Macademia Nut Milk Iced Latté

  I am on the official search for a creamy non-dairy milk.  I have come across Macademia Nut milk and it is delicious! I got an unsweetened kind by "Milkademia" and you can find it in the pantry aisle of stores like Sprouts.  I guess you could also make your own if you are so inclined! You would just need raw shelled nuts and water, and a cheese cloth to strain it. (You can make almond milk like this too).  I added a little vanilla extract for sweet, feel free to sweeten it with a little honey if you like.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold coffee ( or warm works)
  
• 1 cup ice
  
• 1/2 cup nut milk
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  

Recipe:

1. Add ice into the jar or glass
   
2. Add coffee, leave about 2 inches at the top.
   
3. Pour milk over ice until it reaches the top.
   
4. Add vanilla extract in, and mix slightly to get the swirls of milk.
   

Perfect to wake you up in the morning!

Cilantro Lime Spritzer

  When the spring and summer weather rolls in, I like something more refreshing to drink on the patio, but nothing too sweet.  This is as simple as it sounds, a spritzer made with fresh herbs and seltzer.  I like to experiment with different herbs.  This one is made with lime and cilantro.  Other combinations that work well are strawberry and basil, orange and mint, and lemon and rosemary. 
Try it out! The straw is paper and compostable :)

Tip: I love growing herbs on the patio, then I just pull what I need when I need it! 

Healthy tip; Cilantro is a great detoxifying herb, and so is lemon/lime.  Use it for liver support.

Ingredients:

• 2 sprigs of fresh cilantro
  
• Ice
  
• Seltzer water such as Perrier
  
• a splash of "limemade" or 1/2 fresh squeezed lime (depends on if you like sweet)
  

Recipe:

1. Fill the glass or jar with ice
   
2. Fill the seltzer and leave about 1 inch room at the top
   
3. Add the herbs
   
4. Add the splash of either juice or fresh squeezed fruit.  If you are using fruit you cannot squeeze (like strawberries for example), then muddle them a little in a bowl and add on top.
   

Refreshing!

Warm Turmeric "Golden Milk"

  Turmeric is an Ayurvedic spice, and also a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.  Antioxidants help combat oxidation from harmful free radicals. I use turmeric for patients often to decrease pain, inflammation and preventation of chronic disease.  Turmeric is best absorbed with a small amount of black pepper and a little bit of fat, such as coconut milk.  In this special drink it is served as a milk, warm, and mixed with some cinnamon and vanilla for a nice flavor.  Try it out!

Tip: Be careful about stains from the yellow color of turmeric, it tends to get everywhere!

Healthy tip: Antioxidants work best to be taken on a regular basis, since we are constantly exposed to harmful free radicals from the environment, pesticides in our food, and general aging.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp Co-curcumin powder by Ayush
  
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup coconut milk or regular milk (any nut milk would also work well)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Recipe:

1. Put the turmeric in a mug.
2. Pour water and the milk into the mug.  Heat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm, about 2 minutes.
3. Add vanilla extract and cinnamon and serve warm.

Enjoy a few nights a week to get a regular dose of antioxidants.

Almond Butter Blackberry Smoothie

    I like mixing together similar colors to create a bright smoothie recipe.  This recipe is a play off of peanut butter and jelly, using blackberries and almond butter together. I thought chia seeds, plums, and broccoli would also support the "purple" theme.  You can substitute out the almond butter with peanut butter or any other nut butter. I like to stick vegetables in my smoothies for fiber and to keep the sugar/fruit content low.  The healthy fats like avocado make it creamy instead of a high glycemic banana. Kids will love this too! 

Tip: If you use frozen berries, they will keep longer in the freezer and then you won't have to use ice in the smoothie.

Healthy tip: Packing your morning smoothie with protein from nuts and a protein powder will keep you full for hours prior to lunchtime. 

​Ingredients: 

• 1 cup "purple broccoli" or regular broccoli
  
• 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blackberries or blueberries
  
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds
  
• 1/2 purple plum
  
• 1/2 cup water
  
• 1/4 avocado
  
• 1 handful ice
  
• 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (optional) 
  
• 2 Tbsp of almond butter
  

​
Recipe: 

1. Mix all ingredients in the blender together until smooth. 
2. Pour into a glass. Mix 1 Tbsp almond butter into the smoothie.  Top the smoothie with the other Tbsp of almond butter.  Add a berry for garnish.  Enjoy!