Plum-Pretty Smoothie

My plum tree is overflowing with plum-tastic-ness this week and you'll see her bounty showing up in many a recipe. I usually take the skin off these plums since it is so bitter (and yet the fruit so sweet!), but I kept it on and I'm glad I did since it makes the smoothie so pretty, like the peppermint chip ice cream of my youth. Maybe my sugar taste buds have reawakened, because this tasted fine without any added sweetener, not even any vanilla.

Plum-Pretty Smoothie
Serves 1-2
~ 9.3g protein per recipe (with nuts)

1/4 cup almonds*
(nut-free version: add 1/4 cup coconut cream or 1/2 avocado)
1 cup water
3-4 plums
1 banana
2-3 ice cubes

Whir in blender. Drink!

*I am on a modified Paleo/AIP diet since I am vegan. In order to increase my protein content, I am using organic non-GMO almonds, white rice and soy (soy-only tempeh, edamame, extra firm tofu) in some of my recipes and in moderation over the course of a week. I will provide strict AIP/Paleo alternatives when I can. The protein content listed is for my modified version.

Avocado Smooth 'n Tangy

I know I should vary the colors of my morning drink, but I've got 5 avocados that need to be eaten NOW and I love avocado smoothies! Before this Project, I would have added some agave to sweeten the deal, but I am being good. It felt liked it lacked a little sumptin', so I added the squeeze of lemon. Yes! That was the boost of flavor I needed. My tongue is used to the sweet, and the brain went there first. Good lesson to learn when trying to wean off sugar...give your buds (taste buds, that is) a different point of view... in this case tart did the trick to add the kick.

Avocado Smooth 'n Tangy
Makes 1-2 servings
Protein content per recipe: approx 8 g

1/3 cup raw almonds (soaked is good)
1 avocado
1 plum
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
salt optional
squeeze of lemon

Whir in blender. Drink! (I blend the almonds and water first to get them as smooth as possible.)

Nut-free alternative: use coconut milk instead of almonds and water.

Plum-dilly-ish-ous Cooler

Don't you get bored with water really quickly? I do, even though I know how good it is for me. It's plum week at my house (a big tree, 100-degree weather and tons of plums plopping on the ground), so you may see quite a few recipes that include a plum or two. Fruit is supposed to be somewhat limited on this diet, but hey, when something is in season, (and in your backyard) I say go for it.

Plum-dilly-ish-ous Cooler

2 plums
Fizzy water (your choice)

Mix plums in blender or mash well with a fork. Fill two glasses almost full with fizzy water and ice, add in mashed plum and stir.

My plums have a really tart skin and I should have peeled them first. I'm only on Day 1 of my Project, and I was really wanting to add sugar or agave. I resisted! I'm sure my taste buds will re-adjust and taste the sweetness of plums soon.

Another idea...
Mash up a bunch of plums and freeze in ice cube trays, then just add these "Plum Cubes" to your water. That will help me enjoy these plums far past the week they all fall off my tree!

Ooooh...
Serve with frozen blueberries and a swirl of coconut cream for a 4th of July "Red, White and Blue Cooler!"

Salute to Cilantro Smoothie

Salute to Cilantro Smoothie
Makes 1-2 servings
Approximate protein per recipe: 13 g

1/2 cup raw almonds (soaked overnight would be best)
1 cup water (coconut water would be great)
3 baby carrot
1 small plum
small bunch cilantro
1 green onion
handful of greens (mine was 50/50 baby spinach and mixed greens)
2-3 ice cubes to cool it down
optional: salt to taste
optional: 1/4 - 1/2 tsp natural horseradish

Whir in blender. I use a Vitamix, so I don't really have to chop up well or go in any order. You know your own blender.

If you hate cilantro, just use parsley and call this "Salute to Parsley."

Nut-free version: Just omit nuts. To keep it thick, and balance your carbs with some fat, you could add 1/2 to a whole avocado.

I was going to wait a day and play catch-up with posting my meals,  but I was just so excited about this one I had to post right away. I'm an experienced smoothie-maker, both sweet and green, and this just came to me as I went. I knew I wanted to start with almond milk from raw almonds, and I decided to not strain them to keep all the protein and fiber. You can strain yours if you want, of course. This really makes a nice smoothie/soup/sauce with any of the first 3 to all of the ingredients. I tasted it at each step and realized I'd love to pour this over veggies or eat as a cold soup. I added horseradish for my second serving since I would add a little Siracha hot sauce to my green smoothies for some kick. But alas, that is made from peppers (nightshades) and who knows what else.