Metabolism Boosting Breakfast Smoothie

When the booking producer over at the San Diego 6 Morning News Show asked me to come on this week to talk about juicing and smoothies, I couldn’t wait to share some of the drinks I’ve been mixing up over in the LLB kitchen every morning!

While I’ll be juicing up some of my favorites like the Green Detox Juice and Antioxidant Immunity Juice, I also wanted to throw in a new drink made with my favorite smoothie booster, the beaming superfood blend!

This 100% natural, organic blend increases stamina, boosts energy, balances hormones and enhances mood. I don’t know about you all, but with long work hours and busy days, I could use all of the above!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1 banana
• 6 oz greek yogurt
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp fresh ginger
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp beaming Superfood Smoothie Blend
• 1 tbsp Premium Gold Ground Flax Seed

Begin by adding the strawberries, blueberries and banana to a blender.

Next add the greek yogurt, coconut water, honey, ginger, cinnamon, superfood smoothie blend and flaxseed.

Blend well.

Chill and serve.

This smoothie not only helps speed up your metabolism, it also reduces nausea and aids in digestion.

Don’t forget to tune in later this morning – June 6th – at 7:50 AM to San Diego Channel 6 Morning News where I’ll be whipping up this smoothie and more!

Lean and Green Superfood Smoothie

This smoothie was inspired by my first trip to bBar Superfood Vitality Bar in Del Mar!

I tried the Sexy Mayan and Lisa’s Daily Lean & Green and was immediately addicted to the lean-ness and green-ness of Lisa’s smoothie!

After meeting with bBar’s social media guru Dustin Towery, he sent me home with a bag of bBar’s Beaming Organic Superfood Protein Blend with Greens so that I could re-create their amazing smoothie in the Little Leopard Book kitchen!

And that I did!

Ingredients (makes two 16 oz smoothies)

• 1 avocado
• 1 banana
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 tbsp beaming superfood protein
• 1 tbsp Premium Gold Ground Flax Seed
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Begin by adding the avocado and banana to a blender.  Next add the almond milk, coconut water and spinach, then add the protein and flax seed.

Top it off with the honey and cinnamon.

Blend well.

Chill then serve.

This energy packed smoothie is loaded with vitamins, nutrients and protein!

Grab a bag of beaming’s soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free protein packed powder and make your own Lean Green Superfood Smoothie at home!

Mediterranean Crab and Couscous Stuffed Mushrooms

This weekend I had the serious craving for fresh crab, but instead of making crab cakes, I decided to combine the crab with couscous and some of my favorite Mediterranean flavors, then stuff it into these large portobello mushrooms.

I then grilled the mushrooms for a fresh, healthy take on stuffed mushrooms!

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked couscous
• 1/2 cup fresh lump crab meat
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup feta cheese
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers (chopped)
• 1 tbsp green onions (chopped)
• 1 tbsp Enzo Garlic Olive Oil
• 2 large portobello mushrooms

Begin by combining the couscous, crab, parmesan, feta and garlic.

Next, add the red peppers, green onions and combine well.

Clean out and de-stem the mushrooms, then brush each side with Enzo Garlic Olive Oil.

Stuff the mixture into the mushrooms.

Grill over medium heat for 15 minutes, then serve.

These can be served as a light meal or as a deliciously filling appetizer!

♣ Vegetarian Option: Substitute 1/2 cup shredded zucchini for the crab to make this recipe vegetarian.

♦ Gluten Free Option: Substitute brown rice couscous or quinoa to make this recipe gluten-free.

Strawberry Peach Guacamole

This guacamole gives a sweet & fruity summer twist to the dip that everyone loves!

I made this dish last weekend for a Memorial Day BBQ and it was a hit with all of my friends!

Juicy pieces of strawberry and peaches mixed with fresh basil and lemon juice make it difficult to put down the chips!

Ingredients

• 3 avocados
• 1 tomato (chopped)
• 1 cup strawberries (chopped)
• 2 peaches (peeled & chopped)
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 1 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)

Begin by mashing the avocados together in a medium bowl, then add the tomatoes, strawberries and peaches.

Mix all of the ingredients together then juice the lemon into the guacamole and add the fresh basil.

Serve with your favorite chips for delicious dipping pleasure!

♣ Vegetarian Option: This recipe is vegetarian.

♦ Gluten Free Option: This recipe is gluten-free.

Gluten Free Banana Walnut Waffles

These waffles were inspired by a combination of extra bananas in the house and my desire to incorporate flax seed into a new recipe!

While I’ve been working with Premium Gold’s Gluten Free Flour for some time now, I had yet to try their original milled flax seed in a recipe.

When we started working together, they told me that their flax seed could be mixed with water and used to replace egg.  I was intrigued as I’m always looking for good substitutes for my friends with allergies or those on a vegan diet!

Flax seed provides essential Omega 3′s, as well as antioxidant boosting power and fiber which promotes glowing skin, hair and nails!

The substitute for the egg worked great and now I have a gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free waffle that is healthy, delicious and can be enjoyed by everyone!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Premium Gold Gluten Free Flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp Premium Gold Fine Ground Golden Flax Seed
• 6 tbsp water
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp honey (divided)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp Meyer Lemon Enzo Olive Oil
• 1/3 cup walnuts
• 2 bananas (sliced)

Begin by combining the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a small mixing bowl.

In a large mixing bowl combine the flax seed and water, then add the coconut milk, 1 tbsp honey, cinnamon and olive oil.

Whisk together, then add the flour mixture.

Combine well, then add the walnuts and one sliced banana.

Mash the banana slightly into the mixture.

Spoon the mixture into a waffle iron and cook.

Top with the extra sliced banana then drizzle with the additional tablespoon of honey.

Serve with a fresh glass of juice for a well balanced healthy breakfast that’s also fun and scrumptious!

♣ Vegetarian Option: This recipe is vegetarian.

♦ Gluten Free Option: This recipe is gluten-free.