Aronia Berry Smoothie

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons chia seeds, soaked in 1/2 cup water for 15 minutes
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 cup coconut milk*
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or kefir
• 1–2 tablespoons raw honey
• 1–2 tablespoons Coconut Cream Concentrate
• 1 or 2 frozen bananas
• 1 cup frozen aronia berries or blueberries
• water, as needed
• scoop of ice cream or dollop whipped cream, optional

Directions:

Soak chia seeds in water for 15 minutes.

Put all ingredients into blender. Blend until smooth, adding water as necessary.

Top with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

*For the freshest coconut milk, make homemade coconut milk. (See video at this link.)

Amy from Milford, NE, won $50 for this recipe and photo! Submit your recipes and photos here!

Carrot Coconut Balls

Servings: 7
Preparation Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup hot water
• 3 tablespoons Coconut Cream Concentrate
• 2 tablespoons whole sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
• 3/4 cup grated carrots
• 1/3 cup shredded coconut
• 3/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
•  2 tablespoons shredded coconut, reserved

Directions:

In the hot water, add the Coconut Cream Concentrate and sugar and stir well. This will make a thick sweetened coconut milk. Set aside.

In a wide pan on low heat, melt 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil and add grated carrots. Sauté on medium heat for 5 minutes until the carrots are a little soft and turn a bit dry. Now, add the 1/3 cup shredded coconut. Toast for a minute.

Combine with the sweetened coconut milk and stir until well incorporated. Cook until the mixture gets thick and starts to roll like a ball, 5–8 minutes. Turn off heat.

When the mixture is warm, add cardamom powder and mix well.

Take some mixture in your hand and shape into a ball, then roll in the shredded coconut. These can be stored in an airtight container for 4–5 days.

Sheetal from Foster City, CA, won $50 for this recipe and photo! Submit yours here!

Gluten-Free Pineapple Coconut Bites

Servings: 10 snack balls
Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 pieces of pineapple (square chunks, not the rings)
• 3 Medjool dates
• 3 tablespoons shredded coconut
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 tablespoons almond flour*

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Place all ingredients in the food processor and mix until well blended. Roll the mixture into 10 small snack balls. Bake for 20 minutes on chlorine-free parchment paper on a baking sheet. Cool before serving.

*You can grind your own almond flour by placing whole almonds in a blender/food processor and blending until you get a fine meal.

Keri from Horicon, WI, won $50 for this recipe and photo! Submit yours here!