Tagged smoothie
Chocolate Pecan Pie Smoothie
Make this chocolate pecan pie smoothie even more decedent by topping it with whipped cream, chopped pecans and chocolate!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 Maca Chocolate bar (chopped)
2 Tbsp pecans (chopped)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Optional: top with your fave whipped cream. I like this vegan coconut whipped cream!
Directions:
Blend all ingredients
Top with whipped cream, chopped pecans and chocolate
Pumpkin Smoothie
Once fall hits I’m all about pumpkin. All pumpkin everything! This pumpkin smoothie is perfect for cozying up on the sofa with a blanket and a good book.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
2 tsp maca
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla
Granola (to taste; I used my fave homemade peanut butter granola)
Directions:
Blend all ingredients (except granola)
Top with granola
Big Green Pear Smoothie
You’d never know it from the taste but this smoothie has 5 servings of fruits and veggies!
Ingredients
1 scoop Vega Vanilla Protein Smoothie or French Vanilla Vega One
1 cup coconut water
½ frozen banana
1 pear (ripe)
2 cup spinach
ice
Directions
Blend and enjoy!
As originally posted on MyVega.com
Make Ahead Smoothies
What’s easier than making a smoothie every morning? Making them once a week and freezing them of course! Try the combinations below or use them as inspiration to make your favorite combination of frozen fruits and greens that you can store in freezer for easy smoothies on-the-go. All you have to do is prep the ingredients, freeze in a Mason jar, freezer bag, or even ice cube trays. When you’re ready to enjoy, just add liquid and your favorite Vega One flavor to the pre-packaged ingredients, blend and enjoy! As originally posted on MyVega.com.
Each recipes serves 1
Berry Darling Smoothie
- 1/2 banana, peeled (Tip: never let a banana go to waste again; this is a great way to use those almost too ripe bananas!)
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 serving Vega One Natural or French Vanilla
Tropical Mint Smoothie
- 1/4 cup mint leaves
- 1 cup spinach
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 serving Vega One Natural or French Vanilla
- 1/2 banana (optional)
All the Green Things Smoothie
- I cup pineapple
- 1/2 cucumber
- 2 cups spinach
- 1/2 cup parsley
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 serving Vega One Natural or French Vanilla
Preparation
- Measure out all ingredients (except Vega One and liquid)
- Package pre-measured ingredients in a freezer bag or glass Mason jar
- Freeze
- When you’re ready to enjoy, add to blender with Vega One and liquid
Up too early to turn the blender on?
You can blend any of these smoothies ahead of time, divided into ice cube trays and freeze for a blender-free smoothie. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw a cup full or smoothie cubes and enjoy. I like to pop some into a Mason jar, seal it and take it with me to work. By the time I arrive all it needs is a straw to be ready to enjoy.
Matcha Smoothie
I’m going to let you in on a little secret – matcha powder. It’s your secret weapon for energy in 2015. Not only does matcha contain caffeine it’s also a rich source of an amino acid called L-Theanine. L-Theanine promotes a state of relaxation as well as offers mental focus and clarity without any jitters or crash that you may get with caffeine from other sources, such as coffee. Bonus – you’re going to love the taste of this smoothie. I recommend trying it a few different ways so you’ll find 3 of my fave options below.
Ingredients:
1 cup cold, unsweetened almond milk
1/2 teaspoon matcha powder (I like Organic Traditions ceremonial Matcha)
1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
1 scoop Vanilla protein powder (I like either Vega One or Vega Sport Performance Protein)
Ice
Sprinkle cinnamon
Sprinkle vanilla
Optional: Honey or maple syrup to taste
Optional topping: Top with chia seeds, cacao nibs and bee pollen
Directions:
Blend & enjoy
Option 1: Blend with ice
Option 2: Blend with ice and less milk (start with 1/4 cup) to make it thick then top with optional toppings
Option 3: Blend everything except ice. Serve on the rocks.
5 Healthy Holiday Recipes to Make You the Hit of the Party
Never find yourself stuck, last minute, in the Whole Foods lineup, with a basket full of pre-made goodies again. There’s no need to spend hours preparing dishes for your next holiday party either. With these healthy holiday recipes you’ll easily (and effortlessly) be in the running to be the hit of your next party without all the stress of over-complicated or time-consuming dishes.
These are my top five favorite go-to recipes for holiday parties – whether I’m going to a potluck, hosting a dinner party or preparing a quick meal for one during the holiday season. As originally posted on MyVega.com.
1. Brussels Sprouts Three Ways
These aren’t your Grandma’s Brussels. Gone are the days of soggy, lackluster Brussels sprouts when you have these roasted recipes in your back pocket. If find yourself into Brussels in a big way consider a Brussels sprout bar for your next party where you make all three recipes. If you have a bit more time, add these Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Coconut Bacon to the mix.
2. Fruitcake Baked Oatmeal
Fruitcake is the new black. You heard it here first and with this fruitcake baked oatmeal you’ll be right on trend. This recipe is great as a meal for one or for brunch gatherings.
3. Cranberry Maple Glazed Lentil Loaf
With the prep time coming in under 30 minutes this loaf is sure to wow any of your skeptic friends and family who think plant-based, gluten-free meals are time-consuming and not at all tasty.
4. Maca Chocolate Bark
If you want to look like you spent hours in the kitchen and have your friends and family wondering how you have time to fit it all in, try this Vega Maca Chocolate bark. You can whip this up in under 15 minutes and still have time for all the other things you need to do this holiday season.
5. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Who needs pumpkin pie when you can have this smoothie? This is a spin on a holiday fave without all the added calories you would find in a classic pumpkin pie recipe. I like to serve this in shot glasses with coconut whip cream for dessert or enjoy it for breakfast when I’m in the mood for a holiday-inspired smoothie.
What’s your go-to party fave? Let me know in the comments below!
Sweet Potato Smoothie
You, my friend, are as sweet as pie and you deserve a smoothie just as sweet as you. As originally posted on MyVega.com this is one of my Fall faves that’s naturally sweet, just like you!
Ingredients
1 cup sweet potato (cooked, peeled and chilled)
1 cup cold almond milk
¼ cup gluten-free oats
2 Tbsp almond butter
1 serving Vega One Nutritional Shake Natural
½ tsp vanilla
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
Directions
Blend
Optional: top with your fave whipped cream and chopped nuts
Apple & Greens Smoothie
An apple a day… you know the rest. Get your daily apple with this apple + greens smoothie recipe; as originally posted on MyVega.com
Ingredients
½ Granny Smith apple
1 cup kale (stems removed)
½ cup frozen pineapple
½ fresh squeezed lemon (or 1 tsp lemon juice)
1 cup water
1 serving Vega One French Vanilla
Directions
Just blend & enjoy!
Top 5 Recipes For When It’s Too Hot Too Cook
If you’re anything like me, as soon as the sun’s out all I want to do is be outside. The last thing I want to do it spend time inside cooking. Turning the oven on? Forget about it. With that in mind here are my top 5 no bake recipes to make when it’s too hot to cook. As originally posted on MyVega.com.
1. Summer Rolls with Mango and Mint Dipping Sauce These rolls are refreshing, light and can be made in less than 30 minutes
2. Collard Green Wraps I love to take these wraps on picnics at the beach. I prep all the ingredients at home and leave the assembly for the beach. Bonus – if you are enjoying these with a group everyone can assemble their own so everyone gets what they want.
3. Overnight Oats Yes, you can eat oatmeal in the summer. Overnight oats are a quick and easy breakfast option you can enjoy when it’s scorching by 9AM. I like to make mine with seasonal fruits such as berries, cherries and apples.
4. Vegan Protein Balls Perfect for an on-the-go post-workout recovery snack or afternoon at the park snack. I’ll prep a batch and store them in the freeze r until I’m ready to take them on the road with me.
5. Greena Colada Smoothie If you’re in the mood for something that will keep you cool while packing a nutrient-dense punch I recommend trying this smoothie.
Recover Faster with Proper Nutrition
Recently I had the opportunity to write an article for Alive Magazine. On one of my favorite topics – post-workout fuel! Often forgotten after a crazy workout refueling with the right nutrients at the right time is just as important as the workout itself! Here’s the full article, as originally posted on Alive.com (and published in the July 2014 issue):
Choosing the right nutrient dense foods post workout can help all athletes (whatever their sport) improve their performance by helping accelerate recovery. Those who are able to recover faster can train again sooner. And those who are able to train more frequently have more opportunity to improve their performance.
Mechanics of muscle glycogen replenishment
Efficient recovery following high levels of exercise intensity requires refuelling post workout. During your workout your main source of energy comes from carbohydrates—either as stored glycogen or consumed glucose.
Without adequate intake of necessary carbohydrates between bouts of exercise, your body will draw on stored fuel to keep you going, converting glycogen (stored sugar in the muscles and liver) to glucose. It’s important to replenish glycogen stores post workout so you’re ready for your next round of activity.
Speed up muscle glycogen replenishment
Research has shown that consuming a three-to-one or four-to-one ratio of carbohydrates-to-protein immediately after exercise is the most effective combination of macronutrients to support glycogen replenishment. This combination is most effective when consumed within 30 minutes after your workout.
You’ll want to choose simple, easy to digest carbohydrates for most efficient absorption. Fruit such as grapefruit, bananas, dates, or melons are ideal. Add some easy to digest protein to help with the uptake of glucose into your muscle cells—and start the process of muscle tissue repair and protein synthesis.
A higher protein meal can be consumed later, about 45 to 90 minutes post workout.
Foods for optimum recovery
Consuming the right foods at the right time is key to promoting greater recovery following exercise. It doesn’t need to be complicated, though. Here are a few ideas you can try.
Fresh juice
Planning to stop by the juice bar after your workout? Enjoy a fresh-pressed juice with a handful of nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, or selenium-rich Brazil nuts) for a perfect post-workout option.
Smoothie
Not into juice? Have a smoothie. Try combining 1 Tbsp (15 mL) almond butter with 1 cup (250 mL) frozen fruit, such as pineapple and strawberries; 1 cup (250 mL) almond milk; and ice. Add 1 cup (250 mL) spinach or kale for an added nutrient boost.
Pineapple makes a good addition because it’s a source of enzymes, specifically bromelain, which aids in the breakdown of protein, further supporting efficient glycogen replenishment.
Want something even easier?
Try a small banana with a handful of nuts.
Mainly Bridgette 