Creamy Coconut Milk

PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES

Don't get me wrong, I love my almond milk but sometimes a girl just needs a change. I'm also a lover of coconut - when I smell it, I am instantly transported to a caribbean island,  pina colada in hand and so making coconut milk was an easy change-up! 

NUTRITIONAL NOTES

David 'Avocado' Wolfe, a pioneer in the nutritional field quotes in his book on Superfoods that "consuming coconut products regularly helps restore thyroid function and actually increases the metabolic rate leading to weight loss."  This is good news for anyone struggling with weight related issues, hormonal issues such as perimenopause or menopause or hypo/hyper thyroid issues. 

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
3 cups hot water
3 cups cold water
Pinch of Celtic sea salt

Let's Blend!

1. Spoon the shredded coconut into a high speed blender, then pour over 3 cups of hot water.

2. With a wooden spoon, stir the mixture around and leave it for 10 minutes. (We are doing this to soften the coconut shreds before blending it up.)

3. Now you can add the 3 cups of cold water and hit the blend button! It takes a few minutes to blend it up to a creamy consistency, so persevere.:)

4. Strain your beautiful coconut milk through your nut bag then pour it into a mason jar and pop it in the fridge where it will keep for 3/4 days (that's if you don't drink it before that!)

GLOW Green Juice

Juicing is a quick and effective way to help alkalize the body and infuse the cells with a high dose of phytonutrients, helping your skin to 'glow'! 

Nutritional Bites

Did you know your skin is the largest organ of the body and cleanses over a pound of toxins per day! All the GLOW Green Juice ingredients support beautiful skin, i.e., dandelion leaves help with liver detoxification which directly impacts the skin health, whilst celery contains silica, a trace mineral that strengthens the body's connective tissues.  

Ingredients

1 apple or pear
¼ of a cucumber
½ organic lemon (including the rind)
Thumb-size piece of ginger
3 Lacinato (dinosaur) kale leaves
Small fist full of dandelion stalks
4 sticks of celery (no leaves as have a very bitter taste!)

Let's Juice!

1. Juice the apple, cucumber, lemon and ginger first, then follow up with the other veggies. I like leaving the celery till last as I find it cleans out any remaining veggie pieces that may be stuck in the tube.

2. Drink up and get ready to 'glow'!

The Green Goddess Detox Juice

PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES   SERVES: 1 (6/8 ounces)

Every morning, before I get into the minutia of my day, I open up the fridge and start grabbing greens and carrying them over to my juicer. Just 15 minutes of light labour produces an alkaline, antioxidant delight that starts my day off right.  Get into the habit of juicing every morning and your body will reward you with energy, vitality and a sense of wellbeing.  If you are new to juicing, this combination of the earth's bounty has a lovely clean, light taste. 

NUTRITIONAL BITES

Juicing is a quick and effective way to help alkalize the body & infuse the cells with a high dose of phytonutrients. However since juicing removes all fibre,  it is important to eat two to three cups of raw vegetables daily to ensure your body gets the fibre it needs and deserves! If you can use organic produce when you juice, you will be shielding your body from a slew of chemicals and that has to feel good. 

Ingredients

4 sticks of celery
1/4 of a cucumber
3 Lacinato (dinosaur)  kale leaves
1 apple
1/2 lemon (including the rind)

Let's Juice!

Simply blend all raw veggies together and drink immediately! If you can put your mouth under the spout as the juice comes out, even better. :)

Brain-Boosting Smoothies

PREP TIME: 5 minutes      SERVES: 3

Nutritional Bites

These smoothies are packed with healthy fats to boost memory, attention and focus and  powerful antioxidants to protect our brains from degeneration and stress. 

For both smoothies, blend all the ingredients in a high-speed blender.  If you have any left (unlikely) pop it in the fridge for up to 3 days and re-blend before drinking as the ingredients may have settled.

Chocolate Smoothie

Ingredients

2 cups plain whole milk organic kefir (no added sugar) OR 1/2 can organic coconut milk & 1 can of water
1/2 cup organic frozen spinach
1 tablespoon of hemp seeds (or chia seeds or ground flax seeds)
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
2 bananas
1/2 avocado
3 tablespoons raw unsweetened cacao powder (no sugar added!)
Pinch of sea salt
*Add 1 Medjool date if you want a sweeter taste!

Strawberry or blueberry Smoothie

Ingredients

2 cups plain whole milk organic kefir (no added sugar) OR 1/2 can organic coconut milk & 1 can of water (shake the can thoroughly before opening)
1/2 cup organic fresh spinach
1 tablespoon of hemp seeds (or chia seeds or ground flax seeds)
1 teaspoon of  vanilla essence
2 bananas
1/2 avocado
1 cup frozen organic strawberries or blueberries
Pinch of sea salt
*Add 1 Medjool date if you want a sweeter taste

BRIT BEET tip: Freeze unused coconut milk in ice cube trays and freeze peeled bananas, wrapped in parchment paper, in a plastic bag to pull out as you need.    

Chocolate Devil Protein Smoothie

PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES

Are you a chocolate lover? This scrumptious, heavy on the cacao, chocolate smoothie will hit the spot AND keep your blood sugar levels in check thanks to the vegan protein powder and cinnamon 

NUTRITIONAL BITES

Flax oil is a rich source of Omega-3 fats which is heart healthy and helps to reduce inflammation in the body.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup nut milk or filtered water (nut milk does make it extra creamy)
½ banana
1 scoop of chocolate Sun Warrior vegan protein powder or your favourite chocolate protein powder
1 teaspoon cacao powder
1 teaspoon of cacao nibs 
1 Medjool date with pit removed
1 teaspoon of flax oil (great source of Omega-3)
½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon (keeps blood sugar levels balanced)

LET'S BLEND!

1. Put the milk or water into the blender first then add the other ingredients, except the cacao nibs, and blend together for 40 seconds on high.

2. Throw in the cacao nibs and blend for 10 seconds on high to break them down just a bit.

3. Adjust the consistency to your liking by adding more milk or water. Remember if you are making it ahead, it is likely to thicken up as the day goes along so add more milk or water now so it is ready to drink when you are.

BRIT BEET TIP:  Before you make your smoothie, toss a tablespoon of cacao nibs in a blender and pulse till finely ground. Then sprinkle on top of your smoothie - a  truly indulgent topping