January 2017 – Luv Cooks

January’s SMOOTHIE recipe inspirations + Freelance Success Lesson #1

My friends!!

It’s Friday, it’s been an awesome month of January Luv Cooks smoothies, but now it’s time to end the month with an internet recipe round-up. Yeehaw, this word sounds a bit like a cattle call, but it’s actually going to be my monthly recipe secret inspiration stash I’d like to share with YOU!

Here’s my “Top 5 List” of the yummy smoothies left up for you to discover yourself. Comment below and tell me what you think!!

Banana, Coffee, Cashew and Cocoa Smoothie from Bon Appetit Bananas, cold brew coffee, cashews and cocoa powder: YES.

Coconut-Blueberry smoothie from Bon Appetit!

2. Coconut Blueberry Smoothie by Bon Appetit: Creamy coconut milk, frozen blueberries, mint leaves, honey… (sorry, I was daydreaming about this one).

3. Vegan Vanilla Milkshake Smoothie by Pop Fitness: This smoothie inspired me to start putting silken tofu into my morning routine. SO good, so much vanilla, so much creaminess, yummmmmm.

4. Spinach-Avocado Smoothie with Grapefruit by Epicurious: This smoothie TOTALLY intrigues me. Plus- look at their food photography! Hello, this is AMAZING.

5. Peachy Chia Chai Smoothie by Epicurious. Ok, you had me at chia chai!! I love the way chia seeds thicken a smoothie, plus the spices of chai (cinnamon, cardamom, cloves) with frozen peaches sounds increddiblleeee.

Also, as part of our Luv Cooks effort to post every Friday, I think that it’s time for me to start passing along a little something extra to you guys every month. Every month I’ll plan to share a work/life/entrepreneurship lesson of sorts; a way to encourage you guys and make your life better! I’ll honestly share from my treasure trove of business and styling mistakes in an effort to encourage all of you to pursue your dreams! You were MADE for this abundant, creative life!

And sweet readers, know that I come to you completely humbly with these words of advice. When I began food styling all I had was a dream, a prayer– and a fierce, fiery desire to prove to everyone that we don’t have to live like the status quo. My favorite quote of all time is Helen Keller’s:

“Life is either a grand adventure or nothing else.”

Let’s LIVE that adventure everyone. It’s our destiny.

With that said, here it is, drumroll on lesson #1! In order to succeed as a food stylist/artist/creative entrepreneur, I believe you must have one quality above all else.

GRIT.

No, this is not the Southern side dish that I love to boil with whole milk and garlic cloves, then once it’s soft and rich, top with warm butter and cheddar cheese.

This is the OTHER kind of grit. The internal kind. It’s the gumption, the integrity, the strength, the resolve, the FIRE inside of you that REFUSES to give up until you accomplish your dream. It is a KEY determining factor to your life success, no matter the field.

In Angela Duckworth‘s TED talk that will rock your socks (it has almost 10 million views, #lifegoals), Angela says “GRIT is passion and peserverence for very long-term goals. GRIT is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future. Day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years. And working REALLY HARD to make that future a reality.”

“Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Angela says. Or as Forbes magazine says it, “Optimism + Confidence + Creativity = Resilience = Hardiness =(+/- )Grit.”

Y’all- in our social media driven world, sometimes it looks like people just arrive places. They show up on the coolest photo shoots, with the coolest celebrities, rocking the coolest outfits. We think it was luck, or chance, that they got there. Or, like I struggle with sometimes, we think it’s the universe’s way of telling us we weren’t cut out for the big time like they are.

BUT THIS is a LIE!! Run screaming from this deception!! This voice does not tell you the TRUTH!

The truth is, as I have learned from YEARS of pushing my spirit, body, and my mind to go past my comfort zone- that a thriving, growing business IS NOT instant. Your triumphant success, whatever that looks like to you, most likely will not happen in a year, or two years; it might take five. But that is OK. Because food stylists- like many stylists and other talented professionals I know- recognize that we are in this for the long haul. We are working for the long term goals, influence, and the 10,000 plus hours it takes to become an expert and walk in the quality and strength of our work.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be an expert. I want to work hard and diligently and rest my head on the pillow at night knowing that I gave it my best. And that attitude- that “Wow, today may have sucked, but tomorrow I live to fight another day and accomplish my dream”- THAT is grit. Like Angela says, people with grit DON’T believe that failure is a permanent condition.

And GRIT is the mindset that all of this hard work is worth it. It will pay off in the end. It honors what we were made to accomplish.

So everyone- pluck up. YOU’VE GOT THIS. Pursue why you were put on this planet. And if you feel discouraged- well, I say you make a big bowl of cheesy grits (or blend up a smoothie) and rest in the fact that you gave it your all, and you WILL live to fight again tomorrow. And because you stuck with it, you WILL be a success.

LOVE YOU DEARLY my readers. Happy weekend!

PB & Jelly Smoothie + 5 Peanut Butter Brands I LUV

So, this is a fresh week- a new start- it’s January!! However, I’m having flashbacks.

Flashbacks to this time a year ago, when I set really high goals at the beginning of the year, and, fast forward a month to February 2016- hadn’t kept a single one.

You guys!! This year has to be different!! So, I’ve been doing a lot of soul-searching, a lot of praying, and learning from the AMAZING Michael Hyatt– and realized that you can really only focus on 8-10 goals A YEAR.

What?!! This is the key. I start my year with 27 goals, feel overwhelmed, and b/c of the overwhelm, run screaming into the night eating Reese’s cups (See last week’s post- I seem to be using Reese’s cups to describe many things these days, hah!)

You know what resolutions I can keep? Those that involve peanut butter. I remember as a kid LOVING the moments I spent at school, unzipping my water-resistant (That’s right, it was the 90’s and it wicked away MOISTURE, people) lunch box to reveal the soft, white bread peanut butter and jelly sandwich my mom made me, warmed through from the Alabama heat with a bit of the jelly leaking into my Ziplock bag. Days where my dad and I came home from the hunting camp to peanut butter sandwiches and salty potato chips with a tall glass of caffeine-free Coca-cola (my dad’s fave). Those were the good old days.

But I think comfort food doesn’t have to be synonymous with peanut butter and jelly, exactly– though, don’t get me wrong, those things have their place-the love for a classic sandwich can still be incorporated into a smoothie! And this week’s smoothie tastes like a comfort-filled, creamy, peanut butter berry shake. I think you are going to love it almost as much as that smushy, lovable peanut butter and jelly classic in your own lunch box.

ALSO I’d love for you to check out this week’s video, where I discuss my favorite 5 peanut butter brands. Be assured that I am a life-long peanut butter aficionado. My first word was “juice” and my second was either bologna or peanut butter (I kid, I kid- but how awesome would that be). You have your enophiles, cicerones, chocolatiers- I’d like to refer to my self as a peanut-butter-ateer, sort of like a Three Musketeer, but more of a nut butter pioneer. There’s no official certification quite yet- I’ll keep you posted.

So, in NO particular order, the five peanut butter brands I keep in regular rotation and why I love them:

ALDI SimplyNature Organic Peanut Butter: A roasty flavor profile is one of my favorite things about this PB. It’s super creamy and blends beautifully into smoothies (I used it for this week’s recipe) and also goes great with buttery crackers for a snack.
Whole Foods 365 Brand Creamy or Chunky Peanut Butter: I LOVE this peanut butter! My favorite thing to do is eat it straight out of the jar on my sofa. Treat yo’self.
Market Pantry Natural Creamy Peanut Butter: YES!! This has been the discovery of my year. I was in a pinch recently and at Target, and thought- why not? I’ll give it a go! #REWARD. This is my new favorite pantry item.
Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter: Ok, I know, I know that 16 ounces of peanut butter sounds like a lot. BUT ITS NOT when it tastes likes this. Kirkland uses Valencia peanuts, which have a natural sweetness to them. Plus, it has what I want my ingredients list to read for peanut butter: peanuts and salt.
PB2: Ok, this isn’t technically peanut butter, but it is still ground peanuts minus the oil! I love the chocolate flavor AND the plain PB2, the texture of it is great in baked goods and in smoothies. In fact, I even eat it with almond milk mixed in (you guessed it, on my sofa.)

Now TAKE all of that peanut butter knowledge into your fabulous PB & J smoothies this week!!

And in case you forgot– LUV Y’ALL!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

A perfect after-school snack or breakfast treat, this smoothie reminds me of my favorite childhood sandwich! It’s full of healthy fats with the nut butter and coconut oil, and using frozen berries instead of fresh gives it a great, thick texture. Utilizing stevia to sweeten as needed can help bring out the berry flavor too!

What You Will Need:

8 ounces unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or unsweetened coconut milk)
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup blueberries, frozen if you like!
1/2 cup strawberries, frozen if you like!
3 ice cubes
1-2 packets of stevia, to taste

What You Will Do:

Blend the almond milk, peanut butter, coconut oil, vanilla, and cinnamon on low in a blender until combined.
Add banana, blueberries, strawberries, and ice cubes. Blend on medium speed until no large chunks remain, then on high until nice and frothy! Taste and add stevia if you like it sweeter!

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SECRET Coffee Routine + Spicy Chocolate Coffee Smoothie

Spicy + chocolate + coffee = yes please.

Helloooooo my precious readers!! I’m pumped! I’m caffeinated! I have nutrition flowing through my veins!!

Why? You ask. Coffee smoothies!! And you know what else? Ladybird Coffee Bombs.

Happy cacao. Vanilla Thunder. FOCUS. The flavors of these grass-fed butter, coconut oil, and collagen butter coffee “pucks” (they look like a beautiful Reese’s cup, but wayyyyy healthier) are intentionally crafted to bless your body AND mind. All you have to do is blend them into coffee, hot tea, milk- They taste SO good. And they each have as much protein as an egg!!

And one of my favorites- HOLY CACAO- is in this week’s smoothie!!!!

Like we mentioned earlier- I love the benefits of these flavors. Holy Cacao’s description: “FOCUS + METABOLISM BOOSTER + BLOOD SUGAR STABILIZER.” Umm, yesss to all of the above in my morning mug!

Especially if you are up at the crack of dawn, dog biting your toes and/or any limbs hanging off the bed, while emitting a very high-pitched bark squeak. #bigsbyblount

These bombs are the SECRET to my daily coffee routine and have changed my relationship with coffee forever. The way they help you clear your head, bind the effects of caffeine, and deliver even energy for four hours- truly awesome, and truly needed in my world.

In fact, let me count ALL the ways that I love these guys:

That’s right. A dose of clear-headedness, healthy fats, and energy for your day- all in one convenient spot. Like a Reese’s cup but wayyyy betteerrrr. You’ve got to try them, and if you are interested in learning more, just visit check out Ladybird Provisions site! I’m SURE that Sara and Nicole would love to hear from you.

Also- my favorite way to use coffee bombs are 1. Blend it with hot coffee until it is nice and frothy; 2. Freeze coffee cubes+blend with coffee bombs for a smoothie!!

So, this leads us to this week’s smoothie recipe. It’s week #2 of our January Smoothie focus and here’s one guy that’s going to help you focus EVEN more than you already are. It’s full of healthy protein, features a delicious HOLY CACAO coffee bomb, and tastes like a spicy chocolate shake. Deliciousness. Now go get those resolutions accomplished, people!

I wish it was morning so I could drink this.

Spicy Chocolate Chili Coffee Smoothie

This smoothie involves little prep; all you need to remember is to keep some iced coffee cubes in the freezer. Use your favorite protein powder (mine is in the Amazon link below) and feel free to use a Happy Cacao bomb if you want less spice!

Serves 2

What You Will Need:

2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 Ladybird Provisions Holy Cacao coffee bomb (or Happy Cacao if you desire less spice:) )
8 ounces coffee, frozen into small cubes***
1/2 banana, frozen

What You Will Do:

Pour almond milk, protein powder, and coffee bomb into blender. Blend on low until ingredients come together and no chunks of coffee bomb remain. Then blend on medium speed until combined.
Turn off blender. Add frozen coffee and banana. Blend on low, then medium speed until thoroughly combined.
Blast smoothie on high for a few seconds until nice and frothy! ENJOY!

***I like to make a double-dose of my morning coffee, then pour tomorrow’s portion into ice cube trays. Pop those babies in the freezer, and voila!

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Your Best Smoothie EVER (TIPS+VIDEO) + Easy Greens Smoothie

It’s JANUARY!! I don’t know about y’all, but I could not be more excited about a fresh start to the year. As we have talked about on the blog, 2016 had a lot of highs and lows, so I am setting my intentions on a steady, thriving year ahead.

You know what else that means? Adding things to our lives that make it easier and more enjoyable. Ways to help us all feel better and live abundantly. And for me, that is- SMOOTHIES! As my friends will tell you, I am a smoothie fiend. I am also a chocoholic and lover of anything that involves candy. However, as I have learned, all that energy (some may refer to this as sugar) is not so awesome to eat for breakfast every day so here is my solution: smoothies.

And in my effort to share with you guys the cooking tips that have worked, and haven’t, here is what we are focusing on in January- smoothies! Smoothie tips, favorite smoothie recipes, and favorite smoothie add-ins will be our topics of interest. This week’s recipe- a greens smoothie.

Did I mention I also don’t love leafy greens? Well, unless they are of the collard variety, bathed in glorious pork fat and served with cornbread.

I’ve tried lots of recipes to get myself to eat more kale, turnip greens, collards, all of those “bitter is better for your liver” plants- those just don’t make my taste buds to a happy dance. BUT what I’ve figured out is that smoothies do- so what if I froze the greens and blended them in with other yummy things? Sold.

So, in an effort to bless you guys with what I’ve learned and get YOU pumped about making your own smoothie creations, here are my Top 4 Smoothie Tips!

ORDER is important: I didn’t realize this until I started making smoothies daily that there is a rhythm to it all! Steps:
1. Dry ingredients + liquid: Blend together, on low, your liquid of choice (milk, non-dairy milk, water, juice, coffee) with your dry ingredients (cinnamon, protein powder, peanut butter).
2. Add frozen ingredients next: It’s helpful if your frozen goodies are in smaller chunks so your blender doesn’t explode (Hah! Several times mine had a distinct burnt metal smell. Probably not so good). So, I like to break my bananas in half, slice my strawberries, pick smaller ice cubes, etc.
3. Set speed from low to high: After you have added your frozen ingredients, put the blender on low speed until no more large chunks appear. Move to a medium speed setting until you no longer see any fruit/veggie pieces. Then, blast that sucker on high for about 10-15 seconds, or until your smoothie is frothy and ready-to-drink!
Freeze ALL THE THINGS: Texture is so important in a good smoothie! I want mine to be thick and frothy. So, I freeze pretty much every ingredient I put in my smoothies and stash them in large ziplock bags in the freezer. So- kale, bananas, berries, coffee in ice cube trays- ***Tip, frozen coffee cubes cab make your smoothie taste like a Frappucino!***– all of it goes in the freezer box.
Bring the FLAVOR: Check in and see what your taste buds are in the mood for. Is it spiciness? Try cinnamon, chili powder, pumpkin pie spice. Something creamy? Vanilla or almond extract. Sweetness? Try stevia, coconut sugar or honey.
Prep Yo’self. Making breakfast in the morning can be overwhelming, so let’s make it easy!
1. Make individual baggies of your frozen ingredients. Just put your frozen veggies and fruits for the day in a pre-measured plastic bag and throw that in the freezer.
2. Measure out your dry ingredients and put them in a small bowl by your blender.

Alright, let’s use those tips to make our Easy Greens Smoothie!

What You Will Need:

1/4 cup filtered water*
1/2 cup orange juice*
2 cups frozen kale
1/2 large banana, frozen
1/2 green apple, chopped
1/2 cup filtered water ice cubes
Powdered stevia, to taste

What You Will Do:

On low speed, pour juice and water into blender and blend together until combined.
Switch off blender. Next, add kale, banana, green apple, and ice cubes. Blend on low until no large chunks appear. Move to medium speed, and blend until no pieces remain and a uniform color is achieved.
Now, blast that baby on high for 10 seconds until nice and frothy. Taste; if you want it sweeter, add in some powdered stevia. Stick a straw in and enjoy!!

**You can reverse the ratios on your orange juice and water (1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup OJ) if you like things less sweet. In that case, I would add more stevia, to taste.