Orange-Lemon-Kale Smoothie

Aug 6

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This is a yummy, refreshing (albeit very green) smoothie I make in my VitaMix™. I’m working on a novel right now (the 2nd in a series of 6), so I really don’t have time to cook. Smoothies are nourishing and fast and the Vitamix™ cleans up easily with 5 cups of water and a few drops of dish soap blended on high. I’ll never go back to juicers again—I hate cleaning them!

If you have a powerful blender that will pulverize seeds and greens, give this smoothie a try.

I’ve posted it two different ways: sweetened with dates, or flavored up with protein powder (not strictly Paleo).

WHAT’S IN IT?

  • 1   orange, peeled
  • 1  lemon, peeled
  • 1  handful of kale
  • 1  handful of parsley (parsley is SUPER good for you and adds a fresh taste)
  • 2  tablespoons of chia seeds
  • 1 to 2 cups of water, depending on how thick you like your smoothie

Here’s a Choice for You…

  • 4 seeded dates 
  • OR 
  • 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (I use Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Isolate, which I researched for purity and content on Consumer Lab ( http://www.consumerlab.org ) . I get the protein powder on Amazon.)

Optional Add In…

  • Ice

HOW TO DO IT?

  1. Plop orange and lemon into the high-speed blender.
  2. Add 1 cup of the water for now.
  3. Pile in the kale and parsley.
  4. Pop the top onto the blender (hey, don’t laugh, I’ve forgotten that step before and had to clean for hours).
  5. Blend on high speed until you can’t see anymore chunks and you can’t hear anymore chunks hit the blades. 
  6. Add the chia seeds by sprinkling them across the top of the liquid. If you add them in one big lump or wait to long to blend them, they will clump up and make chia globs. 
  7. Blend again (remember that top)
  8. Add the dates and/or protein powder
  9. Blend again (if you don’t remember the top by now, happy cleaning, my conscious is clear)
  10. Add more water if its too thick for you
  11. Add ice if you prefer a colder smoothie
  12. Enjoy!

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Paleo Apple Pie Chia Muffins

Paleo Apple Cinnamon Chia Muffins

These muffins, which are made with almond flour and coconut flour, are wonderful to grab and eat for breakfast during the week while everyone else at work is eating donuts. I don’t even feel deprived!

WHAT’S IN IT?

Dry…
2 cups almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1 teaspoon apple pie seasoning (optional)
2-3 teaspoons cinnamon (I love cinnamon so I often sneak extra in)
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons chia seeds (they wind up a little like poppy seeds in the finished muffins)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Wet…
1/2 cup coconut oil (melted)
6 eggs
1/3 cup raw honey (liquid is easier than the solid kind)
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (I stick an apple in my Vitamix and use that)
2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract (I love vanilla too so I tend to add more)

Add in…
2 small tart apples (Granny Smith works well) peeled, cored, and diced into about ½” cubes

HOW TO DO IT?

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease muffin tins (or line them for quick-grab treats on the go). This recipe will make about 15 muffins.
  2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. I use a whisk. It mixes well and keeps the mixture light and airy.
  3. Mix the wet ingredients in another smaller bowl (again with a whisk). Don’t stress if the coconut oil starts to solidify again, it won’t hurt anything. If this really bothers you – let the eggs come almost to room temp before you mix them in.
  4. Add the wet mix to the dry mix. Stir with large spoon just until mixed.
  5. Fold in the diced apple until it’s well distributed. The mix will be thicker and lumpier than a batter.
  6. Fill the muffin cups about 3/4 to 2/3 full.
  7. Bake for about 15 minutes or so until the muffin tops start to brown and you can do the toothpick test and it comes out clean. (You can also use an uncooked spaghetti stick to poke in the muffin since if you’re following a Paleo diet you might have some around that you aren’t using any more!)
  8. Cool before eating.

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