A Smoothie A Day Keeps....

You feeling really good throughout the day I must say! I have always enjoyed smoothies but traditionally for me, smoothies contained yoghurt or milk. I never thought of a smoothie just being made of fruit before. Over the past year and a bit I have realised my body doesn't appreciate dairy. So I have had to adjust to taking dairy out of my diet, which has been hard because while I can easily give up milk and yogurt, ice cream has been a big challenge. I do like chocolate but I can take it or leave it most of the time!!

I have embraced the almond milk, and will endeavour to make my own one of these days! I still consume cheese, but no where near as regularly as I once did. I will have it once a month if that and then I will be cranky with myself afterwards as I my body cramps up and responds to its presence in my system.

I have embraced the smoothies though and dairy free homemade ice creams, which I will also share with you.

1/4 cup Blueberries
Two small white peaches skin on chopped
2 mint leaves
1/3 of a small pineapple skin removed and chopped
Add about 1/2 to 1 cup of ice cubes
Add water to taste preference

Blend up in blender on pulse then liquify or puree if you have that function.

Watermelon - about 1 to 2 cups chopped
1/3 of a small pineapple skin removed and chopped
4 strawberries
table spoon of chia seeds
2 mint leaves
ice cubes and water
 Blend it up baby!!

Watermelon, about 1 to 2 cups chopped
1/3 of a small pineapple skin removed and chopped
4 strawberries
2 mint leaves
ice cubes and water
Blend it good, blend it real good!!

1/2 a small pineapple skin removed and chopped
2 mint leaves
1cm to 1.5cm nib of fresh ginger
1 tbs chia seeds
ice cubes and water
Blend it all up and refresh yourself!

1/2 small pineapple skin removed and chopped
1/2 large banana
2 mint leaves
4 strawberries
ice cubes and water
Blend it and blend it and blend it!

1 small very ripe pineapple skin removed and chopped
2 very ripe pears
ice cubes and water
Blend it and blend it!!

Strawberry, Banana, and Pineapple Dairy Free Vegan Ice Cream

Ingredients
4-6 medium sized strawberries cut in halves
2 small to medium well ripened bananas cut into discs
1 spear of pineapple cut into small chunks
1 teaspoon (or so) coconut sugar (optional)
1 can coconut milk (full fat)

This is a super simple and healthy way to have ice cream without the dairy. Put the fresh strawberries, banana and pineapple and in a container or a zip loc bag and put that into the freezer. Once they are frozen or even if they aren't frozen solid, I place them in a blender with canned coconut milk. I choose canned coconut milk because the cream separates from the liquid and you get the benefits of both. The liquid helps the fruit to blend well and the creamer part makes the creamy texture. To separate the liquid and the cream, you can either put the can in the fridge over night, or if its cold enough in your pantry i.e. not summer, it should solidify and separate just as well. I didn't use all the cream for this serving. Add a couple of dessert spoon heapings at a time and use your senses to work out what you prefer. I also added a bit of coconut sugar, but this is optional.  You could easily have this for breakfast. lunch, dinner, or dessert. So versatile and add the fruit you like best. You can even add some cacao powder for a chocolate taste.

Healthy Breakfast Choice

If you want something healthy and filling for breakfast without being to fussy, this is a good way to go. I don't have a particular name for this.  It is completely versatile and you can choose your own adventure, so to speak, with the ingredients. This time I chose:

1 medium sized banana chopped
2 ripe medium sized strawberries chopped
1 handful of raw almonds chopped
some shredded coconut
some chia seeds
some golden flax seeds
honey to taste

This is dairy free, gluten free, processed sugar free, and suitably vegan. I am not a real vegan, but I do love vegan recipes and make them often. I do have to have dairy free, though I have to admit I still eat ice cream now and then and I don't check every stinkin' label for no traces of dairy, but I do feel much better leading a dairy free lifestyle as much as I possibly can. Hope you like this recipe:)