Black Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

This is one of my all time favorite smoothies, and is always in my breakfast rotation. Bursting with  cherries and chocolate I can think of no better way to start my day. This smoothie is rich and decadent and loaded with antioxidants.

Sunwarrior's Warrior Blend, made from a combination of pea, cranberry and hemp protein is slightly  cakey and earthier than the Classic brown rice protein. Which I actually really enjoy in this smoothie, but I do like to alternate between the two.

I like this smoothie on the thicker side so I scale back a bit on the water and am pretty generous with the rest of the ingredients (especially the cherries and protein :)

Black-Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

1 scoop of sunwarrior chocolate Warrior Blend or Classic Protein
1 heaping TBSP raw cocoa powder
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen cherries
1/2 cup frozen blackberries
3/4 - 1 cup water

Combine all ingredients and blend for a good 2 minutes or so.

Note: For a creamy fruity "milkshake" replace the water with fresh almond or brazil nut milk.

Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Butter, Cinnamon & Sea Salt

Chocolate and peanut butter. Milk and cookies. Salt and caramel, Apples and cinnamon. All matches made in heaven. BUT sweet potatoes and coconut butter? who knew?!  I am officially addicted to sweet potatoes and these sweet potatoes are absolutely dreamy.

Sweet Potato with Coconut Butter, Cinnamon and Sea Salt

With a little imagination and creativity eating healthy never has to be boring.  This is another case of a pairing that is both healthy and deliciously decadent.

Coconut butter is made from the whole flesh of a coconut, not just the oil. So it gives you all the health benefits of coconut oil as well as dietary fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.


Sweet Potato with Coconut Butter, Cinnamon and Sea Salt


1 small sweet potato, baked
1 heaping TBSP coconut butter
sprinkle with cinnamon and sea salt!


note: Store coconut butter at room temperature. To soften coconut butter place the jar in a bowl of hot water and stir till creamy.

Lemon Ginger Tea with Honey

Its cold and flu season and I am doing everything in my power to stay healthy. Loading up on vitamin D, probiotics and fish oil. Burning Olbas in my diffuser, drinking oregano oil, epson baths, plenty of sleep... And of course I have a few tricks in the kitchen as well :)

This spicy tea is one of the first remedies I turn to when I feel a cold coming on. Lemon is high in Vitamin C and ginger and honey boost the immune system. Ginger tea is both soothing yet invigorating and warms the body from the inside out!

Meyer Lemons!

Lemon Ginger Tea with Honey

1 Cup water, boiled
1 TBSP fresh grated ginger
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 TBSP honey

In a single serving french press or small jar combine the ginger and aprox 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes.

In a mug add the lemon juice and honey. Add the water and stir to combine.

Loaded Sweet Potatoes

This loaded sweet potato is another case of throwing together everything in my fridge and hoping for the best. The less I have to leave my apartment and brave the cold the better, so I always have a few staples on hand. A cabinet filled with raw nuts, dried fruit and pretty much every kind of nut butter you can imagine. Including my new love Sunflower Butter (a seed not a nut, but close enough).  These days my fridge is always stocked with broccoli, brussel sprouts and baked sweet potatoes.

So tonights creation was a sweet potato stuffed with steamed broccoli mashed with avocado,  raisens, sunflower butter and walnuts. This veggie side was hearty surprise, full of healthy carbs and good fats. It was a perfect combination of sweet and salty with chewy raisens and crunchy walnuts. Though the sunflower butter was the real star here! Rich and creamy and packed with protein, vitamin E, magnesium and selenium.

This side was delicious, messy and fun to eat. A true celebration of textures and flavors. I definitely plan on adding this to my dinner rotation. Serve on its own or with a side of grilled chicken. Yummy!