Green smoothie - My Wholefood Romance

Chia Puddings!

June 10, 2013 By Meg With 10 comments

Chia Pudding

Chia puddings are everywhere at the moment, and for good reason too! They are quick, easy and a great way to incorporate the goodness of chia into your diet. Chia seeds are packed with calcium, magnesium, antioxidants, protein, fibre, and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. You can easily add them to almost anything (smoothies, desserts, salads, etc) but be warned as they do have the ability to absorb a lot of moisture. This means that if you add some to your green smoothie, drink it fairly promptly or you will need to attack it with a spoon! In this way though, it is particularly useful as an egg replacement in baking for vegans or those with allergies.

Above is one of my favourite chia puddings, styled to the max by the amazing Nancy Chalmers for my contribution to her eBook over at Wolf and Willow Blog. And below is my attempt at photography…
layeredchiapudding

Either way, it’s a delicious outcome! And one of the best things about making chia puddings is that you can add anything you like. If you don’t want to layer the pudding, just mix everything together and enjoy as a chaotic colourful pudding!

Here’s how to make this baby.

Layered Chia Pudding

Serves 1
3 tbs chia seeds
1 cup coconut milk, or almond milk / milk of your choice
½ tsp acai or macqui powder*
A handful of almonds
½ ripe banana, sliced
2 tbs pepitas
2 tbs buckwheat
A handful of coconut flakes
1 tbs bee pollen (optional)
2 tbs berries (optional)

Place the chia seeds and milk in a jar and soak for 5-10 minutes. At this point, give the mix a good stir to further combine. Pop the lid on and leave for at least another 20 minutes, or overnight …

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Child friendly ‘green’ smoothies, and a Green Smoothie Challenge Update

January 13, 2013 By Meg With 2 comments

It’s day 12 of the Green Smoothie Challenge, almost half way!! I hope that those who have decided to give it a go are noticing the benefits! As a serial ‘kale/orange/ginger/version of’ smoothie junkie, I have found the challenge fantastic as it encourages me to branch out and invent new combos. Probably my favourite this week has been this basil, mango, lemon, passionfruit number below – recipe on the .

The next part of the challenge, starting tomorrow, is to rotate your greens! Whilst I am a kale over-user, typically others get stuck on spinach. Take this opportunity to mix it up a bit and throw in some rocket, bok choy, celery, beetroot leaves, green herbs (basil, parsley, coriander, mint) and cos lettuce / romaine, along with spinach and kale. Rotating them in this increases the diversity of nutrients that you are taking in, making sure you are not missing out!

Image from Simple Green Smoothies

I am a big fan of smoothies for kids. When my little one was small(er), her favourite thing was a blueberry, banana and coconut milk smoothie that I used to make her. It’s a fabulous way of keeping the good fats, vitamins and minerals going in during a time when eating is a bit comme ci comme ca. I am yet to get her to try one of my kale numbers, but she is happy to have a go at this Spinach, Berry, Banana smoothie as pictured above.

And what a fantastic hit of nutrients for little ones! Sure, it’s not exactly green, but it is delicious!

Kids Berry Spinach Smoothie

1 orange
1 cup of berries
1/2 large or one small banana
2 big handfuls of spinach
1/2 cup coconut water or water
Blend, serve, awesome!
Or, make this into ‘icy

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Happy New Year, starting with a Green Smoothie Challenge!

January 2, 2013 By Meg With 1 comment

Happy New Year everyone! I have taken a mini-break from everything, but am back on board and so inspired and excited about 2013! I have a great feeling that this is going to be a spectacular year. Why not start off on a good note and join me in this 30 day green smoothie challenge – starting today! As you already know, I am a huge fan of green smoothies. It is the single most effective blanket ‘prescription’ that I most commonly recommend for patients. Simply by adding them to your diet you can increase your energy levels, improve digestion and elimination, support kidney and liver function, boost immunity, encourage clear, glowing skin, and enjoy a general sense of improved wellbeing. Tell me a pill that does that without side effects and I will eat my hat! In each serving you are drinking in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, fibre, and living plant love goodness!! Think of them as a multivitamin in a glass – but better! In as little as 15 minutes the green gorgeousness is into your cells to nourish, replenish, cleanse and energise – BAM!

And guess what – it’s so our lucky day!! The beautiful people at Simple Green Smoothies have created a 30 day challenge, so that we can all show our outpourings of love for green liquid! Or maybe that’s just me… Either way, get on board! All you need is a blender, some fresh produce, and the will add green smoothies to your diet every day for 30 days. The link will take you to the sign up page where you can download a recipe ebook to get you started – all for free, hooray!

I will be posting regular updates on to keep you inspired and blending away.

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Liquid gold! Drinkable snacks, including a convertible chocolate shake.

November 5, 2012 By Meg With 3 comments

I have recently acquired a new blender, and so needless to say, there has been a LOT of blending going on in our house! And juicing. How beautiful is this juice above?! Who knew kale, cucumber, celery, carrot, beetroot, mint and ginger could be so GORGEOUS? I suspect many of us did!

Green smoothies have to be THE greatest drinkable snack in my opinion. It’s quick, versatile, fabulously nutritious, and gives you a nourishing little energy boost. I have been dining out on this spicy green smoothie this week – give it a go!

Spicy Green Smoothie
Handful of kale/spinach/greens
1/2 apple or orange
1/4 cup frozen berries
1/4 banana
1/4 – 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
1/2 cup coconut water or filtered water
Blend and love! This is not the greenest of green smoothies due to the different coloured ingredients, but she’s just delightful!

Next up is a ripper of a convertible chocolate milkshake, without the dairy and packed with goodness! Hooray! Leftovers? (not likely) Convert it to a choc-mint mousse, oh yes! This thick shake is packed with protein and good fat, which is exactly what you should be looking for in a sustaining snack. The protein will stave off the sugar cravings and balance your blood sugar, and the healthy fats will fill your tummy and keep you satisfied.

Raw Chocolate Good Shake
1 large frozen banana (the frozen part is important to get the right taste and texture at the end
1/4 cup cashews – soaked for at least 2 hours, preferably 4 hours (or other nut of your choice – macadamias would be fab)
1 avocado
2 tbs raw cacao
2 tbs agave or maple syrup
1 1/4 cups nut milk, or water
A pinch of sea salt
A few ice cubes

Blend, thin out