How to make sweet walnutmilk

Walnutmilk – Ultra-Delicious-Tasty-Super-Amazing-Stunning-New-Basic-Food-Without-I-Would-Die!
I am SO happy to have this milk in my recipes.
And I am sure others will call me crazy because I am so happy about a NUTMILK! But I feel super alive when I discover new food, recipes or ingredients.
I am also sure some of you totally understand me ;o). Foodimaniaaaaa!

At the moment I make a research about dairy milk because I get ask why I stopped drinking dairy milk very often. I will write a blog post about my opinion to share my feeling and findings. In the meantime I share this easy and healthy walnutmilk recipe with you which I prepare 3 times a week to use it in muesli or smoothies. In the beginning of drinking nut milk I started with a classic almond milk. Because it taste so good I don’t want to try out another and miss my almond milk. The end result was almond milk for months. I don’t see walnutmilk very often and I asked myself if it would taste really good because of the light strong walnut flavor. Now I am so happy I created this easy version because I can’t stop drinking in.
Maybe it’s my next milk for the next months :o).

Walnutmilk

Sometimes I felt too lazy to prepare my own milk and I bought it. During this time I cook not that much and I’m sitting in my blue chair most of the time to read my fantasy and science-fiction books (yeahhhhh… I am a totally Avatar, Lord of Rings, Tributes of Panem and Game of Thrones!). My cats are with me in these lazy times. I love them. This time and my cats!

In this time I heard about the unhealthy effect of nut milk, the people told me “Why are you drinking nut milk? It’s unhealthy! I read an article in the press about it!” No guys it isn’t, you only need to take care which QUALITY you buy. Please please don’t trust any publications without make a little research. The press can make us so stupid. I learned that they are many differences in the bought quality. You can get healthy nut milk in organic stores. These ones I found in normal supermarkets are full of unhealthy ingredients. Have a look on the ingredients bevor you buy nut milk. Much more better is to make it by yourself. But I know sometimes we don’t have time or we are too lazy to make it.

You can store home-made milk up to 3 days in the fridge and it is so delicious and you can sweeten it however you want. I prefer my milk sweet and add some dates. It is up to you how sweet you like it.

Walnuts are one of the healthiest food. They contains more than 2/3 healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids which are very very good for your body.

You need round about 10-15 minutes to prepare your milk and nothing more than walnuts, water, dates and a laundry bad. You can also use a special nut bag. They are a bit more expensive. I never used a nut bag, I stared with a laundry bag and never changed it because it works very well.

Recipe Sweet Walnutmilk

For 0,75 Liter

250g Walnuts
1 Liter Water
4 Dates

Walnutmilk

Preparation

  1. Soak the walnuts overnight in 1 Liter fresh water.
  2. Rinse them in the morning.
  3. Mix them together with 1 Liter fresh water and dates.
  4. Strain the milk carefully through a nut or laundry bag and use a big bowl to collect the milk.

Walnutmilk

Walnutmilk

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Healthy Hemp Snickers

I don’t spend so much time in the kitchen as I do in the last year. I started my blog round about one year ago and my Instagram 8 months ago. I couldn’t imagine that this would be such a big part in my life. To thank you all for your great support I will run a winning game after my vacation. Can’t wait to share it :o)). Without your support I wouldn’t be here now. I learned so much in the last year about healthy food, work-life-balance and to listen to myself.

It is so important to make things you really love and to avoid too much stress in your life. We need to listen and be honest to our self. Decide what is good for us and what not. The society requirement are so high. Nobody can withstand that permanently. Think about your own possibilities. It’s your life, you are the creator. Remember that!

Maybe these snickers are a good start to make a break ;)?

Hemp seeds healthy benefits

Lots of you asked me for these snickers I made often in the last week. I developed my own version with lots of hemp seeds to add healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seeds have a mild and nutty flavor. Hemp seeds are also a big protein source, as more than 25% of their total are from high-quality protein. You find also Vitamin E for a perfect skin in these little seeds. If you don’t want to use hemp seeds you can also add more oats. These bars are the best snack before you start a sport workout or get new energy after a half working day. Lots of protein and they make you full for longer! One bar is enough for a few hours.

For these snickers you need a base, a caramel and a chocolate layer. All made from healthy natural ingredients and organic sweetener.

I used peanuts to impart a crunch. Peanuts harmonize perfect with chocolate. The chocolate I made is from coconut oil and raw cacao. In the past I often drank sweetened Cacao. I don’t know if they is a lot of unhealthy sugar in these drinks. In the last months I discovered raw cacao powder you can use instead of the other. In combination with natural sweetener like dates or rice syrup it taste amazing sweet and delicious. I often prepare a drinking cacao in this way.

You need to store them in the freezer. Best time to enjoy is to take them out 15 minutes before serving.

RECIPE
HEMP SNICKERS

For a baking dish of 20x30cm
Serve 8-10 Snickers

Base
100g Hanfsamen
100g Cashew Nuts
100g Oats
50g Almonds
100g desiccated coconut
100ml rice syrup
2 tbsp coconut oil
½ tsp salt

Date Caramel
300g dates
1 tsp vanilla powder
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp cashew butter (or Peanut Butter)
½ tsp salt
Water
100g peanuts, unsalted (for the topping)

Chocolate Layer
75g raw cacao
100ml coconut oil
50ml rice syrup

Preparation

Base

  1. Crash the Almonds, Cashew Nuts and Oats in a blender
  2. Add desiccated coconut, rice syrup, coconut oil and salt
  3. Press the mixture in a 20x30cm baking dish or form and store in the freezer

Date Caramel

  1. Mix all ingredients (except the peanuts) in a blender until it get creamy
  2. Add water if necessary
  3. Spread the Caramel on the base
  4. Sprinkle with Peanuts
  5. Store in the freezer

Hemp Snickers (2)

Chocolate Layer

  1. Stir the coconut oil with the raw cacao and rice syrup
  2. Sprinkle over the snicker base and store in the freezer for minimum of 2 hours before serving.

Best time to enjoy is to take them out 15 minutes before serving.

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Soba (Buckwheat) Salad

Do you know the feeling when summer is coming? You feel good because of the sun and the light and you think about the kitchen possibilities you enjoy in the summer. Sandwiches, cold smoothies and soups and looooooot of salad variations.

I have been to the Maldives this year and enjoyed a traditional Japanese “Soba Salad”. Soba are ultra-healthy buckwheat noodles which are often used in the Japanese kitchen.
We have been in a Sushi restaurant and I have the pleasure to talk to the chef. He told me about the dressing he use for his Soba Salad.
I already ordered some organic Soba on the Maldives directly. I can’t wait!

So when I arrived home the noodles are waiting of me. Comfortable :o)
Great invention this internet. LOL.

Soba Salad (2)

Soba noodles are such a healthy option for wheat noodles. They are gluten free and full of Vitamin B1 and B2. They also contains more than 10% protein as well.
Take care of the quality you buy because there are many differences. I bought organic and I was satisfied directly. But I often heard about bad quality.
I rinse the cooked noodles very carefully until they get cold to make sure they have the right consistence.

It was a big highlight for me to find these noodles because I love wheat noodles and I don’t like spelt or whole grain noodles so much.
But these buckwheat ones are such a great option.

You can store this salad in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Soba Salad (1)

Recipe
Soba (Buckwheat) Noodle Salad

1 tbsp rice syrup (or honey)
1 piece of ginger, grated
1/3 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt
50ml unseasoned rice vinegar
70ml soy sauce
2 tbsp sesame oil (from roasted sesame seeds)
peanut oil for frying
500g Soba-Noodles
250g Tofu cubes
4 spring onions, sliced
1 small cucumber, sliced
coriander and cocktail tomatoes to serve

Preparation

  1. Cook the noodles and rinse them with cold water
  2. Marinate the Tofu in 2 tbsp soysauce, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper
  3. Fry the tofu over high heat until its crispy
  4. Mix the soysauce, rice vinegar, rice sirup, ginger, salt, sesame oil
  5. Mix up and enjoy!

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1. Blog Birthday – Win a Skeppshult Grillpan

Happy Birthday Nutsandblueberries! Because I celebrate my 1 year blog birthday I like to say thank you to all of you.

Without your support I wouldn’t have made all these amazing experiences I’ve made in the last year. I learned so much from every single person in the last year and I am so happy to know how to use my camera in the best way to take food pictures. Sure I read a book how to use it but I also got so many helpful support from different food blogger and food photographs. This food community is amazing and I have so much fun beeing a part of it!

As you know I got my Skeppshult cast-iron grill pan. I used it already a few times and I am so satisfied. Skeppshult allowed me to raffle a 25×25 cast-iron grill pan (same as I have at home) for a winner from Western Europe.

Eggplant Feta Sandwich nab2 (1)

This special pan is made from cast-iron and ready to use in the kitchen. Normally you have to prepare a cast-iron pan to use in the kitchen. Skeppshult’s pans are seasoned with rapeseed oil from Osterlen in the factory and delivered ready for use. Therefore you need only rinse the pan with hot water to remove possible dust particles. All of Skeppshult’s pans have a 5mm thick base that ensures that the heat distribution in the pan is smooth and prevents the pan from cooling down when you add food. You really get a grill feeling in your own kitchen and the grilled vegetables taste so delicious.

All you do to win this pan is to be located in western europe and to leave a message in the comments how you would use this pan. You can also send me an E-Mail to: post@nutsandblueberries.com. The competition ends on 22nd May 2016 and the winner will be chosen on 22nd May 2016. The winner will be published on Instagram and Facebook as well.

Good luck!

Grilled Avocado nab (1)

Recipe
Grilled Avocado

  • Simply grill the Avocados in halfs for about 2 minutes each side
  • Enjoy with bread or a salad.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Leave a message on this post how you would use this pan in your kitchen
  • Leave your E-Mail adress
  • If you not want to leave a message here write me an E-Mail to: post@nutsandblueberries.com
  • Entiteled to participate are all persons with a Minimum Age of 18 years
  • Entiteled to participate are peopel from Western Europe
  • The competition starts on 14th May 2016 and Ends on 22nd May 2016
This competition is sponsored by http://www.skeppshult.com/
The price will be shipped by Skeppshult directly.
The winner will be choosen by drawing lots.

The competition is not sponsored by Facebook.

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Sunshine Tropical Smoothie

Back from the Maldives I need to bring tropical feeling to my home because I ate so many tropical fresh fruits and I already miss them so much. I’m really happy the sun is coming out here and I can enjoy my smoothie outside while watching my crazy cats. They are jumping around the whole time and don’t know where to look first because of the thousands birds who fly around. Spring is so exciting.

As I already told you in my previous posts it is very important to chance the food ingredients you use from time to time to provide your body with different nutritional values. My breakfast is different every day to use different fruits, vegetables and legumes. This smoothie variation is a really light smoothie. When I drink such a smoothie I need to eat a snack during the midmorning. Normally I use nuts or buckwheat in my smoothies.

I like to make a light version because I know some of you love to drink smoothies during the day as a snack or try to reduce weight. I never tried to reduce weight because I have a good metabolic. So I don’t calculate calories or something like that. I eat what I want and take care it is most of the times healthy and contains good fatty acids because my body can digesting these food very good. In my opinion you can eat lots of calories when you eat the right ones. Lots of vegetables, some fruits, legumes, seeds, nuts. Your body work with these products and you recognize your body is changing. You get a better skin, better hair, you sleep better and feel fit. It really works. I know the difference because I ate only fast food and drink soft drinks when I was younger. I was ill very often and had less energy.

Give it a try and eat more healthy because you only have ONE LIFE!

Pinnaple and mango are such a great combination to get a tropical feeling in your kitchen. The coconut flavor is the base of this smoothie to make it more creamy. I use coconut milk (canned one) because I don’t use nuts or seeds to make the smoothie more creamy. I don’t like smoothies who looks too liquid.

Turmeric is the new natural superfood for me because it has great healthy and medical benefits. Turmeric has significant health benefits because of its biologically active component, called curcumin. A traditional part of Indian herbal medicine, curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound that could help keep you healthy. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect you from free radicals.

Tropical Smoothie nab (2)

RECIPE
SUNSHINE TROPICAL SMOOTHIE

1/2 Mango
1/4 Pineapple
1 carrot
1/2 tsp carrot
1 date
250 ml coconut milk

optional
1 tsp pea protein (I use Proteinworld)

Preparation:

Mix all in a blender and enjoy!

Anti-Aging with Coconut Water and Coconut Peeling against Cellulite

This post is sponsored by Holly’s Natural

Holliesnatural nab (2)

Who knows me and follow me for a while know that I love a healthy living and take care of the balance in my life. Not only the right diet is important for me. First and foremost I’m aware of living. Find time for me and do things I really love is so important to feel good and get back energy.

I’ve been to the Maldives and drank a lot of fresh coconut water. There are so many reasons to drink more of this natural liquid. Sure you don’t get fresh coconuts everywhere but you can buy the natural water in supermarkets. Here are some fact about the health benefits of coconut water:

  • Coconut Water is perfect for a clear and soft Skin because the Minerals clean up the Skin from the inside
  • The ingredients in coconut water are the best to hydrating your Body
  • Coconut water contains 5 of the essential electrolytes that are really healthy for your Body
  • Coconut Water is very low in calories

Beside Yoga and Meditation I practice my own wellness regularly. I tried out my new Holly’s Natural Peeling and Oil and I’m really excited about the results. Normally I want to make my own peeling with natural products and I collect all the magazines where I find those recipes. But until know I was too lazy to try it out. So I’m really happy to found that alternative from Holly’s Natural.

Holliesnatural nab (1)

They have a peeling made from coffee. Coffee is an essential aid for most people to get started in the morning not only due to its delicious taste. Did you know, coffee is a true miracle cure for your skin? Besides this Coffee not only contains beneficial antioxidants it also has the power of caffein. Our natural reviver has the strength to activate an enzyme called triacylglycerol lipase. This enzyme breaks down fat by releasing water into fatty acids and glycerin, which soothes the appearance of unwanted cellulite. Also, when using coffee as a scrub and massaging onto your skin, it eliminates dead skin, stimulates your body’s blood circulation which has a tightening and smoothing effect on your skin.

Holliesnatural nab (4)

The peeling also contains coconut oil. Coconuts rich and precious Oils are attained through its dried pulp. Coconut Oil is definitely a rising star amongst other cosmetic Oils. It bursts with the goodness of Laurin, Capryl and Myricstic Acid and also contains Vitamin B and E. I will never forget how the father of my friend rub his face with coconut oil I normally cook with. That was too funny. Coconut Oil is so good for your skin.

Furthermore you find Almond Oil in the Body Oil. Normally I eat them. I eat Almonds nearly every day. In my breakfast or as an Almond Butter. Self-made Almond Butter is the best snack. Almonds consists of around 80% oil acid, 15% linoleic acid and about 5% of palmitic acid. It also benefits from Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, E and protein. It turns rough skin into smooth beautiful skin. Leaves skin feeling moisturised, soft and looked after.

You find 2 products on Holly’s Naturals Website. They explained their products so lovely and I really love the package as well. You find the Body Oil and the Body scrup their selfs or a package of both.

  • Coconut Crush – Body Scrub
    I am after cellulite, skin impurities, dryness, redness and acne. My super weapons include exclusively selected organic Arabica Coffee, a large helping of Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Almond Oil, Organic Cane Sugar and natural finished Sea Salt paired with the irresistible scent of the Coconut.
  • Daily Detox – Body Oil
    I can help you to detoxify your body and fight stretch marks and cellulite. My secret weapons for a cleaner body are essential organic grapefruit oil and mandarin oil as well as virgin organic argan oil, almond oil, grape seed oil and coconut oil.
  • Body Scrub & Body Oil Set
    The perfect duo in the fight against cellulite and stretch marks. Use our Daily Detox Body Oil and Coconut Crush Body Scrub for an incredibly soft and supple skin. Now at an unbeatable price!

 

Plantbased Diet – Interview Series Part 4

Since I started my food blog one year ago I focused myself more on a plant-based diet. I got so many questions about that kind of diet that I decided to make an interview with my favorite plant-based, vegetarian or vegan food blogger. All these girls wrote down their answers to help to understand this wonderful life style. I follow them since my Instagram and Blog journey, cooked a lot of their recipes and love their work. Every single girl is really special, authentic and have her own style.

The interview includes 4 questions. I will publish one every week from today.

Questions:

  1. How do you describe „plant based“?
  2. Why and when have you decided to live „plant based“?
  3. What is your favorite „plant based“ meal?
  4. What is your tip for others who like to live more „plant based“?

Interview Partners:

Interview_Partner
Maya                                      Niki                                    Marie                                  Tiina

Maya is a plant-based mum from Croatia and my first “connection” on Instagram. She is also running a plant based-food blog where you can feel the healthy spirit immediately.
www.dhmaya.com
@delicious_and_healthy_by_maya

Niki is a plant-based food lover, based in the UK. I adore her Blog and Instagram work. Her recipes are always really special.
www.rebelrecipes.com
@rebelrecipes

Marie live in San Francisco and is working as a food photographer and shares her passion of plant-based cooking on her Blog and Instagram feed.
www.8thandlake.com
@8thandlake

Tiina is a vegan mum of 2 from Finnland. She creates the most beautiful and colorful food I’ve ever seen.
www.myberryforest.com
@myberryforest

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Plantbased
Interview Series – Part 4
What is your tip for others who like to live more „plant based“?

Maya:
“I think that it’s important to go slowly and incorporate plant foods switching it with animal ones, discovering your new favorites on the way. Trying to change things overnight can be too much sometimes, and lead to feeling deprived and unhappy. Plant food is so abundant, the riches is amazing? You just need to discover it slowly and you will be happy and satisfied. One more thing I advise: do not try to substitute things: seitan is not meat, nor tofu is cheese. Plant milk doesn’t taste like cow milk and you shouldn’t expect that. Except the new things (plant food) for what they are, delicious and nutritious food that you will love once you learn to prepare it. So much you can do with it. Just release your creativity and go for it! Or just visit some vegan blogs and there you go:-)))

Sweetie, have a great trip and I hope you’ll enjoy yourself and get to relax. You deserve it so much!!
Love you!! Let me know that you’ve arrived safely and I want to hear everything about it!! Maldives look like paradise on Earth:-))”

Niki:
„My top tips are;
Get some recipe inspiration. If you just omit meat and dairy from your diet you’re going to get fed up pretty quickly. If the food you eat is delicious and nutritious plant based
eating will be an easy and happy way of eating forever.
In terms of inspiration there are some amazing plantbased chefs and bloggers out there; My New Roots, Anna Jones (delicious veggie food with vegan options), Oh She Glows,
Green Kitchen Stories, The First Mess etc. The great thing is that I don’t worry about fat or carbs or calories or any of the things were told we should worry about any more – If
you’re eating natural plant based ‚real‘ foods your health, energy, digestion, weight will all benefit.“

Marie:
“Here are three tips that have tremendously helped me in my pursuit of healthy eating. One is to plan for the week ahead. Choose a night (I like Sundays) to have a batch-cooking day and prepare a few meals for the week ahead. I’ll often bake a huge dish of baked oatmeal that will last about 5 days – this way breakfast is set for the week. Or I’ll make a curry stew with brown rice and save that for a few dinner or lunch meals.
Another tip is to start roasting your veggies. I hear people saying how veggies have no flavor but usually they’re just steaming veggies. Roasting brings out more depth in flavor and gives off an almost caramel note to the veggies. This is always my preferred way to eat veggies – roasted and topped with spices.
My last tip is to save the sweets for later. Baking healthy sweets can be expensive – often using dates or nut butters as the base. This is why I bake sweets maybe once a week and enjoy in small amounts. This way its light on my wallet and my stomach.”

Tiina:
“My first tip for anyone wanting to live more plant based is this: begin adding more vegetables and fruits to your diet in any way that is natural for you. I began my plant-based journey with smoothies, so I would definitely recommend starting with easy (green) smoothies to get a healthy dose of leafy greens, vegetables and fruits in your diet. As a starter plant-based meal I would recommend Buddha bowls, because they are so simple to make, and consist mostly of vegetables – only your imagination is the limit when making a nourishing bowl!

My second tip is to research (Instagram, blogs for inspiration) and start experimenting. This can mean anything from discovering alternatives to dairy (for example home made nut milks – more easy to make than it sounds!) to begin baking with plant based ingredients (using coconut oil instead of butter, chia seed eggs instead of eggs etc).

My third tip: if you feel overwhelmed by all the information and don’t know where to start, just make some NICE CREAM (blend frozen ripe bananas with some coconut milk, add anything you like: sweetener, berries, cacao powder) and remember to take it easy – there’s no need to stress about food. Take it one step at a time and enjoy the colorful (and yummy!) plant-based journey!”

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Raspberry Chia Porridge

Berries are really one of the best of antioxidants! Raspberries are an excellent sources of vitamin-C, which is also a powerful natural antioxidant. They are rich in B-complex group of vitamins and vitamin K. Tons of healthy vitamins to nourish your body!

Nuts and seeds are full packed with healthy fatty acids and they give you lots of energy for your concentration during the day. I like to add some nuts or seeds in every breakfast I ate and I love to roast them for a salad topping.

You can also make your own nutmilk as an option to cow milk to reduce animal products in your diet.

I use oats in this porridge because you gets such a creamy and healthy base. When you soak it together with a pinch of apple cider vinegar to make the oats more digestible. Soaking is an effective method used to help breakdown the difficult to digest components of grains, called phytates. When it comes to soaking, acid mediums are a vital part of the process. That’s because the acid medium serves as a catalyst to initiate the culturing/fermenting process that enables phytase be released.

Chia are a good choice to add fibre and calcium. Furthermore the Chia seeds soak overnight and make the porridge more solid.

This porridge need to be prepared in the evening, so you have less stress in the morning.

DSC_0357

 

Raspberry Chia Porridge

Served 1

70g rolled oats
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 rippe banana
120ml almond milk (or any other you prefer)
1 date or 1 tsp agave syrup
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
50g fresh or frozen raspberries

optional
1 tbs maca powder

Topping

50g fresh raspberries
50g fresh blueberries

Mash the banana and the raspberries with a fork and add the almon milk. Add oats, chia seeds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. Sweeten it with 1 chopped date or 1 tsp agave syrup.

Let soak overnight in the fridge.

In the morning stir around and add a bit of almond milk if it is to solid. Top with fresh berries. Enjoy!

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Coconut granola with dried flowers

Coconut Granola with dried flowers

For 1 jar

85g rolles oeats
85g rolled spelt flakes
100g mixed nuts, coarsely chopped (I use walnuts, almonds and paranuts)
30g coconut flakes
50g sunflower seeds

2 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp agave syrup

superfood

2 tbsp goji berries
2 tbsp dried flowers (you can use the dried flowers from tea)

Preheat the oven on 160°C and line a backing tray with baking paper. Mix all ingredients expect the superfoods with your hands until.
Put the mixture on the baking tray and bake for 12-15 minutes. Stir here and there to avoid burning.
Add the dried superfoods when the granola is ready. Enjoy simply with yoghurt or top smoothies and muesli.

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Antioxidant turmeric smoothie

Turmeric has significant health benefits because of its biologically active component, called curcumin. A traditional part of Indian herbal medicine, curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound that could help keep you healthy. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect you from free radicals.

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Antioxidant Turmeric Smoothie

125ml organic yogurt
50ml almond milk (or any other milk you prefer)
1 banana (frozen if you like)
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 tsp honey
1/2 fresh pressed orange juice
1/2 tsp ground vanilla
2 tsp ground turmeric
4-5 ice cubes

Mix all ingredients on high speed in a blender until smooth.