No-Bake Energy Bites

Lately I have been finding a lot of AMAZING stuff on Pinterest. Being as poor as we have been, it's great to find ideas to make wonderful gifts. I used to love this season, because I loved shopping and finding unique, perfect gifts for everyone. Well, last year I wasn't able to participate in Christmas gift giving, which greatly saddened me. This year funds are even lower. However, while I was creating so many things for my wedding this summer I realized how much I enjoyed crafting. It makes sense, really...I've always enjoyed art, was in the gifted and talented art classes during elementary school, and ended up a graphic and web designer for over 11 years.

Anyway, I digress! Pinterest has not only given me amazing gift ideas, but also great recipes. This latest one is a healthy, delicious no-bake one that I put together in about 5 minutes. I found this one on the blog Smashed Peas and Carrots, so proper credit should be given there. However, I knew I had to share this one as well (albeit slightly modified), because it is a healthy alternative to high-fat, low-protein snacks such as candy bars or even sugary mass-produced granola bars.

One of the best things about this snack is the integration of flaxseed meal. Flaxseed is definitely a superfood, and most notably for three main ingredients:

• Omega-3 essential fatty acids, "good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.
• Lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains 75-800 times more lignans than other plant foods.
• Fiber. Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types. (source: WebMD)

For more information on the health benefits of flaxseed, please visit this link.

No-Bake Energy Bites
Yield: 24 balls
1 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. peanut butter or other nut butter (I combined 1/4 c. natural peanut butter and 1/4 c. unsweetened natural cashew butter)*
1/3 c. honey
1 c. coconut flakes (sweetened or unsweetened)
1/2 c. flaxseed meal or ground flaxseed
1/2 tbsp. cocoa powder, unsweetened
1/2 c. mini chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix everything together in medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Chill in refrigerator for at least 1/2 hour. Form into balls and enjoy!

*I combined peanut butter and cashew butter because I have had mild reactions to peanuts and peanut butter in the past, and didn't want to push the envelope. I prefer its taste to cashew butter, though, but found the mix was still delicious.

Strawberry-Spinach Smoothie

I tried to imitate the smoothie my husband made for me, but found we were out of the mixed berries. This was my alternative, and we both love it just as much! It is one of my new favorite smoothies. I sometimes vary the juice and add some orange juice for an extra kick of flavor.

As always, I certainly invite you to try this recipe in your own blenders or other machines -- just follow the directions as your instructional manual suggests.

Strawberry-Spinach Smoothie

(Vita-Mix Recipe)

1 1/2 - 2 cups of 100% apple juice

1/2 c of 100% orange juice (optional)

1 cup fresh spinach, washed

1/2 medium apple, halved (seeds optional)

3-4 baby carrots

10 medium-large strawberries, frozen, unsweetened

1 scoop protein powder (of your choice; we use Whole Nectar soy smoothie powder)

Miel de agave (Agave nectar), to taste

Ice to chill

1.     Place all ingredients into Vita-Mix in the order listed and secure lid.

2.    Select Variable 1.

3.    Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.

4.    Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

Delicious and refreshing!!

Very Berry Smoothie

The other night I was feeling poorly and asked my husband to make me a smoothie. He came back with one that was, basically, the same as our wedding color - a gorgeous, vibrant dark purple. I wish I had a picture of it, but this one I found on the web looks very similar. Anyway, it was delicious.

As always, I certainly invite you to try this recipe in your own blenders or other machines -- just follow the directions as your instructional manual suggests.

Photo from Smoothie Web

Very Berry Smoothie
(Vita-Mix Recipe)
2 cups of 100% apple juice
1 cup fresh spinach, washed
1/2 medium apple, halved (seeds optional)
1 cup frozen mixed berries, unsweetened (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries)
10 medium-large strawberries, frozen, unsweetened
1 scoop protein powder (of your choice; we use Whole Nectar soy smoothie powder)
Miel de agave (Agave nectar), to taste
Ice to chill

1. Place all ingredients into Vita-Mix in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

So yummy and healthy!!

Homemade Horchata

Horchata de chufa (authentic Spanish horchata,
made with tigernuts), served with fartones

My husband absolutely LOVES horchata. For some odd reason, though, he prefers the Kern's Horchata that you can buy in some supermarkets (which includes cow milk), which is a far cry from the original, authentic horchata that originated in Spain. Horchata de chufa is a regional beverage that can be found in Spain, most prevalently in Valencia. It is made of tigernuts (found only in Valencia), water, and sugar.

Originally from Valencia (a city where I lived for a brief time), the idea of making horchata from tigernuts comes from the period of Muslim presence in Valencia (from the 8th to 13th century). It has a regulating council to ensure the quality of the product and the villages where it can come from, with the Denomination of Origin (Wikipedia, 2011). The village of Alboraia, a little north of the city of Valencia, is well known for the quality of its horchata. When I lived in Spain from 96-98, I remember my friends and I visiting the Horchaterías in Alboraia to enjoy an ice cold, refreshing summer drink, accompanied by fartones (a slightly sweet bread sprinkled with powdered sugar) for dipping.

Horchata in Latin America is different, and a lot less regulated. It is made from rice, and then the flavor varies from country to country. Since tigernuts are pretty scarce around the United States, making homemade Latin American horchata, most usually Mexican horchata, is easier.

This recipe uses only approximations. My husband liked a sweeter drink, so we added considerably more agave nectar than recommended below. You can also use any other kind of sweetener that you desire, even sugar. The important thing is to blend it well and then taste it, and then add vanilla, cinnamon and sweetener to taste. I suggest starting low and building up; after all, you can't change it if you've already added too much of something.

Many horchata recipes that I have found on the net suggest using uncooked rice, blending it, and then filtering it through a nut milk bag. However, I found that because of the power of the Vitamix, I had no need to go through that process. I cooked the brown rice (I did not even bother soaking it) in a pressure cooker, following the cooker's instructions, and it was ready in about 20 minutes. A pressure cooker is great because it doesn't boil food (which greatly reduces nutrients in food).

Because my rice was still hot when I was done with it, the horchata was warm, too. It was surprisingly good (I, myself, found that I preferred it warm) and it would make a delicious, healthy, holiday drink. Usually horchata is served ice cold, though. After mixing, simply put it in the refrigerator until it is cold and then enjoy!

As always, I certainly invite you to try this recipe in your own blenders or other machines -- just follow the directions as your instructional manual suggests.

Homemade Horchata

(Vita-Mix Recipe) 
3 c. water
3/4 c. sweet brown rice, cooked
1/2 -1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract (or to taste)
2-3 tbsp. cinnamon (or to taste)
2-3 tbsp. agave nectar (or to taste)

1. Place all ingredients into Vita-Mix in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 2-3 minutes or until desired consistency is reached. 
5. Store in refrigerator, and shake well before using.

Recipe: Chicken Rissoles

This recipe is one I haven't made in awhile, but came across when browsing my recipe list. I really loved this easy and very healthy version of chicken rissoles, and am thinking I need to make them again soon!

Chicken Rissoles
Yield: 4 Rissoles
10 oz. ground chicken
1 egg white
1/4 cup of finely chopped onion
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 c of oat flour (can be made by grinding oatmeal in blender, food processor or coffee grinder)
Olive oil

Mix the ground chicken, egg, onion and herbs well with a spoon or your hands. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Roll into shape for a rissole (I usually just make patties). Lightly coat each rissole in the oat flour. Cook in a pre-heated non-stick skillet, sprayed or coated lightly with olive oil, for 10-15 minutes on each side.

Contributing Recipe: Lisa's Green Smoothie

Here's another recipe for a delicious green smoothie! My friend Lisa told me that her kids absolutely LOVE this smoothie. They go through it so fast that there is rarely any left for her to enjoy!

As always, I certainly invite you to try this recipe in your own blenders or other machines -- just follow the directions as your instructional manual suggests.

Lisa's Green Smoothie
(Vita-Mix Recipe) 
1 cup water
1 inch slice European cucumber
1 scoop protein powder
Two handfuls of spinach
1 cup of frozen strawberries or blueberries
Stevia, to taste
Ice to chill

1. Place all ingredients into Vita-Mix in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

Thanks, Lisa, for the recipe!

Recipe: Easy Tortilla Soup

In my first blog post, I mentioned the tortilla soup that we tasted during the Vita-Mix presentation. Well, I never got the exact recipe from the presenter, so I decided to create my own. Please note that there is some cheese in this recipe; you may omit if necessary, as I have made it both ways and it is delicious either way.

As always, I certainly invite you to try this recipe in your own blenders or other machines -- just follow the directions as your instructional manual suggests.

Easy Tortilla Soup
(Vita-Mix Recipe)
2 cups of hot water
1 tomato
1 slender carrot
1/2 stalk celery
1 thick slice yellow onion
1/4 medium red bell pepper
1/4 - 1/2 Anaheim chili pepper, to taste
1/2 small potato, baked (optional; makes for a creamier soup)
1 clove garlic
1/3 c. shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese (or your favorite)
1 tablespoon Knorr's® tomato/chicken bouillon (or use vegetarian boullion, if desired)
5 shakes of Spike® seasoning
6 shakes of Mexican seasoning
Few sprigs of cilantro (to taste)
6 oz. black beans, drained
Handful of Mission® Tortilla strips

1. Place all ingredients except tortilla strips and black beans on High speed until steaming hot. 
2. Switch to Variable 2 and add black beans and tortilla strips. Blend until chopped.

Dustin and I love this, and it's a quick and healthy soup that we enjoy frequently! We sometimes make it healthier by omitting the cheese and the potato, and we go easy on the tortilla chips. Trust me, a little can go a long way with this recipe. 

Recipe: The Original Green Smoothie

I will probably be posting a variety of different green smoothie recipes, but I thought I would post the one that got me initially hooked on the Vita-Mix 5200. Note that you can try this recipe in any blender that you have, but for an ultra smooth consistency, I would recommend using one of Vita-Mix's personal or commercial blenders for best results.

When I post a Vita-Mix recipe, you should put ingredients into the Vita-Mix in the order it is written for best results. When in doubt, read the instructions that came with your blender carefully to determine the best order. Generally speaking, though, liquid/soft foods will go in first, with dry ingredients and/or ice last. Following this will ensure best machine performance, best texture, and best taste.

The Original Green Smoothie
(Vita-Mix Recipe)
2 cups of 100% white grape juice
1.5 cups of fresh pineapple (rind removed)
1 cup fresh spinach, washed
1 leaf of fresh kale, washed
1/2 medium apple, halved (seeds optional)
1 slender carrot, broken into 2-3 pieces
1 scoop protein powder (of your choice; we use Whole Nectar soy smoothie powder)
Miel de agave (Agave nectar), to taste
Ice to chill

1. Place all ingredients into Vita-Mix in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

This is a delicious first smoothie to try; and it's a great meal replacement when you use a high quality protein powder! Enjoy!