Tag Archives: almond milk

Kickstart Morning with Coconut Chai Smoothie Bowl

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This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almondmilk.

Coconut Chai Smoothie Bowl makes a healthy breakfast or dessert dressed up with cacao nibs, hemp seeds and strawberries.

Slurping your smoothie from a straw is so last year. The tastiest trend in town is to “eat” your smoothie in a bowl with a spoon! Not only do chains like Jamba Juice offer these frozen, fruity and fiberous concoctions but smoothie bowls are blowing up social media – just search the hashtag #smoothiebowl and you’ll get over 85K results.

One of the benefits of smoothie bowls (other than getting a ton of nutrition in one easy-to-make meal) is the artistic license. I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy make my food pretty – Mother Nature has given us so many colorful and amazingly delicious ingredients to work with. Instead of throwing all your smoothie goodies into the blender, the key to a smoothie bowl is to make a thick base smoothie and then add the remainder of your fruits, whole grains, seeds and such to the top.

Almond Coconut Milk from Almond Breeze makes a healthy, creamy base for your smoothie bowls and blended beverages.

Unsweetened Almond Coconut Milk from Almond Breeze creates a creamy base for any smoothie bowl or blended beverage. Made from real almonds and coconutmilk, this alternative to diary milk contains medium chain fatty acids; is lactose, soy and gluten-free; is an excellent source of calcium; and works with vegan and kosher diets. I also love how it has no added sugar and only 45 calories per one-cup serving.  Another great thing – Unsweetened Almond Coconut Milk from Almond Breeze is available in a shelf-stable version which means that I can keep my pantry stocked for last-minute meal making.

I appreciate how I can keep shelf-stable Almond Breeze in the pantry, on hand for when cravings strike!

I appreciate how I can keep shelf-stable Almond Breeze in the pantry, on hand for when cravings strike!

If you love the exotic spices of cha (like cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, cloves and more), but need something more than just of a cup of tea in the morning, by Coconut Chai Smoothie Bowl is the perfect way to get your crave on while kick-starting the day with a little caffeine. I topped my bowl with hemp seeds, cacao nibs and strawberries, but feel free to beautify your bowl any way you see fit.

Coconut Chia Smoothie Bowl makes a quick, easy and healthy breakfast or post-workout snack.

In addition to breakfast, I’ve been digging into Coconut Chai Smoothie Bowls for a post-workout snack and healthy dessert after dinner – use decaff tea instead. Don’t forget to look for Unsweetened Almond Coconut Milk, it’s one of my favorites from all the yummy Almond Breeze products — the shelf-stable versions are usually on the cereal aisle.

 

 

 

Grab a spoon —> Almond Coconut Chai #SmoothieBowl @AlmondBreeze #Ad

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What is your must-have ingredient in a smoothie or smoothie bowl? Let me know in the comments!

Coconut Chai Smoothie Bowl makes a healthy breakfast or dessert dressed up with cacao nibs, hemp seeds and strawberries.
Print
Coconut Chai Smoothie Bowl
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 
Coconut Chia Smoothie Bowl is a tasty way to get your crave on while kick-starting the day with a little caffeine, fruit, protein and fiber. Go breakfast!
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Smoothies, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Coconut Milk divided
  • 1 tea bag chai tea
  • 1/2 large banana frozen
  • 2 packets stevia if desired
  • 1 cup ice more or less, depending on consistency
  • 1 tablespoon raw shelled hemp seed
  • 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 large strawberry sliced
Instructions
  1. Heat half milk (3/4) cup in microwave safe mug for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes, until very hot. Add tea bag and steep for 5 minutes.
  2. Remove and discard tea bag and add remaining milk to help cool off tea. Put in freezer for 15 minutes to cool down further, if needed.
  3. Add cooled tea-milk mixture to blender. Add frozen banana, stevia and ice and blend until smooth. Add more ice or banana to make thicker, if needed. Pour into bowl.
  4. Top with hemp seed, coconut, cacao nibs and strawberries. Eat immediately.

Chocolate Raspberry Coconut Chia Pudding with Unsweetened Almond Milk

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This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almondmilk.

Chocolate Raspberry Coconut Chia Pudding - TheFitFork.comI’ve really grown to love almond milk as a staple in my healthy diet. I’m not lactose intolerant nor do I have any other concern about dairy milk, but I find that the addition of almond milk makes a tasty alternative in my cooking, baking and smoothie-making.  My absolute favorite “flavor” is unsweetened vanilla. With no added sugar, I am in control of how I want my milk or recipe outcome to taste and what type of ingredients I’ll use to do so. I will admit, in the winter, I do have cravings to mix in stevia-sweetened chocolate syrup – it makes a rich, creamy and low-calorie treat.  It’s hard to believe, but one cup of Unsweetened Almond Breeze Almondmilk  just has 30 calories – and, it has no saturated fat or cholesterol and is low on the Glycemic Index.

Trail Running - TheFitFork.comIn addition to mugs of hot chocolate, I can’t tell you how many smoothie creations I’ve made with unsweetened almond milk as the base.  Pear Maple Chia Smoothie, Watermelon Chia Smoothie, Creamy Cranberry Orange Smoothie and dozens upon dozens more. Making a smoothie is such an easy way to refuel after a good run – but I was looking for a new snack to have waiting and ready after an unseasonably warm trail run last week (it’s now cold again, ugh).   Pairing chia seeds with almond milk seemed like the perfect way to pump of the protein for muscle recovery . . . seeing as I did it so often in my smoothies!

Chocolate Raspberry Coconut Chia Pudding with Almond Breeze - TheFitFork.com Just like unsweetened almond milk, there’s so much love about chia seeds. These little guys are an abundant source of Omega 3 fatty acids, surprising high in protein, and rich in other vitamins and minerals like calcium. I’ll be the first to admit, the gelatinous texture of chia seeds – even just the word gelatinous – freaks me out a little. However, blend in some chocolaty cocoa and raspberries and all of a sudden the mouthfeel is marvelous. This recipe makes a stunning and super sensible dessert and is so nutrient-packed; it even gets my approval for breakfast.

Chocolate Raspberry Coconut Chia Pudding #Recipe @almondbreeze #ad

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Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding - TheFitFork.com

Chocolate Raspberry Coconut Chia Pudding - TheFitFork.com
Print
Chocolate Raspberry Coconut Chia Pudding
Prep Time
3 mins
Total Time
8 hrs 3 mins
 
Rich cacao powder and raspberries are perfectly paried -- add chia seeds and almond milk and you have a dessert that is creamy, dreamy and a delight for your healthy diet. Unsweeted almondmilk makes a great base that lets you choose how much sweetness to add.
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Servings: 3 1/2 cup servings
Ingredients
Chocolate Chia Pudding Layer:
  • 9 tablespoons Unsweetened Almond Breeze Almondmilk equals 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 3 packets stevia
Rasberry Chia Pudding Layer
  • 12 frozen raspberries
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened Almond Breeze Almondmilk
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 3 packets stevia
Instructions
  1. Set out two 1-pint microwave-safe containers with tight-fitting lids. In first container, add ingredients for chocolate pudding layer. Secure lid tightly and shake vigorously to combine.
  2. In second container, add raspberries and thaw in microwave on defrost for about 30 seconds, or until thawed and juices released. Use fork to mash up raspberries. Add remaining ingredients for raspberry pudding layer fasten lid and shake until combined.
  3. Set both containers in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight. To serve, spoon puddings in alternate layers. Top with additional raspberries and coconut. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Coconut, Acai Berry & Banana Smoothie Recipe with 3Fuel – EatSmart Scale Saves Day

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Are you one of those people who pride themselves on precision, accuracy, and exactness?  If your marathon training plan says run 20 miles, would you be okay running 19.5?  If you’re sharing a cookie, would you measure it down the middle or just snap it in half, risking one side might be bigger? I say, who cares about being perfectly precise, aren’t we just getting too hung up on the details and ruining the delight of the moment. If you scrutinize my blog, you might even find some typos – but I think you still enjoy what I’m saying. Or, so I hope.

But, in some instances, approximating, being imprecise or overly loose-goosey has unfortunate consequences. It don’t like to venture into unfortunate consequence territory, that’s why I’m precise about some things. Of course, I’m not going to weave out of my lane driving, I’m going to take any and all medications as prescribed and I’ll always pay my bills on time.

As far as watching what goes in my mouth, I’ve always been more of an eye-baller. Too much measuring might get in the way of the experience, so I’ve relied on “rules” that say a 3-ounce serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards and grains, potatoes and such should be limited to the size of your fist at each serving. However, there is a margin of error here and the consequences vary depending on the food. Obviously, guess-timating a portion of lettuce is much less risky nutrition-wise that scooping willy-nilly out of a Haagen-Dazs container.

That’s why it can be handy for an “eye-baller” like myself to check-in and set some visual baselines every now and then with a food scale. I really like the EatSmart Precision Digital Kitchen Scale to help me figure out my serving sizes.  I used it this morning to measure out the protein powder for my smoothie (recipe below). If you’ve ever used protein powder, you know how frustrating it can be to lose the scoop!  The instructions to use “one scoop” are never supported by what fraction of a cup that is or how many tablespoons. I’ve always just guessed how much that scoop should be, imagine that! Thankfully, my bag of 3Fuel protein powder did give the number of grams per serving and the EatSmart Scale measures in both pounds (up to 15) and grams (up to 7000) via the push of a button.

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Tip: If you are weighing your protein powder (or anything else) in another container on the scale, remember to weigh that container separately and then subtract it from the final weight!

Tip: Remember to wipe you scale after measuring each ingredient, especially if you are plopping down meats that might cross contaminate. The EatSmart Scale has a really nice big stainless-steel loading platform that can easily be cleaned up.

Tip: Use an EatSmart Scale to portion servings of nuts, spices, protein powder and even the perfect amount of coffee beans to grind for your morning cup of Joe.  Find out other tips to “eat smart” on the EatSmart Facebook Page or by following the EatSmart Blog

Coconut, Acai Berry and Banana Smoothie Recipe (with 3Fuel)

  • 3 cups almond coconut milk (unsweetened)
  • 2 scoops protein powder of choice (I used 3Fuel Nutrition Shake)
  • 2 tablespoons dried acai powder
  • 1 tablespoon Stevia
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 2 cups ice

Easy to make, just pour all ingredients into a blender and process until smooth. Pour into tall glasses, serves 2.

Nutrition per serving: calories 199, protein 12g, fat 6g, carbs 24g, carbs from sugar 7g, fiber 3.5g, sodium 103mg, calcium 414mg (68% RDA).

Fact: Acai Berry is a macronutrient rich source of resveratrol, polyphenols and flavonoids for increased energy and health.

 Get your supplies here:

 

Save 10% on 3Fuel Nutritional Shake by using code 3FHUNT at checkout.