nutrients, and it is sometimes prescribed to lessen the symptoms of respiratory ailments. Be sure to use black pepper whenever you use turmeric, because it increases the body’s ability to absorb the turmeric.

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.

Dates are rich in potassium, dietary fiber and tannins. Fiber is good for your gut and tannins help the body fight inflammation and infection. Dates are also rich in vitamin A and iron. The most amazing thing about dates is that they can be used to replace sugar in almost anything. I stopped using sweetened protein powders in my smoothies and now I use unsweetened ones but I add a few dates.

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.

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. I like to use full-fat canned coconut milk for these lattes.

pumpkin turmeric latte

Pumpkin Turmeric Latte
Print
Recipe type: beverage, latte, hot drink
Cuisine: paleo, whole30, breakfast, snack, dairy-free
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 3
This is the perfect cup of steaming deliciousness. It's so healing and no steamed milk is required. I make mine with dairy-free milk.
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Heat the coconut milk and the water in a small pot.
  2. Pour the hot milk into your blender and add the rest of the ingredients.
  3. Whiz it up good.
  4. Enjoy!

pumpkin turmeric latte

Chocolate Banana Dairy-Free Fudgesicles

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These chocolate banana dairy-free fudgesicles will take you back to your childhood…

chocolate banana dairy free fudgesicles

Summer may be almost over, but ice pop season never ends. At least not in my house. Every few weeks, I make a new batch of ice pops. I love to try out new flavor combinations and new textures, mix them up, and pour them into my retro ice pop molds. These chocolate banana dairy-free fudgesicles were an experiment that came out great!

Do you have any foods that when you taste them bring you right back to your early childhood? For me, food is responsible for a lot of deja vu moments. And fudgesicles are one of those foods. I’m right back on the lawn under the fireworks on the 4th of July. Or at a BBQ, running through the sprinklers and laughing.

I will admit that sometimes when I experiment, the end result is… well… ummm… let’s just say… less than pleasing…  I’m still trying to perfect my salted watermelon ice pops — OMG are they bad if you put in too much salt…

But, the texture of these dairy-free fudgesicles is just so spot-on. They look like traditional old-fashioned fudgesicles, but the addition of banana offers up a tasty surprise. Yup, it’s the good days of summer as a child all over again.

Haha — I just got a horrible mental picture of me, today, running through the sprinklers in a pink bathing suit with pompoms… not so pretty…

Anyway, these are the perfect sweet treats to have in your freezer. I mean, who couldn’t use a healthy childhood treat that’s ready anytime you want it?

For another great popsicle recipe, try my Blackberry Kombucha Ice Pops.

chocolate banana dairy free fudgesicles

chocolate banana dairy free fudgesicles

These ingredients make these chocolate banana dairy-free fudgesicles delicious and healthy:

Raw cacao is a superfood. It is packed with magnesium, iron, zinc and other minerals. Not only is it packed with health benefits, but it actually has properties that help the body absorb nutrients better and it’s filled with antioxidants. Cacao can actually be translated as “food of the gods”… Raw cacao can help lower blood pressure, promote healthy heart function, improve digestion, and may even help increase the libido.

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. I like to use full-fat canned coconut milk for these fudgesicles.

Cashews are really a multi-tasking nut. I use them all the time so I say it all the time: Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts. Most of the fat in cashews is unsaturated and is made up of oleic acid; this is the same acid that is found in olive oil, making these nuts a heart-healty choice.

Maca Root is one of the superfoods I take every day. It has many healthy benefits including increasing libido, helping menopausal symptoms, relieving menstrual cramps, regulating hormones, and increasing energy.

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.

I love to add bananas to frozen desserts; they create a great natural sweetness and a nice creamy 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.

chocolate banana dairy free fudgesicles

Chocolate Banana Dairy-Free Fudgesicles
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Recipe type: dessert, frozen, sweets, ice pops, popsicles
Cuisine: paleo, vegan, vegetarian
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
These dairy-free fudgesicles will take you back to your childhood. They are so creamy and delicious and healthy. Keep a batch in your freezer and you will be smiling all week.
Ingredients
  • 1 can full-fat coconut milk
  • ⅓ cup raw cacao (I buy this one)
  • ⅔ cup raw cashews
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp maca root powder (I buy this one)
  • 1 Tbs collagen powder (This is my favorite)
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 3 Tbs coconut sugar (here's a good one)
  • 2 bananas, sliced (I used frozen ones because they were in my freezer, but you don't have to)
Instructions
  1. Put all of the ingredients in a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth.
  3. Pour into ice-pop molds.
  4. Freeze.
  5. Enjoy!

chocolate banana dairy-free fudgesicles

Strawberry Cauliflower Smoothie

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Are you having problems with memory loss? Try some cauliflower!

strawberry cauliflower smoothie

Cauliflower in a smoothie? Yes! You can stop rolling your eyes and scrunching up your nose. This is delicious. And creamy. And healthy. And easy. It’s true, and this strawberry cauliflower smoothie is now my new favorite. But, don’t just take my word for it — after I posted a video for this smoothie on Facebook, many people felt the same need I did (to make it NOW) and the result was unanimous — it’s awesome!

The idea for this recipe came from Laney at Life Is But A Dish. As soon as I saw her post, I knew I had to try cauliflower in a smoothie. I mean I had to… I went immediately to the store and bought a bag of frozen cauliflower. I don’t think I’ve ever bought frozen cauliflower. But I bought a big bag and it’s amazing in this strawberry cauliflower smoothie.

What does it taste like? I know you are wondering… it tastes like strawberry ice cream. Yup. It does. Okay — slight disclaimer — I haven’t had real ice cream in probably about 15 years… but to me it tastes like that.

I used some of my favorite superfoods and healing ingredients in this recipe, so feel free to customize yours however you like.

I know you are going to love this one!

And, if you are looking for another great smoothie recipe, try my Pineapple Turmeric Smoothie.

strawberry cauliflower smoothie

Here’s what makes this strawberry cauliflower smoothie so healing:

Strawberries help get rid of excess alcohol in your body and they are good for your heart. They even help reduce plaque in your mouth and can make you feel better if you have an annoying dry cough or if you feel bloated from eating too much. So, if you’ve overindulged, strawberries are great for you.

I use cauliflower for breads, crusts, rice… 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.

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.

In eastern 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. This smoothie contains coconut oil.

Cashews are really a multi-tasking nut. I use them all the time so I say it all the time: Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts. Most of the fat in cashews is unsaturated and is made up of oleic acid; this is the same acid that is found in olive oil, making these nuts a heart-healty choice. For this smoothie I used store-bought cashew milk, but sometimes I make it myself… but I lazed out a bit here.

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.

I love to add bananas to smoothies; they give it a great natural sweetness and a nice creamy 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.

strawberry cauliflower smoothie

Strawberry Cauliflower Smoothie
Print
Recipe type: paleo, whole30, vegetarian, smoothie, snack, breakfast, superfoods
Cuisine: recipe inspired by: Life Is But A Dish
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
Don't let the cauliflower fool you -- this smoothie tastes like strawberry ice cream!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup frozen cauliflower
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 Tbs collagen powder
  • 1 scoop Vital Reds powder (This is optional, but I used it and it's a little sweet, so if you are not using it I would add 2 pitted dates to the blender for sweetness.)
  • ½ a banana
  • 1 Tbs coconut oil
  • 1-1/2 cups cashew milk (or non-dairy milk of your choice)
  • 2 tsp bee pollen (I use this one)
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients in a blender.
  2. Whiz it up til smooth.
  3. Enjoy!

strawberry cauliflower smoothie