"Oh, I just want what we all want: a comfortable couch, a nice beverage, a weekend of no distractions and a book that will stop time, lift me out of my quotidian existence and alter my thinking forever. "  Elizabeth Gilbert

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Beverage Options
Strawberry Smoothie (gluten free, raw)
Purple Smoothie
(gluten free, raw)
Pineapple-Orange Juice
(gluten free, raw option)
Cappuccino
(gluten free)
Coconut Latte
(gluten free)
Best Cold Coffee
(gluten free)
Peppermint Mocha Tea
(gluten free)
Sweet Tea Latte
(gluten free)
Toasty Hot Chocolate
(gluten free)
Water w/Fruit Flavor
(gluten free)
Wild Berry Tea
(gluten free)

Strawberry Smoothie
Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Sugar-free, Raw option
Serves 1

8 oz. nondairy milk
4-5 strawberries, fresh or frozen
1 banana, fresh or frozen slices

Blend: 1 cup nondairy milk*, 1 ripe, organic banana, 1/2 cup strawberries

*To make nondairy milk raw grind 1/4 cup raw almonds; blend with 1 cup water and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla.  Sift out any solid pieces.
Purple Smoothie
Gluten-free, Sugar-free, Raw
Serves 1

1 leaf of kale or several of spinach, torn
1 large, organic, ripe banana
1/2 cup frozen blackberries
1 tablespoon raw agave or maple syrup (optional)

Blend all ingredients with enough water to make a smoothie as thick as you like it.

NOTE: For a green smoothie eliminate the blackberries.   

Pineapple-Orange Juice
Gluten Free, Raw Option
Makes 1 glass
When I think of breakfast, I think of orange juice, but my favorite juice is orange-pineapple.
For Raw: Squeeze 2 oranges into a 6 oz. glass.  Squeeze about 1/4 of a pineapple for the remaining juice.  Stir.
For Easy: Combine the juice* of a small can of crushed pineapples in their own juice (not sweetened) with about 2/3 cup of your favorite orange juice.  Blend. 
*Add some of the crushed pineapples, if you want more texture.
Even your coffee is surprised 
you woke up early!!
Cappuccino
Gluten Free
Makes 2 cups
1 1/4 cups coconut milk
3/4 cup dark roast coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon maple syrup
cinnamon

Mix maple syrup and vanilla into hot coffee.  Divide into two coffee cups.  Warm coconut milk in microwave for 30 seconds.  Place in a tight container and shake to create foam.  Pour coconut milk into cups.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  (NOTE: Sweetness will depend on depend on the sweetness of your coconut milk.  Add more or less maple syrup to taste.) 
Coconut Latte
Gluten Free
Serves 1

1/4-1/3 cup hot coffee, extra strong
3/4-2/3 cup non-dairy coconut milk
sweetener of choice (optional)
Your coffee should be the strength of a full cup of coffee...but with only 1/4 or 1/3 cup of water when making it.  The non-dairy coconut milk can be warmed in the microwave, about 30 seconds.  Then, mix the milk with a fork to make it frothy.  Pour it into your coffee.
NOTE: I like my latte with coconut milk, unsweetened, but you may want to try sweetening or different flavors.
A latte is simply putting a small amount of concentrated coffee with warm milk.
NOTE: I like my latte with coconut milk, unsweetened, but you may want to try sweetening or different flavors.
"Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god.  Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods."    Christopher Hitchens
non-dairy coffee cream or non-dairy milk
1/2 cup strong coffee, warm--not hot
sweetener of choice

Freeze the non-dairy beverage in ice cube trays.  Put these ice cubes into your glass.  Pour your strong coffee into the glass. Sweeten as needed.  NOTE: Instead of regular ice watering down your coffee, the frozen non-dairy cubes will make it richer, less watery.
Best Cold Coffee
Gluten Free
Serves 1

2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups water
1/2 oz. dark chocolate
1-2 tablespoons sweetener of choice
2 bags peppermint tea
1/4 cup non-dairy cream or non-dairy milk
vegan marshmallows (opt) 

Combine 2 cups water, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, honey and tea bags in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil, simmer 5 minutes and remove tea bags.  Stir in cream and pour into mugs.  Top with marshmallows (optional).
Peppermint Mocha Tea
Gluten Free
 Makes 2 cups
Sweet Tea Latte
Gluten Free
 Makes 2 cups
2 bags black tea
1 cup non-dairy milk
1/2 t. vanilla
2 t. maple syrup (or to taste)
sprinkle of cinnamon

In a glass pitcher add tea bags to non-dairy milk and microwave to warm 30-45 seconds, or heat non-dairy milk on low, stirring, to very warm, not boiling.  Add tea bags, then turn off heat.  Wait about 5 minutes for tea to brew.  Remove bags and add vanilla and syrup.  Whisk until foamy.  Pour into cups.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.

"Very few people possess true artistic ability.  It is therefore both unseemly and unproductive to irritate the situation by making an effort.  If you have a burning urge to write or paint, simply eat something sweet and the feeling will pass."  Fran Lebowitz
Toasty Hot Chocolate
Gluten Free
Serves 1
1 cup non-dairy milk
1 t. pumpkin spice
1 T. maple syrup (or to taste)
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1 1/2 T. cocoa powder
vegan marshmallows (optional)

Warm the milk on low heat in a small pot or heat in the microwave.  Do not boil.  Stir in syrup and vanilla, then cocoa powder.  Pour into a cup and top with marshmallows.

Why spent $2 a bottle for an artificial fruit flavor in bottled water---then, throwing the bottle into a landfill?  What a waste of money, plastic, and your taste buds for fruit infused water!

1/2 gallon water (8 glasses or 64 oz.)
Fruit of choice

Soak your favorite fruit in a pitcher of water in your refrigerator.  Squeeze a little of the fruit into the water and stir.
Water with Fruit Flavor
Gluten Free
Makes 8 glasses
Wild Berry Herb Tea
Gluten Free
Makes 8 glasses
Great antioxidant benefits!  Recipe from Dr. Michael Greger.

1/2 gallon water (8 glasses or 64 oz.)
4 bags Wild Berry Zinger tea
1 lemon, juiced
3 tablespoons date sugar (or dates, ground)

Cold Brew: Mix water, lemon juice and sugar.  Add tea bags and chill in the refrigerator 4-10 hours (depending on desired strength).  Refrigerate.
Hot Brew: Boil water and add tea bags.  Remove bags and stir-in sugar.  Add lime wedge (optional) and pour over ice.  Refrigerate when cool.

Copyright © 2013 The Perfect Diet Cookbook, L.L.C.  All rights reserved.