Posts Tagged ‘beets’


Beet Avocado Smoothie

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Did you know you can really make a smoothie out of anything? ANYTHING. Well, that’s not true. Once you start adding ice cream or fro-yo,  you cross over into the realm of milkshake land. Not that milkshake land isn’t an absolutely beautiful place to be. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you already know that I’m obsessed with milkshakes. More than obsessed, really. And now I’m working on becoming a smoothie fiend, too. I have two milkshake posts in the works for the near future and another smoothie one, too. Soooo, I hope you don’t get sick of them. Don’t, OK? Ever. This particular smoothie involves beets. Also, I’ve been wanting to test out a beet ice cream for a while now, so I mean, this could totally become a milkshake, too. Maybe it will. Maybe it will.

Since I met Chris, he’s come a long way in his food likes and dislikes. Like a really long way. He is willing to try pretty much anything, even things he swore he would never eat. Like avocados. Can you believe the boy wouldn’t eat avocados for most of his life?? Now he’s obsessed. Thank goodness. Because could I live in the same house as someone who doesn’t eat avocados? I mean, I love him, so yeah, but I’m not going to say it wouldn’t be tough. There’s one exception to this openness about trying new things. And that is beets. He absolutely hates them and has no desire to change this. None at all. Ever. To be fair, I totally owe him one food that I don’t force upon him, especially considering how many I have forced upon him. I can handle that. Right? Trust me, I’ve tried. But I’m starting to give up. Which is why I made this smoothie when he was not home.

Speaking of food dislikes, my sister and I have what we think is the best idea ever for a party. It will be called the “No thank you portion” party. When RSVPing, everyone will submit one food they do not like. Then each guest will select one food on the list and they will create an amazing dish that they think will change the person’s mind about not liking the food. A tasting party will commence. There will be tons of food at the party, so it’s not like you’re stuck only eating the dish with the ingredient you’re not a fan of. The funny thing? Every time we tell people our party plan, most girls think it’s a fantastic idea and most guys think it’s the worst idea ever and claim they would refuse to attend. What does this tell us? Girls are totally more open-minded than guys.

Beet Avocado Smoothie (serve 1-2):
Print this recipe!

  • 2 small beets
  • 1 C vanilla soy milk (I used Silk Light)
  • 3/4 C frozen berries
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 C baby spinach
  • 1 scoop (10 grams) chia seeds

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These are my new obsession. Love Beets. I love everything from the name to the packaging to obviously the actual package. I do love beets, but I’m not overly psyched about preparing them. Now I don’t have to. Also, they are apparently sold in a million different forms, including infused with Ginger and Honey, in a snack tray with cheese and crackers, and as juice. All beets all the time. My heaven. Chris’s hell. (HOWEVER, if he were actually willing to attempt to like beets, I think these would do it. Not that I’m trying…).

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So, for this smoothie, I decided to use Love Beets because I wanted my beets to be cooked, but wanted an easy smoothie.

So easy that the only instructions are, put all the ingredients in your blender. Aren’t they all so pretty together? Colors=healthy.

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And blend everything all together. Shout-out to my Vitamix.

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Pour into a glass with a straw and sip away.

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This is a thick smoothie, but in all the best ways. Because it’s packed with so much amazingness.

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My smoothie wasn’t exactly the same bright vibrant color as beets, but I’m attributing that to the fact that I added a cup of spinach in. And I don’t regret it for a minute because think about all those extra vitamins packed in. Worth it.

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And I was still a fan of the color.

There’s nothing not healthy in here. And I’m pretty sure this is your ideal breakfast. Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and fiber and protein. Avocados have that awesomely healthy fat. The light vanilla soy milk  is protein and, of course, beets have betalains and lots of vitamins.

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This smoothie definitely had a strong beer flavor, which I loved. If you don’t love it, I’d add more frozen berries. and maybe a little more milk, too. It wasn’t overly sweet, so I guess you could add some honey, but I still vote on you tasting the full flavor of the beets. Because why not?

I really wanted to force this upon Chris so he could taste the amazingness. But I resisted. Out of respect for the one food he does not care to enjoy. I just have to remind myself that it only means more beets for me.

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This is most definitely the healthiest smoothie I’ve ever made. And for all the ingredients involved, one of the lowest calorie ones, too. And because of all the protein involved, I’m calling this your ideal breakfast. Also, did you know that beets are really good for your skin? The more beet smoothies you drink, the prettier you’ll get. Well, maybe don’t totally quote me on that, but it’s worth a shot. A shot that tastes like a dream.

Are there any foods you absolutely won’t eat?

[Sues]

 

Polar Seltzer Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Jan, the winner of my Polar Seltzer giveaway and a case of Polar Seltzer! Jan said: “I am a Polar Seltzer addict too! Love all the flavors that it comes in. Have not seen the Ruby Red yet, which I know i will love. I’m off to “The Basket” to check it out. Thanks.” I’ll email you ASAP so you can get your prize… I hope you’ll be making lots of cocktails! :)

Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Mint

Things that beets remind me of:

1) Dwight Schrute on The Office. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica..

2) Doug Funny’s favorite band. You know, Killer Tofu.

3) Deliciousness.

#3 is all you really need to know for all intents and purposes of this post.

I just want to say that Athenos Summer Salad Month could not have come at a better time. At practically 100 degrees here in Boston, salads are definitely all I want to eat! OK, so this salad required me turning on my oven to 400 degrees (omg death), but it was worth it. Especially since I know just what I’m going to have for a snack today on this still sweltering afternoon.

Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Mint:

  • A bunch of beets (4-6)
  • 3 T olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • 1/2 C fresh mint, chopped
  • 1/2 C crumbled feta cheese (I used Athenos Black Peppercorn Feta)
  • 2 t lemon zest
  • 1 T maple syrup

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This was actually my very first time preparing beets! I was kind of excited, and now I have a feeling I’ll be making them quite often because they’re just so delicious.

I covered the beets in olive oil (about 2 T of the 3) and sea salt and then I wrapped each of them in foil.

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Then I set my oven to 400 degrees (ughhhhh) and roasted the beets for about an hour.

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I let them cool for a bit. And then under cold running water, I peeled the skins off.

Call me crazy, but I love doing stuff like that. Give me some peppers to roast and peel the skin off of and I’m a happy girl. Beets were just as fun.

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I chopped the beets into bite-sized pieces, and mixed them with the feta, mint, lemon zest, 1 T olive oil, and maple syrup.

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Annnd perfect (and like the easiest thing ever)! I was kind of annoyed because my mint actually froze in the fridge (yes, froze! the fridge is on a medium setting, so I have no idea why it did this). So, when it thawed it was all non-fresh looking and watery. But still delicious. It happened to my basil, too. Which I was planning on making pesto with later this week. Wah wah.

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You can serve this salad right away, but I liked it best after it sat in the fridge for a while- it cooled down and all the flavors melded together. Yummmm. Beets really just taste like summer to me. And they’re one of the prettiest foods ever.

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Next time I’ll be utilizing the beet greens, too (so healthy!). But it’s so hot here, that after 5 minutes out of the fridge, they looked all wilty and sad.

Do you like beets? How do you like them prepared?

[Sues]