February 13, 2011
(last updated May 9, 2014) 
Morning, all. Hope your weekends are good so far. Mine has been divided between physics problems sets (for all of you who were wondering why in the heck I have finals already, I don’t; I misspoke. I have my first set of midterms), and some quality time with M. Since he’s off later tonight, today counts as our Valentine’s day observance.
I’m generally not one to give much thought to so-called Hallmark holidays, but that never stopped me from using any and all of them as excuses to make new recipes. Holidays are fun primarily for the food. So here’s today’s Valentine’s Day recipe—a simple smoothie.
I wish I could offer you a four course vegan dinner menu, but the simple truth is that student life (and midterms) are putting a sizeable dent in my time to plan holiday menus. But is this such a tragedy? Not really. I tend to find that most holidays—birthdays, New Year’s, Valentine’s, and even Thanksgiving—are far nicer when we don’t overthink, overplan, or overstate them. My own best special occasions were always days that began modestly and surprised me with their simple pleasures. So it was this morning, when I woke up to a mild winter day, to my boyfriend beside me, and to the prospect of a simple and delicious raw breakfast, which was appropriately pink.
Valentine’s Day Smoothie (Raw, vegan, gluten and soy free)
Serves 2
2 large, frozen bananas
1 1/3 cups frozen strawberries
1 – 1 1/2 cups almond milk (vary this depending on how thick you like a smoothie)
1 tbsp coconut butter (I use the Artisana brand) — you can substitute another nut butter if you like
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
2-4 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender till smooth. If you’d like to be cheeky, follow Lauren’s example and add some libido-building maca to this smoothie!
With that, it’s back to the day I go. I’ll tune in tomorrow with the healthiest and most delicious soup I’ve made in a long, long time.
And if you do want some Valentine’s day meal ideas—semi-raw and vegan—consider some of these:
Beet Ravioli Stuffed with Root Vegetable Puree
Chard Leaves Stuffed with Middle Eastern Cauliflower “Rice”
Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pizza
Raw, Vegan Spin on Beet and “Goat Cheese” Salad
Creamy Carrot, Ginger, and Coconut Soup
Raw Cauliflower Mash with Marinated Portobello Mushrooms (“Steak and Potatoes”)
Enjoy!
xo
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Categories: Uncategorized,
Smoothies
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Strawberry banana smoothie provides a large range of nutrition that can make us healthy. Bananas provide fiber, which protects bowel health and helps regulate digestion of us. The amount of potassium in bananas also makes it a good fruit that can help to decrease kidney stone. Strawberries promote good eyesight and decrease symptoms of arthritis. Its great for healthy living.
Hi Gena,
That looks absolutely delish. Do you know if maca is ok to eat if you are breastfeeding?
Thanks!
Hope midterms are almost over by now. So sorry to have been a bit absent from comments
That looks like a very romantic smoothie! 😉 Hope you’re hanging in there with midterms–I know you’ll ace them!
Yum yum yum!! Your smoothie sounds great!! Good luck with midterms + multitasking at the gym. 😉
What a pretty pink color! Thanks for all the great meal ideas! I’ll definitely refer back to this when I plan my meals for the following week 🙂
God, I am drooling all over the place. I can’t even decide which to try first.
I can’t wait to try this smoothie – I love that there isn’t any added sugar!
I made this smoothie this morning with only a couple minor add-ins (vanilla sun warrior and maca powder!) and it was fabulous! My hubbby and I both loved it. Thanks so much, and have a happy valentines day!
xo
I find it so sad that so many people find chemistry and physics to be such a waste of their time…some of these subjects are absolutely fascinating if you an appreciate them! I know intro level classes are terrible, but you just have to concentrate on finding something to like about them, such as if you can apply any of the knowledge to your life or passions (maybe chemistry not that I’m pushing it!).
I have got to get me a straw like that.
I love the addition of coconut butter, I’d imagine it makes it healthy-milkshake-like, which is always a good thing.
And I couldn’t agree more – holidays are all about the food!
coconut butter in a smoothie! brilliant. XXX
Happy Valentine’s Day! The smoothie looks wonderful and great recipe ideas here, thanks! I’ve got to try the risotto soon, it looks amazing!
Mmmm, I love the coconut- strawberry combo together- one of my favorite!
Love this kind of smoothie. I’d probably add a bit of chocolate just for fun. Happy Valentine’s!
I made almost the same smoothie (sans cinnamon) this morning for my sweets – the munchkin variety. They loved it! I’ll make it again tomorrow, served with a twisty heart straw. Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
I made your sweet potato cashew cheese tonight and I am seriously in love! 🙂
I did the risotto with the butternut squash but I used wild rice instead of arborio, (because that’s what i had at home) and put parsley instead of sage; everything else the same. It came out AMAZING!!!! I think because the wild rice is harder than arborio, it took about 1hr and 15min to cook, but with some music in the background, the stirring was fun! and the risotto was so yummy and creamy, that it’s aaaaaall worth it! I took pics of how i did it so soon in my blog!
😀 😀
That smoothy looks delicious! I think I will make it as a snack tomorrow 🙂 And I love the straw too…I’m going to google glass straws right now.
Ooh, I’d like all of the above for my Valentine’s dinner, please. I dunno why, because I rarely EVER do, but I’ve been craving a good smoothie lately. Time to hit the Jamba Juice…or your kitchen. I prefer your kitchen. 😉
Best of luck on your mid-terms, Gena. I have a feeling you’ll ace it. Keep on chugging!
Your food looks so beautiful, healthy and fresh! You have inspired me to cook tonight!
Valerie
The smoothie and the cashew alfredo look amazing!!!
Everything looks delicious!
Good luck with your midterms 🙂
Good luck with your midterms! Hehe, I’m a perv..lol..seriously though, maca got me pregnant! Hahaha! Enjoy your love day! Xo
Beautiful! I have pretty much all of the recipes you’ve highlighted here printed out and waiting for me in my to-make pile 🙂 Might start with the smoothie, though, as I have all the ingredients for that on hand already!
Gena everything looks so delicious it’s making me hungry!! My very favorites are the cashew alfredo zucchini salad and the risotto!! I’m a risotto fan!!! It’s like a treat to me!!!
I wish you a great Valentine’s Day and I wish that this day, as well as the other 364 days of every year you are surrounded by love and light.
Have a great week and best of luck on exams!! 😀
looks amazing! i’ve been loving on blueberries in my smoothies lately. yes, i caved in and bought frozen haha. your smoothie pics with all the berries were taunting me too much! happy vtines!
Look, Gena has a sweet side! I always knew it.
I hope you have a wonderful first V-day with M.
<3
smoothie sounds awesome and looks great! Happy Valentine’s!
Hope you are having a nice weekend! Good luck studying for midterms!
enjoy that first set of midterms! physics was my least favorite class of the pre-reqs for med school. just comfort yourself in the fact that you will NEVER NEVER NEVER use any chemistry or physics in medicine if you don’t want to.
also, welcome to the years of eating as quickly as possible! now that i’m through the harried part of med school, i’m just trying to learn to slow down when i eat again.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and M!
The smoothie looks so cute and festive.
The Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pizza is something I forgot about..thank you for reminding me that i love both sundrieds AND artichokes and i really need to make that!
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday/Monday V-day with your sweetie. And I hope he surprises you with something fun. Anything to take your mind off physics sets.
Stay strong, Gena! You are doing amazing with all these hardcore classes 🙂
Beautiful! And inspiring. Much healthier than the vegan chocolate cake that’s on my mind…
xo
Eco Mama
I’m truly inspired by your tasty and healthy Valentines Day suggestions. No chalky hearts for you!
Lately I’ve been loving blood oranges for their rich jewel-tones and I think they will make the perfect festive snack for tomorrow, not to mention a pretty cute symbol of affection to gift to my sweetheart.
I love the look of that smoothie, perfect for tomorrow morning!
I love that straw!
That beet salad is calling my name. Everything looks so appetizing and healthy! 🙂
Wishing you and M a lovely Valentine’s Day! 🙂