Watermelon Refresher

Watermelon Refresher
Yields: about 32 oz.
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Watermelon
• 1 cup Water
• 4 Ice Cubes

Directions:

1. Blend everything together using a high speed blender
2. Consume immediately

Salad Smoothie

Recipe inspired by Chef AJ. 

Salad Smoothie
Yields: about 4 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 2-3 handfuls Spinach (or Greens of choice)
• 1-2 cups Water
• 1 large heirloom Tomato
• 1-2 Baby Cucumbers
• 2 tbsp. diced Onion
• Sea Salt (optional)

Directions:

1. Blend everything together using a high speed blender
2. Consume immediately

 
Hoff Thoughts: At first, the thought of this was not appealing at all, but since one of my new goals is to consume greens at every meal and I hate salads, I decided to give it a try.  It's not bad, it's not good, but it is drinkable.  Heirloom Tomatoes have more flavor, so do yourself a favor and try them over a typical Tomato.  This won't be replacing my beloved fruit smoothies, but to get down a lot of greens & veggies in a pinch, this will work.

Hoff's Summer Smoothie

Hoff's Summer Smoothie
Yields: about 6 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 4-6 cups seedless Watermelon
• 1 1/2 cups frozen Strawberries
• 1 1/2 cups frozen Mango

Directions:

1. Add Watermelon to Vitamix/high-speed blender, top with Strawberries & Mangoes
2. Using the tamper, blend until smooth, about 15-20 seconds

Hoff Thoughts: You may need to blend a little of the Watermelon in order to make room for the Strawberries & Mangoes.

Hoff's Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

Hoff's Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

Yields: about 6 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 4 cups seedless Watermelon
• 2-3 cups frozen Strawberries
• Juice from 1 Lime

Directions:

1. Add Watermelon to Vitamix/high-speed blender, top with Strawberries & Lime Juice
2. Using the tamper, blend until smooth, about 15-20 seconds
3. Drink while laying out on the beach

Hoff Thoughts: Shout out to Susan for turning me onto watermelon smoothies!

Hoff's Cranberry Smoothie

Hoff's Cranberry Smoothie
Yields: about 6 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free
RawTill4 Compliant 

Ingredients:

• 1-2 handfuls Greens
• 1 cup fresh/frozen Cranberries
• 2 cups frozen Strawberries
• 1 cup frozen Blueberries
• 2 tbsp. Coconut Sugar
• 3-4 pitted Dates
• 1 tbsp. Chia Seeds
• Water

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in the order listed, into a high speed blender (ahem, Vitamix)
2. Add just enough Water until there is 1/2" of ingredients uncovered
3. Blend on high for about 2 minutes or until thoroughly combined, using tamper if necessary

Hoff Thoughts: Try Spinach, Baby Kale or Mixed Greens.  The Sugar & Dates help to offset the bitterness of the Cranberries.  Take advantage of the immune boosting properties of this seasonal red jewel to help prevent cold & flu!

Hoff's Caramel Apple Smoothie

Hoff's Caramel Apple Smoothie
Yields: About 7 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free
RawTill4 Compliant

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pitted Dates
• 3-4 Golden Delicious Apples
• 2 frozen Bananas
• 1 tbsp. Chia Seeds
• 1 tsp. All Spice or Pumpkin Spice
• Cold Water

Directions:

1. Place Dates in a high-speed blender (Vitamix)
2. Add just enough Water to cover
3. Let soak for about 20-30 minutes
4. Rough chop Apples and add to blender
5. Add Bananas
6. Add Chia Seeds & Spice
7. Fill with cold Water just until 1/2" of food is left exposed
8. Blend until smooth & well combined

Hoff's Apple Almond Butter Smoothie

Hoff's Apple Almond Butter Smoothie
Yields: About 4 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:

• 2 Apples (quartered & cored)
• 2 cups Water
• 1/4 cup Almond Butter
• 10 Dates (pitted)
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• 6 Ice Cubes

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a high powered blender, such as a Vitamix
2. Blend on high for about 30-60 seconds or until smooth
3. Strain through a fine mesh strainer
4. Serve immediately

Hoff's Mango Raspberry Smoothie

Hoff's Mango Raspberry Smoothie
Yields: about 6 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free
RawTill4 Compliant 


Ingredients:

• Water
• 6 Ice Cubes
• 1 handfuls Spinach
• 2 Mangoes (chopped)
• 1 pint Raspberries
• 3-4 pitted Dates
• 1 tbsp. Chia Seeds

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender (ahem, Vitamix)
2. Add just enough Water until there is 1/2" of ingredients uncovered
3. Blend on high until thoroughly combined, using tamper if necessary
4. Feel the base of the container to ensure the smoothie is not heating up (add more ice cubes if necessary)

Hoff Thoughts: Typically I like to use frozen fruit in smoothies and avoid the use of ice cubes.  There's nothing wrong with using ice cubes, especially when all the ingredients are fresh; they just don't add anything other than coldness.  Freezing leftover juice as ice cubes is an excellent way to enhance a smoothie.

Hoff's Blueberry Peach Smoothie

Hoff's Blueberry Peach Smoothie
Yields: about 6 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free
RawTill4 Compliant 

Ingredients:

• Water
• 1-2 handfuls Greens
• 2 cups frozen sliced Peaches
• 1 cup frozen Blueberries
• 3-4 pitted Dates
• 1 tbsp. Chia Seeds

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender (ahem, Vitamix)
2. Add just enough Water until there is 1" of ingredients uncovered
3. Blend on high for about 2 minutes or until thoroughly combined, using tamper if necessary

Hoff's Berry & Black Plum Smoothie

Hoff's Berry & Black Plum Smoothie
Yields: 8 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free
RawTill4 Compliant 

Ingredients:

• Water
• 2 handfuls mixed Greens
• 2 cups frozen Strawberries
• 2 cups frozen Blueberries
• 4 frozen Black Plums
• 1/4 cup Raw Cashews
• 3-4 pitted Dates
• 1 tbsp. Chia Seeds

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender (ahem, Vitamix)
2. Add just enough Water until there is 1" of ingredients uncovered
3. Blend on high for about 2 minutes or until thoroughly combined, using tamper if necessary

Hoff Thoughts: I froze the Black Plums by cutting in half and removing the pit, leaving the skin intact and placing in a freezer Ziplock bag.  The Raw Cashews really kick up the creaminess, making this one richly satisfying smoothie.

Hoff's Black Plum & Blueberry Smoothie

Hoff's Black Plum & Blueberry Smoothie
Yields: 5 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free
RawTill4 Compliant

Ingredients:

• Water
• 1 Banana
• 2 cups frozen Blueberries
• 4 frozen Black Plums
• 4 pitted Dates
• 2 tsp. frozen or fresh Ginger
• 1 tbsp. Chia Seeds

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender (ahem, Vitamix)
2. Add just enough Water until there is 1" of ingredients uncovered
3. Blend on high for about 1-2 minutes or until thoroughly combined, using tamper if necessary

Hoff Thoughts: I froze the Black Plums by cutting in half and removing the pit, leaving the skin intact and placing in a freezer Ziplock bag.

Hoff's Black Plum & Raspberry Smoothie

Hoff's Black Plum & Raspberry Smoothie
Yields: 4 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free
RawTill4 Compliant

Ingredients:

• Water
• 1 Banana
• 1 cup frozen Raspberries
• 4 frozen Black Plums
• 1/4 cup Raw Cashews
• 3-4 pitted Dates
• 1 tbsp. Flaxseed

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender (ahem, Vitamix)
2. Add just enough Water until there is 1" of ingredients uncovered
3. Blend on high for about 60 seconds or until thoroughly combined, using tamper if necessary

Hoff Thoughts: I froze the Black Plums by cutting in half and removing the pit, leaving the skin intact and placing in a freezer Ziplock bag.  The Raw Cashews really kick up the creaminess, making this one richly satisfying smoothie.

Hoff's Simply Strawberry Smoothie

Hoff's Simply Strawberry Smoothie
Yields: 6 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 3 cups unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 3 cups frozen Strawberries
• 1 tbsp. Chia or Flaxseed
• 1 dropper liquid Vanilla Stevia

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender (ahem, Vitamix)
2. Blend on high for about 30-60 seconds or until creamy, using tamper if necessary

Hoff Thoughts: No liquid Stevia on hand?  Just use 3 pitted dates.

Hoff's Get Up & Go Smoothie

Hoff's Get Up & Go Smoothie
Yields: 5 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Steel Cut Oatmeal
• 1 cup Water
• 1  1/2 cups Water
• 1 Banana
• 1 handful Spinach
• 1/2 cup frozen Blueberries
• 1  1/2 cups frozen Strawberries
• 3 pitted Dates

Directions:

1. Soak the Oatmeal in the 1 cup Water overnight in the fridge
2. In the morning, dump the Oatmeal into a high speed blender (Vitamix)
3. Break up Banana & add
4. Add remaining ingredients
5. Blend on high for about 30-60 seconds
6. Start the day!

Hoff's PB & J Smoothie

Hoff's PB & J Smoothie
Serves: 2
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:

• 2 cups Spinach
• 2 cups frozen Blueberries
• 1 1/2 cups Water
• 4 pitted Dates
• 2 tbsp. Almond Butter
• 1 tbsp. Flaxseed
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Pack Spinach into blender or Vitamix
2. Top with Blueberries, Dates, Flaxseed, Cinnamon & then Water
3. Blend on high for about 30-60 seconds
4. Serve immediately

Hoff Thoughts:  I suppose you could use Peanut Butter with this recipe, but since I'm allergic to peanuts, I stick with the Almond Butter.  Frozen mixed Berries would also be delightful.

Hoff's Bulk Green Smoothie

Hoff's Bulk Green Smoothie
Yields: About 64 oz
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free
RawTill4 Compliant
 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Spinach
• 2 cups Mixed Frozen Berries (strawberries, raspberries, black berries, etc.)
• 1 cup Frozen Blueberries
• 2 packets Stevia
• 2 tbsp Whole Flax Seed
• 1 tbsp Spirulina
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
• Water

Directions:

1. Place Spinach in Blender
2. Top with Berries
3. Add Flax Seed, Spirulina, Cinnamon & Sea Salt
4. Add enough water to cover the top of the fruit
5. Blend for about 1-2 minutes

My2Cents: A Vitamix is the only blender that I have found that can grind through those little berry seeds.  Try experimenting with different fruit and veggie combinations, the 5 Magic Veggies for Smoothies is a great place to start!  This recipe makes enough to last two people, three days, which is about as long as you want to keep your smoothie around before the nutritional value is depleted.  Yes, you could make it fresh everyday, but that's a pain.  Instead, I store my smoothies in re-purposed Snapple bottles.  Then each morning when dashing off to work, I can just grab my smoothie and go!  If Stevia is not your thing, try 2 pitted Dates or straight up Sugar.