Cannellini Bean & Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Bowl

If you've been following this blog for a bit now, you probably know that I love experimenting with unusual ingredients or atypical combinations. If you're landing here for the first time, well, now you're in on it too. 

When making my usual after-work smoothie bowl the other day, I found myself thinking about how I could add more fiber without increasing sugar content, and without compromising the sweet flavor. Yes, I could add more greens, but that would create a tarter taste. Yes, I could add cauliflower (and that probably would have been perfect), but cauliflower smoothies feel like the new avocado toast these days, and that didn't make me feel like I was living on the edge. That's when I thought of adding cannellini beans! (because that's what everyone thinks of when they want to live on the edge, obviously). They're loaded with fiber and protein (1/2 cup has 5 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein), they're bland enough that they adopt the flavor of the fruit smoothie - or any smoothie - without compromising the taste, and they would add some more volume - because whoever wants their smoothie to end!? 

Here is the recipe for my cannellini bean & chocolate cherry concoction - highly recommend you try it. Oh, and I will DEFINITELY be experimenting with other fruit/vegetable flavor iterations of this bean-based delight, so stay tuned :) 

Ingredients (serves 1):

• 1/2 cup unsalted, organic cannellini beans 
• 1/2 frozen banana 
• 1/4 cup frozen wild blueberries 
• 1/2 cup frozen dark and sweet cherries 
• 1/3 cup organic soy milk (or milk of choice)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• dash of cinnamon 
• 4 I Heart Keenwah chocolate quinoa puffs (for topping)
• 1 tablespoon cherries (for topping)

Directions:

1. Set aside topping ingredients and add all other ingredients to blender. Blend on high for about 30 seconds, or until contents appear evenly distributed. 
2. Pour mixture into bowl. Use your hands to crush quinoa puffs, and sprinkle on top of smoothie. Add remaining tablespoon of cherries for topping.
3. Enjoy! 

Pop off July Fourth with these Coco-Cherry Popsicles

Popsicles take us back to our childhoods, when we had red juice dripping down our chins and blue tongues for days. We like the idea of a refreshing snack for Fourth of July, so we’ve added the Tovita touch to our grade school favorite by replacing the high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors with fresh ingredients. These coco-cherry popsicles are made simply from fresh (or frozen) fruit, Greek yogurt, and a touch of coconut flakes. These guys are a great go-to snack because they combine fiber, protein, and healthy fat - the perfect recipe to hold you over ‘till your evening BBQ.

Ingredients (serves 4):

~10-12 pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)

5 tablespoons nonfat Greek yogurt

¼ cup vanilla almond milk

4 teaspoons coconut flakes

1 tablespoon honey (optional)

Directions:

1. Add cherries to blender and puree with a touch of water for about 5 seconds.
2. Add 1 teaspoon of coconut flakes into each individual popsicle mold (found at most grocery stores). Then evenly distribute the pureed cherries to each popsicle mold.
3. Separately, blend Greek yogurt, almond milk, and optional honey for about 3 seconds.
4. Evenly distribute yogurt mixture into the Popsicle molds.
5. Allow popsicles to freeze for at least 5 hours. When ready to enjoy, run under cool water for about 30 seconds, or until the popsicle is easily removed from mold.