Green Smoothie & Light But Filling Summer Salad

My whole life I haven't been a coffee fan. Most people think I'm crazy when I say that, but the smell, taste, look, everything is unappealing to me. A few years ago in 2011, I did the raw food diet for about 30 days. It was one of the most excruciating things I've ever done. At times it would be really easy, and at other times it wasn't. One of the things I did really enjoy from the raw food diet was green smoothies. Now, green smoothies are like my coffee. I drink them pretty much everyday. I have a variety that I have come up with throughout the years, but today I am going to share with you my tropical green smoothie.

Green smoothies are super easy to make, a great way to get essential vitamins and minerals in a raw form, and when you make them well, you can't even taste the greens you put in. 

What You'll Need:

2 cups organic power green mix 

1 cup organic tropical fruit mix

16oz coconut water

1 frozen banana

1 scoop brown rice protein powder (or any other protein powder your prefer)

How To Prepare:

1. Pour coconut water and power green mix in blend, and blend until all the leaves are completely blended.

2. Add a frozen banana and blend until it has been completely blended as well.

3. Add one scoop protein powder and 1 cup tropical fruit. 

4. Drink & Enjoy! (Serves 2)

For my protein powder, I use Sunwarrior brown rice protein powder. Sometimes I use Perfect Fit Protein but it is a little stevia heavy for me. 

I can get all this stuff at Trader Joes, but you can find it at the supermarket as well. 

**TIP: Don't ever get rid of bananas because you don't think you can eat them all. Always put them Ina freezer bag and freeze them. 

Looking for something that is filling but also light? Look no more! This grain salad is amazing and perfect for summer! Can be eaten as a main meal or a side dish. This recipe is also really simple which always helps! 

What You'll Need:

1 cup brown rice 

2 cups water

1 can black beans

Trader Joes (or any store's) tropical mango, pineapple salsa

1 avocado (or 2 if you LOVE avocado like I do!)

How To Prepare:

1. Cook your rice as instructed on the bag or box. All rice varies so it is better to go based off the instructions own bag or box.

2. When the rice has about 7-8 minutes left to cook, put the can of beans in a small sauce pan and cook until the juice of the beans starts to simmer. 

3. Once the beans and rice are both done, add the rice to a big bowl. Drain the beans and rinse them and then add them to the bowl of rice. Give them a good mix.

4. Add 3/4 cup of the salsa to the bowl and mix until fully incorporated.

5. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and let it cool in the fridge for at least an hour and a half. 

6. Once it is cooled, serve chilled with avocado on top. Sprinkle the avocado with just a touch of sea salt and fresh ground pepper.

7. Eat & Enjoy!!! (Serves 4)

**Notes: If you or your family aren't a big fan of beans, you can add cubes of chicken, or cubes of tofu to replace the beans. 

Also, other types of rice, jasmine, white, etc. would work in this dish, brown rice just had the best overall nutrition value.

PS - Did you know beans and rice are a complete protein when consumed together or consumed within a short period of time from each other??? It's true!