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.

+++

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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Acai Banana and Spinach Super Smoothie

Mondays.

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed when my alarm sounds on a Monday morning. Five days of busy work ahead, commencing with a shower, a fresh change of clothes and something to give me the energy I need to start the day with a spring in my step.

Acai Banana and Baby Spinach Super Smoothie
Serves 1 busy person

2 small ripe bananas
1 generous handful of baby spinach, washed
1 heaped Tbs raw organic acai powder
1/2 cup chilled almond milk
4-6 ice cubes
1 tsp chia seeds

Whizz the first five ingredients in a high powered blender until smooth. Pour into a drinking glass, jar or bottle (if you're on the go), sprinkle with chia seeds and enjoy this chilled super smoothie somewhere peaceful.

It's thick, cold, naturally sweet and full of all the goodness of bananas, chia and baby spinach plus the added health benefits of acai, which include a powerful combination of antioxidants, amino acids and omegas that help to boost the immune system.

It's also a raw and vegan. Ahh the perks of raw super foods!

Not the colour you were expecting? Simply add another tablespoon or two of the acai for a richer, deep purple smoothie.
I prefer the subtle flavour from one tablespoon and looooove this smoothie as a pick-me-up for when I'm suffering the Monday blues!

Happy Monday, friends!

Ahhh-Sighhhh-Eeeeeee!!!!

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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Coconut Banana and Mint Smoothie

Our mint is flourishing throughout our herb garden and I am ecstatic because I love the unique flavour and fresh, aromatic scent that evokes fond memories of summery mojitos, spicy green salads, chocolate mint cookies, and lime and mint lemonade.

Fresh mint is a versatile, distinct herb that deserves a special place on a menu and in our household on the morning of my first university exam I chose to blend a delicious, thick smoothie with ingredients we either grow organically or have on hand no matter the time of year.

Coconut Banana and Mint Smoothie
Serves 2-3

4 Lady Finger bananas
1 young coconut, flesh and juice
8-10 fresh mint leaves
2 tsp hemp oil
1 tsp maca root powder*
ice

Blend all ingredients until thick and smooth. You may add natural yoghurt or substitute coconut milk for some of the coconut juice for a creamier texture. I've also tried unsweetened almond milk in this smoothie and it tastes incredible!

Fresh mint, smooth blended coconut and dreamy sweet banana make for a delicious, healthy and stimulating smoothie that will help to settle your butterflies. Mint has been used medicinally to treat indigestion as it can aid digestion. I found it particularly refreshing before my exam and managed to remain calm and relaxed as my pen hit the exam paper.

*A little word of warning for some of you out there who may be new to maca root... My friend Sophie recently suggested it to me and my, oh my did it have a peculiar effect. Comment below if you you know what I'm talking about...

You have one week to enter our giveaway, if you haven't entered yet, the link can be found here and some of the items available are featured below.

Bella xx

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Super Green Smoothie

When I was little, this was the holiday of the infamous chocolate egg hunt. My mother would hide the colourful foil wrapped eggs in the vegetable garden, under the leaves of indoor pot plants, behind the bedroom door, some in full view and others in impossibly hard to fathom hiding places.

This Easter I am 28. At 28 years young my mother had already given me life and I was a tender four years old. I find myself thinking about expanding our family and to be honest the idea both warms my heart and scares me completely. I have the maternal urge, if you can call it that. However, there is so much that I don't know that I think I probably should and I catch myself thinking in circles, sometimes for hours.

As I plan my own life for the little one that will join us one day, my focus and cravings have centred on health and wellbeing. No longer do I yearn for the shiny wrapped foil covered eggs of my youth, but the vibrant coloured fruit and vegetables that I have poured my heart and soul into trying to grow in my very own backyard. Today, after I mowed our lawn, raked the clumped grass and shifted our potted plants out onto the grass to catch the rain, I saw it.
In a beautiful tuscan barrel, nestled beneath a small plant with densely packed green leaves sat a shiny red, round egg shaped ball.

Only it wasn't a colourful easter egg, but my very first homegrown ruby red strawberry. I couldn't believe it.

I. Grew. A. Strawberry.

It was plump and shiny and in my opinion, almost ready to be picked but I decided to wait... Until Easter Sunday morning... So I don't tick off any bunnies.

This weekend, instead of overindulging on packaged processed overly sweetened brown chocolate, carefully covered in the familiar thin foil of every colour of the rainbow, we've decided to continue to focus on colourful foods, sourced naturally.

We prepare and eat meals filled with all the goodies our bodies need and we cherish every opportunity to promote good health. Here I've posted a recipe for a super green smoothie. For those who might be allergic to bananas (I'm thinking of you, Saara from Love, Love Lady), then avocado is a suitably delicious alternative that adds a special creamy texture and 'bulks up', or thickens the smoothie. Your flavour options are limitless.

Super Green Smoothie

Serves 2-3

One large handful of baby spinach
2 sweet bananas
1 kiwifruit
1 small cucumber (peeled or unpeeled, it's up to you)
2 granny smith apples or cloudy apple juice
1/2 tsp spirulina
6 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients together until you have a thick, chilled smoothie. Enjoy by the glassful!

Happy Easter to those who celebrate it. To everyone else, enjoy your long weekend, stay safe on the roads if you're travelling and I hope wherever you may find yourselves that you are surrounded by laughter and love.

Immerse yourselves in family and friends and don't forget to drink your greens.

Love 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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Living Green

This is what healthy heaven looks like before you blend it.

Following on from Sash over at her gorgeous blog, Inked in Colour, I tried my first ever green smoothie several weeks ago; not counting the occasional Spirulina drink I used to slurp during my high school days.

Green Fruit Smoothie

1 large handful of baby spinach
2 ripe bananas
1 generous handful of blueberries (approximately 30)
2 Tbs natural yoghurt
1 Tbs freshly chopped mint (From my herb garden... YAY!)
2 small apricots or 1/2 cup apricot juice

Place all ingredients into your blender and pulse, pulse, pulse until you have a thick, green smoothie, dotted with tiny indigo pieces of blueberries.

A handy tip is to freeze your bananas because they really make the best smoothies. We're lucky we live in a beautiful region that is famous for them, they're usually quite cheap so we buy bunches and bunches of the curved yellow fruit and freeze them for times like these.

I've enjoyed a different style of green smoothie every day for the past couple of weeks. There's no end to the fruit and vegetable combinations. Add more bananas or mangoes for a sweeter taste, figs work well too and a squeeze of fresh lime will give it that extra kick that will make you want to do cartwheels on the sandy shores of a windy beach.

Living green. It's just another reason to smile everyday.

Bella xx

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Going Green This Friday

Green smoothie goodness, inspired by Sash over at Inked in Colour and although I'm somewhat of a smoothie buff, I haven't actually made one with spinach before. Shocking, right?

There's something incredible about drinking a smoothie so green and full of the wonder of the earth that makes my heart beat stronger and my mood lift with bubbly happiness.

I made Sash's smoothie, on Tuesday as an afterthought when I remembered I should use a soft mango in the fridge, then a second time when my mother and grandmother came to visit on Wednesday. The third time I made a green smoothie was this morning, but as fate would have it, I had run out of mangoes. Super Mum was helpful by bringing me a fabric bag filled with organic mangoes freshly plucked from her very own mango tree but they're still too bitter green to use in a smoothie, so I made a new version.

Drink Your Spinach Smoothie

3 generous handfuls of baby spinach
2 large, ripe bananas
1 cup of freshly squeezed or cloudy apple juice
1-2 Tbs natural yoghurt (I love Bornhoffen natural yoghurt)
1 entire tray of ice (12 cubes)

Place all ingredients into a blender and pulse until the spinach has been pulverised. Pour a thick stream of the vibrant green smoothie into large cups or glasses and enjoy with your loved ones for breakfast or as an afternoon hunger buster (careful not to spoil your dinner appetite).

We drank ours in our bedroom loft, early in the morning before a barefoot walk on the beach.

Thanks again to Sash for inspiring me to drink green. We've never met in person but I love your blog and I'm so pleased you shared this recipe with us because now I can pass it on.

Now I can drink my spinach.

Love Bella xx

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Strawberry Super Smoothie!

They're glossy red, round and bursting with sweet flavour... Behold the humble strawberry!

A show of hands for how many of you needed a bit of a pick-me-up following the long weekend... That's what I thought... Too many days off and our bodies become sluggish and too used to the 'holiday-feel', let alone the vast quantities of Easter chocolate consumed. I for one had time to be a little bit active with a long walk around the city in the crisp air and sunshine, a little bit dressy (I attended the Golden Slipper race day for my friend's birthday), a little bit lazy on Sunday with a generous sleep-in and then of course I had to return to work.

In order to feel rejuvenated, healthy and prepared to take on the busy day ahead, I decided a thick, cool smoothie packed full of some delicious and healthy ingredients would do just the the trick.

Suuuuuuperrrrrrr Smoooooothiiiieeee!!!

In all seriousness though, this delicious smoothie is very healthy and lip-lickingly delicious. I call it a 'super smoothie' because it contains not just strawberries, but goji berries and LSA, which combine all the goodness from protein, calcium, vitamin C and a plethora of other nutritious vitamins that are (unfortunately) not found in Easter eggs.

Strawberry Super Smoothie
Serves 1

5 strawberries
1 Tbs chopped dates
1 Tbs LSA (linseed, almond and sunflower seeds all ground up to form a 'superfood')
1 Tbs dried goji berries
1 cup soy milk
1-2 tsp agave nectar
ice cubes
1 Tbs yoghurt (optional, it makes your smoothie extra thick and is a good idea to include if you're not having anything else for breakfast)

Blend together until all of the ingredients appear to be finely chopped and suspended in the liquid. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy.

Deliciously sweet, surprisingly filling, incredibly healthy and inexpensive. If you decide to omit the yoghurt, this smootie is easily gluten-free and vegan and I must say it's difficult to stop at one glass...

What are your favourite smoothie flavour combinations?

Bella xx

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