t h e m a y f i l e s is foremost a family blog, chronicling everyday life. Life including natural, healthy eating (with recipes thrown in at random), home educating (with ideas popping up sporadically), an attempt to homestead on .2 acres (with very meager yields), raising 3 of 4 children with a rare genetic disorder, and lots of highly personal family triumphs and failures. You may also find an eclectic array of musings on politics, exercise, sewing, emergency preparedness, backyard chickens, and religion. This blog isn't a campaign to glorify anyone or anything. Just simply a record.

10.01.2011

Almond Milk Smoothies

Brent and I recently watched the documentary "Forks Over Knives."  It is based primarily on The China Study. The premise is: what you eat keeps you from having to "go under the knife."  We both felt inspired to recommit to a more vegan lifestyle, back to 95% instead of probably 85%.  Dairy is our only hang up, and has been creeping its way into the children's diets especially.

My neighbor brought me a great vegan chocolate smoothie a while back, it was a hit.  We've altered and expanded with excellent results.  The best thing about these is how easy they are.  Enjoy these dairy and gluten free smoothies recipes:

You can make your own almond or coconut milk, or find a high quality organic brand without a bunch of additives. Costco sells almond milk by the case.

A week ago, I received a coupon in the mail for a Jamba Juice Pumpkin Smoothie.  
It looked delicious and I knew I had to create version for our family.   
Next up pumpkin ice cream!  Tis the season. 

Pumpkin Smash

Almond Milk
Ice
1/4-1/2 c Grade B Organic Maple Syrup
3/4 cup of pumpkin puree (unsweetened, not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 t vanilla
1 t pumpkin pie spice (or just mix cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little cloves)

Fill blender half full of ice. Cover with almond milk. 
Add maple, pumpkin, vanilla and spice. Blend and serve.  Makes about 5 servings.




Chocolate Malt

Almond Milk
Ice
1/4 - 1/2 cup Cocoa powder
1/4 - 1/2 cup Natural sweetener (Grade B OrganicMaple Syrup, agave or are good choices)
1-2 Bananas (fresh or reconstituted freeze dried)
A tablespoon or two of barley malt syrup to give it a "malty" flavor (optional)

Fill blender half full of ice. Cover with almond milk. 
Add banana, cocoa, natural sweetener and malt if desired. Blend and serve.
Use your leftovers to make delicious popsicle treats for later.


Favorite Fruit

Frozen fruit. Pick your favorite! (strawberries, peaches, blueberries, bananas)
6 ice cubes
1/4 - 1/2 cup natural sweetener
Almond Milk

Fill blender with frozen berries. Cover with almond milk. Add sweetener and ice. Blend.

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