We can’t drink mulled wine and spiked eggnog for breakfast every day this holiday season. Enter my frozen cherry and passion fruit oat koji milk water-based smoothie. Pumpkin seeds and bee pollen add a delightful crunch, and it features some familiar ingredients from my corner that you can probably guess: Sakara Super Metabolism Protein powder and Agent Nateur marine collagen powder. This one is sweet and tart with a satisfying crunch thanks to the garnish. A smoothie bound to be a repeat offender in your smoothie rotation! I’m not sure if you can add booze to this one because of the supplements, so ask you health care provider or save the adult beverages for happy hour. Or tomorrow, if you want to switch back to that eggnog or mulled wine in your coffee cup.
Does this look like my photo and recipe could be in a magazine? Do the photos make you want to drink this?
Cherries Passion Smoothie
1 cup Pitaya Foods frozen passion fruit cubes
1 1/2 cups of frozen Whole Foods frozen cherries
1/4 cup Koatji Barista Oat + Koji Milk
2 tablespoons of local honey
1 scoop Sakara Super Fiber powder
1 scoop collagen powder from Agent Nateur
1 scoop of Sakara Super Metabolism chocolate powder
Add all ingredients into the blender except pumpkin seeds and bee pollen. Liquids first. Blend until smooth. Add pumpkin seeds and bee pollen.
Bar Chef Notes: Rim glass honey and cayenne powder (optional) I tried it both ways. Here is a test example of the two side by side. I will use the cayenne honey later this week with a drink recipe. I thought it worth mention.
I started testing smoothies and thought they couldn’t be that good. I didn’t even set up for the photos, but they turned out so dang delicious. Tossing ingredients into a blender and crossing my fingers sometimes works. Why did it happen like that? It just did. Lucky us. Stay cool.
Pourquoi?
Ingredients
1 cup pomegranate juice
2 1/2 cup frozen pineapples
1 single serve package of Blue Majik spirilina on-the-go singles powdered superfood extract (equals a tablespoon ish)
2 tablespoon of ground of flaxseed
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (less spice to taste if you don’t care for it)
2 oz sweet passion syrup (1:1 passion pure and rich simple syrup)
1 tablespoon ish of bee pollen (I use a local to California)
Method
Add all ingredients into blender except bee pollen and blend until smooth.
Glass: bucket glass
Garnish: bee pollen
Bar Chef Notes: bee pollen is packed with antioxidants nutrient rich energy boosting goodness.
Where to buy the goods? Bucket glass and stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront. I may receive commissions from eligible purchases. Thank you!
You have to like the seeds, ok, maybe not. It’s a requirement for this one only because they add texture and crunch. You’re going to love it!
Blackberries Smootie
1 1/2 cup frozen blackberries
3 tablespoons ish of cooked frozen cube spinach (I freeze steamed spinach in ice trays for convenience and extra nutrients anytime)
1 Tablespoon of ground Ceylon cinnamon
dash of Himalayan pink salt
1 1/2 cup of coconut water (with or without pulp)
1 scoop of Agent Nateur Holi (mane)
1 scoop of Sakara chocolate metabolism super powder
2 fresh basil leaves
3 frozen blackberries to garnish
Method
All all ingredients to a blending machine except three frozen blackberries. Blend until smooth. Pour into bucket glass and garnish.
Glass: Bucket Glass
Garnish: three frozen blackberries
Where to buy the goods? Bucket glasses protein powders and stuff? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course. Please know I may receive compensation for eligible purchases.
I am addicted to Sakara products! I also have one or two smoothies a day. Sometimes, or most of the time, I don’t have time to sit down for a meal, so that’s when the smoothie comes in. This one is made with tiny blueberries from Maine, matcha, dragon fruit, and cocoa nibs for crunch and antioxidants, just because they are simply good. Other goodness is included as the recipe shows. You’re gonna love it!
Plaid Napkin Smoothie
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups of little blueberries (Wyman’s of Maine my choice)
1 Pitaya Foods frozen dragon fruit packet
1 scoop of Agent Nateur holi (mane) marine collagen powder
1/4 teaspoon Hikari ceremonial matcha powder
1 tablespoon Ceylon ground cinnamon powder
1 scoop Sakara chocolate metabolism protein powder
1-2 tablespoons honey (both great depening on desired sweetness)
1 cup of water (1/2-3/4 if you like thicker)
1/2 frozen banana
Professional pour of cocoa nibs for the drink and garnish
Method
Add all ingredients to blending machine except some of cocoa nibs for the garnish. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into bucket glasses. Top with coca nibs.
Glass: Bucket glass
Garnish: Cocoa nibs
Bar Chef Notes: Making smoothies at home is less expensive, even with the cost of some protein powders. Once you have the ingredients, you can create delicious smoothies just like that.
Where to buy the goods? Protein powders, blending machines, collagen powders and bucket glasses and stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course. I may receive commissions from eligible purchases. Thank you.
This morning’s smoothie is too good not to share. You’ll only find iPhone photos, though. Six months ago, I took on an overnight baking job in another luxury hotel from 2 am to 10:30 am after my regular luxury hotel bartending job, which is why you didn’t see many recipes here for a minute. Sixteen to seventeen-hour days didn’t leave much time. Then, it started raining in my bathroom during that time, and I had a hole in my ceiling for two months. Once they fixed that and I started to get organized, first the bathroom and then proudly began decanting my food into clear airtight labeled containers, then, it started raining in my kitchen. More leaking from the apartment above. I was already decluttering my closet by then and things were messy, and then I quit working overnight. I like making drinks and wine better. Now, with a few days off and a little more time, here we are, but I am swamped playing catch-up resulting in iPhone photos for this post.
This smoothie is fully loaded and tastes so good. It does contain sea moss, so if you can’t have sea moss gel because of any medical conditions, leave it out. You’ll still get all the goodness. Speaking of goodness!The sumac-rolled glass, though. The first time I ever had sumac in my memory was many years ago. A lady arrived with cheese bread topped with sumac. I ate way more cheese at the time, and I am glad I did. The sumac always stayed in my memory. As soon as I returned home, I found it at a local Middle Eastern market, and the love affair began. This morning, as I sipped my smoothie out of the Cuisinart cylinder with no intention at all of having a rimmed garnished juice glass photoshoot, I kept thinking something was missing. The sumac!! Sumac honey and some dried hibiscus leaves.
Sakara Metabolism is great for reducing bloating and keeping you feeling full. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory and is better activated with black pepper. Cayenne adds a bit of spice and heat for heart health. Cinnamon helps maintain blood sugar levels and tastes so darn good. It’s cinnamon! What’s not to love? Water is hydrating and obviously not as caloric as a plant or cow milk, and the berries are mood-boosting with antioxidants galore. Ghee oils those joints, and collagen powder works its magic as listed in its name – for skin, hair, and nails. And my sea moss, sourced from St. Lucia, is conveniently available at my local Erewhon market. It is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals that support digestion and overall well-being. I notice a difference in my well-being when I don’t use it. I soak it for a few hours after rinsing, blend it, and have a gel stored in my refrigerator for four weeks.
Good day to you all and happy blending!You are going to love it! Sweet tart earth in a glass. Despite all the ingredients, it’s super easy! Cheers!
Smoothie
Ingredients
2 cups of frozen mixed berries (blackberries strawberries blueberries raspberries)
1 Sambazon Frozen Açaà packet
6-8 hibiscus tea ice cubes
1 scoop of SAKARA chocolate metabolism protein powder
1 scoop Agent Nateur holi (mane) hair, skin, nails marine collagen powder
1 cup of water (If you prefer a looser consistency adjust according berries to water ratio)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon of turmeric
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sumac (garnish)
1/4 teaspoon matcha powder
1 1/2 tablespoons honey (reserve some for the glass rim)
1 teaspoon of ghee
2 tablespoons of sea moss gel (I make my own following the manufacturer’s instructions or use the one you pre-purchased)
Dried hibiscus flowers
Method
For the hibiscus tea cubes
Steep dried hibiscus flowers in hot water, add honey to taste, cool, and freeze until ready to use. Ice tea cubes are always a good idea.
Prepare two saucers, one for the honey and one for the sumac. Dip the rim of the glass into the honey, then into the sumac sauce to create a flavored rim glass. Set it aside.
Add water to a blending machine cylinder, followed by all other ingredients. Blend until smooth, then pour into the rimmed glass and enjoy! It’s so good! You’re going to love the tart pepper with a slightly sweet finish.
Glass: bucket juice glass
Garnish: honey rolled sumac a few crushed dried petals optional of course
Smoothie
Where to buy the goods? You know glasses, blending machines, sumac, protein powders and other stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront, of course.
*I may receive commissions from eligible purchases. Thank you so much .
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.
***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.
1 cup of fresh mango from Erewhon market or your local farmers market or favorite supermarket
1/2 cup of Whole Foods 365 brand frozen pineapples chunks
3/4 cups of Pitaya Foods frozen passion fruit chunks
2 tablespoons of hemp hearts shelled hemp seeds -the protein comes from these babies. The recommended serving size is 3 tablespoons
1 tablespoonful of Manukora MGO 200+ manuka (or any of your favorite manuka honey) Manuka honey that I use is from New Zealand
1 tablespoonful of a local honey (I use Topanga honey with honeycomb. Fun fact: taking a small dose of honey helps with some allergies)
1 scoop of Agent Nateur & Dr. Will Cole holi (mane) hair ski nails supplement
1-2 tablespoonful of La Tourangelle Avocado oil
3/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk
5-7 Whole Foods 365 brand mango passion fruit fruit bites for the garnish and eating while making the smoothie. Let’s be real. This will happen. At least for me it did.
Method
Add all ingredients to the Cuisinart To-Go blending cylinder. Blend on the smoothie setting until the mixture is smooth. If you don’t have a Cuisinart, any blending machine should work. Pour into a glass and garnish.
Bar Chef Notes: a pinch of saffron is great too. I tried both ways, with and without.
Glass: glass bucket glass
Garnish: several passion fruit mango balls
Passion Fruit Pineapple Mango Protein SmoothieProtein SmoothieProtein 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)
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.
