This time of year, it is so easy to get stuck in unhealthy routines and fall back on some pretty high sugar and not so great choices for your foods! Take a moment to pause this week as the holidays get closer, and add something easy and delicious into your routine!

Happy December everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones, and you aren't getting too overwhelmed with Christmas on its way! It's so easy to get stuck into unhealthy habits around the holidays. You're busy, family is visiting, and the holidays tend to make us crave some delicious yet not so healthy things. I get it! You've followed my health and wellness journey, and I have loved following yours. The holidays bring on some very interesting stress and pressure when it comes to your diet and what you're putting in and on your body.

This got me thinking about a few things. First, take a moment for yourself and your family. It's okay to pause and collect yourself. Sometimes you'll find some holiday spirit waiting for you there! Secondly, take inventory of how you're feeling. Stressed? Tired? Sluggish? Acknowledge this, and see if there are a few small ways you can focus yourself back on track. Thirdly, what have you been eating? Have you been taking the time to put as much goodness into your body as the amount of holiday spirit you're trying to spread outside of it? I know you're short on time right now - which is why I wanted to share a quick a delicious recipe that will help get you and your body back on track during this busy time of year!

If you're not already following me on Instagram and Facebook, pause reading this and go do that right now. If you have been a follower, thank you SO much! You might have seen my post about putting dates into my smoothies, and doesn't that sound delicious? This quick and yummy smoothie will take your version of fast food and flip it on its head!

You Will Need:
-1 Scoop of our JP Vanilla Complete
-1 Cup of Almond Milk
-A handful of ice cubes (about 3-7 cubes, depending on the size of your blender!)
-One tablespoon of flax seeds
-3 Dates
-One shot of Espresso (common - it's the holidays!). This is also optional, only add if you'd like!

Directions:
Place all ingredients into a blender, food processor, ninja, or bottle of choice and blend until smooth! Out comes delicious vanilla caramel goodness! It's a perfect flavor for the holidays, and one you don't have to think twice about. If you do end up adding that shot of Espresso - it turns into the best macchiato you've ever had! Enjoy! Also - if you're looking for a warmer option, skip the ice cubes and steam your almond milk! Make sure you still send your dates through the food processor before you add them in, and blend everything really well!

The Truth About Dates
Speaking of dates, did you know these delicious little treats are an AMAZING surprise full of nutrition? Not to mention they are an excellent natural sweetener to add to smoothies, yogurt, and other treats. They are also great for those who have a sweet tooth but want a much healthier option. Remember, as always, that just like anything you eat - you need to eat these delicious dates in moderation!

Dates are very rich in fiber, protein, potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, and vitamin B6. They are incredibly high in antioxidants like flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acid. They are also very high in polyphenols which help protect from and help with inflammation.

Dates may help with stronger and faster brain functions. They also may help expecting mothers to ease long pregnancies and have smoother and easier natural births. Dates also help with bone health and controlling blood sugar!

Happy Holi-dates
Who knew that such a small little thing could have such a big impact on your life? Add a few into your meal routine and see what happens. There are so many delicious recipes out there with dates, that I don't think you could go wrong! I know the holidays can be hard, but know you're not alone. We are on this journey together! I hope you enjoy this holiday season, and from my family to yours - Happy Holidays!

• 2 eggs (could use a flax egg if desire)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 2 bananas, very ripe
• 1 scoop JP Vanilla Complete (or could substitute 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup)
• 2 cups rolled oats, uncooked (we use gluten-free oats)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 – 3 1/2 cups baby spinach or mixed greens depending on how green you want them
• 1/4- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (may need more liquid depending on amount of spinach)
• 1-2 tbsp flax seeds (optional)
  
• ​Top with dairy free chocolate chips 
  

1. Preheat oven to 350° degrees.
2. Combine all ingredients in your food processor
3. Blend until the batter has a smooth consistency and even color
4. Portion out between the 12 muffin tin 
5. Top muffins with chocolate chips
6. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean
7. Cool in a pan before transferring the muffins to a cooling rack
8. Enjoy warm or allow to cool completely before storing in the fridge for up to 5 days or in a freezer for up to a month.

Original Recipe cred
https://thenaturalnurturer.com/2017/04/03/oatmeal-green-smoothie-muffins/?fbclid=IwAR1oUjJmDMP6MzTFf7KhkEFKJ2jvX4I5LYR-SzlBEG7Un37Oy-pnoqGmg9I

Made some changes to original recipe! Contact me for sample of JP Vanilla complete!

These fiber-packed, protein rick ball are a healthy way to indulge your sweet treat! If the consistency is not thick enough to roll into balls, press in pan, put in freezer, and cut into bars! Pull out 5 minutes before you want to eat to allow to thaw for perfect consistency! Enjoy

3-4 pitted dates, soaked in water for 10 minutes before using
1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup chocolate protein powder (we use JP complete protein mix- vegan, dairyer, gluten free- message me for details)
1/4 cup almond or peanut butter
2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon non-dairy milk (we used unsweetened almond milk)
1/4 cup chocolate chips (we used Enjoy Life brand- dairy free)

1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper or foil.
2. In a small bowl soak dates for 10 minutes.
3. In a vitamix, add dates, black beans, almond butter, protein powder, salt, vanilla, applesauce, almond milk. Pulse and combine until all ingredients are mixed together and smooth.
4. Roll the dough into balls. Place each ball on wax paper. Place baking sheet in fridge.
OR If dough is too gooey, place dough into baking dish. Place in freezer or fridge. 
5. Melt chocolate chips on stove top or in microwave. Drizzle balls or bars with chocolate!
6. Store in airtight container in fridge or freezer for up to 1 week (if they last that long!). 

Note: our dough was a bit gooey for balls so we put in baking dish in the freezer. We put in freezer for 10 minutes while we melted chocolate. We then drizzled melted chocolate on the bars and put back in the freezer! We kept in freezer until we were ready to eat them! They lasted 2 days!!!! So yummy!

recipe cred emilieeats.com

2 cups gluten free oats
1/2 cup nut butter (we used almond butter)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup raw honey
1/4 cup almond flour
cocao nibs (maybe a handful)
1 scoop JP Vanilla Complete mix

Mix and roll into balls! Keep in fridge (if you have any left!)!!

Recipe cred Caroline Lewis Jones

These are the bomb!! Super easy and quick to make. Super sweet but sweet with the "good stuff." The more plants the better!!! 

Rolls:
1 scoop vanilla Juice Plus Complete
4 egg whites
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Sauce:
1/2 cup non-dairy yogurt (we use the unsweetened Vanilla coconut yogurt)
1/2 scoop vanilla JP Complete mix
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Combine ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl, mix well and set aside.
2. To make the roll, mix ingredients together in a blender or with a hand mixer. Pour mixture into a pan that  has been highly greased with coconut oil. Cook on a low heat for about 10 minutes (DO NOT FLIP like a pancake). Once cooked, lay the roll flat on parchment paper and cut into strips. Spread the sauce and roll it up! Drizzle with sauce before serving! Enjoy!

Recipe cred Healthy Living Revolution cookbook

1 scoop Juice plus vanilla complete
1-2 tsp melted coconut oil
splash unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon (or more:) of Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate chips (or any dairyer chocolate chips)(we also like the Lily's brand)

Mix and Eat!!! 

Recipe Cred Juice Plus Community and Healthy Living Revolution resources!