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Pink Pitaya Mango Smoothie Bowl

This pink pitaya mango smoothie bowl is the perfect thing to keep you hydrated on a hot summer day… and it’s as delicious as it is pretty!
pink pitaya mango smoothie bowl

Color is so important. We’ve all heard the saying “eat the rainbow”… and that’s because the way to stay healthy is to eat as many colors as possible. I eat tons of greens, lots of reds, there’s plenty of yellows and oranges too. But, pink… well that’s a little harder to find. This beautifully healing pink pitaya mango smoothie bowl is the perfect way to get your pink on.

In Chinese medicine, each organ in the body is associated with a different color. Black/blue is great for the kidneys and red is for the heart. Mix blue and red together, and you’ve got pink. The more prominent a color is, the more healing power it has — and just look at this pink color!

It’s no secret that I am a huge smoothie lover. Okay, I might even have a slight obsession with them.

But, my smoothies are just for me. I whip them up in the mornings, add all of my greens and superfoods, pour the mixture into a big mason jar, and I drink it without any regard do what it looks like. And, let me tell you, sometimes it aint pretty…

Smoothie bowls are a whole different animal.

They are celebratory bowls. I mean, if you serve somebody this pink pitaya mango smoothie bowl, they are going to feel pretty special. I know I’d be pretty happy if you made one for me. This is worthy of company. Important company.

And, you get to let the artist in you come out when you decorate the top…

Have you tried pitaya yet? OMG… if you haven’t, you must!

Pitaya powder is made from dragonfruit. The first time I ever tried dragonfruit was in Aruba. It came on my fruit platter at lunch and it was love at first sight. It’s so sweet and tropical that it can’t help but make you smile. But, aside from being truly delicious, research has shown dragonfruit to be helpful in lowering the risk of certain types of cancer. And it only makes sense that a fruit as beautiful as this would be good to enhance your outer beauty as well.

And let’s talk about mangos. This is another tropical winner of a fruit. Mangos help hydrate you in the most delicious way. Perfect for summer. I managed to get mango into this pink pitaya mango smoothie bowl in two ways — I used a mango infused coconut water (see the recipe below for more info) and fresh mango. All I can say is yum!

Another great smoothie bowl you should try is my Pineapple Protein Smoothie Bowl.

pink pitaya mango smoothie bowl

I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

pink pitaya mango smoothie bowl

Here are the details on some of the amazing healing ingredients in this pink pitaya mango 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 perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. I used mango infused coconut water for this recipe.

Mangos are great for digestion and they help if you have one of those annoying dry coughs that just won’t go away. This delicious fruit will also help strengthen your bones and is good for your heart.

Dragon Fruit (pink pitaya) is an anti-aging food and it’s great for your heart. It contains lots of vitamin C, so it’s great for your immune system and it’s a great friend to your skin — it helps keep it from sagging and getting wrinkly. Research has shown that this gorgeous fruit can help protect against some forms of cancer — prostate and skin cancers especially.

Peaches moisten the body; they can alleviate a dry cough, help with dry mouth, and can be good if you are experiencing constipation. In Chinese medicine, we have an herb that is made from the peach kernel (Tao Ren). This herb is great for constipation and some menstrual problems. Isn’t it great when something so delicious is also so healthy?

I use cauliflower for breads, crusts, rice… everything. One of my favorite uses is in smoothies — when used frozen, it’s a great thickening agent that really has no taste, so it’s a perfect base for whatever you are adding into your smoothies. Cauliflower 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.

I love to add bananas to smoothie bowls; they offer 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.

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.

Raspberries are an anti-aging fruit. They are great for men who are experiencing frequent urination and for men and women with vision issues. They have anti-cancer and anti-inflammation properties. In Chinese medicine, raspberries are an herb called Fu Pen Zi. This Chinese herb is prescribed for impotence, premature ejaculation, poor vision, and frequent urination. Raspberries are great for you, but if you are experiencing difficulty urinating, that’s when this berry should be avoided.

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.

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.

Mint is a Chinese herb called Bo He. It’s one of the best things to fight a cold, sore throat, or fever. It’s also good for some abdominal issues too, like bloating, nausea, and some stomach pains. Mint also helps cool of the body in cases of heatstroke, so stock up in summer!

pink pitaya mango smoothie bowl

If you make this Pink Pitaya Mango Smoothie Bowl, 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.

Pink Pitaya Mango Smoothie Bowl
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Recipe type: smoothie bowl, summer, blender, Vitamix, fruit
Cuisine: vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 3
This is the prettiest, easiest, and healthiest way to stay hydrated this summer... and it's so delicious!
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients into the blender, except the toppings.
  2. Whiz it up until smooth.
  3. Pour into bowls and become an artist with the toppings.
  4. Enjoy!

pink pitaya mango smoothie bowl

Energy Boosting Red Smoothie

There’s a lot of talk about green smoothies… but red ones are awesome! Try this energy boosting red smoothie!

Read more

Pineapple Protein Smoothie Bowl

pineapple protein smoothie bowl

The first time I made this pineapple protein smoothie bowl it was a bright summer day.  Ah, I remember it well — shining sun, warm breeze, still daylight when it was time for dinner…  Today, it’s much different.  It’s cold and dreary. And raining. And it’s dark at 4:30. And everyone around me has a cold and a sore throat. I mean, there are tissues everywhere… yuk.

So, I did what I love to do — try to make everything and everyone better with food. That means making dishes with turmeric and ginger and some of my awesome Chinese and Ayurvedic supplements.  But honestly, I was starting to have a hard time making the sickies eat so much soup.  I figured if I went in the opposite direction, maybe it would work.  I took my original recipe for this smoothie bowl and I added some magic.

And, by magic I mean ginger and camu camu powder. These are ingredients that I love to put in my shakes and they worked healing wonders in this beautiful smoothie bowl. The products I used were new ones (and because I like full-disclosure, I will tell you that I received these 2 ingredients free in exchange for my opinion on them) and I loved them.  Anthony’s Goods thought I might like some of their organic products. I offered to try the ginger and the camu camu — so I’m here to tell you that both are awesome.  I can’t wait to try more because sometimes it’s challenging to find all of these supplements in organic versions.  See the ingredients below for a full description of why camu camu and ginger are so good this time of year!

I just love food that lets you be creative. Okay, if I’m being completely honest, I think you can be creative with any food. Yes, any food! I had a cooking instructor who used to say: “It’s not rocket science; it’s only food,” and I agree completely. I mean, what’s the worst that happens — something isn’t completely delicious? Well, anyway, the point I was trying to make is that one of the great things about smoothie bowls is that they beg for creativity. So, you should make them exactly as you like them.

There’s something about the taste of a fresh pineapple that just screams summer. I’ve been on a real fruit kick lately, so instead of my usual chocolate-based smoothies in the morning, I’ve been gravitating towards fruit-based concoctions. So, this smoothie bowl is made with lots of fresh pineapple and is topped with lots of luscious fruit and berries… Sometimes when I make it it’s a little thicker than others, so if your seems thin for a bowl, then just pop it in the freezer while you get your toppings together (or, you always have the option of putting it in a glass).

When I make my chocolate smoothies for breakfast, I generally put a bunch of protein in it to keep me full until lunch. For some reason, when I use fruit, I don’t think along the same lines. So, with this smoothie bowl, I made a conscious effort to create something that was more filling than a bowl of fruit, and it worked out deliciously. I made extra for my daughter, who decided she wasn’t in a smoothie-kind-of-mood and wanted eggs instead, but I stored the extra in the fridge and happily ate it the next morning.

This amazing pineapple protein smoothie bowl is so easily customizable to your personal taste. The second day I had it, I topped it with handfuls of pecans and toasted coconut… this was awesome!

For another awesome smoothie bowl recipe, try my Cherry Berry Smoothie Bowl.

pineapple protein smoothie bowl
pineapple protein smoothie bowl

These are some of the great ingredients I put in my smoothie bowl:

Pineapple is great for your digestion and it can help stop diarrhea. It’s especially good in the summer because it fights against heatstroke.

Ginger is  a chinese herb (Gan Jiang) that warms the body. It’s especially good during cold weather and also during seasonal changes. So, when it’s winter or when winter is trying to turn into spring, and we (those of us on the east coast) get some of these cold, raw, damp days, ginger will make you feel better and will help boost your immune system. Old folklore shows that ginger was rubbed on scalps to stop baldness. And, in some circles, a ginger paste is still rubbed on arthritic joints to stop pain (don’t try this at home unless you are diagnosed with a cold-condition by an acupuncturist).

Camu Camu is a plant-based powder that has the ability to boost your immune system and balance your mood. It has a large amount of vitamin C, can reduce inflammation, and can help improve mental clarity.

I love to add bananas to smoothie bowls; they offer 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.

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.

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. I buy pumpkin seed protein in powder form because it’s a great easy way to add protein to my shakes and smoothies without adding any extra sugar. (See the recipe below for where to buy it.)

Peaches moisten the body; they can alleviate a dry cough, help with dry mouth, and can be good if you are experiencing constipation. There is a Chinese herb that is made from the peach kernel (Tao Ren). This herb is great for constipation and some menstrual problems. Isn’t it great when something so delicious is also so healthy?

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.

Raspberries are an anti-aging fruit. They are great for men who are experiencing frequent urination and for men and women with vision issues. They have anti-cancer and anti-inflammation properties. In Chinese medicine, raspberries are an herb called Fu Pen Zi. This Chinese herb is prescribed for impotence, premature ejaculation, poor vision, and frequent urination. Raspberries are great for you, but if you are experiencing difficulty urinating, that’s when this berry should be avoided.

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…

pineapple protein smoothie bowl

Pineapple Protein Smoothie Bowl
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Recipe type: smoothie bowl
Cuisine: smoothie, breakfast, summer
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
A creamy pineapple and banana base is the perfect vehicle for so many healthy and fresh and delicious toppings... best breakfast ever!
Ingredients
  • 1 whole pineapple, cut into chunks
  • 2 frozen bananas (I peel bananas when they turn brown and then store them in the freezer)
  • ½ tsp turmeric (Here's a good one)
  • 2 Tbs pumpkin seed protein powder (I like this one)
  • 1-1/2 tsp camu camu powder (I got mine here)
  • 1 tsp organic ground ginger (I got mine here)
  • Optional toppings:
  • sliced fresh peaches
  • bee pollen granules (I have this one)
  • fresh raspberries
  • fresh black berries
  • organic toasted coconut flakes (I bought some sweetened with coconut sugar)
Instructions
  1. Put the pineapple, frozen bananas, turmeric, and protein powder into your blender. (I used my Vitamix so it was pretty quick...). Blend until smooth.
  2. If you want your smoothie bowl thicker, pour this mixture into bowls and pop them in the freezer while you are readying your topping.
  3. Top with whatever toppings you like.
  4. Enjoy!

pineapple protein smoothie bowl

Raspberry Chia Pudding

This raspberry chia pudding is delicious and since you can make it the night before, you’ll be so happy in the morning!

Raspberry Chia Pudding

It’s Day One. Again. Almost. Next week is when it happens. Yes, it’s time to stop all of my food and eating madness!!!! I’m usually a really healthy eater. I know what my body feels best eating and that’s what I do. But I’m on vacation. And, oh, all of the glorious food… it’s all sooooooooooooo good… and the margaritas… oh my…

I’m getting my recipes ready for my return to health. Chia puddings are awesome for breakfast.

So easy. So quick. So delicious. So healthy.

I’ve even developed a whole plan: Healthy Living Plan For The New Year. I hope you join me!

I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now (okay… always…), so let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a chia pudding recipe with your name on it…  So CLICK HEREto be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

I’ve also got a great new FREE ebook for you:

Increase Your Athletic Performance

Download your free copy of my Optimized Athletic Performance Food Plan ebook now!

Here’s a really good recipe for a great chia pudding. I’m telling you: make it and keep it in the fridge. Make enough for a few days. You’ll be really happy you did. And, if you love your raspberries with chocolate, you should try this great nicecream recipe.

Raspberry Chia Pudding

Chia seeds are ancient seeds that got their name from the Mayan word for “strength”. These tiny seeds have the unique ability to turn liquid into a gel-like substance when making puddings and they are great added to smoothies and shakes. They are really good for you because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and fiber. They give this pudding the consistency of rice pudding, so it’s a delicious breakfast that your body and your tastebuds will love!

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. Even if you are not on a dairy-free diet, almond milk is the way to go.

Raspberries are an anti-aging fruit. They are great for men who are experiencing frequent urination and for men and women with vision issues. They have anti-cancer and anti-inflammation properties. In Chinese medicine, raspberries are an herb called Fu Pen Zi. This Chinese herb is prescribed for impotence, premature ejaculation, poor vision, and frequent urination. Raspberries are great for you, but if you are experiencing difficulty urinating, that’s when this berry should be avoided.

 

 

Raspberry Chia Pudding

If you make this Raspberry Chia Pudding 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.

Raspberry Chia Pudding
Print
Recipe type: breakfast, dessert
Cuisine: American, superfood, pudding
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
This recipe for raspberry chia pudding is the perfect solution to a healthy simple breakfast. Make it the night before, store it in the fridge and in the morning, you will be so happy.
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Put the raspberries in a small bowl and mash then a bit with a fork.
  2. Stir in the chia seeds, vanilla, maple syrup, and coconut sugar.
  3. Pour in almond milk and give it a stir.
  4. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for several hours or several days.
  5. Top with vegan chips and frozen berries if you like.
  6. Spoon into bowls.
  7. Enjoy!

Raspberry Lavender Cranberry Sauce

This raspberry lavender cranberry sauce is a great everyday condiment — it’s not just for Thanksgiving!

Cranberry Sauce With Raspberry And Lavender-9611

I was deciding which Thanksgiving recipe to post today, when all of a sudden I was famished. Really hungry. So hungry that I had to stop thinking about food (which I am always doing…) and eat something. So, I opened the fridge, took out some leftover soup, grabbed my just-made cranberry sauce, put a big scoop of it right in the center of my soup and I ate. And I smiled. The cranberry sauce made my delicious soup even better. Cranberry sauce post it is!

Cranberry sauce is an awesome condiment. It’s so much better than ketchup or mustard or mayonnaise on a sandwich. And, I’m not just talking about serving it at Thanksgiving or on those delicious leftover turkey sandwiches. You can put a dollop of a great cranberry sauce on top of your salad. You can’t do that with ketchup. You can stir it into soups — try a big scoop in your next bowl of butternut squash soup…

So many people just make cranberry sauce for holidays. Well, I’m here to tell you to respect the berry. It deserves to be seen all throughout the year. Start by making a bigger bowl than you’ll need for the Thanksgiving table, save the rest in the fridge, and put it on everything all week long. You’ll become a berry-believer, I’m sure of it.

Now, this particular version of cranberry sauce is really special. It’s got the usual amount of traditional tart beautiful cranberries, but it’s also filled with sweet tender raspberries. Then there’s the fresh lemon zest; the tart fresh lemony taste mingles with the sweet raspberries… OMG. But wait, we are not done yet, because we haven’t yet added the lavender. And, the lavender just takes this bowl of berry bliss to the next level.

Rasperry Lavender Cranberry Sauce (pot)-9546

Cranberry sauce is one of the easiest things to make. You just stir all the ingredient in a pot and cook. And all of a sudden, like magic, you go from the above picture to the finished product. Yum.

This cranberry sauce, aside from being mouthwateringly delicious, is really good for you.

Cranberries are known to most people as being good for the urinary tract and the bladder. They are also good at preventing kidney stones and can be eaten to increase fertility.

Raspberries are an anti-aging fruit. They are great for men who are experiencing frequent urination and for men and women with vision issues. They have anti-cancer and anti-inflammation properties. In Chinese medicine, raspberries are an herb called Fu Pen Zi that’s prescribed for impotence, premature ejaculation, poor vision, and frequent urination. Raspberries are great for you, but if you are experiencing difficulty urinating, that’s when this berry should be avoided.

Rasperry Lavender Cranberry Sauce (lemon)-9537
Rasperry Lavender Cranberry Sauce (hand-lavender)-9516

Lavender and lemon are an amazing combination. They just taste great together. The floral taste of the lavender flowers plays perfectly with the tartness of the lemon zest in this cranberry sauce.

Lavender adds iron, calcium, and vitamin A to your diet.  It’s good for eye-health and digestion. I absolutely love the taste of lavender — there’s something so clean and fresh about it.

Lemon peels contain calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better. I zest them in lots of foods to brighten the flavors…

Raspberry Lavender Cranberry Sauce
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Recipe type: condiment, side dish
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: about 2 cups
This recipe takes gorgeous traditional cranberries and pairs them with sweet raspberries, tart lemon zest, and flowery lavender. It's one you won't want to miss.
Ingredients
  • 1 lb fresh cranberries
  • ½ cup dark cherry juice (here's a concentrate I sometimes use)
  • 6 oz fresh raspberries
  • zest of one lemon
  • ½- to 1- tsp lavender flowers (you can get them here)(start with a little and add more if you like your sauce very lavender-like)
  • 1 Tbs coconut sugar (I like this one)
  • 1 Tbs pure maple syrup (here's one)
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients in a medium pot. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring often, about 40 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the mixture is the consistency you like. It will thicken up more when it cools. Enjoy it on everything!