After years of drooling from the sidelines, this marks my first year participating in Vegan Mofo which challenges participating bloggers to write about vegan food for the entire month. [For more details, see the Vegan Mofo website.] Colour me excited.
I considered all kinds of random themes for September, but in the end I decided on something I know I could put my heart and soul into. Even though my sweet tooth voted for “DESSERT MONTH!!”, my head decided otherwise. Vegan Glow will showcase wholesome, vegetable-heavy vegan recipes that will leave you feeling energized. The recipes will be similar to my own style of recipe creation, but they’ll be kicked up a few notches. Given that it’s back to school and work season, I’m aiming to share as many quick and easy recipes as I can.
In other news, I now have a “thing” for making rather pathetic “glowing” suns in Photoshop. Oh dear.
What can you expect to see on Oh She Glows this month? Well, I have several recipes lined up from raw recipes and juices/smoothies to healthy desserts and energizing fall-inspired soups. And who knows what else. I sure don’t.
I hope you are hungry because it’s going to be a great month!
Up first, I’m sharing this power smoothie that I’m obsessed with lately. Power smoothies are what I call the mega dose, nutrient-packed smoothies of the bunch. You know that’s how I roll. This one surely is up there on the list of health drinks. I’ve been drinking it for breakfast several mornings a week and it makes me feel incredible. Best of all, it makes just shy of 4 cups…aka one big ass smoothie. I like big smoothies and I do not lie. All you other bloggers can’t deny…
Seeing as we’re just coming off a holiday weekend, I figured this was a good “back on track” smoothie to kick off the new month. Let’s do it up.
Here are a few reasons to chug this down, from a nutritional standpoint. I’ll talk more about the flavour in the headnote below.
Beet – cleanses the liver, purifies the blood, anti-inflammatory, source of iron
Avocado – helps lower blood pressure, lubricates joints, anti-inflammatory, loads of healthy fats, high in fibre
Strawberries – high in antioxidants, rich source of vitamin C, benefits digestion
Celery – acts as mild diuretic, promotes feeling of fullness, rich in B vitamins and fibre
Lemon – antibacterial properties, aids digestion, high in Vitamin C, detoxifies and alkalizes, mild diuretic
Virgin Coconut oil – fights viruses, fungi, and bacteria, metabolism booster, healthy MCT fats, increases good HDL cholesterol
Apple (optional) – helps balance blood sugar levels, helps lower cholesterol, aids digestion
[Source: Healing Foods, DK Publishing 2013]
Convinced yet?
[Just an update – We’re still having issues with the new recipe uploader not displaying in Feedly. Hopefully we’ll have a fix for this soon! Thanks for your understanding.]
This recipe directly below is an updated version (April 23, 2016). The original recipe follows.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Pink Power Detox Smoothie
Yield
3 1/2 cups (2 servings)
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Beet, strawberries, avocado, and lemon unite to create one kick-butt, surprisingly delicious, bright pink smoothie! This smoothie is lightly sweet and creamy, while packing in the detoxifying power of beet and lemon. If you're not a beet fan you might be wondering if you can taste the beet. The answer is yes you can definitely taste the beet! However, I think the beet flavour is balanced quite nicely in this smoothie (keep in mind this is coming from a beet fan).
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 mL) water*
- 1 cup (150 g) frozen strawberries
- 1/3 cup (45 g) chopped fresh beet**
- 1/4 cup (50 g) avocado
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) fresh lemon juice
- 1 large sweet apple (200 grams), roughly chopped
- 5 to 6 large ice cubes
- Liquid sweetener, to taste (optional)
Directions
- Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend on high until smooth. Taste and add liquid sweetener, if desired.
Tip:
- * For a sweeter smoothie, try using coconut water instead of water.
- ** You might want to steam the beet until tender before blending if you don't have a Vitamix or other capable blender. I just blend it raw because I know my Vitamix can handle it.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Pink Power Detox Smoothie
Yield
4 cups
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Beet, strawberries, avocado, and lemon unite to create one kick-butt, surprisingly delicious, bright pink smoothie! This creamy & thick smoothie is not overly sweet - it's more on the tart side thanks to juice from a whole lemon. If you prefer sweeter smoothies, I suggest adding an apple to the mix or your preferred liquid sweetener. I also suggest using a small to medium sized beet, anything larger and the earthy beet might overpower the other flavours. Consider gently steaming the beet until tender before blending if you don't have a Vitamix or other capable blender. I just use the beet raw because I know my blender can handle it. Best to be safe than sorry if you are unsure!
Ingredients
- 1 cup water or coconut water
- 1/2 medium avocado, pitted
- 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
- 1 cup strawberries (frozen preferred), hulled if necessary
- 1 small/medium beet, ends trimmed and roughly chopped*
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 3 tablespoons or so)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 4 large ice cubes
- 1 apple ( if sweeter smoothie is desired - optional), cored and roughly chopped
Directions
- Steam beet if necessary before starting. See my tips in the headnote.
- Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend on high until smooth. Adjust sweetness if desired, adding an apple or liquid sweetener to taste if needed.
Tip:
1) If you are not a beet fan, try adding a handful of leafy greens instead of the beet and include the optional apple. 2) Smoothies shown in pictures does not include apple. Yield may be slightly higher with an apple added in.
This smoothie looks so pretty! I juice beets all the time but I have never added raw beets to a smoothie, what a great idea. I usually add protein powder to my smoothies so they keep my full for 3-4 hours, do you think it would taste OK in this smoothie?
I think it would depend on the flavour of the protein powder – if you like the taste then go for it! Maybe add a bit at a time to taste?
Awesome, I was thinking of using a plain hemp protein because vanilla might be too overpowering. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Is it ok to make smoothies the night before to drink in the morning? I was just wondering becuase my roommate usually sleeps in late (he works nights) and using a blender in the morning is really noisy. I’ve heard some people say that the enzymes in fruits degrade with time, and that nutrients will be lost if you leave it in the fridge for 8 or 10 hours.
yes you can certainly make it the night before! Just give it a good stir in the AM. I’m not sure about nutrient loss though, but I think it’s still much better than not drinking one at all.
Not true, you’re losing all the good stuff. Just use the blender for a few minutes in the morning – he can get over it!
You’re not losing all the good stuff in what, 8 hours? If you even sleep that much! Erroneous!
see the covered unblended mixture in the refrigerator. your late riser blends it cold; saving all nutrients. problem solved. Enjoy!!
I love beets, so much. I know many people don’t, but I think they’re nature’s candy, right along with medjool dates. And with the coconut oil and creamy avocado, I bet this is dynamite! I just got done doing a 3-day juice cleanse and so especially enjoyed your little one liners about what each item is good for or helpful for.
And Vegan Mofo. Last time I did it, it was either 2009 or 2010. Wow, memories :) Good for you!
I’m so excited that you’re doing vegan MoFo as well. I’m having a blast so far, and I can’t wait for more of your ‘glowing’ recipes!
I’m looking forward to trying this smoothie tomorrow morning for breakfast. it looks delicious
This smoothie sounds so fresh and amazing! Yum!
Hi Angela,
Is it best to cook the beat first or to put it in raw? Sorry i couldn’t find the head note you mentioned..
I use a vitamix and it blends the raw beet just fine (of course I chop it up small to help it along), but if you aren’t as confident in your blender you might want to cook it or steam it before making the smoothie. I suggest doing so the night before so it doesn’t make your smoothie hot! hah. Hope you enjoy
That’s the most beautiful smoothie I’ve ever seen. Excited to see the other recipes you have in store for this month! September is a perfect month to get back on track…you’ll have plenty of time for desserts during the holidays, which will be here before you know it :)
Good point about the holidays and desserts! I didn’t even think about that. Scary to think how quickly that comes upon us.
Gorgeous, colourful photos and I can’t wait to see what you come up with this month. This smoothie looks so fresh and definitely energizing!
Gorgeous smoothie and photos! Love the first one with your ingredients.
I am beyond excited because I got a vitamix this weekend (the white one like yours actually!) so this might be the first smoothie I make in it!
Looking forward to your recipes this month :)
Ohhh congrats on your new VM! It was maybe the greatest day of my life aside from my wedding and being born. hah.
Love the colour of this smoothie! So bright and beautiful! Your photos are so beautiful as well. I don’t have a vitamix (it’s on my wedding registry though.. here’s hoping haha) but I hope my blender is powerful enough to rock this smoothie!
I totally missed Vegan MOFO this year…. it crept up so fast!! Anyway, I also just wanted to say howe much I love the overhead pic with the avocado in the centre :-)
Thanks Jo!
I know what you mean about it creeping up…last year I signed up hours too late and missed the boat! Oh well, I guess you can still join in even if it’s not on the record. :)
What a beautiful colour! Love all the ingredients, avocados make smoothies sooo creamy!!
I absolutely love the way beets colour everything that gorgeous deep magenta. So pretty! (I had to spell it colour because I envy how fancypants it looks when you type it that way!) :)
The Vegan MoFo looks like fun. As always I’m looking forward to seeing all of your healthy creations. :)
Yay! Excited! And I am not even vegan!
What a beautiful smoothies, and it sounds just up my alley! I love adding avocado to breakfast – any chance to fit more avocado into my day is welcome. I’ve never made a smoothies with beets, but you bet I will be trying this out ASAP!
I agree that beets provide the prettiest color! I am excited that you are participating in Vegan MoFo. I can’t wait to see all your glowing recipes.
“I like big smoothies and I do not lie. All you other bloggers can’t deny…
Can I nominate you for Best Blogger Line of the Year? LOL Thanks for the laugh!
PS I LOVE the idea of a month of veggie-packed recipes. Viva las vegetales!
Talk about “Pretty in Pink”!!! What gorgeous photos. Using the beet was brilliant. I’ll have to steam it – my wimpy blender would give up the ghost if I attempted to grind a raw beet in it. I have asked Santa for a Vitamix. I have high hopes I’ll get one under my tree this year.
Woo hoo, excited for Vegan Mofo! I was just thinking about throwing beets in a smoothie, so glad you read my mind : )