My Favorite Smoothie Mix

For quite some time now this has been my favorite mix to put in smoothies. It has a great flavor and is full of fiber, nutrients and multiple sources of protein. With the right amount of added fat and fruit a smoothie will keep me full and energized for hours. It has also done wonders for my hair, skin and hormones. My eyelashes are longer and thicker then they have ever been. Make up a batch a give it a try I started noticing a difference within the first three months of using it consistently.

I'll share some of my favorite smoothie recipes soon but for now here is my basic formula for making a healthy well balanced smoothie.

My typical smoothie formula:
2 cups of liquid (almond milk, water, kefir or combination)
2 scoops of the mix (recipe below)
1-2 Tablespoons Fat (Nuts or nut butter, coconut oil or MCT oil)
1-2 cups frozen fruit
other add ins fresh greens etc. (optional)

My Favorite Smoothie Mix

Makes about 1 gallon

3 cups chia seed
3 cups collagen
3 cups vanilla bone broth powder
3 cups vanilla plant based protein powder
1/2 scant cup acerola cherry powder
1/2 scant cup maca
1 1/2 cups greens powder

Mix everything into a gallon glass jar. Shake well to combine add two large scoops to your favorite smoothie recipes.

Note:
For the Greens Powder I have been using Green Smoothie Girl's but she doesn't seem to be selling it anymore so I'm looking for another brand I will probably end up using this Moringa powder (since it is so affordable and super healthy) and another variety greens mix (I haven't really found one I like yet but there are lots of options out there.)

Fruit and Creamsicles

Oh goodness I certainly haven't done very much blogging this summer.....it's been full of lots of other exciting things that I hope to post about soon...ish! But before the last of the heat was gone (which is always too soon for me) I wanted to be sure to post these super yummy popsicles that we have enjoyed a lot this Summer.

I have loved how simple they are and that lots of fruit are super tasty with them.  We have tried cherry, peach and strawberry. But I also think blueberry, raspberry, orange, pineapple and other fruits would be super good too.

Fruit and Creamsicles

Fruit Part:
4 cups of favorite fresh fruit (frozen works too just mostly thaw first)
1/4 cup water
1-2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey (optional)

Blend ingredients in blender till smooth.

Cream Part:
2 cups coconut cream (I use the thick stuff from the top of chilled canned coconut milk more info here)
1-2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
a pinch of Real Salt

Mix or whip together.

To popsicle molds add a spoonful of cream and then some fruit. Layer or marble however you would like until molds are full. Freeze until solid. Enjoy!

Vanilla Pumpkin Pie Shake

This recipe came about this week all by accident. I was working on a warm pumpkin spice type warm drink recipe (that still needs some work by the way) and I had some leftover pumpkin that needed using. So the next morning I make this for breakfast.

I tasted and thought, "Wow that's pretty good!" Then the kids came to try and all said that it was very yummy. So I wrote down what I did and the next day (still having a bit more pumpkin leftover) I tried the same thing again just to be sure we really did like it. And sure enough we liked it well enough to post.

So I hurried and snapped some pictures before it was gone and I'm already sharing it with you today because it's so easy to make, very yummy and of course healthy!

Vanilla Pumpkin Pie Shake

3 cups almond milk (less if you like a thicker shake)
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 Tablespoon coconut oil
1 heaping scoop GSG vanilla protein powder
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup crushed ice

Place all ingredients into blender. Blend until smooth and enjoy.

Almond Milk, Stretch Your Dollar Recipe

So I told you I would share my almond milk recipe that I have been putting in my latest favorite smoothie.
Now just so you know I don't consider this a nice rich creamy drink alone type milk...although some of my kids like drinking it straight from a glass.

This recipe is fairly dilluted compared to a lot of the others out there and because I wanted it to use mainly for smoothies or as milk in baking that it didn't need to be as thick either so I didn't bother with adding Irish moss or guar gum to give it a thicker, creamier texture. You could though if you wanted too.  Anyway just don't expect it to be a super tasty drink on it's own. That's a recipe for another time.

I like this recipe because IT'S CHEAP. I only use 1 cup of almonds and it makes 2 quarts of milk. It really helps that dollar stretch. Plus you are basically using raw sprouted almonds so it's full of enzymes and good nutrition. I also make sure and use the leftover almond pulp in pancakes or granola or something. Yep there will be recipes once they are perfected. ;)

Okay know that you don't need a high powered Blendtec Blender to make almond milk. The almonds are soaked and soft and there is plenty of water so a regular blender should work just fine.

I put a colander over a bowl and then place the nut milk bag in the colander it just makes it easier.

Then I usually just clip the bag closed and let it sit there and drain on it's own for a little while. After a bit or longer depending......you know how it is for Mom's ;) I then squeeze the rest of the milk out then finish making the milk. I put the pulp in the fridge to use later and rinse out the bag right......it cleans up really easy especially if you have got most of the liquid out of it.

Simple Cheap Almond Milk

1 cup almonds soaked in water overnight
8 cups water, divided
1/4 teaspoon real salt
20-30 drops liquid stevia, vanilla flavored

Drain water off the soaked almonds and rinse. Discard soak water. In blender blend the almonds and 4 cups of water until very well blended. Then strain through a nut bag or cotton cloth (see pictures above to see how I do it.) Pour strained milk into 2 quart pitcher, add 4 more cups of water the salt and stevia. Refrigerate and use within about a week. Stir well before each use. Save almond pulp in fridge to add to muffins, pancakes, granola etc.

Just a couple more days and The Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle will be gone!

This sale is now over if you would like to be notified of future sales that are similar click here subscribe to the newsletter.
I was looking at this book about Kale last night and since I still have lots of kale growing outside I'm excited to see all the fun ways to use it that even I haven't thought of! Hello Curried Carrots and Kale and Sneaky Chocolate Shake!

Of course this granola book caught my eye too! There are some great tips and ways of making granola so it turns out really good and not so chewy although sometimes I think a good jar workout never hurt anyone. ;) We make a lot of granola around here and I'm thrilled to have all these added recipes. I also like the idea of adding juice as part of the wet ingredients.......oh so many great ideas. As soon as my kitchen is cleaned up from all the fall harvest food preservation I'm going to try out some recipes!

And I almost feel silly saying this but I found myself really taken by this Natural Homestead book. I'm not sure why but something about living on a homestead really appeals to me. It's like a secret dream that I don't like to talk about much because I don't think I'm capable of that much work. Maybe it's all the Little House on the Prairie that we read to the kids but it just seems so romantic to me. I don't know I'm sure if I ever get the chance to try it I will wonder what the heck was I thinking but for now a girl can dream right! Don't tell but I'm nearly through this book! And I'm eying the other books in the Gardening and Homesteading group.

Sale ends at 11:59pm on Monday, September 15th. See all the details here.
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Peaches 'N Almond Green Smoothie with Oats

Most of you know that I'm a big smoothie fan! Very often I will get people talking to me about health and diet and they will ask me what is the first thing they should start doing if they want to be healthier.

I always tell them to start drinking green smoothies. Well honestly the first thing I tell them is to get all non-food items out of their diet. But when I go on to explain what that means like soda, junk food, ingredients you can't pronounce etc......And they look at me like that's impossible.....I then tell them to just try drinking a green smoothie most every day.


I tell people that because I know it only takes a few minutes of their time and is actually faster then fixing a breakfast or lunch. I also know that you can usually have quite a bit of healthy stuff that most people don't care for in them and have them taste good. And then I know that if someone starts putting that kind of nutrition into their bodies on a regular basis cravings for the non-foods start to get less and less and then guess what.......they actually start doing the very thing I suggested in the first place. And they don't really even know it's happening.

It's totally not about deprivation, overwhelm and giving up things you enjoy it's about filling up your life with things that are better and when you are fully nourished there simply isn't room for the junk food.

I seem to be one that kind of craves the same kind for a while and have it a lot then decide to switch it up.......OR maybe it's because Costco quits selling the super yummy super affordable organic frozen pineapple so I'm not making this smoothie as much. :( Boohooo!

One thing that I really love about smoothies is that you can pack so much fruit and veggies along with other healthy add-ins like herbs etc. Sometimes though I like to keep it really simple like this one but it's still not lacking in tons of nutrition.

I usually like to make my smoothies pretty thick almost like soft ice cream but I'm finding that the frothy runny milk shake texture is also super yummy. I love how the blended chia, oat, flax mixture actually lends to it's creamy texture not to mention upping the nutrients.

I also have been really enjoying making my own almond milk. I have found a simple AFFORDABLE way to make it that works great for smoothies. It may not be the best kind to drink plain (although Charly really likes it) but it works awesome for smoothies and saves me lots of money plus it's raw so it's much healthier. I'll share my recipe soon!

Oh by the way do you like my new glass straw? I got it from Strawesome I love their glass straws and I happened to have a $15 gift certificate to use that I got as part of The Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle Sale so I grabbed me a couple more straws!

Peaches 'N Almond Green Smoothie with Oats

3 cups almond milk
1-2 Tablespoons chia, oat, flax mix (recipe below)
1 large handful spinach
1 small handful baby kale or baby greens blend
2 frozen bananas
2 cups frozen peaches

Place all ingredients except frozen fruit into blender and blend until smooth and frothy then add the frozen fruit and blend again until smooth and frothy ;) Then pour into glasses (preferably canning jars) and enjoy!

Chia, Oat, Flax Mix

1 part chia seed
3 parts regular rolled oats
1 part golden flax seed

Place all ingredients into a seed and/or coffee grinder or I find my bullet works really well. And blend into a kind of fine a little bit course powder. ;)

You can choose whatever you want to equal a part like a Tablespoon if you only want to make a little or a  measuring cup if you want to make a lot and store it in the fridge. I usually use 1/4 cup and keep one or two weeks worth in the fridge.

Mango Soft Serve Ice Cream

I cannot really take credit for this recipe because I totally got the idea from Laura over at Heavenly Homemakers.  Thanks Laura!  Her Pineapple flavor is really good too but Costco hasn't had their organic frozen pineapple lately (at least not the one we shop at). But they have the mango!

Ryan says he likes the mango best because it is so creamy but you could use other kinds of frozen fruit too. We want to try apricot, peach, raspberry and I know Laura tried strawberry also and it went over well.

Just to let you know this is thick stuff and blending in a regular blender may prove a bit frustrating. I think a food processor (a fairly large nice one) would probably work best. But since I don't have one right now I used my Blendtec with the large Wildside jar. It works really well but does take a little patience.

I have to stop and stir a few times before it really blends well. It still takes me less than 5 minutes though. Using my twister jar would actually work better but I would have to half the recipe and blend it in two batches and this way is just faster. But if I was only needing one or two servings I wouldn't hesitate to half the recipe and use that twister jar. It is the perfect thing for really thick blends.

Mango Soft Serve Ice Cream

1 can coconut milk, chilled  (I tend to always keep a couple cans in the fridge)
1 pinch of Real Salt
4 cups frozen mango
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
3-5 drops liquid stevia (optional, don't really need mango is nice a sweet but if you like it sweeter)

Place all ingredients into food processor or powerful blender. Blend until smooth (not higher than speed 3 if using a high speed blender, too high of a speed can potentially separate coconut milk and make it grainy). Also remember it is thick you will have to stop and stir a few times until the machine can pull it down.

Strawberry Lemonade Snow Cone Syrup

This is a really fun basic recipe.  Your flavors and colors are endless and you certainly wont need artificial ANYTHING!  Try mango, pineapple, orange, blueberry, cherry, raspberry, etc.  Use individual fruits or mix up combinations. So fun and so Tasty!

Strawberry Lemonade Snow Cone Syrup

6 Strawberries, stems removed
Juice of one Lemon
2-4 Tablespoons Agave Syrup (depending on how tangy you like it)

Blend ingredients together in blender.  Pour into a squeeze bottle, may strain if you don't want the strawberry seeds.  Pour over shaved ice just like a snow cone!  Yummy, lots of fun and has real flavor!  You won't taste the color red cause it isn't it there! ;)



We have had lots of fun making these this Summer!
We have used my Champion Juicer with the strainer removed so the crushed ice just falls out where the juice would, or my Pampered Chef Ice Shaver to shave the ice to snow cone texture!  We love this flavor and the wheels are turning thinking of more fun flavors.  Raspberry? Blueberry? Tropical?  Have fun see what you can come up with and be sure to share if it's a good one!

Lemonade Syrup

Back in April, Bountiful Baskets had cases of Lemons for a super good deal.  I didn't realize how good the deal was until I saw how many lemons were in a case.  So I tried to find ways to use lemon.  I made Lemon Ice Cream and some other dishes that didn't turn out so well.  And of course we made lemonade but I knew it would be nice to have some when it got hot.  So I made some Lemon Syrup and froze it into pint jars.  The other day I got out a pint jar, let it thaw and added about 5 cups cold water to it.  Super easy way to make lemonade and it tasted great to all of us who had been working hard to get our yard in.  Because of the Sucanat it looks more like ice tea then Lemonade but it has a great lemony rich tart flavor.  Hits the spot on a hot Summer day!  Inspired by this recipe.

Lemonade Syrup

3 cups Sucanat
1 cup water
zest of 3-4 lemons
4 cups lemon juice (we like it tart can use less lemon juice if you don't)


Put Sucanat and water into a pot and bring to a low boil until Sucanat dissolves.  Let cool down a bit then add lemon juice and zest and mix in well.  Pour into 3-4 pint jars, leaving plenty of room at the top to expand when frozen.  Place lids on and freeze.  When ready to use thaw then mix into a pitcher with cold water.  I use about 5 cups water to 1 pint of syrup.  You may adjust according to taste.

Tammie's Summer Slushy

Here's a great Summertime treat that I came up with years ago that put to good use my Pampered Chef Ice Shaver! It also helped my kids not feel so left out when they saw everyone standing in line at the snowie shacks.  But instead of tasting like the color Red (yep that is what that sugar syrup tastes like to me now might as well melt sweetened crayon and put on it ;) it actually has real flavor! 

Tammie's Summer Slushy

100% juice, frozen in ice cube trays or containers
Shave juice in ice shaver, or blend with a little juice in blender
Squeeze half a lime into each cup
That's it!
Very Refreshing!

Cherry Cheesecake Smoothie

Cherry Cheesecake Smoothie

1 can coconut milk
juice of half a lemon
2 leaves Kale
1 small handful cashews (optional)
2 cups Rice milk
3-4 cups frozen Cherries
1-2 Frozen Bananas
2 Tablespoons agave
2 cups ice

This makes over 2 quarts so if you don't have a large Blendtec blender you may want to half the recipe.  Place first 4 ingredients in blender.  Blend until smooth.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Blend until smooth.  Enjoy! 

Pineapple Orange Green Smoothie

I noticed that I have made this particular smoothie blend a lot this past month and it has for sure been a favorite this week so I thought I would share.

Pineapple Orange Green Smoothie

2 cups water
4-6 oranges with peels cut off
2 handfuls spinach
1 leaf kale (optional)
1 apple (optional)
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup frozen peaches
2 cups frozen pineapple
20 drops liquid vanilla Stevia (optional)
1 teaspoon Bee Pollen (opt. I have been adding since allergy season is quickly approaching)
1 teaspoon Maca (optional)

Blend first five ingredients until nice and smooth in very large blender. (If you don't have a 3 quart blender jar you may want to half the recipe)  Add the rest of the ingredients blend again until smooth.

What favorite smoothie combinations do you find regularly in your blender?

Citrus Strawberry Splash

Have you ever juiced fresh strawberries? Oh so very good! I made this juice one morning for breakfast.....obviously no complaints! All fruit juices or all fruit smoothies can be a great place to start for reluctant little ones that are still nervous about greens. Then gradually adding in greens will help them see that they aren't so bad!  Also I don't know about you but my kids have quickly learned that when I say, "This fruit needs to be eaten," that it's not the best fruit they have ever had.  In fact the other day I had some apricots and strawberries that I pulled out of the fridge and said...."This fruit needs to be eaten!"  To which my youngest Charly, who is 6 quickly responded, "Mom I don't like fruit that needs to be eaten."  She loves both apricots and strawberries...but she has learned if Mom says they need to be eaten then they may have some bruising or slightly mushy parts that she simply doesn't care for.  Although not rotten or bad yet fruit that needs to be eaten I have found is better frozen for smoothies or juiced. Then Charly along with all the others will happily enjoy the fruit that once seemed so unappetizing.

Citrus Strawberry Splash

1 pint fresh strawberries
1-2 large oranges
1 pear

Wash fruit, cut peel off orange, run through your juicer.  It's hard to mess us fresh fruit juice.  Do any combo you want.  Fresh Pineapple is Heavenly juiced, watermelon also works great with strawberries!  Fresh mint juiced with the fruit is fun too!  It's a great fast way to use up that fruit that "needs to be eaten!"

Strawberry Cheesecake Shake

Reminds me of back in the day with all the fun Blizzard flavors.  Of course this one is much, much better for you!  I don't crave things like this very often in fact I find the longer I live this lifestyle the less I crave really rich foods.  But once in a while a craving hits and it's fun to see what happens in my kitchen then!  It's recipes like these that make it easy to live the Simple, Healthy, Tasty Lifestyle!  I simply don't feel deprived!

Strawberry Cheesecake Shake

Strawberry Syrup:
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled
zest of 1 fresh lemon
2 teaspoons agave
1 Tablespoon coconut oil, melted

In blender, blend strawberries, zest and agave.  Once smooth while still blending slowly add coconut oil.  Chill for at least 20 minutes to thicken.

Cheesecake Soft Serve:
1 can coconut milk
2 frozen bananas
3 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 macadamia nuts
3 Heaping Tablespoons agave
2 cups ice

In blender blend all ingredients until smooth.  Layer soft serve and strawberry syrup in drinking glasses and enjoy.  May top with fresh strawberries and/or granola.