You’ve heard it 1,000 times, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” yet you still struggle to find the time to eat it, let alone make it. Although there’s a whole niche market of grab-and-go breakfast items, most of them are full of ingredients you can’t pronounce, let alone would want to eat - not the way you want to start your day. 

We’ve got the perfect solution. Say hello to our Banana Bread Protein Breakfast Cookies. These “cookies” not only taste great, but are full of healthy ingredients and pack a protein punch - thanks to our Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein.

Ingredients (Makes about 12 cookies): 

• 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil, melted, plus more for the pan
• 3 medium, ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/4 cups almond flour
• 1 scoop of Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein
• 3 cups gluten-free oats
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet with oil and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the flaxseed meal and 2 tablespoons of water. Let the mixture sit for 2 minutes to thicken.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the bananas, vanilla, oil, sugar, maple syrup, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and flaxseed meal-water mixture. Add the almond flour, protein powder, and oats. Stir until combined. Fold in the walnuts.
4. Using a small ice cream scooper, scoop out the batter and put on the cookie sheet, until all the batter is used.
5. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the cookies feel firm and the tops have turned golden brown.
6. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days, or put in a container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

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Blueberry Protein Overnight Oats Recipe

Pumpkin spice is in the air! Here we are in the beginning days of Fall and we are absolutely loving all things pumpkin. Especially our warm Pumpkin Protein Cookies made with our nutritious Chocolate Plant Protein.

These cookies make for a quick breakfast on the go for the whole family, or simply when you need to add a little sweetness to your day.

Servings: 8 large cookies

What you’ll need:

• Large cookie sheet
• Coconut oil to grease the baking sheet, if not using parchment paper
• 2 mixing bowls

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of almond butter
• 1/2  cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1/4  cup raw honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 cups plain rolled oats
• 1 scoop of Life's Abundance Chocolate Plant Protein
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup almond flour or gluten-free flour of choice
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds (to sprinkle on top)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with coconut oil.
3. In a large bowl, mix the almond butter, pumpkin puree, honey, vanilla, and egg.
4. In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, Life’s Abundance Chocolate Plant Protein, baking soda, almond flour, chia seeds, and pumpkin pie spice.
5. Combine the oat mixture into the almond butter mixture.
6. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts.
7. Use an ice cream scoop, fill it halfway, and set cookies one to two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Press them down slightly with the back of the scoop and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.
9. Keep them covered in the fridge, for up to 1 week.

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Protein Packed Brownie Cookies

With summer here, who wouldn’t want to indulge in a simple and refreshing mocktail? This easy recipe only needs four ingredients, so you can take the rest of the day to soak up the sun and lounge by the pool.

This 24 Carrot Mocktail is the perfect blend of nutritious and delicious. With carrot juice being one of the main components, you’re treating yourself to tons of vitamins and a whole bunch of benefits.

Benefits of carrots:

Carrots are low in calories and carbs, but definitely don’t skimp on vitamins A, C, K and potassium. Speaking of vitamin A, it’s vital for eye health. And with over 250% of the DV for vitamin A in just one cup of carrot juice, it could potentially benefit your eyes.

Vitamins A, B6, and C also help out your immune system. These vitamins protect your cells from damage, plus amp up your immune response. Carrots are also great for your overall heart health due to the antioxidants and dietary fibers. These same antioxidants also fight against free radicals that can cause damage to your cells, which helps prevent the possibility of developing cancerous cells.

The potassium in carrots can help in keeping your skin looking young and healthy, too. It works to protect against dryness, improve your skin tone and reduce the appearance of blemishes and scars. Carrots also maintain your cholesterol and blood sugar and can often be used as a pre or post workout food, so feel free to enjoy this mocktail after a quick swim.

Plus, the addition of our Minerals and Antioxidants mix gives you that nutritional boost! It’s made with a variety of freshly harvested sea vegetables and contains approximately 74-plant based, naturally chelated, trace minerals. It also contains antioxidants from 11 nutrient-rich super fruits like acai, cranberry, goji, maqui and pomegranate.

Ingredients (Serves 1):

• ½ cup carrot juice
• 1 scoop Life’s Abundance Minerals and Antioxidants (Cherry Flavor)
• ½ tsp maple syrup
• 1 cup ice

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker, mix all the ingredients and add ice. Shake, serve and enjoy!

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3 Simple Recipes to Fuel Your Summer

What makes a recipe road trip-worthy? 

First off, it has to travel well - nobody wants to open their snack bag to find a wilted salad, a squashed sandwich, or warm fruit salad. These recipes are easy to pack and will not only keep their shape, but also their flavor along the way- while providing you with much needed nutrients to fuel your hiking, biking, or sunning at the beach.  

Second, snacks should give you the energy you’ll need to explore once you get to your destination. So although they should taste great and definitely include “treats,” you want to avoid sugar laden, fried or overly processed packaged snacks.

We’ve road tested our favorite recipes below and given them all the green light - they’re sure to keep you energized, hydrated, and happy on the go.

Sweet Potato Bread

Bread travels well, but it’s usually just white flour packed with carbs that make you want to take a nap - not our make-ahead Sweet Potato Bread, packed with Life’s Abundance Plant Protein. It will give you a much needed energy boost after sitting on a long ride, instead of putting you in a carb coma.

Protein-Packed Brownie Cookies

Brownies? Yes, when we said our recipes were healthy, we even meant this one. These Protein-Packed Brownie Cookies pack a double protein punch with the addition of almond butter and Life’s Abundance Plant Protein, so go ahead and eat two!

Bliss Bites

Ever eat a kitchen sink cookie filled with chips, dried fruit,  pretzels and whatever else was hanging around the bakery? Yes, they’re delicious, but packed with sugar and full of empty calories you don’t need. These Bliss Bites are the same concept except they’re chock full of healthy add ins like coconut, almonds, flax seeds, oats and our nutrient-dense Greens Blend. Ok, they also include chocolate chips, but you’re on vacation - go for it!

Summer Wonder Slushie

Hydrating drinks, (sorry not a latte),  should be on the top of your packing list, especially when traveling in the summer. Yes, you can pick up a bottle of water when you stop for gas but you’re more likely to be tempted by the slushie machines promising to make your taste buds do a happy dance. Honestly, that two second Cha Cha isn’t worth the red dye #7 and 54 grams of sugar it’s jammed with. Instead, take two minutes and mix up our Summer Slushie that includes our Minerals and Antioxidants powder packed with hydrating coconut water and super fruits to keep you refreshed until you reach your destination. 

Cherry Limeade Fresh Whips

Craving a light and refreshing, crunchy and flavor packed cookie? We’ve got you covered. These Cherry Limeade Whips will keep your passengers happy and your car free from major cookie crumbs. These make ahead treats are so easy, make a double batch and save half as a hostess gift. You’ll be sure to get an invite to return next summer!

Summer’s calling and if you’re one of those people who jump in line at the farmer’s market to buy the first watermelon of the season,  but then wonders what you’re going to do with the other half that nobody gets to eating, we have the perfect recipe.

It’s a super refreshing snack, with only 3 ingredients, that takes just a few minutes to make but will keep you hydrated for hours. That’s because these pops are chock full of the tasty pink fruit that's 92% water, which is good news since your body is made of cells full of water that needs to be replenished.

It’s a naturally sweet treat, so unlike “healthy” frozen fruit pops you’d even get from Whole Foods, there’s no added sugar.  But if you do prefer an extra dose of the sweet stuff, here’s a tip: round watermelons are sweeter than their oval counterparts.

Why we love watermelon:

That bright, smile-inducing color comes from Lycopene, an antioxidant that has been shown in studies to curb your risk of cancer and diabetes, and watermelon has more of this phytonutrient than any other vegetable of fruit - even tomatoes!

Watermelon is also rich in citrulline, an amino acid that may help lower your blood pressure, and also beta-cryptoxanthin which may help protect your joints from inflammation.

If those aren’t reasons enough to get poppin’ on these pops, they’re also drip down your chin delicious!

Ingredients:

Amount of ingredients will vary based on your popsicle mold. These are roughly the amounts per popsicle.

• 1/2 cup cubed watermelon
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 scoop Life’s Abundance Minerals & Antioxidants - Tropical Fruit Flavor

Directions:

Blend in a blender, fill in popsicle molds, and freeze for a few hours or until frozen. Enjoy!

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Summer Wonder Slushie

Thoughts of oatmeal might make you cringe if the last time you had it was when you were five and your grandma threw a bowl of oats mixed with water in front of you. Those aren’t the oats we’re talking about.

This recipe, along with the mix-in suggestions, will even make the Quaker Oats guy jealous.

If you haven’t yet jumped on the overnight oats bandwagon, we’re here to help you take the leap. This recipe is not only quick and easy but also nutritious and delicious. Plus, it will save you tons of time because you can make a batch and eat it for a few days. And whether you sit and enjoy it while reading the paper or grab it and go for an early morning meeting, it will keep you full for hours.

Not a fan of cold cereal? That’s ok, some people like their oatmeal hot and some like it cold… kinda like their coffee. Just heat it up in the microwave for 30 seconds or the stovetop for a minute or two.

Benefits:

• Oats are full of fiber, so you feel fuller longer (4g per serving).
• Oats contain more protein than many grains (5g per serving).
• Oats may help you drop a few lbs by keeping you fuller, longer.
• Oats are high in antioxidants, which help protect cells against free radicals and may fight heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.
• The addition of protein powder in this recipe ups the protein factor, so it’s even better for a post-workout recovery meal to help rebuild muscle and reduce muscle soreness.

Ingredients // Serves 1:

• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ -3/4 cup almond milk (or whatever milk you prefer, depending on how thick you like them)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1-2 tsp maple syrup
• ½ cup blueberries // fresh or frozen
• 1 tbsp toasted sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Add oats, milk, vanilla, chia seeds, protein powder, cinnamon, maple syrup, and blueberries together in a mason jar or other resealable container.
2. Stir or shake it up and put it in the fridge overnight, or at least for 2 hours.
3. Top with toasted almonds or other favorite toppings, coconut works great too.
4. Eat and conquer your day!

Tips:

• Once prepared, they last for up to 3 days, or a week if you omit the fruit until serving.
• Allow the oats to sit at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight to get really creamy.
• You can play with adding more milk or less, depending on what consistency you like best.
• Quick oats are ok but will have a softer consistency than traditional oats.
• Double, triple, or quadruple the recipe depending on how many days you want to have prepped or people you want to serve.

Now, we love our blueberry protein oats, but one can only eat so many blueberries. So if you find yourself suddenly in love with overnight oats, but want to switch it up, here are a few suggestions:

• Chocolate peanut butter - Use chocolate protein powder and add a tbsp of peanut butter
• Apple pie - Add ½ cup of chopped apples and ½ tsp cinnamon
• Pumpkin pie - Add ¼ cup of pumpkin puree and ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Banana walnut - Add ½ cup sliced bananas and 2 tbsp chopped walnuts

And if you run through all of the above, you can experiment with extracts, citrus zest, or even espresso powder - this is one of those recipes where you can let your imagination (and your tastebuds) run wild. Then the next time you go and visit your grandma, or your grandkids, bring them a batch and make sure you have enough for seconds - because they’ll be asking!

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Peanut Butter Cup Protein Recipe

When was the last time you ate cake for breakfast? If you normally try to eat healthy, the answer is probably never. Well, thanks to our Red Velvet Smoothie Bowl, you can now have your cake and eat healthy too!

Ok, so it’s not exactly cake, but it tastes just like a creamy slice sans the red dye, sugar and calories. It’s also a thousand times easier to make than baking an actual cake and you can lick the bowl because it’s vegan.

This smoothie bowl is not only beautiful but it’s full of nutrient dense ingredients, a few of which you may not prefer to eat on their own, but you’d never even know they’re blended in here, like cauliflower and beets.

Just one serving of our Red Velvet Smoothie Bowl boosts your diet with:

• Cauliflower is very low in calories yet extremely high in vitamins, including 77% of the RDI of Vitamin C, 20% of the RDI of Vitamin K and  11% of the RDI of Vitamin B6. It’s also full of fiber and a great source of antioxidants.
• Beets also contain many important vitamins including folate, manganese, and potassium but they also contain pigments called betalains, which research shows may contain a number of anti-inflammatory properties. Beets are high in sugar, but luckily a small amount packs a nutritious punch.
• Raspberries are an antioxidant powerhouse containing 50% of the minimum daily target for vitamin C and a healthy dose of manganese, vitamin K, vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, copper, iron, and potassium. Plus they have less sugar than almost every other fruit and are full of fiber.
• Bananas are most touted to be full of potassium, and while they do have 9% of the daily RDI, they also contain 33% of the RDI of Vitamin B6, 14% of Manganese and 11% of Vitamin C. They are also rich in pectin, a type of fiber that can help moderate blood sugar.
• Cacao powder is full of naturally occurring antioxidants called Polyphenols that are packed with health benefits such as reduced inflammation, better circulation, improved cholesterol, and lower blood pressure.

If all those health benefits don’t get you excited, remember the aforementioned comparison to tasting like a slice of Red Velvet Cake. We’re sure you’re going to love it.

Share your smoothie pics on social and tag us at @lifesabundance #lifesabundance - we can’t wait to see your creations.

Serving size: 1

Ingredients

• 1 frozen banana
• ⅔  cup frozen cauliflower
• ⅓ cup frozen raspberries
• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
• ⅓ cup frozen beets
• 2 tsp Life’s Abundance Plant Based Vanilla Protein Powder
• 1 tsp. Cacao powder
• ⅓ cup water
• Toppings of choice: We used chia seeds, bee pollen (leave off for vegan bowls), plain plant yogurt, cacao nibs, freeze dried raspberries, and sesame seeds.

Instructions

1. Blend ingredients from top to bottom and add your favorite toppings
2. Enjoy!

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Sweet Potato Protein Bread Recipe

Gingerbread cookies and peppermint bark might be the traditional holiday desserts, but what’s better than snacking without the guilt? These Holiday Health Bars are made with our Vanilla Plant Protein, so you can treat yourself freely! 

Recipe:

Makes 12 bars

• 2 cups quick oats (regular or gluten free)
• 1/2 cup Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein
• 2 tbsp ground flax seed
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup almond butter (or any nut butter)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup total of your favorite ingredients. We made two varieties: one with cocoa nibs and pumpkin seeds and one with mini white chocolate chips, cranberries, and chia seeds. This is where you can get creative and personalize this recipe as your own!

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare an 8x8 baking pan by lining with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein, ground flax seed, cinnamon, and sea salt. Set aside.
3. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine almond butter, honey, almond milk, and vanilla. Mix until fully combined. Pour your wet mix into the dry mix and stir until fully incorporated. Fold in your ingredients of choice (cocoa nibs, chia seeds, etc…).
4. Pour into a prepared baking pan. Using a spatula, spread the mixture evenly in the pan, pressing down firmly.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until edges begin to turn golden brown.
6. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 20 minutes before cutting into bars.
7. To make this recipe fun and festive, cut parchment paper and bakers twine and wrap each one like a little gift!

With the year’s biggest candy extravaganza right around the corner, what’s better than a sweet, healthy, no-bake recipe? No tricks here! Just a delicious, berry pudding using our Greens Blend and a handful of granola for that perfect crunch.

Follow this simple recipe when you need to satisfy that wicked craving:

Recipe:

Makes 2 servings

• 2 ½ cups yogurt or non-dairy vanilla yogurt
• 4 tsp Life’s Abundance Greens Blend
• ¼ cup chia seeds
• ½ cup granola
• 1 cup blueberries

Instructions:

1. Mix yogurt, chia seeds, and Greens Blend together in a bowl and cover.
2. Place in the refrigerator for four hours.
3. Remove the pudding mixture from the fridge.
4. In two glasses, layer the chia pudding, blueberries, and granola.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tip: If you are preparing ahead of time, wait to top your dessert with the granola so you maintain maximum crunchiness!

This delicious and healthy, no-bake treat is so easy to make at home with the kids! These frozen berry bites are not only tasty, but they are also packed with nutrition. The Greens Blend used in this recipe helps you and your family get the recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies daily!

Follow these simple directions below to create a fun, quick snack for when you’re on the go:

Recipe:

Makes 12 servings

• 3 cups coconut yogurt
• ¼ cup Life’s Abundance Greens Blend
• 1 cup granola of your choice
• 1 cup blueberries

Instructions:

1. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners
2. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt and Greens Blend and whisk until fully combined.
3. Spoon yogurt mixture equally into muffin pan
4. Top with granola and blueberries
5. Freeze overnight
6. Enjoy!