(Guest Post) This smoothie is an incredible morning pick me up or great to enjoy any time of day. Its contains a power packed mix of both greens and vitamin C rich fruits to make a sweet yet potent delight that will make you smile. Spinach leaves are used as the primary leafy green, but the addition of parsley provides extra vitamin C as well as an energy boost that can help to act as a mild appetite suppressant for those trying to lose a few pounds.
On the fruit side of things this recipe calls for ripe mango, orange and pineapple in this smoothie creating a great mix of sweetness to balance the taste of the earthy greens. The high vitamin C content of this smoothie has great immune boosting benefits- as I write this I have made it through this year’s cold and flu season without a touch of illness while many of my family and friends have been down for weeks. I owe a sizable degree of my wellness to drinking two of these smoothies per day for the last 3 months! Here is the recipe; this makes about 32 oz, or roughly two servings.
The Super- C Tropical Pineapple Smoothie
- 2 6 inch pineapple spears
- cup chopped mango
- 1 ripe navel orange
- 2 cups spinach leaves
- 4 sprigs of parsley
- cup of ice
- cup of water
Blend greens, ice and water first until smooth and liquid, and then add pineapple, orange and mango.
I typically drink half of this blender full of goodness first thing, and save the rest in a 20 oz. plastic shaker bottle in the refrigerator. I will shake up and finish the rest around lunch time. If you have a sweet tooth and are looking for an energizing smoothie to jump-start your day, I highly recommend the Super C tropical smoothie- plenty of taste as well as a great blend of nutrients to get you on your way, enjoy!
Chocolate mousse is one of the easiest desserts to make. This one is made from chocolate and tofu, so it’s lower in fat and calories than the chocolate avocado mousse I posted before.
Yes, you can make a rich and creamy vegan chocolate mousse from tofu! Chocolate mousse made with silken tofu is rich, deeply flavored, velvety and tastes just great.
Just dress it up with fresh fruit, such as strawberries or bananas, cashew cream, shredded coconut or crumbled vegan cookies on top, and you have an elegant dessert to serve to your guests!
Also, check out the strawberry mousse recipe for another variation on the healthy desserts theme.
Silken tofu chocolate mousse
Chocolate Mousse (with Tofu)
Ingredients
- 1 packet silken tofu, drained (14 ounces)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder (sweetened)
- 1/4 cup vanilla soy milk, or other non-dairy milk of your choice
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until creamy.
- Pour the mousse into parfait glasses or individual dessert bowls and chill.
Notes
Optionally, you may use carob powder for part of the chocolate.
If using unsweetened cocoa powder, add a few tablespoons of brown sugar.
3.1
https://greenreset.com/chocolate-mousse-recipe/
Optional ingredients:
120 grams high quality dark chocolate, broken into pieces
2 tablespoons port (such as Grand Marnier)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
garnish with finely chopped chocolate, or another 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
If using dark chocolate or chocolate chips, melt the chocolate first. Place a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water and melt the chocolate with milk, water, and sugar stirring occasionally. OR microwave chocolate in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until melted. Once melted, blend with tofu and the rest of the ingredients
Scoop mixture into four serving dishes, and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes. Garnish desserts with finely chopped chocolate or chocolate chips, if desired.
On its own, silken tofu has almost no flavor (or, tastes slightly chalky, depending on the variety and whom you ask;-)), but blended (or cooked) with flavorful ingredients, it can take on a myriad of flavors.
By the way, you might have read various scare articles on the Internet about soy (usually based on misleading articles from the Weston A. Price Foundation) but they’re misinterpretations of science. Soy is a healthy food, just like other beans and legumes, and most people can eat it safely (some people are allergic to it). I eat soy in moderation and try for whole soy in natural forms (tofu, tempeh, soy milk). Just make sure you buy organic or GMO-Free soy products.
Strawberry smoothie recipes are some of my favorites. Unfortunately, if you search online, you find mostly recipes with milk, yogurt or kefir, not the most healthful or compassionate ingredients.
Of course it’s easy to substitute dairy with non-dairy milk or yogurt. There are plenty of options available these days in stores, including almond, hemp, soy, rice and other milks (see the boring classic Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe later on).
However, what I want you to do, is to step it up a notch and take your strawberry smoothie into an entirely different dimension.
I mean, like super-power smoothie. Smoothie that will energize you and nourish you, like no other drink you had before!
It’s Time to Step it Up a Notch: Strawberry Banana Smoothie (with Kale)
(Warning: This is not your usual strawberry-banana-smoothie!)
This strawberry banana smoothie is chock-full of great-for-you stuff like green kale leaves, sweet strawberries and creamy bananas. It tastes healthy, sure, but in the most delicious way possible. Plus, you get your daily dose of fruits and greens in one beverage. It’s a winning combination!
I know what you’re thinking – kale? Really? Won’t that taste… weird?
You’d think it would, but the truth is you can barely taste it. The sweetness of the strawberries and banana is sufficient to counteract the bitterness of kale leaves, leaving you with only the leafy greens’ nutrients to enjoy.
So let’s stop wasting time and make it already, shall we?
Strawberry Kale Banana Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 kale leaves, or more (if you are just starting with green smoothies, begin slowly, and keep adding more as you get used to drinking your greens)
- 1 or 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup water
- some sweetener such as agave nectar or stevia to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Blend until very smooth, pour, sip, smile!
3.1
https://greenreset.com/strawberry-banana-smoothie/
Classic Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe
If you are not convinced yet, would much rather stay away from greens, here is a classic strawberry banana smoothie recipe for you.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- 10 oz fresh strawberries, stems removed
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 3/4 cup non-dairy milk, or coconut water
- Add a few drops of vanilla or almond extract (optional)
- some sweetener such as agave nectar or stevia to taste
Instructions
- Wash strawberries and remove banana peels. In a blender, process all ingredients until smooth. For a little extra flavor, a few drops of vanilla or almond extract may be used, but do not overdo as a few drops go a long way.
3.1
https://greenreset.com/strawberry-banana-smoothie/
When using strawberries in your smoothies, it’s best to use organic, as strawberries are some of the highest produce when it comes to pesticide contamination. If they are not in season, buy frozen organic strawberries, or use other berries. Adding even just a few to your green smoothie will boost the nutrients and taste.
Also, check out the strawberry mousse recipe for another yummy recipe with strawberries.
For all my blending recipes I use Vitamix. If you don’t already own a VitaMix, I strongly encourage you to check out what this machine is capable of! For more information about VitaMix you can go directly to the VitaMix website. You may also want to read my post about the Best Blender.
I LOVE my VitaMix and highly recommend investing in one if you are ready to make serious changes to your diet. I have had mine for almost 5 years and use it daily!
If you decide to purchase Vitamix – be sure to use Promotional Code 06-004554 to get free shipping.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
If you have a favorite recipe, why not submit it here in the comment section of this smoothie recipes blog for others to enjoy too!
I also welcome any comments, questions and suggestions. Thanks!
This is my take on delicious, creamy, traditional Polish mixed vegetable salad.
This mixed vegetable salad is a staple served by Polish families around the globe for any of the holidays, birthday parties, name-day parties, and other gatherings. Every family has their own variation of the recipe, but the common ingredients are green peas, diced potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, carrots and mayonnaise. Some like it crunchier, some like it with more of “this” or none of “that”. In the US, some delis do make and sell it; and if you have a Polish deli in your neighborhood, it’s sure to carry it.
Traditionally it’s made with eggs and vegetables are smothered in egg-based mayonnaise, so even though it’s called a vegetable salad, make no mistake, it’s not a healthy salad dish that you should be eating on a daily basis.
So, here is my healthy, veganized, eggless version of this dish.
And it’s not just veganized, but also made with some raw vegetables (traditionally, mostly cooked vegetables are used) and low-fat egg-less mayo, which makes it even healthier and lower in calories (for example, you can substitute cooked potatoes with more raw veggies, such as raw zucchini.)
Mixed Vegetable Salad Recipe
The secret of a good Polish mixed vegetable salad is to have all the ingredients diced very fine, no larger than a green pea. That is certainly a lot of chopping! You can cheat by adding pre-chopped ingredients (e.g., from a can), but I don’t like to do that. Still, it’s totally worth it.
Also, you need to balance the ingredients between sweet (carrots, apple), sour (pickles), savory, crunchy (raw celery and apple and creamy (mayo).
Warning! When you follow the recipe below, you will get A LOT of salad, so get a big mixing bowl ready, or halve the ingredients.
But no worries, the great thing about salad can be kept for a couple of days in the refrigerator. Unlike many salads, especially the ones raw greens, this It tastes even better after a day or two, as the tastes of all the veggies and spices combine.
I hope you enjoy it!
Polish-Style Mixed Vegetable Salad
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 carrots, boiled, drained and cubed
- 4 potatoes, boiled, drained and cubed
- 1 or 2 can(s) peas
- 2 large sour pickles, cubed
- 1-2 apple(s), cubed
- 2 stalks of fresh celery, diced
- 2 cups vegan mayonnaise (use more or less, depending how creamy you like it)
- 1 bunch parsley
- 1 cup vegan mayonnaise
- salt and pepper to taste
Optional ingredients
- 2 parsnips
- 1 medium-sized yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup cooked or canned drained navy beans or canned drained peas (or 1/2 cup of each) - beans will work well as substitute for potatoes).
- 1 tablespoon or more of mustard
- 1 tablespoon of horseradish
- 1 bunch chives or dill, chopped
To make it more raw:
- 1 zucchini squash, diced into small cubes (substitute half of potatoes)
Instructions
- Have a big mixing bowl ready... you will be needing it to combine all the ingredients.
- Boil carrots to medium-soft consistency. They should not be mushy, or they'll just mush up the whole dish and you'll get veggie mash instead of veggie salad. Drain, let cool, and chop into cubes, add to mixing bowl.
- At the same time, boil your potatoes. Drain and let cool, then carefully chop them into cubes. Let them cool before you chop them, otherwise the chopping will just make them fall apart. Add to mixing bowl.
- Cube all the remaining ingredients into fine pieces... not too big), pickles, apple, etc; add all to the bowl. Use whatever kind of apples you like. If not using the pickles, add more apples and some lemon juice. You can use Granny Smith, but sweet apples will work too.
- Add can of peas to the bowl. (Of course, you can boil your own, fresh peas from the pod, too!)
- Chop up the parsley (or dill), add to bowl.
- In a salad bowl toss all ingredients gently to mix and dress with mayonnaise (I like to use Veganese, but I also make my own mayo for this salad - it's super simple and much healthier than regular mayonnaise).
- You can make the presentation look prettier by using lettuce-lined platter and pour some mayonnaise over top. Decorate with a few slices of carrots, tomato wedges or radish roses or slices.
3.1
https://greenreset.com/mixed-vegetable-salad/
making-vegetable-salad
The making of mixed veggie salad: chopping and dicing
The salad needs to balance savory, sweet and sour taste. Without sour pickles, it’s not as good in my opinion.
Taste! Now you probably want to add more salt (if using) and pepper to to your taste (at this time, you also may decide you want more of a kick, so add more pickles, onions, apple), or you want it more savory (add more mustard), sweet (more apple), maybe you want it more creamy, so add more mayo!
Fresh Dill: I love to add fresh herbs to everything. Dill, parsley or chives will work great in this salad
Fresh Dill: I love to add fresh herbs to everything. Dill, parsley or chives will work great in this salad
Polish style mixed-vegetable-salad
When mixed well and you are happy with the flavor so far, sprinkle chopped dill or chives on top, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. If you are so inclined, use your imagination and decorate as best you can – I’m not really good at it, but you can really make it pretty with a little effort.
When you are nice and hungry, take it out, eat it heartily with some good Polish bread or whole wheat bread (none of that fluffy white stuff for this dish), and you will have a great meal leaving you happy; guaranteed!
Salads like this are found at the cold-starter course of nearly every Polish nameday party (which are more popular than birthday parties), birthday party, wedding, Easter feast and other festive occasions. The proportions are strictly according to taste.
One final note: The proportions and ingredients are strictly according to taste. Don’t feel you cannot make this salad because you are missing some of the ingredients. You may toss into it whatever you have on hand and experiment. Enjoy!
Blueberries have long been known as nature’s super fruit. Delicious blueberry smoothies are an excellent way to get more vitamins and antioxidants into your diet.
Unfortunately, most blueberry smoothie recipes available both online and in cookbooks include dairy, such as yogurt or cream. One way to make a non-dairy version, is by simply adding banana, and maybe some sweetener and/or non-dairy milk or yogurt. (If you are wondering why I’m against adding dairy to smoothies, read this post and this post). Adding a cup of orange juice to the blend will do the job too.
Blueberries have lots of health benefits, so even simple blueberry-banana smoothie is sure to provide you with a big dose of Vitamin C, fiber, manganese, and antioxidants. (Substances in blueberries called polyphenols, specifically the anthocyanins that give the fruit its blue hue, are the major contributors to antioxidant activity. Manganese plays an important role in bone development and in converting the proteins, carbohydrates and fats in food into to energy – a perfect job for blueberries. Plus, they probably contain many more nutrients, that have not even been studied yet…)
Anyway, to boost the nutrient content even further, why not add some greens to the smoothie?
blueberry-banana-kale-smoothie
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Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
So, this blueberry smoothie recipe is a recipe with a green twist, because it also contains GREENS.
Why add greens to a perfectly delicious blueberry smoothie?
EAT MORE plants, especially leafy greens. Everyone tells us that — doctors, nutritionists, food writers. Plants top the diets that protect against heart disease, stroke, some types of cancers, high blood pressure, cataracts and macular degeneration. The Harvard School of Public Health recommends at least nine servings, or four cups, of fruits and vegetables daily. Most of us don’t even come close.
Fortunately, green smoothies are the easy solution to the “I don’t like to eat my greens” situation.
For some of you green smoothies might be something new, or something you’ve heard of but never tried. Others may make green smoothies regularly.
Green smoothies are basically just a mixture of fresh ripe fruits, some mild greens, maybe some frozen berries and a little water. Green smoothies help get more greens into your diet and are great for everyone, even children or people with a compromised ability to chew their food really well. They need not be complicated, and they don’t need any kind of protein powders, pseudo “super foods” or oils like coconut or flax oil. The goodness of a simple green smoothie comes from whole foods (which are the true “super foods”). Whole fruit and whole greens is usually all I put into my smoothies.
Blueberries add a great berry flavor to smoothies. They also help conceal the green color, if that’s an issue with your kids or spouse. You would have a darkish purple blend when you finish.
Here is a really easy green smoothie recipe with you today. Something I would call a “basic” green smoothie.
#1. Because it’s not too frightening looking and you can tell it has berries in it (this may seem a little normal looking). This may also appeal to people who are afraid of drinking something that looks like green grass!
#2. It tastes very nice and you almost cannot detect any greens in it at all. To make into a true “beginner’s green smoothie” you may want to add baby spinach instead of kale, although I find kale to be very mild in smoothies too.
To save money, I buy frozen wild blueberries in big bags at BJ’s, and then just add about a cup to my smoothies every morning.
Blueberry Kale Smoothie (Quick, Easy &Delicious)
You can make this smoothie with kale, but chard, spinach or other greens may also be used.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (or more) tightly packed fresh green leaves (washed and torn, thick stems removed)
- 1 or 2 bananas
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- ½-1 cup water (to desired consistency)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender jar and blend on high for about a minute. Serve immediately.
3.1
https://greenreset.com/blueberry-smoothie-recipe/
If you don’t care for the green-vegetable taste, throw in fresh pineapple or ginger root for flavor. Add liquid of your choice. I use water — no calories and nondairy — but you can add almond milk, soy milk, hemp milk or other non-dairy milk. It’s simple and very quick to make. Wash up a bunch of leaves, toss in fruit and liquid. I never measure. The more greens the better. It’s different every time, but always nutritious.
Also, remember that Baby spinach is probably one of the best greens to start with when just starting with green smoothies. I also like to add a celery stalk or two, and a piece of ginger, and an apple or a pear.
Blueberry-banana-kale-pear-smoothie combination
blueberrybananakalesmoothe
At first, some people may feel shaky and hungry a couple of hours after drinking a green smoothie. If that’s the case, I suggest you simply drink some more smoothie, or perhaps add some quick oats, a piece of avocado, a tablespoon of coconut oil or other healthy fat to the smoothie recipe. This will give you greater energy and satiety, helping you feel full longer.
Most health research on blueberries involves their phytonutrient content. Anthocyanins – the colorful antioxidant pigments that give many foods their wonderful shades of blue, purple, and red – are usually the first phytonutrients to be mentioned in descriptions of blueberries and their amazing health-supportive properties. While it is true anthocyanins are pretty spectacular when it comes to blueberries and their support of our body systems, there are actually a wide variety of health support phytonutrients found in blueberries.
Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
For all my blending recipes I use Vitamix. If you don’t already own a VitaMix, I strongly encourage you to check out what this machine is capable of! For more information about VitaMix you can go directly to the VitaMix website. You may also want to read my post about the Best Blender.
I LOVE my VitaMix and highly recommend investing in one if you are ready to make serious changes to your diet. I have had mine for almost 5 years and use it daily!
If you decide to purchase Vitamix – be sure to use Promotional Code 06-004554 to get free shipping.
Blueberry Smoothie: Still in the Vitamix (with some celery and avocado)
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
If you have a favorite recipe, why not submit it here in the comment section of this smoothie recipes blog for others to enjoy too!
I also welcome any comments, questions and suggestions. Thanks!
