No-Cook Watermelon Recipes That Everyone Will Savor This Summer

Watermelon Cooler

Watermelon the yummy classic cooling and delicious watery fruit of the summer. At our house we have been going through and eating a few watermelons a week. And yes the one doing most of the consuming of the watermelon is me, just give me some watermelon and a bottle of Tajin seasoning, such the perfect combo for my taste bud who prefers food that is on the savory side. When days are longer and hotter during the summer I have been noticing a difference in my appetite, sometimes not getting hungry until later in the day. Also with the warmer days I don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen so I love a good salad and since we always have watermelon on hand I have been finding creative ways to use it, including my smoothies, salads and cocktails. So let me share my hydrating recipes.

Smoothies

Watermelon Cleanser

Watermelon Refresher

• 1 Frozen Banana

• 1/2 of Smaller Watermelon, (Flesh Only, Seedless)

• Handful Cilantro

• 2 Sprigs of Mint

• 1 Cup of Coconut Water

Directions: Blend if you want it a bit Thicker or Colder Add Ice

Tip: Blend up Watermelon, then Pour Liquid in Ice Tray. Add the Ice Cubes to smoothie then blend or Add Ice Cubes to Keep Drink Colder Longer

Watermelon Cleanser

• 1/2 Watermelon (seedless)

• 1 Romaine Lettuce

• 1 Apple

• 1 Lemon (juice)

• Add Water or Ice to get desired consistency (hint: Add a little at a time)

Directions: Blend

Salad

Watercress and Arugula add a nice spice to the salad that offsets the Watermelon’s sweetness

Savory Watermelon Salad

• 1/2 of a Seedless Watermelon, Cubed into Bite Sized Pieces

• Arugula and/or Watercress

• 1/2 Red Onion or more if you Love Onion like me

• 2-3 Sprigs of Mint and/or Basil

• 1 Can Garbanzo Beans

• 1 Avocado

• 1 Cucumber

• 2 Ripe Tomatoes

• 1 Package of Feta ( used Miyokos Vegan Feta)

• Optional: Add Slivered Almonds, Or Pinenuts

Dressing: Mix together Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Chilli Pepper Flakes, Garlic Powder, Salt and Pepper. Add All According to your Taste Buds. Add Dressing to salad ingredients and enjoy!

Tip: If making ahead of time or going to have over the next few days add Arugula or Watercress as you serve salad, the lettuce won’t wilt and salad will last longer.

Cocktail

Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita

• 1-3 Cups of Blended Watermelon, Chilled

• 1 Lime, Juiced

• 2 Ounce of Silver Tequila

• 2-3 Slices of Jalapeño, Muddled

• Add 2 leaves of Basil, Muddled

• Ice

Directions: Put all ingredients in a shaker, Salt glass rim, Pour ingredients over ice.

Tip: Make ahead Watermelon Ice Cubes, Use as ice in Drink

Three Health Boosting Smoothies To Try Out In 2019

It is the beginning of 2019 naturally we are feeling inspired to start the new year off with a fresh start. Even though you might not have made resolutions for the new year it is common when overlooking the new year we want to focus our attention on our habits  that we would like to shift. Most of us think of our health during this naturally reflective period and look for areas in which our health can be improved or tweaked. I find that my mind usually drifts to my health after being stunned that another year has passed so quickly. For 2019 I have found a couple of areas that I want to improve in relations to my health like getting more fresh raw fruits and veggies into my diet every meal, be more consistent with my yoga practice, and focus on my gut health.

Depending on your health goals I think a tip that benefits many and that will help my own goals is smoothies. When friends and family ask me for tips about how to eat more veggies for themselves or their kids smoothies are my first recommendation due to how quick they are to make and if your on the go they can be taken with you. Smoothies can also be prepped ahead of time and if that doesn’t suit your schedule you can just make bigger batches and store the extras in the fridge(what I usually do). The other factor I like is how you can really make them to your liking and needs. Stuff as many greens, superfoods in and not be able to taste them count me in. While juicing is great and another way I enjoy giving my diet an extra punch smoothies are more filling with their fiber content and I usually add protein powder to mine making them great for when I workout. 

So if your a smoothie newbie or a pro I wanted to share three of my favorite smoothie recipes. These recipes are vegan, gluten free and kid approved. And according to your taste buds you really can tailor these drinks to your liking. I must also admit I usually eyeball the amount of ingredients I put in depending on my tastebuds and ingredients I have around that day. These recipes are filled with antioxidants, protein, fiber, minerals and adaptogens. All of these factors benefit anyone who is looking to be healthier. Beyond that adding adaptogens support our bodies with balancing our hormones and cognitive functions by helping our bodies adapt with daily emotional and environmental stressors. At the end of the recipes listed below I put some great ingredients that can be added to any smoothie for even an additional boost.

Pineapple Banana Cacao Smoothie

You will need:

2 Cups Pineapple Fresh/Frozen

2 Ripe Bananas Fresh/Frozen

1 1/2 Tablespoons Cacao Powder

2 Scoops of SunWarrior Vanilla Protein Powder (or your favorite vegan protein powder)

2 Cups Almond Milk (or your favorite milk)

1 Tablespoon Almond Butter

OPTIONAL:
1 Teaspoon Ashwagandha Root Powder

1 Teaspoon Maca Powder

Super Green Pineapple Smoothie

You will need:

2 Cups Pineapple (Frozen/Fresh)

2 Ripe Bananas (Frozen/Fresh)

2/3 Cups Fresh Kale (use your favorite greens)

2 Scoops Navitas Organic Vanilla and Greens Superfood Powder (use your favorite vegan protein powder)

3 Cups of Almond Milk

OPTIONAL:
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Ultimate Blueberry Smoothie

You will need:

3 Cups Blueberries (Fresh/Frozen)

2 Ripe Bananas (Fresh/Frozen)

2 Scoops of Sun Warrior Vanilla Protein Powder

2 Handfuls of Organic Gluten Free OldFashioned Oats

2 1/2 Cups of Almond Milk (or your favorite

milk)

Optional Smoothie Add Ins:

-Hemp Seed

-Chia Seeds

- Favorite Nut Butters

- Spirulina

- Barley Grass

-Your Favorite Adaptogen: Ive been loving Four Sigmatic’s variety of easy to add Mushroom Mixes. Also Amazing Grass superfood and beauty blends that you can add to smoothies or water when your on the go.

And Cheers to you and your health in the New Year and all your smoothie making endeavors! Let us know your favorite recipes and superfood add ins I am always for looking for new tips and tricks.

Gwyneth Paltrow's Kale & Sweet Potato Salad with Miso

From GP’s new cookbook, The Clean Plate: “I could never get bored of this salad. Tossing the sweet potatoes with the dressing while they’re still warm is key—it helps the potatoes absorb all that delicious citrusy-umami flavor.” GWYNETH PALTROW SERVES 2 

FOR THE SALAD:

1 sweet potato, cut into 1-inch cubes 

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon chickpea miso paste

⅛ medium red onion, thinly sliced 

¼ teaspoon grated lime zest

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups baby kale

¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves

¼ cup hulled pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

FOR THE DRESSING:

2 teaspoons chickpea miso paste 

2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger 

zest and juice of 2 limes

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

flaky sea salt

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the miso and olive oil. Toss the cubed sweet potatoes in the miso mixture until evenly coated. Spread the potatoes out on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until soft and caramelized.

3. While the potatoes roast, in a small bowl, toss the onion slices with the salt and lime zest and let sit for about 10 minutes.

4. Then make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the miso, ginger, lime zest, and lime juice. While whisking continuously, slowly add the olive oil, then whisk until emulsified. Taste and season with salt. 

5. While the potatoes are still warm (not hot), transfer them to a serving bowl and toss with the kale, cilantro, pepitas, onion, and dressing. Finish with the sesame seeds.

For the best of GP’s clean recipes, preorder The Clean Plate.

Quick and Tasty Hummus Recipe

Hi Tribe! 

I wanted to take a moment to share another recipe that I found to be versatile and easy to make. So I’ve been making my own hummus for quite awhile now. I love having it around just for snacks but I also use it a lot of time on my salads its so flavorful that I don’t need salad dressing. 

So as usual this recipe is easy only has a couple of ingredients and can be adjusted easily to your taste buds and can be simply expanded upon. This recipe is also quick because I just put all the ingredients in the blender and is done in minutes. So with out further ado here is the recipe and may your taste buds enjoy.

Recipe

• 2 Cans of Organic Garbanzo Beans

  *****(reserve the liquid from 1 can)*****

• 4 Cloves of Garlic (again up to your taste buds)

• Juice of 1 1/2 Lemons 

• Zest of 1/2 Lemon

• 1 Teaspoon of Salt

• 1 Teaspoon of Chili Flakes

• Optional: Add drizzle of Olive Oil

Add all ingredients to blender including the liquid from 1 can add slowly depending on how dry the mixture is, add as you go. Blend to desired consistency, if the mixture is a little dry add a drizzle of olive oil. Taste as you go along and add or adjust to your taste. 

Apple Sauce Season

Hi Tribe! I am sure you have noticed wherever you are located that the seasons are slowly starting to change. Here in Sonoma, CA there are signs that summer is coming to an end. Not only are kids back in school, I have even spotted a leaves beautifully changing color signaling that my favorite season fall will be arriving shortly. Another sign of fall coming is in my very own backyard our apple trees that have been brimming with apples all summer and are finally ripe for picking

So we have one main full sized tree that produces the majority of the apples and we have four smaller sprout trees. And something I need to admit with our trees is that I do not know what variety of apples they are…. I would love to hear from you in the comment section below if you can tell from the pictures(thanks in advance). One tree is a lighter red variety and the smaller trees have apples that are yellow in color. With all these apples on hand of course I will be giving bags of them away to friends and neighbors. However with the majority of them I will be making apple sauce and i’m sure I will also juice a few of them as well. 

I’ve done a few batches of apple sauce in the last couple days and I am running out of room in our fridge and freezer so holding off for a few days till I make more. The recipe I follow is my own which I have found to be the easiest and yet tastes so delicious while maintaining a beautiful color and consistency. I remember a couple of years back when the kiddo was just starting out on solid food and I wanted to make apple sauce; many of the recipes I found had so many steps along with having to add what I thought was quite a few ingredients.

For my recipe if you can call it that; I always tend to lean towards recipes with the simplest of ingredients which I find usually turn out the best, and get me motivated to be in the kitchen. Hope you and your family and friends enjoy!

Recipe

- Step 1 Wash and Chop around Core ( I used around 20 apples and left the skins ON) 

- Step 2 Place Apples in Large Pot. The pot I usually use is 3qts or 6qts depends on what is clean (haha)

- Step 3 Add 1 1/2 to 2 cups of Water ( just so the bottom of pot is covered in water) ***if your apples are not sweet you can also sub in Organic Apple Cider  

- Step 4 Cook on stove over Med/Med High Heat you want to them to be on a low boil 

- Step 5 Stir Occasionally looking to make sure the apples have enough liquid in the pot as not to burn pot and to help them steam/cook more quickly

Step 6 DONE when Apple are Soft/Slightly Mushy (30 to 40 Min) take pot off of heat ***** you can just let them sit in pot until cooled or until you have time to blend them*******

Step 7 Blend ******CAUTION if you are working with HOT Apples*****

Blend until you get desired constituency. If you need more liquid add slowly Water or Apple Cider

Step 8 Eat and Enjoy!

OPTIONAL ADD ONS:

-Cinnamon

-Nut Mag 

-Replace Water in recipe with Apple Cider for Added Sweetness   

Like I said this week I will be slowing down on my apple sauce production until room in my freezer or fridge opens up. That reminded me to mention that you can of course freeze the Apple Sauce. If you need smaller portions i.e. for baby, recipes, smoothies and adult winter time drinks I have used ice treys for apple sauce and its a great way to get portioned amounts.