Healthy Skin Smoothie

I am a big believer that good health shows in your skin. Everything from stress to loss of sleep, bad eating habits to lazy skincare routines all show on your face. Of course there are genetic components, but there is much we can do to keep ourselves looking and feeling good. If you are already vegan you have done a lot for yourself, but there is more you can do. I firmly believe that it all starts with healthy habits and good food is on the top of that list. Below is a great healthy skin smoothie geared to help you focus on your overall well-being while honing on nutrients that will give you that vegan glow.

Ingredients:
1 c light vanilla soy milk (soy is an great source of dietary protein, including all essential amino acid)
1/2 c Silken tofu (soy is also a source of lecithin)
2  tsp ground flaxseed meal (omega 3s fight inflammation)
1 T  Almond butter (for antioxidants and a great source of Vitamin E)
1/4 c pineapple (vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium)
1/2 c canned yams, I won't judge you for using candied yams (high in antioxidants)
Ice to your liking

1. Toss everthying into a blender and blend until combined.
2.Drink it up!
~Maria Rose

Sneaky Smoothie for Kids (and Adults)

~Maria Rose


***Bonus: As you experiment with this recipe you can increase certain ingredients (spinach) as your child gets used to it.

Best Tasting Vegan Protein Powders + Top Vegan Protein Smoothies

Chocolate Almond Breeze Smoothie from LoveAndLemons.com

As a distance runner I had all but given up hope that I would ever find a decent tasting vegan protein powder. Chalky, dry, odd tasting and slimy, the old school supplements made drinking a smoothie more of a chore than a treat. 

Last year my world was transformed by two of new vegan protein powders: Vega and Raw Protein. 

Vega is the brainchild of Brendan Brazier, a professional vegan endurance athlete who was frustrated when he could only find whey-based or soy-based protein powders to supplement his diet while training. The story of how Vega came to be is an epic adventure (read about it here), but suffice to say the end result is one of the most spectacular protein powders on the market (vegan or not). 

This is one powerful blend of plant protein free of dairy, gluten and soy and chock full of a hundred other good-for-yous like antioxidants, greens, probiotics and no sugar. The three flavors--chocolate, vanilla chai and berry--are robust and there is no chalky residue to glue your mouth together. Blended with a little almond milk and a banana, there is no better post-workout pick me up.

I came across Raw Protein when I started experimenting with a raw food diet. Made from raw, organic sprouts and with 17 grams of protein per 22g, I was pleasantly surprised with the raw, vegan, organic, gluten free, probiotic formula, which is smooth and has a lovely flavor. It comes in chocolate, vanilla, chai and original flavor. The vanilla makes an epic Thai Tea Coconut Protein Smoothie.

I spend a lot of my time running and following those runs with protein smoothies so I have had a lot of hit or miss smoothies in my time. Here are a few of my favorites. If it doesn't call for protein powder I just add a scoop of whatever seems appropriate.

Decadent Chocolate Almond Smoothie from LoveandLemons.com

Fall Favorite Pumpkin Pie Smoothie from OhSheGlows.com

Fresh and Clean Vegan Mango Coconut Green Smoothie from KitchenTreaty.com

For a Different Kind of Workout: Aphrodisiac Super Smoothie from Lifeologia.com

Chocolate and Cinnamon are SO GOOD in this Mexican Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie from OhMyVeggies.com

A Childhood Favorite Grown Up: Orange Julius Smoothie from GirlMakesFood.com

{Kate}

Thai Tea Coconut Protein Smoothie: An afternoon pick me up

recipe moved to littlethingsarebig.com