strawberry, banana + orange smoothie bowl

 

the warm weather has rebooted my smoothie obsession! i have literally been making a fruit filled smoothie every single day over the last couple weeks. we are trying to be extra healthy now that winter is over & this really helps curb a dessert craving. the only thing even better then a traditional smoothie it a beautiful smoothie bowl! i just love getting to decorate them with all sorts of healthy goodies. they are so pretty & even more filling. instead of using regular ice cubes which adds zero flavour to the mix, i make ice cubes out of zevia's orange (zero calorie) soda naturally sweetened with stevia. it adds the perfect hint of sweetness & orange flavour without any added sugar! this combination is my absolute favourite.. strawberries, bananas & orange. ok, time to go make myself one!

happy weekend & happy mother's day! i bet mom will want one of these too:)

xo

ingredients

orange soda ice cubes

strawberry banana orange smoothie bowl

  • 1 frozen banana, quatered
  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1/4 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
  • 1/2 cup 100% orange juice, no pulp
  • 3-4 zevia's orange soda ice cubes (see recipe above)
  • fresh fruit, for topping
  • chia seeds, for topping
  • puffed cereal, for topping

directions

orange soda ice cubes

  • evenly dispurse soda amongst a 16 cube ice tray. place in the freezer & let chill over night.
  • use when fully frozen.

strawberry banana orange smoothie bowl

  • add the banana, strawberries, yogurt, orange juice & ice cubes to a blender. blend until smooth, about 60 seconds.
  • transfer to a bowl & top with desired toppings.
  • serve immediately!

avocado cucumber gazpacho

 

BRB PUMPKIN, there is an avocado gazpacho in town! this might be the most refreshing gazpacho i have ever tasted. i love a cucumber, honey & mint combo, so it seemed like a natural pairing for this recipe. the addition of the avocado makes for the perfect creamy texture. this is a great recipe for those who want to savour those last few days of summer before all the fall & winter comfort foods take over! while the bulk of gazpachos are finished off with heavy cream, this one features nutpods unsweetened original creamer. it is a dairy free creamer made of almond butter and coconut cream! i use it in my coffee every morning to add that creaminess you don't get from regular almond or coconut milk.

p.s. i just saw nutpods released a pumpkin spice dairy free creamer for coffee & i need it like, yesterday.

p.p.s. if you are in canada, all of nutpods creamers are available on naturamarket.ca!

happy last weekend of summer friends! xo

ingredients

  • 3 medium (or two large) ripe avocados
  • 2 cups cucumber, peeled & roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon raw honey
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup unsweetened nutpods original creamer
  • 2 cups water, cold
  • sea salt & pepper, to taste
  • 1 scallion, thinly sliced (for garnish)

directions

  • in a blender add the avocado flesh, cucumber, mint, lime juice, raw honey, olive oil & creamer. pulse a few times until well mixed.
  • pour in the water one cup at a time until you reach desired consistency. blend until silky & smooth.
  • season with a touch of sea salt & freshly cracked black pepper.
  • serve as is or with a drizzle of olive oil, nutpods creamer & scallions.

whiskey plum smash

 

plums, peaches, apricots, nectarines.. it is stone fruit season!!!! i have been baking nonstop with the fresh fruit i have picked up at the farmers market. aside from the classic galettes, pies, crumbles & crisps, stone fruit can be worked into refreshing cocktails too! the whiskey plum smash gets its name from literally "smashing" the sweet plum flesh. i opted to infuse it with fresh mint, but fresh thyme or rosemary would be amazing too! i just love the ombre effect the drink has when topped with the clear fizzy sparkling water. instead of regular sparkling water, i opted to use zevia's cucumber lemon sparkling water. it is very lightly sweetened with stevia & has subtle cues of cucumber + lemon flavours. nothing over powering, just extra refreshing! this cocktail would work great with any stone fruit you can get your hands on. enjoy it now while we are in the heart of the dog days!

ingredients

  • 3 plums, peeled & sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoons raw honey
  • 4 ounces whiskey
  • 4 ounces zevia's cucumber lemon sparkling water
  • ice, for serving
  • sliced plums, for garnish
  • fresh mint, for garnish

directions

  • using a muddle mash (smash) together the plums, mint, lemon juice and honey until smooth.
  • evenly dispurse plum mixture between two cocktail glasses.
  • add whiskey & stir until incorporated.
  • fill glass with ice & finish off with a big splash of zevia!
  • garnish with sliced plums and a sprig of mint if desired.