3 Quick & Healthy Recipes to Keep You Glowing this Winter

Ascent Series A3300 Vitamix Blender, c/o | White Fuzzy Sweater | High Waist Ankle Distressed Jeans | Lipstick in ‘Garden Party’

I am SO excited about today’s post! As many of you guys know, I am obsessed with my Vitamix. It’s the one kitchen appliance that I use every single day and is essential to wellness in my opinion. Because of my Vitamix, I get in about 2 extra cups of spinach, more fruits and veggies every day.

Winter and the holidays can make eating healthy and staying on track so much harder, right?! Like, who wants a salad when it’s 24 degrees outside? Not this girl.

But, when I can quickly make something that tastes delicious and is also good for me, I’m all about it. I mean, that’s exactly why I make a smoothie every morning. I get a healthy dose of greens, fruits and veggies and all the amazing health benefits in one tasty glass!

We’ve had a Vitamix for a while now, and I was so excited to try out the Ascent series A3300. To be clear, our old Vitamix did not need replacing, but I was more than happy to test out this newer version—and, it did not disappoint!

Our Vitamix gets the most use making smoothies, but I’ve been continually impressed by how many other things I can make with it! A few weeks ago, I tested out making a puréed soup, which was delicious (details in just a sec!). It can also be used to make frozen desserts, baby food, homemade nut milk, dressings and sauces, nut butters, dips and so much more.

Seriously, it’s a kitchen workhorse.

And, if you’re a wellness junkie like me or looking to get healthier this next year, you better put this baby on your holiday wish list! It’s a gift that you will continue to use for years and years to come. Had I known it was this amazing, I would have bought one a long time ago!

I wanted to share three of our family’s favorite recipes that we make on a regular basis over here. All of which are super healthy, nutrient dense, absolutely delicious and will keep you glowing all winter long!

3 Easy & Healthy Vitamix Recipes

Glowing Green Tropical Smoothie

No surprise here, but the Vitamix makes the best smoothies. Believe me, I used to not have a Vitamix and would end up with chunks of cauliflower and spinach in my smoothie—let me tell you, there’s nothing grosser than a big ole chunk of spinach coming through your straw at 7:15am.

I haven’t had a moment like that since I switched to a Vitamix. Everything that comes out of it is creamy, smooth and velvety—no chunks, ever!

Bonus perk—Owen LOVES this one! He’s a pineapple and mango fiend and this is such an easy way to sneak in extra greens and veggies for picky toddlers!

Recipe

• 1 big handful spinach, about 1-2 cups
• 1 cup frozen pineapple & mango mix (you can do one or the other too)
• 1 scoop Vital Proteins collagen
• 2 stalks celery
• 1/4 cup sliced cucumber
• 1 Tbsp flaxseed
• 1/4 avocado, optional
• coconut water
• small handful ice cubes

Put everything in the blender (tip: put spinach in first, it helps blend it quickly), add 1/4-1/2 cup of coconut water. Start on Variable 1 and move to the highest. It only needs about a minute. If needed, add more coconut water or regular water to get desired consistency, and if thicker, use the tamper to push ingredients down.

Roasted Pepper & Tomato Soup

What you might not know, is that a Vitamix can also make hot soups (yes, hot!)—the speed of the blade creates enough friction to make your soup steamy. It’s ideal for blending creamy, or puréed soups and works a whole heck of a lot better than an immersion blender in my experience.

I made this soup a few weeks ago and was so impressed with how it turned out, I immediately scribbled the recipe down. It’s the perfect quick soup for chilly nights when you want something that hits the spot, but is also healthy. And if you’re feeling really decadent, throw a grilled cheese on the side for dipping!

Recipe

• 2 roasted red bell peppers
• 2 – 16oz. package cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2-3/4 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed, optional
• pinch cayenne, optional
• salt & pepper to taste

Roast your peppers over an open flame, or broil until blackened. Place in a plastic bag and let cool. This will make it easier to remove the skins. Once cool, remove skin, stems and seeds so just the flesh is left.

Sauté onion and garlic in 1/2 tsp of olive oil until soft, about 4-5 minutes.

Add all ingredients to your Vitamix and start on Variable 1 and raise speed until it’s at the highest speed. Let it go for 5-6 minutes until hot. It will be steaming when you open the top, so be careful. Taste it and season as necessary with salt and pepper.

Mixed Berry Fro “Yo”

This recipe was new to us, but was a big hit! It was the easiest dessert to make and super health. Seriously, you could whip this up at the last second, it took less than a minute in the Vitamix! It only requires three ingredients, and is dairy free!

I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make too, and now I’m brainstorming other healthy frozen desserts we can make. Next on my list is nice cream (dairy free ice cream made with bananas)!

Recipe

• 1 cup almond
• 1 lb. frozen mixed berries (let them sit out for 5 minutes before blending)
• 1-2 Tbsp raw honey, optional

Add all ingredients to your Vitamix. Start at Variable 1 and raise to the highest. Using the tamper, push down into the corners to keep things moving until it’s smooth and creamy—about 1 minute. You don’t want to go much longer than this otherwise the blades will start to melt the dessert.

Don’t worry, when your top is affixed correctly, the tamper will not touch the blades! I was curious about this, ha! Serve immediately, or pre-portion scoops onto bowls and pop into the freezer. Since there’s no fat in this, putting it in one container will make it really difficult to scoop later.

 

Like I mentioned earlier, the Vitamix would make for an amazing and super special gift for anyone who loves cooking, is into wellness, needs a blender upgrade or is trying to up their health game this year. It’s so versatile and a quality piece you’ll have in your kitchen for a very very long time.

What are your favorite recipes to make in your Vitamix if you already have one?

Thanks to Vitamix, a brand I love and trust, for sponsoring this post! Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Fox & She possible!

BTW, how to make a superfood smoothie (this is old, but you can tell it was pre-Vitamix by the chunks/specks of food in it!), and 5 yummy detox smoothies to kickstart your health.