adventures with photos: featuring kristin sweeting

My beautiful and talented friend Kristin had the great idea of doing some food photography a few months back. She was in need of healthy recipes that are quick and easy to make. So we spent the day making food, taking pictures, and having fun. 

Kristin is a gluten-free foodie, a marathoner, and an all-around awesome friend. I really cannot speak highly enough of Kristin and her photography.  Plus, she uses film - which I think is pretty great. 

(hint: hire her for your next event!) 

I had a great time creating these new recipes for her and I'm excited to share them with you, too. 

Check out these recipes for some food inspiration. 

berry berry breakfast

I am eating so many berries this summer. It is best to eat foods that are in season - not only because they taste better, but also because they are cheaper! So, I have been getting my fill of berries and all the the wonderful antioxidants they have. 


One cup of raspberries provides over 1/3 of your daily dose of fiber and 1/2 your daily Vitamin C. They benefit your gastrointestinal system, too. Blueberries help neutralize the free radicals in your body, which cause issues at the cellular level resulting in premature aging. These berries are great for your heart, your vision, your intestines, and your brain. They contain Pterostilbene which has even been proven to prevent and cure colon and liver cancer. 


There are many more benefits to eating an abundance of berries, but probably the best reason is that they are delicious! 


Chia and Flax seeds are both higher in Omega 3 than Omega 6 fatty acids meaning they have the proper balance and ratio. Most seeds are a lot higher in Omega 6 than Omega 3 which will result in an improper balance if eaten too often. These seeds will also provide some added protein and sustained energy to the meal.

berry breakfast:
1 banana
1/2 cup almond milk
2 tbsp. chia seeds
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1/4 cup goji berries
1 tbsp. flax seeds


Blend the banana, chia seeds, and almond milk until smooth. Top with the berries, flax seeds, and drizzle with honey. 


Enjoy!

good morning juice

For breakfast today, I juiced apples, carrots, and lemon. It was sweet, satisfying, and better than coffee! I drank about 30 oz of this orange goodness. 

good morning juice:

7 big carrots

3 gala apples

1 lemon

cinnamon yogurt

As you know, I do not eat dairy. But that doesn't mean that I miss out on creamy treats and desserts. I've put together this yogurt/pudding recipe that is delicious!

Almond milk is rich in calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E. It has fewer calories and less fat than regular milk and it is an all-natural and clean food.

Chia seeds are an amazing source of Omega-3 and they help regulate your blood sugar. They are also incredibly hydrating, they help prevent diverticulitis, and they will keep you energized throughout the day. The Indians would munch on these in the wilderness all day for sustanance. These tiny seeds pack a huge punch - they expand to 10 times their size in liquid. Eat em up!

I'm a huge fan of cinnamon and add it to whatever I can. Did you know that cinnamon is great for your body, too? It helps sooth arthritis pain, boosts your mental function, and fights bacteria in our food and bodies. It has even been proven to reduce the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Adding chia seeds and cinnamon to almond milk is an easy way to create a thick, creamy yogurt. This yogurt is easy to make and much more nutritious than anything you can buy at the grocery store.

creamy cinnamon yogurt:

1 frozen banana

1/2 cup almond milk

3-4 tbsp. chia seeds

2 tsp. cinnamon

Blend all ingredients in your Vitamix until thick and creamy. Serve immediately, or leave in the refridgerator overnight. The more you let it sit, the more it will thicken. This yogurt will last in your fridge for about 5 days. I topped with blueberries, a drizzle of honey, and more cinnamon.

Enjoy!

blackberry morning

Good morning! I made a "fruit cereal" for breakfast this morning, and I think it might be my new favorite breakfast.


blackberry "cereal":
1 cup blackberries
1 golden delicious apple, chopped
1 tbsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. hemp seeds
1/2 cup almond milk
drizzle with local honey

blue breakfast

Who says raw food has to be difficult? My breakfast is either sliced fruit or a green smoothie. Today, I had 2 sliced bananas and 2 cups of blueberries. Yum.

This lake is about 5 minutes from my office. I love coming here for some fresh air during the middle of the day.