DIY Coconut Butter

While I was in the midst of making my almond butter recipe I decided it was also the right time to try blending something else for a prolonged period of time: coconut.

We do have a bottle of coconut oil and usually always have a bag of unsweetened shredded coconut, but we never have any coconut butter on hand. I've never actually looked for a bottle of it myself, but I can imagine it wouldn't be the easiest thing to find - or cheapest.

I took probably about 2 cups of unsweetened shredded coconut and popped it in the food processor with an S-shaped blade. I kept on blending and blending, smooshing and smooshing and voila. Coconut butter... or what looked like a thick coconut milk, was born.

I poured it into a mason jar and let it set in the fridge. Since it's winter here, I could probably leave it out of the fridge the soften slightly, but overall it does look very similar to coconut oil. Just more opaque.

Apple Carrot Juice

I got a juicer for my birthday last month and haven't always had time to try some delicious juice recipes. Sometimes simple is best though. My Dad and sister can't drink apple juice from the store because of the preservatives and the processing it's gone through, however, the real, fresh stuff they CAN! 

I can understand why too... it tastes so fresh. There's something about juicing your own fruit and veggies. I used to just add them into our Vitamix, blend them up with a little water and strain the pulp to make juice. This works just as well, but when you have a legit juicer on hand... it's even easier!

There's something about apple and carrot together. I can find fresh apple juice a little too sweet, so adding carrot is a nice way to tone it down and add a pretty orange colour :) Try this simple, delicious and refreshing juice to remind you of those summer days that are just around the corner. Or so I keep telling myself...

Apple Carrot Juice (serves ~ 1 - 4)

5 - 6 apples
2 carrots

Juice away (on the higher setting)! Serve cold or over ice.. yum :)

Blueberry Banana Smoothie

This morning I woke up, just craving a banana blueberry smoothie. Sometimes all you need is a couple ingredients in the blender to make something delicious. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a complicated recipe... but it was one I wanted to share.

I made a lot of smoothie, but if you were pairing this with something else for breakfast I would go by the recipe below. Just double or triple if you're serving more than yourself! Or want to drink more of this awesome smoothie....

Blueberry Banana Smoothie (serves ~ 1 - 2)

2 bananas
2/3 cup frozen blueberries
1 - 2 cups of almond milk (depending on how thick you like it)
Cinnamon to taste

Blend! If you aren't using any frozen fruit, add in a couple ice cubes to keep it cool. Enjoy :)

Almond Coconut Granola

Last month I made a nutty chocolate granola that I baked at a temperature that was.... too toasty. It ended up a little crisp but I finished it off. This time, I wanted to make something with the leftover almond pulp I had from making almond milk last weekend.

I found a recipe and made a few substitutions and came up with this brilliant and golden GRANOLA!

Almond Coconut Granola (serves many :)

2 cups almond pulp
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
4 tbsp honey
3 tbsp maple syrup
1/3 cup walnuts
1/3 cup slivered almonds
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tsp cinnamon

Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl, mix thoroughly and then combine with the wet. Mix until well combined and then lay on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 300F for 20 - 25 minutes - until golden!

**If your almond pulp isn't exactly dry, throw it on the baking sheet first and bake for about 10 minutes until slightly toasted and drier.

Serve by itself as a snack, or with almond milk and fruit for breakfast :)