Peppermint Dessert Freeze

Greetings!

Today I wanted to share with you a favorite new treat! It is perfect for this most wonderful time of year! And, it can be enjoyed by everyone! It's dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free.

Peppermint Dessert Freeze
(makes about 4 small servings)

Ingredients:
1. 2 frozen bananas (in halves)
2. 1.5 cups almond milk
3. 1 cup ice
4. 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (natural)
5. 4 tablespoons chocolate chips + more for garnish, optional

Directions:
Blend frozen bananas, almond milk, ice, until smooth. Add 4 tablespoons of chocolate chips (I used dairy-free). Blend on low, just enough to break the chips into smaller pieces. Serve in adorable glasses.. and garnish with additional chocolate chips if desired.
















Disclaimer: I am not saying that chocolate chips are healthy. I live by the 90/10 % diet. 90% percent of the time I eat amazingly healthy. 10% of the time I eat chocolate... well maybe only 2%. ;) Learning about the importance of not depriving yourself in my studies this year at Integrative Nutrition this past year has inspired me to start enjoying (organic, dairy-free) chocolate more!

I hope you are enjoying the beginning of the holiday season!

P.S. 'Taste for Healthy' now has a Facebook page! I am so excited to connect with like-minded wellness and nutrition enthusiasts!

Fall Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Smoothie!

Greetings!

I don't know about you... but I am ready for fall! The last week of August is a great time to begin enjoying pumpkin smoothies, right? ;)

Every August, I always have to remind myself that it is not fall, yet.... even though Michael's has had the fall decor out for a month! Yesterday I went to my favorite store, and learned that they are already selling Christmas decor!

Crazy...

Anyways, I just learned about a fall recipe contest that my beloved nutrition school, Integrative Nutrition is having!

25 entries will be selected to publish in their fall recipe ebook! This summer, my Tropical Mango Banana Sherbert was featured on the Integrative Nutrition blog! Naturally, I am excited at the chance to submit a fall recipe!

Experimental recipe #1... Pumpkin Pie Smoothie!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. pumpkin
• 3/4 c. almond milk
• 2 dates, pitted
• 1/2 banana, frozen
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• optional: candied pecans

Directions:
Add all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Garnish with candied pecans, if desired. Simple!
*I use a Vitamix. If you are interested in purchasing one, I can get you free shipping!

This week's agenda:

• prepare handouts/giveaways for my clients
• get a pedicure with my mom today!
• update Facebook page
• finish the September newsletter
• create 'Healthy Kids' presentation for upcoming event
• get ready for 'Sugar Blues' seminar and webinar
• enjoy a reiki massage session!
• relax with my favorite yoga DVD
• get ready for my family's annual Mammoth trip!
• surprise Jon with an early Christmas present!

Have an amazing weekend!!

*Featured Recipe*

Greetings! I hope you are having a great week!!

Just wanted to post a quick update... "Tropical Mango Banana Sherbert" was featured on the Integrative Nutrition blog today!

If you are looking for some healthy recipe inspiration... or ideas on what to make with seasonal produce, check out the blog!

There are 100 original recipes, all by students and graduates of Integrative Nutrition! :)

Happy end-of-the-week!!

Tropical Mango Banana Sherbert!

It's almost Friday!! How is your week going? ♥

I am so excited about events have happened so far! I feel like I need to 'pinch' myself because I cannot believe reality... :)

1. Integrative Nutrition mailed me my official certificate to begin supporting clients!
2. My health coaching website has officially launched!
3. I welcomed my first client into my 6-month program!!!
4. Last night I met Joshua Rosenthal, the founder/director of Integrative Nutrition, & fellow IN students/grads in Hollywood!!! It was amazing to connect with so many positive, like-minded people!!

Ahhhhhhhh! I hope I can keep up this pace! ;)

The W Hotel was perfect for an IN meet-up!

Anyways... yesterday, I made a delicious treat by accident! (I was craving cold + sweet, so I just grabbed some fruit from the freezer and threw it into the food processor! All of the sudden, I realized that I had just made "Tropical Mango Banana Sherbert!" ♥

Ingredients:

• 1/2 banana, frozen
• 2 slices mango, frozen
• 1 tablespoon coconut milk
• blueberries, dried or fresh 

Directions:
Place banana and mango into food processor, add coconut milk. Blend for about 1 minute, until the mixture has a smooth consistency. Scoop out with an ice cream scoop. Top with blueberries (or fruit of choice!)

Makes 2 servings.

I hope you have an amazing rest of the week!! ♥

P.S. If anyone would like to "like" my new Facebook page, I would ♥ the support! (And I gladly return the favor!) http://tinyurl.com/6g4awyy

P.P.S. Is anyone in California going to WorldFest this weekend?! My mom and I are going on Sunday! :)

Clementine Banana Soft Serve!

Greetings! I hope this Wednesday finds you well & having a great week!

This week, Integrative Nutrition has informed my class that we are ready to begin seeing clients!! I've been crazy busy lately with finalizing my business cards, website, business license, etc. But I am loving it! I've never been more excited about anything in my life! (except when I met Jon ♥) More than anything... I want to be an entrepreneur and improve the health & happiness of people everywhere!

Sneak peak...

Thank you to my sister, Alyssa (a graphic designer), for this amazing logo!! 

  

Ahhhhhhh! I am so happpy!!! Everything is coming together!!!

Anyways, on to the recipe for Clementine Banana Soft Serve! 

The other day... I was craving ice cream. This seems to be a common craving when the weather warms up. So I whipped up an easy, healthy, & refreshing treat! It was so delightful, I just had to share!

Clementine Banana Soft Serve

Ingredients:

• 1 banana, frozen (in halves)
• 1 clementine, frozen
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• strawberries (optional)
• 1 tablespoon carob chips (optional)

Directions: 

Place banana and clementine in food processor, add vanilla. Blend until mixture has a 'soft serve' consistency.

*note: If mixture is not becoming creamy, add a dash of liquid, such as almond milk or water. Garnish with sliced strawberries and carob chips! ♥

What are the Benefits of Carob?

• Carob contains vitamins A, B, B1, B2, B3, B6, D; calcium; iron; potassium; magnesium; manganese; and about 8 percent protein. It's also very rich in fiber and pectin, and low in sodium. One tablespoon of carob powder contains two grams of fiber and one cup contains about 40 grams. Pectin helps to eliminate toxins from the body.

• Carob does not contain theobromine, caffeine, phenylethylamine or fromamide, stimulants in commercial chocolate that can cause migraines and allergic reactions in some people and are toxic to dogs and cats. It also does not contain oxalic acid, which hinders absorption of calcium and zinc.Carob has a natural, mild, sweet taste of its own, so it doesn't need much sugar to sweeten it. For those who don't like chocolate or are allergic or sensitive to it, carob powder is a great substitute for cocoa powder in any recipe.
  
  Source: eHow

*Update* I've added must-see documentaries to the Inspiration page!

Have an amazing day and great rest of the week!!

Cake Batter Milkshake!

Tomorrow I will be 25! Wow, I almost feel like an 'adult!'

Anyways, I wanted to celebrate (a day early) with this healthy Cake Batter Milkshake!

It tastes amazingly close to 'real' cake batter, but it is completely healthy! Yet, it seems so 'naughty' and delicious, that I just had to share it with you! ♥

I want to give a huge "thank you!!" to the talented and creative Chocolate Covered Katie for the original recipe!

Cake Batter Milkshake

• 1 banana, frozen
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-3 teaspoons coconut oil, melted
• 2/3 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoons coconut flour (for cake-y-ness)
• Optional: sprinkles

Blend ingredients together. Add some sprinkles, pre-blending, and then add more on top!

A recipe for vegan coconut whipped cream can be found here!

Have you made any healthy 'cake batter' recipes?

Vegan Vanilla Almond Milkshake!

Hello fellow health and wellness lovers!

It's been awhile since I've posted an update...

This was a busy week: work, house-sitting, studying my coursework for Integrative Nutrition, and working on my health coaching business! I've also been spending time on my gardening blog! ♥

Anyways... last year around this time I found a health food store in Las Vegas, where I had a "Raw Vanilla Milkshake." I don't remember the exact ingredients, but this is what I came up with!

Vegan Vanilla Almond Milkshake
(2 servings)

• 1 banana
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 1/2 cups ice
• 1 medjool date (2 for added sweetnes)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 4 tsp. flax oil* (optional, see note below)

 *Flax oil is great for balancing hormones! ;)

Who ever said milkshakes have to be made out of sugar and dairy anyways?

Vegan Gluten-Free Blueberry Banana Bread!

Good morning! How was your weekend? 

Jon and I enjoyed our Saturday night by having an "I Love Lucy" marathon! (Yes, we are wild and crazy.)

Anyways, to get this week off to a great start, I decided to have some fun in the kitchen this morning!

The end result? Vegan Gluten-Free Blueberry Banana Bread! In addition to being vegan, it is also gluten-free!
 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons agave
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup oat flour
• 1/2 cup arrowroot
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup dried blueberries (or fresh!)

Directions:
1. Grease 9x5x3 loaf pan with canola oil and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In blender, combine oil, agave, banana, water, and vanilla.
3. In separate bowl, combine oat flour, arrowroot, baking powder, salt, and blueberries.
4. Add liquid ingredients to dry and mix well.
5. Pour into loaf pan and back for 15 minutes.

Lots of delicious banana flavor, just the right amount of sweetness...

As a special treat... you could even make Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, using chocolate chips instead of the blueberries. Yum!

Do you have any vegan banana bread recipes? I would love to try them... :)

I hope you are having an amazing Monday!!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Oats... and Snow!

Good morning!

How is 2011 treating you so far? Have you made anything new and delicious?

I've recently discovered a new favorite breakfast: Peanut Butter and Jelly Oats!

 

Last week in Big Bear, I had an oatmeal craving... every morning. I wanted to ensure I had plenty of energy until lunch... so I would stir a spoonful of peanut butter into my oats. It was amazingly delicious... but I thought to myself... "How much more amazing would this breakfast be if I had brought jelly?!"

Naturally, I made it with jelly as soon as we got home. And every morning since... Peanut Butter and Jelly Oats is what I have been enjoying for breakfast!

I've definitely been waking up excited for breakfast on these cold January mornings. Oh, and bananas compliment this deliciousness perfectly!

By the way, this is what we woke up to this morning...

It hardly ever snows in Palmdale! But yesterday we got 4 inches! Yippee! :)




















Are you currently having any exciting weather? Also, how do you "fancy up" your morning oatmeal?

Vegan Banana Chocolate Delight!

Last night I came across this Vegan Banana Delight Recipe from VeganBaking.net. It looked sooooooooo delicious... and I immediately decided that I was going to make this for breakfast today! Here is what I ended up with!

It is very similar in appearance to the inspirational recipe... but I used almond butter instead of walnuts. Completely healthy with lots of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, & healthy fat!

Ingredients:
-2 T. almond butter
-1 banana
-1 T. vegan chocolate chips
-1 tsp. dried coconut

Directions:
Just slice the banana lengthwise, spread on the almond butter, garnish with vegan chocolate chips, and sprinkle with coconut! Yum!! :)

Next time I am going to make a  "banana split!"

Basic Overnight Oats!

Today's breakfast was a version of Angela's famous Vegan Overnight Oats!



















PM Ingredients:
-1/3 c. oats
-3/4 c. almond milk
-2 T. chia seeds
-1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions: Mix ingredients together and place in the fridge overnight.

AM Ingredients:
-1 banana, frozen
-strawberry (optional)
-cacao nibs (optional)

Directions: Place frozen banana in a food processor and process until banana has a creamy consistency. Take oat mixture out of the fridge and stir. Layer the oat and banana mixtures and top with strawberry and cacao nibs! (or any other topping!) Enjoy!! :)

Oh, and the strawberry came from the backyard! :)