Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie Bowl

I'm getting back into my morning run with Coco. It would seem that this little dog needs the exercise as much as I do.
With the tangerine morning sun peeping over the sea horizon and Love's peaceful, sleeping face fallen away from breast, lips slightly parted following her 5am feed, I lift her hand from my chest and tuck it down beside her chin. Slowly, I peel my body away from her with as much tongue-poking-out-the-side-of-my-mouth concentration as my ten year old self playing Pick up sticks trying not to disturb my pile of colourful skewers, or in this case, my sleeping babe.

I slip into a loose t-shirt laid out the previous evening and tiptoe down the stairs. A furry little head pops out from beneath her bedding, one floppy ear folded back. She watches me in silence. I catch her gaze from the landing and whisper, 'Go to the beach?'. She tilts her head as if she understands every word, then slides out of her bed, an old cardboard box from the growers markets, stretches in a perfect downward dog pose, holding just long enough to finish her yawn with curly tongue outstretched. Her little round body follows me down the stairs, nails gently tapping against the hardwood floor.

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It's always a little difficult for me to run after a long break. My feet begin to feel heavy against the sloppy, wet sand, my lungs fill with cool air and my ears sting in the breeze. I push myself for the first kilometre until I feel my body settle into a regular rhythm, feed pounding, Coco running from the dunes to the sea and back again. I can tell she has missed this time with me, she seems particularly yappy today. I can imagine that expression on her face is really a goofy smile. Just the two of us, without the squeaky toy I brought home from the hospital, the living doll she's not allowed to play with yet.

We run all the way to the northern island before turning back and jogging home. Coco bounds into the sea and gulps down some salty water- she does that sometimes. I can feel the sun begin to burn my skin as we reach Witches Reef. We slow to a brisk walk before stopping to stretch. I can feel my stomach rumble, a reminder that I need fuel to replenish my energy. It never ceases to surprise me how ravenous I have felt since breastfeeding.

We have a quick dip in the cool sea, then walk the rest of the way home. We rinse off under the outdoor shower, then drip dry in the sun for several minutes until I decide what to make for breakfast: an energy smoothie, with peanut butter. Oh how decadent for breakfast!

Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie Bowl with Chia
Serves 1 (very, very hungry lady)

2 x large very ripe bananas, frozen
1 heaped Tbs organic peanut butter
2 tsp honey (substitute agave for vegan)
2 Tbs chia seeds
1 Tbs hemp seed oil
2/3 to 1 cup soy or other non-dairy milk

Blend all ingredients until smooth, pour into serving bowl. Garnish with sliced apple, coconut flakes, pepitas and raw peanuts.

This is the perfect smoothie to enjoy if you're an active mama. If you enjoy other smoothie recipes, check out my instagram @seaandsalt

Bella xx

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A Festive Smoothie: Mango and Raspberry Smoothie with Hemp Seed Oil

It's that wonderful time of year when the cicadas trill in high pitched notes in the gumtrees, and hot, sunny days are broken by the distant rumble of the approaching storm clouds. Claps of thunder boom across the sky, as white strobe-like flashes of lightning light up the dark clouds.

We can smell the rain before it arrives. Fresh, sweet and cool.

Each afternoon, heavy drops begin to fall before sunset, making 'ting-ting-tang' sounds on the corrugated tin balcony cover. The late showers nourish the earth, turn the rapidly growing grass a vivid green and water the various vegetables and herbs we have scattered about our steps and front garden in odd shaped terracotta pots. The passionfruit flowers begin to bloom as their long, curly vines reach out to claim the fence.

Long December days at our seaside home are always hot, sun drenched and occasionally humid before the storms arrive. The storms themselves are frequent, occasionally interrupting the power but usually they make the lights blink and the little dog pant.

Growing up by the sea during the summer was a magical time. We had six weeks of school holidays packed with long beach days, surfing at our local 'secret spot', scuba diving from the beach or boat, snorkelling at the entrance to the lake, enjoying summer barbecues, and fresh, sweet fruit. Rainy afternoons were spent crafting away bringing two dimensional pictures to life with paper tole, making Christmas decorations, listening to carols, eating dripping watermelon, sucking on mango cheeks and drinking smoothies.

Here's a little festive smoothie to brighten your Christmas morning. It's healthy, organic, vegan and filled with all the sweetness of summer fruits.

Mango, Banana and Raspberry Smoothie with Hemp Seed Oil
Serves 1 (but make more to share, it's delicious!)

Mango Smoothie:

2/3 cup fresh mango (frozen)
1/2 large very ripe banana
1/2 - 1 Tbs hemp oil
1/2 cup organic soy milk

Blend until smooth, pour into a large glass or jar.

Raspberry Smoothie:

2/3 cup fresh (frozen) raspberries
1-2 tsp light organic agave nectar
1/2 cup organic almond milk

Blend until thick and smooth. The frozen berries turn into a dark, rich magenta drink, the icy consistency of a thick slushie. The flavour is quite tart, and slightly nutty due to the addition of almond milk.

Spoon a small amount of the raspberry smoothie over the mango smoothie, just enough to cover the yellow fruit layer, then pour in the rest. Decorate with raw almonds, chia seeds and fresh blueberries. Enjoy with friends and family after a long day at the beach.

It's important to use frozen fruit for a lovely thick drink. When I first made this smoothie, I had to leave several times to tend to Baby Love and so my raspberry smoothie melted... Needless to say, I wasn't able to 'build' the two different layers (it still tasted a treat though). Watch the YouTube link for the fun blooper at the end, if you feel like a bit of a laugh...

Hemp seed oil: packed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
Chia seeds: loaded with fibre, quality protein (about 14% by weight) and fibre
Almonds: contain the highest calcium content of any nut, are high in fibre and add the perfect crunch for this smoothie
Blueberries and raspberries: contain vitamin C and phytonutrients, which support our body systems.
Mangoes: rich in vitamin C (this mango serving contains approximately 2/3 of your recommended daily intake)
Bananas: contain high amounts of potassium and low amounts of sodium, making this fruit excellent for heart health.

Merry Christmas dear friends! May your day be filled with joy, laughter, music and the company of your loved ones.

Oceans of love,

Bella xx

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Raw Chocolate Smoothie

Most of us aim for good health through the nutrient-rich food we eat in moderation and regular exercise. Our diets are comprised of seasonal, whole foods that tend to change with the transition of the climate. Lately Byron and I have been dining on slow-cooked soups from my crock pot but on the occasional warmer morning, I have been boosting my energy the natural way, with raw food smoothies.

Raw food: Energy the Natural Way

This is a vegan superfood smoothie, inspired by the benefits to be gained from raw-food living. It is filled with organic, raw ingredients and loaded with magnesium from cacao. The naturally stimulating energy from the cacao and rich green spirulina will help you to focus, to create or in my case, to study for university exams.

This smoothie beats a black coffee for longer lasting energy and takes less time to prepare. If your morning is golden and warm or perhaps you intend to go for a run along the beach today, then I would wholeheartedly suggest you try this smoothie for it's cool, delicious flavour.

Raw Chocolate Smoothie
Serves 1-2

1 ripe banana or avocado
1 Tbs raw cacao powder or nibs
1 tsp hemp oil
1 tsp agave nectar
1 tsp maca root powder
1/2 vanilla bean (seeds only)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp spirulina
1/2 to 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (homemade if you have it to avoid heat-treated milk!)
1/2 cup ice

Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until smooth. Taste and add additional agave to sweeten if required. Pour into serving glasses and sprinkle with additional ground cinnamon or cacao nibs. Enjoy on a verandah overlooking the sea.

Did you happen to notice my new indoor plant? I took a picture of it outside on our timber deck for these smoothie photos, however it is now sitting proudly on my small coffee table in the downstairs lounge room. I was so sick of being indoors with the recent rainy weather and seasonably cooler temperatures and was craving a little bit of nature inside my home. Although I may be cooped up for long hours of study in our small, warm seaside cottage, I now have a beautiful green Peperomia plant to brighten my day. I can feel the subtle, positive energy that comes from growing living plants inside my home and it cost less than ten dollars.

Money well spent.

Bella xx

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Kiss Me Smoothie with Hemp Oil

I've just had the most incredible weekend (colourful photo diary to follow soon!).

Today was a throwback to Summer. Hot, dry heat blistered the tar on the road as I squinted under a bright blue sky. We arrived home this afternoon, after having missed lunch due to the scenic, long drive. I unpacked the car and lugged our weekend bags, cameras and laptop inside as my sticky shirt clung uncomfortably to my skin. The puppy made a half dozen or so pit-stops on the grassy lawn before racing up the front steps to refuel with a fresh bowl of water and collapsing on the cool floor for a nap. Too impatient toss together a salad, yet unable to decide what I wanted to eat I opted instead for a fresh berry and banana smoothie with a spicy ginger kick and healthy organic hemp oil (you'll notice that I couldn't wait to take a picture, I had a mouthful first, it's that delicious!).

Lunch dilemma solved!

Kiss Me Smoothie

Serves 2-3

2 bananas
100g fresh strawberries (2 small handfuls)
50g fresh blueberries (1 small handful)
2 tsp hemp oil
1 tsp finely grated ginger
*3/4 cup cloudy apple juice
ice optional

Blend all the ingredients together. Add half a tray of ice cubes to your blender if you would prefer a chilled smoothie. I opted for no ice when I made my smoothie this afternoon so I could glug it down quickly and it was beautiful. Sweet pieces of ruby red strawberries, indigo blueberries and creamy yellow banana in a thick pink smoothie, enhanced by fresh ginger.

*Fresh apple juice would be lovely, however I have also blended this smoothie with apricot nectar and it is DIVINE!!!

Super foods? Tick!
Essential fatty acids in organic hemp oil? Tick!
Obtaining dietary essential fatty acids through a renewable source that does not deplete our oceans fish populations? Tick!
Vegan? Tick!
Gluten Free? Tick!
Healthy? Tick!
Tasty? You bet!

I've developed a bit of a love affair with hemp oil. Our choice of hemp oil is certified organic, made in Australia and filled with all the benefits you should look for when incorporating an oil into your diet. Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, a delicious nutty flavour, it can boost a weakened immune system, aid digestion and hormonal imbalance and acts as a natural moisturiser for hair and skin. We usually have one teaspoon per day, either by the teaspoonful or in a drink such as this gorgeous smoothie.

This right here is a refreshing smoothie that tastes so sweet and inviting and with the added bonus of incredible health benefits, you'll want to kiss the person who made it for you... And Byron did!

Happy weekend dear friends!

Bella xx

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