christopher's kitchen

Immediately before the pandemic hit, I got to travel to Jupiter, Florida for my best friend’s wedding. The weekend was truly memorable for so many reasons- from the beautiful venue to the delicious food to the gorgeous bride- and I’m happy to say the trip ended on a tasty note as well! On our way back to the airport, a group of us stopped by Christopher’s Kitchen in Palm Beach for a healthy, vegan meal. After a night of drinking (and perhaps more than one piece of cake), it felt good to flood my body with so many healthy ingredients. The pad thai and thai wrap were fresh and flavorful- I really loved the almond sauce for a unique take on the more typical peanut. But the sushi really stole the show- avocado, kale, almond ginger paté, cucumber, mango, red pepper, collard green, sprouts, all topped with almond crunchies!? Yum!

Of course we couldn’t pass on dessert, so we got a little sampling of their homemade chocolates and cookies to finish the meal on a sweet note. I love all the vibrant colors in these photos- such a great depiction of all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you get from eating fresh, plant-based food. Christopher’s Kitchen was the last restaurant I dined at before the pandemic caused us all to stay home. I feel lucky that it was such a tasty, yet healthy experience, and I look forward to returning, hopefully sooner than later!

first birthday smash cake

first birthday smash cake with yogurt & cream cheese frosting and sprinkles

I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone that I was super excited to bake my son Dylan’s first birthday cake. Typically called “smash cake”, it’s a birthday cake for a one year old that they can essentially smash, play around with, eat, dig in, throw, whatever. Anything goes! And extra cake for me to eat? Yes please! While researching recipes, I knew I wanted something on the healthier side- not too much added sugar for sure. Fresh fruit like bananas are a great way to add a natural sweetness to your cakes without having to add a bunch of cane sugar. I also used a combination of coconut oil (healthy fats!) and applesauce, which keeps the cake nice and moist. Oat flour is a healthy alternative to all-purpose, and I made mine by grinding up rolled oats in a food processor. Super easy! If I’m honest, I didn’t even pulverize the oats into total flour consistency, and left it a bit coarser to give the cake some texture. Whatever you prefer! Plus, if you use certified gluten-free oats, this cake is completely gluten-free as well. In terms of frosting, which can all too often be a huge sugar bomb, I went the Greek yogurt route, with just a touch of maple syrup for sweetness! Make sure you strain it so it’s extra thick for frosting purposes. Feel free to decorate however you desire- a more “naked” frosted cake or spread all-over, and top with berries or natural sprinkles. I was assembling this away from home, without my usual tools and decorating accessories, so it didn’t end up being the prettiest cake out there (I essentially threw sprinkles at it to cover up a messy frosting job), but it was still super fun to make! Just don’t forget the first birthday candles! I’m happy to report Dylan dug right in and ate quite a few handfuls (mostly frosting). Thankfully, he even shared with his mama ;) Happy baking!

First Birthday Smash Cake:

  • 3 cups oat flour

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 6 tbsp coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled

  • 6 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

  • 3/4 cup mashed banana (about 1.5 large bananas)

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

  • 4 large eggs

  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • fresh berries or sprinkles, for topping

Greek Yogurt Frosting: 

  • 3 cups whole milk greek yogurt

  • 1 cup cream cheese

  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Place greek yogurt in a mesh sieve or fine-mesh strainer lined with a paper towel with a bowl underneath. Let sit for a couple hours (or overnight in the fridge). Transfer the yogurt to a bowl and stir in maple syrup and vanilla extract. You may add more maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 6-inch cake pans (you can alternatively use two 9-inch cake pans, but baking time will need to be adjusted), line each with parchment paper, and then grease the parchment as well. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl or base of a stand mixer, whisk together melted coconut oil, applesauce, maple syrup, mashed banana, almond milk, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Divide the batter evenly between prepared cake pans, and bake for about 22 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean. Remove from oven and place pans onto a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes before removing cakes from pans to cool completely.

To assemble, level off any dome shape on your cakes, so you have flat surfaces. Place one cake on your cake stand, (you can also use cake boards and a revolving cake stand if you’d like!), and top with frosting, spreading it in an even layer just past the edges. Add the second, repeat with frosting, and then repeat with the third cake . Use an offset spatula or knife to scrape off the frosting overhang for a “naked” cake look, or use additional frosting to coat the entire cake. Top with berries or sprinkles, and enjoy!

*Adapted from First Birthday Smash Cake with Yogurt Frosting by Yummy Toddler Food.

first birthday smash cake with yogurt & cream cheese frosting and sprinkles
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superfood green smoothie

superfood green smoothies

I love smoothies- for one, they’re delicious, but they’re also a great way to pack a bunch of nutritional ingredients into your diet in a jiffy! Plus they’re oh so refreshing any time of year. My superfood green smoothie boasts an exceptionally healthy profile thanks to fresh greens & spirulina, chia & flax seeds, plus fresh ginger & medjool dates, among other things. It not only tastes delicious, but is uber nourishing for your body as well. It’s perfect for those days when you feel you need some extra “health” in your life- maybe you’ve been noshing on a bit too much sourdough bread or pasta, and need to up your greens game, stat! Not to mention, it’s a great way to sneak veggies into your toddler’s diet if they’ve started to become a bit, ahem, particular…. Superfood smoothie to the rescue! I find smoothie recipes to be pretty forgiving, so feel free to make swaps and use what you have on hand. This one gets the majority of its sweetness from fresh fruit, but feel free to add a couple medjool dates or a spoonful of honey if you prefer things a bit sweeter. If I want to up my protein game, adding a serving of Sakara Organic Protein & Greens Super Powder to my smoothie to really kick things up a notch. I like my smoothies on the thicker side, where you could eat it out of a bowl with a spoon if you feel so inclined. But my husband, on the other hand, prefers a much thinner, easy-drinking smoothie, so feel free to add as much liquid as you prefer to get to your desired consistency. I’m happy to say that this smoothie satisfies not only myself, but also my husband AND baby! Winning! If you’re jonesing for more smoothies, definitely try my matcha coconut smoothie and turmeric sunrise smoothie as well! Enjoy :)

britt blending her superfood green smoothies

Superfood Green Smoothie:

  • 1.5 cups frozen banana slices

  • 1.5 cups frozen pineapple chunks

  • 2 cups almond milk (add more as needed)

  • 1 cup coconut water (or water)

  • 1/2 cup greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt)

  • 2 cup fresh or frozen greens (spinach or kale)

  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen veggies (cucumber, cauliflower, carrot)

  • 1-2 tbsp nut butter (I like Nuttzo!)

  • 2 tbsp chia, flax, and/or hemp seeds (mix it up!)

  • 1 small nub fresh ginger, peeled

  • 1 tsp spirulina, optional

  • 1 serving protein powder (I like Sakara!), optional

  • 2 medjool dates (pitted) or 1 tbsp raw honey

  • ice, optional

To make your smoothies, add all ingredients to your blender (a high-powered Vitamix works best!) and blend away! Add protein powder for an extra protein boost, and extra dates/honey if you prefer a sweeter smoothie. More milk or water can be added to thin the smoothie to your desired consistency. Makes 2-3 smoothies. Enjoy!

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turmeric rye banana bread

Honestly, who doesn’t love a good banana bread?? I feel like it’s one of life’s simple, but oh so delicious pleasures, and always nice to have on hand. It can be made as healthy or as decadent as you want, but I tend to love the heartier loaves chock full of good-for-you ingredients like whole grains, nuts, and seeds. My husband and I have been on a bit of a banana bread kick, and he recently whipped up such a unique & tasty version, I just had to share. Fresh ground turmeric really shines through in both flavor and appearance, giving this moist loaf a beautiful golden hue, and rye flour lends a hearty, but not overpowering hand. The pecans, hemp hearts, and chia seeds add a lovely texture, and the raw honey creates just the right amount of sweetness. It’s damn near perfect on its own, but lightly toasted with a pat of butter (or carrot cake jam, as pictured above), and it’s absolute heaven!

Turmeric Rye Banana Bread:

  • 7 oz whole wheat flour

  • 3 oz rye flour

  • 1 tsp ground turmeric

  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 4 oz butter, melted

  • 4 oz raw honey

  • 2 large eggs

  • 4 extra ripe bananas (2 mashed, 1 chunky, 1 sliced)

  • 4 oz almond (or other non-dairy) milk

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 1/2 cup pecans, toasted & chopped

  • 1/4 cup hemp hearts

  • 1/4 cup chia seeds

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Sift both flours, baking soda, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, and salt into a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the butter and honey together until smooth. Add the eggs, mashed bananas, almond and vanilla extract to the butter mixture until well combined. Then add in the chunky banana pieces as well. Fold in the flour mixture, then gently add the pecans, hemp hearts, and chia seeds. Grease a loaf tin, and pour in the batter, smoothing and evening out if necessary. Top with reserved sliced bananas. Transfer to the oven and bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until the top is golden-brown and bananas are lightly caramelized. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin for a few minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

*Adapted from Banana Bread from BBC.

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trilogy sanctuary

On a recent day trip down to San Diego with the fam, we got to spend time with one of my best friends and eat some tasty vegan food in the process. I’d heard great things about Trilogy Sanctuary, a cute vegan cafe and yoga studio in La Jolla, so was pumped to check it out. We sat outside on the rooftop deck, overlooking Trilogy’s setup for Aerial Yoga (which looks both super intimidating yet relaxing at the same time), and enjoyed fresh, healthy, yet satisfying meal. The menu is huge- I already want/need to go back to try out more things- but once I finally narrowed it down, I decided on the raw coconut wrap filled with tasty things like roasted butternut squash, avocado and tahini drizzles, along with a green smoothie full of apple, avocado, cucumber parsley, fennel, ginger, and lime! Zingy and delicious! My hubby, an avid meat-eater, ordered the Beet Burger with fries, and chowed down. I think he just wishes it were bigger, as per usual… My bestie went the cauliflower route, and I have to say her buffalo cauliflower wings and cauliflower crust pizza were super impressive and flavorful as well! I definitely need to come back soon for a dessert sampling: the raw carrot cake, jumbo peanut butter cup, and warm fudgy brownie with date caramel are all calling my name! And who knows, maybe I’ll even try Aerial Yoga?!

verdine

Ok, y’all. I have a lot of praise to sing about Verdine. Not only is this spot serving up some super fresh and flavorful plant-based food in Houston, Texas, but it was opened by none other than my best friend! Chef Stephanie Hoban launched Ripe Cuisine a few years ago, and what started out as a humble farmers market stand soon grew into a popular food truck, and has now been relaunched as a successful (and beautiful!) brick and mortar restaurant! To say I’m proud of my bestie is a huge understatement. Now, although I love my veggies, I’m no vegan; nor is anyone in my family. However, that doesn’t stop us from enjoying all the plant-based eats that Steph whips up on a regular basis. Verdine satisfies herbivores and omnivores alike- there’s truly something for everyone! The menu changes seasonally, and there’s always some fun globally-inspired dishes to try. I’m partial to the Spinach Dosa, filled with hearty turmeric potatoes & green lentils, and served with a zesty cilantro-peanut chutney! Equally delish is the Beet Falafel Bowl, a take on a classic hit from her food truck. Drizzle tahini sauce on anything, and I’m a happy camper ;) You obviously can’t go wrong with her signature Bistro Burger, which features a housemade organic lentil-walnut-mushroom patty and cashew “chevre” cheese! Just don’t forget to order a side of sweet potato fries (served with raisin-sweetened ketchup!). If you’re in the mood for tacos, you must try her slow-cooked & smoked jackfruit carnitas. They’re bright and just bursting with flavor thanks to the roasted corn salsa and chipotle aioli. Yum! Trust me, you won’t leave hungry or unsatisfied after a plain ‘ol boring salad- but you won’t leave feeling uncomfortably full and weighed down either. Getting to enjoy tasty, vibrant eats while also doing good for the planet while you’re at it? Win-win! Next time I’m in town, I have to get back to try her cauliflower crust pizzas at dinner too! I absolutely cannot wait!