Resolve to evolve.

When it comes to food, it’s with this mindset that I dodge the idea of “diet” or limitation. Bleh, boring. Instead, I like to look at health and all of its edible backdrop as an exciting collection of ways to make my body feel, perform, and look its best … and like most people, I’m constantly adding to my healthy “collection.”

So to start things right off this year — and add to YOUR healthy collection — I’d like to announce and invite you to participate in a fun new project with me: the Smoothment. Head up by the superfood masterminds at Navitas Naturals, the Smoothment is a healthy movement that aims at improving personal well-being through the simple step of including one healthy smoothie a day. As I’ve mentioned on more than a few occasions, I think smoothies are a tremendously remedial answer for those who wish to make their health a priority, but also lead a busy (aka modern!) life. Now, with the Smoothment, you can join a growing army of like-minded people who are making the pledge to make 2012 a vibrant year, with a smoothie-a-day commitment. By joining the Smoothment (as mentioned, it’s totally free), for the first week you and I will meet in the kitchen via a series of quick recipe videos. In each video I’ll show you a new “60 Second Smoothie” recipe, so by the end of the week you’ll have a whole new library of frothy magic at your fingertips. You’ll also have access to all the written recipes, smoothie building tips, daily superfood prizes, and even a special coupon code for 30% off all smoothie ingredients at Navitas.

Personally, I can’t wait to make 2012 absolutely deliciously awesome. Will you join me?

She’s also a mom of two, and from the looks of things, her kidlets are sprouting into little superheroes of their own. In fact, her five year old son, Bryce (see picture above), has taken a particular interest in his nutrition. After babbling about “antioxidants” since he was a toddler, Bryce has recently crowned himself with the honorable title of “The Grand Chia Master.” (I believe this position of power is a “forever” kind of deal, in case you were wondering.) GC Master looks forward to the event of making homemade superfood smoothies (aka a “science experiment”), adding in colorful powders, vivid fruits, leafy greens, and chia seeds (of course!) before creating the most awesomely delicious kid-friendly sludge.

Did I mention he’s five?

Kids may be picky, but it’s not the nutrients in food they’re picky about; many times it’s the way nutritious food is offered in the first place. When presented with tasty healthy options — and given the opportunity to make their own choices — the beneficial foods children gravitate toward is often genuinely inspiring.

A while back, I read about a fascinating study done on sugary cereal. The goal was to test how much sugar made a child happy enough to eat his or her breakfast. In the study, two separate groups of young children were allowed to help themselves to cereal, fruit, sugar packets, milk and juice for breakfast. The only difference between the two groups was that while one group was offered sugary cereal like Fruit Loops and Frosted Flakes, the other group was given low-sugar cereal like Rice Krispies. The children were instructed to simply prepare breakfast for themselves.

Although both groups ate almost the same amount of calories, the calories derived from sugar in the sugar-cereal group were almost double compared to the low sugar cereal group — even though many children in the low-sugar group added sugar packets to their bowl. Additionally, “more than half of kids given low-sugar options added fruit to their bowls, versus 8 percent of those eating sugary cereal.” Can you imagine the results if they included a third group, with a make-your-own smoothie option?

Children eat profoundly instinctively — very much on a “want” basis — and although taste (and presentation) is a defining factor too, sometimes it’s just about presenting a child with a choice (such as the choice to include sugar in cereal as opposed to a pre-sweetened variety). Including abundant nutrient-dense superfoods like yum-worthy seeds, berries, and even hidden greens, can be excellent ways to keep children happy, stocked with healthy nutrition, and inevitably too full/satisfied to crave refined or sugary foods. This method is known as the “crowding out” theory.

In fact, the crowding out theory works with adults too. Which, if I’m not mistaken, means the Grand Chia Master indeed has a lesson to share with us all.

Bryce’s Grand Chia Master Superfood Smoothie Recipe

frozen mango chunks, to taste

frozen mixed berries, to taste

1 frozen acai smoothie pack

1 banana

18 drops Chloroxygen (liquid chlorophyll drops)

2 tablespoons chia seeds

2 tablespoons ground flax powder

2 tablespoons hemp seeds

2 tablespoons cacao nibs

2 cups arugula

1 scoop Macro Greens powder

2 cups coconut water

Blend until awesome, and serve.

YAY!!!!!!!!!

That’s all, just yay. (Actually there was a little dance that went along with the yay, but luckily it doesn’t translate through writing).

I have good (great!) news and some mildly-bad-but-not-really-so-bad news.

Good news: I am unbelievably proud and thrilled to announce that my first book, Superfood Cuisine: Cooking with Nature’s Most Amazing Foods is now available. I just got my first small shipment of books today and holy WOW, what a feeling that is. Good news indeed. YAY.

Mildly-bad-but-not-really-so-bad news: Due to the amazing response from the pre-orders (thank you!), this first shipment is already (!) SOLD OUT. The next book shipment will get in next week (it will be much larger). If you already had your order in prior to today, it will ship out asap. If you haven’t ordered a signed copy from here on my site yet but do it now, it will be shipped next week. Amazon orders (that have been already been placed, or that you place now) will ship to the Amazon warehouse next week, where they will then go out to all of you who ordered (thank you again!). And even more thanks, overall, for your patience, for your support, for your readership, and for your interest in cooking with superfoods! ENJOY!

-Signed copies will be available for a limited time on this website through the link on the right.
-Feel free to be in touch with any questions about ordering: info[at]juliemorris[dot]net
-Watch the Superfood Cuisine book trailer

Life is too short for blandness and blahness (which is, indeed, a philosophy I live by for food and beyond). But flavor aside, a food’s function is also a top priority … what benefits can it offer? It’s always my mantra to marry the taste/function combo in any recipe I make.

Currently, with the warmer weather getting started, I’m SO ready to rev up my running schedule, which has been on a lighter “maintenance” mode while I was finishing up my new book. I have all the running motivation I need: a new pair of *amazing* athletic crop pants (I may never take them off), the nag of a new yellow bikini (no polka dots, sorry), and a brand new post-workout smoothie recipe that’s 100% bland/blah-free while FULL of function.

Post-workout nutrition is of premium importance: not just because you’re hungry after being active, but because any kind of activity essentially breaks down the body, so that it can rebuild itself even stronger. It makes sense that if we eat properly after a workout, we’re giving the body the tools it needs to construct the strongest and healthiest machine possible. While a slice of pizza may not make this “eat properly” cut, a delicious superfood smoothie certainly does. Hydrating, filling, and easily assimilated, these smoothies are among the most efficient ways to stockpile nutrients after a workout – be it a bike ride, a hike, a yoga session, or in my case, a run. I’ll admit, I often rely upon a “lazy” smoothie, using premade formulas like Vega Sport which provides everything I need in one trustworthy fell swoop. But sometimes I like to make my own blends too, as I enjoy being conscious of each and every good ingredient I’m putting into my body.

So while sharing my newest post-workout superfood smoothie recipe below, in addition to the “how” of the recipe, I also wanted to shed some light on the “why” – aka the function. There’s no scientific proof that being keyed into the nutrition of food actually makes it any more beneficial, but I like to think that self-satisfaction is a virtuous nutrient in its own right.

Strawberry-Banana Post-Workout Smoothie

This smoothie refuels the body with over 20 grams of protein, immune-boosting vitamins, lubricating healthy fats, and stress-reducing superfoods.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Tbsp hemp protein powder (A concentrated and easily-digestible protein – essential for building/repairing muscle tissue.)
2 Tbsp hemp seeds (Packed with essential fatty acids – lubricates joints and decreases inflammation; another protein source as well.)
2 Tbsp cashews (Full  of minerals like copper and magnesium – supports collagen production and muscle relaxation.)
1 tsp maca powder (A potent adaptogenic herb – supports the adrenal glands [which get heavily taxed during exercise], responsible for regulating stress and hormones.)
1 banana (Easily digestible carbohydrates – needed for re-energizing.)
2 cups frozen strawberries (Concentrated source of antioxidants and vitamin C – essential for supporting the immune system.)
1½ cups coconut water or regular water (To rehydrate and replace electrolytes.)
stevia, to taste (To sweeten without adding unnecessary post-workout refined sugar.)

DIRECTIONS:

Use a blender to mix all the ingredients together (except for the stevia) until smooth. Stir in stevia to taste to adjust sweetness, if desired. Serves one-ish.

Note: Length of activity, exertion level, and body size will dictate the amount of smoothie/calories/nutrients needed after a workout; this smoothie is intended as a guideline.

I have to admit, as a natural food enthusiast, Halloween really puts me in quite a quandary. On one hand, I love the mild madness that ensues around this time of year. The costumes, the parties, the creativity, the (idea of) candyland-come-true . . . clearly there’s some serious residual little-kid excitement in full force here. The irony is that much of what Halloween is about (conventional candy . . . and lots of it) is basically my nemesis. It’s not a matter of fun-size package denial, it’s a matter of reality: hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, red #5, or any ingredient made in a labcoat for that matter, generally equates to things humans should not consume.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to pull a scrooge moment. I understand this isn’t the time of year to tout the benefits of things like toothbrushes, raisins, or a nice apple. But don’t you worry; I’ve got plans for us. Better plans. Plans like, ahem, chocolate hazelnut plans. And while these chocolate hazelnut plans may still totally reside in the treat category (aka – don’t eat the whole recipe in one serving . . . everyday), this dessert is billions of times more beneficial than traditional Halloween fare. Aside from using clean natural ingredients, it’s full of superfoods too. Raw cacao powder lends its copious antioxidant content and abundant minerals, and the chocolate coating utilizes the natural sweetness of mesquite powder (the milled mesquite pods from a low-lying South American shrub) making the exterior especially low in sugars. I’ve even snuck a little bit of optional adrenal-supporting maca powder into the filling of these candies, perhaps as a preemptive healthy strike against any conventional sugary “incidents.”

Needless to say, these candies are an all-around “yes.” The exterior chocolate coating will remain solid at room temperature, and the inside pocket is a soft, sweet blend of cacao and hazelnuts. You can use ice cube trays for as molds for these, or get fancified and use real-deal candy molds with deep vessels to properly contain the filling. If using candy molds, double the amount of chocolate coating that the recipe calls for (the filling will remain the same). Short on time? Simply melt down a dark chocolate bar and use as the exterior coating instead of the raw chocolate recipe below.

Double Chocolate Hazelnut Candies

INGREDIENTS
For the filling:
½ cup hazelnuts
¾ cup medjool dates (about 6-7 large), pits removed
1/3 cup cacao powder
½ tsp maca powder (optional)
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp melted cacao butter (use a double boiler to melt)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp water
For the chocolate:
½ cup melted cacao butter (use a double boiler to melt)
¼ cup cacao powder
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp mesquite powder
1 tsp agave nectar

DIRECTIONS
To make the filling, use a small food processor to blend the filling ingredients into a smooth paste. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides, if needed, to ensure proper blending. This may take a few minutes to get as smooth as possible.

To make the chocolate, whisk the powders and agave into the cacao butter until thoroughly combined. Using ice cube trays or candy molds* pour a small amount of chocolate into each vessel, then gently rotate the tray on an angle and in a circle to coax the chocolate into covering the sides of the vessels in a thin layer (alternately, use a small brush to paint the sides with chocolate). Place in the freezer for 5 minutes to form a hard shell.

Remove the trays from the freezer and place a small ball of the filling into the center of each cavity. Gently flatten so that the filling remains below the level of the tray and does not stick out. Pour the remaining chocolate** on top of the filling to fill each vessel, and return the trays to the freezer for 10 more minutes, or until solid. Pop out of trays and serve.

*Recipe yields about 4 full candy trays or 1 ice cube tray… though exact number of candies depends entirely on size of tray used.

**If remaining chocolate has begun to solidify too soon (which can happen in colder climates), float the vessel holding the chocolate in a small bowl of boiling water to slowly re-melt it into a liquid.

My house is weighed down with cookbooks. Food magazines stuff my mailbox. My computer is backlogged with bookmarked pages of delicious oohs and ahhs that I promise myself I will come back to and try out one day. I read recipes like they were tourism guides to far-off adventures. I read about things that inspire me, and sometimes I read about things that I will never, ever make. I just like “knowing” food.

Like the dedicated food fan I am, I take a sense of pride in watching niche healthy food trends grow into mainstream stars. It’s like seeing that underground band you’ve listened to for years (like seriously, I saw them once in their garage, dude) finally walk into the 20,000 person arena for the first time. You can’t help but sit there with a quintessential index finger-shake, exclaiming, “I knew them back when . . .” while looking to the punk next to you to be impressed. (He’s not.)

This is how I feel about kale crisps. I can’t remember the first book I saw featuring kale crisps (also known as kale chips to some), but one thing I do know is they’ve been around a long time. They’re amazing: somehow, dried-out kale that’s been coated with seasonings, takes a nutrient-dense leafy vegetable and turns it into the most crave-worthy crunchy snacktime. A bizarrely excellent way to consume all the calcium, manganese, protein, fiber and abundant nutrients kale has to offer in the most munchy of munchlicious ways. Kale crisps may not win the beauty contest any time soon, but their flavor and texture is so appealing, their most common description is almost always “addicting.” And this month, when Food & Wine Magazine included kale crisps as a featured recipe, these fantastic niche snacks finally got the stadium gig they deserve. Yes! I totally knew you guys back when.

By this point in time, I have more recipes for kale crisps then I care to admit. There really is no one right formula to make them, but there are a few tricks in getting them to cook properly.

A few suggestions on making the perfect batch of kale crisps:

Keep it fresh: Use the kale when it’s as fresh as possible (don’t put it off in the fridge for a week) as kale gets significantly more bitter as it gets older.

Think big: When tearing the kale into pieces, don’t tear the kale up too small – after it’s dried out it will shrink dramatically, turning smaller pieces into mere crumbs.

Line it up: If using an oven to bake the kale crisps (using a dehydrator is great . . . if you have one), line a cookie sheet with parchment paper before spreading the kale chips on top. Parchment not only makes clean-up a cinch, it also helps even out the cooking and prevent burning.

Stay low: The lower the temperature of baking, the more nutrients remain and the less chance of burning. Try 250-275 degrees (F) as a general rule. This way, the crisps are usually done in 60-90 minutes, and the kitchen hasn’t gone up in smoke.

Ready to make your perfect batch? Here’s a new kale crisp recipe to try out.