Chocolate Pudding

A day off from teaching is a day that I get to spend doing a couple of my most favorite me-time things: cooking and lifting!  With the latter done early today, I had lots of time to make a mess in the kitchen (no joke here!) and ended up coming up with a paleo-worthy sweet treat.

The recipe is ridiculously easy and so damn good!  I'm not sure how much self control I'll have later on! 

Recipe makes 3ish cups

Ingredients:

•2 cups of water

•1/2 cup raw cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts

•1/4 cup raw cacao powder

•1/3 cup chia seeds

•10 Medjool dates pitted

•2 teaspoons Himalayan salt or Kalahari desert salt (sea salt is fine if you don't have the others but I prefer them because they have a stronger salt flavor)

•Cacao nibs, raw coconut flakes, coconut creme, date creme, fresh fruit, or whatever the hell else you want to throw on top. 

Put everything in a high-powered blender and let that fucker blend on high for 2-5 minutes. Yeah that may seem like a big gap in time but whatever kind of blender you have will determine how long this will take. If it seems really thick, add a little more water, maybe 1/8 of a cup at a time. Don't worry if it seems a little too watery because the Chia seeds will thicken it up. 

If you have a shit blender, you should put things in little at a time and you should probably chop the dates, otherwise they may get stuck. If you have a vitamix or similar, your pudding will warm up a bit but hey, that's ok!

When everything is blended and smooth, you can either put your pudding into 1/2 size glass bowls, dump it all into one larger glass bowl, or just put your face it it! 

Don't store this in metal because it will react and change the flavor. If it's a choice between plastic and metal, use the plastic and go get yourself some glass food containers!

Snickers Bar Buzzzzz

I originally had a different name for this but when my coach said it tasted like a Snickers Bar I changed it. I usually get inspiration for names based on the flavor and I was going for something like Kicked Up Monkey or something like that. After his comment though I noticed it too. The instant espresso gives this a great caffeine punch. The dates give it the caramel flavor. I used cacao powder to flavor it and added the whole nibs as an afterthought. I love the crunch they have and it was perfect in this smoothie.  This was the perfect pick-me-up for my 6 hour road trip to Fort Drum today and I'm pretty sure it'll carry me through the Rolling Stones concert I'm going to tonite! 

Cheers!

Angie

2 cups of almond milk

2 scoops of protein powder

1/4 cup of cacao powder

1/4 cup of instant espresso  

3 tblsps of hemp powder

2 tblsps of maca powder

2 tblsps of mesquite powder

1 tblsp of lucuma powder

3 tblsps of rolled or Irish oats

Handful of raw almonds

1/2 cup of peanut butter

2 bananas

6-8 medjool dates 

8-10 ice cubes

Chopped cacao nibs

Put everything except the ice and cacao nibs in the blender. Once it's blended, start adding the ice. After you pour it into glasses or whatever, add the cacao nibs. You can add however many you want. This recipe makes enough for 2-3!

Smokin' Sit-Up Maple Smoothie

While rummaging through Trader Joe's I came across maple water. Basically it's the unprocessed sap from maple trees. I live in Western New York so I've had the opportunity to taste pure unprocessed maple sap. It's consistency is very much like water and it tastes like water that has been flavored with a touch of maple syrup. Just to be clear, when I say maple syrup I don't mean Log Cabin or Mrs Butterworth's etc. I'm talking about 100% pure maple syrup. Nothing artificial. 

I made this smoothie this morning and had some before my WOD. That might be why I beat my coach's time in gymnastics and his number of sit-ups in the WOD.  Maybe I should have brought him his earlier!  I told him it needed a name and he suggested Smokin Sit-Up Smoothie. I liked it so I used it. 

It's pretty sweet. I put the ice in while instead of crushing it in the mixer but you can crush it if you like.

1 cup of almond milk

1 cup of maple water

2 bananas

6 medjool dates

2 scoops of protein powder

3 tblsps of hemp powder

3 tblsps of Irish oats

1 handful of raw almonds

8-12 ice cubes

Everything goes in the blender on high until smooth. 

Chocolate Sweet Potato Protein

Last sweet potato experiment for the week.  I think I could probably add them to any of my recipes at this point. 

You can use any raw nuts and any nut butter that you like. I just use what's laying around. 

And no.......there's no picture. I forgot to take one again and it was gone before I remembered. 

2 cups of almond milk

1 scoop of protein powder

3 tablespoons of hemp powder

3 tablespoons of whole oats 

3 tablespoons of cacao powder or nibs

1-3 tablespoons of instant espresso 

1/4 c organic peanut butter

1/4 c raw hazelnuts

4 medjool dates

1 banana

1 sweet potato

12 ice cubes

Cube and cook the sweet potato in the microwave or oven until it's soft then let it cool completely. 

Throw everything but the ice cubes in a high powered blender.  As its mixing, add the ice one cube at a time.  You may also have to add a little more milk to thin it out.

This makes enough to share or save!

Sweet Potato Protein

Again, here's me trying to choke down sweet potatoes.  It's amazing what peanut butter does for things!  Throw in some PB and all is right with the world! 

 

I have to thank my coach for being my guinea pig. Good thing he doesn't mind trying new things, especially knowing he may be getting something that doesn't taste so great. Thanks Robbie!  I would have never posted yesterday's or today's recipes. I also have to thank Matt L & John H for sharing the idea to put sweet potatoes in smoothies. Not something I would have ever tried. 

Make sure when you're choosing sweet potatoes, make sure to choose the ones with reddish skin and orange flesh (labeled as yams) over the white ones. 

Sadly there is no picture today. We drank it all before I remembered to take one.  Hopefully I'll remember tomorrow!  

Cheers! 

Angie 

2 cups of almond milk

1 scoop of protein powder

3 tablespoons of hemp powder

3 tablespoons of whole oats 

1/4 c organic peanut butter

1/4 c raw cashews

4 medjool dates

1 banana

1 sweet potato

12 ice cubes

Cube and cook the sweet potato in the microwave or oven until it's soft then let it cool completely. 

Throw everything but the ice cubes in a high powered blender.  As its mixing, add the ice one cube at a time. 

This makes enough to share or save!

Blueberry Sweet Potato Smoothie

I have a couple of friends who frequently put sweet potatoes and yams in smoothies. These are not things I like to eat, let alone want to drink them.  

I've been playing around with this smoothie recipe for a couple of weeks but couldn't make it taste good.  I couldn't seem to pick out any other flavor except the yams. Lucky for me my coach didn't mind being a guinea pig today. He liked it and said I should publish it so if you don't like it, I guess we can blame him. 😁

1 cup of unsweetened almond milk

1 banana

1 apple with skin

1/2 of a yam w/ skin 

4 medjool dates

3 tablespoons of hemp powder

1 scoop of your fav protein powder 

1/2 cup of blueberries (or more if you like)

1/4 cup of raw walnuts

ice

Cube and microwave the yam until it's soft then let it cool. Then just throw everything into a high powered blender until it's blended.  Maybe add the ice last a cube at a time.  I doubled this and used 12 ice cubes.

Cheers!

Angie

Magnificent Mayan Protein Smoothie

The Mayans definitely had some culinary creative skills.  Chocolate and spicy heat are one of my favorite combinations!  I'm not too picky on what the heat profile is but I do love smoky heat with chocolate. This smoothie has a perfect choco-spice flavor that hits you in the back of your throat with every swallow!

1 cup of nut milk

1 banana

3 tblsps of Irish oats

1 scoop of your fav protein powder

3 tblsps of hemp powder

2 tblsps of raw cacao nibs or powder

1 tblsp of Maca powder

1 tblsp of cinnamon

2 tblsps of raw honey or 4 medjool dates

1/2 tblsp of cayenne pepper

1 tsp of ancho chili powder

1 tsp of chipotle chili powder

4-6 ice cubes

Throw it all in the blender, except ice,on high.  Add ice a cube at a time until the ice is crushed.  If you have a vitamix or other high powered blender, you can put all the ice in at once.

Chocolate Pumpkin Protien

I love days when I experiment with shit and it actually comes out kick-ass delish! That's today!  All a big question mark.  I was prepared to dump this and start over but when I tasted it I was like, hell yeah!  This is a keeper for sure!

The pumpkin juice for this is from all those pie pimpkins I juiced last fall.  Remember those?  Juice them raw skin and all and then freeze the juice in ice cube trays.  I thought I used it all months ago.  It's amazing what you find when you reorg your freezer!

For the hemp powder and protien powder, follow the directions on the container.  Just because of my dairy issues, I use a plant-based protien (Vega Sport) but use whatever you like. 

•1c of unsweetened almond, hemp or any other nut milk OR 1 cup of water and •1/2 cup raw nuts of your choice

•1c of pumpkin juice (I use pie pumpkins)

•1 banana

•1T coconut oil

•Hemp powder (your fav kind)

•Protein powder (your fav kind)

•2T cacao nibs

•1t nutmeg

•1T cinnamon

•1T cayenne pepper

•2T of raw honey or 4 medjool dates

Throw it all in the blender on high for about 2 minutes.  If you have a smoothie setting, use that shit!

Chocolate Decadence

I love chocolate!  I love chocolate!  I LOVE CHOCOLATE!  Finding chocolate desserts that are gluten-free and dairy-free are a challenge.  Don't get me wrong.  There's plenty if recipes out there but let's be honest.  They don't all taste good.  This recipe was modified from a cake that a friend made.  It's rich, delicious, and so completely sinful that it's hard to believe that it's GF, DF, there are only 3 ingredients, and there is no added sugar!  The only question here really is what should you top it with?  Coconut creme is delicious on this cake but so is cashew creme.  I'll let you decide!


CAKE
8 extra large organic eggs
1 pound of dark chocolate (any darkness is acceptable-the darker the chocolate, the less sugar)
16 tablespoons of soy-free earth balance

• Pre-heat oven to 325*.
• Place a roasting pan filled halfway with water on the bottom rack.
• Line the bottom of a 10" springform pan with parchment paper.
• Spray the sides of the pan with an organic cooking spray.
• Melt the chocolate and Earth Balance over medium-low heat, stirring frequently.
• As soon as everything is just melted, take the pan off the stove to cool.
• Beat the eggs on high until the double in volume, about 5 minutes.
• When the eggs are done, carefully fold them into the chocolate 1/3 at a time.
• When everything is incorporated pour batter into pan.
• Place on oven rack above water bath and bake for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, check cake.  It can be baked up to 15 minutes more if necessary.
• Once cake is done, allow to cool in the pan for an hour before removing
• Be sure to peel off the parchment paper from the bottom
• Store in the fridge

COCONUT CREME
2 cans of full-fat coconut milk
Pure vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean

• Chill coconut milk for at least 3 hours in the fridge
• Carefully open cans and scoop out the white solid off the top
• Add vanilla and whip either with electric beaters, in a food processor, or in a high-powered blender
• Spoon over cooled cake or serve with individual slices

*A note about this creme.....If it begins to separate, that means you mixed it too long.  You can fix this by continuing to mix at a high speed until it becomes combined again.  It will be watery.  Just stick it in the fridge and it will harden up in an hour or so.  It will still have the consistency of creme.


CASHEW CREME
1 cup of whole, raw cashews
water
pure vanilla extract
1 seeded medjool date to sweeten if desired

• Put the cashews, date, vanilla, and 1/4 cup of water in a food processor and let 'er rip for about 5 minutes
• If the creme isn't thick and "creamy" looking, add more water, a little at a time
• You can add more nuts if it seems too watery

                                          coconut creme                      cashew creme

                                                   cashew creme on top of coconut creme

WALKING ON SUNSHINE Smoothie

I had some extra fruits that I had to use today so I threw them all into the Vitamix with a little flax milk and this is what I got. Wasn't too bad for a throw-together.


2 bananas
1 mango, peeled
1-inch thick slice of pineapple, peeled
5 medjool dates, pitted
1 orange, peeled
1/4 - 1/2 cup of flax, hemp, or almond milk
ice (optional)

Put all the fruit in the blender. Let it mix until all the fruit is incorporated. Add some milk just to thin it out. Once it's the consistency that you want, you some ice to the running blender to chill it a bit.

Raw Almond Milk

I made this today in the blender.  It's super easy!  And it tastes better than the store bought stuff.  You have the ability to make it thicker or thinner by altering the amount of water.

Soak 1 cup of whole, raw almonds in about 6 cups of water for a couple of hours.  Strain and rinse well.  Put almonds in the blender with 4 cups of water and blend for about 5 minutes.  Taste to see if you need it sweeter.  If you do, add a little raw honey or agave or a couple of medjool dates (be sure to take the pits out!)  Reblend.  Strain using a fine mesh sieve or you can use nut milk bags if you have them.  If you want to make more, you can but for the best results, make it in batches of the above recipe so you don't over-fill the blender.  You can also add cinnamon or nutmeg for flavor if you like.

You'll have some left over pulp when you finish. You can do a few things with it.  You can dehydrate it either in the oven or in qa dyhydrator if you have one.  Youc an use it in place of flour in baked goods.  You can also do what I did and put it back in the blender, add about 3-4 cups of cold water, 1/4 cup of cacao nibs, and some agave nectar and make chocolate milk!  I dehydrated the rest of the pulp in the oven after that.

Store in the refrigerator in a glass container.  Canning jars work well.

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CHOCO-BERRY BANANA Smoothie

1 cup of hemp milk or almond milk
1 banana
1-2 sambazon acai berry smoothie packs
small handfull of sliced almonds
6 medjool dates pitted

Blend this one good to really chop up the dates.

CHOCO BLAST Smoothie

1 cup of chocolate hemp milk or chocolate almond milk(yes kids! they make it in chocolate too!)
6 medjool dates pitted
1 banana
1 acai berry smoothie pack
1/4 cup sliced almonds
ice

The milk and acai should go in first. Once the acai is broken up, add the rest of the ingredients. Add ice to the glass to chill smoothie.

THE GREEN TEAM Smoothie

1 cup hemp milk or almond milk
1 banana
8 medjool dates pitted
1 cup of mixed berries
2 cubes of frozen wheatgrass juice
1 capful of aloe juice
1 tsp of spirulina powder
1 tsp of Garden of Life Perfect Food Supergreen Formula

Put everything in the blender and whiz until smooth.

ISLAND BREEZE Smoothie

1 cup of hemp milk or almond milk
1 banana
1/3 of a pineapple
6 medjool dates pitted
2 cubes of frozen wheatgrass

Put everything in the blender and whiz until smooth.

PROTIEN POWER PUNCH Smoothie

4 clementines
1/2 a pomagranate
6 medjool dates pitted
1 cup papaya
2 TBS of the papaya pips
1 banana
1/8 cup of aloe juice
1 heaping TBS each of hemp seeds, flax seeds & hemp protien powder

I did have to add some water to thin it a little. You'll have to blend this for a while.

BERRY ACAI ANTIOXIDENT ARMY Smoothie

1 cup of hemp milk or almond milk
1 sambazon acai smoothy pack
1/4 cup each of cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cherries
6 medjool dates pitted
5 apricots

Throw it an the blender and blend until smooth!

THE PERFECT PROTIEN Smoothie

1 cup hemp or almond milk or a combo of the two
1/2 avacado
6 medjool dates pitted
5 dried apricots
1 banana
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
1 tablespoon chia seeds
2 tablespoons sliced almonds

You know the routine. This smoothie gets very thick so you will have to add water. If you can't finish the whole thing, you can freeze the rest and eat it later kinda like icecream.

GREEN GODDESS Smoothie **Green Monster**

1 cup hemp milk or almond milk
1 banana
6 medjool dates pitted and chopped
1/2 of an avacado
3 large kale leaves
1 small handful of baby spinach
2 cubes of frozen wheatgrass juice
1 tablespoon of spirulina powder

Get the milk going and quickly add things, as this has a tendency to get thick fast. You can always thin it with water. It's pretty stong but the dates will sweeten it.

**The term Green Monster is a trademark of Oh She Glows

CHUNKY MONKEY Smoothie

1 cup hemp milk or almond milk
1 banana
1 handfull of sliced almonds
8-10 pitted medjool dates pitted

Get the milk spinning in the blender and start adding the ingredients a little at a time. If it gets too thick, you can add a little bit of water. Either pour over ice or blend the ice in.