Recipes

Recipe: Caramel Apple Shake

Caramel Apple Shake
By Cherie King

I love this recipe and like to pulse-blend an additional bit of apples and dates and chew on them as I’m drinking my shake for a little more of the “real deal” as well as to aid in digestion!

1 single serving of vanilla meal replacement shake
4-6 dates (pitted)
1 Granny Smith apple cut and seeded (any will do, but Granny Smiths are the best in my opinion)
10-12 oz. water or almond milk (almond milk makes it even creamier)
dash or two of sea salt
1/4 tsp. vanilla (optional, but I like the EXTRA vanilla flavor)

Blend the dates with about half of the liquid until well blended.

Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Add ice if desired although, I prefer mine more on the room temperature side!

Don’t forget that you can also pulse chop some apple and dates for yummy “chewies” in your shake!

Did you know? Granny Smith apples (the green ones) are great antioxidants, high in soluble fiber, help to regulate your blood sugar, are great for your teeth, and are a great source of potassium which makes them good for heart rhythm!
Source: https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-granny-smith-apples-3334.html

Recipe: Almond-Cashew Nut Milk

By GHCL

Creamy Almond-Cashew ‘Milk’

by Cherie King

This “milk” is smooth, creamy, delicious and great for the lactose-intolerant or anyone who just wants to avoid drinking dairy milk for any reason whatsoever. Add to cereal, use as a base for shakes or non-dairy ice cream, or simply enjoy in a glass! Even makes a “milk” mustache! 😉 [Read more…] about Recipe: Almond-Cashew Nut Milk

Recipe: Green Lemonade Smoothie

By GHCL

This is my NEW all-time favorite green smoothie…at least for the time being! 🙂 It’s so refreshing and delicious.

Ingredients:

1 celery “rib” (and yes, you can use the leafy tops!)
small handful of spinach
1 banana
1/2 lemon – peeled and seeded
2 slices of pineapple (flesh or core)
6-8 oz. of water
natural sweetener such as agave nectar, 100% pure maple syrup, etc. (optional – only if needed)

Blend all ingredients (except sweetener) with 6 oz. of the water until well blended and smooth. If needed, add the remaining water. Smoothie should not be very thick, that is unless you LIKE it that way. But in my opinion, it should be on the thinner side if it’s to be a green “lemonade”.

Taste it and if it’s not sweet enough, blend in a small amount of sweetener (please, no refined white sugar) to taste.

TIP: Always use fresh pineapple when possible but in worst-case scenario, use either frozen (preferred) or if you must use canned, get the one with no sugar or heavy syrup. When you buy fresh pineapple and cut it up, slice up the core and freeze it for later use such as this recipe! Click here for even more fresh pineapple tips!

Recipe: Dairy-Free Chocolate Pudding

By GHCL

This rich, creamy chocolate pudding is unbelievable! Not just because it tastes so yummy, but you won’t believe what it’s made with! And no, it’s not tofu…this creamy delight is not only dairy-free, but also soy-free. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 small, ripe (but not overripe) avocado or half of a large one
2 TBS. raw cacao (or cocoa) powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. agave nectar (or you can use evaporated cane juice which is sugar that has not been bleached nor refined)
1-2 dashes of sea salt (optional)
1/4 c. cashews (optional, but makes it even creamier and more “dairy-like”)
6-8oz. of water – added gradually

Add all ingredients (except for the water) inside a high-powered blender. Add about 2-4 oz. of the water and begin blending. Blend for a few seconds and if mixture stops blending properly, add a little more and just gradually increase the amount of water until the mixture is blending without getting stuck. Blend until well-blended and a creamy, pudding consistency.

Remove from blender using a rubber spatula (or spoon if you don’t have a spatula) and put into a sealable container. Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving – if you can help not eating it up, that is!

Bonus tip: To give my pudding a bit more of a health boost and added fiber, I add about 1 tsp. of Konsyl Fiber and blend that in. Not only does this type of fiber act as a thickener, but again, it adds a healthy fiber boost to an already healthy dish! You may need to blend a bit longer.