If you want to leave Santa Claus something other than milk and cookies this year, try this delicious candy cane cocoa smoothie recipe. It can be served hot or cold depending on your mood!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups vanilla soy milk
• ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 5 regular-sized peppermint candy canes — crushed
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1 cup ice (for smoothie option only)
• 1 banana (for smoothie option only)

Hot Candy Cane Cocoa:

In a saucepan bring the vanilla soy milk to a simmer. Add the chocolate chips and the crushed candy canes and whisk until everything is melted and smooth. Divide hot cocoa between four mugs garnish with whipped cream and serve with a candy cane stirring stick.

Candy Cane Cocoa Smoothie Recipe:

In a saucepan bring the vanilla soy milk to a simmer. Add the chocolate chips and the crushed candy canes and whisk until everything is melted and smooth. Let the mixture cool, stirring often. Once mixture is at room temperature, add it to a blender with ice and banana. Blend until smooth and pour into four glasses. Garnish with whipped cream and serve with a candy cane stick.

Happy Holidays from The Blender Diaries! Email me: drinkzola@gmail.com; follow me on Twitter: @drinkzola

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: candy canes, chocolate, christmas eve recipes, healthy, holiday recipes, holiday recipes for kids, holiday treats, hot drinks, peppermint hot chocolate recipes, peppermint smoothie, recipes, smoothie, Zola

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One fun way to reap all of the health benefits of cinnamon is with this great cinnamon smoothie recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup vanilla soy milk
• 1 cup ice

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy!

What’s in your blender today? Email me: drinkzola@gmail.com and follow me on Twitter: @drinkzola.

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: antioxidants, cinnamon, cold season, flu season, health benefits, healthy holiday recipes, holiday recipes, holiday smoothies, spices, Zola Açaí

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I’ve decided to tackle Thanksgiving in a new way this year.  Since I am generally in the kitchen all day cooking and prepping, I also find myself SNACKING constantly. I think my snacks and “taste tests” alone probably rack up another whole Thanksgiving dinner.  I’ve decided that things will be different this year. I am armed with my blender, a little Zola and a small ounce of will power.

Zola Power Smoothie:

• 1 cup Zola Acai Original
• 2 tbsps chia seeds (hemp seeds will also work)
• 1 banana
• 1 handful of blueberries (blackberries will also work)
• Ice

Place all ingredients in a blender, blend and ENJOY!

The power of this smoothie is that you’ll get natural energy and antioxidants from the Zola Acai (nothing will spread more germs than a house full of kids!), protein and healthy omegas from the seeds, and fiber (to keep you full longer) from the banana and blueberries.

Hopefully this plan will help me get the turkey carved and on the table before most of it goes in my mouth. Three cheers to not overeating before dinner even begins!

What’s in your blender today? Email me: drinkzola@gmail.com and follow me on Twitter: @drinkzola.

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Açaí, berries, chia seeds, dessert, energy, energy snacks, guarana, healthy, helpful holiday hints, hemp, holiday recipes, how to stop snacking, natural, Thanksgiving healthy recipes, Thanksgiving recipes, treats, Zola Açaí

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Here’s the recipe:

• 1 cup cranberries
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1/3 cup cran-apple juice
• 8 oz vanilla yogurt

Put all ingredients in a blender. Add ice. Blend and enjoy!

What’s in your blender today? Email me: drinkzola@gmail.com and follow me on Twitter: @drinkzola.

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blender, cooking, cranberry sauce, health, healthy food, holiday recipes, holiday themed smoothie, Smoothies, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving feast, Zola Açaí

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After a few attempts, I think I’ve finally come up with the perfect recipe that both my wife and kids enjoyed.

• 1 cup organic canned pumpkin purée
• 1 cup soy or almond milk
• 2 tablespoons agave syrup (maple will also work)
• 1/3 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2/3 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup ice
• Whipped cream and cinnamon as garnish

Put all ingredients in a blender except for the whipped cream.  Once smooth, pour in a glass, garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon.

What’s in your blender today? Email me: drinkzola@gmail.com; Twitter @drinkzola.

© Chris for The Blender Diaries: Dedicated to smoothies, juicing, Superfruits and healthy living., 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: baking with family, blender, blender diaries, Halloween, healthy smoothies, holiday recipes, in the kitchen, indulgent smoothies, kitchen, smoothie, smoothie recipes, smoothies for kids, trick or treat

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