11/16 Smoothie: Call Me Flowers!

I don’t know about you, but discovering edible flowers for the first time was a delightful surprise. Some are better than others; these beauties make me completely forget that I am about to indulge in something healthy. That’s why you are here, to add this and that to make this with flowers on top. Right?!

11/16 Smoothie: Call Me Flowers!

Ingredients

1 thumb size knob of fresh ginger

1 cup of fresh spinach

1 cup of frozen pitted black cherries

1 cup of pineapple juice

1/2 cup of vanilla oat milk

1 scoop of Agent Nateur & Dr. Will Cole holi (mane)

1 scoop Sprout Living Epic Protein vanilla lucuma protein powder

2 edible flowers jacobs farms

Method

Blend all ingredients until smooth. I use a Cuisinart blender with a smoothie cylinder and blend using the smoothie setting.

Glass: bucket glass

Garnish: 2 edible flowers

Where to buy the goods? Blending machines and protein powders and..

Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront

*please know I may receive commissions from eligible purchases

11/16 Smoothie: Call Me Flowers!

I don’t know about you, but discovering edible flowers for the first time was a delightful surprise. Some are better than others; these beauties make me completely forget that I am about to indulge in something healthy. That’s why you are here, to add this and that to make this with flowers on top. Right?!

11/16 Smoothie: Call Me Flowers!

Ingredients

1 thumb size knob of fresh ginger

1 cup of fresh spinach

1 cup of frozen pitted black cherries

1 cup of pineapple juice

1/2 cup of vanilla oat milk

1 scoop of Agent Nateur & Dr. Will Cole holi (mane)

1 scoop Sprout Living Epic Protein vanilla lucuma protein powder

2 edible flowers jacobs farms

Method

Blend all ingredients until smooth. I use a Cuisinart blender with a smoothie cylinder and blend using the smoothie setting.

Glass: bucket glass

Garnish: 2 edible flowers

Where to buy the goods? Blending machines and protein powders and..

Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront

*please know I may receive commissions from eligible purchases

Morning Smoothie

Morning Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup frozen raspberries

2 Navitas frozen coconut pouches

1 cup cucumber infused water

1 scoop of SAKARA chocolate protein powder

1 scoop marine collagen powder

Method

For the cucumber-infused water, wash and slice one cucumber. Size doesn’t matter here. More cucumber equals more flavor, less cucumber equals less flavor. Or just add the whole cucumber, as you prefer. Add some salt, toss it into the water, and let it sit refrigerated for several hours. It’s best prepared in advance. Well worth it. Once infused, add it to a blender.

Add the remaining ingredients to the blending machine. Blend until smooth. Pour into glass of choice.

Bar Chef Note: It’s best to start layering ingredients by beginning with liquids, then adding half of the frozen fruits, followed by powders, and finally the remaining frozen fruits. I must confess, most of the time I start with water and then add the rest of the ingredients. However, let me know in the comments below if this order makes a difference for you. The order in which you blend the ingredients and the size or amount of cucumber(s) used.

Glass: silver coupe glass with ribbon (I have been saving velvet ribbons from packages. This one is a pink velvet. Isn’t it perfect.)

Garnish: none

Where to buy the goods and stuff? Ribbons, silver goblets, blé ding machines, protein powders are available on Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront, of course.

*please know I may receive commissions on eligible purchases

All Cherries and a Little Bit of Chocolate Smoothie

Life is but a bowl of cherries – or in this case, a cherry smoothie. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear this was a milkshake, but not sickly sweet. Surprise! It doesn’t have any milk at all. It’s so easy that you’ll definitely want to add this to your smoothie rotation. You’re going to love it!

All Cherries and a Little Bit of Chocolate Smoothie

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups frozen black cherries and about 8-10 for the topping (Whole Goods Market/Amazon Fresh)

1 tablespoon of Navitas cocoa nibs

1 scoop of Sakara Metabolism Super Powder

1 scoop of holi (mane) Agent Nateur & Dr. Will Cole marine collagen powder

1 teaspoon of Ceylon ground cinnamon

2 dashes of cayenne pepper

1 cup of water

Method

Add all ingredients to a blending machine and blend until smooth. Pour into a bucket glass.

Glass: Bucket glass

Garnish: Cocoa nibs and frozen cherries

Where I get the glasses blenders and other supplies? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront, of course. Please know I may earn commission from eligible purchases.

mandarin freezy

Okay, hear me out on this one. I’m certain some of you might think this sounds like salad dressing or that saffron is expensive, or maybe you think this sounds amazing. It is all of those things. Everyone keeps saying to put out your best work, blah blah blah, well, I don’t know what is my best work, but what I do know is that these photos may not be amazing (lighting is different for each of them) but you should be drinking this drink. So, here are the photos for now and the recipe for the drink. I drank the second test recipe out of the Cuisinart cylinder, and I don’t like the glass pictured here. It’s a port-style glass, and but ordinarily, a bucket glass would be used. I don’t think the glass will change the flavor, so use whatever glass you want. Garnish with the top of a mandarin orange.

Ingredients

1 heaping tablespoon ish of Nutritional Yeast

5 peeled and frozen mandarins

1/2 cup of PITAYA FOODS frozen aloe chunks

10 raw walnut halves

Several strands of saffron, a small pinch is several

1/8 -1/4 teaspoon.. think a dash and I mean a dash of apple cider vinegar as to not over power the drink

1/4 teaspoon dried turmeric powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (activates the turmeric)

2 tablespoons of Erewhon sage honey or honey of choice this is more for taste and added sweetness

Water for fluidity. I eyeballed the amount. Less creates a thicker consistency similar to sorbet and more for more of a shake consistency.

Method

Wash and peel mandarins. Add them to a container and place them in the freezer. Once frozen, remove them and add them to a blender. Add the remaining ingredients to the same blender. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into a glass of your choice and enjoy. A tangy, sweet, earthy, and good-for-you goodness in a glass.

Blonde Behind the Bucket

Where to buy the goods? Glasses, blending machines and such? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront, of course.

*I may receive commissions for eligible purchases. Thank you.

Oh, and this paper came from a company called Wall Pick. You can also purchase similar items from my store front link above listed in category Photography. The oranges can be peeled off the paper, added to any walls, and easily removed and reused. How cool is that? That’s originally why I bought them, as my kitchen needed a little something, but then I had the idea – a photo backdrop! What do you think? Leave comments below. Thank you!

Almond Milk Joins the Party..

Soaking the almonds..You know what that means…More than five almonds in the almond milk.

Up until recently I had been having almond milk delivered to me. Things changed. I wanted better quality for my recipes anyway. Making it at home is easier than you may think. Creamy, full-flavored smoothies, cocktails, and more are now in your future.

Start of the almond soaking process

Ingredients:

– 2 cups of raw almonds

– 4 cups of water (extra 2 cups to add after final strain to create a thinner milk)

– 1/8 tablespoon of pink salt

– 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla paste

Method:

1. Soak the almonds in water overnight or for at least 6-8 hours in a covered bowl in or out of the refrigerator. This helps soften the almonds for blending and improves the texture of the almond milk. Got time constraints? 4 hours will do, but 6-8 hours is best.

2. Discard the soaking water and rinse the almonds.

3. In a blender, combine the soaked almonds, 4 cups of fresh water, pink salt, and vanilla paste.

4. Blend on high speed for 2-3 minutes until the almonds are finely ground and the mixture is smooth.

5. Strain the almond mixture through a nut milk bag or a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl or pitcher.

6. Squeeze and press the almond pulp to extract as much liquid as possible.

7. Transfer the almond milk to a sealed container and refrigerate. Shake well before serving. Lasts 3-5 daysish.

Bar chef note: Add extra 2 cups of water after straining for a thinner milk more quantity milk. Leftover almond pulp can be frozen and used in various food and drink recipes. Adding extra vanilla paste, salt, and date syrup are excellent options after straining.

Note: There are some exceptional brands on the market (obviously), but I promise you won’t regret making your own almond milk.

Where can you buy the goods? You know, wide-mouth jars, almonds, nut milk bags, bowls, and stuff? Blonde Behind the Storefront, of course. Please note that I earn commissions on eligible items. Thank you.

Cheers!

A Morning Fully Loaded Smoothie

What we do when we are well affects us when we are not well. Most of the time. I think about adding many of the things my intuition nudges me to do.

This morning, I enjoyed a water-based drink with frozen pineapple and raspberries. I included two types of collagen powders (Vital and Agent Nature holi (mane)), two types of protein powders, SAKARA metabolism mix (cocoa bean powder, coconut milk powder, coconut sugar, monk fruit, horsetail powder, laminaria kelp powder, black pepper, Gymnema Sylvester), and SAKARA protein and greens mix (spirulina, pumpkin seeds, pea protein, hemp protein, wheatgrass, barley grass, chlorella, coconut sugar, coconut milk powder, stevia leaf extract), matcha powder, three drops of liquid vitamin D/K2, 200+ manuka honey, chia seeds, cocoa nibs, and white sesame seeds.

I made some great ones this week on the fly. This one is an obviously fully loaded smoothie to get me through a fully loaded morning. I found it worth sharing. The pineapple and raspberry flavors provide a sweet-tart zing, while the matcha powder adds just enough oomph. The seeds keep it unboring, and the honey adds perfect sweetness. Vitamin D; I certainly don’t get enough.

Some ingredients break down also worth mention in case you’re not familiar. What do I mean? The difference between types honey or types of ingredients incorporated into smoothie powders.

What is the difference between manuka honey and your regular honey? Welp, although I did attend a beekeeping class for a season several years ago and can test for mites in a hive, I still had to ask this question.

Manuka honey is a type of honey that is produced in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the manuka bush. It is known for its unique flavor and potential health benefits, including antibacterial properties. Regular honey is produced by bees from the nectar of various flowers and plants. The main difference between manuka honey and regular honey is basically the source of the nectar and the specific properties attributed to manuka honey. One of mine has bee pollen mixed inside the actual honey. Manuka honeys are high levels of methylglyoxal. I had to look that up. Higher levels of methylglyoxal means higher levels of antibacterial properties. Manuka honey is also typically more expensive than regular honey due to its specialized production process and perceived health benefits. I love honey and our little honey bees. I certainly recommend beekeeping for a season. If you can.

Then comes the protein powders. SAKARA Metabolism contains L-Glutamine which promotes healthy gut, horsetail eases bloating , kelp and Gymena Sylvestre is an Ayurvedic herb that supports in curbing cravings as well as cortisol levels. Says so on the packaging.

SAKARA Protein & Greens detoxifies and energizes with its pumpkin hemp pea wheatgrass barley spirulina blend. This blend used to have sesame seeds which they have taken out but I add back in often. I recommend this. I wrote to them asking what was different. They told me so.

Oh and least not the matcha powder. There are many types. Daily to the ceremonial. I only have ceremonial left in my inventory. Into the smoothie it went. Oomph. Oh and what’s the difference in the matcha powders?

Ceremonial grade matcha (the most vibrant in color) is the highest quality and most expensive type of matcha powder. Been my experience this far. It is made from the youngest tea leaves, which are shade-grown to enhance flavor and nutrient content. Daily, or culinary matcha is a lower quality (this doesn’t mean bad) and more affordable type of matcha powder. It is made from more mature tea leaves and may not be shade-grown, resulting in a slightly bitter taste and a less vibrant green color. It is more suitable for cooking and baking purposes, such as adding to smoothies, desserts, and savory dishes.

Touching base on the collagen. Not all collagen powders are alike. Marine collagen powder is derived from marine sources like fish and is known for its bioavailability and skin benefits, while bovine collagen powder is sourced from cows and offers benefits for joint, bone, and gut health. The choice between marine and bovine collagen powders often depends on individual dietary preferences and health goals. I use marine collagen daily. Agent Nateur and Great Lakes Wellness are my favorites.

A Morning Fully Loaded Smoothie

Ingredients

1 scoop SAKARA Metabolism

1 scoop SAKARA Protein & Greens

1 scoop of Agent Nateur (Holi) mane collagean powder

1 heaping spoonful of 200+Manuka honey

1-2 teaspoon(s) of Hikari matcha powder

1/2 cup of Whole Foods 365 brand frozen pineapple chunks

1/2 cup Whole Foods 365 brand frozen raspberries

3 drops of Thorne liquid vitamin D/K2

1/2 cup of filtered water

1 teaspoon of each cocoa nibs, white sesame seeds, and chia seeds for the garnish. These babies are antioxidant-filled goodness adding crunch and texture, keeping each sip interesting

Method

Add all ingredients to blending tumbler. Blend until smooth. Pour into a bucket glass and garnish with seeds and cocoa nibs.

Glass: bucket glass

Garnish: sesame seeds, Navitas cocoa nibs, chia seeds

***Please note that this works for me, and you should always check with your medical provider before incorporating any new ingredients, alcohol, or exercises into your wellness routine.

Where to buy the goods? Bucket glasses, blending machines and protein powders and stuff? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront.

*please know I may receive commissions from eligible purchases. Thank you thank you.

My Earth Bowl Smoothie

Earth Bowl Smoothie
Earth Bowl Smoothie
closer look

What should I do when I want rice pudding, an acai smoothie, a magic bar and I want to use my coconut bowl made from an actual coconut? This.

The smoothie bowl has an earthy, tangy, and bright zingy flavor that is both light and filling. Worth the mention, sure is pretty. And most certainly satisfying.

The Earth Bowl

Ingredients you’re going to need:

  • Forbidden black rice
  • Plant milk (unsweetened vanilla almond and low-fat coconut milk, my choice)
  • Water
  • Fine pink Himalayan salt
  • Vanilla extract
  • Vanilla bean (optional usually ok almost always necessary if you ask me)
  • Turmeric (ground)
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Coconut palm sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Mangos (frozen and fresh, if you can)
  • Original Açaí frozen packet by Sambazon
  • Walnuts (don’t forget to clean them)
  • Roasted toasty coconut flakes
  • Agave syrup
  • Goji berries (optional)
  • Cocoa Nibs (optional)
Earth Bowl Smoothie

Black Rice Pudding:

  1. Rinse 1 cup of black rice at least twice. If desired, soak overnight at room temperature and strain with a fine sieve. (I use Lotus Foods brand)
  2. In a rice cooker, combine the black rice, plant milk (unsweetened vanilla almond milk or low-fat coconut milk), vanilla extract, and water.
  3. Set the rice cooker to the brown rice setting.
  4. Once cooked, add coconut palm sugar, brown sugar, and fine ground Himalayan pink salt to taste. Stir well to combine. Add more milk if a more fluid consistency is desired.
  5. Remove from the rice cooker and let the rice pudding cool. Refrigerate until ready to build the bowl.

Mango Açaí Freeze:

Ingredients:

  1. 1-2 frozen packet of açaí
  2. 1 cup of frozen mangoes
  3. 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
  4. 2 tablespoons of agave syrup
  5. 1/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric powder + dash of black pepper
  6. Dash to 1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper
  7. Dash of Himalayan pink salt for good luck
  8. In a blender, Magic Bullet, or Vitamix, combine the frozen packet of açaí, frozen mangoes, unsweetened almond milk, agave syrup, turmeric powder, dash of black pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper.
  9. Blend all the ingredients until well combined and smooth
  10. Pour into a bowl (coconut bowl pictured here)

Toppings:

  1. Toast coconut flakes in the oven or toaster oven on the broil setting until golden brown. Alternatively, toast them on a stovetop or single burner in a pan if an oven is not available. They should be slightly brown.
  2. Chop walnuts
  3. Remove edible flowers from the refrigerator
  4. (Optional) Add goji berries

Method:

  1. In a bowl (I use a bowl made from an actual coconut) add the black rice pudding and the mango açaí smoothie mixture side by side.
  2. Sprinkle roasted coconut flakes and chopped walnuts on top.
  3. Garnish with edible flowers.
  4. (Optional) Add goji berries if desired. Gojis become crunchy. Extra texture and crunch bonus.
  5. Take a picture, or several and enjoy!

Note: Please adjust the quantities and ingredients according to your taste preferences. Black pepper helps with turmeric absorption/activation.

It’s a beauty and tasty..
An afterthought..

Where to buy the goods? You know coconut bowl and Cuisinart, a spoon and maybe goji berries..

Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront

**I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you so much.

fully loaded hemps seeds cherries smoothie

This smoothie is earthy, bitter, slightly sweet, and packed with goodness. It’s fully loaded.

Where to buy the goods? Glasses, SAKARA and other ingredients, blender and stuffs? BlondeBehindtheBucket Storefront of course. Please know I may receive commissions from eligible purchases. Thank you.

fully loaded helps cherries smoothie

for the rim/garnish

  1. Gather the necessary ingredients and materials: honey, hemp seeds, a small plate or shallow dish, and a glass.
  2. Pour a small amount of honey onto the plate or shallow dish. The amount will depend on the size of the glass rim you want to coat.
  3. Spread the honey evenly on the plate, making sure it covers an area slightly larger than the rim of the glass.
  4. Take the glass and dip the rim into the honey, gently rotating it to ensure the honey coats the entire rim.
  5. Lift the glass out of the honey and allow any excess to drip off.
  6. Immediately after dipping the glass rim in honey, dip it into a separate plate or shallow dish filled with hemp seeds. Again, rotate the glass to ensure the hemp seeds stick to the honey-coated rim.
  7. Gently tap the glass to remove any excess hemp seeds.
  8. Place the glass upright and allow the honey and hemp seeds to dry and set for a few minutes.
  9. Once the honey and hemp seeds have dried and set, your honey hemp seeds glass rim is ready to use.

Note: Make sure to handle the glass carefully to avoid dislodging the honey and hemp seeds. Additionally, be mindful of any allergies or dietary restrictions when serving drinks with a honey hemp seeds glass rim.

for the smoothie:

  • 1 scoop Sakara metabolism protein (can be purchased in larger or smaller “travel” size packet)
  • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 scoop Holi (mane) Agent Nateur collagen powder
  • 1 tablespoon 200+ manuka honey (plus extra for glass rim)
  • 3 tablespoons hemp seeds (plus extra for glass rim)
  • 1 cup frozen black cherries
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
  • 1 tablespoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Ceylon cinnamon
  • 1 sambazon original açaí frozen packet
  • 1 tablespoon of avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon sea moss gel (prepared according to packet instructions) I use Erewhon dried sea moss.

Add all ingredients to a blender. I use Cuisant to-go. Blend until smooth.

Glass: bucket glass

Garnish: honey hemp seed rim and maybe a few hemp seeds for the top

bar chef notes: additional goodness and a tang, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

Where to buy the goods? Glasses, blending machines, hemp seeds, and other stuffs? My Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course.

*Please know I may receive commissions on eligible purchases. Thank you.

The Best Smoothie Ever Today Recipe

the best smoothie ever today recipe

1 cup of Costco Kirkland’s Signature unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 cup Whole Foods 365 frozen pineapples chunks

1 cup of Whole Foods frozen cherries (I love the Whole Foods 365 brand frozen fruits)

1 frozen Sambozon original açaí packet or two who’s counting ok me, just one

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper

1 1/2 scoop of Agent Nateur holi (mane) collagen a powder

1 heaping scoop of Sakara protein and greens protein powder

Blend until smooth. Pour into coupe glass. Gold stars and candles optional.

Where to buy the goods? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront

*i may receive commissions on eligible purchases