Ecuador Trip- 2008

It’s that time of the year again when I wish I was in the tropics. Laying on the beach with a (vegan) piña colada in hand, soaking up the sun and getting a good dose of vitamin D. Lounging the day away with not a care in the world other than what delicious dish I’m going to eat for dinner and weather to get a massage or a manicure.

You know what? I’d even settle for a day where I didn’t have to venture out in the cold!

The solid 6 months of winter is starting to wear on me. Anyone else? While there is an end in sight, I need a little escape! And while my budget doesn’t allow for a trip, I can certainly try and mimic the tropical feel with a few ingredients hiding away in my fridge and pantry.

And best yet, this treat comes together in a matter of minutes so you’ll be sailing to the tropics in minutes!

Now apart from the much-needed escape this smoothie provides, it’s packed with nutrition!

• Pineapple: apart from the numerous vitamins and minerals, pineapple is also naturally high in enzymes which help to digest your food!
• Coconut water: rich in electrolytes, coconut water is a super hydrator
• Coconut oil: rich in medium-chain triglycerides to give you loads of energy and high in lauric acid for antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal properties
• Flax seed- rich in fibre to help keep you regular and phytoestrogens to help regulate hormone levels
• Spinach: rich in minerals to help alkalize your system
• Coconut flakes: fibre and healthy fats
• Protein powder (I used Oriya Organics): easily digestible plant-based protein
• Greens powder (I used Oriya Organics): energy, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, pretty much everything!

Tropical Pineapple Coconut Green Smoothie (Vegan, Gluten-free, Sugar-Free, Raw)

Hello all you lovely people!

I’m so sorry I didn’t post a new recipe this week. Between my mom visiting, school work and the fact that I haven’t been feeling well didn't leave too much time for blogging. BUT I have lots of delicious recipes coming your way, so don’t give up on me yet! I will post one very soon.

In the meantime though, let’s enjoy ourselves another Healthy Vegan Friday!

We had 65 submissions last week, holy awesome Batman! You guys are seriously the best! In case you haven’t seen the post or all the awesome submissions, head on over to check it out!

For those of you who don’t know, Healthy Vegan Fridays is a weekly blog hop hosted by myself, Carrie @ Carrie on Vegan and Katherine @ Green Thickies. it is a place to share your healthy vegan recipes that make use of whole ingredients and minimize the use of processed and refined foods. The recipes shared on this link up are intended to emphasis the beauty, creativity and benefits of a healthy, plant-based diet!

Recap of last week:

Most Popular Submissions

Banoffee Pie from Erin @ Sift, Stir & Savour

This recipe jumped out at me right from the beginning. I have always wanted to try banoffee pie after being introduced to it by friends in Ireland, but never did since vegan options were non-existent. I definitely have to try this one!

Vegan Quinoa Sushi from Devin @ Nom Yum & Free

While sushi you get in restaurants may seem like a healthy option, it’s usually white rice and has refined sugar and tons of processed ingredients and preservatives. This recipe for homemade sushi uses quinoa giving it a protein boost and other wholesome ingredients!

Nutella, Banana and Brownie Parfait from Rachel @ Almonds & Avocados

In her post, Rachel talks about eating the whole thing herself and I can’t blame her! What is it about the combination of chocolate and hazelnut that is soooo heavenly?

My Top Picks

Favourite Main Event: Santa Fe Spaghetti Squash from Kimmy @ Rock My Vegan Socks

I love spaghetti squash but it can get monotonous always using it as a “pasta” substitute. Thanks for reminding me it’s delicious in it’s own right Kimmy!

Favourite Nourishing Sipper: Pear and Parsley Smoothie from Anne @ An Unrefined Vegan

I’m so excited to have Anne join this blog party and just had to highlight this beautiful smoothie! I love the idea of adding parsley to save us from getting bored of our typical green smoothies and it is so pretty to boot!

Favourite Sinful but Healthful Indulgence: Raw Strawberry Fudge Cups from Heather @ Gluten-Free Cat

This looks so decadent and delicious and even uses leftover almond pulp from making almond milk. Score!

Now for Healthy Vegan Friday #32!

My Submission for the Week:

Banana, Walnut and Date Oatmeal Parfait

Toronto has been hit with some bad weather this past week which has me looking forward to spring and spring always means chilled oat parfaits for me! I love the combo of bananas, walnuts and dates and the banana “soft serve” makes it feel like dessert for breakfast! I think I’ll have to make one of these in spite of the weather!

And just a quick request- PLEASE put a LINK BACK to this blog party on the post you are linking. We want to try and spread the word about Healthy Vegan Friday and would really appreciate your help doing so!

So, if you have a healthy vegan recipe (or 2) to share, please add it to the list below! If not, feel free to browse the submissions and get inspired! You can also check out our Pinterest board and feel free to tweet about it using the hashtag #VeganFridays. Feel free to grab our button (code is on the sidebar) to help promote this even and show your vegan pride.

You don’t have to be vegan to submit, just needs to be a vegan recipe. so share that creativity of yours!

Thanks and happy Friday!

Submission Guidelines

• maximum of 2 submissions per week

• you do not have to be a vegan food blogger to link up, but all recipes must be 100% vegan.

• all recipe submissions should focus on the most whole, unprocessed and unrefined ingredients as much as possible, although we will still accept recipes that make use of some processed/refined ingredients.

• you may submit current or past recipes, just make sure they are not ones that you have shared previously on this blog hop.

• besides recipes, feel free to submit informative posts that are aimed at promoting vegan, plant-based diets.

• you must provide a link back to this blog party on your submitted post. You can either grab our badge to display or a clickable link back somewhere on the post you are submitting.

• when linking up, please make sure to link back to the post you are submitting, not the homepage of your blog

Legal Disclaimer

By linking up to Healthy Vegan Fridays, you guarantee that the pictures and posts are your own and not that of someone else. You also agree to give permission to all hostesses (Gabby, Katherine and Carrie) to make use of your pictures and posts on our own Healthy Vegan Friday posts, as well as giving us permission to re-post them on Pinterest, Twitter and/or Facebook.

I don't know about you guys, but this week fllllleeeeewwww by. I can't believe it's almost the weekend. 

I'm so happy it is though! My mom is visiting for the weekend and we plan on doing lots of girly things- shopping, going out to eat, drinking wine and relaxing watching movies. I get to show her "my Toronto" as well which will be so fun!

But before I go enjoy my mother-daughter weekend, I must introduce Healthy Vegan Friday. Last week was so great, lots of new faces, delicious food and some really informative posts. I am continually blown away each week by the creativity and passion you guys bring!

For those of you who don’t know, Healthy Vegan Fridays is a weekly blog hop hosted by myself, Carrie @ Carrie on Vegan and Katherine @ Green Thickies. it is a place to share your healthy vegan recipes that make use of whole ingredients and minimize the use of processed and refined foods. The recipes shared on this link up are intended to emphasis the beauty, creativity and benefits of a healthy, plant-based diet!

Recap of last week:

Most Popular Submissions

Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies from Erin @ Sift, Stir & Savour

You guys really like brownies, I think this is the 3rd week for a brownie recipe in the top spot! But I totally understand, I mean, look at these things!

Healthy Chocolate Fix Smoothie from Amy @ Amy’s Nutritarian Kitchen

Rich, chocolatey and with a little kale thrown in. Doesn’t get much better!

10 Day Water Fast from Tiffany @ Don’t Waste the Crumbs

This is an insanely interesting post written by Tiffany’s husband about his experience doing a 10 day water fast. Seriously, everyone go over and read this now!

My Top Picks

Favourite Main Event: Smoky Millet Stuffed Sweet Potato Crepes from Richa @ Vegan Richa

All I can say is NOM! How amazing does this sound??

Favourite Sensible Yet Scrumptious Snack: Berry-Pomegranate Cookie Bites from Chef Amber Shea

I know these are probably meant as a dessert but I’m sure popping a couple of these mid-afternoon would be a great pick me up! I love all the berries! 

Favourite Sinful but Healthful Indulgence: Spiced Chocolate Chia Pudding from Nikki @ Eat to the Beet

Looks so creamy thanks to the cashews and I am loving all things spiced and chocolate lately!

Now for Healthy Vegan Friday #31!

My Submission for the Week:

Carrot Coconut Curry Soup

For all of you guys out there experiencing a cold snap like we are in Toronto, this one’s for you! Warming, filling and delicious, this is perfect for a chilly evening curled up under blankets watching a feel-good movie.

And just a quick request- PLEASE put a LINK BACK to this blog party on the post you are linking. We want to try and spread the word about Healthy Vegan Friday and would really appreciate your help doing so!

So, if you have a healthy vegan recipe (or 2) to share, please add it to the list below! If not, feel free to browse the submissions and get inspired! You can also check out our Pinterest board and feel free to tweet about it using the hashtag #VeganFridays. Feel free to grab our button (code is on the sidebar) to help promote this even and show your vegan pride.

You don’t have to be vegan to submit, just needs to be a vegan recipe. so share that creativity of yours!

Thanks and happy Friday!

Submission Guidelines

• maximum of 2 submissions per week

• you do not have to be a vegan food blogger to link up, but all recipes must be 100% vegan.

• all recipe submissions should focus on the most whole, unprocessed and unrefined ingredients as much as possible, although we will still accept recipes that make use of some processed/refined ingredients.

• you may submit current or past recipes, just make sure they are not ones that you have shared previously on this blog hop.

• besides recipes, feel free to submit informative posts that are aimed at promoting vegan, plant-based diets.

• you must provide a link back to this blog party on your submitted post. You can either grab our badge to display or a clickable link back somewhere on the post you are submitting.

• when linking up, please make sure to link back to the post you are submitting, not the homepage of your blog

Legal Disclaimer

By linking up to Healthy Vegan Fridays, you guarantee that the pictures and posts are your own and not that of someone else. You also agree to give permission to all hostesses (Gabby, Katherine and Carrie) to make use of your pictures and posts on our own Healthy Vegan Friday posts, as well as giving us permission to re-post them on Pinterest, Twitter and/or Facebook.