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Breakfast, Desserts, Recipes, Tips, Vegetarian

Cherry Almond Green Tea Smoothie Bowl

Hello lovelies!

If you follow RFFMBT on Twitter or Facebook you know that I always post a “Motivation Monday” quote to get the week started off right! I realized that I have never posted my Motivation Monday quotes on my blog, so today… that will change! I love starting my week feeling strong, positive, and optimistic and sometimes all you need are some motivating words to make it happen.

Motivation Monday: “Transformation is not a future event, it’s a present activity” -Jillian Michaels

Today started off with a scrumptious smoothie bowl and a dysfunctional computer! I took my computer into the Apple Store for a Genius Bar appointment in hopes of solving my wifi issue. My computer has not been able to detect, pickup, or stay connected to wifi for the past couple of weeks and it’s been super annoying. I’ve actually had to plug my computer straight into the ethernet cord! How old school… haha So anyways, my computer ended up having all sorts of problems, so I said bye bye to my computer while it goes to the Apple spa for 3-5 days! AHHHH! Bear with me as I attempt to post from my iPad, and public library computers while my lappy is away on vacation! I will try to continue posting everyday, but if I am slow or go MIA, this is why (hence the late post)! Cross your fingers my computer is only gone 3 days versus 5!

Enough depressing talk about my beloved laptop and back to that scrumptious smoothie bowl! Today’s smoothie was so thick that it turned into an awesome smoothie bowl. I’m one of those people that could not live on juice because I would miss chewing too much. I love a good smoothie, but I can drink those babies in under 30 seconds and then start scavenging the pantry for something to “eat.” If you just read that last sentence and said “me too,” I have a solution for you! Smoothies are an excellent way to combine fresh nutritious foods with little prep time and zero cooking, but they can often disappear just as fast leaving you wanting more. Most smoothies are a meal within themselves, so they should leave you feeling full and satisfied. I have found a simple way to slow down my smoothie drinking pace by eating them out of a bowl with a spoon. I find that I eat slower, I can really enjoy and experience the flavor and texture of the food while allowing my body to feel full. To make sure that I slow down and enjoy my smoothie bowls, sometimes I add some RFFMBT approved healthy topping!


Allgood Provisions sent me some yummy samples of their Sundried Organic Utah Cherries which I generously topped my smoothie bowl with. I’ve been going cherry crazy lately, so this awesome little resealable pack of dried cherries is just the cherry on top. Ha. Thanks Allgood, I am loving my healthy grab and go snackity snacks! I’m not sure if I am the only one that obsesses over certain foods for certain periods of time, but it has been happening a lot lately (remember the carrot cake?)! I bought a huge bag of cherries, so I’ve been on a cherry kick making as many healthy goodies as possible. Don’t worry, if you’re sick of cherries, I’m almost out! I felt like pairing an unusual ingredient/flavor to todays smoothie for some morning energy: Green Tea!

If you’re not a fan of drinking green tea plain, you can sneak it into your smoothie to make a healthy energizing breakfast with countless health benefits:

Weight Loss: The polyphenol found in green tea increase metabolism by intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories.
Energizing: Has a stimulating effect from it’s caffeine content.
Anti aging: Can reduce wrinkles and signs of aging due to it’s rich antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Boosts immunity: The antioxidant polyphenol compounds called Catechins have been shown to boost your immune system. 
Anti Carcinogenic: Catechins present in green tea neutralize free radicals to reduce the chances of cancer.
Reduces Cholesterol: Reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad.


Cherry Almond Green Tea Smoothie Bowl
Serves 1

6oz plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1 cup frozen pitted cherries
2-3 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp almond butter
1 tsp green tea leafs
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

If you do not have loose leaf tea, open up a tea bag and measure out 1 teaspoon of green tea leafs. Combine the Greek yogurt, cherries, almond butter,  vanilla, and green tea in the blender. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time to get the blender moving. Blend until smooth. Transfer smoothie to a bowl, top with 1 tablespoon of almonds or dried cherries and enjoy with a spoon.


The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: cherries
Whole Grain: none, add 1/4 cup whole rolled oats if desired
Protein: plain nonfat Greek Yogurt
Plant Based Fat: almond butter

Warning: this is probably not the best idea for after dinner/dessert because of the caffeine from green tea… unless it’s finals week or you are working really really late that night!

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Lunch, Raw, Recipes, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Summer Salad

I hope that everyone had a nice holiday weekend! It is getting hot hot hot in Los Angeles, and I couldn’t think of anything more refreshing than a cold fruit salad with a twist! Instead of the usual all-fruit salad, how about combining some other plant based components of protein, whole-grain, and fat to complete your meal!

Hold the dressing… This salad consists of 4 different flavors that perfectly compliment each other to make a tart yet sweet and refreshing dish, so there is no need for anything else. I’m so hooked, I could probably have this every single day!

P.S. If you are trying to incorporate vegetarian or vegan meals into your diet, this is a great easy option for meatless mondays. On a high note, this salad is boyfriend approved and my sister went back for seconds haha

Summer Salad
Serves 1

1 medium grapefruit
1/2 cup chilled unshelled edamame
1/2 cup chilled corn
1/4 medium avocado

Remove the skin of the grapefruit by cutting with a knife between the rind and flesh. Once the outer skin and pith has been removed, separate segments of the grapefruit and remove all of the membrane, pulp, and seeds so only the grapefruit flesh remains exposed. Chop the segments into smaller cubed pieces. Remove 1/4 avocado meat from it’s skin and cut into cubes. Add the chilled corn (rinsed and strained) and edamame  to the grapefruit and avocado and gently toss. Serve chilled.

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: grapefruit
Whole Grain: corn
Protein: edamame
Plant Based Fat: avocado

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Breakfast, Desserts, Lunch, Recipes, Snacks, Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian

Gargantuan Green Giant

Prepare yourselves for the greenest green smoothie ever:
THE GARGANTUAN GREEN GIANT!

I was really craving ice cream the other night so instead of giving in, I started experimenting in the kitchen. I pulled out all of my favorite ingredients at the moment and decided to combine them into a smoothie. It turned out soooo creamy and actually tasted like a sugar cookie. Strange how those things work, right? Use healthy ingredients… end up with a creamy melty sweet treat! I love when that happens! Although I had this for dessert, I would probably have it for a meal because it has a great balance of whole grains, produce, and healthy fat. All you need is some protein powder and you would be good to go! The smoothie ended up being pretty big, so I told myself that I would only have half and save the rest for later. Well, that didn’t happen… and then I ended up wide awake pinning things on Pinterest! You guys are going to love this one! It’s a huge energy booster and so healthy, yet extremely delicious! Plus it is really hearty and filling, you won’t be hungry again for hours.

The ingredient list may look overwhelming and long, but everything can be found at Whole Foods or your local health food store. To get more organized and make the process faster, get out all of the measuring cups and ingredients and put them on the counter before you begin. This way everything will be easily accessible and ready to scoop and blend!

Gargantuan Green Giant
Serves 1

3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 cups fresh spinach
1 frozen banana
1/4 cup rolled oats
2 Tbsp almonds
2 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 Tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp Spirulina powder
1/2 tsp vanilla
6 drops liquid stevia or other natural sweetener
6 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy cold.
Note: If you do not have a high powered blender such as Vitamix or Blendtec, start by blending the hard ingredients (i.e. almonds, oats, and spinach) with the almond milk to ensure they are thoroughly blended. Then gradually add the other ingredients. You could use a Tbsp more of almond milk or water to get the blender running smoothly because this smoothie is rather thick.
Side Note: If your blender cannot handle almonds at all, substitute for 1 Tbsp of unsalted almond butter.

| 40 Comments
Juicing, Raw, Recipes, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Avo Fruit Smoothie

I am still hooked on fresh juice since participating in my Juice Challenge. I made a Rainbow Sherbet juice this past Monday, and I was craving it the instant I woke up yesterday. I wanted to try making it into a smoothie, so I combined the fresh juice with some avocado and ice cubes and blended it up in my Vitamix. It turned out rich, and creamy, and kept me full and energized until lunch!

I love throwing avocados in my smoothies because it adds a dose of healthy fats, fiber, tons of  nutrients, and adds thickness. I’m a huge fan of thick smoothies, so avocados are always my go to when I want to get a creamy consistency.


Avo Fruit Smoothie
serves 1

2 fuji apples
½ lime
¼ pineapple
¼ large cucumber
1/4 Hass avocado
5 ice cubes

Juice the apples, lime, pineapple, and cucumber. Combine fresh juice with avocado and ice cubes in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy cold.

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Hurdles, Juicing, Raw, Recipes, Vegan

Juice Challenge: Broken

I wanted to start off by saying happy motivation monday, and thank you to all of my new and “old” readers! I have no idea what happened last night, but my website went viral and I got THOUSANDS of views and a rush of emails in my inbox in a matter of minutes! I’m so happy that people like my blog enough to share it with others, it means so much to me!

I went to my friend Behnaz’s house yesterday for craft day and in her refrigerator among piles of healthy fruits & vegetables, was a carrot cake that she had made from scratch the night before. It was just sitting there staring at me with it’s cute decorative frosting carrots perfectly drawn on top. I just couldn’t resist a slice of her amazing cake. After all, it is a vegetable, right? After 5 days of my Juice Challenge, the fast was broken! Never fear, the juicing will continue with “A Juice A Day In May!”

I have a weakness for Behnaz’s cooking. She makes amazing Persian dishes from her family’s recipes and occasionally the most intricate and perfectly decorated cakes. I was worried about how my body would react to solid food after a 5 day liquid diet, but my tummy loved that little slice of heaven, and I’m glad I was able to enjoy it without the guilt of ending my juice challenge.

Later that evening, I sat down with my new Gingergrass & Lemon candle, From A to P juice, and new book Intuitive Eating, by Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD and Elyse Resch, MS, RD, FADA. I have had a few readers suggest this book to me, and have read countless reviews by other bloggers, so I thought it was about time to buy it.

This reminds me so much of my dear family friend Karen. If anyone had a problem or was searching for an answer for anything, she would have the perfect book for it! If Karen could see this blog, I’m sure she would have dropped this book off on my doorstep by now! Intuitive Eating offers a new eating approach to free yourself from food prison to help yourself become at peace with food to reach the weight you were meant to be. I’m not much of a reader, but I have become passionate about healthy living and how food can change our body & health, so this book looks very intriguing to me. I will be reading this book in my free time, and I’ll keep you guys posted on new things that I learn!

Question: Has anyone read Intuitive Eating before?

When my usual snack time came around, I experimented with a new juice to curb my cravings. Not to toot my own horn, but TOOT TOOT! This juice was AMAZING! New favorite for sure, and the color was absolutely gorgeous!


Rainbow Sherbet
serves 1

2 fuji apples
½ lime
¼ pineapple
¼ large cucumber

Extract your fresh juice over ice and enjoy cold.

I have noticed a huge change in my mood since starting my juice challenge, which is a big change from where I was last Monday after returning from San Francisco. I actually feel really happy today, and feel a lot healthier overall. Although I still get cravings for coffee, I feel like I have tons of energy from the micronutrient rich juices. I am thinking about sticking with a few juices throughout the day but want to start incorporating smoothies for a little while since the outcome has been pretty positive!

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