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 Açaà 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: 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) In a rice cooker, combine the black rice, plant milk (unsweetened vanilla almond milk or low-fat coconut milk), vanilla extract, and water. Set the rice cooker to the brown rice setting. 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. Remove from the rice cooker and let the rice pudding cool. Refrigerate until ready to build the bowl. Mango Açaà Freeze: Ingredients: 1-2 frozen packet of açaà 1 cup of frozen mangoes 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk 2 tablespoons of agave syrup 1/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric powder + dash of black pepper Dash to 1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper Dash of Himalayan pink salt for good luck In a blender, Magic Bullet, or Vitamix, combine the frozen packet of açaÃ, frozen mangoes, unsweetened almond milk, agave syrup, turmeric powder, dash of black pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper. Blend all the ingredients until well combined and smooth Pour into a bowl (coconut bowl pictured here) Toppings: 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. Chop walnuts Remove edible flowers from the refrigerator (Optional) Add goji berries Method: In a bowl (I use a bowl made from an actual coconut) add the black rice pudding and the mango açaà smoothie mixture side by side. Sprinkle roasted coconut flakes and chopped walnuts on top. Garnish with edible flowers. (Optional) Add goji berries if desired. Gojis become crunchy. Extra texture and crunch bonus. 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.
The Mint Basil Cucumber Drink Rated the best water. Don’t tell the others? Did you know there are water sommeliers? Doesn’t it look refreshing? With the weather being unpredictable these days, I am covering my bases. Yes, but who doesn’t want a refreshing, fancy water, especially if you struggle with meeting your daily recommended water consumption? Besides, I recently purchased a basil and mint plant, which are perched in my golden window box, basking in (seemingly) the only light in this apartment most days. The mint is growing out of control. This, a good thing. I can’t believe these little plants are still alive. I don’t have a green thumb. And now, please allow me to introduce, The Mint Basil Cucumber Drink. The Mint Basil Cucumber Drink Ingredients: 4-5 fresh basil leaves or 6 4-5 fresh mint leaves 1/2 lime, cut into wedges 1/4 peeled cucumber 1 small bottle of Topo Chico sparkling water Method In a glass or cocktail shaker, add the basil leaves, mint leaves, lime wedges and cucumber Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to gently muddle the herbs, lime, and cucumber together. This will release their flavors. Fill the glass with ice Pour the Topo Chico sparkling water over the muddled herbs and ice Stir gently to combine all the ingredients. Stirring release the bubbles Garnish with additional basil leaves, mint leaves, lime wedges, or cucumber slices if desired, I skip the cucumbers. Glass: Bucket glass Garnish: herbs lime Where to buy some of the goods from this post? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course! Please know I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Thank you so much.
More Mead Please! Mead is an alcoholic beverage that is made by fermenting honey with water, and sometimes with the addition of fruits, spices, grains, or hops. It is one of the oldest known alcoholic beverages, with a history dating back thousands of years. The process of making mead involves mixing honey with water and adding yeast to initiate fermentation. The yeast eats the sugars in the honey, converting them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The fermentation process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the desired flavor and strength of the mead. Mead can vary in taste and appearance, depending on the ingredients used and the fermentation process. It can range from dry to sweet, and can have flavors that range from floral and fruity to spicy and herbal. The alcohol content of mead can also vary, typically ranging from 8% to 20% ABV (alcohol by volume). These offerings featured around 12%. I reached out via email to Sap House Meadery. Matt Trahan one of the owners and founders responded to my questions. Matt and his cousin, Ash Fischbein both own and founded Sap House Meadery. Answers and more about mead below.. bbb: How much honey does it take to make a 375ml bottle? MT: The honey amount ranges but around 1/2 lb per bottle. bbb: How much honey does it take to make a barrel of mead? MT: To make a 50 gallon barrel would be about 180 lbs of honey. bbb: Where do you get your barrels and what kind of wood are they? MT: We get barrels from either Cathedral Ledge Distilling in North Conway or a barrel broker for the more exotic stuff like mezcal/brandy barrels. Generally American oak. bbb: Where do you source your honey? MT: We have a couple hives but our honey for production comes from a variety of apiaries in New England and beyond when they are out. bbb: Do you ship to California? MT: We sure do ship to CA! ***They also ship to other states too per their website. I needed some in California. Photo shoot and more tastes, duh! Mead can be enjoyed on its own, served chilled or at room temperature, or it can be used as an ingredient in cocktails or mixed with other beverages. It is often served in a glass similar to a wine glass or a goblet. We (my sister and I), on this day, chose shot glasses. You had to be there. Mead is a unique and versatile alcoholic beverage that offers a wide range of flavors and styles, making it a popular choice for those looking to explore different types of drinks. I was first introduced to mead attending and online class on the EdX platform during quarantine. HarvardX offers Food & Fermentation course and a Cooking & Science course. I highly recommend upgrading to the certification program as you gain access to more information and receive a certificate for your efforts in the end and I suppose some bragging rights. Links below. Where to buy the mead? Sap House Where to buy stemware corkscrews and stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront **i may receive some commissions for eligible purchases Where to get information about the HarvardX course? Food Fermentation: the Science of Cooking with Microbes Science and Cooking Lecture dates
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 Gather the necessary ingredients and materials: honey, hemp seeds, a small plate or shallow dish, and a glass. 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. Spread the honey evenly on the plate, making sure it covers an area slightly larger than the rim of the glass. Take the glass and dip the rim into the honey, gently rotating it to ensure the honey coats the entire rim. Lift the glass out of the honey and allow any excess to drip off. 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. Gently tap the glass to remove any excess hemp seeds. Place the glass upright and allow the honey and hemp seeds to dry and set for a few minutes. 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 açaà 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.
Doogh 2.0 Doogh 2.0 Years ago.. I’m talking twenty plus years I met a friend on a random job in NYC.. we became friends after a few hours and went to shop at Bloomingdale’s for swimming suits after work that day….When I moved to Los Angeles, she came to visit. We went to a restaurant in Westwood and after my first doogh I was hooked..I bought mint a few times but it went bad as I was working on something else…today I finally made it. I blended some ice and mint with plain non fat yogurt (this one is cow as I ate the vanilla sheep yogurt the other morning at 4:am). I added dried rose petals sugar and a raspberries rose probiotic drink and of course rose water… If you want alcohol you can use sparkling Crémant rosé.. it’s excellent without it though..Yogurt works with the spicy foods from Middle East Africa and India ..Garnish with mint and sugar. I highly recommend a rose petal sugar rim.I bought the rose petal sugar at Surfas Culver City, CA location which if you are local to Los Angeles this could be great news. I will put a similar one in my store Blonde Behind the Bucket storefront if you aren’t though. AND No! No! no..This drink is not sweet and isn’t meant to be although it translate to mean« treaty »..Maybe that’s what I will do with my mangoes… Doogh 2.0 Ingredients 6 oz of plain nonfat yogurt (this Norr organic sure does taste full fat to me) 10 sprigs of mint (and one for the garnish so 11 sprigs of mint) 1 cup of ice 2 oz raspberry rose probiotic drink 2 Tablespoons of agave or honey one for the drink and one for the sugar rim Pinch of fine salt (think Maldon because it is a fine flakey sea salt and dissolves almost instantly) Dried edible rose petals to mix with sugar or premade rose petal sugar Method Place rose petal sugar on a saucer. Add honey or agave to the rim of a glass. Roll glass in the sugar mixture and set aside or refrigerate. The remainder sugar in saucer can be used to top the drink. Add all ingredients to a blending machine except sparkling water and one sprig of mint. The sparkling is the topper and that one extra mint sprig is for the garnish. Blend until see a crushed ice consistency. Kinda slushy like. Pour into rose petal sugar rimmed glass. Top with sparkling raspberries rose water. Top with rose petal sugar sugar and mint. Glass: bucket glass Garnish: dried rose petals sugar and mint sprig
Sunday Morning Smoothie An earthy, nutty, creamy green glass of goodness. Yup, that’s what this one is. Drinking a smoothie like this one can’t help but make you feel good. A simple and easy blend of all ingredients together, pour into a glass (or not? I see you drinking from the blender) and you’re done type of easy. Easy like Sunday morning, as they say. If nothing else, it will be something to satisfy your hunger until you make it to that champagne brunch later. Sunday Morning Smoothie Ingredients 1 cup 365 Whole Foods brand chopped frozen spinach 1/2 cup Pitaya Foods aloe vera chunks 1 teaspoon of Naoki Matcha powder 1 cup Signature Costco brand unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1 scoop of Agent Nateur Holi (mane) Hair, Skin, Nails Supplement 1 scoop of Sakara Greens+Protein Protein powder 2 tablespoons of Manitoba Harvest hemp seeds 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 1 1/2 tablespoons of Trader Joe’s brand blue agave Pinch of Natierra Himalayan pink salt Method Add almond milk to the blender. The add all other ingredients. Blend until smooth. Glass: bucket glass Garnish: none-elegance in simplicity and the flavors make up for no garnish Where to buy the goods? Many can be found on Blonde Behind the Bucket storefront. *I may receive compensation for eligible purchases.
Easy Bake Heart Do you remember the kids easy bake ovens? Inspired by childhood nostalgia, meet my easy bake heart garnish for my « clear intentions » cocktail. Or any cocktail really. I had a recipe in mind when preparing this garnish. Clearly, not really. You can make any shape you want to make though. The heart cookie cutter is what I have and was the inspiration here. You don’t need a cookie cutter either. In pastry school I did some free form stuffs on the silpat. Have fun. Be creative. Cheers to making a successful sugar garnish for your drinks! Ingredients and Tools Caullet Glucose Syrup – 2.2 lbs by Banshee Heart shaped Wilton cookie cutter Pam cooking spray Kitchen scissors Baking tray and silpat silicone mat Method Add syrup inside a free form and inside cookie cutter/mold Preheat the oven. Place a silpat in a baking sheet. Oh and a silpat is a silicone baking mat used to line a baking tray making the stickiest of the stickiest sugary treats easy to remove. Spray the inside of your heart cookie cutter with a non stick baking spray. Set on top of the silicone mat. Pour glucose syrup into the mold. If using a spoon or spatula, spray that too so the glucose syrup doesn’t stick. Some may ooze outside. Don’t worry, this is normal. I didn’t measure. I eyeballed. Not too thick not too thin. How is that for professional measuring. Bake 356 degrees Fahrenheit until bubbles. About 25-35 minutes. Let it cool slightly. Not too much as the shape will break. Use scissors to trim the excess hardened baked sugar. Carefully. Side note: dash of vanilla and food coloring flavorful and fun ways to elevate your easy bake garnish Carefully remove the cookie cutter and trim around the edges using kitchen scissors Where to buy some of the goods seen in this post? Uhm, Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course. * I may receive compensation for eligible purchases. Wash sil Pat and leave to dry..
Motivation Monday Mean Green Smoothie Today looked like Monday. The Monday that gets the bad rap Monday. A cold rainy January Monday case of the Mondays Monday. It could be Tuesday or Friday and would still feel like that Monday. To add to the case of the Mondays feeling, I don’t have any more of my usual frozen fruits for the smoothie. I contemplate click and ship within two hours via Amazon Fresh and decide against it. I am glad I did, decide against it. After rummaging through my freezer fridge and cupboards, I figured it out. You’ll thank me. The Motivation Monday Mean Green Smoothie for any day of the week that feels like, you know, is a happy smoothie. It’s fresh bright light and satisfying. After a few sips, you will be asking yourself, case of the Mondays what? Who me? And I don’t know know about you but I feel a teensy bit healthier it being green and all. Motivation Monday Mean Green Smoothie 1 Cup of Frozen Spinach 1/2 Fresh Cucumber 1/4 Cup of Frozen Black Cherries 8 Fresh Mint Leaves and a sprig for garnish 1 Scoop of SAKARA Protein + Greens Super Powder (contains pea and hemp protein pumpkin seed protein sesame protein coconut milk powder AND Super Greens Blend (spirulina, I’m guessing green and wheatgrass some barley and more..) addition coconut and vanilla for good measure. These are the ingredients listed in the package. Saves the trouble of buying all the seeds and peas and powders. It’s an all in one. 1 Scoop of Agent Nateur Holi (mane) Hair, Skin, Nails Supplement (marine collagen and pearl powder) 2 Tablespoons of Primal Kitchen Collagen Fuel Vanilla Coconut Drink Mix 2-3 Tablespoons of Agave 1 Cup of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk Method Add almond milk to the blender. Then add frozen spinach. Continue with remainder ingredients. I recommend adding powders after the agave and almost last if you can; This way the powders don’t sink to the bottom of the blending machine and clump. Please don’t forget to wash your cucumber and your mint. I chopped extra and ate while I was preparing and contemplating what other ingredients I might add. Cinnamon could be nice too? I skip it. Anyways, blend all together and pour into glass. Glass: Bucket Glass Garnish: Mint Sprigs Where to buy the goods? Glasses, blenders, ingredients.. Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course. I may receive commissions from eligible purchases.
Crémant Crémant is sparkling wine from France. It’s typically made with more grapes than champagne. Champagne is made typically made using three or in some cases one grape varietals. The process, methode traditionelle, the same for both. The wine can only be called champagne if it’s from the Champagne region of France and crémant if it’s from one of its producing regions; Loire, Alsace, Bourgogne, and Limoux. Crémant was the name given in the 1980s because of law. This one featured here is is Gratien & Meyer Cremant (Gra-shen My-er) De Loire Brut Rose. 100 % Cabernet Franc and has a price point range of $16-$20 USD per bottle. This wine is bright with berry fruit and dry. It’s excellent on its own or as a topper to many cocktails.