Healthy Holiday Spice Mylkshake

Elsewhere Note: I interviewed Alison St. Sure of Sure Foods Living on the topic of a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving. She offers great tips and a couple of family-tested recipes that are at their feast every year. You can see the post here: Making Gluten Free Holidays Merry.

After discovering that many of my online friends didn’t have a single acorn squash recipe posted, I went a little nuts with trialing out different recipe ideas to inspire them … and this one was too delicious not to share. Yes, it is November, freezing, and I’m talking about smoothies and milkshakes, but really, ice cream never goes out of season, so why should shakes?

I think what surprised me most about the flavor was how it tasted a bit nog-inspired. No, I’m not claiming that this tastes just like eggnog (see my article on Dairy-free Egg Nog for some options in that department), but it does have a similar rich and creamy texture, in addition to those “warm” holiday flavors. And more importantly, this holiday beverage is virtuous enough to enjoy for breakast or as an afternoon treat. The acorn squash provides loads of vitamin A, vitamin C, and a whole host of other nutrients, the pecans and flaxseeds balance the carbohydrates with a touch of protein and some healthy fats, and don’t even get me started on the banana. Bananas are a key “superfood” in my world. I’m also addicted to adding fresh ginger to my smoothies lately. It adds a clean, but spicy taste, along with some more healthy benefits to help ward off winter colds.

The recipe below makes one really big serving, but I still wanted more …

Recipe: Dairy-Free Holiday Spice “MilkShake”

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons (.5 oz) Pecan Pieces
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Flaxseeds
  • 1 Medium to Large Ripe Frozen Banana, broken into chunks
  • 1/2 Cup Cooked Acorn Squash (roughly 1/4 of a medium-sized acorn squash – see below for other options)
  • 1/2 Cup Vanilla Milk Alternative (I used Pacific Foods 7-Grain Vanilla Non-Dairy Beverage)
  • 1-Inch Chunk Fresh Ginger, peeled
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • Pinch Salt
  • 1-1/2 Teaspoons Maple Syrup
  • 1 25mg Scoop Pure Stevia Extract (or sweeten to taste with more maple syrup or your sweetener of choice)

Instructions

  1. If you aren’t using a high power blender (that can pulverize little seeds and such), place the pecans and flaxseeds in your spice/coffee grinder and whiz them for about 30 seconds, or until finely ground (the pecans may start to clump, that is okay).
  2. Place all ingredients, including the pecan-flax mixture in your blender, and blend until smooth. I recommend making sure the squash is closest to the blades to allow the blender to work with ease before it hits those frozen bananas. This is particularly important if you aren’t using a high power blender.
  3. Feel free to adjust the liquid (by adding more milk alternative) and/or sweetener to taste.

Variations

  • I had some leftover roasted acorn squash, which worked so well in this, but you can substitute pumpkin puree, cooked sweet potatoes, or cooked butternut squash for the acorn squash.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Diet type: Vegan, Dairy free, Egg free, Peanut free, Soy free, Refined Sugar free, optionally Gluten free

Number of servings (yield): 1

Copyright © Alisa Fleming.

Dairy-Free Holiday Spice Milkshake - Healthy, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Pumpkin, Pecan, Squash

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I’ve submitted this recipe to Wellness Weekends ate Diet, Dessert & Dogs.

Giveaway: Introducing the Fab Uplift Detox Program from Nutritionist Meghan Telpner

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Mary Horowitz, she won the Fab Uplift Detox Program. To sign up for any of Meghan’s nutrition programs, and to see her great recipes, visit Meghan’s blog, Making Love In The Kitchen.

I’m veering away from my usual “foodie” giveaways to offer a healthy gift from my friend, Meghan Telpner …

Even when we know the right things to do- it is so easy to get derailed by the busyness of everyday. Suddenly that time when we can eat the best food possible, look and feel amazing becomes some foggy lensed vision of the way off magical time in the future when we have all the hours in the world.

You know what I’m talking about, right?

Well, the adorable Ms. Meghan Telpner, the Toronto-based nutritonista you may know from her blog Making Love In The Kitchen is here to the rescue.

Meghan Telpner's Fab Detox

She has put together the ultimate detox program. Now this is not one of those lame, cheesy fad detoxes that requires you to starve yourself while pumping your bod full of supplements and laxatives. No way. Not her style. Meghan and her team have put together a Food Detox! The ladies over there have named it The Fab Uplift Detox Program. And wouldn’t you know, she is giving away a few spots in this program, and one of them is for one of you! (read on)

Included in the program is all of the following:

  • A full 16-Day Detox Program ebook which you can download immediately upon registration.
  • 4 day pre-cleanse coaching tips and recipes.
  • 8 Day Cleanse program including meal plan, shopping list and recipes.
  • 4-Day Post Cleanse guidelines.
  • Loads of info on why you should detox, what it means to detox, what this detox entails, and how to keep it going after the sixteen days have passed.
  • A daily email offering tips and support, progress, and bonus recipes.
  • Daily tweet coaching tips throughout the day (follow at #fabdetox)
  • Group TweetChat on Sunday, November 20th at 9:00pm EST
  • Live stream video chats with Meghan and her team (Scheduled for Friday November 18th and Friday, November 25th at 11:00am EST)
  • Email support throughout the main eight days of the detox with my resident nutritionists Alexa and Jill
  • Extra sweet incentive: At the end of the cleanse, send in a before + after on how you feel or a general testimonial and you will be entered to win some of our most fave detox goodies from some of our most fave detox loving brands.

To note, participation in Meghan’s Detox is valued at $79, though if you register on Monday, November 7th, the cost is just $69 and you can live anywhere in the world to participate.

You can get full details on the program over on Meghan’s website.

Now, for a chance to win a spot in The Fab Uplift Detox Program, simply leave a comment below and tell me your favorite healthy food.

This giveaway is only open for a few days. The winner will be chosen on Thursday, November 10, 2011. So comment now to enter!

Crispy Curry Potato & Carrot Croquettes

I’ve got a recipe featured on Attune Foods this week. Head over and check it out:

Crispy Curry Potato & Carrot Croquettes – You are going to love this combination. The carrots add a light sweetness, the curry gives it a warm and earthy flavor, and who doesn’t love the crisp coating you get from a light pan-fry? Plus, this is a “normal” recipe that just happens to be vegan/vegetarian, free of the top eight allergens, optionally gluten-free, and sugar-free! Suitable for almost everyone. Enjoy!

Crispy Curry Potato & Carrot Croquettes - Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, optionally Gluten-Free

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Giveaway: Stonehouse 27 Exotic Indian Cooking Sauces and Lundberg Brown Rice

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Lexie of Lexie’s Kitchen, she won a gift package from Stonehouse 27 and Lundberg!

Congrats to Jsv888, who responded, “I would love to try the unsweetened almond milk in my latte and on my sons oatmeal since we are both dairy free!” to the Earth’s Own + Whole Foods Giveaway. She is the winner! Now onto the next giveaway …

I know, it’s like giveaway central around here lately! I’ll have a killer recipe coming soon, but first … I received a fun challenge from Stonehouse 27 and Lundberg Family Farms, involving a review, a recipe, and a giveaway for readers. It wasn’t something I could pass up. For my part, I was required to pick one sauce, one Lundberg Heat n Serve Rice Bowl,  and add just three more ingredients to make a meal. Easy enough …

First, those extremely bold Stonehouse 27 sauces come in six varieties, so an initial selection had to be made. Alas, you would think (or at least hope) that sauces called Cashews & Cream would be thickened with cashew crème, but no such luck. I’ll have to work on making those two sauces dairy-free at home. Regardless, with four amazing flavors to choose from, I decided to whip up a gluten-free and dairy-free recipe with the Dates & Tamarind sauce. The label said that it goes well with two ingredients that I had on hand, pork and bell peppers (note: the dairy-free sauces are vegan, so you can easily enjoy them with just vegetables and/or tofu for a vegetarian meal).

Before adding the sauce I gave it a quick taste test, and boy was I glad I did! This stuff is SPICY! At that moment I decided to make my fifth ingredient coconut milk – something to tame the heat a touch and add a little richness to the final dish …

Stonehouse 57 Tamarind & Dates Sauce over Lundberg Brown Rice

Recipe: Creamy Tamarind & Date Pork and Bell Peppers over Brown Rice

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Stonehouse 27 Tamarind & Dates Sauce
  • 1/2 Cup Canned Coconut Milk (full fat / regular)
  • 1 Large Sweet Bell Pepper, sliced
  • 6 to 8 Ounces Lean Pork or Chicken Breast, trimmed of excess fat cut into 1/2-inch cubes (can sub an equivalent amount of cubed extra-firm tofu for vegan or vegetarian)
  • 1 Lundberg Organic Heat & Eat Brown Rice Bowl

Instructions

  1. Toss the sauce, coconut milk, peppers and meat in a saucepan.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and allow to simmer until the meat is cooked through (mine took about 10 minutes).
  3. When the sauce is almost done, heat up the rice in a saucepan or in the microwave.
  4. Divide the rice between to large bowls and top with the sauce.

Variations

If they would have allowed 6 ingredients, my final addition would have been pumpkin puree. I swirled some into leftovers, with a wee bit of salt, and it upped the flavor to a new level. For vegan or vegetarian, use tofu.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Cooking time: 10 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 2

Copyright © Alisa Fleming.

 

A full review will be on its way on Go Dairy Free! But for now, lets get to that giveaway …

Giveaway Prize: A Gift Pack to include Five Stonehouse 27 Exotic Indian Cooking Sauces (winner picks!) and all Three Lundberg Organic Heat ‘n Eat Brown Rice Bowls ($40 value in total!)

To Enter: Comment below and tell me what 5 Sauces you would select (you can get more than one of a single flavor if you wish!) and if you can think of one, what 5-minute recipe you would make first with one of these sauces!

For More Info: Stonehouse 27 Website, Lundberg Website, Stonehouse 27 on Facebook, Lundberg on Facebook

This giveaway will be open through Monday,  November 7, 2011. Enter now! …

Giveaway: $40 Whole Foods Gift Card + Ryza and Almond Fresh Non-Dairy Milks

Yes, Earth’s Own, makers of Almond Fresh and Ryza Non-Dairy Milks, is sponsoring a giveaway here on Alisa Cooks and Go Dairy Free this week and the prize includes:

Their products are new to U.S. grocery store shelves (available at Whole Foods and many other stores!), so they are spreading the awareness with this marvelous giveaway.

Comment to Enter: Tell me in the comment section of this post which variety of Almond Fresh or Ryza that you would like to trial first.

There will be one winner! But, related to this giveaway prize, I have two things for everyone. Check these out and enjoy after you enter to win this giveaway:

A Recipe: Pear Almond Power Smoothie (Trust me, it is good! No, it isn’t grainy, and yes, the flavors pear beautifully (yes, that was me typing a cheesy pun))

Vegan Pear Almond Spice Smoothie - Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, and Sugar-Free

A Review: Ryza and Almond Fresh Non-Dairy Milks (Both received the thumbs up, but I give some more tasting details in the review)

Earth's Own Vegan Milk Alternatives - Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free

To keep up with my recipe posts and giveaways, you can follow me via:

I’m actually dabbling in all of the social media (Stumble Upon, Pinterest, Google+, etc.), but Facebook and Twitter is where you will get my updates!

Ready, set, enter this giveaway! The winner will be selected on Tuesday (November 1st!) …