Browsing Tag:

cashews

Drinks/ Healthy Eating/ RECIPES

Creamy Chocolate Covered Cashew Smoothie

CREAMY-CHOCOLATE-COVERED-CASHEW-SMOOTHIE

 

School is back in session & I’m enjoying getting back into a fall routine!   I find myself exhaling as I settle in and get busy doing the things I feel I am most gifted at doing — blogging and being a Mom!

For me, part of being a Mom with kids who are back-to-school is making sure they have a nutritious snack to come home to.  My kids come home famished and go straight away into the kitchen looking for something to eat.

I try to have several healthy options for them, but one favorite option is a smoothie. I love whipping up a smoothie for them, as long as they are nutritious. I like having something that has both fiber and protein in it, that will fill their bellies and renew their energy until dinnertime.

This Creamy Chocolate Covered Cashew Smoothie tastes decadent and you would never guess how nutritious it is.

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Check out the nutrition in this shake:

Cashew Butter = protein

Banana = fiber & potassium

Cocoa = antioxidants

Cashews = more protein!

Oats = whole grain fiber

Honey = a natural sweetener with antioxidants

Cocoa Nibs =heaps of antioxidants & considered a superfood!

Silk Chocolate Cashewmilk = a non-dairy, gluten-free, verified non-GMO, lactose free, no preservative or artificial colors or flavors, cholesterol-free milk

Pretty impressive, huh?  My blender is big enough to double the recipe to make smoothies for 4.  I like to whip them up ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator in mason jars for my girls to just grab and go!

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Creamy Chocolate Covered Cashew Smoothie

{makes 2 – 15 oz smoothies}

1/4 cup cashew butter (or almond butter or peanut butter)
1 banana
1 tbsp cocoa
1/2 cup cashews
1 cup oats
1 1/2  cup Silk Chocolate Cashewmilk
2 Tbsp honey
1 cup ice

Optional: cocoa nibs

Add all ingredients to the blender.  Use a high-speed blender for best results.  If you don’t have a high-speed blender, let the oats and cashews sit in the milk for a few minutes to soften.  Blend until smooth.  Add more Silk Chocolate Cashewmilk  if needed.  Consistency is right when a vortex forms in the blender and contents move freely.

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Let’s talk a bit more about Silk Cashewmilk.  It comes in 4 flavors: Original, Unsweetened, Vanilla & Chocolate.  It is a great, super creamy but calorie-conscious, alternative to dairy milk.

Visit Silk Cashewmilk website to sign up for registration, get a coupon & find lots more dreamy, creamy cashewmilk recipes!

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What are your favorite nutritious, after-school snacks?

This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

 

Drinks/ RECIPES

Chocolate Cashew Mocha Smoothie

chocolate cashew mocha smoothie

This has been my go-to smoothie when I need a creamy and decadant snack.  I love coffee and chocolate together, and the soaked cashews give this smoothie an amazing creamy texture.  It is  dessert-like, but so filling, and packs a great protein punch with 5 grams of protein.  I love when my desserts are not just empty calories but actually have some nutritional value.

Not only are the cashews a healthful whole food, but cacao nibs are considered a superfood.  Cacao nibs are my new favorite food, and they contain heaps of anti-oxidants to boot!  They add a great texture to smoothies that reminds me of little chocolate chip bits. They are not sweet, but add a great chocolatey flavor to this smoothie.

Coffee Cashew Smoothie

via Shape.com

 The creamy texture in this decadent drink comes courtesy of the cashews, which also add 5 grams of protein to help keep your blood sugar—and hunger—steady, Brazier says.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup cashews, soaked six hours or overnight (just add water to cover nuts and refrigerate)
1/2 banana, peeled and chopped (frozen optional)
1 tablespoon cacao nibs
1/2 cup Ice
1/4 cup cooled coffee
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 tablespoon coconut sugar (optional, or sweetener of choice)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

I added a bit of almond butter & cocoa nibs on top for pretty.

Nutrition score per serving: 361 calories, 7.5g protein

 

RECIPES/ Sides

A Healthy & Delicious “Cheese” Dip Made From Cashews

Cheese dip made from cashews

There are times when I surprise even myself with how good a healthy recipe can taste!  This dairy-free nacho cheese dip is one of those recipes.  My family cannot get enough of this dip, and my husband said it has better flavor than the typical nacho dip.  That comment made me very, very happy.

Ingredients for cashew dip
{Corn & Bean Salsa from Trader Joes, Seasoned Refried Beans from Trader Joes, Brown Rice cooked in a rice cooker with a can of Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilis}

This dip is healthy and makes me completely at peace when serving my family nachos for dinner.  They think they are getting a treat, when really they are getting a protein & fiber packed healthy meal.

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Tomatoes

The recipe uses cashews as the base.  If you soak your cashews overnight in water, the dip will be smooth & creamy.  I usually skip this step as we don’t mind if our dip is not smooth.  It is pretty common in the ‘raw foods’ world to use raw nuts as the base to make cream sauces.  Since going dairy free in our family, I have used this idea a few times, and have loved the results every time.

TRY THIS recipe!  I think you will love it.

It is easy.
It is healthy.
It makes you feel like you are indulging.
It is DELISH!

Blending cashew dip

No dairy cheese dip
No Dairy ‘Cheese’ Dip Made From Cashews

{Inspired by Happy Herbivores Vegan Nachos}

1/2 cup raw cashews
4 tbsp nutritional yeast (adds a great ‘cheesy’ flavor and Vit B-12!)
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/3 cups plant-based milk (I use almond)
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
a dash of cayenne pepper

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy.
Transfer to a sauce pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally and allowing the flavors to mesh, about 8 minutes.

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