Nourishing chocolate raspberry smoothie bowl + a Yuve giveaway!

This summer sure has been a busy one. For the last five weeks, I’ve been holed up at home every weekend working on a new and very exciting photography project. Let’s just say both my fridge and my heart are full—bursting with gratitude for all the awesome things that life brings me, including lots of amazing vegan dishes that I get to photograph (and eat). I’ve been searching the food markets for the best-looking ingredients and shopping at my favourite housewares stores for new props to add to my collection. What a great excuse to do some of my favourite things, and get paid for it!

With all that’s been going on, I’ve been severely slacking in the exercise department. I just don’t feel the same without my daily sweat session and post-workout protein shake (thanks to Christy for getting me hooked on strength training). As fate would have it, I was recently sent a sample of a new vegan nutritional shake to try out. I’m always on the lookout for new protein powders, since they are a convenient way to get in those nutrients after the gym or while on the go.

Yuve is a plant-based, non-GMO powder that consists of rice and pea protein, an energy blend (maca, spinach, chia seeds), a greens blend (chlorella, spirulina, kale, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli), and a vitamin and mineral blend (psyllium seed husk, goji berries, acai berries, red grapes, prunes, raspberries), and is made without artificial colours, sweeteners, dairy or soy. I also like that it’s free of sweeteners like stevia.

While I tend toward powders with short and simple ingredient lists—because, well, some of those ingredient lists can be downright confusing—Yuve sure packs in a variety of goodness for a nutritional punch. It also has a unique taste, which probably comes from the combination of chia seeds, cocoa beans and a lovely hint of raspberry. You can even smell the raspberries, which holds true to its natural properties. What’s more, despite the fact that this blend is rich in rice protein, which tends toward the gritty side of powder texture, it’s actually quite refined.

While I most often consume protein powders in a cold glass of almond or cashew milk, the flavour combo of Yuve got me thinking about new ways to enjoy it. Its delicious cocoa and raspberry nuances would work well in fruit- or chocolate-flavoured smoothies, chocolate baked goods or even energy balls. On a whim one morning, I threw together this simple smoothie bowl for breakfast and have made it a few more times since. The simplicity of the ingredients (banana, spinach, raspberries, cocoa powder and almond milk) makes it an easy go-to snack or breakfast. Plus, it’s like eating chocolate pudding for breakfast. Throw in a scoop of Yuve and you’re covered.

Thanks to the fine folks at Yuve headquarters, I have an entire tub of Yuve to send to one lucky US or Canadian reader! Enter using the widget below. I’ll select a random winner on Monday, July 13, 2015.
a Rafflecopter giveaway