• About MM
  • The Fight
  • Lifestyle
  • Nutrition
  • Recipes

The Fight Against Smoldering Myeloma

~ supporting healthy nutrition & lifestyle

The Fight Against Smoldering Myeloma

Tag Archives: #vitamix

Recipe: Green Tea Berry Smoothie

30 Friday Dec 2016

Posted by mmvsmm in Nutrition, Recipes

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#antioxidant, #barleans, #berrysmoothie, #chiaseed, #cinnamon, #coffeealternatives, #dailybeverage, #earthcircleorganics, #energy, #energyboost, #ginger, #greentea, #greenteaberrysmoothie, #immuneboost, #juice, #juicing, #masonjar, #matchadna, #numi, #numitea, #simplybalanced, #smoothie, #target, #vitamix, #wakeup, #wegmans, #wheatmt

Juicing is a big part of my life. Where many of you can’t begin your day without your favorite cup of joe, my go to morning beverage is a green tea berry smoothie. J and I are not big coffee drinkers, but don’t get me wrong, I love the smell and taste of fresh brewed coffee. For me the crash I experience after caffeine does its magic, feels much worse that the tiredness I battle with when first waking up. As I suffer from low energy, a weakened immune and fatigue, I’ve found that juicing is a great way to naturally boost my energy without relying on caffeine. I also swear by it to help me ward off illnesses during peak cold and flu seasons.

We’ve been fortunate enough to have a Vitamix on loan from friends for the past year, and I can say we’d be lost without it. I attempted making fresh juice everyday but it started to be a pain. With the Vitamix we’re able to make six servings of juice or smoothie at a time, which we store in mason jars in the fridge, allowing the two of us to have a healthy breakfast option for three days. The longer fresh juice is exposed to air, the more health benefits it begins to lose. But three days is a pretty safe bet in most of the resources that I’ve found. My tried and true recipe for our daily smoothie is loaded with antioxidants from berries and green tea. Green tea has also been shown to aid in combating some cancers. I also rely on fresh ginger to help give my immune system a boost. Here is a basic recipe followed by optional add-ins (that we do include each time we make this).

Green Tea Berry Smoothie

Recipe by mmvsmm.com
Makes 6 servings (reduce by 1/6 to make a single serving) based on 64oz/2L blender

Ingredients*:

  • 3 cups organic unsweetened almond milk (we use Wegman’s brand)
  • 16oz organic decaf green tea (we use Numi decaf green tea with ginger and lemon)
  • 3 cups organic kale (can use spinach as a substitute)
  • 2 cups organic berry blend (we use Target’s Simply Balanced Berry Blend)
  • 1 whole lemon, juiced (or if using high powered blender, removed the skin and throw the whole thing in)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon fresh ground ginger
  • Fresh ground cinnamon to taste (did you know cinnamon can have AMAZING health benefits?

Optional add-ins (with links to brands we use of our own choosing):

  • 3 tablespoons high quality flax seed oil for omega-3s
  • 3 tablespoons organic chia seeds soaked in water for extra antioxidants, fiber and omega-3s
  • 3 teaspoons matcha powder for extra antioxidants and EGCG
  • 2 teaspoons chlorella powder for vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein and chorlophyll

We do not sweeten any of our juices or smoothies as we find the fruit to be sweet enough. If you like things on the sweeter side try adding in raw agave, honey, or maple syrup. A couple of tablespoons should do the trick!

Instructions:

  1. Add ingredients into blender, liquids first
  2. Blend on high
  3. Pour into mason jars, seal jars with lids and refrigerate
  4. Enjoy as your morning breakfast or as a mid day snack!
*Disclaimer: please note, I am not sponsored by any of the products used on this blog. Any products used have strictly been of my own choosing/research. 

Recipe: Zucchini Noodles with Spinach Vodka Sauce

12 Monday Dec 2016

Posted by mmvsmm in Recipes

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

#cleaneating, #dairyfree, #glutenfree, #italiancooking, #lowcarb, #muirglen, #paleoeats, #pastaalternatives, #sugarfree, #sugarfreelife, #titosvodka, #vegan, #vegetarian, #vitamix, #whatsfordinner, #yummy, Recipes

img_0182

My husband LOVES pasta. I, on the other hand, can live without it, which is OK as it isn’t conducive to eating clean. But, we’ve found a way to have the best of both worlds! Spiraling zucchini into “noodles” can still taste like great Italian food without all of the guilt. Now the challenge for tonight was all in the sauce. Hubby’s favorite Italian sauce is vodka sauce and because I avoid eating heavy cream, I discovered how easy it is to use cashew cream instead. We opted to top this dish with roasted cauliflower, red peppers, and crimini mushrooms, yum! If you can’t skip the protein, grilled chicken would be delicious with this as well.

img_0161

Zoodles!

This is my first recipe of my own creation, hope you enjoy!

 

Zucchini Noodles with Spinach Vodka Sauce
Approx. 6 servings
Prep./Cook Time: 30-45 mins

2.5 lbs zucchini, spiralized
3 tbs. olive oil
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 large sweet onion
1 cup good quality vodka (I used Tito’s)
2/3 cup raw unsalted cashews
2/3 cup filtered water
1 28 ounce can tomato sauce (I use Muir Glen for all of my canned tomatoes)
1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 tbs dried oregano
3 cups fresh spinach
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Optional toppings: grilled chicken (for a non-vegetarian dish) or roasted veggies if you want to keep it vegetarian/vegan friendly. I tossed some chopped cauliflower, crimini mushrooms, and red pepper in olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, dried thyme, oregano, and parsley for 40 minutes at 375 degrees. Viola! And may I say the mushrooms were out of this world!

img_0164

To make the cashew cream:
If you have a high power blender -soak 2/3 cup of cashews in 2/3 cup of water while you make the rest of the recipe. We’re lucky enough to have a Vitamix on loan that did the trick. If you have a lower power blender, you’ll want to soak the cashews overnight. Blend the cashews and water on high for two minutes and set aside.

img_0149

Cashew pieces soaking in water

img_0150

Like magic, now we have cashew cream!!

1. Dice the onion
2. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat
3. Add onion and garlic, cook for five minutes – until soft
4. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and 1/2 tbs. dried oregano onto the mixture and stir to combine
5. Pour vodka into mixture and cook down until reduced by about half
6. Open can of diced tomatoes and can of tomato sauce. Pour into saucepan
7. Heat to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes
8. While sauce is cooking spiral zucchini into “noodles”
9. Heat olive oil in large skillet or wok, add zucchini spirals and cook for 4-6 minutes or until they reach your desired consistency. Do not overcook
10. Remove “noodles” from heat
11. Remove sauce from heat for 5 minutes and then add in cashew cream
12. Return sauce to burner on medium-low heat and add in spinach along with remaining one tbs. of dried oregano
13. Stir sauce until spinach begins to wilt, do not bring the sauce to a boil
14. Remove sauce from heat

img_0178

 

Now you’re ready to plate the meal! Serve the sauce over your zucchini noodles. Add fresh ground pepper and sea salt to taste. If you’re like my husband, who likes to pack on the heat, be sure to include additional red pepper flakes on the table. Now if only it were easier resist the temptation to use that leftover Tito’s for a nice dinner time Moscow Mule…

img_0156

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow me on Facebook!

Follow me on Facebook!

Instagram

No Instagram images were found.

Recent Posts

  • Light at the End of the Tunnel
  • Pocket full of sunshine
  • Instant Pot Savory Vegetable Soup
  • #Sobruary
  • Recipe: Tuscan Chicken Skillet

Categories

  • Lifestyle
  • Nutrition
  • Recipes
  • The Fight

Archives

  • July 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016

Recent Comments

mmvsmm on Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi T…
Rose Martine on Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi T…
Pocket full of sunsh… on The Waiting Game
Carolyn Ambrose on Instant Pot Savory Vegetable…
Recipe: Sweet Potato… on Recipe: Zucchini Noodles with…

Follow me on Facebook!

Follow me on Facebook!
Follow The Fight Against Smoldering Myeloma on WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×