Easy Hazelnut Almond Butter + Bonus

‎Hazelnut Almond Butter:

I roasted about 3/4 lb raw almonds and 1/4 lb raw hazelnuts ‎at like 350F for about 20 min, stirring (mixing) halfway through. Removed the "papery skin" from the hazelnuts, and stuck the almonds and hazelnuts in the freezer for about 20 min or until cold. (This makes it easier on the Vitamix. Since its motor is powerful enough to make soup, we don't want the nuts to heat up too much.) 

Once cooled, pour nuts and sea salt, if desired, into Vitamix container and switch ON and *immediately to 10, Then HIGH speed. While using the tamper (stick thingy), put some muscle into it and mix like crazy until desired consistency. About 2 minutes, tamping throughout! 

*If you don't switch it on and immediately turn it to 10 High and tamp, I've heard it won't mix correctly. Some people have experienced a flour-like substance, which would no doubt, be delicious, but not the outcome we've expected.

Pour/spoon nut butter into airtight container, and store in refrigerator.

‎BONUS:

Before you clean your Vitamix, add these few easy ingredients for a yummmmmmy treat!

Frozen blueberries 1/4c

Frozen Red seedless Grapes 1/4c

2-3 sprigs Parsley (really ties everything together, so fresh!)

Coconut milk 1/4c

Coconut oil 2tsp

Almond Hazelnut butter (leftover after scraping blender, or add more!)

Spinach a few handfuls 

Ice 3-4 cubes

Blend to desired smoothie consistency

Oh MY, deliciousness! 

Don't forget to wash your Vitamix afterwards! ;)

Black & White Super Chili

Onion - 1 or 2 of your choice - chopped -cook first until translucent, then add the next 14 ingredients.
Black beans - 1 or two cans (You can drain/rinse if you want, I don't.)
White beans - 1 or two cans (You can drain/rinse if you want.)
Diced tomato - largish can
Tomato Paste - tiny can
Tomato Sauce - regular can (I prefer crushed tomatoes, didn't have any.)
2 Carrots - peeled, chopped or diced
1 Celery stalk - diced
Parsley - handful fresh, finely chopped
Water - as much as there is chili. Or to top of pot. It will cook down. (I've used organic vegetable broth many times. So yummy, but didn't have any on hand.)
1 can V8 vegetable juice - (Optional, but I add it for the extra sodium and delicious flavours.)
Cayenne pepper - to taste
Chili powder - to taste
Cumin - to taste
Salt (optional as beans are salty)
Pepper - to taste
*Quinoa - 1/2c dry, I used red, regular would be good, too.
*Spinach - as much as you can chop. Or frozen is fine, too!

*Add dry quinoa near the end, about an hourish left to cook. Making sure there is enough liquid left to be absorbed. (1c or so).
-May use already cooked/leftover quinoa. Add at very end so it doesn't get mushy.

*Spinach - add at the very end! =)

Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 hours. Stirring every 10-15 min so nothing burns/sticks to the bottom. I'm sure you could use a crockpot, too!

Usually takes me about 3-4 hours.

Pesto a la pasta

 I used to eat the shiz outta pesto. I put it on anything. Pasta, NAAN, chips, bread (toast), yogurt...(Just kidding). But, seriously I would put it on a lot of nommies.

Since the switch to gluten free, vegan, etc, lifestyle, I wanted to make my own safe version. I threw a bunch of stuff into the Vitamix (no measuring) and voila! Pesto. It was pretty yummy! I will definitely experiment with other ingredients and get back to you.

Chives

2 Garlic cloves
Spinach
Olive oil
Salt
Cashews
Spring mix

Yummm

So I'm discovering that basically anything is delicious with any sort of nut milk incorporated into it. I REALLY like hemp milk, but I don't often find it at a very affordable price. So....go nuts with your nut milk and throw a bunch of good stuff into your blenders and see what you can create!

Here's what I came up with

Apple
Banana
Grapes
Cucumber
Kale
Spinach
Hazelnut Milk

Autumnkin Shake

Feeling a little autumn-y, so I decided to whip up this bad boy. Give it a try and let me know what you think?

2 heaping spoonfuls of real Pumpkin (not pie mix)
1 Fuji Apple skin on
Handful of Red Grapes
2 Handfuls Spinach
1/2 Frozen Banana
Nutmeg to taste
Cinnamon to taste
Ice
Hazelnut milk

Pumpkin fiberlicous

Care for something a little bit thicker and creamier?

Apple
Flax
Pumpkin
Oats
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Hazelnut milk
Ice

Ducking Felicious.

Cherries frozen pitted

Pineapple frozen

Banana frozen

Honeydew frozen

Grapes frozen

*Top with gelled chia

*Add a bit of chia seeds to a few ounces of water and stir. Let sit for 10-15 minutes until gelled, or in fridge over night. I don't mind the bit of "crunch" that comes with not completely gelled chia seeds. =)

Enjoy this delicious treat while soaking up the desert rays! 

Coconanadew Pudding

1 Frozen Banana
1/4 cup Honeydew
Water from 1 Coconut
A few chunks of coconut
Ice

Blend

Top with chia gel!

Can you guess what's in this "Honeyloupplum" sorbet?

H-dew - a few frozen balls
Canteloupe - 1/4 cup
Pineapple - 1/4
Plum - no pit
Chia gel

Not fast enough to snap pic. ;) Wayyyy toooo yummmmyyyy,

Ice cream

Nectarine -skin on, no pit
Pineapple -frozen
Fresh Mint leaves
Ice
Hemp milk

Topped with chia

Delicioso!

Seriously way too good to (not?) share.
2 tsp Chia
Hemp milk or other
6 Grapes
1 Carrot peeled
5 Cherries pitted
1/2 Frozen Banana
2 Kale leaves
Spring mix

Blend

Quinoa Beanoa Salad

Black beans. Crushed red proper flakes. Cumin. Salt(optional). Cilantro chopped.
1/4c uncooked quinoa prepare as usual.
Juice from lemon slice
Spring mix, romaine mix, spinach
Tomato


The only thing I would add is an avocado, but sadly mine aren't ripe yet!

Makes a LARGE meal!

Happy Fourth of July!

What a deliciously, thick and creamy, dreamy way to wake up on this beautiful Fourth of July!

Here's to you!

Hemp milk
2 tsp Chia
6 Grapes
1 Carrot
1 Peach - no pit
3 chunks frozen Pineapple
1/2 frozen Banana
2-3 Kale leaves
Spring mix packed to top!
Ice if not using fruit that is frozen