Creating a healthy and purpose-driven life.
Is anybody else as into dark sweet cherries as I am? Right now I’m on a cherry kick, maybe due to the ending of summer. (Btw I’m fully prepared for fall, even though fall hasn’t fully hit yet.) I’ve had this smoothie almost every morning for breakfast, and can’t imagine starting my day without it. I don’t know what it is about it that makes it so delicious, but it’s just the right combination of berries and sweetness from the cherries that it blends into a delicious smoothie!
So Blogtober hit a bit of a speed bump. My computer started acting up, and my mouse went everywhere but where I wanted to. Trying to get this fixed took a while, but I’m back and will of course post all of the fall-themed content I had planned for Blogtober! So here goes!
I eat a lot of veggies, really I do! But the one thing I can never get myself to do is to eat veggies raw. Fruit? No problem! Veggies? No chance! I don’t know if it’s the taste of uncooked vegetables or the texture, but I just prefer them stir fried in olive oil with seasoning. However I do know that there are significant nutritional benefits to munching on some carrot or celery sticks. The only way one can get me to do that though is with dips. Unfortunately due to a dairy intolerance, ranch dip is out of the question. Guacamole is great for every once in a while, but some variety is appreciated!
As I’ve told you before, I got obsessed with smoothie bowls. I’ve been keeping this smoothie bowl recipe to myself for a bit, waiting for the right moment to post this! Since I already gave you guys one non-green smoothie bowl, it’s time to add one recipe with greens in it!
Smoothie bowls are the latest craze. It’s a nice change from just drinking your morning smoothie, to spooning it from a bowl with your choice of toppings. Naturally, I had to try it out right away….and was HOOKED!
I love love love smoothie bowls, and of course acai bowls as well, which you can find at many smoothie bars and other health food cafes or restaurants. Since I just came back from Florida and was greeted by snow (and rain!), I decided to bring some of that sunshine and tropical goodness back with me in form of a smoothie bowl.
I’ve been seeing this Ancient Grain and Super Seed Blend from Trader Joe’s all over Facebook lately, and it had me curious. Since I already was in the mood for protein balls (and practicing for our upcoming road trip), I decided to head over to find it. Instead I found a different one with coconut chips and dried cranberries!
I know you’re thinking how could this be? But I swear this tastes like Snickerdoodle in a cup. I don’t know how it’s possible, but it’s clearly a sign that life is all good. Whenever I have a craving for something sweet, which is pretty much always, I tend to deviate to making this smoothie. It’s perfect. Sweet, cinnamon-y, creamy, yet surprisingly healthy for you! It’s also customisable to a certain extent, with the option of what nut butter or seed butter you want to use, or if you want to add a subtle almond flavour as well.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’m a girl of simplicity. Don’t give me diamonds, but give me books or a hug. I have no need for a cordon bleu (though I would certainly appreciate the luxury of it), I’m very much satisfied with a bowl of oatmeal. For a while I went grain-free, but I’m really trying to heal my gut and part of that is looking at the fodmap diet. According to the fodmap diet, oats would be okay. I’m still doing dairy-free and gluten-free, and plan on keeping those intolerances at a minimum, but I might try whey protein powder for a while to see how it goes! Part of me is scared about how my body will react, but the other part of me is excited. I’ve lived for a while now with so many dietary restrictions, that it was making things like eating out more difficult than necessary. Don’t even get me started on traveling!
With the holiday season over, I’m still craving sweets but at the same time want to slim down again. (Let’s not even talk about the 5 lbs. I’ve gained over Christmas time!) Protein balls aka energy bites are a wonderful way to fulfill the sweet cravings, as well as fill up relatively quickly in a healthy manner.
Oh man, I can’t get enough of this smoothie! It’s the perfect combination of fresh, creamy, sweet and oh-so-satisfying! To be honest, this might be my favorite smoothie (but shhh don’t tell that to the other smoothies!).