smoothie Archives - Kitchen of Youth

Posts

Fig Almond Smoothie

September 10, 2019/0 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Brain Functions, Digestive Health, Food Categories, Managing Illnesses, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation, Youthful Appearance paleo, vegan, vegetarian, grain-free, gluten-free smoothie, breakfast /by Stacey Isaacs

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

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!

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

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.

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

Recipe type: paleo, vegan, vegetarian, grain-free, gluten-free

Cuisine: smoothie, breakfast

Author: Stacey@Kitchen Of Youth

Prep time: 2 mins

Total time: 2 mins

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

Combine all ingredients in blender.
Whiz it up until smooth and creamy.
Pour into a pretty glass.
Enjoy!

2 Things To Help You Lose Weight Without Being Hungry

August 16, 2018/2 Comments/in Blog Post /by Stacey Isaacs

Nobody likes being hungry. And when you are on a restrictive diet, your hunger pangs seem to get worse. Keep reading to learn 2 things to help you lose weight without being hungry.

You’re all ready to start your new food plan. Today is Day One. You are pumped. You stock your fridge and your pantry with all of the right things. You’ve read up on your plan and you are following an expert’s advice. You made it through breakfast and all is right with the world.

It’s 11:00 am. And you are starving.

Part of this may be because you really are restricting your calories.

Part of this may be in your mind… I mean, let’s face it, as soon as your brain knows you are “dieting”, all you want is the food you shouldn’t be having.

And, part of it may be that you are not moving your body enough.

But, most of your issue is that you are not eating the right things.

Keep reading to learn how not to be hungry when you are trying to lose weight.

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. I’ve got a quick healthy meal with your name on it — and I’ll make sure it’s one that will keep you satisfied. So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

Or, if you want to start with a weight loss plan that will actually work for your specific needs, sign up for my One Week Food Boot Camp. We’ll chat. We’ll examine what your lifestyle is like now. And we’ll come up with a new plan to get you on track — I’ll even create an ebook just for you and your wonderfully unique needs.

And, if you want to go it alone, just keep reading and you’ll learn some great ways to manage your weight without feeling so deprived.

Why Only These 2 Things?

I could sit here and give you lists and lists of things to help you with your diet. That’s easy for me to do. But, I’m sure you’ve seen and/or tried a lot of them before. I have helped countless people manage their weight. And we don’t count calories. I’m happy to help you too, but beyond these two basic principles — these 2 things to help you lose weight without being hungry — it’s so much easier to lose that weight if you are treated like the wonderfully unique individual that you are.

I have learned through my Chinese medicine training and my western nutrition knowledge, that what works for one person doesn’t work for another. I spend many of my days creating food lifestyles and meal plans for people and a large percentage of those clients are interested in losing weight. I create different plans for each person. After chatting via Skype, FaceTime, or phone, I use my Chinese medicine diagnostic skills and my chef’s training to create a program that truly works for each specific client. And every plan is different.

The food is different for each person. The supplements are different. And, the preparation required is different. I am well aware that not everyone loves to be in her kitchen as much as I do…

BUT, these 2 principles remain constant. So I’m laying them out here for you. It’s a great starting place.

For my women friends out there: you are not crazy… it really is harder for women to lose weight than for men to shed a few pounds. So, if you are on a program with your male significant other, don’t feel like you are doing something wrong just because he has dropped 10 pounds and you are only down 2… This is one reason why I use different superfoods and supplements for each person… let’s even the playing field!

Let’s get you eating the right foods to make it easier for you to attain your goals. And, by the way, if you eat the right foods, there’s never a need to count calories. Really! Eat the correct fats, proteins, and fiber, and your body will thank you by managing your weight correctly. The human body is an amazing thing if you treat it will the respect it deserves.

At the bottom of this article, I’ve included some recipes to help you out. Recipes that are simple and have great ingredients to help you on your weight loss journey.

Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

Follow These 2 Basic Principles And You Won’t Be Hungry

1. Eat Healthy Fats

Let’s get this out of the way up front. Fat does not make you fat. Sugar makes you fat. Even if eating fat goes against everything you’ve ever learned about dieting to lose weight, I want you to eat healthy fats. Healthy fats will keep you full. They will make your skin glow, feed your brain, elevate your mood, and they will keep your digestion running correctly. All of these benefits will help you manage your weight.

It’s really important that you do not eat anything labeled “low fat” or “non-fat”. These foods are heavily processed, and they will actually cause your body to gain weight.

One of the easiest things you can do, is to drizzle extra-virgin olive oil on everything.

I know, olive oil has calories…

But, it also has the things your body needs, especially as you are restricting your food intake.

If you have vegetables, salad, or protein, drizzle some good quality extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil on top of your food.

For more about healthy oils, read this article.

Other healthy fats that you should be eating now include: coconut, avocado, whole eggs, wild salmon, and raw nuts. Yes, you can eat all of these things and still lose weight. BUT, you must exercise portion control. A portion of raw nuts would be about 7 nuts if you are having them as a snack. I prefer to incorporate nuts into my meals. They make great salad dressings and are a great thickener for smoothies. A portion of avocado, is a half of an avocado. Two eggs is plenty… you get the picture.

2. Eat Nothing Processed Or Artificial

Processed foods force your body to put on weight. Chemicals force your body to add weight. Artificial anything should be avoided, not only while you are trying to manage your weight, but always.

One of the things I see most often with my clients is that they think that if something is labeled “sugar free” or “diet” that it will help with weight loss.

WRONG!!! 100% wrong.

Artificial sweeteners trigger the sweet sensation in your brain, causing you to crave more and more sweets. Not only are you triggering the need for more traditionally sweet foods, but you are at the same time causing your brain to tell your body that it needs things that don’t just taste sweet but that turn into sugar inside your body — like bread. And pasta.

Same goes for any junk food. Don’t eat it.

Believe it or not, eating these things just makes you hungry. And it makes you want more. And more…

Same goes for most protein bars. Even those bars that appear healthy often contain lots of sugars or grains. Just stay away.

Shop the outer edges of your supermarket. Buy produce, meat, fish, and fresh foods. Stay away from the aisles filled with packaged foods.

I know this can be difficult, but after a week or so, you won’t crave these foods anymore and it will get easier and easier to drop your unwanted weight.

At the bottom of this post, you’ll see a recipe for some healthy popsicles — that’s what you can have for dessert!

Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

Recipes To Help You Lose Weight

If you make this any of these recipes that make use of the 2 things to help you lose weight without being hungry, 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.

It’s my hope that you will enjoy these recipes and the way they make you feel so much that you will move onto eating this way more and more often. I’d love to help you out, so CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

And, be sure to click on the individual recipes for more health information about each ingredient used.

1. Coconut Blood Orange Ice Pops

These popsicles can be made with any pure organic fruit juice that makes you smile. They will satisfy your sweet tooth and will keep you full because of the healthy fat — coconut milk.

2. Seafood Salad With Garlic And Oil

This delicious and beautiful seafood salad can be made in advance and kept in your fridge. It has healthy fat and healthy lean protein. Feel free to customize this with whatever seafood makes you happy.

3. Salmon With Parsley Sauce

Salmon is your friend. Make sure it’s wild and not farmed. Eat about 5 ounces and you will feel satisfied and happy.

4. Instant Pot Spring Vegetable Soup

Keeping a healthy and hearty pot of soup in your fridge makes it so much easier to manage your weight. It gives you something to eat when you don’t have the will power to wait until you cook something good for you. This soup contains buckwheat, which is a seed and not a grain, and tons of fresh veggies. It’s the perfect soup to keep on hand.

5. Espresso Chocolate Chip Smoothie

This smoothie has a little nut butter in it for fat. And it tastes sweet, but all of that sweetness comes from dates. This one’s awesome!

Pineapple Mango Smoothie

July 11, 2018/2 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Brain Functions, Digestive Health, Elevated Mood, Food Categories, Managing Stress, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation, Weight Management, Youthful Appearance smoothie, fruit, breakfast, snack paleo, whole30, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free /by Stacey Isaacs

This pineapple mango smoothie is bright and refreshing… but the best thing about it is that it will help your digestion!

I make smoothies all the time. I mean, every day. My Vitamix gets more use than any kitchen tool I’ve ever owned. I just love the idea that I can pick out whatever food and herbs and supplements I need at a particular moment, toss them all in the blender, and have a healing cocktail of sorts that will boost my energy, fix my digestion, decrease my inflammation, or lift my mood in a matter of seconds.

To me, it’s like magic. Smoothies are the epitome of food is medicine.

When I was in school getting my Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine, we learned all about the value and the amazing healing powers of Chinese herbs. And, I cook with Chinese herbs all the time. One of my favorite things to do is to introduce my clients to these amazing plant-based medicines.

While it was my culinary school training that started my obsession with more traditional food herbs, like basil, it was my Chinese herbal medicine training that taught me the healing abilities and properties of these more traditional herbs. This pineapple mango smoothie includes a large amount of basil. And basil, is one of the most healing food herbs around. Not only is it great for your immune system, but it’s also a spiritual herb and will lift your mood.

Healing. Delicious. Simple. Those are the 3 words that describe the perfect smoothie.

But… yes, there’s always a but… sometimes I get stuck in a smoothie rut. I fall into the trap of using the same ingredients way too often. I find that green, brown, and red are the colors of most of my smoothie creations.

Okay, if I’m being totally honest — if I’m just making one for myself, oftentimes it’s really ugly. Really healing, but really ugly. I’ve been told sometimes that they are the color of baby poop. Wow, that’s pretty unappetizing… but honesty’s worth a lot, isn’t it?

So, I’ve made a pact with myself (do you ever do that?) that I will make new smoothies, with new combinations of ingredients.

Another thing I’m trying to do is to use fewer ingredients in these recipes. Yes, I do love my powders, potions, and supplements, but sometimes less is more.

This pineapple mango smoothie is one of my newest blended recipes. And look… it’s YELLOW. This one makes me happy just to look at it. But, when you taste it, you will really smile.

The combination of the pineapple with the mango is like a tropical explosion in your mouth. The banana gives it just the right amount of creaminess, and then… for the piece de resistance… a big handful of fresh bright green fragrant basil leaves. The aroma itself is incredible!

Okay, have I talked you into making this pineapple mango smoothie yet?

I hope so. And, if you want another great awesome, colorful smoothie creation, try my Pink Pitaya Mango Smoothie Bowl recipe.

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. I’ve got a smoothie with your name on it… So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

Each ingredient in this pineapple mango smoothie really packs a healing nutritional punch:

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!

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.

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.

Basil has anti-viral and anti-bacterial capabilities. It also is good for settling your stomach, and it’s good at lessening the symptoms of the common cold and its accompanying cough. Basil is a spiritual herb — the scent actually calms you; you can boil some in a pot and let the aroma fill the air, you can just leave some around the house, you can toss a bunch in your bath water (I love to do this), or you can use an essential oil with basil to get some great calming effects.

Extra-virgin olive oil is amazing. It is good for just about everything. It is great for your heart and has even been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks when added into a healthy diet. It’s also good for your brain, and can reduce some of the inflammation in your body. I recommend buying extra-virgin olive oil because it is less processed than some other olive oils. Also, with olive oils, sometimes you get what you pay for, so if you are able to taste the oils before you buy, that’s a great thing to do.

If you make this Pineapple Mango Smoothie, 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.

Pineapple Mango Smoothie

5.0 from 1 reviews

Recipe type: smoothie, fruit, breakfast, snack

Cuisine: paleo, whole30, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free

Author: Stacey@Kitchen Of Youth

Prep time: 5 mins

Total time: 5 mins

Serves: 1

This pineapple mango smoothie is like sunshine in a glass. It only has a few ingredients, and it will help your digestions... and it is delicious!

Ingredients

½ of a fresh pineapple, cut into chunks (discard the outer rind)
1 mango, pit and peel discarded
½ of a banana (if you have a frozen one, even better)
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
large handful of fresh basil leaves
ice (optional)

Instructions

Place all ingredients into a blender (I used my Vitamix, so it was pretty quick).
Whiz it up until smooth.
Pour into your favorite glass.
Enjoy!

5 Ways Coconut Water Can Improve Your Life

June 18, 2018/0 Comments/in Blog Post /by Stacey Isaacs

If there’s one liquid you need to keep in your pantry and your fridge at all times, it’s coconut water. Read on to learn 5 ways coconut water can improve your life… Read more

Espresso Chocolate Chip Smoothie

June 17, 2018/3 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Brain Functions, Digestive Health, Elevated Mood, Increased Athletic Performance, Managing Illnesses, Managing Stress, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation, Weight Management, Youthful Appearance smoothie, breakfast, snack, blender paleo, vegan, vegetarian /by Stacey Isaacs

This delicious espresso chocolate chip smoothie will give you energy, balance your hormones, and make you smile!

When I start out to make a smoothie — which I do many times a week — I almost always stop, close my eyes, breathe deeply, and really notice what kind of flavor combination my mouth wants and what kinds of superfoods and healing ingredients my body needs. Yes, I’m aware that I turn the business of smoothie making into an oddly serious affair, but hey, it works for me. And today, this espresso chocolate chip smoothie is what I wanted and needed.

Every Saturday and Sunday morning, we take our two huge dogs to Central Park for coffee and croissants. We get coffee. The dogs get croissants. We sit by the lake and people watch. It’s awesome. And then we come home and have breakfast. One of the reasons it’s not so hard for us to sit there and watch the dogs eat while we just have coffee, is that we know when we get home we can have a smoothie like this.

Today, we sat on our bench at the lake. The weather was just perfect. There was a slight breeze and the scent of coffee and wet dogs in the air… haha that’s really true. We watched the remote control boats, the hundreds of dogs running around, and we just sat. It’s kind of meditative for us.

Then we walked back home. Now, I’m really ready for something good.

For me, some types of smoothies seem to work best for breakfast.

And, some are more for an afternoon pick-me-up.

And some work anytime.

This espresso chocolate chip smoothie is more of a breakfast smoothie for me, but I did serve it to Steve in the afternoon and that was perfect for him… so, this is an anytime smoothie.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you don’t have to actually brew coffee for it. I’ve made smoothies with coffee before, and I brew hot coffee, then either stick it in the freezer so it will cool or add ice and hope it doesn’t get too watered down. It works, and I’ve never really minded the process…

But now, I’ve found espresso coconut water (see recipe below for details) that actually tastes like coffee, so all I have to do is use the espresso coconut water as a base. Easy-peasy.

And, if you’re in the mood for a fruity smoothie treat, try my recipe for Pink Pitaya Mango Smoothie Bowl.

I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a smoothie 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.

Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this espresso chocolate chip smoothie 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 espresso coconut water for this recipe, and I added coconut butter.

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!), and weight loss. 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.

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. This recipe makes use of raw cacao powder and raw cacao nibs.

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 use sunflower seed butter in this recipe.

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.

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.

If you make this Espresso Chocolate Chip Smoothie, 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.

Espresso Chocolate Chip Smoothie

Recipe type: smoothie, breakfast, snack, blender

Cuisine: paleo, vegan, vegetarian

Author: Stacey@Kitchen Of Youth

Prep time: 2 mins

Total time: 2 mins

Serves: 1-2

This delicious smoothie will give you energy, balance your hormones, and make you smile!

Ingredients

1 cup espresso coconut water
¾ cup frozen cauliflower florets
4 large ice cubes
1 Tbs sunbutter (or nut butter of your choice)
2 Tbs raw cacao powder
2 tsp maca root powder (optional)
1-1/2 Tbs coconut butter
3 pitted dates
2 Tbs raw cacao nibs (for topping)

Instructions

Put all ingredients, except cacao nibs, into your blender.
Whiz it up.
Pour into glasses.
Top with cacao nibs.
Enjoy!

Energy Boosting Red Smoothie

May 16, 2018/3 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Brain Functions, Digestive Health, Increased Athletic Performance, Managing Illnesses, Managing Stress, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation, Weight Management, Youthful Appearance smoothie, shake, beverage, superfoods vegan, vegetarian, paleo, whole30, gluten-free /by Stacey Isaacs

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

Strawberry Cauliflower Smoothie

May 5, 2017/0 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Brain Functions, Digestive Health, Elevated Mood, Increased Athletic Performance, Managing Illnesses, Managing Stress, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation, Weight Management, Youthful Appearance paleo, whole30, vegetarian, smoothie, snack, breakfast, superfoods recipe inspired by: [url href="http://www.lifeisbutadish.com/strawberry-cauliflower-smoothie/" target="_blank"]Life Is But A Dish[/url] /by Stacey Isaacs

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.

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

Recipe type: paleo, whole30, vegetarian, smoothie, snack, breakfast, superfoods

Cuisine: recipe inspired by: Life Is But A Dish

Author: Stacey @There's A Cook In My Kitchen

Prep time: 5 mins

Total time: 5 mins

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

Put all ingredients in a blender.
Whiz it up til smooth.
Enjoy!

10 Clean Eating Recipes

December 31, 2015/0 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Brain Functions, Digestive Health, Elevated Mood, Increased Athletic Performance, Managing Illnesses, Managing Stress, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation, Weight Management, Youthful Appearance /by Stacey Isaacs

These 10 clean eating recipes are one’s you’ll make again and again!

Okay, so Day One is here! If any part of your New Year’s resolution involves clean eating, you’ll love these recipes.

Here are 10 of my favorite easy to make clean eating recipes. And, each one can be made in advance, so you can make enough for the week in one batch and store the rest in the fridge for the week.

Make a few of these each week and I promise you will feel better. Really. All that bloat that you have from the holidays (okay… all that bloat that I have from the holidays…) will start to disappear. I mean it.

Are you with me? Click on the recipe links beneath each picture and let’s get cooking!!!

Here they are:

This is the best soup. It’s healthy. It keeps well in the fridge. And you can change it up each night with different toppings…