Very Cherry Berry Smoothie

Very Cherry Berry Non-Dairy Smoothie

1 Cup Frozen Trader Joe’s Very Cherry Berry Blend

(or) your own mixture of frozen Cherries, Blackberries, Blueberries & Red Raspberries

1 Organic Banana (optional)

1/2 cup of Zico Coconut Water

1/2 Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Smooth Non-Dairy Beverage*

(or) 1/2 Cup of MimicCreame Organic Almond & Cashew Cream*

1/4  Trader Joe’s Organic Apple Grape Juice Blend

1 Serving of  AmaZing Grass Green SuperFood

Add all liquid ingredients to the blender followed by the frozen Very Cherry Berry Blend. Turn the blender on low and allow ingredients to mix slowly while you pour in a scoop of the AmaZing Grass. This Green SuperFood adds a very nice color to your berry blend, giving it a very rich deep red color. While also providing a great boost of  whole foods, antioxidants, fiber, enzymes and probiotics.

*Note: Add either the Almond Milk (or) the MimicCreme Almond & Cashew Cream, both are delicious and sweetened naturally, but the two together in this smoothie would make it far too sweet.

You’re getting your potassium with the coconut water, so bananas are completely optional and only change the taste of this smoothie slightly. I have this smoothie daily and often without bananas and it tastes great either way.

        Kid Friendly Version:

1 Cup Frozen Trader Joe’s Very Cherry Berry Blend

1/2 Cup Traders Joe’s Orange, Peach, Mango Juice Blend 

1/4 Cup Organic Apple Grape Juice Blend

1/4 Cup Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Smooth Non-Dairy Beverage

1 Organic Banana

1/4 to 1/2 scoop of AmaZing Grass KIDZ SuperFood Wild Berry Flavor

*The AmaZing Grass KIDZ Wild Berry Flavor is VERY Berry tasting. I can only use a very small amount for my daughter’s smoothies. Play around with serving to see what your child likes.

Natural Anti-Inflammatory, Vegan Friendly & Gluten-Free: Roasted Seaweed Snack!

When I talk about healthy gluten-free snacks I can’t help but rave about one of my all time favorites and that’s the Roasted Seaweed Snack by Trader Joes. These small paper-thin snacks are only 30 calories while offering only 2 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein and 50 mg of sodium.  If you are now thinking, “why on earth would I ever want to eat seaweed” then consider its incredible healing benefits. Seaweed is packed full of Amino Acids, ionic and trace Minerals plus Vitamins, most specifically Vitamins A, B and C. It also contains Beta-Carotene and Iodine, essential for Myelin production which helps to combat symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by nourishing the mitochondria.  Seaweed also contains high amounts of Iron, Calcium, and Fiber, along with the non-essential amino acid Taurine, which is great for alertness and mental clarity.  Incredibly beneficial to those who suffer from *Fibro Fog, memory issues and depression. It also aids in bile production which helps with digestion. Seaweed is also instrumental in naturally lowering cholesterol levels which is essential to heart health. This wonderful super food also has antiviral and antibacterial properties, as well as an abundance of anti-inflammatory properties.  Proving very beneficial to those with chronic inflammatory conditions such as Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).

Seaweed also contains Selenium, Collagen, Asparagine, Boron, Bioflavonoids and Antioxidants. When you eat this amazing little snack, you are strengthening your hair, bones, teeth, gums and connective tissue, while improving your thyroid, eyes and skin.  You are also sharpening your brain, removing toxins from your body such as mercury, lead and heavy metals, while helping your body to fight infection, colds, flu, allergies, and other respiratory problems.  In addition to lowering your risks of breast and prostate cancer. Trader Joe’s Roasted Seaweed Snack is vegan-friendly and a great substitution for chips and other high calorie, high sodium snacks. Plus, there is no need to swim to the bottom of the ocean to enjoy this tasty little snack.  They are packaged nicely, sold at your local Trader Joe’s and are very reasonably priced at only $.99. They also travel well for eating on the go and they are quite addicting, so be sure to stock up!

Great packaging, opens easily and travels well. Roasted seaweed remains fresh and in tact.

Beautiful snacks which you can serve on a plate or in the included plastic container. They tend to absorb moisture rather quickly, so be careful of leaving them out for too long.  Especially in humid climates, or you’ll risk losing the crunchiness which is their appeal.

Paper thin, filling and incredibly delicious!

If you like a little kick be sure to try their mouth blowing Wasabi Roasted Seaweed Snack. I like spicy, but one bite of this flavor was all that I could take.  I will say it’s worth trying and if you can’t handle the heat revisit the idea of the original flavor.

Raw Kale Salad with Lemon & Anchovy Vinaigrette

I absolutely love Kale in all of its glorious varieties and prepared in many different ways. I often eat kale as a side or an as entire meal, because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering  and cancer fighting benefits.  This is a fun, tasty recipe for anyone looking to add more vitamin K to their diets.  This dish is perfect for a low-starch/balanced protein diet, and to make more vegan friendly simply omit the anchovies & eggs.  If your not growing your own Dinosaur Kale, be sure to pick up a few bunches from your local Farmer’s Market, Whole Foods or the Organic Produce section of your local grocery store.

Beautiful Kale of Many Names: Dinosaur, Tuscan & Lacinato:

Ingredients:

• 14 ounces organic Dinosaur Kale, devein & remove large stem, thinly slice crosswise (makes approx 8 cups)
• 6 Anchovy fillets packed in olive oil, drained (Trader Joe’s/approx 174 mg of sodium)
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed organic Lemon Juice
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon 365 Organic Dijon Mustard (Whole Foods) or Spicy Brown Mustard (Trader Joe’s)
• 3/4 cup Extra-Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil
•  Freshly ground Black Pepper
• 1 hard-boiled Egg, peeled

Prepare:

Vinaigrette: Combine the organic lemon juice, anchovies, garlic & mustard in a blender; purée until smooth. Keep the blender running while you very slowly pour in the oil. Season with freshly cracked pepper to taste. Cover and chill.  Can be made 2 days ahead & kept refrigerated.

Using a microplane zester/grater and a small bowl, grate your hard-boiled egg.  I personally choose to use only the egg white, but if you prefer not to waste your egg, continue to grate the yolk as well.  Grating can be done up to 6 hours ahead, simply cover, chill & store separately from other ingredients.

Toss kale and creamy dressing in a large bowl to coat. Add additional freshly cracked pepper if needed. Top with grated eggs and voilà!  Enjoy as a meal or serve as a side dish, compliments of “The Positive Pear”  (to modify for vegan friendly avoid the egg & anchovy)

Other Positive Pear Kale Recipes: “Kale”