This post is sponsored by my wonderful friends at Bob’s Red Mill! We’re using their amazing chia seeds for this Ginger Banana Green Smoothie.

Oh hi hello! Did you miss me? I sure missed you. 

Maybe you didn’t even realize I was out of commission this weekend. But if you did, I have a very good excuse: I was off having one of the best weekends ever.

I completely unplugged (with the exception of a few email check-ins) and had an awesome weekend enjoying this warmish weather! And it was BLISS. Complete and total bliss.

Mark and I spent some time in his hometown with his parents and friends, and then we watched his old family home videos, which were adorable and perfect. We also ate all the things like gluten free mac & cheese and vegan sloppy joes.

And then the next day…we went skiing! In 50 degree weather! It was my first time skiing, and I have to say it was amazing. It’s such a thrill to be gliding along so quickly on your skis. I had some serious issues when it came to getting up after falling down (which was way easier than I’d care to admit), but I had a complete and total blast. Plus, the day was ended with beer and vegan grilled cheese. I mean hello. Best weekend ever.

But after a weekend of indulging, my stomach was less than enthused. I’m pretty sure I heard some faint whispers of “I hate you” on Monday, coming from my stomach region. Not ideal.

SO I could not WAIT to dive head-first into my new favorite smoothie: this Ginger Banana Green Smoothie.

Seriously though. I haven’t posted a smoothie recipe on here in about 2 years. And there’s a reason. I almost never look for smoothie recipes online, as I usually just pick and choose from what I find in my fridge/cabinet, throw them in a blender, and badaboom: it’s smoothie time. I’m not sure if you all feel the same. Hopefully not.

Because this Ginger Banana Green Smoothie. It totally deserves a whole post all to itself. I have had it for breakfast every day for (literally) a month and a half. And I just bought a gaggle of bananas at the store yesterday so I can continue to do so.

I love this smoothie!

It’s really really simple, and only requires a handful of ingredients:

• a frozen banana – gives us a smooth and creamy texture + some sweetness
• a handful of spinach – for nutrients + color
• hemp hearts – for protein (can also sub protein powder of choice)
• ginger – for THE most addictive warm and spicy flavor + digestive benefits
• cinnamon – for some warmth + blood sugar stabilization
• chia seeds – for protein, fiber, + texture!

Bob’s Red Mill Chia Seeds are kinda the star of this smoothie. You can absolutely blend them up with the rest of the ingredients, but I find that they make smoothies too thick if treated this way. I like to mix them in, by hand, right at the end. That way, they’ll be nice and crunchy and pop-y when you’re eating your smoothie. It’s pretty perfect. I love these tiny seeds!

And the texture! I like my smoothies thiiiiiick and icy. But when the ice is blended with the rest of the ingredients, this smoothie almost has the texture of a Frosty. Oh yes. I said frosty.

In addition to those crunchy chia seeds, I love granola on top of my smoothies. Some of my favorites are: Lemon Chia Seed Granola, Orange Cinnamon Granola, and Banana Bread Granola.

For real friends. I think you’re going to love this one. Enjoy!

A special thanks goes to Bob’s Red Mill for sponsoring this post! Check out more delicious healthy recipes, snag coupons, and find stores near you at BobsRedMill.com!

The post Ginger Banana Green Smoothie appeared first on Fooduzzi.

It’s CRAZY to me to think that it has taken me this long to make myself a smoothie bowl, but I get it. Smoothies aren’t really my thing.

Is that a sacrilegious thing to say as a food blogger?

Probably.

But it’s TRUE. Smoothies never fill me up. I think my brain is like, “Why aren’t you chewing? This must not be a meal,” so I never get full from slurping down a smoothie. No matter if I load it up with nut butters, protein powders, and superfoods, I can always count on my stomach to be grumbling about 30 minutes later.

Please tell me I’m not the only one here. It’s such a bummer because, as we all know, smoothies are a fantastic way of stuffing a ton of vitamins and nutrients into one little neat package. Smoothies are brilliant in theory. In reality, however, they’re just not filling enough for me.

But friends, THAT’S why the smoothie bowl is so brilliant! Smoothie bowls are packed with different textures and flavors to make you feel like you’re actually eating a meal. And the best part? You totally have to chew it because of those crazy-delicious toppings! It’s basically like eating cereal, just elevated. Elevated by a super thick purple smoothie.

Not gonna lie, I was a bit skeptical as I dumped my smoothie into a bowl. But upon first bite – it was complete and total magic.

Friends, eating this smoothie bowl is like eating an ice cream sundae for breakfast. That creamy, sweet smoothie based with all those crazy crunchy toppings? FUH-getaboutit.

But this “ice cream sundae” is made with frozen blueberries, fresh lemon, and a few other healthy and delicious ingredients to help you start your day off right!

I’m still kicking myself for how long it took me to discover this masterpiece, so don’t let it happen to you! I’m beggin’. And if getting to eat ice cream for breakfast isn’t enough to convince you to try this recipe, know that the topping ideas are completely customizable and only limited by your imagination! My desired toppings were almonds, chia seeds, blueberries, and my favoritefavoritefavorite Lemon Chia Seed Granola, but feel free to mix it up based on what you have handy. I know that I’ll be topping my bowls with a pile of fresh fruit once it’s summer!

But friends, I had the awesome opportunity to share this recipe over at my good friend Georgie’s blog, In it 4 the Long Run.Georgie is a powerhouse in the world of food blogging, vegetarian cooking, and balanced, healthy living. I am dying to try SO many of her recipes like this Cilantro Pesto Buddha Bowl and these Vegan Chocolate Truffles (I KNOW).

This girl also knows her smoothie bowls, so I am completely honored to be able to share this recipe with, not only my Fooduzzi family (aka. you!), but with her healthy food-lovin’ readers, too!

The post Lemon Blueberry Smoothie Bowl appeared first on Fooduzzi.

Mark and I had some friends over, we played some games, ate some food (I made my Smoky Black Bean Dip ❤️❤️❤️), and brought in the new year with lots of happiness and cheer.

And wine. Always wine. ?

So naturally this morning was a “let’s rebound after the indulgent holidays” kind of morning. And I resorted to my old whole food standby: smoothies.

Liquid nutrients, fiber, vitamins, and protein whirled together to create a dreamy, creamy nutritional powerhouse? I’ll take it. I’ll take it every dang day.

I figured a little smoothie roundup could be helpful to everyone this time of year, so I took it upon myself to scour the interwebs in search for the yummiest, healthiest, vegan-est smoothies around! Yum yum yummm! Drink ’em for breakfast, slurp them as a snack, or savor them as dessert, these healthy vegan smoothie recipes are sure to make your new year a little bit sweeter. ?

the hipster’s smoothie for those with an uncanny sense of style

mint chocolate smoothie for those who want to start the day off with a refreshing cup of nutrition

post-workout berries and greens smoothie for those want to refuel in a delicious way

energizing maca, acai, and cherry smoothie for those who need an energy boost to fight the dreary winter

green detox drink for those who need some serious nutrition after the holidays

kale and mango protein shake for those who love their breakfasts green

berry peanut butter cup smoothie for those who love PB&Js and chocolate

green dragonfruit smoothie bowl for those who would rather chew their smoothies

green goddess smoothie for those who want to feel like a goddess

raspberry mango protein smoothie for those who are looking for some plant-based protein

flavors of spring green smoothie for those who are yearning for some spring

mango turmeric smoothie for those who think orange food tastes better

banana mango avocado green smoothie for those who like their smoothies creamy

piña colada green smoothie for those who want to be sippin’ their drink by the pool

pink energizer smoothie for those who like their food to be pretty

butternut cinnamon date smoothie for those refusing to let go of the fall season

berry crunch smoothie bowl for those who like a little texture

tahini vanilla milkshake smoothie for those who really want to be eating dessert

green tea lime pie smoothie bowl for those who love matcha

coconut, vanilla, almond butter smoothie for those who are nutty for coconut

mango lemonade smoothie parfait for those who seriously want it to be summer

roasted nectarine crisp smoothie for those willing to put in a little extra effort for something truly brilliant

almond butter lemon blueberry smoothie for those who like it tangy

chia seed and turmeric smoothie for those who can’t get enough of that chia nutritional powerhouse

peanut butter ice cream for those who don’t see any problems with having ice cream for breakfast

chocolate chip oatmeal cookie smoothie for those who are still craving those pesky Christmas cookies

chocolate avocado smoothie for those who want rich, chocolately goodness in a glass

heart beet smoothie for those who like their smoothies with a side of heart-healthiness

And while you’re here, what’s your favorite smoothie ingredient? I’m a huge fan of the old standbys like frozen bananas and spinach, but I’m always looking for some funky add-ins!

The post Healthy Vegan Smoothie Recipes for the New Year appeared first on Fooduzzi.

Saturday morning is easily my favorite time of the week.

Waking up sans alarm clock, laying in bed until you decide to get up, lazily making a morning cup of tea…Saturday mornings are perfect.

My favorite part? Breakfast.

Not only am I totally convinced that breakfast food as a whole is completely unparalleled in the culinary world, but being able to take my time, sit down, and enjoy the start to my day with my incredible boyfriend?

I’m forever thankful for Saturday mornings.

Workday mornings, on the other hand…yeah, my workday mornings are a total hot freakin’ mess.

Hitting snooze once twice three times before finally running out of bed, trying to make my hair look presentable, picking out a presentable outfit, throwing together some sort of lunch…I barely have time to breathe, let alone make a nutritionally-balanced breakfast that will keep me focused and energized during my busy days.

I have a feeling I’m not alone when I say that I always need some healthy morning grub #inspo to keep my prep time to a minimum and keep my hunger at bay.

Breakfast-filled Alexa = Happy Alexa.

Hello, Easy Healthy Breakfast Recipes. All of these recipes have been carefully chosen to be simple to prepare, easy to transport, and, most importantly, completely satisfying to fuel your busy day. I know I’m never able to eat breakfast at home during the week, so recipes that I can quickly throw in a to-go container make my morning routine that much easier. Healthy, easy, quick, delicious…what more could you want in a busy morning breakfast?

1. Yes, this Banana Bread Oatmeal was the first recipe I ever posted on Fooduzzi; however, to this day, it remains one of my favorite breakfasts of all-time. Cozy, dessert-esque oats will always get me out of bed on time.
2. I’m a sucker for a delicious, moist muffin. These Banana Nut Muffins are…wait for it…gluten free and vegan, and they’re even better the next day! Whip up a batch on Sunday, and you’ll be in Muffin Paradise all week long.
3. Mornings are a bit more tolerable when chocolate is involved, don’t you think? Jessica’s Whipped Double Chocolate Chip Chia Pudding is speaking my language…the language of freakin’ delicious breakfasts.
4. I realize that Girl Scout Cookie season is still a while a way…but why wait? My Samoa Overnight Oatmeal recipe will satisfy your cravings for that caramely-coconutty goodness all day, every day. Best part? This breakfast is ready for you the moment you wake up in the morning. And perfectly packaged for transporting, to boot! Ahh, simplicity.
5. Sarah’s Life-Changing Bread is just that; gluten free, vegan, and the perfect base to concoct your ideal on-the-go toast. Nut butter, jam, hummus, mashed avocado…oh, the possibilities!
6. Granola is a staple in our house, and for good reason! It’s nutrient-dense breakfast choice, which keeps my hangryism to a minimum as I try and concur my day. If you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe that requires only a handful of ingredients, you really can’t go wrong with my Banana Bread Granola. If you make a batch (or two) over the weekend, you’ll just need to take a small container of milk on your commute to create your comforting bowl of crunchy goodness.
7. Who knew dinner leftovers could turn into a fast and delicious on-the-go breakfast? I bet that Liz’s Cilantro-Lime Quinoa Bowl would even be scrumptious cold.
8. While I’m definitely looking for something with some nutritional benefits to fill me up in the AM, I still want it to be utterly delicious and melt-in-your-mouth tender; with Erin’s Paleo Blueberry Scones, it looks like I can have my scones and eat them, too!
9. Smoothies are a great and convenient choice for everyone, especially those who don’t like to eat big meals during breakfast time. They’re also a fantastic way of fitting a ton of nutrients into one brightly-colored package. My Heat Beet Smoothie is one of my all-time favs; it’s packed with heart-healthy ingredients to keep that ticker of yours…tickin’.
10. This list wouldn’t be complete with uttering the word “pumpkin.” Luckily, Angela has my back with her dense and chewy Pumpkin Gingerbread Snack Bars. What a perfect way to use up some of that homemade pumpkin puree… ;)

What’s your favorite busy morning go-to? Because I am a complete oat-freak, I have to have my daily bowl of oats every single morning. My go-to recipe will be up soon!

Have a glorious weekend, Internet friends! Here’s to busy mornings, delicious breakfasts, and a stress-free you.

The post Breakfast Recipes for Busy Mornings appeared first on Fooduzzi.

One day, Pittsburgh was experiencing some uncharacteristically hot weather. Alexa, out of the goodness of her own heart, decided to make and shoot a smoothie recipe so that her best friend, Mark, could drink it and get all energized and such.

[Alexa’s quite the sweetheart]

Alexa looked in her freezer and pulled out the most refreshing summer fruit she could find: bananas, pineapples, coconut…the works. She then added a secret ingredient for some sneaky nutrition. Mark is going to love this whole food recipe, she thought. And it’s good for him, too!

After her creation was complete, she handed it over to Mark with a giant grin on her face. “Try it!” she urged.

He looked excited and said, “Mmm…looks good.” But then he noticed the smoothie’s green hue. “What exactly is in this?” he casually asked.

“Oh, just some coconut milk, pineapple, banana, and some greens,” Alexa replied, throughly impressed with her tropical Piña Colada Green Smoothie creation.

Mark’s face twisted ever so slightly, and he eyed the smoothie once more. “…you added green beans to this smoothie?” Mark asked, trying to not sound completely horrified.

…

Please do not misunderstand me like dear Mark did.

I DID NOT ADD GREEN BEANS TO THIS PIÑA COLADA GREEN SMOOTHIE.

Instead, that beautiful green color is coming from one of my favorite greens and nutritional powerhouses: kale!

This Piña Colada Green Smoothie is perfect. It’s refreshing. It’s coconutty. It’s pineappley. It’s tropical. It’s summer in a glass. Add a tiny drink umbrella, and I’ll bet that you can pretend you’re at the beach, toes in the sand, without a care in the world. Better yet, hand this Piña Colada Green Smoothie off to your mama this Mother’s Day. She’ll be thanking you for her tiny stay-cation.

Oh, and, for the record, Mark loved this green bean-less smoothie.

–>Also! It’s that time of the month where I’m writing for North Hills Monthly! Be sure to head over to their site to read my write-up for this Piña Colada Green Smoothie!<–

Stay classy, Internet friends!

P.S. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Bloglovin‘! If you try any of my recipes, be sure to use #fooduzzi! I’d love to see your whole food creations!

The post Piña Colada Green Smoothie appeared first on Fooduzzi.

I just never really saw the point for this holiday. If you truly love the one you’re with, don’t you think that every day should be treated like Valentine’s Day? Do you really need a special day designated for niceness and thoughtful gifts? A single date per year that you decide to bring home flowers for a loved one or choose to have a romantic night out?

Great. Now I’m sounding like my mother.

I just think that if we all acted a little more like every day was Valentine’s Day, the world would be a much better place. Treating others with random acts of kindness and spontaneous romantic gestures sounds like the kind of place I’d like to live. Are you with me? Can we all get behind this “Treat Every Day as Valentine’s Day” movement?

I think a great way to start out would be to make this Heart Beet Smoothie for someone you’re fond of, someone you think is a cutie, or someone who you believe is the bee’s knees. It is full of ingredients that directly benefit the organ that hogs all the attention this holiday – the heart. This smoothie is beautiful, balanced, and downright tasty – the perfect treat to share with your valentine.

Typical of breakfast smoothies, we’re starting off with a frozen banana. The texture that the banana imparts in the smoothie is unparalleled and is crucial to the creaminess of the finished product. And the flavor? I’m convinced that there are few foods that are tastier than the banana. Bananas are also rich in potassium, which has been shown to support heart health. Be kind to your heart; blend the banana.

We’ve spoken of my love of beets before. This time, however, we’re blending them to add some veggie goodness to this beautifully-colored smoothie. Do not fear. I promise you that this smoothie will not taste like dirt, feet, or whatever you think beets taste like. The beets just add a little sweetness to the party and, just like the banana, offer a powerful punch of potassium. Don’t knock it ’til you try it. And once you try it, I guarantee you will not be knocking it. Whatever that means.

One of my favorite ingredients in my kitchen are frozen blueberries. They’re perfect for those blueberry muffins my brother loves so much, they’re a wonderful snack after they’re submerged in some almond milk and granola, and they are a kick-butt addition to any smoothie. Blueberries scream “health” to me, and, although terrifying, it’s for good reason. Consumption of blueberries have been linked to increased cardiovascular health. And they also give this smoothie the wonderful purple hue.

We need some liquid, so I looked no further than my trusty unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Almonds have been linked to reducing heart disease, and the milk gives an undeniably creamy and nutty flavor to our smoothie. Other milks would work, too, but almonds are so supremely healthy for us, so I suggest sticking with this oblong nut.

We also add a couple tablespoons of some special ingredients: my beloved oatmeal and ground flaxseed. Both ingredients offer cardiovascular benefits, and they also thicken this smoothie. We’re talking “extra thick milkshake”-thick. And it’s glorious. Heart healthy and glorious.

This Heart Beet Smoothie would be a marvelously healthy choice to serve to a loved one for a special breakfast in bed. Your valentine will rejoice at the nourishing nutrients packed into this simple smoothie. This smoothie truly is a way to show someone you love them by fueling their body with ingredients that will benefit them for many more Valentine’s Days to come!

Stay classy, Internet friends!

PS. I’m no doctor; I’m simply a healthy food-loving gal who likes to research. If you have a true question regarding your health, please consult your primary care physician. Information regarding the benefits of these ingredients was found in the following places:

Nutrition Stripped

WebMD

Love Beets

The post Heart Beet Smoothie appeared first on Fooduzzi.

Um, first and foremost, #kalefordays. I throughly enjoy, and actually prefer, anything served in a mason jar. I feel refreshed and rejuvenated after my green smoothie in the mornings. I would take a bath in Sriracha and gladly drink my way out. We have already discussed my devotion to the humble chia seed. I could have Cruciferous Vegetable Night (a la Sheldon Cooper) every night of my life in the way of brussels sprouts. I frequently sprinkle hemp seeds and flax seeds on my fruit. Almond milk is my spirit milk.

We’re going to knock a few of those out right here, right now.

Grab your thick-rimmed glasses. It’s about to get hipster up in here.

A simple Green Smoothie. There are nearly thousands of these things floating around on the internet. But I’m here to tell you why mine is the best. Thoroughly balanced for flavor and nutrient retention. Velvety smooth and utterly thick. Full of hipster-approved ingredients. Let’s get blending.

A frozen banana is the star student in this delectable concoction. Without it, we wouldn’t have a creamy, dreamy breakfast smoothie to guzzle. The texture that banana gives smoothies resembles that of a thick milkshake (I was always a thick milkshake kind of gal – how about you?). Bananas also give us some cardiovascular and digestive boosts. They’re also the sole sweetener in this smoothie!

The green color of this smoothie is directly linked to beautiful kale. It’s not a surprise that I love kale and all of it’s vitamin A and K and iron fighting power! To be completely honest, this was the first time I ever put kale in a smoothie, as I always turned to it’s more mild cousin, spinach. I was always nervous about the taste that kale would impart on my liquid breakfast. I am now a believer in kale’s ability to give me the nourishing benefits without leaving behind it’s earthy, peppery flavor.

I love chia seeds. I love hemp seeds. I love flax seeds. That’s why we’re using all three today! The seeds give us some protein and healthy-fat lasting power. I don’t know about you, but when I eat a breakfast that’s just full of carbs (ie. fruits, vegetables), I’m hungry about 10 minutes later. These miracle seeds will help subside you until your next snack and/or meal.

I’m a spice lover and an even bigger cinnamon lover. I like to throw some cinnamon in all of my smoothies for a couple of reasons. First, the taste. I adore cinnamon’s bite and warmth. Adding it to a cold smoothie is the perfect addition for a little sweet heat. Second, the health benefits. Some studies show that cinnamon lowers blood sugar! Cinnamon for the win-amon.

Last, almond milk. I chose unsweetened almond milk because I’m pretty addicted to the taste and texture. It’s creamy, nutty, and vanilla-y – exactly what I’m looking for in a smoothie base. You could totally go all-hipster and make this smoothie with hemp milk! Actually, you should definitely do that. I’ll wait here while you run to the store.

Although smoothies are typical of breakfast, I’m partial to drinking this smoothie as a snack or as an addition to a small bowl of oatmeal for a more complete meal. Or feel free to add some nut butters if you’re wanting some extra creaminess and healthy fat power.

So go grab your vintage clothing, grow out your bushy beard, brush off your sense of irony, and marvel in you wonderfully-hipster healthy creation.

Stay hipster, internet friends!

The post The Hipster’s Smoothie appeared first on Fooduzzi.