Chocolate-y Berry Acai Smoothie

What is an Acai Bowl? An acai bowl is similar to an acai smoothie because it is a set of frozen fruit (and accent) ingredients blended until thick and frosty. But this acai blend is meant to be served in a bowl and with plenty of fun and delicious toppings on top. Acai bowl blends are meant to be thick and creamy, eaten with a spoon like ice cream. On top: fresh fruit, granola, nuts and more. You will often find acai bowls in tropical regions where the weather calls for frosty-deliciousness as your breakfast of choice. I have had delicious acai bowls in Hawaii and Miami. Have you had a delicious acai bowl somewhere?

Some points about acai:

- Acai Health Benefits: One 100g serving contains just 60 calories, 3g fiber, 6% RDA iron, 15% RDA vitamin A, 5,800 ORAC units, 4.58mg heart-healthy omega fatty acids, 0g sugar and zero caffeine or gluten. It also contains various minerals, vitamin C and even some calcium.

- Buying Acai. Acai comes in a few forms. Frozen acai smoothie packs, acai juice and acai powder. My favorite way to enjoy acai is via the frozen smoothie packs because you can easily blend up frosty smoothies and creamy purple acai bowls.
- When choosing acai you can either buy 100% acai or a "blend" product. Below I show three brands and options for frozen smoothie packs.

1. Samzabon: This sweetened acai smoothie pack contains energizing guarana. To taste, the pack is quite sweet, and almost tastes like a popsicle. The acai flavor is a bit less bold due to the added sugar that "waters down" the acai content a bit. The color is a light purple rather than deep purple. Delicious, but a bit less potent than 100% acai packs. Note: The Sambazon brand has a wide variety of delicious acai juices worth trying and testing out as well!

2. Wonderfruit Acai - Amazon Planet: This 100% wild grown acai is deep purple and super creamy. Delicious option for 100% acai.

3. Acai Roots: This pure premium acai is 100% wild grown and organic too! Again, 100% acai, unsweetened, nothing added so you get a super deep purple color and rich caco-berry acai flavor.

- Acai Powder. You can also buy acai powder. OneLuckyDuck.com carries the wonderful Navitas Naturals brand of acai. It is super easy to add to smoothies to boost the flavor and nutritional content.

I would advise trying the 100% acai products first to truly taste the pure acai flavor and see that deep color. You want your acai to be fresh purple in color - not brown or too muddy purple.

* My acai pack taste testing. The 100% acai, unsweetened brands (Wonderfruit and Acai Roots) had the deepest purple color and most creamy chocolate-y flavor I love. The sweetened Sambazon pack was a bit lighter in acai flavor and color - and a tad sweeter - still delicious. You can see above the lightest purple chunk of frozen acai is the sweetened version. Deeper purple colors being 100% pure acai.

How-to Build an Acai Bowl:

1. Blend. First blend together two acai smoothie packs, a generous splash of liquid and (optionally) some frozen fruit. I like to add one fresh or frozen banana. Vanilla almond or soy milk tastes delicious as the liquid base of an acai bowl. Or you can try coconut milk for a richer, creamier tropical flavor. Blend the ingredients in a high speed blender until creamy, but still very thick and frosty.

Texture troubleshooting:

Too thin? To prevent a too-thin texture, add the liquid in very small amounts, gradually. Just until the blend starts churning.

Too thick? If you have trouble with a "too thick" blend, simply keep adding liquid slowly until things smooth out. You could also add in vegan yogurt or even a scoop of silken tofu. Taste test the blend before serving. You can add sweetness (if needed) via agave or maple syrup, fruit like bananas or even using a more sweetened non-dairy milk base.

Chocolate spin: Want a super chocolate-y flavor? Blend 1-3 tsp cacao powder into your acai blend. Or blend in raw cacao nibs. You could even use a chocolate protein powder if you'd like.

2. Pour. After your acai is thick, frosty and blended, spoon it out into a bowl. Tips: Use a chilled bowl to help keep your acai from melting too quickly! - Or add some frozen fruit to the bottom of the bowl (frozen wild blueberries or frozen organic strawberries perhaps) to prevent quick melting as you eat.

3. Top. Start adding toppings! Nuts, cacao nibs, a splash of coconut milk, coconut shreds, fresh berries, sliced fresh banana, chopped nuts, chia seeds, ground flax seeds or even a spoonful of almond butter. There are so many options for toppings. Choose healthy foods you have on hand and fresh fruits that are in season or have a tropical vibe.

Serve right away and eat with a spoon!

Coconut Acai Berry Bowl (pictured)
vegan, serves 1-2

2 frozen acai smoothie packs
1/3 cup vanilla almond milk (+ more as needed to blend, add in tiny splashes)
1/4 cup coconut milk (chilled from can)
1 frozen banana
1/4 cup frozen blueberries

Toppings: raw peanuts, shredded coconut, fresh blueberries, goji berries, cacao nibs + a creamy splash of coconut milk

Follow instructions above to prepare.

Dive in..

Acai Smoothie! You will find plenty of creative acai smoothies in my book. But here is one super simple recipe that I love. I blend this creamy cool treat smoothie up after long workouts for a refreshing, re-fueling, relaxation-filled smoothie break.

Chocolate-y Berry Acai Smoothie
vegan, serves 1-2

1 frozen acai smoothie pack (feeling bold? Add 1 1/2 - 2 packs!)
1 Tbsp raw cacao powder
1/3 cup frozen wild blueberries (or blackberries)
1 banana, frozen
1/2 - 1 cup vanilla almond or soy milk

Blend and serve.

notes:
* Add more liquid for a thinner smoothie, less for a thicker shake-like texture.
* Add a drizzle of agave syrup or another 1/2 banana for more sweetness.
* Add a scoop of protein powder or sub cacao with chocolate protein powder if desired.

Bowl or smoothie, both options are delicious + healthy.

 

Fast Easy Almond Milk - Classic

Want to learn how to make creamy, amazing, totally delicious-tasting almond milk is a flash? Good! Today I share my easy method and even a super easy TWO-ingredient recipe with a secret ingredient. (Intrigued?)

For these recipes.. You DO need a high speed blender like a Vitamix. And some sort of fine mesh strainer OR a nut bag. But that is it! Seriously, go from raw almonds in a bag to creamy-tastic almond milk in under 45 minutes. Annnnd GO!...

Chocolate almond milk:


Flavors (classic vanilla, cacao, sweet spirulina green, cinna coconut)










The basics... Full recipe below.




The best part about homemade almond milk: you can chug the bottle and not feel guilty that it is all gone. Because you can easily make more!

OK, so I love love love love love love homemade nut milks. Not only do they taste amazing, but they are perfect for adding to smoothies, drinking straight from the chilled glass bottle, pouring over top hot and cold cereal, using in baking and other recipes and you can even add your homemade nut milk to hot beverages like tea and lattes. I just had a black tea latte and NO the milk did not curdle! Yay.

What is the difference between my method and other methods? Well one thing really: THE SOAKING TIME.

Normally, raw nut milk recipes ask you to soak the raw nuts in salted water anywhere from 4-8 hours to overnight. And yes this is a great way to get soft, easily blendable nuts. But I have found that my method below really does work! So having fresh almond milk in a flash is totally possible...

The trick is to use very hot water to soak the almonds. This softens them quickly.

Secret Recipe: Coconut Almond Milk. The other day I tried something new and crazy. Instead of using water to make my almond milk, I used chilled natural coconut water! I was kinda shocked when it tasted amazing. The best part, it was pre-sweetened from the sweet coconut water flavor and bonus - it contained added nutrients from the coconut water like potassium, magnesium, manganese and more. So you can try either classic water-almond or crazy new coconut-almond. Both use the same method. And both can be flavored however you'd like.



Nut Milk Bag: If you have one. Use it. They do make things a bit faster. But this method below is super if you do not have special tools like a nut milk bag, but do have a strainer.

Fast Easy Almond Milk - Classic
vegan, makes 4-5+ cups of almond milk (depending on how creamy you want it)

Step One: Grab your ingredients and tools.

Ingredients:
3-5 cups of fresh (preferably chilled) water (coconut version below!)
1 cup raw almonds

also:
salt (pink salt is my fave)
variety of flavors..
raw cacao powder or cocoa powder
vanilla bean or vanilla extract
raw dates or maple syrup or agave syrup
spirulina
cayenne
more!..

Tools: High speed blender + mesh strainer or nut milk bag + 2 bowls + bottles to store nut milk + spoon for pressing pulp

Step Two: Soak.
Add your 1 cup of almonds to a bowl and fill with about 3+ cups of HOT HOT HOT water. Enough to cover nuts generously. You could use boiling or simmering water, but I just use the hottest possible setting on my tap. Add in a dash of salt and swirl water. Let this sit for at least 20-30 minutes. I think one hour is a bit better, but I have even tested a 15-minute soak that does work. Basically, the longer you soak, the less pulp you will end up with in the end.

Step Three: Drain and rinse.
Drain the soaking water and rinse your soaked almonds with cool water. A few of the almond skins may pop off and that is a good sign that they have softened a bit.

Step Four: Blend.
Add the soaked almonds and 3 1/2 cups of fresh water to your Vitamix. Blend on low for a good three minutes. Finish blend by carefully blending (lid on) on medium or high for a minute or so to really thrash those almond bits and churn the milk.

Step Five: Strain.
Place your fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag over a large mixing bowl. Slowly pour the blended mixture and using the back of a spoon to press the liquid through, moving around the almond pulp so that the liquid can drain through. This process takes a good 2-4 minutes. Once you are left with wetish dry almond pulp in your strainer, scoop the pulp BACK in the blender. Add in 1/2 - 2 cups chilled water to the blender with the pulp.

Step Six: Re-Blend. The Pulp.
Blend the pulp with the additional water on low-medium for a few minutes. This milk may be a bit thinner, but once you combine it with the first round milk it will all even out. *not re-blending pulp is optional, but I find it helps squeeze all that goodness out of the almond bits leftover from first straining.*

Step Seven: Strain Again.
Finally, strain this mixture the same way you did with the first round of milk. NOW, you should be left with just about 1/4-1/2 cup of almond pulp - very dry in texture. If your pulp still seems wet and milky, keep repeating the blend and strain steps until it dries out. Do not be afraid of adding more water. It will still be nice and creamy.

Step Eight. Flavor.
You are now free to rinse your blender and pour the smooth, creamy, strained almond milk back into the blender container. Add your seasonings and flavorings! Here are a few ideas:

Chocolate -> Add 1-3 Tbsp cacao powder + 1-3 Tbsp maple or agave syrup (or 2-3 pitted Medjool dates) + dash cinnamon and or cayenne + 1/8 tsp pink salt
Sweet Spirulina -> 1 Tbsp spirulina powder (I use Spirulina Pacofica!) + sweeten to taste with dates or maple/agave syrup + 1/8 tsp pink salt
Strawberry -> Add 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries! (this will slightly thicken your milk with fiber)
Classic Vanilla Bean -> scrape 1 vanilla bean (add seeds from pod) + sweeten to taste + 1/8 tsp salt

And if you want to try my Coconut Cinnamon flavor do this:
Instead of adding water when blending your soaked almonds, add chilled coconut water! This blends up sweet, creamy, coconut-infused almond milk. I add cinnamon too.

...And guess what, you can totally do this same method with almost any nut you'd like. Try walnut, cashew or even pistachio! (These nuts quick soak best)

Good luck and tweet me your finished homemade almond milk pics!!! @lunchboxbunch

PS. If you are like, wait, *8* steps??? SO not easy! Watch my VINE video and see that I showed this recipe in *six* seconds :) Follow me on Vine too!

Pulp pressing, to squeeze out all the "milk"

60-Second Applesauce

This 60-Second Applesauce with hints of cinnamon and maple is perfect for those times when you crave a super healthy sweet treat, or for when you may need some applesauce for baking purposes or other recipes and only have whole apples on hand. This is a quickie must-see recipe with a cute story that inspired me to try it..

Raw..

Simmered:

When life hands you apples. Makes applesauce.

In the Aisles Inspiration.. So I was in Whole Foods the other day, browsing in the baking aisle, comparing my oat brans from wheat brans when a mother and son came galloping down the aisle. The mom grabbed something from the grains section as her young son lingered behind her, having spotted something on the shelves.

"Applesauce! Applesauce! Mom look, applesauce!" He squealed with a passionate yearning in his tiny voice. The mom ignored him for a few seconds.

"Mom, can we get this please! Puh-leeeez! Applesauce!" It was like he had struck gold after digging in the mines for ten years. He was shouting the way I shout when I spot vegan cookies at a mainstream bakery. Finally his mom chimed in, very casually, without even looking away from the cereal box she was holding and scanning with her eyes..

"No no hunny. That stuff has preservatives in it, we make our own."

I silently nodded my head in approval, just about ready to spin around and give this stranger a big thumbs up sign. I restrained myself and we parted ways.

And the moral of the story.. 1) I found it adorable that this tiny boy craved applesauce the way most kids crave candy! He was blissful at the sight of it. 2) That little boy made me crave applesauce! Something I probably haven't craved since preschool. 3) His mom inspired me to get in the kitchen and try homemade sauce. Something I have actually never made before.

Two versions: I love a slow-simmered applesauce, rich with baked apple flavor, but I wanted to try two verisons: raw and simmered. Both using my Vitamix. This recipe worked beautifully and it is just one more thing I now love making in my Vitamix.

Simmered or Raw. Blended raw, this applesauce takes 60 seconds to make. The raw version has a bright and slightly tart flavor to it from all that fresh apple pectin and raw lemon juice. If you want a mellower, silkier, simmered applesauce (which tastes more like the kind you might buy at the store) all you have to do is simmer it on med-high for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour, cool and enjoy.

60-Second Applesauce
vegan, makes 1 1/2 cups

2 large apples, organic (any variety will work, the flavor will vary based o the sweetness and tartness of apple variety)
a few pinches of cinnamon
1 tsp lemon juice (optional - keeps sauce from over browning if not using right away + adds a tart accent)
1/2 tsp maple syrup
2-4 Tbsp water (add to taste to achieve desired consistency)

Directions:

1. Roughly chop your washed apple. Squeeze lemon juice and strain away seeds.
2. Add apple, lemon, water, cinnamon and maple to blender. Blend from low to high for 30-60 seconds. Or until your blender purees everything. For fastest blending, use a high speed blender. In a less powerful blender you may need to add additional water to blend.
3. For raw sauce, pour and serve. Or pour, cover dish and chill in the fridge - serve when chilled.
4. For simmered sauce, pour applesauce mixture into a small sauce pot and simmer on med-high for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add additional spices or a few drops of vanilla extract if you'd like. Pour into serving dish, and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Raw applesauce should be eaten same day. Simmered applesauce can be stored, covered in the fridge for 1-3 days.

The simmered sauce becomes a bit thinner, silkier and less textured...

Caramel Apple twist? This sauce would be kinda amazing drizzled with some vegan peanut butter caramel! Like this..