Cantaloupe Carrot

Today, I welcome the feel of summer with this incredibly sunny smoothie!

Recipe for today’s includes:

.25 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup of organic carrot juice (cheap at Trader Joe’s)
.5 of a cantaloupe, chopped
1 scoop of protein powder for energy (I used Shaklee vanilla powder)
5 ice cubes

Benefits:

• Almond Milk: naturally rich in several vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin E.
• Carrots: rich in vitamin A, it is good for improving eyesight and preventing conditions like night blindness from developing as we age.
• Cantaloupe: high water and electrolyte content helps ward off dehydration and combat the heat.
• Protein Powder: for vegans/vegetarians, or if you’re simply active, will benefit from an added scoop of protein to help build lean muscle mass.

Calories: 272 Carbs: 51g Fat: 4g Protein: 12g Sodium: 454g Sugar: 43g

Banana Kale Spirulina

Coming home from boxing, and a stressful day, I needed a smoothie to really give me that extra boost inside and out. This seriously GREEN smoothie will help make sure you conquer the world today (or at least your todo list).

Recipe for today’s power shake:

• .5 cup almond milk
• .5 cup of water
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup kale
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 tsp spirulina
• 1 tsp hemp/soy protein powder

Benefits:

• Almond Milk: cholesterol free and full of monounsaturated fats
• Banana: high levels of potassium and vitamin B6
• Chia Seeds: loaded with Omega-3 Fatty Acids (has more than salmon gram for gram!)
• Kale: low in calories, high in everything else – one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet
• Spinach: rich in vitamin K, which is key for bone health
• Spirulina: superfood alert! This powerful algae is composed of 62% complete protein which means you’re getting all the essential amino acids that help the body power through the day
• Protein Powder: did a smidgen extra protein ever hurt anybody?

Nutritional information:

Calories: 250 Carbs: 39 Fat: 7 Protein: 12 Sodium: 221 Sugar: 17

Pineapple Cherry Banana

Today’s smoothie ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 cup kale
• 1/2 of a banana
• 1 cup frozen pineapple bits
• 1 cup frozen cherries

Benefits:

• Coconut Water: may be better at replacing lost fluids than a sports drink or water
• Kale: filled with antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids to help protect against various cancers
• Banana: a natural antacid, providing relief from acid reflux, heartburn and GERD
• Pineapple: fight against free radicals in the body, preventing cell damage
• Cherries: great source of melatonin which helps you sleep better and recover from jet lag

Calories: 321 Carbs: 75 Fat: 0 Protein: 3 Sodium: 187 Sugar: 59

Chocolate Coconut Ginger

This recipe is brought to you in part by Dr. Junger’s 3-Day Liquid Cleanse. This shake is not only high in HDL fats, but extremely low in sugar! With a pump of protein included, you’ll make it will to lunch without any hunger or fatigue.

Today’s smoothie ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk
• 1-inch piece of ginger peeled and minced
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp cardamom
• 1 tbsp raw cacao or unsweetened carob powder
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• Stevia to taste

Benefits:

• Almond Milk: a lactose free option that helps maintain strong bones and teeth while avoiding any antibiotics or hormones in production.
• Ginger: contains chromium, magnesium and zinc which can help to improve blood flow, as well as help prevent chills, fever, and excessive sweat.
• Coconut Oil: the medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil have been shown to increase 24 hour energy expenditure by as much as 5%, potentially leading to significant weight loss over the long term.
• Cardamom: related to ginger, it can be used in much the same way to counteract digestive problems such as nausea, acidity, bloating, gas, heartburn, loss of appetite, constipation and more.
• Carob: fights against osteoporosis, due to its richness in phosphorus and calcium.
• Almond Butter: containing calcium and copper to help out brain cell communication and keep your nervous system functional, while calcium also aids in muscle function and keeps your skeleton strong.

Nutritional information:

Calories: 341

Carbs: 31

Fat: 830

Protein: 7

Sodium: 192

Sugar: 9

Heirloom Tomato Crostata

August might be in our rearview mirror, but take advantage of these last days of summer – this beautiful crostata will pair perfectly with your final rooftop party of the season!

Ingredients:

(serves 6)

• 1 cup gluten-free whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp unsalted vegan margarine
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup cold vegan buttermilk (mix cold nondairy milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice, mix and let sit until ready to incorporate)
• 1 lb heirloom tomatoes
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (thyme, dill, chives, etc.)
• 1 scallion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Ener‑G Egg Replacer

Method:

• In a large bowl, blend both flours, one tsp of salt and baking powder.
• Using a fork, blend the butter and olive oil until the butter breaks down a bit, then mix in with the dry ingredients until a few pea-sized pieces of butter remain.
• Stir in your buttermilk until a loose dough forms.
• Using hands, fold the dough several times, then form into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes. I chilled mine overnight.
• Chop up your tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices and toss into a bow with with herbs, scallion, garlic, pepper and 1/2 tsp of salt. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
• Drain tomatoes and arrange in the center of your disc of dough, leaving a solid  three inches of circumference.
• Fold the edges of the dough in around the tomatoes. Brush the egg replacement on the edges and sprinkle the once more with a dusting of salt and pepper.
• Place into the oven for 35-40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the tomatoes are bubbly.
• Cool if desired, slice into six pieces and serve!

Nutritional Info:

Per Serving:

Calories: 293

Carbs: 36g

Fat: 14g

Protein: 8g

Sodium: 3.5g

Fiber: 4g

Warning: it was gone in 20 minutes.

Goji Orange Lemonade

 

Today’s smoothie ingredients: (2 servings)

• 1/4 cup dried goji berries
• 1 frozen banana 
• 2 navel oranges
• 1/2 cup lemonade coconut water 
• 2 teaspoon hemp seeds
• 2 cups of ice

Benefits:

• Goji Berries: these little powerhouses contain 18 amino acids, 21 minerals, glyconutrients for cell communication and more beta-carotene than any other food on earth;
• Banana: act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel;
• Navel Oranges: chock full of vitamin C, which helps to to protect cells by neutralizing free radicals (the cause of chronic diseases like cancer or heart disease);
• Coconut Water (lemonade flavor): Vita Coco makes theirs with a natural lemon puree and nutritious coconut water, so it’s full of electrolytes that replenish while quench thirst.
• Hemp Seeds: Hemp seeds are rich in disease-fighting, plant-based phytonutrients and anti-aging antioxidants, like vitamin E.

Nutritional information: (for 1 serving)

Calories: 320

Carbs: 67

Fat: 3

Protein: 9

Sodium: 134

Sugar: 27