Vegan Mofo Post #19: Cherry, Banana, & Peanut Butter Breakfast Smoothie

At the work desk, purple posing with much needed breakfast beverage.

My schedule changed. Temporarily, my duties have gone from gallery girl to front desk lady who arises Monday through Friday at 5:30AM to reach my 7AM post. Although it's been my first week at this new (but not permanent) duty, I haven't always penciled in breakfast. It's not smart, yes, I know.
As I prepared my smoothie, I remembered my three months living in Denver, drinking a smoothie and power walking often. My friend, whose place I was house sitting, had hooked me on to flaxseed oil aka the vegan's way to getting Omega 3. It has no flavor, but seemed to make the drink so smooth and creamy. I returned back to Ohio putting it in everything.
Now I have resumed, after not using it for years. Not sure what made me think about the flaxseed. It just came back like that Celine Dion song.
Cherries and bananas with crunchy peanut butter goodness brings joy to almond milk and flaxseed in a simple smoothie-- great for those hasty mornings when time is running out and you have to be the smiling face that greets everyone.

Cherry, Banana, & Peanut Butter Breakfast Smoothie Ingredients and Preparation

2 bananas, ripened
10 dark sweet cherries, frozen
3 tablespoon cacao powder
2 tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
1 1/2 cup almond milk (or any other dairy free milk alternative)
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Blend all ingredients together.

Ingredients.

Bubbly blend that keeps one fulfilled until the wonderful lunch time.

Vegan Mofo Post # 12: Chocolaty Pumpkin & Cherry Smoothie

An in studio beverage before

The pumpkin love continue on with a cherry twist.

I wasn't sure how this would come out. Pumpkin and cherries aren't as well known a combination as pumpkin and cranberries-- that tight fit due mostly to their positions on holiday plates. I found a lovely recipe by Nonstop Awesomeness Nathan. I fought back tumultuous jealousy at his catchy blog name whilst imagining him picking fresh cherries from his front cherry tree or the gorgeous orange color that his efforts created....

Just kidding.

I love my smoothie too. I didn't have much pumpkin puree left and used an ample amount of frozen dark sweet cherries. 

One day, I'll have a cherry tree and a large garden and everything.  

Until then. I'm a stickler for frozen fruits and celebrating my birthday with pumpkin goodies.

Chocolaty Pumpkin & Cherry Smoothie Ingredients and Preparation

1 cup almond milk

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1 1/2 cup frozen dark cherries

3 tablespoon cacao powder

2 tablespoon maple syrup

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Blend all ingredients together. Drink merrily.

Circle of love.

The perfect reprieve is a good book and a tantalizing smoothie.

Banana Tahini Smoothie

Bananas and tahini in smoothie? Who would have thought?

Warmer days call for sweet yummy beverages in tow with generous helpings of water replenishment. In the summer months, I always make sure to have plenty of bananas on hand. They are great for thickening smoothies and milkshakes. Plus the more brown spots they have, the more natural sugars will be available. I wouldn't have to add cane sugar, maple, or date syrup to these drinks thanks to bananas.
With this smoothie, a few spices and nutty flavored tahini bring together a quick, tasty refresher. The sesame seed sprinkle gives a little crunchy texture to ease out the overall creamy smoothness. 

Banana Tahini Smoothie Ingredients and Preparation

2 bananas, ripened
2 tablespoon tahini
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
pinch of cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds

Blend all ingredients (save for the optional sesame seeds) together.

Pour into desired glass and sprinkle with sesame seeds and extra cinnamon and cocoa powder.

Drink up!

Vegan Mofo Day #5: Peanut Butter Banana Shake

Yummy yum yum.

For Vegan Mofo Day #5, I confess having a late night crush. It's monstrous. Sometimes drives me a little over the edge. Funnily enough, this has nothing to do with wild chocolate cravings (which usually gain an insatiable fervor within). Obsession has involved blending together crunchy peanut butter, bananas, and almond milk-- an intriguing balanced cross between smoothie and milkshake. The saltiness from two ingredient peanut butter (peanuts and salt) combined with sweet not too ripened banana (adding thick creaminess) and almond milk (lightly cloying tying things to liquid-ly proportion) makes for a satisfying fulfillment to take sips of in both the late late night (whilst watching Netflix) and the early early morning (when fooling people into believing you're having coffee).
Peanut butter and bananas are always a treat!

Three simple ingredients make for a great instant guilty pleasure.

Peanut Butter Banana Shake Ingredients and Preparation

1 banana, not too ripe
2 tablespoon crunchy peanut butter
1 1/2 cup almond milk

Blended together-- all nice and rich.

Pour into your favorite cup.

Drink happily ever after.

The "In Solidarity Purple Rain" Smoothie

Lilac colored smoothie honor. Purple is that non-conforming color that seems to resonate with all genders.

I never meant to cause you any sorrows,
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted one time to see you laughing
I only want to see you
Laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain, purple rain.....

        - Prince Roger Nelson

Pride Day is in full swing in Philadelphia today. Celebrations included a parade, a festival, and other activities. 
Yet news of last night's senseless Orlando nightclub massacre spread like a shocking wildfire, blowing treacherous smoke up in cyber sphere, causing gut-wrenching reactions  worldwide. Vitriolic attack on the LGBT community-- inside of their safe place, their refuge-- was downright horrific, unnecessary kind of unspeakable evil. Those who perished will not ever grace their loved ones with joy, happiness, candor, and freedom. They were robbed. Stolen. Taken away.
Now we've formed a united front, at least online. Here are a few Go Fund Me links to support:

Pulse Victims Fund
Pulse Tragedy Community
#PrayForOrlando

If you're present in Orlando now, give blood, volunteer at the hospital, make cards for the victims' families, help in any way possible.
When there are no words left to convey, make a drink, raise glass to endless heavens and think about all of the wonderful, beautiful, special people lost this year-- even the ones you've never ever met.

Four ingredients only.

Purple Rain Smoothie Ingredients and Preparation

1/2 cup frozen dark sweet cherries
5- 6 strawberries
1 Daiya Greek Style Blueberry Yogurt
1 cup almond milk

Blend cherries, strawberries, Daiya Blueberry Yogurt, and almond milk together.

Raspberry & Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

A delicious four ingredient treat.

Nothing like a fruit smoothie to combat the blues.
Consuming milky products isn't usually advised-- at least I think so. Since we're all vegan around these parts-- dairy free to be exact-- no harm done. Plus, I have been a good patient, consuming soup galore, drinking fluids, and sleeping more than routine.
I neglected the Soy Chocolate Chip Cherry ice cream in the freezer, making chocolate avocado puddings, and racing down to grab the latest Dottie's Donuts (okay lying here--I did grab some, but they're in the fridge!). Instead a fruity smoothie was a more beneficial step in the healing direction. Sort of.
Recently, Daiya has released their new Greek Style Yogurts. I couldn't be happier when spying them on Whole Foods Market shelves last week! They're currently on sale 2/$3. I shall have my review up shortly. For now, it's time to celebrate a simple blended smoothie that's not too sweet and blissfully wonderful.

Raspberry & Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie Ingredients and Preparation

Daiya Greek Style Strawberry Yogurt
8 raspberries + 3 for garnish
1/2 cup almond milk (or any other dairy free alternative)
cinnamon stick (optional)

Add ingredients into blender and pulse together.
Garnish with extra raspberries and a cinnamon stick.

A few good ingredients make for an irresistible concoction.

Almost perfect.

Yummy.

Chocolate Almond Butter Cranberry Smoothie

Have no plans for leftover cranberry sauce? Well have no fear.

Yesterday was a fantastic breeze.
Participated in Blackout Black Friday. 
No shopping. No spending hard earned dollars on retail garbage. No point in all that when there's no justice in this country. Plus reading books, writing, cooking, painting, and family time were far more valuable to consume. We went to see the annual children's parade. Saw our modest city engage in igniting holiday spirit to young and old.

RTA's "Happy Holidays" green trolley bus. It's the first time its been down Third & Main for a grip. Ahem....

DP&L reminding us that heat bills will rise. Cool blue trees though.

Sesame Street characters dancing jigs.

Candy canes and "candied" trees.

Tinsel and glitter and colored lights galore-- only during the holidays does downtown Dayton look so alive and vibrant. Beautiful sight despite chilly cold.

Crowd anticipating the next surprise.

Baby Princeton upset over Auntie J leaving for school tomorrow. Just kidding. He was hungry and not used to being out at dinner time. Still. So cute. I miss him already.

So what is a vegan to do with her extra cranberry sauce? She is fresh out of Gardein Turk'y Cutlets (terrific by the way!) and there's no stuffing. Might as well make a sweetie sweetheart smoothie right? Yes, sweetie sweetheart. Cranberries are vividly red like a heart and made into a sauce-- the tartness becomes so sweet. Corny, I know, but they're cold honest facts. I figured using Wild Friends Almond Butter would be a perfect accompaniment. Never had cranberries in a smoothie-- let alone with a nut butter, especially a chocolate sunflower seed nut butter. This treat isn't for those who despise little chunky pieces of real fruit. Despite wide variety of fruit, cranberries and nut butter seeds stand out. Just the way I wanted it.

Chocolate Almond Butter Cranberry Smoothie Ingredients and Preparation

1 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
1/2 cup frozen fruit (used mix of cherries, strawberries, and blueberries)
1 banana, ripened
2 tablespoon water
1 packet Wild Friends All Natural Chocolate Sunflower Seed Almond Butter
pinch of cocoa powder

There is only one step. Blend all the ingredients together. Bam. Sweet and terrific blend of nuttiness and tart. No tofurkey required.

Amazing! Contents that didn't make blender made my greedy fingers instead. Wickedly sinful delicious discovery. Not too sweet. Specks of crunchy bliss missing from traditional smooth vegan chocolate peanut butters out there. Been dying for texture and Wild Friends delivers!

Get ready for cranberry smoothie 'staches just in time to end Movember.

Vegan Cherry Banana Yogurt Smoothie

Creamy bananas & chunky cherry pieces blend for a delightful beverage!

I am officially a moved woman now (made it down to Philadelphia safe and sound), but some upcoming recipes will be from weeks ago- seeing as I've procrastinated far too long. I need to find a book called Dummy's Guide to Time Management. That may keep me on track.
Vegan MOFO is just around the corner (3 days away!) and I've categorized AfroVeganChick into the comfort food section. Fall will be such a good time to further explore soup combinations like hearty apples with squashes or traditional broccoli cheddar. Sadly, I went to Trader Joe's yesterday and they didn't have the Soy Mozzarella Shreds. I'll be visiting Whole Foods later on to scout for Daiya, but nondairy cheese isn't that big of a concern. Soaked cashews are still beyond my favorite.
Now one of the things I really miss is the blender. It was too big to pack and left behind with a bunch of other very necessary items.
However, I remember that last smoothie- a yummy sweet taste of juicy cherries and bananas swirling amongst So Delicious Cultured Coconut Milk Yogurt in the old coconut oil jar. It had been a morning of crisp brown olive oil toast lightly greased between fingertips and a desire brewing for simple fruity concoction to drown out the crunch. Just a couple of ingredients make this perfect smoothie. So Delicious calls the Cultured Coconut Milk plain flavored, but I consider it divinely addictive, licking the little six ounce cup clean of coconut milk residue after scooping most into blender with cherries, banana, and water.  So so good!!! The cherry lover inside burst happily and took pride in this marriage to banana- a winning taste bud team worthy of reward!

Vegan Cherry Banana Yogurt Smoothie Ingredients and Preparation

Introducing So Delicious's Cultured Coconut Milk! The name speaks for itself. Yum!

2 bananas, ripened
18 cherries, pitted
1 6 oz. plain So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoon water

Blend all ingredients together.

Very sweet treat that cannot be beat!

Perfect for breakfast....

Alongside olive oil toast!

Happy International Raw Vegan Day Pumpkin and Spinach Pie Smoothie

Thick, creamy, & amazing that it must be eaten with a spoon.

Happy International Raw Vegan Day!
I'm challenging myself to eat and drink all things uncooked and unprocessed today; including having cashews on soaked mode for Raw Walnut Taco Salad for dinner (very excited!) and fresh fruit for snacking.
For breakfast is this yummy green smoothie. Sure it looks a bit slimy and gross, but it has spinach, pumpkin, oats, and frozen bananas- great ingredients right! Easy to make and a terrific start to the day- makes your belly fill full for quite a long while!

Vegan Pumpkin and Spinach Pie Smoothie

1 cup pumpkin puree
2 cups spinach
1/2 cup water
2 frozen bananas
4 dates, soaked
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves

Just blend all ingredients together until smooth.

Drink up!

Chocolate Covered Avocado, Cherry, & Blueberry Super Chill Smoothie

A delicious smoothie filled with fruity deliciousness.

Happy first day of summer everyone!
With the start of summer finally here (though the weather certainly beat solstice to a sweltering punch!), it is time to make ice creams and popsicles and smoothies galore!
This featured blended chilly treat combines bananas, Rainer and sweet dark cherries with divine cocoa, enticing Medjool dates, and creamy avocado for a thick, sinfully ice cold treat that trickles down sun parched throat as a much needed elixir and temporary reprieve from ninety degree humidity.
Stored inside of an empty Spectrum Organic Coconut Oil container and not classic mason jar, I have truly enjoyed becoming an economical spendthrift recycle savvy vegan by reusing these to house homemade beauty products and beverages. Their fourteen ounce size seems to be the ideal weight and thankfully sticky label peels away without fuss.
However, with sexy plump cherries on top, yummy smoothie still tastes just as blissful in a good ole tall glass straight from the kitchen cabinet (or dishwasher!). 

Chocolate Covered Avocado, Cherry, & Blueberry Smoothie Ingredients and Preparation

2 frozen bananas
10 pitted cherries
1/3 cup blueberries
1?2 cup almond milk
1/3 cup cocoa
4 Medjool dates, pitted and finely chopped
1 ripened avocado
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of cinnamon

Grind bananas inside blender or food processor.
Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth and slightly chunky.
Pour into a glass, top with desired fruit, and enjoy outside with the sun rays.