Archives for vegan

Nice Cream Parfait and Bowls

One of my favorite ways to stay cool in the hot Arizona summer, is having a freshly made bowl of nice cream after a run. No, that’s not a type-o, I do mean “N”ice cream. One of the many great qualities about these, is they are good any time of day — at least in my opinion. They also don’t contain any dairy and since frozen bananas are used as the base, you can flavor them with just about anything you want! The “hardest” part is just making sure you have a gallon freezer bag, full of chopped up bananas. 1″ chunks will do.

Below are some of my recent favorites:

Craving a bowl of chocolate ice cream? No problem.

  • 6-8; 1″ frozen banana chunks
  • 1-2 TBSP favorite chocolate protein powder (I used Shakeology Chocolate Vegan)
  • splash or two of nut milk
  • 1 TBSP almond butter

Blend together in a blender on low speed, using a tamper to help mix it together. (A food processor will work too.) It should only take about 30 seconds. Don’t over process, it gets gummy. Place in serving bowl(s) and top with your favorite crunchy or chewy delights!

Need a light and fruity cool down after a hot run? Got you covered.

Cherry Walnut Nice Cream

  • 6-8; 1″ frozen banana chunks
  • 1/3 c. frozen organic cherries
  • 1/3 c. homemade walnut milk (or other nut milk, or water works too!)

Blend together in a blender on low speed, using a tamper to help mix it together. (A food processor will work too.) It should only take about 30 seconds. Don’t over process, it gets gummy. Stir in a small bunch of chopped walnuts and cacao nibs with a  wooden or plastic spoon, while it’s still in the blender — but off the power source. Once it’s well combined, dump into a serving bowl(s). Top with more nuts and frozen cherries. Takes 5 minutes!

Feelin’ fancy? Healthy parfait!

Pink and Green Power Parfait

This one’s a little more fancy, and requires a bit more time, but still quick to make!

Green Layer

  • 6-8; 1″ frozen banana chunks
  • 1/3 c. frozen coconut meat (optional)
  • 1 serving green food (I used 1 package of VIVARISE Lean Green)
  • 2-4 drops liquid Stevia (optional for added sweetness)

Blend together in a blender on low speed, using a tamper to help mix it together. (A food processor will work too.) It should only take about 30 seconds. Don’t over process, it gets gummy. Scoop mixture out into a bowl and set aside while you prepare the other layer.

Pink Layer

  • 5-7; 1″ frozen banana chunks
  • 1/3 c. frozen coconut meat (optional)
  • 1 package raw, organic Pitaya Plus (dragon fruit)

Just like the first layer, blend together in a blender on low speed, using a tamper to help mix it together. (A food processor will work too.) It should only take about 30 seconds. Don’t over process, it gets gummy. 🙂

Create your parfait by layering one filling at a time into your serving glass. I used a single 18 oz. glass and had a little left over of each flavor. So you could split it into two smaller glasses, or just do what I did and big out on the one! Top with whatever sounds good to you! I used some chopped almonds and a pitted date.

I want to try a blueberry one next or maybe even one with lemon and raspberry!

Are you a fan of nice cream? What is your favorite flavor combo or topping?

GoMacro Review + Giveaway

My first introduction to GoMacro bars was in 2014 when I was attending Southwest Institute of Healing Arts for my Holistic Nutrition certification. The bookstore carried them, and they were great in a pinch! Sometimes my days got so busy, I didn’t have time to grab a solid dinner — ironic, I know. But I always felt like the ingredient list was good, they were organic, vegan AND tasted great!

When Run Eat Tweet AZ told me I would be given a variety pack of mini GoMacro bars to sample, I was STOKED!! (The bookstore only had 2 or 3 flavors and they were always the same; the variety pack had them all!) The day my box arrived it was like Christmas! I went running to the front door and nearly slipped and fell on my way there (True. Story. Darn socks.)

I immediately opened the package to see all the available flavors. I was AMAZED to see there were eleven flavors!!

  1. Protein Pleasure – Peanut butter chocolate chip
  2. Sweet Rejuvenation – Cashew Butter
  3. Protein Replenishment – Peanut Butter
  4. Prolonged Power – Banana + Almond Butter
  5. Protein Purity – Sunflower butter + Chocolate
  6. Wholehearted Heaven – Almond Butter + Carob
  7. Balanced Goodness – Granola + Coconut
  8. Sweet Revival – Sesame Butter + Dates
  9. Sunny Uplift – Cherries + Berries
  10. Protein Paradise – Cashew Caramel
  11. Morning Harvest – Apples + Walnuts

I’m not gonna lie. Immediately after taking a few pics, I ate one bar – peanut butter chocolate chip. Because who doesn’t love that combo? It didn’t disappoint.

Ok, I had two bars. 😀 This one was granola coconut. Look at those simple ingredients! Each mini bar is around 100 calories.

One of the other things I loved about the GoMacro mini bars, is how convenient they were. After a run I could grab one and eat it while I was stretching. Pictured below is the sesame butter + dates bar. I didn’t like it as much as I thought, but I’m not a huge fan of the sesame flavor in general, but I LOVE dates so it balanced out.

I even had one as a snack before bed. haha (Don’t judge me. I was hungry.) Apples and walnuts was pretty good!

After a treadmill run… PERFECT. Cherries + berries was JUST what I needed!

And especially after a trail run with the Run Eat Tweet AZ crew! 7 tough miles and I was HUNGRY! I grabbed banana + almond butter and almond butter + carob, both are tasty choices. But without a doubt, my favorite flavor is peanut butter chocolate chip! Then a close second is granola + coconut, and cherries + berries taking third place.

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Side note: As a graphic designer, I have to say — go check out their website! It is SO cool! I also love the packaging on each and every bar. They are all unique and relate to the ingredients; I love the little details. It is rare for me to love everything about a product, but from the taste, the ingredients, the packaging and beyond, I really have to say you won’t be disappointed in GoMacro.

I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to try each and every flavor and share my experience with you here. As a bonus, they are also gluten-free, in addition to being vegan. WIN WIN!


More about GoMacro

GoMacro is a family-run natural food company with roots in organic farming and they are dedicated to making the best tasting food with the highest quality ingredients. Everything they make is 100% vegan, USDA certified organic, certified non-GMO, Gluten-Free, and made from mostly raw ingredients! They truly believe that everything put in our bodies should have a beneficial impact. 

Now here is the great news! You can win your very own variety box of GoMacro mini bars! Just head on over to the Run Eat Tweet AZ Facebook page for details on how to enter!

You can also follow GoMacro on the following social media channels, for all the latest product info, updates and other giveaways!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gomacro/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gomacro
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gomacro/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gomacro/

Not the lucky, winning type? Use this one time only, 40% Off Discount Code on the GoMacro shop page. Enter code “BLOGGER” at checkout and you will get 40% off your first order.

BEST OF LUCK and HAPPY SHOPPING!

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