Lisa’s Berry Blast Smoothie

In a world where fast food often prevails, I believe in the power of nourishing our bodies with wholesome ingredients. That's why I've concocted this delicious blend packed with goodness to keep your health, heart, mind, and body happy and your taste buds dancing! This is also in my daily rotation!

Lisa’s Berry Blast Smoothie

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lg frozen ripe banana

• 1 plus cup frozen mixed (or single) organic berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pomegranate etc)

• 1/2 cup plain Greek low fat yogurt or plant based or 1 tbsp of nut butter ( all optional)

• 1 Brazil nut

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds, ground flax meal, or hemp hearts ( or a mix of all)

• 1 scoop of protein powder

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (more to desired thickness)

• Ice cubes (optional, if using fresh berries)

• Sliced almonds and goji berries for topping

Instructions:

1. Preparation: I prefer my fruit frozen for smoothies, thick and cold. They are more of a meal when the right ingredients are added. If you're using fresh berries, wash them thoroughly. Peel the banana and break it into smaller chunks.

2. Blend: In a blender, combine all the ingredients: mixed berries, banana, Brazil nut, chia seeds, flaxseeds, or hemp hearts, protein powder ( nut butter) and almond milk.

3. Blend Until Smooth: Blend on high speed ( you may have to use your tamper as the thicker it is the longer it will take to blend) until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

4. Serve: Pour the smoothie into chilled glasses ( I keep a reserve in the freezer) and serve immediately. Top with a few whole frozen or fresh berries , almond slices, goji berries, granola etc. Delish!

Refreshing “Nice” Cream

Are you ready to dive into a delicious, light, healthy, and refreshing treat? Ready to make some "NICE" Cream? It's fun, simple, and a fantastic way to cool down while enjoying something tasty and nutritious.

Preparation Steps:

1. Ripe Bananas: Ensure your bananas are ripe (with some brown spots on the peel). Peel and cut them into pieces. Freeze in a ziplock bag or container. You can prepare the bananas days, weeks, or even months in advance to have them ready whenever the craving hits.

2. Blending: When you're ready, toss the frozen banana pieces (about three bananas’ worth) into a food processor or blender. For regular blenders, or if your bananas are very hard, add a few tablespoons of your favorite plant milk or another liquid to help blend.

3. Consistency: Blend until smooth, resembling a thick, soft-serve ice cream. Enjoy immediately for a soft texture, or transfer to a container and freeze for about thirty minutes for a firmer consistency. Scoop and serve for that classic ice cream feel.

My Favorite Flavor Inspirations:

• Chocolate Banana: Blend 3 bananas with 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 3 tbsp cocoa powder.

• Mint Chocolate Chip: Blend 2 bananas with a pinch of salt and 1/8 tsp peppermint extract. Add chocolate chips or cacao nibs post-blending. For an extra nutrient boost, blend in a pinch of spirulina or a handful of spinach.

• Peanut Butter: Add 2-3 tbsp peanut butter (or any nut butter) before blending.

• Cool Colada: Use 1/4 cup canned coconut milk and blend with 1/2 cup frozen pineapple. Top with shredded coconut if desired.

• Bountiful Berry: Blend your bananas, then add 1 cup frozen berries of your choice and 1/8 tsp vanilla extract. Add fresh on top .

• Silky Strawberry: Blend 2 bananas with 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, and an optional dash of cinnamon.

• Vanilla Bean: Blend 3 bananas with a pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste.

• Cashew Crunch: Blend with 2-3 tbsp cashew butter and 1/8 tsp vanilla extract. Sprinkle crushed cashews ( or a variety of nuts) on top if desired.

A few of My Helpful Hints

• Creaminess : Adding a little fat, like peanut butter, almond butter, or coconut milk, enhances the creaminess, making it taste even closer to traditional ice cream.

• Ripeness: Let bananas ripen fully before freezing if you want a sweeter taste . Brown spots indicate they are sweet and ready. Green or all-yellow bananas are not fully ripened and will taste less sweet ( up to you).

  Health Tip: Ripe bananas are a wonderful natural sweetener, ideal for replacing added sugars in various recipes.

• Versatile Treat: This banana nice cream is so healthy, it can be enjoyed for breakfast, snack or dessert. It’s dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, raw, paleo, and gluten-free, making it a win win !

Enjoy this delicious and refreshing "NICE" Cream.

Happy blending!

Radient Raw Sushi Rolls

Raw vegan sushi rolls

A radiant and raw twist to sushi. Healthy, low cal and energy packed. Vegan, gluten free, grain free and delicious!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 package of Nori sushi sheets

• 1 lg or 2 med jicama peeled

• 1 avocado

• 1 red bell pepper

• 1 lg cucumber peeled

• Raw asparagus spears

• 1 cup of shredded carrots

• 1 cup of shredded red and green cabbage

• Toasted sesame seeds

• Sprouts option ( I like sunflower sprouts)

Equipment:

• nut milk mesh bag

• Food processor

• Bamboo sushi mat

METHOD

1. Place chopped jicama in food processor until finely chopped.

2. Take out and place in nut milk mesh bag. Press out all of the water ( there is a lot). Place jicama in a bowl to the side.

3. Prepped other veggies.

4. Cut avocado in thin slices.

5. Julien the red pepper.

6. Slice thin strips of peeled cucumber.

7. Keep asparagus long and trim bottoms off.

8. Shred carrots, and cabbages.

9. Place nori sheet on the sushi mat.

10. Spread approx 2 tbsp of jicama along the top of the nori sheet ( closest to you)

11. Lay each vegetable along on top of the jicama.

12. When done laying out the veg, start to roll up the sushi mat, with the nori sheet inside.

13. Keep moving the mat forward in a rolling motion to make a complete roll.

14. Remove mat. To “ seal” the edges of the sushi seaweed roll you may need to add a tiny bit of water along edge stick.

15. Sprinkle some sesame seeds if desired.

16. Keep whole or slice with a sharp knife into “sushi” rolls

17. Serve with a peanut sauce or a tamari ( soy sauce) mixture.