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Juicing, Recipes, Snacks, Tips, Vegan, Vegetarian

The Secret To Thick Smoothies

I cannot stand watery smoothies, I drink them way too fast and they end up feeling more like a juice! I have found the solution to end all of your watery smoothie problems: Xanthan Gum!

Instead of the usual, “Maybe my smoothie will get thicker if I just add one more banana… no maybe 1/4 cup more oats… and an extra Tbsp of nut butter!” We’ve all been there, and before we know it, our smoothies have doubled in calories, carbs, and fat!
Xanthan Gum a simple way to thicken your smoothie without adding unnecessary calories, fat, carbohydrates, etc.

So what is Xanthan Gum?
It is made from a tiny microorganism called Xanthomonas campestris and is a natural carbohydrate. Xanthan Gum is a thickener and byproduct of fermentation of glucose or sucrose given off by specific bacterium. The xantham byproduct is dried and forms a powder which is added to liquid to form the “gum.”

Show me the stats!
One tablespoon contains only 30 calories, 7g of carbohydrates, 0g of fat, and a whopping 7g of fiber! Xanthan Gum is gluten free and from my research, it’s vegan too.

If there were such thing as fairy dust, this would be it. Who am I kidding, this stuff is magical, it’s the modern day fairy dust in my book!

All you need is 1 teaspoon of Xanthan Gum and your smoothie can go from this…

to this!!! 


PB Kale Smoothie
Serves 1

2 cups chopped kale
1 frozen banana
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 Tbsp unsalted peanut butter
1 tsp Xanthan Gum
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.


Where to buy Xanthan Gum:
I buy Bob’s Red Mill Xanthan Gum at Whole Foods, but you can also purchase it online on Bob’s Red Mill’s official website. An 8oz bag is about $12 and will last you quite some time!

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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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