White Chocolate Mint Tea Latte (Vegan)

Cool fall mornings are my favorite…when my cozy bed tries to lure me back in, yet I slip on sweats and slippers and head to the kitchen to brew a warm cup of tea. I find it energizing and invigorating! While I love my morning smoothies, I need to heat up first with something hot when it’s chilly in the house.

white choc mint tea latte
Why not make something nourishing and comforting at the same time? This minty latte has healthy fats from the hemp and cacao butter, peppermint that is soothing for your tummy and digestion, and contains a little protein and fiber from the hemp hearts. This latte is also caffeine-free (unless you use a green or black tea) so you can enjoy a cuppa as a treat after dinner if you’d like!

This quick and easy drink is ideal for sipping while you’re curled up on the couch reading a book, watching tv or having some downtime. If you aren’t a fan of white chocolate, feel substitute carob powder (for AIP) or raw cacao powder for a darker chocolate version and add a touch of coconut cream for richness.
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White Chocolate Mint Tea Latte
Gluten-free, Grain-free, Dairy-free, Caffeine-free option, Paleo-friendly, AIP-friendly option, Soy-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free, Egg-free, Vegetarian, Vegan

Ingredients

16 oz boiling water
2-3 bags of herbal peppermint tea (I have some brands of mint tea that are stronger than others, if you prefer a more prominent flavor, use 3)
pinch of sea salt
1 1/2 Tbsp raw cacao butter*
2 Tbsp hemp hearts (omit for AIP, and substitute 2-3 Tbsp coconut cream)
2 tsp agave, coconut nectar, honey (don’t use if vegan) or a pinch of stevia (adjust sweetener to taste)

Directions
1. Steep tea bags in boiling water until desired strength, usually 3-5 minutes for herbal tea.
2. Add prepared tea along with the remaining ingredients in a blender (I use a high-powered blender such as Vitamix) and blend until smooth. Enjoy while hot or warm!

*For a chocolately version, use raw cacao powder or carob (for AIP and caffeine-free). For a thicker, creamier result add a couple tablespoons of coconut cream.

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Smokey Scramble Skillet Bowl

Some nights after work I really don’t feel like cooking….ordering take out or walking over to the hot bar at the health food store sounds much more appealing after a long day. Then I think, wait…I could have this dinner on the table in about 20 minutes…and that’s faster (and healthier) than takeout!

all about the green scramble bowl closeThis quick and adaptable scramble bowl is packed with protein, fresh veggies and healthy fats with an option to substitute your favorite vegetable or side. It makes for a hearty breakfast, tasty brunch or a well-rounded dinner with a breakfast flare…and I’m a huge fan of breakfast for dinner 🙂 It may not look like much but this bowl is TASTY!

all about the green scramble bowl

For extra fluffy eggs, I add a splash of water along with salt, pepper and seasoning along with the egg in my Magic Bullet or Vitamix…talk about a light texture! My mom used to add half n half or milk to our scrambles when I was growing up, but water works well for a dairy-free option.  Plus, the water helps steam the eggs a bit and prevent them from drying out quickly 🙂 Feel free to add your favorite veg or meat, but don’t skip the smoked salt and oil if you don’t have to – it takes the dish to the next level! 
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Smokey Scramble Skillet Bowl 
Gluten-free, Grain-free Option, Soy-free, Paleo-friendly, Soy-free, Vegetarian, Nut-free, Dairy-free, Nightshade-free, Easy, Sugar-free

Ingredients

1 Tbsp smoked oil (I used peppered bacon flavored olive oil) or coconut oil (this won’t have as much i
1 1/2 Tbsp water* (optional but makes the eggs light and fluffy)
4 cage-free, organic eggs
pinch of dried thyme or rosemary, optional
large pinch of smoked salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced (can omit or use garlic powder if desired)
1/2 cup sweet yellow onion, chopped (red or white works too)
1 cup sliced mushrooms (chopped asparagus, zucchini or broccoli can be added or substituted)
big handful or leafy greens, rough chopped (~2-3 cups; I used swiss chard and baby spinach
1/2 avocado, pit removed & chopped or sliced

For serving:
1 1/2 cup cooked grain of choice or roasted sweet potato cubes or hashbrowns (for Paleo/Grain-free), warmed
chopped cooked bacon or crumbled breakfast sausage (option, not pictured but can be added if preferred),warmed
chopped chives and/or fresh parsley
more smoked salt and pepper to taste
drizzle of coconut aminos or hot sauce (not nightshade free), optional

Directions

  1. In a blender*, add eggs, water, salt, pepper and herbs (if using). Blend for 5-10 seconds and side aside.
  2. In a skillet, heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add onion and saute for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until onions start to turn translucent and soften.
  3. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes, then add the greens and cook until wilted, roughly 1-2 minutes. Remove veggies from pan, cover and set aside to keep warm.
  4. Heat remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of oil in skillet. Add eggs and let cook for 5 minutes until set and cooked through, stirring occasionally to prevent burning or overcooking. Stir in veggies and chopped avocado, then toss to combine.
  5. To serve, layer the bowls with grain or potato of choice, meat (if using), veggie and egg mixture and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Season with additional smoked salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with coconut aminos or hot sauce if desired and enjoy warm!

Serves 2

*If you don’t have a blender, you can whisk the eggs, water and seasoning well by hand; I prefer the blender for quicker prep and the texture it yields.
If you can have nightshades, smoked paprika would be a really flavorful addition too!

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Tropical Green Monster Smoothie Bowl

Tropical green monster smoothie…transporting me to an island far far away…aka summer vacation in a bowl! This quick recipe is bright and tangy from the pineapple and mango, with a creamy base from the avocado (or banana) and packed with green goodness from the kale.

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I put this bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes and the sides started to get frosty – mmmm. With the summer heat and no air-conditioning, this chilled smoothie bowl makes for a refreshing afternoon snack or a pumped up breakfast with flavor AND nutrition! If you prefer a protein boost, add 1/2 to 1 scoop of your favorite protein (vanilla would be best in this) and blend away 🙂



tropical green smoothie bowl

Tropical Green Monster Smoothie Bowl
Gluten-free, Grain-free, Soy-free, Nut-free, Dairy-free, AIP & Paleo-Friendly, Nightshade free, Egg-free, Refined Sugar-free, Vegan option

Ingredients

1/2 ripe avocado, pit removed (if you want a sweeter smoothie, sub or add 1/2 banana)
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk or coconut water (or other dairy-free milk or orange juice can be substituted for a sweeter drink)
1-2 cups baby kale leaves (or spinach)
1-2 cups baby chard (or spinach or more kale)
1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
1/2 cup frozen mango chunks

For a protein boost add 1/2-1 scoop of your favorite protein powder

Options For Serving
chopped fruit (I used a chopped fig)
shredded coconut
hemp hearts (not AIP-friendly)

Directions

1. Add ingredients in the order listed above (avocado through mango) to a high powered blender, and blend for 1 minute until smooth. Pour into a bowl, top with chopped fruit, coconut, hemp hearts etc and enjoy!

Serves 1 large or 2 small

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Peanut Butter Crepes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Filling (Grain-free) SRC

When it comes to food ruts, breakfast is the meal that poses the most difficulty for me. My go-to option is a smoothie but switching things up a bit is always welcome. I am a sucker for pancakes, waffles, crepes, biscuits and bread in general so if I find a good (and easy) way to get my fix, I’m all over it! My quick Quinoa Buckwheat Skillet Bread is a great example, but a girl can’t live off this bread alone 🙂 I’ve had crepes on my mind since a new creperie opened up in town and I can’t seem the shake the craving.

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I was stoked when I came across these Peanut Butter Crepes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Filling when browsing through Tara’s Multicultural Table blog after receiving this month’s for our Secret Recipe Club reveal! Tara’s site is full of recipes from around the world, and her recipe index is a breeze for search through, especially if you are looking for specific ethnic cuisine. Tara’s Brazilian Cheese Bread Waffles had me drooling, along with Armenian Tahini Bread and her Samoan Sweet Coconut Buns…can you tell I had carbs on the brain? 😉

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Peanut butter crepes

Though oodles of her recipes were enticing, when Tara mentioned these crepes were naturally gluten-free and flour-less, I was sold. My crepe craving was satisfied! These are definitely best served warm, I had right off the pan and preferred it to the room temperature version I had after snapping photos 🙂 Since these are grain-free, don’t expect the same exact texture from a traditional crepe, but they deliciously filling, sweet and packed with cinnamon-flavor.

I made two different versions, one for me with my limited food list and another batch basically as written with the sugar swapped out for a lower glycemic sweetener. For “my batch”,  I used sunflower seed butter for in lieu of the peanut butter, stevia for the sugar in both the crepe and filling and made a coconut cream cheese (recipe link in the notes section). I received rave reviews for the peanut butter version and I loved my allergen-friendly crepes! I served mine with some chopped cherries and apples and a tiny drizzle of maple syrup…they are sweet enough to be a dessert in my book!

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Peanut butter version on the left, Sunflower seed butter version on the right

Peanut Butter Crepes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Filling (adapted from Tara’s Multicultural Table)
Grain-free, Gluten-free, Nightshade-free, Soy-free, Paleo-friendly option, Sugar Free & Dairy-free Options, Vegetarian, Nut-free Option

Ingredients

For the Crepes:
1 egg
6 egg whites
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 Tbsp granulated sweetener or a pinch of stevia to taste
2 Tbsp creamy all natural peanut butter (almond butter or sunflower seed butter for Paleo and/or nut-free)
For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Filling:
4 ounces cream cheese* (see notes below for allergen-friendly alternatives) softened
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 Tbsp granulated sweetener or a pinch of stevia
Options for serving
Drizzle of maple syrup, agave nectar, honey or coconut nectar
sprinkle of ground cinnamon
coconut whipped cream
chopped apples, cherries, sliced bananas or berries
chocolate chips or cacao nibs

Directions

1. To make the crepes, whisk the egg and egg whites in a medium to large bowl until foamy. Whisk in the vanilla extract, sweetener, and peanut butter.

2. To make the filling, mix together the filling ingredients in a small/medium bowl and set aside.

3. Grease a large skillet with coconut oil (butter/ghee or your favorite oil can be used) and heat over medium heat. Once thoroughly heated, evenly swirl about 1/4 cup crepe batter in the pan. Cook about 1-2 minutes, until small bubbles appear and crepe sets. Flip with a large spatula and cook another minute, until golden.

4. Remove crepe from pan to add filling while still warm and roll up. Serve immediately with maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

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Sunflower seed butter crepes

Notes:
1. *Cream Cheese alternatives: Try this cashew cream cheese for a vegan, soy and dairy-free option or this coconut cream cheese for a vegan, paleo and nut-free version.
2. If you are vegan, I don’t have a good egg-free option for you unfortunately but the filling is delicious if you use a dairy-free option and can be slathered on toast, pancakes etc
3. If you like chocolate and peanut butter, these would be awesome if you reduced the amount of cinnamon and added some chocolate chips and banana added to the filling.

For other recipes from this week’s reveal, click the link below!