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Beverages

Vegan Eggnog

December 20, 2012
vegan-eggnog

The holidays are upon us and I felt it fitting to recreate a traditional beverage that can be enjoyed by the entire family. I’ve spent the last few days perfecting a recipe for vegan eggnog that is quick, easy to make, delicious and authentic. I think I got it. I even got the seal of approval from the resident recipe tester (my boyfriend).

It’s incredibly rich, decadent, and will be sure to impress at any holiday parties. Unlike other eggnogs, it’s not too sweet and has a nice delicate nutmeg flavor. It’s up to you whether you “spike” it or not.

christmas-vegan-eggnog

Vegan Eggnog

Raw, Gluten-free & Vegan

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups almonds, soaked in water for 8 hours then drained
  • 3 cups pure water
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup (or 4 – 6 Medjool dates, pitted)
  • 1 Tbsp. coconut butter or oil, melted
  • 1 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • pinch ground cloves
  • dash of sea salt

Directions:

  1. Add almonds and water in to a blender for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Strain mixture using a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer to make an almond milk base for the eggnog. Discard almond pulp (or save for almond pulp crackers.)
  3. Rinse out blender and pour almond milk back in. Blend the rest of the ingredients with the milk until smooth and delicious. Place in the fridge until cold and serve.

 

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Açaí Smoothie

October 25, 2012
acai-smoothie

Personally I need routine and especially a morning one. It helps me to feel grounded and stable – two things that are vital to my overall wellness. There is something quite special about creating space in the morning for you to experience just for yourself. Lacing up my sneakers and hitting the pavement first thing in the morning is (nearly) the daily norm for me. After completing my morning training session I feel alert and ready for the day. With the Dublin Marathon only four days away, I’m tapering on the training while loading up on tons of nutrients.

Want to know my secret weapon? Meet my latest obsession, the Açaí Smoothie! Açaí (pronounced “Ah-Sigh-EE”) is a Brazilian superfruit berry that grows on palm trees in Central and South America. It tastes like a mix between bitter chocolate and blueberries and it has the highest content of antioxidants in any fruit.

Often touted as a “superfood” by marketers, these berries have high levels of antioxidants that protect cells, reduce the effects of aging and may decrease the risk of some diseases (including heart disease and cancer). But beyond their antioxidant benefits, I enjoy açaí berries because of their rich and almost chocolatey flavor. The berries have a unique but delicious taste – and, they make for a great breakfast, dessert or post-workout snack.

superfood-acai-smoothie

Açaí Smoothie

Vegan, Raw & Gluten-free
Makes 1 large smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp. Açaí powder
  • 1 cup non-dairy milk, water or juice (I used water)
  • 1 banana
  • 1 apple, cored and sliced
  • 1 cup frozen berries (I used raspberries)
  • sprinkle of hemp seeds (optional)

Directions:

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
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Sweet Tart Juice

September 6, 2012
sweet-tart-juice

You want to know a funny thing about Irish people? They always talk about the weather. Always. Come rain or come shine, they will talk about it. Several times each day. It’s one of the first things they mention when arriving at work, buying lunch, taking a taxi or meeting a friend in town. And since I find myself progressing into Irish ways, I’ve decided to tell you about the weather we’ve been experiencing in Cork this week. It has been a little bit chilly during my early morning runs, but we’ve had blue skies and pretty nice temperatures. The perfect weather for lounging outside.

Here in Ireland we didn’t experience much of a summer, just rain upon rain. As soon as September arrived it seems so has our Indian Summer. You could have bet your bottom dollar (or euro) that this would happen after such a non-event of a summer – the kids go back to school and everyone’s knuckling down again, then the weather takes a turn for the better. I think it is a real treat to be savored and it makes reading a book in the sunshine a particular pleasure.

I created a refreshing summer drink that tastes surprisingly like Sweet Tarts – those mouth-puckering candies of childhood. A whole lemon tart up this juicy blend of apple, pineapple and kiwi, while carrot sweetens the affair. It’s candy in a glass. Enjoy this summer-inspired drink for your weekend barbeques, picnics, parties or just while hanging out with friends this weekend.

Sweet Tart Juice

Ingredients:

  • 1 apple
  • 4 carrots
  • 1/2 small pineapple
  • 2 kiwis, peeled
  • 1 whole lemon, peeled

Directions:

  1. Place everything in juicer and enjoy!

* Serve it frozen or chilled for extra perk.

 

(Photo Credit: my sister, Jenny Norris – jjnorris.com)

4 Comments

White Sangria Sparkler

July 4, 2012
white-sangria-sparkler

In honor of Independence Day, I present to you: White Sangria Sparkler. Drink to your health in more ways than one with this pleasing potion! My version of Sangria is simple: white wine, sparkling water and some fruit. This is an immediate show stopper when entertaining. It’s also incredibly crisp and refreshing, an absolute must to help cool you down on those sticky summer nights. Though we don’t get many of those type of nights in Ireland, I know at home in Iowa right now temperatures are in the upper 90s. I look forward to sipping on a few of these when I’m home for a visit next week.

Control and moderation are part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and, as long as you don’t go nuts, there are drinks out there, such as this one, which won’t put too much of a dent in your healthy aspirations. Actually, one recent study suggests that adding alcohol to fruit may increase its antioxidant power. If you prefer to drink a virgin cocktail, I’ve included a non-alcoholic “mocktail” version of the recipe as well, so either way – cheers!

white-sangria-sparkler-cocktail

White Sangria Sparkler

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 bottles of crisp white wine (I used 1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 pint raspberries
  • 2 nectarines, sliced
  • 2 kiwis
  • 1 liter sparkling water
  • ice
  • several sprigs of mint

Directions:

  1. Place all fruit in a large pitcher or bowl, add wine and refrigerate for 3 hours (or longer) for the flavors to meld.
  2. When ready to serve, add sparkling water and ice. Garnish with fruit and mint.

sangria-cocktail

Sangria Sparkler Mocktail

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle sparkling water or sparkling grape juice
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 pint raspberries
  • 2 nectarines, sliced
  • 2 kiwis
  • ice
  • several sprigs of mint

Directions:

  1.  Combine sparkling water/juice and fruit in a large pitcher or punch bowl.
  2. Serve in wine glasses or champagne flutes with plenty of ice and fruit for garnish. Top with mint.

Cool tip: Freeze some of the fruit and add it right before serving so they act as ice cubes in the Sangria.

To my readers in America, wishing you a very happy and safe 4th of July! I hope you enjoy your time spent outside sipping on this drink, relaxing and catching up with friends.

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