Thrive Energy Cookbook by Brendan Braizer
I received Thrive in the mail a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the photos and design are. Be sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway to win your own copy of Thrive Energy Cookbook, and to get the recipe for the Chocolate Chip French Vanilla Smoothie from the book.
There are 150 recipes all centered around fresh and healthy food. There are some recipes that call for specific brands of wraps and a few other things – but those can be easily substituted with what you have on hand. Some of the smoothies, drinks and desserts include a few superfood ingredients, but the majority of the recipes can be made with ingredients you can find at your local grocery or farmers market.
You can make most of the recipes with a blender, but a few do require a high-speed blender, juicer or dehydrator.
The chapters are divided into Mornings, Apps Sides and Sauces, Sandwiches, Wraps and Burgers, Soups, Salad Bowls and Dressings, Rice and Noodle Bowls, Smoothies, Fresh Juices & Warm Drinks, Desserts and Thrive Sport Recipes. The recipes are labeled Transition, Raw, Gluten-Free, Protein-Rich and Super Nutrient-Dense.
That gives you an idea of the variety of recipe types. I’m particularly enamored with the soup chapter. There are a ton I want to try out this summer like Chilled Watermelon Thai Basil, Cucumber Avocado & Mint Soup and a Carrot Avocado & Coconut Soup I will be writing about Key Ingredient next week.
I’ve been obsessed with smoothies, so I had to try some of the smoothies first. I love the ideas in the book for Lemon-Ginger Zinger, Mango-Orange Crush, Kale Mojito, Chocolate-Almond Decadence, Vanilla-Almond-Mocha Motivator, Thai Avocado Refresher and the perfect dessert smoothie…Chocolate Chip French Vanilla Smoothie (recipe below).
Photo by Kevin Clark
Chocolate Chip French Vanilla Smoothie
Possibly the most delicious and satisfying Thrive Energy smoothie, this is a go-to choice for those who love the combination of vanilla and chocolate.
Ingredients
- 1 Medjool date, pitted
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) chia seeds
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) almond
- butter (page 26)
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) cacao nibs
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) vegan dark chocolate chips
- 1 scoop French vanilla–flavor
- Vega One Nutritional Shake
- 6 tbsp (90 mL) unsweetened
- almond milk (or homemade, page 23)
- 6 tbsp (90 mL) coconut water
- 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) pure vanilla extract or powder
- About 2 cups (500 mL) ice cubes
Instructions
- In a blender, combine all the ingredients except the ice.
- Add ice to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the liquid line.
- Blend on high speed until smooth.
Recipe From Thrive Energy Cookbook by Brendan Brazier. Reprinted with permission from Da Capo Lifelong, © 2014
Photo by Kevin Clark
Valerie says
What a pretty cover! It catches my eye because I have a nice bunch of chard from my CSA, and I’m not sure how best to enjoy it.
Marie says
I love blueberries and chocolate smoothie. Almost anything chocolate actually… Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Richa {VeganRicha.com} says
i love the cover of thrive too. i borrowed it from the lib for hubbs last month and he liked it. currently my fave smoothie is anything with mango. so a copy to keep would be fun!
Aimee says
I have become addicted to the “Tropical Beauty Green Monster” smoothie from the Oh She Glows Cookbook, but honestly, any smoothie is a good smoothie in my book!
cynthia says
I thought you were asking for favorite soup (cold strawberry soup in the summer), but looking at the other comments, I guess you want to know favorite smoothie. Peanut butter banana oatmeal!
stacey says
Any smoothie with fresh peaches or nectarines is a treat in the summer!
BlessedMama says
That smoothie looks amazing. Thanks for the review.
Samantha says
I love a good coconut milk, pitted dates, cacao and vanilla smoothie in the summer, I also always add a few spoons of chia seeds for the extra protein.
Donna says
What is, 1 scoop French vanilla–flavor
Vega One Nutritional Shake? Where do I purchase it or them? Never heard of it.
Kathy Hester says
You should be able to get it at whole foods or online and here’s a direct link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Vega-French-Nutritional-Shake-Vanilla/dp/B009SRYRMS
kyla says
My favorite smoothie is anything with blueberries! Chocolate doesn’t hurt either. Beautiful looking book.
Elaine says
What a super interesting book. I would love to be the winner. Thanks.
Jinger says
Looks like a wonderful book! Love blueberry & pomegranate smoothies 🙂
Terri Cole says
My favorite summer soup is watermelon gazpacho, hands down! I have a green smoothie most mornings, my favorite flavors are the tropical ones and anything with chocolate. This book looks beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win!
charj says
My favorite summer smoothie is orange juice, peaches, frozen banana and cinnamon.
Melissa K. says
My latest favorite is Blueberry Grapefruit, tart and delicious! I use soaked cashews for the “milkiness” , soaked chia seeds to thicken. Oh, so yummy!
Will want to try the ones in the THRIVE cookbook too!
Marlene @Nosh My Way says
Hi Kathy: I love your blog filled with so many delicious recipes that I don’t even know where to begin. So I decided this think it might be this week though. glad I met you at FWCON.