“The Best” Smoothie Recipe

This smoothie recipe is named “the best” because that is what my two-year-old son said after he tasted it!   Not only is this smoothie kid-friendly and delicious, it is also vegan and packed full of nutrients. 

1 Frozen Banana

1 Large Handful of Organic Girl Super Greens: A mixture of red and green swiss chard, tat soi, arugula and spinach (or greens go choice)

3/4 Cup Frozen Organic Blueberries

½ Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seeds

1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

1 Tsp Cacao Powder (Unsweetened)

1/4 - ½ Tsp Cinnamon (depending on taste)

Place all of the ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.  Add more almond milk to make smoother or ice cubes to thicken to your preference.

Enjoy!!

More delicious recipes:
Amazing Almond Butter Smoothie (dairy and gluten free)
Low glycemic index smoothie recipe
Low GI "Chocolate Shake" Smoothie - Dairy free 
Gluten Free Meatball Recipe
Green Juice Recipe
Homemade Healthy Cereal
Dairy-free, low glycemic index soft served ice cream recipe

Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets

 

These gluten-free chicken nuggets have quickly become one of our favorite meals.  We serve them on salads, with sweet potato fries and with mashed cauliflower.  They are delicious!!  This recipe is loosely based on the one I found at oursmallhours.com.  I switched the flours because I found almond flour works better and tastes better.  I also use fresh garlic, flavor the oil and add the almond milk coating.  This recipe would also be great for chicken fingers!

1 cup almonds for homemade almond flour (directions in the recipe)

1 teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons onion powder

2 teaspoons paprika

2 cloves minced garlic + 1 clove for flavoring the oil

½ cup almond milk

2-3 boneless organic free-range chicken breasts (one package 1-1.5 ponds)

¾ cup coconut oil

Rinse the chicken and cut into nugget sized pieces.  I cut them into about 1 inch x 1 inch pieces.  In a large bowl mix the first 6 ingredients together.  Pour 1/2 cup of almond milk into a separate small bowl.  Dredge the chicken pieces in the almond milk then coat with the flour mixture.  Meanwhile in a cast-iron skillet heat the coconut oil.  Add one clove of garlic to the heating oil to flavor it.  (This is optional).  I leave the garlic in the oil for a couple of minutes until it is starts to brown.  Remove the garlic clove and add the coated chicken pieces.  Flip once while cooking and remove when golden brown and cooked through.  Place on paper towels to soak up excess oil.  Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.  If you want some more spice and an extra health boost try adding a little Turmeric.  For more information about the benefits of turmeric click HERE.

Homemade Almond Flour: Take a cup of almonds and place into a high quality blender.  Grind on high speed until a flour consistency is reached.  It’s that easy!!

© Courtney Hillis

For more healthy recipes from Thrive click below:
Amazing Almond Butter Smoothie
Low Glycemic, Dairy Free Ice Cream
Healthy Homemade Cereal Recipe
Green Green Juice Recipe
Low GI Smoothie Recipe

Healthy, veggie-packed meatballs - gluten and dairy free

Healthy regards,

THRIVE

Homemade Healthy Cereal

(Mommy and Me Cereal)

When I first began my whole foods lifestyle and cut out packaged foods, I simply stopped eating cereal.  However, many of my clients have been asking me for an alternative to their packaged, sugary, unhealthy cereals.  Ah, a mission!  I have finally created my own delicious, healthy, homemade, kid-approved cereal.  Emerson (21 months) ate 2 (child-sized) bowls and was still asking for more this morning. :)

This cereal is chalked full of antioxidants, Omega-3's, fiber, protein, and many more vitamins and minerals varying upon the chosen ingredients.  (To learn more about Omega-3's read my Omega-3 blog post here).

The basic formula is:
2-3 tablespoons of Organic Ground Flaxseeds
A sprinkling of Chia Seeds
2 nut variaties of your choice
2 organic fruits of your choice
Superfood (optional)
Topped with the milk of your choice

For example, in today's cereal I used ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, almonds, pecans, strawberries and blueberries with unsweetened almond milk.  (Feel free to add any "extras" you might enjoy.  For example, dried fruits, goji berries, pumpkin seeds and unsalted organic sunflower seeds are some options I find tasty...I use them on different days....not in the same bowl of cereal).

UPDATE 6.5.13: I recently started adding bee pollen to my cereal.  This amazing superfood assists in ailments from allergies to cancer to infertility and "contains all the essential components of life".  For more information on this incredible food go to: http://www.mercola.com/article/diet/bee_pollen.htm

The ground flaxseeds give it the cereal texture while the chai seeds add a nice seedy texture.  I encourage you to play around with it to find your favorite variety.  Enjoy!!

For more delicious and healthy recipes click below:  

Amazing Almond Butter Smoothie

Low Glycemic Dairy Free Ice Cream

Green Green Juice 

Gluten Free Chicken Nugget Recipe

Low Glycemic Index Smoothie Recipe (with greens)

Healthy, veggie-packed meatballs - gluten and dairy free

Healthy Regards!

THRIVE

Green Green Juice Recipe

We have been juicing a lot recently, and Emerson LOVES it!  He drinks at least half of our "Green Green Juice" whenever we make it.  I have received several requests for my juice recipe since I posted a picture of Emerson helping me make juice:

While I do not have a set "recipe", I do have a template I typically follow.  This morning's juice was made with our delicious organic farmer's market finds:

I used a bunch of kale, one apple (Fiji or Gala or something of equal sweetness), a quarter of a lemon, a bunch of carrots, a quarter of a cucumber and 2 stalks of celery.  I vary the amount of each vegetable each time based on what we have.  I will also you ginger instead of lemon sometimes.  The ginger gives it a nice spice, but sometimes I accidentally use too much, which makes it too spicy for Emerson.  I will also use organic beets sometimes (but be careful because many beets are GMO).  I also do not always use cucumber.  Sometimes I like to throw in some lettuce (green leaf, red leaf or romaine), too.

Our morning juice:

Recipe: 

1 bunch of organic kale

1 apple (Gala or Fiji or one of equal sweetness)

3-5 carrots depending on size (the more you use the sweeter the juice will taste)

3-5 stalks of celery

Optional add ins: 

Cucumber

Ginger

Lemon

Beets (with greens)

Lettuce (Romaine, red leaf or green leaf)

**All ORGANIC Ingredients**

What's your favorite juice recipe?

I have found that I crave green juice on the days I do not make it.  I also have more energy and a better mood when I drink it.  I feel it gives me more energy than a cup of coffee or tea.  Try serving your delicious Green Green Juice with my favorite eco-friendly stainless steel straws!

For more delicious and healthy recipes click below:  

Amazing Almond Butter Smoothie

Low Glycemic Dairy Free Ice Cream

Homemade Healthy Cereal Recipe 

Gluten Free Dairy Free Chicken Nugget Recipe

Low Glycemic Index Smoothie Recipe (with greens)

Healthy, veggie-packed meatballs - Gluten and Dairy free

Healthy regards,

Courtney

THRIVE: Natural Family Living

Chocolate Avocado Pudding ~ YUM!

Happy new year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!!

Tonight I made the most delicious spur of the moment dessert. As usual, I was craving something sweet after dinner. However, we were out of all of my typical "go to" sweet treats so I began to search our pantry.... The result: Creamy Avocado Chocolate Pudding with Coconut Milk Whipped Cream!

I only had one avocado, but next time I will use more and make more!! I took my ripe avocado, cocoa powder, agave nectar, almond milk and vanilla extract and mixed them all together with my handheld blender, topped it with my staple coconut milk whipped cream and served. Oh my goodness it was so yummy!! The boys loved it!!


I recommend doubling or tripling the recipe if you want more than 2 individual servings.

1 Ripe Avocado
Just under 1/4 cup Cocoa Powder. (Probably 1/6 cup). Would use 1/3 cup for 2 avocados
1/8 cup agave nectar (I used dark agave) ( Travis said he'd like a little more agave next time)
1/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk plus added some while blending until it reached my desired consistency.
1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients together and serve.

For the Coconut Milk Whipped Cream:
1 chilled can of coconut milk
1 tablespoon agave (or to taste)
Dash of vanilla extract

Flip the can upside down and open. Pour out watery part (I save and use in my smoothies). Spoon thick, creamy part into a mixing bowl. Add agave and vanilla extract. Whip on med high until light and fluffy. Serve immediately.

Gluten and Dairy Free Low Glycemic Pumpkin Spice Muffins

UPDATE October 2013: I have found that this recipe works better without the coconut oil.  (Sometimes mistakingly leaving out an ingredient pays off. :) )
I first made these muffins on Thanksgiving.  They were so good and are so easy to make that I have already made them 3 times since then....and Thanksgiving was only 10 days ago.  In fact, I have a pumpkin roasting in the oven as I type.  I got the original recipe from one of my favorite blogs: Elana's Pantry http://www.elanaspantry.com/pumpkin-spice-muffins/.  However, I adjusted the recipe to fit my dietary needs.

1/4 Cup Coconut Flour
1/8 Teaspoon Sea Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
1 Tablespoon Ground Ginger
3 Large Eggs or 3 Flax Eggs
1/2 Cup Freshly Roasted Pumpkin (do not use canned) (be sure to use the small pie pumpkins they are sweeter and make all the difference!)  (I use a half a pumpkin per batch)
1/2 Cup Agave Nectar (I used dark agave, but light will work too.  The dark has more of a maple flavor)
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1/2 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Preheat oven to 350.  Stir the coconut flour, sea salt, baking soda, cinnamon and ginger together.  Put the mixed dry ingredients in a blender and mix in the eggs, pumpkin, agave, coconut oil and vanilla extract.  Transfer the batch lined muffin tin and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  Serve as is or with Fresh Homemade Coconut Milk Whipped Cream.  Recipe here: http://ohsheglows.com/2012/08/30/coconut-whipped-cream-a-step-by-step-photo-tutorial/  (Again, I used Agave Nectar instead of sugar).

Enjoy!!
© Courtney Hillis with THRIVE: Natural Family Living

Find more delicious and healthy recipes below:
Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetable Packed Meatballs
Dairy Free, Low Glycemic Ice Cream
Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets
Homemade, Healthy Cereal
Green Green Juice
Low Glycemic, Dairy Free Smoothie with Greens

Buddah Bowl Recipe

This is a fun recipe inspired by my favorite vegetarian restaurant on HHI, Delisheee Yo.  They serve what they call Buddah Bowls, which is a "changing offering of simple steamed grain."  My addiction to this delicious lunch led me to start creating it at home.  Not only is it healthy, but Emerson loves it.  This is also a great way to use your leftover quinoa or rice from the night before.

Mommy and Baby Buddah Bowls:

(Note: I eyeball my ingredients).  In the picture above I used our leftover quinoa from the previous night and added a dollop of fresh almond butter, a dash of cinnamon, chopped fresh Italian parsley, homemade apple cider vinaigrette (recipe below) and  a selection of fresh veggies.  In this meal I used beets, avocado and green onions.  Feel free to play around with the vegetables and use which ever ones you like.  Some suggestions: carrots, chick peas, sprouts, kale, bell peppers, tomatoes...the list can go on forever.  :)  I think next time I will add a dollop of hummus instead of almond butter.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
A dollop of dijon mustard (maybe a tablespoon or so)
A short pour of Apple Cider Vinegar (maybe a few tablespoons)
Chopped fresh Italian parsley (again I simply eyeball it until it looks like enough)
Wisk together the above ingredients while pouring in Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

You can check out Delisheee Yo's website here: http://delisheeeyo.com/

Enjoy and Healthy Regards!!

Juice Recipe

For all of my fellow juicers out there, here is a recipe a classmate of mine shared with me today. It includes papaya (see previous post below) and kale (another one of my favorite nutritious foods). NOTE: Be sure to use organic ingredients. I am excited to try this recipe!
Enjoy!

Clear Skin Green Juice:
romaine lettuce
kale or spinach
1-2 apples or pears
1 lemon
1/2 papaya
1 beet