Velvety Blueberry Smoothie

Blueberries: These antioxidant powerhouses are versatile, easy to eat, and taste delicious with just about anything. Want some proof? These 11 blueberry smoothie recipes use ingredients from greens to citrus, and they all provide a super-satisfying taste without ruining your diet. Blend on and slurp up.

Velvety Blueberry Smoothie
Chia seeds, which provide this smoothie's velvety texture, are loaded with antioxidants—plus fiber that keeps you fuller longer. (Excuse us while we grab an extra scoop.)

Get the recipe: Velvety Blueberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup original almond milk (or water)
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds (did you know these are like a dieters dream food because they make you feel full?)
• 1 banana, peeled
• 2 oranges (or 3 clementines), peeled
• 2 cups frozen blueberries

How to make blueberry smoothies
1. Add everything to the blender in the order listed (1 cup almond milk, 1 Tbsp chia seeds or 1 Tbsp of flex seeds, 1 banana, 2 oranges, and 2 cups froz blueberries) and whirl to the desired consistency. If using a Blendtec, push the smoothie button and watch it go! Serve right away (if using chia seeds, it will thicken as it stands).

If you’re interested in the nitty gritty nutritional details (I’m not to be honest, despite the fact that I’m a nurse, I like to enjoy my food without sweating the details and making sure I have enough manganese for the day), you’ll be really excited to know the following:

• Very low in saturated fat
• No cholesterol
• Low in sodium
• High in dietary fiber
• High in manganese
• Very high in vitamin B6
• Very high in vitamin C

Strawberry Banana Pineapple Smoothie

Making a strawberry banana smoothie is simple: blend strawberries, a banana, milk, and ice, and voilà! You have yourself a strawberry banana smoothie. But you can only start your day with the same recipe so many times before falling back into bed out of boredom. Enter these five tasty (surprising!) twists on your favorite simple smoothie.

Strawberry Banana Pineapple Smoothie - No Added Sugar

Smoothies are so refreshing and go down quickly and easily, but they can be sugar minefields and many have stats that should make them meals, not snacks. This version has no added sugar and won’t derail your diet. Sweet strawberries, creamy bananas, and a splash of pineapple juice helps brighten the smoothie and gives it a subtle tropical vibe. If you don’t have pineapple juice, use orange juice, or another favorite. It’s vegan, gluten-free, healthy and the recipe makes two servings, one for now and one to share or to freeze for later.

Get the recipe: Strawberry Banana Pineapple Smoothie

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 ounces strawberries (about 2 cups, I used whole, frozen berries)
• 2 medium ripe bananas, peeled (previously frozen into chunks is ideal)
• about 1 cup pineapple juice, or as necessary (substitute with orange juice or your favorite juice medley)

DIRECTIONS:

1. To the canister of a blender, add the strawberries, bananas, and about 1/2 cup juice. Add enough juice only as necessary to get blender moving and until desired smoothie consistency is reached.
2. Blend on high power until smooth and creamy. The longer you blend, the fluffier the mixture tends to become due to the bananas.
3. Pour mixture into 2 glasses and serve immediately. Extra portion will keep airtight in the freezer for up to 1 month (cover a freezer-safe glass with plasticwrap or place inside a ziplock to prevent freezer smells). Allow to come up to room temp for about 30 minutes before serving.

Pomegranate Citrus Smoothie

Who says you can't make smoothies when temps drops below 65 degrees? Not us. In fact, making a morning smoothie in the winter is a fast way to get in a ton of vitamins and minerals that will help keep your immune system strong as you steer through cold and flu season. Try one of these smoothie recipes that use the best of winter's superfoods—and squirrel away those sicks days for when you really need them, like when you want an extra day at the ski resort.

Pomegranate not only keeps your heart healthy, a glass of it has more antioxidants in it than red wine (sad, but true). Keep your defenses at the ready this winter with this smoothie that helps protect against diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.

Get the recipe: Pomegranate Citrus Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 orange, peeled
• 1/2 cup pomengranite arils
• 1 banana
• 1/4 cup greek yogurt
• 1-2 tbs honey
• 4-6 oz milk or almond milk
• 1/2 cup crushed iced

Instructions
Place everything in a powerful blender, like blendtec, and blend until smooth!

Notes
add more or less honey and ice to get the desired sweetness and consistency.

PEACH ROSÉ SANGRIA

Peach Rosé Sangria – A beautiful summer sangria made of Rosé, peach juice, peach liqueur, fresh peaches, and berries.

In case you needed another reason to sip some rosé, you can add it to this peach sangria for a perky pink twist on the classic wine cocktail. Pro tip: Ditch the simple syrup for less sugar, and enjoy the natural peachy sweetness all on its own.

Get the recipe: Peach Rosé Sangria

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Rosé wine
• ½ cup peach liqueur
• 1 cup peach juice I used white peach juice
• 1/3 cup simple syrup see note
• 3 sliced peaches I used white peaches
• 1 cup sliced strawberries and/or raspberries

Instructions

1. In a carafe or pitcher, combine wine, liqueur, juice, and simple syrup. Adjust to suit your taste. Add fruit and refrigerate for several hours. Serve chilled, over ice.

Recipe Notes
To prepare simple syrup: combine ½ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar has dissolved. Chill. Any leftover simple syrup can be stored in the refrigerator and used in coffee or tea.

Minty Grapefruit

You know not to go on one of those super low-calorie, no-food detoxes. But add these infusions from Infused Water to an already healthy diet to reduce inflammation, promote immunity and healthy skin, and hydrate after a hard workout.

The vitamin C rich grapefruit contains lycopene, which not only acts as a potent antioxidant for cell health and cell regeneration but also helps to regulate blood pressure. The lemon and lime contribute limonoids, which help to combat free radical damage to cells and help to relieve inflammation, one of the major causes of pain in the body's joints and extremities. The mint and ginger contribute enzymes, oils, and polyphenols that help the functioning of the cardiovascular system, immune system, and nervous system.

Mango Ginger with Berries
This infused water recipe packs a variety of flavors and even more nutrients into every last sip so you can detoxify deliciously! The ginger in this recipe will increase your energy and help you fight the commonly reported fatigue that can result from detoxification.

Minty Grapefruit
This delightfully delicious combination of citrus spiced with mint and ginger makes the perfect thirst-quenching recipe for detoxification success! The lemon and lime in this recipe help relieve the pain and pressure of inflammation, and combine to combat toxic buildup and irritation that can otherwise prevent the organs from functioning as designed.

Ingredients

• Makes: 1 liter
• 1 liter water
• 1/2 medium pink grapefruit, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 large lemon, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 large lime, peeled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon mint leaves, crushed
• 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and sliced

Directions

1. Prepare a pitcher or water infuser product with 1 liter water.
2. Place the grapefruit, lemon, lime, mint, and ginger inside the pitcher or water infuser's canister.
3. Allow mixture to steep in the refrigerator or a cool, dark place for 4 to 8 hours. For best flavor and health benefits, consume within 24 to 48 hours.
4. Key Ingredients

Golden Milk

Golden milk may be the hottest new trend in holistic nutrition, but it's been part of Eastern medicine for thousands of years. Otherwise known as haldi ka doodh, this trendy warm beverage is made with turmeric, an ancient spice that was thought to clear up coughs and congestion. While this may sound like an old wives' tale, modern research suggests that turmeric, the active component in golden milk, may actually have many health benefits. (See: Easy Ways to Add Turmeric to Your Diet.)

Turmeric, a yellow spice also known as Indian saffron, gives this warm beverage its yellow color and a crazy amount of health properties. Recent research suggests that the antioxidant has anti-inflammatory properties that could help ease digestion and arthritis pain, and it may even help prevent cancer. Animal studies also suggest that curcumin, a compound in turmeric, may help prevent brain degeneration like what's found in patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Although further research is still needed on all of these topics, current data suggests that adding turmeric to your diet is better than leaving it out. (See: Should You Be Taking a Turmeric Supplement?) An easy way to do that is by downing an 8-ounce glass of golden milk each day. Not only will you be netting all the health benefits mentioned above, but the milk will also provide 8 grams of protein and 9 different vitamins and minerals. Here's how to make it so you can start adding it to your daily routine.

Golden Milk (Haldi Ka Doodh)
Makes 2 glasses

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger or a pinch of freshly grated ginger
• pinch of pepper

Directions

1. Pour all of your ingredients into a small pot and whisk together. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Take out the cinnamon stick. Serve the milk warm with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon.

Almond Ginger Monkey Smoothie

When it comes to making smoothies, you have tons of options (seriously, here's a bunch of ideas). But that doesn't mean you should just throw a mish-mash of ingredients together. Not when you can make a recipe that gives every ingredient a specific purpose—and you a big health benefit. Check out why we chose these particular ingredients, then get sipping.

Banana: Bananas contain potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6, which support kidney, bone, and cardiovascular health.

Ginger: Ginger is a root that has anti-inflammatory properties, plus it's an excellent digestive tract soother. (Check out these other anti-inflammatory foods.)

Almond butter: Almonds add protein and deliver a variety of minerals, including magnesium and manganese. They can help protect against cardiovascular disease, ward off hunger, and may even help you lose weight. (Here are 6 more reasons you should eat nut butter.)

Hemp seeds: Hemp seeds are one of the best sources of plant-based protein to add to a smoothie because not only are they very easy to digest (unlike some other protein powders), they also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Try to use the whole seed instead of hemp protein powder, as whole seeds retain more fiber, protein, and flavor than the powder.

Water: Use water as a base instead of a high-calorie juice, coconut water, or highly processed nut milk. It'll save you calories, hydrate your cells, and support your digestive system.

Almond Ginger Monkey Smoothie
Makes 1

Ingredients

• 2 frozen bananas*
• 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled
• 1 tablespoon organic raw almond butter or 1/4 cup raw almonds
• 3 tablespoon hemp seeds
• 2 cups water

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

*For an extra-creamy smoothie, freeze overripe bananas by peeling them, breaking into halves or quarters, and freezing in a ziplock bag.

Avocado Margarita Recipe

Truth: Even health-trend haters can't help but love the avocado. It's crazy versatile, a kickass source of healthy fats, and it adds an addictively smooth texture to anything it's in. Plus, the fruit is known for adding that special creaminess to smoothies (like this green avocado smoothie). But I just have one question — why should the avocado-beverage connection stop there?

Avocado already goes seamlessly with Mexican food, so adding it to a margarita — like in this recipe courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts — is clearly the next step. Then, when you opt for spicy jalapeño tequila instead of regular, you essentially have a boozy, drinkable version of guac (and no, it won't cost you extra). (Want more ways to health-ify your marg? Next up: This superfood turmeric margarita.)

Avocado Margarita Recipe

Ingredients

• 3/4 oz + 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Tajín Clásico Seasoning
• 1 1/2 oz jalapeño tequila
• 3/4 oz Cointreau
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz organic agave
• 1/2 whole ripe avocado

Directions

1. Rim cocktail glass with lime juice and Tajin Clasico
2. Place avocado into a mixing glass and muddle into a smooth puree
3. Add ice and all other ingredients. Shake vigorously
4. Strain into an ice-filled, prepared cocktail glass
5. Garnish with a cilantro-lime popsicle (optional)

Raspberry Punch

Your back-to-school days may be long gone, but regardless of where you're at in life, the passing of Labor Day always signals a bittersweet emotion. The long holiday weekend almost forces you to say goodbye to the carefree days of summer, all the while ushering in chillier, breezier fall temperatures.

But if we want to get technical here, summer isn't over. In fact, autumn doesn't actually begin until late September. So while everyone and their mother busts out the flannel button-downs and orders pumpkin spice lattes, consider this the permission you were looking for to continue celebrating summer with backyard barbecues and poolside hangouts. (Though, we admit, these pumpkin spice-flavored snacks are amaze.) Because, really, all you need is a good-weather day (September is chock-full of those), friends you like to hang out with, and a tasty drink in hand. The rest? Details.

And while the whole "choosing your friends" ordeal is up to you, the drink component is covered with this punch recipe from Koskenkorva Vodka. It's perfect for a bon-voyage-summer bash, seeing as punch is a classic summer drink and the ultimate refreshment. Plus, it makes use of the fresh raspberries that are only in seasoon a little while longer. And while adding a raw egg white to a cocktail may sound a little funky, trust: It gives the drink a foam that's similar to frothed milk and bonus! serves up an extra hit of protein. (Speaking of protein, have you tried these healthy, no-bake energy ball recipes yet?)

Red River Punch

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz. Koskenkorva Vodka
• 0.5 oz. lemon juice
• 0.5 oz. sugar syrup
• 4 raspberries
• 1 egg white
• Soda water

Directions

1. Muddle raspberries in a shaker with liquids and add egg white.
2. Shake vigorously with ice and double strain in a wine glass.

Strawberry & Watermelon Juice

For the party season you could make a pitcher and add a little vodka as well and garnish with some mint. This particular juice is lovely served for breakfast with our strawberry and orange pancakes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup strawberries, hulled.

2 cups diced watermelon.

8 ice cubes

Method

Place all ingredients in blender. You might have to use a spoon to move ingredients around in between pulsing.

Serve immediately in your favorite glass.

Garnish with strawberries if desired.

Rockmelon and Raspberry Cooler

Rockmelon, or Cantaloupe, is an excellent source of Vitamin A and C, a very good source of potassium, and a good source of fibre, folate, Vitamin B6 and niacin.Combining these two superfoods makes a very healthy and very refreshing drink or snack. Option to add a banana, this will then turn from a cooler to a drink.

Raspberries are high in anti-oxidants and a host of other nutrients as well.

Ingredients

• 1/2 small rock melon, skin and seeds removed
• 1/4 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 4 extra raspberries for garnish
• 8-10 ice cubes

Method

1. Place rock melon, apple juice, ice and raspberries in processor or juicer.
2. Process until juice all combined
3. Pop extra raspberries on top for garnish.

Pomegranate mojito mocktail

This spin on the mint-and-lime classic contains delicious pomegranate seeds and juice

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp pomegranate seeds
• big bunch mint
• 2 limes, quartered, plus slices to garnish
• 1l pomegranate juice
• 500ml lemonade

Method

1. A day ahead, divide the pomegranate seeds between the holes in an ice cube tray, top up with water and freeze.
2. Reserve half the mint for serving, and tear the rest into a large jug with the lime quarters. Using a rolling pin, bash the mint and lime to release the flavours. Add the pomegranate juice and lemonade. Put ice cubes in each glass, then strain over the pomegranate mix through a small sieve. Garnish with lime slices and more mint.

Sparkling Rhubarb Apple Sangria

Sparkling Rhubarb Apple Sangria
A fresh fruity spring cocktail recipe with rhubarb simple syrup, apples and strawberry. This sparkling sangria recipe is perfect before dinner or with brunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chopped rhubarb, fresh or frozen and thawed
• 3 cups water
• 1/4 cup apple butter
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 cups hulled and quartered fresh strawberries, for serving
• 1 diced apple, for serving
• 1 750 ml bottle sparkling dry white wine, chilled (I used an inexpensive Prosecco)

Directions:

1. In a large, non-reactive stockpot, bring rhubarb and water to a boil. Reduce heat, then simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes, until the mixture reduces by about half and the rhubarb breaks down. Strain out rhubarb and discard, then return the liquid to the stove. Heat gently and whisk in the apple butter and sugar, until the sugar dissolves and the apple butter is well combined. Stir in the orange and lemon juice. Refrigerate until well-chilled (at least 2 hours) or overnight.
2. To serve: Place the fresh strawberries and apples in the base of a large pitcher or punch bowl. Pour the chilled juices over the top. Top with sparkling wine and serve.

Raspberry Champagne Float

This Raspberry Champagne Float is an easy, beautiful, and fun addition to any celebration!
Raspberry sherbet or sorbet topped with champagne. Simple and delicious!

Ingredients:

• Raspberry sherbet or sorbet (1 scoop per person I used sherbet for the creamier texture, but sorbet is a delicious dairy-free option)
• Champagne or sparkling wine (about 1/4 cup per person, plus more as desired I recommend choosing a brut or extra dry)
• For serving: Fresh raspberries

Directions:
Place a scoop of sherbet in each glass. Top with champagne and fresh raspberries. Enjoy!

NUTRITION INFORMATION 
Serving Size: 1 drink (using 1/2 cup sherbet and 1/4 cup brut champagne)
Amount Per Serving:  Calories: 150 Calories Total Fat: 1g Saturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 5mg Sodium: 10mg Carbohydrates: 27g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 19g Protein: 0g

Skinny Margarita

It’s a Monday holiday, and that calls for a Skinny Margarita! In addition to being one of my favorite drink recipes, this simple, four-ingredient cocktail has become one of yours too. I added a fun video for a single serving (you can watch it below), but you can easily scale this recipe for a crowd. A few of you (hi Jordan and Jamie!) have even told me that, after you made these Skinny Margaritas once for ladies’ night, your friends started requesting you bring it to every gathering. Cheers. Also, if you have room for one more lady, you know who to call.

If I could only have one cocktail for the rest of my days (a semi-alarming prospect indeed), it would be a fresh margarita. No mixes, bottled juices, or frozen mumbo jumbo here. Give me my rim salted, my ice cubes large and in charge, and an extra splash of tequila for good luck.

When made properly—meaning the recipe ingredients include only fresh juices, liquor, and agave or simple syrup a margarita is one of the most refreshing, satisfying drinks you’ll taste.

Margaritas make me think of sunny, relaxed afternoons outside, long vacations, and nights out with my sisters. They remind me of Taco Tuesdays (and Taco Thursdays) at our favorite Mexican joint in Milwaukee and beaches where I’d like to dig my toes into the sand. I never tire of those feelings, and I certainly never tire of a well made margarita.

Skinny Margarita – What is It and How to Make It

Margarita romance runs in our family. They are one of my mom’s favorite drinks, so when she visited Milwaukee last year, I took her out for Taco Thursday, where she requested a “skinny margarita.”

I’ve witnessed my mom order a skinny margarita at numerous restaurants on numerous occasions, and unless it’s a drink the restaurant already has on its menu, the server usually doesn’t know what she means (and when asked, she isn’t quite sure herself). For her benefit, our servers’ benefit, and the benefit of margarita drinkers the world over, I did a bit of digging to determine what exactly makes a margarita recipe a skinny margarita recipe.

The results of my salt-rimmed research: a skinny margarita is comprised of fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice (in place of the more calorie-laden triple sec), tequila, and agave nectar. The exact ratio of these four ingredients is at your discretion, though most suggested more lime juice than orange juice, equal parts tequila and lime juice, and 2 teaspoons of agave.

I like my margarita to bite me back a bit, so I lean heavier on the lime juice and lighter on the agave, which this skinny margarita recipe reflects. Please feel free to adjust the recipe to suit your own margarita needs and preferences.

Skinny Margarita

This skinny margarita recipe is incredibly light and refreshing for fewer calories! Made with just fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice, agave, and tequila.

Ingredients:

CLASSIC SKINNY MARGARITA:

• To rim the glass: kosher salt, lime wedge
• 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila (about 3 tablespoons)
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 large or 1 1/2 small limes)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1/2 medium orange)
• 1 teaspoon light agave nectar (add 2 if you prefer a sweeter margarita)
• Ice
• Optional ingredients (see below)

OPTIONAL VARIATIONS:

• Make it fruity: Muddle fruits such as strawberries, blackberries,  or raspberries in the bottom of your glass, then pour the margarita on top and stir.
• Swap the citrus: In place of orange juice, try grapefruit juice (my favorite), blood orange juice, or pomegranate juice.
• Rim it up: Instead of just salt, try mixing half salt and half sugar into your rim blend. A pinch of chipotle powder is another of my favorite twists.

Directions:

Rim the glass: Pour a thin layer of salt onto a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the top edge of your glass to moisten it, then dip the glass into the salt so that it sticks, tapping all the way around. Fill the glass with ice and set aside.

Fill a small cocktail shaker with additional ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave. Tightly close and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds (it’s longer than you think). Strain into the rimmed glass over the ice. Enjoy immediately.

NUTRITION INFORMATION 

Serving Size: 1 margarita

Amount Per Serving:  Calories: 145 Calories Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 1mg Sodium: 100mg Carbohydrates: 12g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 8g Protein: 0g

Soothing Bedtime Golden Milk

Ever since adding “Be Rested” to my list of Intentions, I’ve been putting more thought into how I spend the last 90 minutes before I climb into bed. And by “more,” I mean that I’ve actually been thinking about it, period. If you are looking for ways to relax, unwind, and improve your sleep or if you simply like the idea of a warm, tasty beverage adding a little cozy to your evening this Soothing Bedtime Cinnamon Golden Milk recipe has been a wonderful addition to my nighttime routine, and I can see it having a welcome spot in yours too!

I’ve heard a lot about “golden milk” over the years, but I didn’t fully understand or appreciate its benefits. I’d seen enough recipes for it floating around the web to know it contained turmeric and ginger (the sources of its signature golden hue), but I didn’t connect it with sleep until I decided to get more serious about my.

For most of my life, I’ve ignored sleep as a critical component of health. Diet and exercise? Absolutely. But sleep? I reasoned that was why God gave us coffee.

After all, surely whatever I was doing in that last 90 minutes before bed was more important than sleeping.

Or so I thought.

In addition to soothing me to sleep, this golden milk has also helped me appease my nightly craving for something sweet before bed. I’ve been replacing my ritual bowl of ice cream with a steaming cup of it and find myself feeling completely satisfied.

Bedtime Golden Milk
Soothing Bedtime Golden Milk – How to make a warm, vegan turmeric latte before bed to help you sleep! Easy recipe that’s anti-inflammatory, fights colds, and offers other health benefits too.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk
• 2 teaspoons honey, plus additional to taste (to make vegan, swap maple syrup)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond butter
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon, plus additional for serving
• 1/4 teaspoon McCormick Ground Turmeric
• 1/8 teaspoon McCormick Ground Ginger
• Optional additions: tiny pinch ground black pepper, ground cardamom, or ground cloves

Directions:
Combine the milk, honey, almond butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and any optional spices in a small saucepan. Heat over medium until warmed through, whisking briskly so that the almond butter does not stick to the bottom and the spices incorporate. Do not let boil. Pour into a mug and sip deeply.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container such as a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, so I like to make a double or triple batch, then enjoy it several nights in a row. Reheat on the stove, stirring to recombine the spices and almond butter.

NUTRITION INFORMATION 
Serving Size: 1 drink
Amount Per Serving:  Calories: 129 Calories Total Fat: 5g Sodium: 181mg Carbohydrates: 16g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 12g Protein: 3g

Cocoa-Chia Pudding with Raspberries

Have chocolate for breakfast with this unbelievably healthy chia pudding recipe. The deep chocolaty flavor pairs perfectly with juicy raspberries for a fun switch-up from oatmeal for your morning routine.

Ingredients
½ cup unsweetened almond milk or other nondairy milk
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
½ teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation
Stir almond milk (or other nondairy milk), chia, maple syrup, cocoa and vanilla together in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 3 days. When ready to serve, stir well. Spoon about half the pudding into a serving glass (or bowl) and top with half the raspberries and almonds. Add the rest of the pudding and top with the remaining raspberries and almonds.
To make ahead: Refrigerate pudding (Step 1) for up to 3 days. Finish with Step 2 just before serving.

Nutrition information
Serving size: 1 cup
Per serving: 222 calories; 11 g fat(1 g sat); 13 g fiber; 28 g carbohydrates; 6 g protein; 26 mcg folate; 0 cholesterol; 11 g sugars; 8 g added sugars; 282 IU vitamin A; 16 mg vitamin C; 403 mg calcium; 3 mg iron; 91 mg sodium; 281 mg potassium
Nutrition Bonus: Calcium (40% daily value), Vitamin C (27% dv)
Carbohydrate Servings: 2
Exchanges: 2 fat, ½ fruit, ½ other carbohydrate

Apple Cinnamon Chia Pudding

Switch up your morning oatmeal routine with this so-easy chia pudding recipe. It's made just like overnight oats: combine chia and your milk of choice, let soak overnight, then top with the classic flavor combo of apples and cinnamon, with pecans for added crunch.

Preparation
Stir almond milk (or other nondairy milk), chia, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 3 days. When ready to serve, stir well. Spoon about half the pudding into a serving glass (or bowl) and top with half the apple and pecans. Add the rest of the pudding and top with the remaining apple and pecans.
To make ahead: Refrigerate pudding (Step 1) for up to 3 days. Finish with Step 2 just before serving.

Nutrition information
Serving size: 1 cup
Per serving: 233 calories; 13 g fat(1 g sat); 10 g fiber; 28 g carbohydrates; 5 g protein; 14 mcg folate; 0 cholesterol; 14 g sugars; 8 g added sugars; 298 IU vitamin A; 3 mg vitamin C; 386 mg calcium; 2 mg iron; 91 mg sodium; 224 mg potassium
Nutrition Bonus: Calcium (39% daily value)
Carbohydrate Servings: 2
Exchanges: 2½ fat, ½ fruit, ½ other carbohydrate

Healthy Gut Tonic with Chia

When you're feeling backed-up, this high-fiber chia concoction can help make your bathroom routine smoother. The chia seeds form a gel-like consistency to help move digestion along easily, and the kick of cayenne pepper acts as an intestinal stimulant.

Preparation
Combine chia seeds, lemon juice and cayenne in a mug or glass; add water. Stir continuously until the chia seeds gel and become suspended throughout the water, 30 seconds or more.

Nutrition information 
Serving size: 1 cup
Per serving: 53 calories; 3 g fat(0 g sat); 4 g fiber; 5 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 6 mcg folate; 0 cholesterol; 0 g sugars; 0 g added sugars; 102 IU vitamin A; 2 mg vitamin C; 74 mg calcium; 1 mg iron; 9 mg sodium; 56 mg potassium.

Herbal Chamomile Health Tonic

Immunity-boosting ingredients ginger, lemon and rosemary are steeped with soothing chamomile tea and honey for a homemade health tonic. While the drink may help when you're sick, it's not a quick fix. Drinking wellness tonics, like this one, regularly over time may help boost your immune system. Serve hot, room temperature or cold.

Ingredients

• 4 cups boiling water
• 6 bags chamomile tea
• Twinings of London 
• Revive Lemon
• Ginger Herbal Tea 
• Bags 20 Ct
• 4 slices lemon
• 2-4 teaspoons honey
• 2 sprigs rosemary lightly bruised

Preparation
Stir boiling water, tea bags, ginger, lemon, honey and rosemary together in large heatproof bowl. Steep, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the tea bags to get as much liquid out as possible.

Nutrition information
Per serving: 6 calories; 0 g fat(0 g sat); 0 g fiber; 1 g carbohydrates; 0 g protein; 0 mcg folate; 0 cholesterol; 3 g sugars; 3 g added sugars; 7 IU vitamin A; 4 mg vitamin C; 6 mg calcium; 0 mg iron; 3 mg sodium; 15 mg potassium

Blueberry Banana Avocado Smoothie

A Blueberry Banana avocado smoothie will be a delicious breakfast smoothie, AND it’s packed with nourishing ingredients that will help give you glowing skin. This avocado smoothie with blueberries and bananas is skin care in a glass, no fancy products required!

This harsh Wisconsin winter has not been kind to my face. I never imagined I’d be battling adult acne, wrinkles, and dry skin at the same time, but apparently that’s what a combination of being in my early 30s and living in the tundra can do to a girl. Today’s Blueberry Banana Avocado Smoothie recipe is one of the ways I’m fighting back to protect one of my most important and most personal assets my skin.

Avocado Smoothie for Healthier Skin
My skin isn’t an area where I’ve ever had much confidence. I battled severe acne through high school and college. Every morning, I’d meticulously apply my foundation, trying to hide every pockmark and scar. My skin looked cakey and flat, and I was constantly checking the mirror to see if my makeup needed to be reapplied. I usually decided that it did.

Now that I’m in my 30s, although I’ve left acne *mostly* behind, I’ve moved onto other stresses. According to glossy magazines, I should have started my anti-aging skincare “regimen” ages ago (did you see what I did there?). According to prime time commercials and mailbox flyers, I should be talking to my doctor about “options” to “smooth the appearance of fine lines” that have begun to form at the corners of my mouth and along my forehead.

It’s tempting to believe that, if I could only find the right medication or combination creams, my skin would magically become as bright and dewy as a girl in a Neutrogena ad. It’s why I don’t go into Sephora on days when my self-esteem is low. Know thyself.

While I certainly think that some skincare products are important (I wear sunscreen every single day, even in the winter), in recent weeks, I’ve been paying more attention to what I’m putting inside my body, not just outside of it.

I did some reading about different ingredients that can help promote healthy, glowing skin, and although the lists I found varied here and there, all of them included foods that are rich in antioxidants (which remove toxins from the body and fight inflammation), fiber (another inflammation fighter), and healthy fats (which help your skin hold on to water and stay moisturized).

While not all of the ingredients I read about made the recipe cut (oysters, I’m looking at you), I am happy to report that many skin-boosting foods taste delicious blended together in my new favorite avocado smoothie recipe, this Glowing Skin Blueberry Banana Avocado Smoothie.

close up photo of a glass with a Glowing Skin Blueberry Avocado Banana Smoothie, garnished with fresh blueberries

Blueberry Banana Avocado Smoothie Recipe Health Benefits
Check out this smoothie powerhouse: On the healthy fat side, we have almonds, avocado, and flax. On the fiber/antioxidant/vitamin side, we have blueberries, spinach, and banana. Avocado is one of my favorite smoothie additions as evidenced by the growing number of avocado smoothie recipes on my site (including this amazing Cleansing Apple Avocado Smoothie and this Avocado Mint Smoothie!).

In this recipe, I took the almond factor a step further by using Almond Breeze Almondmilk Unsweetened Vanilla. This is my second year partnering with Almond Breeze to bring you a series of healthy recipes that will help you be your best self. I love almondmilk in my smoothies and cereal because it’s extra creamy while being low in calories, and it provides an excellent dairy-free option for those who can’t have regular cow’s milk. It’s also delicious. Ben has even started using it in his cereal and smoothies, which means we plow through at least two cartons a week.

ingredients to make a hydrating blueberry banana avocado smoothie recipe

Even if you aren’t battling the winter-skin blues, this avocado smoothie recipe is still absolutely worth making. It’s sweet, fruity, filling, and one of the tastiest, creamiest smoothies I’ve made in a long time.

clear glass holding a Blueberry Avocado Banana Smoothie garnished with fresh blueberries and a blue and white striped straw

Get your glow on, you beauty you.

Some Unsolicited Skin Care Favorites + Blender Recommendations:

• Current favorite face wash: This all in one. A friend gave it to me, and I am in love! I never thought that a moisturizing wash would be important, but I notice that when I use it, my skin is much less dry throughout the day, and I love that it removes makeup too.
• Current daily sunscreen: I’ve been using this one for years and am now wondering if the time has come for me to go with this one. Any fans?
• Blender: I use this high-powered blender. (This is another excellent and much more economical option.)

Watch How to Make a Blueberry Banana Avocado Smoothie:

Blueberry Avocado Banana Smoothie {Glowing Skin!}
Blueberry Avocado Banana Smoothie. With antioxidants and healthy fats from spinach, avocado, and flax, this vegan smoothie promotes glowing skin.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Almond Breeze Almondmilk Unsweetened Vanilla
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 medium ripe banana, peeled
• 1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
• 2 cups frozen blueberries
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal
• 1 tablespoon almond butter (or whole almonds if you have a very high-powered blender that will ensure the mixture is smooth)
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients in your blender in the order listed: almondmilk, spinach, banana, avocado, blueberries, flaxseed meal, and almond butter. Blend until smooth. If you’d like a thicker smoothie, add a small handful of ice. For a thinner smoothie, add a bit more almondmilk. Enjoy immediately.

Grapefruit Mimosas for a Crowd

A lucky New Year's Day brunch calls for something simple and bubbly to begin the year on a festive note, and I have just the thing. It's hardly groundbreaking — we all know and love the classic brunch mimosa — but grapefruit puts such a refreshing edge on this old favorite. And with just two ingredients, it can't be beat for simplicity.

And since we're entering high citrus season, I scooped up a box of kumquats to make a whimsical garnish. Why not perch a roly-poly kumquat on the edge of a glass, and have a sip of bubbly to toast the new year for luck?

RECIPE

Grapefruit Mimosas for a Crowd

• 3 cups unsweetened grapefruit juice, chilled
• One (750-milliliter) bottle dry sparkling wine, chilled
• 8 to 10 kumquats

Fill a champagne coupe or flute about 1/2 full with grapefruit juice, then top off with dry sparkling wine and stir lightly.

Make a slit lengthwise in a kumquat and slide it on the edge of the glass. Serve (and sip) immediately.

Non-alcoholic note: For a non-alcoholic sparkler, replace the sparkling wine with chilled tonic water.

Watermelon Prosecco Punch

To me, serving a cocktail that involves bubbles makes just about any occasion feel like a celebration — even if it's only an impromptu Thursday barbecue. That's what makes this punch so important to have on your roster this summer. Cubes of fresh, juicy watermelon bob in a pitcher of Prosecco and the whole thing is brightened up further with fresh mint leaves. It's a cocktail that is sure to turn even the most laid-back, thrown-together affair feel extra festive and fun.

A Celebratory Pitcher Cocktail for Laid-Back Summer Days

The darling of summer fruit — watermelon — is what really makes this drink taste of the season. Pick up a container of the fruit already cubed and it's simply a matter of tossing it into the pitcher along with fresh mint leaves, which bring a bright, herbal note to the situation. Just before you're ready to serve, pour in the Prosecco so that it's at its most bubbly when you go to pour the punch into ice-filled glasses.

3-Ingredient Pitcher Cocktails
If you're looking to serve up festive cocktails to the crowd at your next gathering, be it a impromptu happy hour or a backyard bash, know that it is a whole lot easier than you may think. If you've got a pitcher on hand and just three ingredients, you've got all it takes to kick off the party.

RECIPE
Watermelon Prosecco Punch

• 2 cups loosely packed fresh mint leaves
• 2 cups cubed watermelon
• 1 (750-milliliter) bottle dry sparkling wine, such as prosecco or cava, chilled

Slap the mint leaves in your hands to release their aromatic oils. Mix the mint, watermelon, and sparkling wine in a pitcher. Serve in ice-filled glasses.

Spicy Pineapple Punch

Here is exactly the drink you need to stir up for your next Taco Tuesday. It's got a spicy kick from muddled jalapeños to keep things interesting, but just enough sweet tang from the pineapple juice to prevent the heat from overwhelming your taste buds. The colorful punch is sure to be a hit at any and all parties you serve it at, whether there are tacos involved or not.

A Sweet and Spicy Punch That Delivers a Party

Just about any drink that is called a "punch" is guaranteed to be the center of a party, and this one is no different. What makes this one stand out among the rest are its layers of sweet and spicy flavor, which keep each sip interesting and ensure that it may well be a little bit too easy to finish off the pitcher. For that reason, I suggest you have extra ingredients on hand in case you need to stir up another pitcher to please your crowd.

3-Ingredient Pitcher Cocktails
If you're looking to serve up festive cocktails to the crowd at your next gathering, be it a impromptu happy hour or a backyard bash, know that it is a whole lot easier than you may think. If you've got a pitcher on hand and just three ingredients, you've got all it takes to kick off the party.

RECIPE
Spicy Pineapple Punch

• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
• 4 cups pineapple juice, chilled
• 1 1/2 cups tequila
• Ice

Muddle the jalapeño slices in a pitcher. Stir in the pineapple juice and tequila. Serve in ice-filled glasses.

Cucumber Gin & Tonic Pitcher Cocktail

My favorite cocktail is a gin and tonic. But sometimes, even if I use extra-fancy tonic water and good gin, it feels like it just needs a little bit more. Sure, a lime will do, but what about something a touch different? Something that could transform it into a party-ready cocktail rather than the quiet cocktail I sip on Sunday evenings. The answer to this dilemma is a slew of cucumbers — oh, and a big ol' pitcher so that it can be batched and served up to whatever thirsty crowd you happen to invite over.

Cool as a Cucumber
Icy-cold gin and tonics are extra refreshing in their most classic form, but add muddled cucumbers to the mix and they are even more so. The cucumbers add a fresh, green bite to the drink that complements gin's herbal flavor and tonic's gentle bitterness. Tossing all three ingredients into a pitcher means you've got a cocktail that is party-ready — all you need is a handful of ice-filled glasses for your friends to grab from and serve themselves with.

3-Ingredient Pitcher Cocktails
If you're looking to serve up festive cocktails to the crowd at your next gathering, be it an impromptu happy hour or a backyard bash, know that it's as easy as three ingredients and your largest pitcher. That's all it takes to kick off the party.

RECIPE

Cucumber Gin & Tonic Pitcher Cocktail

• 1 large cucumber, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups gin
• 1 liter tonic water, chilled
• Ice

Muddle the cucumbers in a pitcher. Add the gin and tonic water, give it a gentle stir, and serve in ice-filled glasses.

Blood Orange Mimosa Pitcher Cocktail

A traditional mimosa is an ounce or two (depending who is pouring!) of fresh-squeezed orange juice topped with chilly Brut Champagne. Today, we're replacing those navel oranges with the brilliantly-hued juice from blood oranges. This makes a striking and delicious pitcher drink to serve at brunch this coming weekend. And, as we know, nothing makes brunch better than a fabulous cocktail.

Blood oranges, originally from Sicily, are sweet like oranges but also have a nice bitter balance and a gorgeous blood red pulp. If you can find them in your market, fresh-squeezed is preferable, but you can also substitute bottled blood orange juice. Shop carefully, though, because blood orange juice is different than blood orange soda. Blood orange soda is carbonated and may contain additional sweeteners.

And since blood oranges are not exactly an inexpensive luxury, I thought I'd balance their cost by using more economical, but equally delicious, bubbles from Italy (Prosecco!) or Spain (Cava!). Don't splash out on anything too expensive; a modest dry sparkler will do just fine.

I'm a purist when it comes to this pitcher cocktail. I don't like any added sugar or sweet liqueurs, but that's my personal preference. If you like the sweetness of bottled orange juice you may want to add a little sugar to this pitcher drink — but I truly mean a little. A tablespoon of sugar should do the trick to take the edge off any bitterness.

Make-Ahead Tips

As a seasoned entertainer, I like to do as much in advance of my guests' arrival as possible. In this case, squeeze the oranges ahead of time and set out all the glasses, but wait to open your bottles of bubbly until the guests arrive. Any time you serve bubbly wines you want to pour them as close to serving as possible to preserve all the pop and fizz.

→ Open bubbly like a pro: How To Open a Bottle of Champagne

When your guests arrive, pop the cork, and add the entire bottle to the pitcher. All that's left to do is set the pitcher on the table and let your guests help themselves.

Tester's Notes

What is there to test, when it comes to mimosas? I confess this testing mission was something of a boondoggle, but I can report back and tell you truthfully that this is a very good mimosa. I had never thought to use blood oranges in a mimosa, but the splurge is worth it. Their flavor is a little darker, less acidic, almost savory, and for me this made such an enjoyable drink.

I also recommend the sangria version with the added orange liqueur; I tried this as well and it makes a perfectly delicious (and easy) cocktail for any time of day.

RECIPE
Blood Orange Mimosa Pitcher Cocktail
10 to 12 blood oranges, juiced and strained, or 2 1/2 cups blood orange juice
1 750-ml bottle dry sparkling wine, such as Prosecco or Cava, chilled
8 to 10 pieces blood orange peel, removed with a vegetable peeler and twisted, for garnish

Pour the blood orange juice into a large pitcher and keep chilled until ready to serve. Just before serving, pour in the chilled sparkling wine, and stir. Serve immediately in coupe glasses or champagne flutes with the blood orange twists for garnish.

Recipe Notes
Blood Orange Alternatives: If you can not find blood oranges to juice, you can buy organic blood orange juice and garnish using twists from regular oranges, tangerines or clementines.
Turn the Mimosa Into Sangria: You can add 1/3 cup of orange liqueur, or 1/2 cup of orange- or blood orange-flavored vodka to ease this pitcher drink from brunch into lunch (and beyond).

Strawberry & Limoncello Rosé Sangria

Sparkling rosé wine is my choice over and over in the spring and summer, for both casual sipping and for sangrias. This week I chose a demi-sec rosé champagne. Demi-sec translates to "half dry," which is another way of saying "semi-sweet," so expect a little inherent sweetness here. That touch of sweetness also makes rosé perfect for an icy pitcher drink.

When making sangria, you need four things: wine, a spirit, usually sugar, and fruit. I chose to use limoncello as my spirit in this sangria; this liqueur is already plenty sweet, so I skipped using any additional sugar.

The sparkling rosé, while it's semi-dry, isn't nearly as sweet as those pink wines labeled white zinfandel or blush. Rosé champagne is elegant, with incredible bubbles and great structure. What's great structure? Well it's a beginning, a middle, and an end that can hold their own when paired with all sorts of food, and in this case, fruits for our sangria.

This pitcher of sangria is perfect for brunch or enjoying happy hour tonight on your porch. With very little effort you'll have a gorgeous drink to sip that is equally as delicious to kick off your weekend.

RECIPE

Strawberry & Limoncello Rosé Sangria

• 3/4 cup limoncello
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 cup hulled and quartered fresh strawberries
• 1 750-ml bottle chilled demi-sec rosé champagne
• 1 medium lemon, thinly sliced, seeds discarded

In a large pitcher, combine the limoncello and the strawberries. Top with the chilled rosé champagne and stir in half of the lemon wheels.

Pour the sangria into ice-filled stemware. Scoop some fruit into each glass and garnish with a lemon wheel.

Recipe Notes

You can also make this with a non-sparkling dry rosé wine.

Breakfast Sangria

Brunch season is heartily upon us, and what's a holiday brunch without a festive drink? Here's a gorgeously simple sangria that isn't much more work than a pitcher of mimosas, but much prettier.

I call this a breakfast sangria for two reasons: Number one, it's a citrus-driven sangria with all the breakfast fruit you can eat. Oranges and grapefruits make for a pretty pitcher on the breakfast table, clear and colorful.

Number two: this is a light drink! Without thick orange juice to weigh it down, and sparkled up with fizzy water, this is a light and refreshing drink to toast the morning, without too much alcohol to buzz you up too early.

It's so easy — just mix it up the night before! — and just refreshing enough to see you through a merry Christmas or New Year's brunch.

RECIPE
Breakfast Sangria

• 1 pink grapefruit
• 1 navel orange
• 2 limes
• 1 cup Cointreau
• 1 750ml bottle Prosecco
• 12 to 24 ounces plain or grapefruit sparkling water

Slice the citrus fruit into half moons. Mix with the Cointreau in a pitcher that holds at least quarts. Add the Prosecco and cover the pitcher tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.

When ready to serve, top off the pitcher with sparkling water and serve with lime or orange wedges.

Blackberry Limeade

Take a break from lemonade and perk up with a glass of limeade featuring summer blackberries. Blackberries have been shown to have higher antioxidant activity than blueberries, cranberries, strawberries and raspberries, and are, therefore, helpful in reducing the risk of cancer. They're also rich in vitamin C and fiber, so you're getting a lot of nutrition in one glass.

Ingredients

• 6 cups water, divided 3 cups fresh blackberries 
• 1 cup sugar 
• 2/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes) 
• 8 thin lime slices Fresh blackberries (optional)

How to Make It

Place 1 cup water and 3 cups blackberries in a blender; process until smooth. Press blackberry puree through a sieve into a large pitcher; discard seeds. Add remaining 5 cups water, sugar, and juice to pitcher; stir until sugar dissolves. Place 1 lime slice and a few blackberries, if desired, into each of 8 glasses; pour about 1 cup limeade over each serving.

Watermelon Cooler

Enjoy juicy fresh watermelon without dealing with seeds in this tangy and sweet melon drink. Watermelon is a top source of lycopene, the compound (also found in tomatoes) that may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Ingredients

• 8 cups chopped seedless watermelon (about 3 1/4 pounds) 
• 1 cup fresh lime juice (about 6 limes) 
• 1/2 cup sugar 
• 1/2 cup water Dash of salt

How to Make It
Place half of watermelon in a blender; process until smooth. Strain watermelon through a sieve into a pitcher; discard solids. Repeat procedure with the remaining watermelon. Stir in lime juice, sugar, 1/2 cup water, and dash of salt. Serve over ice.

Raspberry Lemonade

Think pink when it comes to lemonade and add pureed raspberries to the lemonade concentrate. Raspberries offer fiber and vitamin C, and are a rich source of cancer-fighting antioxidants. And if you toss in a few mint sprigs, you get even more antioxidant action.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cold water, 
• divided 1 cup fresh raspberries 1 (6-ounce) can thawed lemonade concentrate, 
• undiluted Mint sprigs (optional)

How to Make It

Combine 3/4 cup water and raspberries in a blender; process until smooth. Strain mixture through a sieve into a medium bowl; discard seeds. Combine raspberry liquid, 2 1/4 cups water, and lemonade concentrate in a pitcher; chill. Serve garnished with mint, if desired.