Masala Chai Eggnog Recipe

This weekend, in the spirit of the holidays, we wanted to make some eggnog. We’ve made eggnog and "soynog" so many times before that it seemed like time to mix it up a little. If you're a regular reader, you might know how much I love masala chai. I'm a weakling when it comes to caffeine but once in a while, especially when we have large family gatherings, we make loads of the fragrant chai and I just can't resist sipping a few cups. So why not combine the two?

Eggnog already has nutmeg, so adding the spices used in masala chai just enhances the flavor. The cardamom in particular really shines through. If you're adventurous (and not making this for kids), you could also spike it with a little rum or cognac. 

Pomegranate Acai Milkshake Recipe

This pomegranate acai drink is one of the many I make for breakfast after my morning workouts. I'm no nutritionist, but this drink works for me. It's filled with "superfoods". During the winter we almost always have freshly pressed pomegranate juice (here's why) in the refrigerator. To this fruit juice, I blended in some bananas, pure acai juice and mung beans for extra protein. 

It's delicious, plus it keeps me energetic and full until lunch time. Check out my other protein drinks; every day I blend a few ingredients, alternating between fresh fruits and vegetables, various kinds of milk and other sources of protein such as whey or soy protein. 

Blueberry Protein Shake Recipe

Here's another all-natural recipe that Maman et bébé can both share, because I would never feed my child food I wouldn't eat myself. This blueberry breakfast oat shake is super healthy and contains no artificial flavorings. It's probably one of the healthiest meals I serve her, but it's still very tasty. You'll see in my notes that milk can be omitted or you could substitute infant formula for your little one's version. For added protein, I included mung beans and steel-cut oats, which also improve the consistency of the blueberry shake. Make sure you use room-temperature fruit for optimum flavor and natural sweetness.

I love my little baby Aria so much and I think she enjoys eating the same things as me. In fact, she won’t touch a spoonful until she sees me taking a bite! So as I always tell her when we start a meal: "une bouchée pour Maman (one mouthful for Mommy) et une pour bébé (and one for baby).". Motherhood is so much fun!

Chocolate Almond Drink Recipe

Since I started working out intensely, I sometimes feel a little low on energy especially after my early morning workout before my infant daughter Aria wakes up. I've tried some of the commercially available protein drinks, and a few are ok, but when I have the time I make an almond chocolate drink. It's made of homemade toasted red rice powder (I've mentioned it in the past), ground almonds, almond milk, unsweetened cocoa powder and a natural sweetener. I usually pour it in a travel mug and enjoy it in the car later in the morning.  It's thick, nutritious and extremely filling. I'm usually less hungry at lunch time so a light salad is more than enough to stay satisfied until dinner.

I'll share more of the flavors I've developed soon. These drinks have become my grab-and-go "breakfast," once my little Aria wakes up and keeps me busy for the rest of the day. I'm no dietitian or medical expert, but I've noticed a boost of energy and I eat a lot less when lunch time comes.

Healthy Green Drink Recipe

A few weeks ago, fresh rambutans were on sale for only $0.69 a pound and we bought several pounds. I figured flight tickets to Vietnam are so expensive, it wouldn't be so bad to splurge on the tropical fruits instead of a trip to Asia!They're called chôm chôm in Vietnamese. After a few bags, my family eventually got sick of them, so I ended up making fruit  purée and storing it in the freezer. I already had in mind a specific drink recipe I would make. I prepared a flavorful but healthy drink with a vibrant green color. In addition to the rambutans, I used spinach,  kiwis, lemon and lime juice. 

The result was delicious. I loved the acidic taste of the kiwis, lime and lemon that balanced so well with the sweetness from the rambutan purée.