Very Berry Smoothie; Vegan; Meatless Monday!

It finally feels like summer here!! Well actually too much summer!! It is officially not summer yet!! It was so hot all weekend long!! I couldn't bear it! All I did was drink fluids all weekend long. I didn't feel like eating anything due to the heat. 

I made this mixed berry smoothie using the berries I had in my refrigerator. This is the season for berries and I have atleast 2-3 kinds on hand all the time. The kids love yo munch on berries and I use them in my oatmeal. For the smoothie I used some overripe strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. I added a whole banana to give the smoothie thickness and sweetness. Just to be extra sure, I threw in a tablespoon of honey. I am aware that smoothies are made with milk but I blended the whole thing with water. You could use coconut water to give additional sweetness or to substitute for honey. You could strain it if you wish. I didn't strain it! The kids and hubby loved it! I am sure I will make this all summer long! It is a great way to get people who don't eat fruits to eat fruits! My son couldn't keep his hands off!

Servings: makes four 8 oz glasses 

Prep time: 5 minsCook time: 0 mins Total time: 5 mins 

Ingredients : 

Strawberries: 1 cup,hulled, washed and drained. 

Blueberries: 1 cup, hulled, washed and drained. 

Raspberries: 1 cup, hulled, washed and drained. 

Banana: 1, large

Honey/Agave : 1 tbsp

Water: 2 cups ( can add more depending on desired thickness)

Ice: 1+ 1 cup

Method:

Add all the above ingredients except 1 cup ice, to a blender. Pulse and blend for 1 minute.

Divide 1 cup ice between 4 cups. Pour the smoothie until desired level. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Serve chilled!

Enjoy!! I am sharing this with my dear friends at Angie's Fiesta Friday#177. Your cohosts this week are Ai @ Ai Made It For You and Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook.

Cooking made easy: 

If you cannot be bothered with washing and cleaning the berries, you can use frozen berries. They usually come in a mixed bag and are perfect for smoothies! All you have to do is throw them in a blender! 

You can add soy/almond/coconut milk if you are vegan and regular milk if you are not. It makes for a great filling breakfast substitute. 

Tip for healthy living: 

Always wash berries just before using them. Soak them for 5 mins in cold water with a few drops of vinegar in it. This apparently helps clean most impurities. Then drain on paper towels.

Food for thought :

Fear is the mother of foresight. Thomas Hardy

Please do share your thoughts. Your opinion matters!

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Refreshing Vegan Mixed Fruit Smoothie; Meatless Monday.

When we talk of smoothies, we automatically know that it is thick, has some fruit in it and definitely has yogurt in it. So what about all those people who don't consume dairy?? How do they enjoy the goodness of smoothies?? This was a question for me as well as I AVOID dairy. I decided that I could make a smoothie without dairy. Now technically, I don't know if the term " smoothie " is reserved to drinks that are made with yogurt only. I know that the smoothie that I made has the same thickness, creaminess, richness as that of a smoothie with yogurt in it. I can also tell you that it is absolutely delicious and refreshing! It is perfect for a sunny day. I  came across this recipe by accident. One hot morning when I was cooking while visiting my sister-in-law, I grew very hot and thirsty. I wanted something that was cold and refreshing but healthy and low in calories. There were a whole variety of fruits at home . I decided to make a smoothie..vegan, of course!! I  added a banana, a handful of blueberries, one grapefruit, a overripe peach, a dab of honey,  almond milk and some chia seeds and blended them together. Refreshing, delicious, healthy, vegan smoothie was ready!!

Servings: Four 6 oz glasses

Ingredients:

Banana: one , peeled.
Grapefruit: one, peeled.
Peach: one large, peeled.
Blueberries: 1 cup, washed.
Original Almond milk: 2 cups
Honey: 1 tsp
Chia seeds: 1 tsp ( optional) 
Cherries:4-5 for garnish

Method:

Add all the above ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth( around 1 minute).

Serve chilled. Can add ice cubes to the glass in which it is being served.
I have served it in small cups.

It is best to drink it immediately as the chia seeds will make the consistency of the smoothie thick with time.

Enjoy!

Cooking made easy:

Any combination of fruits can be used to make this smoothie. You can use whatever fruits you have on hand.

You can add some ice cubes/ tonic water/ seltzer while blending. I chose not to.

You can skip the chia seeds if you wish.

You can use sugar / any kind of sweetener instead of honey. I used honey because it is a healthier option.

Tip for healthy living:

Almond milk is a great alternative for people who want to avoid dairy or cannot tolerate dairy. It is low in calories with one cup of original almond milk containing only 60 calories compared to one cup of skim milk which has 80 calories. It also has a lower fat content and therefore is heart healthy. 

Food for thought:

Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure. George Edward Woodberry.

Energizing breakfast smoothie(GF, vegan); Meatless Monday.

 

Smoothies if done right can be a great accompaniment to a breakfast or could substitute the whole breakfast itself. Smoothie can also be a refreshing/re-energizing mid-day drink replacing the mid-day snack. The reason I mentioned " if done right" is because smoothies can become just additional calories that are drunk if not done right. How so??There are several  different ways to make smoothies. You could make it with fruits and vegetables, yogurt . Add healthy ingredients like berries, chia seeds , protien powder or wheat germ and flax  and it becomes healthy;or you could make it with  added sugar, ready made chocolate syrup, any other flavored syrup and it is just additional  calories consumed! Therefore it is important that one is being mindful of the kind of smoothie that is being consumed. It should have all natural ingredients with no added sugar/additives or preservatives. 

Smoothies can be easily made at home. This particular smoothie has the goodness of fruits like papaya, watermelon, cantaloupe and banana, the protein, omega-3 fatty acid and fiber from the chia seeds, flax seeds and almond milk . It is gluten free and vegan as it is made with almond milk and not regular milk or yogurt. The thickness and richness of the smoothie comes from the frozen bananas.It has no added sugar and the sweetness comes from the inherent sweetness of the fruits. It is fat-free! It is filling, nourishing and refreshing! What more can one want?? Read more regarding the health benefits of the key ingredients in the tip for healthy living section of this post.

Servings:  makes two 8 oz glasses

Ingredients:

Frozen banana: 1
Papaya pieces: 1 cup
Cantaloupe pieces: 1/2 cup
Spinach leaves: 1/4 cup
Chia seeds: 1 tsp
Flaxmeal: 1 tsp
Unsweetened original Almond milk: 1 cup ( can add more if you desire a more liquid consistency)
Ice cubes: 6-8

Method:

Add all the above ingredients to a blender and blend until it is a homogenous mixture.

Serve on additional ice cubes or as is.

Serve immediately as if kept for a while, the smoothie thickens due to the presence of chia seeds and Flaxmeal. If you intend to serve/ drink it slightly later, add additional 1 cup almond milk or coconut water and keep refrigerated until ready to drink.

Enjoy!

Cooking made easy:

For the above smoothie you could change the fruits based on your taste and availability. Instead of papaya and cantaloupe you can add other fruits like mango, pinapple, watermelon etc. You can use other greens such as baby kale instead of spinach. Mint may be added. Frozen banana is a must but you can add fresh banana in addition to it.

Tip for healthy living:

Fruits are abundant in vitamins and minerals. The vitamins that they mainly contain is associated with usually to the color of the fruit.

Flaxmeal and chia seeds are both rich in omega-3 fatty acids and therefore very healthy. They are also rich in fiber and add bulk to any meal. This helps create and maintain a sense of fullness thereby reaching satiety early and preventing hunger pangs . It also helps maintain the blood sugar level and prevents spiking and dropping . The dietary fiber also helps prevent constipation and irregularity thereby maintaining good GI health.

Almond milk is a good source of protein and makes for a great dairy-free substitute for milk.

Food for thought:

Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn. Walter Scott.