How to make Walnut Milk

Walnut Milk

Walnuts are one of the 5 healthiest nuts you can eat according to Shape Magazine.  Studies show that people who consume walnuts have better cognitive function and healthier hearts.  Walnuts have the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids, contain the antioxidant ellagic acid (which supports the immune system), and contain 16 disease-fighting polyphenols.

Typically my family drinks Almond Milk and I plan on making my own Almond Milk, eventually, but first I wanted to give Walnut Milk a try because walnuts are so healthy!  Here is my personal recipe for Walnut Milk.

Walnut Milk Recipe

4 cups of water (5 if you want it thinner)
1 cup of walnuts
4-6 dates (more or less depending on desired sweetness, or you can use an alternative sweeter)
1 tsp vanilla (optional)

Put everything in a blender and blend away! I have a Vitamix and it blended everything nicely. If your blender doesn't blend it as fine, put it through a strainer or milk bag. I put my first batch through a strainer since I had never made nut milk and everything went through. You can also add vanilla for taste. Pour into a glass container and store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days (if it lasts that long).  It was delicious and goes great on cereal and in smoothies!

Pineapple Cabbage Peach Juice

Pineapple Cabbage Peach Juice

This nutritious juice only takes a few minutes to make.  You can use any kind of cabbage you want, Chinese, Savory, Green or Napa.  The pineapple, peach, and dates give this juice a nice sweetness. If you don't have a powerful blender and want a thinner texture, pour drink mixture through a colander. If you want to turn this into a smoothie, add some ice or frozen pineapple.

Pineapple Cabbage Peach Juice

1/2 cup of pineapple
1/2 peach
1-2 handfuls of cabbage (any variety)
4 dates
1 Tbs flax seeds
1 handful of walnuts
1 cup of water

Blend until smooth and enjoy!  Makes about 3 cups.

Peach, Strawberry, Apple, and Banana Smoothie

Blue Rock enjoying the smoothie!

My family really enjoyed this smoothie.  We drank it for dessert after a kale, broccoli, and chicken stir-fry.

Peach, Strawberry, Apple, and Banana Smoothie

1 cup almond milk (or any kind of milk)
1 peach
4-6 strawberries
1 apple
1 frozen banana
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup ice
protein powder (optional)

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Spinach Banana Smoothie

You will soon learn to know about my love for spinach...okay, it's not my favorite vegetable but the health benefits make it part of my family's regular diet. 

This is one of my favorite spinach smoothies.  If you don't have any bananas but have lots of spinach, try this recipe. 

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie

1 cup dark chocolate almond milk (or other kind of chocolate milk, if plain add cocoa) 

2 cups fresh spinach 

1 frozen banana

1/2 cup ice

1 scoop of protein powder (optional, I like Whey Protein)

Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth.  Makes 2 cups.

Spinach Banana Smoothie

Why eat spinach?  Spinach is extremely rich in antioxidants.  It's a rich source of vitamin A, C, E, K, magnesium, manganese, folate, betaine, iron, viamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.  In fact, side-by-side, spinach has more iron than a hamburger!

Bananas are a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium, Manganese, and Vitamin B6.  

Bananas freeze really well.  If you catch them on sale, pick up some extras and throw them in the freezer.

Cabbage, Peach, and Carrot Smoothie

Cabbage, Peach, and Carrot Smoothie

I got the basis of this recipe from the Vitamix Savor Recipes book.  I have been wanting to make a smoothie with cabbage but wanted to use someone's recipe before venturing out on my own.  This smoothie is not very sweet but has a good taste.  If you are looking for a cabbage smoothie recipe, try this one out.

Cabbage, Peach, and Carrot Smoothie

1/2 cup water
1 cup green grapes (the original recipe calls for red grapes but I only had green)
3/4 cup sliced green cabbage
1 medium carrot, halved
1 yellow peach (or 1 cup frozen unsweetened peach slices)
1/2 cup ice cubes

Place all ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth.  I wasn't sure if my 3-year old would like this smoothie but he did.  It's more savory than sweet but not soupy.  What is your favorite cabbage smoothie?

Raw cabbage is very healthy and is rich in Thiamin, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium, and is a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, and Manganese.

Strawberry, Banana, Orange, Carrot, and Kiwi Smoothie

It seems like most fruits are in season right now which is great because raw foods provide a great source of vitamins and minerals.  I got a really great deal on a box of oranges and have been eating oranges everyday as well and putting one in our morning smoothie.  I also found a great deal on strawberries and bananas. Today I made a Strawberry, Banana, Orange, Carrot, and Kiwi Smoothie.

Strawberry, Banana, Orange, Carrot, and Kiwi Smoothie

1 cup of organic soy milk (or other milk)

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2 frozen banana

1 orange

1 kiwi

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1 cup ice

Put all of your ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Enjoy!

What's in the fruit?

Strawberries: Rich in fiber, contain phenols, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, B1/thiamine, B2/riboflavin, B3/niacin, B6, B12, and Folic Acid. 

Bananas: Good source of dietary fiber, high amounts of potassium, and Vitamin B6.

Oranges: Dietary fiber, pectin, Vitamin C, Hesperetin and Narigenin, and good levels of Vitamin A and good source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. Oranges also have a good amount of minerals like potassium and calcium. 

Carrots: Rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and dietary fiber.  Rich source of carotenes and Vitamin A. They are rich in poly-acetylene anti-oxidant falcarinol, and Vitamin C, good amounts of many B-complex vitamins such as folic acid, Vitamin B-6, thiamin, pantothenic acid. Carrots also contain good amounts of minerals such as copper, calcium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus. 

Kiwi: Protects your body from some cancers and heart disease.  It has Fiber, Phytonutrients (which repair DNA), Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc.

Strawberry, Orange, and Carrot Smoothie

Strawberry, Orange, and Carrot Smoothie

Here is another delicious and quick smoothie to make.  This is rich in many nutrients especially Vitamins C and A.

Strawberry, Orange, and Carrot Smoothie Recipe

1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 orange
1 carrot
1/2 cup ice

Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth.  Makes about 2 cups.  Enjoy!

Guacamole Recipe

Guacamole

My family loves avocados and we also love guacamole.  I got this recipe from the Vitamix Savor Recipes cookbook and it was delicious.  

When I used to make guacamole I would take my potato masher and mash everything together.  I have to say, making it in a blender is so much easier!  I am also not a huge fan of raw onions, but they are pretty good in this recipe.  Here is how I make guacamole in a Vitamix.

Guacamole in a Blender

1 Roma tomato, quartered, divided use

4 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, peeled, divided use

1/2 cup chopped red onion

2 Tbs lemon juice (I just squeezed the juice of one lemon)

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (I used basil leaves since that's what I had)

1 tsp salt

1. Place 1/4 tomato, 1/2 an avocado, onion, lemon juice, cilantro, and salt into your blender

2. Blend for 20 seconds or until ingredients are mixed.  If ingredients get stuck, push them down into the blades.

3. Add remaining tomato and avocados into the blender and blend for 1 additional minute.

4. Do not over mix and leave chunky.  Serve with tortilla chips or chopped vegges such as carrots and celery.

Note: For a spicier guacamole, add 1/2 jalapeno pepper during step 1.  

Also, if you like garlic you can add a fresh clove of garlic or some garlic powder to taste in step 1.

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie Recipe

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie

Sometimes it's hard to get kids to eat spinach. Hey, sometimes it's hard to get me to eat spinach. But spinach and other leafy greens are rich in nutrients. One easy way to get your family to eat more spinach is to make it into a smoothie.  This is my quick pick me up spinach drink that actually tastes good.

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie

1 cup dark chocolate almond milk (or other kind of chocolate milk, if plain add cocoa) 

1 cup fresh spinach 

1/2 cup ice

Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth.  Makes 2 cups.

Why eat spinach?  Spinach is extremely rich in antioxidants.  It's a rich source of vitamin A, C, E, K, magnesium, manganese, folate, betaine, iron, viamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.  In fact, side-by-side, spinach has more iron than a hamburger!

Orange Banana Smoothie Recipe

Orange Banana Smoothie

An orange banana smoothie is one of my son's favorites.  It it simple and nutritious! I use four simple ingredients and it is a hit every time!

Orange Banana Smoothie Recipe

1 cup for organic vanilla soy milk (use can use cow or other kind of milk)
1/2 cup of plain yogurt (vanilla yogurt works well too)
1 frozen banana
1 fresh orange

Put everything in your blender and blend until smooth.  This makes two cups.  If you want it thicker, add half to one cup of ice.  Enjoy!

Health Benefits: Bananas are a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium, Manganese, and Vitamin B6. Oranges are have a good source of Thiamin, Folate and Potassium, and Dietary Fiber and Vitamin C.  Plain yogurt is high in protein, calcium, and is a good source of lactobacteria, or probiotics, which are beneficial live bacteria.  Soy milk is a good source of calcium and protein.

Banana Ice Cream Recipe

Banana Ice Cream

Everyone seems to love ice cream.  You can make ice cream in a Vitamix or food processor.  Since bananas are in season and really cheap right now, we decided to make some banana ice cream which was yummy!

Banana Ice Cream Recipe

1 cup of heavy cream (or milk, half and half, etc.)
3-4 frozen bananas
1/4 cup sugar (or sweetener of choice)
1 tsp vanilla

Blend until smooth.  If you have the preset, set to frozen desserts.  Use the tamper to help push the frozen peaches into the blades. Or put everything in a food processor and blend until smooth.

Chicken Potato Spinach Soup

Chicken Potato Spinach Soup

I got the following recipe from the Vitamix Savor Recipes book.  Since I had everything on hand, it was quick and easy to prepare, not to mention it is healthy and yummy!  Here's how to make Chicken Potato Spinach Soup in a blender!  The Vitamix actually heats the soup, so I'm not sure how well this will work in a regular blender.  If you try it, let me know how it turns out.  Enjoy!

Chicken Potato Spinach Soup

1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth (I used organic, low sodium)
1.5 cups (360 ml) milk (I used almond milk)
1/4 cup (40 g) chopped onion
3 medium Russet potatoes, baked, halved, divided use (I used red potatoes, put two potatoes in first and the one potato in later)
1/8 tsp dried rosemary (I used a few leaves of fresh basil, what I had)
1 Tbs spinach, cooked or frozen, thawed (I used a small handful of fresh uncooked spinach)
5 ounces (140 g) skinless boneless chicken breast, cooked and diced
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Directions

1. Place broth, milk, onion, two potatoes, and rosemary into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Hot Soups program.  If you don't have this program start off at one, then increase the speed to 10 slowly. 
3. Allow machine to complete programmed cycle or wait until your soup starts to steam (about 5 minutes).
4. Select Variable 1.
5. Press Start and slowly increase speed to Variable 3 and remove the lid plug.
6. Add spinach, one potato, chicken, salt and pepper through the lid plug opening.
7. Blend an additional 5 to 10 seconds.

Apple Grape Juice Recipe

I try and eat a piece of fruit or have a serving of veggies at every meal and snack.  My child loves juice but it is high in sugar and lacks a lot of natural nutrients.  Today I decided to make him some juice.  I made apple grape juice.  It turned out great!  With a Vitamix you can leave the skins on the apple and get all of the apple's natural fiber.  

Apple Grape Juice Recipe

1 cup of green grapes
1 sliced red apple (with or without skin)
1/2 cup water
1 cup ice optional (if you want it frothy and colder)

Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.  Or select the Smoothie program setting.

Add ingredients

Blend

Delicious Apple Grape Juice!

Peach Ice Cream

Peach Ice Cream

It is very simple to make ice cream in the Vitamix.  There is nothing more tasty than homemade ice cream.  Here is how I make peach ice cream, very tasty and nutritious!

Vitamix Peach Ice Cream Recipe

1/2 cup of milk (I used Almond Milk but you can use cow, soy, half and half, etc.)
1.5 cups of frozen peaches
1/4 cup sugar (or sweetener of choice)
1 tsp vanilla

Put everything in the Vitamix and use the tamper to push everything into the blades until four peaks form on top.  If you have a frozen dessert  setting, use that along with the tamper.  Enjoy!

This is what the four peaks look like.

Chocolate Kale Milkshake

Chocolate Kale Milk Shake

I'm always trying to get my 3-year to eat more greens.  He likes cooked broccoli, spinach, and peas.  But he says "no thank you" to lettuce and raw broccoli, spinach, and kale.  He said no to kale until now.

I found that chocolate covers the taste of kale pretty well.  My son drank this up and wanted more.  

Chocolate Kale Milkshake

1/2 cup dark chocolate almond milk
1/2 cup plain almond milk
1.5 cups of low fat vanilla frozen yogurt
hand full of washed kale, stems removed

Place everything in your blender and blend until smooth.  For a thicker smoothie, add less milk.

If you don't have almond milk, you can substitute the milk for any kind you want.  If you don't have chocolate milk, add a little chocolate powder or syrup and enjoy.

What's inside Kale?

I find Kale to be a pretty perfect food, especially for kids but adults need it too.  Kale has essential nutrients such as calcium, lutein, iron, and Vitamins A, C, and K. Kale has seven times the beta-carotene of broccoli and ten times more lutein. Kale is rich in chlorophyll and fiber.

I got a Vitamix!

Vitamix 6300

This past week I finally broke down and bought a Vitamix.  I have been wanting a Vitamix for a long time.  In Germany I knew several people who had them and really liked them.  However, I could not justify paying 800 Euros (around $1000) or more for one.  I use my blender several times a week and have been wanting a professional one for a while.  Costco had a demonstration and I tried about four things and was sold.  For $499.99, I bought the Vitamix 6300, which is basically the Vitamix 500. 

My review of the Vitamix 6300:
- Easy to use
- Has three pre-programmed settings to make it easy to "walk away" when blending
- Blends everything perfectly
- Chops and dices
- Makes ice cream and soups quick and easily
- Makes perfect smoothies
- Easy to clean

One of the main reasons I have wanted a professional grade blender is because of the health benefits.  This past year I have had three miscarriages, found out I have a few autoimmune disorders, as well as a few other things.  My family tries to avoid processed foods as much as possible.  However, getting enough fruits and vegetables everyday is challenging.  In Germany I had a blender and a juicer.  When you juice, you lose a lot of the fiber and some of the vitamins and minerals.  With the Vitamix I can blend many foods whole.  Join me as I blog about my blender adventures!