I am avoiding processed sugar for a bit. I went a bit crazy with snacking on fun holiday treats and found myself having major sugar cravings. Because of this, I have been looking for creative, whole food ways to sweeten up my food, and fruit purees have been a great way to do just that!
This one starts with a cup of frozen, organic raspberries.
I added 2 dates to help with the tartness that frozen raspberries often have.
Dates are amazingly sweet and a great way to add sweet in a nutritional way.
Don’t forget to take the pits out! I left them in the first time I ever used dates in a recipe and my food processor was not happy with me.
Add a cup of filtered water. Mason jars make a great liquid measure cup, as they are marked on the outside.
A good **blender is key to getting smooth purees, but if you don’t have one, don’t let that stop you from making this. It will just be a bit more ‘seedy.’
Such a pretty color!
I used some of this puree on my chia oats, shared a shot of it’s goodness with my little one, then drank the rest. It was so refreshing, with the perfect balance of sweet & tart.
Have you made my chia oat recipe yet? You can throw it together the night before, OR, if you do it in the morning just let it sit for at least 15 minutes for he oats to soften and the chia to expand. You eat this cold. If you are new to chia, you might want to read my post on 13 Ways Favorite Ways To Eat Chia.
I had my chia oats with raspberry puree, and Avery had hers with peanut butter and honey.
Delicious!
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Chia seeds and I are like best friends. I try to enjoy them everyday.
Why?
~the are jammed packed with protein and minerals and healthy fats and fiber
~they provide more plant based Omega 3’s than any other food, even FLAX
~5 times the calcium of milk, plus boran which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium to bones
~8 times the omega 3’s found in salmon
~3 times more iron than spinach
~2 times the amount of potassium than bananas
~more antioxidants than found in blueberries
~they have 5 GRAMS of fiber PER TABLESPOON!
~the are a complete source of protein, providing all the essential amino acids
~can be stored for years without deterioration of flavor or color
~they are flavorless and dissolve in juice, soups, stews, shakes etc..
~they are low calorie way to get super FULL!
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**A Little Bit About Blenders
Professional Grade High Speed Blender
Some of the best money I have ever spent!
This is the model I have. I drooled over it for a couple of years!
It was a splurge, but worth EVERY penny. I use it 2-3 times a day.
It makes crushed ice in seconds. It takes almonds to almond butter in seconds. It makes the best raspberry fruit purees for pancakes and ice cream–obliterates all those little seeds into smooth puree heaven! We are eating 3 times the amount of fruits and veggies since purchasing this amazing blender, which I know is keeping us out of the doctors’ office and away from those expensive co-pays, so in my mind it has paid itself off.
I’ve never used one, but have heard good things about them. They are not professional grade like the Vitamix, but the price is much easier to swallow and they are powerful.
{my old Oster on the left, my New Vitamix on the right}
I had one of these for years and it does the job. You can’t beat the price, and for smoothies, it works, although you have to blend much longer. You will still have chia and raspberry seeds in your smoothies, but if you don’t mind the extra texture, this one will do. If you have had a high speed blender, you will not be happy with this one. If you are looking for something to get by until you can get a high speed blender, and to just get those smoothies in you, this will do just fine.
