Orange Creme Protein Smoothie (GF, Vegan, Soy free)

This is a real simple smoothie and it doesn’t use nut milk. I’ve been reading up on the effects of carrageenan in our food. Just a quick explanation; it’s used to make creamy things hold together & not separate… dairy & nondairy alike, unfortunately. There are several almond and coconut milks that use it. If you want to read more about carrageenan here is an article on it.

<a title="Carrageenan Article" href="http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/carrageenan-natural-ingredient-you-should-ban-your-diet?">Carrageenan Article</a>

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So, l have a renewed focus on making my own nut milk (and not just being lazy). I didn’t have any made today, but happened to have some coconut water in the fridge. Coconut water is great for you, some people aren’t crazy about the taste though. Why not use it to make a nice creamy smoothie? Hydrating and gives you protein plus orange cream is a great flavor. Fabulous for a lighter breakfast or a post workout drink.

<a href="https://limitlesslifeladies.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/orange-creme.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-358" src="http://limitlesslifeladies.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/orange-creme.jpg?w=652" alt="Vegan Orange Creme Coconut Water Protein Smoothie" width="652" height="790" /></a>
<strong><em>Makes about 30 oz</em></strong>

<strong>8 oz coconut water</strong>
<strong> ½ banana</strong>
<strong> 1 orange, peeled</strong>
<strong> 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I used Vega’s <a title="Viva Vanilla" href="http://www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/protein-smoothie-viva-vanilla-V12-p-vega.html">Viva Vanilla</a>, love that stuff!!)</strong>
<strong> ½ TBS Maca powder (<em>optional</em>)</strong>
<strong> 8 ice cubes</strong>

Throw it all in the blender and blend until smooth. My personal recommendation is: start with the coconut water and end with the ice cubes, it’ll make things blend better.

Much love!!

Black Beauty Super Smoothie (GF, Raw, Vegan)

Or as my mother so lovingly refers to it as: Black Sludge. Black Beauty Super Smoothie sounds lots better, don't you think?
Ok, here is the thing about this smoothie, I wanted a smoothie that would include a good amount of spirulina but not taste like it too much but not including chocolate (it's a good cover, but wasn't wanted). Spirulina is really good for you, if you don't know much about it check out health benefits of spirulina. A lot of the ingredients in the smoothie could be optional, if you don't have a couple of them it wouldn't throw the whole thing. If you aren't quite sure about some of these ingredients & want to learn, check out my ingredients you may not know about tab.

Makes 24 oz

1 1/2 cup coconut water (could use almond milk, water kefir or water)
3 tbs chia gel (see below for chia gel recipe)
1/2 tbs hemp seeds
1 cup blueberries
5 whole strawberries (I just throw the whole thing in, with the greens, gonna mix anyway)
1 tbs maca
1 tbs spirulina
1 tsp wheatgrass powder
10 drops stevia (can sub 2-3 tsp other sweetener)
1/2 large banana or 1 sm/med banana
6 ice cubes
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)


Throw everything in a blender, except for the ice, and blend. Then add in the ice. It just makes things be blended better that way.

Chia Gel - making the chia into a gel like this makes it so your smoothie doesn't end up turning into a jelly instead. It also makes it a lot easier on your stomach, which most people appreciate. You can throw it into any drink including water, it helps take the hunger edge off, helps you stay hydrated (chia seeds can hold 10x's their weight in liquid) and are a great source of fiber. I make two cups worth & leave it in the fridge to add to whatever I feel like.
1 3/4 tbs chia
1 cup water
mix seeds in water & let sit for 5 min

Buckwheat Graham Crackers (GF, Vegan)

Seriously great graham crackers, if you like graham crackers. When I was little I used to have graham crackers with all sorts of things, like; peanut butter, frosting or apple sauce. I wouldn't eat it with the same kind of frosting on it today, but I still love them with any sort of smooth topping like that. These ones I made though to use for a graham cracker crust for a pie. Figured if I was going to make a pie, may as well make all of it from ingredients I like, right?

I edited this recipe from Nativas buckwheat graham cracker recipe.

36, 4 inch crackers

1/4 c flax seed, ground
1/2 c coconut sugar
3 TBS sucanat or turbinado sugar
*1 TBS maca (Optional, but recommended)
1/4 c coconut oil
*5 drops vanilla stevia, optional
2 cups buckwheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sea salt
1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/4 c agave nectar
2 Tbsp vanilla extract

Optional: Sugar mixed with cinnamon for topping

Directions
Mix together all dry ingredients. Then add in the the wet ingredients, and mix together with a mixer until a dough ball is formed. If the dough is too dry you can add a little more almond milk, one tsp at a time. Dough will be kind of sticky.
Heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Put half of the chilled dough on a large piece of parchment paper then put a second piece of parchment paper on top, then use a rolling pin to flatten it out – about 1/8 inch thick. Place on a baking sheet, and carefully remove top layer of parchment. Using a butter knife, cut the dough into rectangles then use a fork to make those necessary graham cracker holes. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, if using. After first batch is done, repeat with second dough half or do at the same time and place on a second baking sheet. Bake crackers for 22-25 minutes or until dried out but not burned.
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then place crackers on a wire rack to finish cooling and become crisper. They will stay good in an airtight container for about 2 weeks, if they stay around that long.

Banana Green Smoothie (GF, Raw, Vegan)

You can make this with all spinach or all kale, either way is good. Having the 2 just gives the smoothie a little more depth, not to mention it gives you nutrients from two different sources.
This is a great smoothie that I always tell everyone about, but haven't ever actually posted on here. So I figured it was time. My sister-in-law loved it and had my nieces try it, and they loved it, she started calling them "Shrek Smoothies" (brilliant!).

1 large serving

1 banana
1/2 cup spinach
1/2 cup kale
1 cup almond milk
1 Tbs agave nectar
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 ice cubes
*optional, 1 tsp maca powder

Put all ingredients in blender, except for ice and blend. Once completely blended, add in ice cubes.

Awake Chai [non]Tea (Alkaline, GF, Raw, Vegan)

I quite enjoy ice Chai tea, but don't want the caffine from the black tea that Chai is made with. This version doesn't use any tea, so there is no steeping of course, and it is alkaline as well. The maca in it also helps with energy, so can be a nice wake up in the morning, or whenever you want to drink it.

I adapted this recipe from the book Living in the Raw Gourmet, Chai Nut Milk Recipe.

Makes about 4 1/2 cups

2 1/2 c almond milk
2 c coconut water
1 tsp vanilla extract (no alcohol kind, I use frontier)
12 drops vanilla stevia
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp maca
1/2 tsp ground cardamom

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Enjoy.

*The spices settle fast, so, keep a spoon out to stir if you aren't going to drink it fast.

Slightly Mint Slightly Chocolate Smoothie (GF, Raw, Vegan)

I found a healthy Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Shake recipe online that I was pretty fond of, but had some additions and omissions to it that I liked.

1 large or 2 small servings

1 1/2 Tbs Almond Butter
1 Tbs Cacao Nibs (ground in a coffee grinder)
1 Tbs Hemp Seeds (ground in a coffee grinder)
10 Ounces Coconut Water
2 Pitted Mejool Dates
2 Drops Peppermint Oil
10 Mint Leaves
6 Drops Liquid Stevia (I used vanilla)
1/2 Tbs Green Powder, of choice (I used Perfect Food)
1 tsp Maca Powder
8 Ice Cubes

Put all ingredients except ice into a blender & blend until completely smooth. Then add in ice & blend again.