post thanksgiving cran-apple cleanser

Still feeling full from yesterday?  Add this smoothie into your day to get you back on track!

Think of it as scrubbing bubbles for your gut!

Cranberries are indigenous to North America where Native Americans used them medicinally for hundreds of years.  They are a great source of vitamin C, fiber and the antioxidant called anthocyanidins.  However, they are most famous for their ability to ward off urinary tract infections and kidney stones.

This smoothie takes the anti-bacterial powers of cranberries and blends them with the cleansing effects of lemon and celery creating the perfect post-thanksgiving drink!

Cran-Apple Cleanser ~the perfect green smoothie for after thanksgiving~

Cran-Apple Cleanser

2 cups coconut water or water

1 apple, cored

1/2 cup cranberries

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/2 cup frozen berries

1/2 frozen banana

1 stalk of celery

1 handful of spinach

2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

pinch nutmeg (optional)

~Blend and Enjoy~

green smoothie bowl

The more you drink green smoothies, the more you crave them…I swear!  I’ve heard it endless times from clients as well!  Something about the energy you receive from the chlorophyll, antioxidants, and vitamins keeps you coming back for more!

Have you ever tried eating a smoothie with a spoon?

Try it out today!

 Green smoothie bowls are more like a dessert then a smoothie.  You can take any smoothie recipe and transform it into a smoothie bowl by decreasing the liquid.  For a typical smoothie, I add 2 cups of liquid.  For a smoothie bowl, I decrease the liquid to 2/3 cup.  I also like to add avocado to create a more “dessert” like quality, similar to a mousse or pudding.

green smoothie bowl ~vegan, raw, gluten free~

Green Smoothie Bowl

2/3 cup water (or milk of your choice)

1/2 banana

1/2 avocado

2 cups baby spinach leaves

1/2 cup frozen mango (or fruit of your choice)

1 date, pitted

dash cinnamon

green smoothie bowl ~vegan, raw, gluten free~

toppings:

blueberries

bee pollen

goji berries

cacao nibs

sliced banana

walnuts

granola

hemp seeds

chocolate chips

sliced strawberries

-Blend and enjoy!

I used the “frozen dessert” setting on my vitamix, but any blender would do!

green smoothie bowl ~vegan, raw, gluten free~

raw strawberry shortcake torte

My brother and sister-in-law’s anniversary is today!  We are having dinner with them tonight and I wanted to bake a cake to celebrate.  I went to turn on the oven and…we were out of propane :(  Just another thing to add to the “to do” list!

What’s a girl to do when the oven isn’t working???  Make a raw dessert!

I had cashews soaking with intentions of making vegan tacos with cashew sour cream.  Instead, I turned those cashews into a sweet “cream,” made a shortcake crust using almonds and pecans, topped it with fresh strawberries and voila… a picture perfect strawberry shortcake torte!

Don’t let raw “baking” intimidate you!  No fancy kitchen equipment is required, all you need is a food processor and pie dish!

raw strawberry shortcake torte ~vegan, raw, dairy free, gluten free, grain free~

Raw Strawberry Shortcake Torte

For the crust:

1 cup raw almonds

1/2 cup pecans

3 tablespoons flax meal

8 dates, pitted

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Cashew Cream:

1 cup raw cashews

1/4 cup almond milk

3 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Strawberry Topping:

1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries

2 tablespoons raw cane sugar

don’t forget the fresh strawberries and sprig of mint for the top!

-Soak cashews in water for up to 24 hours.  1 hour will do if you don’t have much time!

-Place all crust ingredients into a food processor and pulse until a sticky paste is formed.

raw strawberry shortcake

-Firmly and evenly press into a pie dish.

my little helper!

my little helper!

-Drain cashews and add to food processor, pulse until cashew butter is formed.  Add almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla, coconut oil, sea salt, cinnamon and blend until creamy.  Spread evenly on top of pie crust.

-Place strawberries and raw cane sugar into the food processor and blend.  Spread on top of cashew cream layer.

-Layer with fresh, sliced strawberries and garnish with mint.

-Place in refrigerator, serve cold and enjoy!

raw strawberry shortcake torte ~vegan, raw, gluten free, dairy free, grain free~

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