VEGANUARY SMOOTHIE BOWLS
We are well into the first month of the New Year, and you might find that keeping to all our resolutions is not as easy as during the first few days. Many of us decided to take better care of ourselves this year, doing more exercise, meditation and choosing a healthier diet. We start out with high motivation and big ideas, but as the days pass by, the gloomy weather and long dark evenings might have an impact on us. I started 2019 with Veganuary, a month of eating only vegan food. It was not such a drastic change for me, as I already ate a mostly plant-based diet, but still there are some challenges. I took this as an opportunity to prepare some new healthy recipes, perfect for everyone, vegan, vegetarian or meat-eater. As long as you’re looking for some wholesome and nutritious ideas these recipes will be perfect for you!
Smoothie bowls are a great option for breakfast, but also it might be a nice replacement for a traditional supper/dinner, when you’re feeling like something lighter. I prepared 3 smoothie bowls: Green, Purple and Yellow; find the recipes below:
GREEN SMOOTHIE BOWL
INGREDIENTS:
1 handful of baby spinach leaves
1/2 handful of kale
1 bunch of parsley
1 banana
1 kiwi
1 lime
1 teaspoon hemp protein powder
2 tablespoon chia seeds
2 tablespoons flax seeds
2 tablespoons whole oats
1 cup cashew milk
1 small piece of ginger
for decoration - blueberries, pecan nuts, mint leaves
INSTRUCTIONS: Grate the ginger, squeeze the lime. Add all ingredients to the blender (leave part of ingredients for decoration), blend until smooth. Serve in large bowls, decorate with leftover blueberries, banana, kiwi, flax and chia seeds, oats and pecan nuts. Amount is perfect for 2 large servings. Enjoy!
BENEFITS: Hemp is a great idea if you are doing Veganuary, it will help you eat the needed amount of protein. Ginger is perfect for your immune system, keeping you healthy and strong. Chia and flax seeds will provide lots of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins and minerals. Oats are a gluten-free, wholegrain food, full of fiber, helping you stay full for a long time. All the fruit and veggies will provide lots of vitamins and minerals your body needs.
PURPLE SMOOTHIE BOWl
INGREDIENTS:
300 g of frozen mixed berries (good choice during winter months)
1 banana
1 kaki fruit
1 lemon
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tablespoons flax seeds
1 cup hemp milk
1 small piece of ginger
for decoration - almonds, mint leaves
INSTRUCTIONS: Grate the ginger, squeeze the lemon. Add all ingredients to the blender (leave part of ingredients for decoration), blend until smooth. Serve in large bowls, decorate with leftover kaki fruit, banana, flax, sesame and chia seeds, almonds and mint leaves. Amount is perfect for 2 large servings. Enjoy!
BENEFITS: Lemon is a great source of vitamin C and together with fresh ginger will give you anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Berries are high in fiber and provide many nutrients, including them in your regular diet may improve blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol.
yellow SMOOTHIE BOWL
INGREDIENTS:
1 banana
1 ripe mango
1 cup cut pineapple
1 kaki fruit
1 lemon
2 tablespoon whole oats
2 tablespoon chia seeds
2 tablespoons flax seeds
1 cup orange juice
1 small piece of fresh turmeric root
for decoration - blueberries, raspberries, pine nuts, mint leaves
INSTRUCTIONS: Grate the turmeric, squeeze the lemon, cut the pineapple and mango in pieces. Add all ingredients to the blender (leave part of ingredients for decoration), blend until smooth. Serve in large bowls, decorate with leftover kaki fruit, blueberries, raspberries, banana, flax, and chia seeds, pine nuts and mint leaves. Amount is perfect for 2 large servings. Enjoy!
BENEFITS: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects and can help fight infections, so it’s perfect to to boost your immune system during the winter months. All the fresh fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which also help strengthen your immunity.
Feel free to explore changing the ingredients depending on what you have available, just keep to the colors :) Let me know in the comments which one is your favourite!
Recipes prepared by Milka and Margaret