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 looks amazing! I have made lots of smoothies in my life, but I’ve never added beets. Cannot wait to try it!
Absolutley Ammmazing.. Thanks for the recipe as this was my post workout recovery smmoothie.. The color was so Beautiful and Vibrant that I wish I had a blouse in it..
I wish I did too! So pretty, right? Glad you enjoyed it :)
This juice is almost too beautiful to drink!
I’m in love with beets–and their vibrant hue–so I know I would enjoy this. I need to branch out of the typical fruit + greens smoothies; as delicious and customizable as they are, I’m missing out creatively. Maybe I’ll start with this!
I’ve never tried blending celery or (steamed) beets in my blender – I hope it can handle them, because this looks amazing. I’m looking forward to your other veggie packed recipes this month too!
That smoothie is beautiful! I will definitely be trying it, though it’ll be an adventure in my non-Vitamix crap blender. I always drink the whole batch of my green smoothies so this will be good for me :)
Oh My Goodness! This smoothie looks amazing. I am pinning now to get all the ingredients at the grocery store. I can’t wait to try it and see all the other delicious recipes you will be whipping up this month!
The pink colour is so amazing! I can’t wait for some more of your vegan recipes. I’m not vegan, but a have a couple of close friends that are. I’m always on the look out for more things to cook for them.
YAY for participating on Vegan MoFo!! This is my second year – I love it!! This smoothie looks amazing! I LOVE the color :)
I hope you include some meals that make big batches and store well during vegan mofo, like your lasagna. I love making a huge batch over the weekend, and then not having to worry about lunches for the week.
I’ll also have to pick up some celery to try this recipe. I’ve been trying to get myself to like beets, but that strong earthy dirt-like flavor has so far overwhelmed everything in recipes I’ve tried in the past.
Oh this looks like so much fun! I will have to give it a try!!!
Hi Angela,
This recipe could not have come at a better time for me. I have just started a health and exercise shake up that includes morning smoothies. I am vegan and read your blog religiously and I can’t wait to try this pink baby out!
Thanks for always being so creative and inspiring.
Erin, Australia.
Thank you Erin :) I hope you enjoy it!
Love the colour of this, and I’m sure it tastes delicious. One last taste of summer :)
Just gorgeous!
This smoothie is tasty. Was not sure what to expect but was delighted by the taste.
Can’t wait to try this combination! What coconut water do you prefer?
Hey Deb, I don’t have a go-to coconut water yet. I was buying Zico for a while and it’s pretty good. What about you?
Hi, me too…! Just looking for something less in sugar…!
That looks so delectable! That pink is really pretty! Do you recommend putting the coconut oil in melted or solid?
Also, could I just not put in any at all?
Yes you can skip it if need be – also I just throw it in solid.
I made the smoothie last night and took it to work today – so yes it absolutely works to make it the night before (I just poured it in a glass bottle and stored it in the fridge overnight). I love the color (I like beets in smoothies anyway). However that recipe makes a pretty salty smoothie tasting a bit like vegetable soup.I guess it’s the celery. Maybe I try adding the apple next time. Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Angela,
I have a question for your regarding coconut oil. I never use it and don’t really care for the taste of coconut. Does the oil have a strong coconut flavor? I see that you use this in a lot of dessert recipes also. I wanted to check with you before I made the investment. Thanks! Love your recipes!
What do you do with your leftover avocado? I aways wonder about that in recipes that do not use the whole thing. In my experience they brown so quickly and don’t store well. I love them…..so I usually just add the whole thing to whatever I’m making.
You can freeze the leftover avocado flesh and use it in smoothies :)
Thanks so much!! I have never done that but it is a great idea. I love your website. Everyone of your recipes that I have tried has been a hit. The trail mix cookies are so great……I can’t get enough of them!!
And do you drink the four cups for breakfast?… and later for lunch what do you have??
Thank you
Yes I drink all 4 cups for breakfast :)