Puerto Rican ‘Limbers’ Recipe

Have you ever heard of a “limber”? It is the perfect way to cool off during the hot summer months when I was growing up in Puerto Rico.  It is also a healthy alternative to soft drinks or sodas.

It is also a healthy alternative to soft drinks or sodas. In my native Puerto Rico, in almost every neighborhood you can find a local market where, for about a dollar, you can buy and enjoy this delicious treat. From sweet, sour fruits to combined with milk or milk alternatives.

They are named after Charles A. Lindbergh, the first aviator to cross the Atlantic Ocean by plane, nonstop and solo, who visited Puerto Rico on a “Goodwill” trip in 1928.

When he got off the plane, and felt the heat of the island, he was treated to a juice or frozen fruit drink that the pilot liked very much. When he asked for the name of what had done him so well, they decided to baptize the sweet aperitif with the aviator’s last name.

Although other voices in history speak of the pilot’s emotional coldness at the reception of the Puerto Ricans, he gained one more recognition and that remains until today: the now typical frozen juice of the country would be called “limber” (the phonetical Spanish way to say Lindbergh)

Here’s my 4 ingredient Coconut vegan recipe!

Ingredients:

– 1 can of coconut milk

– 1 can of coconut cream

– 3 Tbsp of coconut brown sugar

– Vanilla to taste

– Cinnamon to taste

Preparation:

Mix the coconut milk, coconut cream, cinnamon, vanilla and sugar in a container. Blend using a fork or egg mixer. Serve into small paper or plastic cups, and pour cinnamon on top. Take it to the freezer for 2 hours or until it is firm.

Vegan Quinoa Tots Recipe – Easy Vegan Cookbook

Today’s vegan recipe is an awesome plant-based, healthier version of the popular Tater Tots, featured in “The Friendly Vegan Cookbook” by authors Toni Okamoto and Michelle Cehn.

Part of the reason I love this book so much is because it includes some of the most popular foods in American cuisine and truly made them healthier, and ‘veganize’ them, while keeping them satisfying and yummy.

From “tuna” salad and “mac ‘n cheese” to tacos, pasta and desserts galore, you will find one of your favorite meals in this book for sure! Today I’m making quinoa tots (a version of potato tater tots).

I picked this recipe because I often hear from folks telling me that quinoa can be a little boring so I wanted to show you how versatile it can be. Hope you enjoy it (recipe listed below)!

Get the book here

YIELD: 16-18 quinoa tots

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook time: 10 mins | Total time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled

½ cup finely diced yellow onion

¼ cup finely chopped chives

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp red chili pepper flakes

3 Tbsps. plant plant-based milk

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Canola Oil for panfrying

INSTRUCTIONS

1. in large bowl, thoroughly combine the quinoa, onion, chives, red chili pepper. Mix in the plant-based milk and lemon juice.

2. Using your hands, roll the quinoa mixture into 1-inch balls, squeezing tightly in your hands as you go to get the air bubbles out and for a dough. Place the formed balls on a tray or plate. Put them in the freezer for 5 minutes or 15-20 mins if in the refrigerator.

3. Coat a large pan with canola oil and place over medium-high heat. Add the tots in batches and lightly press on each of them with a spatula to flatten them a little.

4. Cook tots for 5 mins until the bottom is golden brown and appears gentle friend. Flip them, lower the heat to medium and cook for another 5 minutes.

Salsa Verde (Chimichurri Sauce) Recipe

Today I have the 2nd video recipe with guest Executive Chef Verite Mazzola, who is teaching us how to make a super easy and extra yummy salsa verde (a take on the famous chimichurri sauce.

A few weeks ago we made a fantastic black garlic sauce that you can find here: https://youtu.be/NEDGroK9510

And for the book we reference, check it out here: http://ebookbundle.jovankaciares.com/

Here’s the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tbsp dried oregano

1/2 bunch of fresh parsley

1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro

1 Serrano pepper (less if you don’t like spice)

3 garlic cloves

1 full lemon zest

1 cup of oil

1/4 cup of vinegar

salt & pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

In a blender or small food processor, blend until smooth. Safe in a glass jar and place in the fridge until it’s time to use. Spread over your veggies, rice or quinoa right before consuming and enjoy!

Awesome Vegan Mexican Dish from La Vida Verde

Today I have a very special recipe feature. It’s a mushroom cocktail from the #vegan cookbook: “La Vida Verde: Plant-Based Mexican Cooking with Authentic Flavor” by @la_yoselin, chef and founder of @TodoVerde

I met Chef Jocelyn Ramirez over a year ago and since have tried her recipes in at least 3 events she catered. Literally every single time, I wanted to meet the chef behind the delicious Mexican plant-based foods served. And, as a fellow Latina, I am filled with pride and joy that our foods, and work is featured in mainstream books and social platforms.

So I couldn’t WAIT to make this recipe (also, because I am in love with mushrooms) and it is a super yummy one.

Check out the full video and recipe here and run to get the book! Run to get the book and enjoy!

To get the book: https://amzn.to/35N5CFn

Vegan Ketogenic Diet Cookbook Interview

Today, I’m interviewing the Authors of the Vegan Ketogenic Diet book, Whitney Lauritsen and Nicole Derseweh. To get the book, https://amzn.to/3aqTzyJ

I’ve been curious about a low starch, low simple carb and low simple sugar vegan diet for quite a while, mostly as a way to offer alternatives to clients with very unique health concerns. Whitney and Nicole wrote a book with really tasty whole foods that also appeal to those into keto and low carb sensitivities. Check out the video below….

To connect with the authors:

Whitney: https://whitneylauritsen.com/evg-coming-soon/

@whitlauritsen

@ecovegangal

Nicole: http://nicoracle.com

@nicolederseweh 

I’m also featuring one of the recipes in the book, a garlic Fried cauliflower rice that’s to die for!

As the description of the book on Amazon reads:

A vegan-friendly ketogenic diet is possible―and delicious. In your hands you hold the complete guide to eating meals that are free from animal products but still contain the right high-fat and low-carb nutritional content for achieving ketosis (changing the way your body burns fuel, to aid with health and weight loss).

The Vegan Ketogenic Diet Cookbook teaches you how to get started and stay motivated, with step-by-step recipes that focus on nuts, seeds, and low-glycemic fruits and vegetables. Featuring everything from breakfast to desserts, this cookbook offers plenty of variety so there’s always something new to try. Eating vegan now includes the full benefits of the ketogenic diet, thanks to dozens of dishes that promote increased energy, better digestion, and more balanced body weight.

The Vegan Ketogenic Diet Cookbook helps you:

  • Get prepped―The introductory chapter runs you through the principles of a ketogenic diet―and how easy it is to make it vegan.
  • Get cooking―Recipes have serving sizes included so you can calculate your macronutrients, plus shopping lists of essential vegan-keto ingredients to have on hand.
  • Get eating―Find tips for serving, storing, swapping ingredients, and creating meal plans.

Easy Sauce Recipe: Black Garlic Sauce

*To get a copy of my cookbook: http://ebookbundle.jovankaciares.com/

For months, I’ve been wanting to create a few video recipes featuring easy-to-make recipes that can dress veggies and salads and make the experience of eating more plants more exciting.

So I enlisted the help of amazing Executive Chef, Verité Mazzola (my sis’ in law) to create today’s recipe: a simple black garlic sauce. Easiest thing that could change the way and amount of veggies you eat each and every day. It is so simple and so YUMMY it should be illegal! Check out the recipe video below.

Ingredients:

  • 5 heads of black garlic (if no black garlic, use 5 regular garlic cloves)
  • 1/4 vinegar
  • 1/3 cup of avocado oil
  • 2 Tbsp of date syrup
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

*get the black garlic here: https://amzn.to/2wtqFiw

Instructions:

  1. In a blender or small food processor, blend until smooth. Safe in a glass jar and place in the fridge until it’s time to use.
  2. Add to your veggies just before consuming and enjoy!

Cure-All Lentil Soup from Sweet Potato Soul

Today’s blog is a super awesome vegan recipe from my dear friend Jenné Claiborne’s new book Sweet Potato Soul. I love soups so decided to make one of the soups featured in the book, a “Cure-All Lentil Soup”.

This one has a ton of great spices/herbs and ingredients to boost your immunity, and comfort you on those days you feel under the weather.

I also love soups because they are an easy way to consume a lot of nourishing ingredients in a single bowl. Even for the not-so-great-at-cooking, this recipe is perfect for its ease and flavor.

Check out the recipe and more details about the book on today’s video blog

 

Get Jenne’s Book Here

Learn About Jenne’s YouTube channel here

Recipe

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 cup diced yellow onion

1 cup diced celery

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup diced carrots

1 unpeeled white potato, cut into 1⁄2-inch cubes

1 cup dried green lentils, sorted and rinsed

8 cups Veggie stock

 

Herbs/Spices

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon celery seeds

1⁄2 teaspoon dried sage

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon pepper

Salt to taste

 

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the onion, celery, and garlic and sauté́ until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the carrots, potato, lentils, and stock and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low
  5. Add the fennel seeds, thyme, celery seeds, sage, and bay leaf.
  6. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils become tender.
  7. Season the soup with soy sauce and pepper.
  8. Season to taste with salt

Serve hot.

Easiest and Best Skin Scrub Ever

This is one of my favorite and easiest body scrubs you’ll ever seen. It will leave your skin looking and feeling ah-mazing.

Just a couple of ingredients and can be done by a 10 year old so you can do it too!

Check out my vegan, chemical free, home-made skin scrub.

What do you think, wanna give it a try? Let me know in the comments below!

Gluten Free Open Avocado Toast

I love bread! There, I admit it! It’s fantastic, it’s comforting and it can be very healthy! I often choose gluten free, multi grain bread made by local bakers and using sustainably sourced ingredients.

One of my favorite snacks, light lunches or even dinners is a simple open avocado toast on gluten free bread. This ridiculously simple dish has just 3 ingredients, takes 5 mins to prepare and has over 10 grams of protein.

Click on the video below to see how!

Oh, and here are the ingredients, just for your enjoyment!

  • 1 avocado
  • 1 small tomato, firm
  • 3-4 fresh basil leaves
  • olive oil to taste
  • Himalayan pink salt to taste
  • Juice of ½ a lemon

Enjoy!

Blackberry Coconut Lime Popsicles

I love this little recipe, perfect for hot summer days but also fun if you have a sweet tooth and want to satisfy it without un-doing a great day full of healthy foods.

I often make these and leave in my freezer to share with guests or simply to enjoy with my honey while watching a movie at home.

Check out the video and recipe below!

Makes 6 small/4 large pops

1 can full-fat coconut milk
2 Tspts coconut syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups blackberries
Juice of 1/2 lemon or lime
pinch salt

In a medium bowl, combine coconut milk, syrup, lime juice, salt, and vanilla extract, and whisk to combine.

In a blender, puree blackberries, then pour through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds.

Add the milk blend and blackberries in alternate order, making white and purple swirls as you do.

Freeze for about 30 minutes, then insert sticks and freeze until firm.

LOVE IT! Comments, ideas?! Leave them below!

Vegan Raw Chocolate Mousse

What do you do when on the go and in need of some fun superfood cacao treat? A raw vegan chocolate mousse of course! I’m making this treat on my Nutribullet so if I can do it on a tiny blender, so can you! Check out the video for my simple (on the go) and totally yummy recipe for a vegan chocolate mousse:

What I love the most about this recipe is that it’s filled with antioxidants, healthy fats, micronutrients and none of the bad stuff in commercial chocolates!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 avocados
  • 3/4 cup pitted dates
  • 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
  • Chaga and Reishi mushroom tincture

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Blend until smooth
  • Blend until combined

Chia Pudding Parfait

This ridiculously easy and simple recipe is one I do 2-3x per week. So I wanted to share here with you my high protein chia pudding parfait! Check out the recipe in the video below:

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/3 cups of chia seeds
  • 1 cup of coconut milk
  • 2 tsp coconut nectar
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Mix it up and leave in the fridge for 4-12 hours
  • Add your favorite toppins – I’m adding just some nuts.

Perfect treat, easy to make, great breakfast, snack or high protein pick me up! Let know how you like it in the comments below the video!

Raw Cacao Energy Balls

These are so easy and so amazing for you I had to share here!

I make these when I’m running out of superfoods, to kind of use them all and the make a big shopping run and get all the new batch of fresh, new supplements. Get the recipe on this video!

Raw {Vegan} Cacao Energy Balls

INGREDIENTS

  • Cocoa powder
  • Nuts (1-2 types)
  • Chia seeds
  • Cinnamon
  • Moringa powder
  • Dates
  • Chaga mushrooms

*Amounts are to taste

Note: You can also add flax seeds for fiber, hemp seeds for protein, coconut oil for healhty fats. Truly, they are so versatile, you can add whatever you’d like!

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Blend all ingredients in a high power blender
  • Using your hands, get a small fist full and make a small balls
  • Keep them in a bow in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Enjoy!

Tell me how you like them in the comment section below!

 

New ABC Show “My Diet Is Better Than Yours” Hosted by Shaun T & Starring Jovanka Ciares!

AH-MAZING NEWS! I’ll be starting along with 4 other celebrity trainers and Shaun T of Insanity Workouts on a new show that will air on ABC prime time.  The show, called “My Diet Is Better Than Yours” and will premiere on January 7th at 9/8pm C.

This is an amazing opportunity to showcase alternative treatments and healthy living practices to mass audiences.

You’ll get the full scoop on the show’s premiere but what I can tell you right now is that my health coaching system, the Wellness Smackdown™ will be showcased as one of the 5 expert plans for people to follow to lose a significant amount of weight, improve their health and feel great again.

I’m honored, humbled and ECSTATIC to be chosen for this opportunity. And especially excited to show the world, and my communities (the Hispanic and Black communities) that it is possible to heal and thrive using the wisdom of the ages. And of course, a great chance to make the worldwide wellness and compassionate lifestyle communities proud!

This is a dream 10 years in the making. Please join me on January 7th to check out the series premiere!

Here’s one of the TV promos:

[youtube]https://youtu.be/Jk5lKN7MNcA[/youtube]

I’ll be sharing my own personal insights about the show and the process of coaching someone in front of national TV here on my video blog so make sure that you sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss a beat!

In the meantime, please be well!

Simple Hummus Recipe + Vegan

Last week I showed you an amazing vegan mushroom risotto recipe! If you missed that video, check it out here!

This week, I’m doing a collaboration with chef Jenne Claiborne and she is going to show you how to make the yummiest, quickest, prettiest, easiest beet hummus there is!

Go to the video and recipe below!

Enjoy the yumminess!

Interested in the videos? Check them out here:

Jenne cookbook http://www.21dayveganblueprint.com/5-ingredient-vegan-cookbook/

Jovanka’s Cookbook: https://jovankaciares.com/ebook-bundle

About Jovanka

Jovanka Ciares is a former entertainment executive turned Wellness expert, detox specialist, nutrition educator and author. She is the creator of the Wellness Smackdown™, a proprietary detox and weight loss program for natural weight loss which was featured on the first season of ABC’s “My Diet Is Better Than Yours”...

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