Good Food: The Good Medicine Smoothie Bowl

A better breakfast bowl tastes amazing, keeps you full & gives you the energy you need to get through your day. It’s full of satiating healthy fats, fiber & complex carbohydrates. Best of all, it’s fast to make. While better breakfast bowls are ideally enjoyed sitting down before getting into your day, they’re also portable for those days when that’s just not possible. 

the good

You probably already know this by now, but I LOVE smoothie bowls. They’re delicious, feel really indulgent and give me tons of energy. When I first heard that people were pouring their smoothies in bowls, I was not about it. But then I tried it and I was like Oh. I get it. That’s damn good. Plus this allows you to add a plethora of toppings, and I love a complex symphony of textures and flavors. Which leads me to my next point – a lot of people chug smoothies or sip them through a straw, meaning they’re not chewing. Even though a smoothie is basically pre-chewed food, the act of chewing release important digestive enzymes. By encouraging you to chew, smoothie bowls are ultimately more satisfying and filling.

This is my all time favorite smoothie bowl recipe, which is just sweet enough and totally satisfying from the almond or sunflower seed butter. I usually reserve it for after hard workouts, so it's like a treat - something to look forward to and WERK for. Ya feel me?

Feel free to change up ingredients and toppings to keep it interesting!

the medicine

Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and are one of the top anti-inflammatory foods. They’re also lower in sugar than other fruits.

Zucchini is actually a nutrient powerhouse. In this case it adds fiber plus helps bulk the smoothie up without adding excess sugar. Same goes for the cauliflower, but the cauliflower has the additional benefit of being from the cruciferous vegetable family, making it great for liver support and full of anti-cancer properties.

Greens! We know by now that greens are good for you, yes? I love sneaking greens into smoothies because you can’t taste them and they give you a nice nutrient boost. Spinach is my go-to because frozen organic spinach is inexpensive and I’ve literally never been able to taste it.

Almond or sunflower butter add healthy fats, protein, fiber and vitamin E – a potent antioxidant. Before I started adding fat to smoothies, I would be hungry an hour or two after eating them. Fat gives the smoothie staying power.

Toppings like hemp or chia seeds add additional fiber and omega 3 fatty acids, cacao nibs are a wonderful source of magnesium and trace minerals, and nondairy yogurt gives you gut-boosting probiotics.

tips

If smoothies tend to be too cold for you, use more room temperature ingredients or blend for a longer amount of time. I usually add warm water to my smoothie as the liquid because it makes blending easier and takes the chill off.

I always have smoothies with a warm beverage. In Ayruveda, our digestion is thought of like a fire - too many cold and raw foods can dampen the fire. By having a cup of tea with my smoothie, I'm helping mitigate the cold of the smoothie.

My favorite, non-negotiable toppings are: grain-free granola + cacao nibs. Sometimes hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds.

You could use frozen sweet potato in place of zucchini or cauliflower. To prepare these veggies, simply chop, lightly steam them, lay them out on a baking sheet, freeze overnight and then store in bags in the freezer.

If I’ve just worked out or will be working out later I add the protein powder, but I skip it if not. In the case of not using protein powder, I add 1/2 a frozen banana for sweetness. 

Favorite plant-based proteins include: Aloha and Genuine Health

The amount of liquid you use will depend on how thick you like your smoothies! Feel free to experiment to see what works best for you!

If you have to eat on the go, just make sure you're still "chewing" the smoothie after taking sips. It  might feel weird at first, but I promise it will be better for digestion and you'll feel fuller longer.

 The Good Medicine Smoothie Bowl
 

Serves 1

Ingredients
1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
1 cup steamed then frozen zucchini or cauliflower
2 handfuls fresh or frozen spinach
2 tbsp almond or sunflower seed butter
1 scoop plant-based vanilla protein powder (optional)
1-2 cups nondairy milk or water
1/2 tsp spirulina (optional)

Toppings
hemp seeds
chia seeds
cacao nibs
raisins
granola
shredded coconut
nondairy yogurt
extra fresh fruit
extra drizzle of almond or sunflower seed butter

Instructions

1.    Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
2.    Pour into your favorite bowl and adorn with your favorite toppings.
3.    Enjoy! I hope you feel full, happy & ready to take on your day! 

Good Food: The Good Medicine Scramble

A Better Breakfast Bowl tastes amazing, keeps you full & gives you the energy you need to get through your day. It’s full of satiating healthy fats, fiber & complex carbohydrates. Best of all, it’s fast to make. While better breakfast bowls are ideally enjoyed sitting down before getting into your day, they’re also portable for those days when that’s just not possible. 

the good

As far as savory breakfasts go, eggs are my favorite way to do it. This Better Breakfast Bowl is so satisfying – I think especially because of the blend of spices in the eggs. Briefly caramelizing the onions before adding the eggs is such a delicious addition and makes the dish. The sauerkraut and (optional) ketchup add a tang that is a nice contrast to the richness of the avocado and the eggs. This comes together in about 10 minutes, so it’s best if you’ve got a little time in the morning. I don’t usually transport scrambles, but if you’ll be eating it within 30 minutes, you could transfer this to a to-go container to enjoy when you get where you’re going.

the medicine

Eggs are a hotly debated food item, but now that we know that cholesterol we eat doesn’t translate to cholesterol in our body, people are less inclined to demonize them (1). It’s crucial to include the yolks because they contain most of the nutrients and valuable fat that our body needs! Eggs are an excellent source of protein. They are also great sources of B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, selenium, and choline – a nutrient that most people don’t get enough of, but is essential for healthy cell membranes and brain function.

Onions and garlic contain sulfur, which is important for healthy detoxification.

Greens, no matter what kind they are, are nutrient power houses. They contain tons of trace minerals that we need to function optimally. A recent study shows that just 1 cup of greens a day enhances brain health as we age.

Herbs and spices are powerful sources of polyphenols and antioxidants. Turmeric especially is known for its anti-inflammatory effects.

Avocado provides healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber to help keep you feeling full.

Sauerkraut is full of probiotics that support digestions and gut health.

The Good Medicine Scramble

prep time 5 minutes / total time 10-15 minutes

ingredients
1 tbsp olive or avocado oil
½ an onion, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
2 big handfuls greens if your choice
1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
½ cup your favorite veggies (optional)

2 organic eggs
¼ tsp garlic granules
¼ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp turmeric
salt + pepper

serve with:
½ avocado
2 tbsp sauerkraut
ketchup (optional)
1 slice your favorite toast (this is mine)

directions
1.  Heat oil in a pan. When oil is hot, add the onion and garlic, stirring occasionally.
2.  While the onion and garlic are cooking, crack the eggs into a small bowl and add the spices. Use a fork to whisk the eggs until the spices are well incorporated.
3.  Once the onion and garlic are soft and just starting to brown, add the greens and any extra veggies you desire (previously cooked sweet potato or broccoli, for example). Allow the greens to wilt and stir them in with the onions and garlic. This should only take a minute. Add the nutritional yeast if you’re using it.
4.  Pour egg mixture into pan. Allow to sit for about a minute, then begin to push the eggs around in the pan, until the eggs are cooked to your liking.
5.  Transfer the scramble to a bowl. Top with avocado, sauerkraut, ketchup and an extra sprinkle of salt and pepper. Serve with toast if you’d like.
6.  Enjoy! I hope you feel full, happy & ready to take on your day!

Good Food: Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl

Welcome to the Better Breakfast Bowl Series! A better breakfast bowl tastes amazing, keeps you full & gives you the energy you need to get through your day. It’s full of satiating healthy fats, fiber & complex carbohydrates. Best of all, it’s fast to make. While better breakfast bowls are ideally enjoyed sitting down before getting into your day, they’re also portable for those days when that’s just not possible. 

the good

The Sweet Potato Bowl is the best way to eat vegetables for breakfast without even realizing you’re doing it. Sweet potato's natural sweetness makes this bowl feel like a real treat, but it’s packed with essential vitamins & minerals.

The creamy addition of your favorite nondairy yogurt or chia pudding plus nut or seed butter makes it almost seem like dessert! Top with some crunchy granola, nuts or seeds for the ultimate combination of crunchy, creamy, and comforting.

This breakfast is on heavy rotation during the colder months since it’s a little heartier and has a little more of that stick-to-your-ribs feeling. That being said, it can be enjoyed all year round if that’s what you’re into!

the medicine

Sweet potatoes are jam packed with nutrients including vitamin C, antioxidants, beta-carotene, fiber, and more. They are considered a complex carbohydrate, meaning they’re broken down more slowly by your body – keeping blood sugar stable and providing a steady stream of energy.

If you opt for yogurt you’re getting probiotics, which are vital for gut health. If you use chia pudding you’re getting fiber & omega 3 essential fatty acids from the chia seeds. I like to throw a little yogurt in my chia pudding for the best of both worlds!

My go-to nut/seed butters are almond butter and sunflower seed butter. Both are full of healthy fats, protein, fiber and vitamin E – an important antioxidant that contributes to skin health.

I use cinnamon anywhere I can for its natural sweetness and its blood-sugar regulating effect.

tips

My absolute FAVORITE sweet potato to use for this bowl is the Japanese sweet potato – they have a light purple skin and are white on the inside. They are SO creamy and have this marshmallow flavor that is out of this world.

Roast or steam several sweet potatoes at once so that you have enough for a few meals. They last up to a week in the fridge! I’m partial to steaming them because it’s fast and creates a really creamy texture.

If you have time or desire a warm breakfast, you can gently reheat the sweet potatoes. I throw them in a pan with a dab of coconut oil and add the salt and cinnamon.

If you’ve never made chia pudding the basic recipe is this: 2-3 tbsp chia seeds + 1 cup of nondairy milk. Put into a jar with a lid and shake until chia seeds are well distributed, or whisk in a bowl. You can make several servings at once as it will stay good up to 4 days in the fridge.

If you have a busy week, pre-assemble the bowls in to-go containers in your fridge. It takes only a few minutes and you’ve got breakfast on deck almost all week!

Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl

prep time 5 minutes / total time 5 minutes
A delicious & nutrient-dense way to start your day! Steam or roast several sweet potatoes ahead of time & you can have breakfast effortlessly all week.

ingredients
1 cup cubed sweet potato, previously roasted or steamed
¼ - ½ cup your favorite nondairy yogurt or chia pudding
2 tbsp nut or seed butter
¼ cup fruit (optional)
½ tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt

toppings
hemp seeds
raisins
cacao nibs
granola

directions
1.    If desired, reheat the sweet potatoes in a pan with a dab of coconut oil, the cinnamon and the salt.
2.    Assemble all ingredients in a bowl or to-go container.
3.    When ready to eat, add desired toppings.
4.    Enjoy! I hope you feel full, happy & ready to take on your day!