Pineappuccino (or Home-made Pineapple Frozen Whip)

Pineappuccino image from Pixabay

This refreshing fruity drink is a take off on the frappiccino family of sweet frozen fruit drinks that my granddaughters love so much.  It is also a bit of a copy cat of a famous pineapple whip from one of the world's favourite amusement parks.

Here are the ingredients for making 4 servings of this delicious, cooling drink:

• 1 cup ice cubes
• 2 pineapples, peeled and cored (you can use the core too, if you have a Vitamix or Blendex)
• 1 organic lime, juiced
• 2 tablespoons raw honey or maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
• 1 1/2 cups of coconut milk 

• Add all the above to the cannister of your Vitamix or Blendex blenders... other blenders may need to do this in a couple of batches.  
• Place on the lid securely
• Pulse or blend until a smooth, frozen consistency
• Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

Avo Tropical Custard Smoothie (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Avo-Tropical Custard Smoothie-- drink it or spoon it! Yum!

Oh Yum! This Avo-Tropical-Custard-Smoothie is just the ticket if you are looking for something to consume that is refreshing and sweet (but not cloyingly so like the butter tarts and chockies you have eaten too many of over the holidays).  Besides the water, it is 100% fruit (including the avo and the coconut shreds).  I added a small packet of "Sweet Leaf" Stevia powder, but that was likely gilding the lily-- you could drink it fine without!  You could adapt it, too, by making it with coconut milk instead of water, and it would truly be a custard pudding effect then!  But here is the way I made it this morning:

• 1 C. Frozen Pineapple chunks (fresh would be great)
• 1/2   Ripe Avocado (flesh only, of course)
• 1/4 C. Coconut Shreds (unsweetened)
• 1 Ripe Banana
• Juice from 1 Fresh-squeezed Lime
• 1 "Sweet Leaf" Stevia Packet (no after-taste, no calories, no weird additives)
• Water to suit

Spin up and enjoy!
Click HERE to scroll other luscious Smoothie recipes containing Avocado

Chocolate-Mint Smoothie Recipe (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Silky Smooth Chocolate-Mint Smoothie (with sage leaf garnish b/c no other mints around)

This chocolate-mint smoothie is the 4th of the 7 Christmas Smoothie recipes.  What would Christmas be like without these two fabulously nostalgia-evoking flavours from our Christmas stockings and our office treats and our edible ornaments?  This is a pretty easy smoothie.  If you have some nice fresh mint available, please use it... if not (as in this time of year in my garden), please use a high grade ingestible health supplement Peppermint essential oil.  You only need a drop in your smoothie, and you can use the rest for countless other purposes.*  I'm happy to tell you that this smoothie is a lot healthier than peppermint candy canes and boxes of chockies!

Put the following in your blender carafe and let sit for 15 minutes:
*1 T. Chia Seed
*2 C. Almond Milk
*1 pkt. "Sweet Leaf" Stevia or sweetener (or not) of your choice
After 15 minutes of hydration of the Chia Seed (for improved digestibility), add in:
*2 T. Organic Cocoa or powdered raw Cacao or Cocoa/Carob Powder combination
*2 Frozen Bananas, chunked
*1/2 teaspoon Peppermint Extract, or 1 - 2 drops food grade Peppermint Essential Oil (NO MORE!) OR small handful fresh Peppermint Leaves
Spin up until it is silky smooth!

The other 6 smoothies in the 7 Christmas Smoothie Recipes are as follows:

Cranberry-Apple, Green Grape and Chia Christmas Smoothie

Cranberry Lassi with Coconut Milk, Cumin, Chia and Ginger Smoothie

Mandaringo-Ginger Smoothie

Christmas Cake Smoothie

Luscious Eggless Nog Smoothie

Sweet Pumpkin Pie Smoothie


Click HERE to scroll other luscious Smoothie recipes containing Avocado

Cranberry Lassi with Coconut Milk, Cumin, Chia and Ginger (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

This delicious, delightful Cranberry Lassi  is the sixth "Christmas Smoothie" in our series of 7 Daily Christmas Smoothies.

A Lassi is an Indian drink generally made with cultured milk, either yogurt or kefir, and flavours from the 5 basic groups: salty, pungent, sour, sweet and bitter.  If you are not vegan/dairy adverse, you could use either of these for the coconut milk/lime juice in following the recipe.  Seeing cumin and cayenne (or chili powder) in a more or less dessert-y type smoothie is a bit of a shock, or was for me.  But the combination, in concert with the bitter cranberries, is just perfect (my husband thinks so).  I used a recipe for cranberry chutney for ideas of workable blends, but you will be happy to recognize that I did not include garlic or an entire chili pepper.

Cumin has been used throughout history in perfume-making, so you can attribute the lovely fragrance partly to that, and partly to the ginger (a wonderful digestion-helper) and other ingredients.  I was left with a very nice after-taste and a warming feeling.  This is not a drink to bolt down, but to savour over a family get-together early in the morning.

Cranberry Lassi 

 This makes about two (2) good-sized Adult servings.
 Put the following in your Blender Carafe:
* 2 C. Coconut Dream (or similar ready-to-drink Coconut Mylk)
* 1+C. Fresh or Frozen Cranberries (Frozen berries act like ice cubes)
* 1 tsp. Chia Seed (ground in Coffee Grinder)
* 1 tsp. Cumin Seed (ground in Coffee Grinder)
* 1 Small Handful Unsweetened Coconut Shreds
* Fresh-squeezed Lime Juice (1/2 Lime)
* 1 tsp. Grated fresh Ginger
* 3 T. Coconut Palm Sugar
* 1 packet Stevia "Sweet Leaf" powder (Optional)
* Pinch of Salt (I use Celtic Sea Salt for the 82 minerals)
* Pinch of Cayenne or Chili pepper
Merry Christmas!  Happy Holidays!

Here are the other 6 Christmas Smoothie Recipes for you to sample!

Cranberry-Apple, Green Grape and Chia Christmas Smoothie

Mandaringo-Ginger Smoothie

Christmas Cake Smoothie

Luscious Eggless Nog Smoothie

Sweet Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Chocolate-Mint Smoothie

Cranberry-Apple, Green Grape and Chia Christmas Smoothie (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

This Cranberry-Apple, Green Grape and Chia Smoothie is tart, but refreshing!  I add a packet of stevia (Sweet Leaf brand) just to give  it a little extra sweetness.  But otherwise, it is dyn-o-mite!  I'm kicking off the Christmas Smoothie Week here-- we will start every day with a lovely, high antioxidant smoothie to fend off the bugs and do some mild detox.  Hope you will join in!  If you are not already on the list and would like to be over the 7-Day Christmas Smoothie-ton, please just sign up below the recipe!
Cranberry - Apple, Green Grape and Chia Christmas Smoothie Recipe: This recipe makes enough smoothies for 2 - 4 people depending on how much smoothie you imbibe! Put the following in your blender carafe and whirl up:

• 1 - 3 C. Fresh Cranberries
• 1 - 2 C. Frozen Seedless Grapes (mine are Green, but any table grapes will do!)
• 1 - 2 Apples, cored and chopped (washed well but not peeled)
• 1 T. ground Chia Seed (grind it in a Coffee Bean Grinder)
• Filtered Water to the 1/2 Mark on your Carafe
• 1 packet Sweet Leaf Stevia with Inulin (Optional)

To Your Health AND Merry Christmas!  ~Cynthia

Here are the other 6 Christmas Smoothie Recipes for you to sample!

Cranberry Lassi with Coconut Milk, Cumin, Chia and Ginger Smoothie

Mandaringo-Ginger Smoothie

Christmas Cake Smoothie

Luscious Eggless Nog Smoothie

Sweet Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Chocolate-Mint Smoothie

Orangie Secret Green Smoothie (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

This morning's Orangie Secret smoothie is refreshing and sweet!  It has a secret ingredient (which you might have guessed by the silly name I gave it).  Put the following ingredients into your blender and whirr up a delicious start to your day!

Ingredients:

• 1 - 2 C. Filtered Water
• 1 peeled, seedless Orange
• 1 Banana, chunked
• 1 handful fresh Chard (leaves and stems, if not tough-- thyroid-friendly green!)
• 1 T. Orange-Date Sauce <--- secret ingredient

Yes, it is true-- this Orangie Secret Smoothie contains a pancake syrup-- but do not fear, there are no isolated artificial sweeteners in here (such as "the usual culprits" that contain high glucose corn syrup) and when you are not spooning it onto your waffles or pancakes you can sip it back in your smoothie!  It's easy, peasy to make, too and you will love it-- click here for the recipe.

Cocoa-Banana & Fig Smoothie (Dairy-Free, Vegan, Gluten-Free)

 This is definitely one of those less-heathy, more nostalgic-for-chocolate-milkshakes smoothies. But as you can see above, it does have quite a lot of fibre and various phytonutrients going for it, so it is somewhat healthier than a choco shake.  It's a comfort food smoothie!  My husband is on an 8-day hike and I miss him already (and worry a little).

We're still enjoying fresh figs!  Today I made some fig jam that is absolutely the best jam I have ever eaten... I'll make sure you get the recipe (HERE).  Rather than using sugar, I thought that a fig would do (bananas are also sweet).

INGREDIENTS:
2 Frozen Bananas, peeled and chunked
1 Ripe, Fresh Fig, stem removed and quartered
2-4 T. Organic Cocoa (a Fair Trade brand is the most ethical)
1 T. Almond Butter (optional)
1-2 C. Almond Mylk

Whirl it up and enjoy!

Blackberry-Fig-Avocado Smoothie-- Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Ambrosia

 You know that I don't like to boast about all the fruit we are harvesting in our yard... you do know that, right?  Well, please forgive me today... I just can't help it... and I can't take the credit either, of course... that belongs to God!

Last year our son, the veggie farmer, looked over the pathetic little fig tree, the one that seemed to be 'cursed' (read Mark 11:13-14) and went about laying down some necessary lime and other minerals.  He said, "Watch it-- it will take off for you!" and, behold, he was right on.. this year the fig tree that had never treated us to more than 1 or maybe 2 fruits in the previous 6 years, suddenly produced a minor boom crop this year.  These are Green Figs, so while they look less ripe than Brown Figs, they are soft, and sweetly delicious.  My husband adores figs-- you might say he is a Fig Pig-- so I am also very happy that he gets to harvest and eat them before he goes out onto the North Coast Trail hike with his friend Brian in a few days. (He would have been so disappointed had he missed the ripe figs while on the hike).

So juicy sweet!

Okay, on with the Smoothie Recipe: (for about 20 oz. of Smoothie)

Combine the following in a high-speed blender (or other blender, in two batches):

• 3 ripe, juicy Figs (minus the tough stems)
• 1 C. Blackberries (I used frozen ones for the ice appeal)(Regular Raspberries would also be delish!)
• 1/2 ripe, soft Avocado flesh
• 1 C. Nut Mylk (as you can see, I opted for ready-made Almond Breeze-- use what you like)
• Water as desired (I like to bulk mine up with water-- so hydrating)

Thoroughly enjoy this Smoothie by God*

Persons with Type 2 Diabetes who are trying to eat as healthy as possible from the Plant-based regimen will be happy to know that this is a body-friendly grouping of fruits, that, in season (do not eat the high glycemic dry figs and eat the fruit raw),  fresh and ripe, will just make you feel lovely in this smoothie!  Enjoy!
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Click HERE to scroll other luscious Smoothie recipes containing Avocado

Vegan "Buttah Mylk" (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, NON-Goitrogenic)

A few days ago my neighbour was rejoicing in some chives that she was given by another neighbour-- I told her that we had chives in our garden as well, but that I rarely use them.  She said, "But this is the buttermilk and chives season!" and I was immediately transported back to a time in my life when a frosty glass of buttermilk with chopped chives was the highlight of my Summer afternoon!  Maybe it's a farmgirl thang, not sure, but I suddenly got a hankering for buttermilk.  Problem: I am definitely adverse to dairy, or it is adverse to me.

Sooooooooooo.... how about a smoothie that tastes like buttermilk, but that has no dairy in it?

Here it is... it may be difficult for you to imagine a mix of avocado, lemon, chiaseed, banana, chives, and sea salt tasting like buttermilk... but they DO, they really DO-- very similar creamy, chunky texture, and very similar tart, sweet, salty, chive-y flavour!  Please try it and let me know if you agree!

VEGAN BUTTAH MYLK Ingredients:

• 1/2 ripe, soft Avocado
• 1/4 C. Chia seed Gel (instructions HERE)
• 1 small ripe Banana, chopped
• Small handful Chives, finely chopped
• 1/2 - 1 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt (all those 82 trace minerals!)
• 1/2 - 1 fresh Lemon, juice and zest - (I would go for closer to 1 whole lemon)
• 1 - 2 C. Water
• 2- 4 Ice Cubes

Go ahead and spin it up!  

Place in high speed blender (or in 2 batches in regular blender) and blend until smooth... Mmmm.... yum.... no dairy bloating, etc.  

Thyroid-Happy Mango-Banana-Coconut-Green Smoothie

The ingredients used in this smoothie are meant to be kind to all thyroids, especially those thyroids that have been damaged by repeated consumption of goitrogenic foods, assaulted by environmental chemicals, and the rest of the list that can severely disable this little butterfly-shaped organ that is so keenly important to our body's energetic system.

INGREDIENTS:

* 1/2 to 1 C. of very ripe Mango (I used frozen organic mango purchased from Costco)
*1 ripe Banana, chunks
*shake of Coconut Shreds (unsweetened, but they do lend sweetness to this smoothie)
*Large handful of greens (I used fresh Leaf Lettuce, Cilantro, Parsley and a couple of Baby Grape Leaves) (Avoid goitrogenic greens such as Kale and Spinach)
*Filtered Water (1 - 2 Cups, you decide how thick and how much you want)
*1/4 - 1/2 Avocado Flesh (Optional)
*1/4 C. Raw Pumpkin Seeds (Optional) (do not use if you already take a 200 mcg Selenium tablet)

METHOD:
Put all of the above into your high speed blender, or divide in half for a less speedy blender and do in two batches.  Relax and enjoy!

Other Thyroid-Happy Smoothies on Smoothie Moves

Cinco de Mayo Green Smoothie - vegan, gluten-free, non-alcoholic - olé!

yummy Cinco de Mayo Green Smoothie- non-alcoholic, vegan, gluten-free celebration!

Here is a delicious tropical green smoothie for a healthy celebration of Cinco de Mayo -- it is vegan (egg- and dairy-free), non-alcoholic, and gluten-free.

Put the following in your high speed blender (or in your NOT high speed blender... just blend in smaller batches):

- 1 -2 handfuls of fresh Cilantro
- 1 C. chopped fresh Pinapple
- 1 C. Cultured Coconut Milk (or regular yogurt, if you desire)
- 2 small ripe Bananas
- 2 C. Water
Blend until smooth.  Delicioso!

For more yummy vegan Mexican recipes go Here.

Frozen Peach Smoothie Starter

Here is a delicious way to quickly and easily start your day with a smoothie-- called a frozen smoothie starter, it is basically a frozen smoothie pellet the size of a cupcake or muffin cup (whatever size your pan is) that you just pop into your blender along with whatever fruit, fluid or greens you want to add, and voila! A gourmet smoothie, no ice cubes needed! Dairy-free and Gluten-free.

This smoothie is made with fresh, tree-ripened, organic Okanagan-grown Red Haven Peaches, the absolute royalty among eating peaches!  But any peaches will do-- just make sure they are organic (as I explain in this blog, although they have amazing mouth appeal and health benefits, chemically-sprayed peaches are in the "Dirty Dozen" foods list).  You'll have summer in your glass whenever you pour out your peachy smoothie in the months to come!

Blend together the following Ingredients:

1. 6 well-washed (but unpeeled, if organic) Peaches, sliced
2. 4 C. Coconut Dream Coconut Milk (or Almond-Brasil nut mylk would also be delish!)
3. 2 T. shredded (unsweetened) Coconut
4. 1 T. Cinnamon powder

Pour into 12 muffin cups (I use silicone muffin pans for quick pop-out-ability but other muffin tins will do).  

There will likely be enough left over for a big smoothie base (add your fave greens, etc. and blend up again.) 

Put the muffin pans into the freezer and freeze until solid.

Put the frozen peachy-coconut discs into ziplock bags and back into the freezer for those coming days when fresh peaches will be just a dream from last summer!

To reconstitute, just add one or two of the frozen discs to a cup or two of fluid (water, juice, coconut milk, nut mylk, etc.) and add more fruit (a frozen banana goes well) if you want, and fresh chopped greens (with peaches I like cilantro, parsley, romaine or celery).  

Question: Who's the Clever Duck for getting their smoothies all ready to go in advance?

Smoothie of the Week: Orange-Date Pancake Sauce

Orange - Date Pancake Syrup: Delicious, Healthy, Gluten-Free

Ever since I saw the little joke that goes: "Tomato is a fruit, right? Then Ketchup is a Smoothie?" I've been to expand my definition of smoothie... today's pure fruit, no refined sugar, gluten-free smoothie falls into that category and it is DELISH!

Put the following in the canister of your Vitamix:

• 1/2 Container of unsweetened Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate
• 6 pitted Medjool Dates
• 1/2 Banana
• handful of dried shredded Coconut (unsweetened)
• 1/4 C. Almond Mylk or Water

Spin it up and pour over your fave pancake... I personally love it over the gluten-free toaster waffles I eat. Yum yum yum!

<<BONUS: Try this delish breakfast smoothie with a tablespoon of the Orange Date sauce as one of its ingredients

>>Try it over ice cream, plain yogurt

>>Try it as a scrumptious salad dressing

>>Other ideas?  Maybe a dip?

To your better and better health, ~Cynthia

Sweet Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (Thickalicious, Vegan, Gluten-Free)

When I was a child, pumpkin pie (with whipped cream or ice cream) was a dessert that my Grandma Sanders always contributed to the holiday meal.  Since I continue to love pumpkin pie but can't make pie crust to save my soul (perhaps fortunately), this lovely sweet pumpkin pie smoothie is a great tribute to that great tradition!

Ingredients:

1/2 C. Rolled Oats (Gluten-free variety, if you are wheat-sensitive)
1 T. ground Chia Seed (Grind in the Coffee Bean grinder)
2 cups Almond Milk
1 cup frozen Banana chunks
1/2 cup Ice
3/4 cup canned organic Pumpkin (unsweetened)
2 organic Mandarin oranges, segmented, seeded if they have seeds
1 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
1+ tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice or a mix of Cinnamon/Nutmeg to suit you

Method:

1. Put the Oats and the Chia Seed into the blender carafe first and then pour in the Almond Milk, letting the Oats and Chia soak for 15 minutes or longer.  Their rehydration really helps with digestibility.
2. Put other ingredients in to the carafe and spin up for as long as it takes to produce a nice silk-blended smoothie.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Here are the other 6 Christmas Smoothie Recipes for you to sample!

Cranberry-Apple, Green Grape and Chia Christmas Smoothie

Cranberry Lassi with Coconut Milk, Cumin, Chia and Ginger Smoothie

Mandaringo-Ginger Smoothie

Christmas Cake Smoothie

Luscious Eggless Nog Smoothie

Chocolate-Mint Smoothie