This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almond milk. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
At Living the Gourmet, part of what we have always tried to do, by example rather than by statement, is to introduce people to healthier style of cooking, which in turn, by itself, leads to an overall healthier lifestyle. In fact, there are very few gourmet items that are not, properly speaking, ‘healthy cooking.’
However, over the past few months, as I’ve continued down my personal health journey, I’ve discovered something that I never realized before, and that is the stark difference between ‘healthy cooking’ and ‘health food.’
What I have learned thus far is that while the two share similar terms, and while one might seem to be the result of the other, the differences between the two could hardly be starker. Healthy cooking becomes habitual over, and is simply a part of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, as I read, I realize that healthy cooking spans the entire spectrum of the culinary arts. From hardy Italian fare to the labyrinthine intricacies of the various Fusion creations, the dishes, natural ingredients, and techniques I take for granted as ‘gourmet’ are all in fact one and the same as ‘healthy cooking’ or ‘healthy eating.’
Health food, on the other hand, is meant to serve a purpose. It exists not for the sake of its culinary merit, but for the sake of the goal it is meant to help achieve. For example, that dried protein source one meant to power a high impact workout, is hardly a permanent dietary fixture. From the pantry, a firm block of dark bread might get substituted onto the table for a given period of time, but is likely being consumed merely for a quick boost in fiber or minerals, in the same way a liquefied vitamin source is substituted over the course of a week in place of the morning tea or coffee.
In other words, healthy cooking is sustainable as a lifestyle, and over time can meet the same goals as the far less pleasant alternatives. Nevertheless, trying to find ways to bridge the two has become a veritable industry.
On that note, I wrote recently about our homemade protein bars, and how I attempt to work them into my workout routine on occasion in order to maximize my results. While that’s certainly fine, I still found myself wanting something a bit more refreshing, something I could regularly start a summer day with while giving myself a quick burst of energy, and perhaps also an extra helping of protein.
The recipe had to meet a few special criteria, however. First and foremost, it had to be quick and easy make. Second, it had to be indistinguishable from something I would consume normally. In other words, there could be no ‘healthful suffering’ when consuming it. Third, it had to be made with simple, ‘cuisine type’ ingredients, in other words, items I would use in my standard every day cooking.
For starters, I decided to make the base of the shake from unsweetened Almond Breeze, and to enhance it myself with vanilla and honey. Aside from tasting great, this also gives the shake a protein rich base, as well as providing a plentiful source of Vitamins E and D. I then added vanilla flavored protein powder, further enhancing the protein content. For sweetness, as well as energy boosting vitamins and minerals, I added fresh mangoes, fresh ginger root and bananas.
I was pleased with result, finding it crisp, smooth, and refreshing, making it perfect as a quick, energizing start to a warm summer morning, or as a compliment to a light summer lunch, while providing a host of essential nutrients.
Blue Diamond Almond Milk Tropical Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Blue Diamond Almondmilk
- 2 tbs. vanilla protein powder
- 1 tbs. vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbs. honey
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger - peeled
- 3 frozen bananas
- 2 mangoes - peeled and sliced
- Almond pieces for garnish
Instructions
- Place the almond milk, protein powder, vanilla extract, honey, frozen bananas, fresh ginger and mango slices in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Garnish with almond pieces if desired.
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
Recipe by Catherine Pappas | Forward written by Michael Pappas
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Ginny Hartzler says
This looks just wonderful!!! I never thought of putting honey in a drink or smoothie.
Ginny Hartzler says
P.S. what is your feeling on comparing Almond Milk to Soy milk? There are lots of new and different milks in the store now.
Comedy Plus says
What a fabulous treat on a hot summer day.
Have a fabulous weekend my friend. Big hugs. ♥♥♥
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Love the ginger! This is awesome 🙂
AnnMarie says
This sounds wonderful! Love all the ingredients. A must try. Pinned!
allie@Through Her Looking Glass says
Catherine, I love everything in this smoothie. Honey is wonderful, and almond milk and GINGER!!! Love fresh ginger. I have a chicken soup recipe, Arroz Caldo, that uses fresh ginger. We just can't get enough of it around here. I will definitely be sampling this wonderful smoothie recipe soon, it looks so refreshing!
Big Daddy Dave says
Catherine, Nice recipe. We already have the almond milk on hand. I've been buying it instead of regular 2% milk for one practical reason...shelf life! We don't use all that much milk so we used to have to throw out our stale 2%. The only problem is, although my wife uses even less milk than I do, I can't convince her that almond milk is the way to go. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Brandi says
Love almond milk and just recently tried cashew milk. Your smoothie looks delicious!!!
Pam says
Catherine, it looks delicious! I've never used almond milk and will be looking for it to try this. Have a great weekend! Cheers!
Tara Noland says
This looks so good and your pictures are amazing!!
[email protected] says
This drink looks wonderful Catherine. I love Blue Diamond almond milk!
Alida says
Wow! I love the look of this! So inviting and healthy. I have a handful of almonds every day, they are filling and nutritious. Really nice this cocktail. I hope all is well. Ciao!
Abigail says
Love the addition of ginger here for the extra yum and zing! 🙂
Kathy says
Your smoothie looks fabulous! Love Almond Milk and the addition of frozen bananas and ginger makes this sound wonderfully delicious!
Diane says
I can just taste that rich vanilla almond flavor. What a yummy looking smoothie! Love this post. It's great how you explain the difference between health food and healthy cooking. An important distinction!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
OMGosh, this smoothie looks so good! I am a huge fan of smoothies - they are my favorite breakfast treat. And, this one looks like it would fit right in! 🙂
Del's cooking twist says
You know how much I love smoothies. This one looks marvelous!
judee@ Gluten Free A-Z Blog says
This sounds absolutely delicious with the frozen bananas and almond milk. Can you believe that I now make my own fresh almond milk and it is so easy.
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says
This sounds super refreshing!
Chiara says
this sounds delicious Catherine, healty and easy to make ! Have a nice week my dear, a warm hug
Nee says
Hi Catherine , love almond milk and this smoothie is just what I need . Glad to know your brother is doing better all things are possible with the father .
Tammy , I want to thank you for your kind words ... hubby's aunt is doing much better . So again I thank you Nee 🙂
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says
What a creamy looking smoothie. I would love this for breakfast 🙂 Well done!