Fruits and Vegetables: If I am using produce that is on the Dirty Dozen list, I always
peel as the skin holds a high concentration of
pesticides. If it’s organic or not one of the Dirty
Dozen, I usually don’t peel.
Prepping Kale and Collard Greens: To slice the
leaves into ribbons, first rinse the leaves and pat
dry. Lay a leaf flat on the cutting board. Holding
the leaf with your non-dominant hand, use a sharp
knife to slice on either side of the thick part of the
stem (usually almost to the top of the leaf). Remove
stem. Repeat with remaining leaves. Then layer a few
leaves on top of each other, and roll into a log shape.
Slice crosswise into ribbons.
50 Coconut Lime Macadamia Smoothie
54 LL’s Daily Fruit-Free Green Smoothie
57 Low-Sugar PB&J Smoothie Bowl
65 Chamomile Ginger Turmeric Latte
Chapter 3
BEVERAGES
+ SMOOTHIES
Perhaps more than any other chapter, this first chapter reflects the growth in my personal wellness journey since my first cookbook. First, you will see some lower-sugar smoothies here. Do I still love fruit and believe that fruit can be a healthy part of your breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Yes, yes, yes! However, I wanted to offer y’all a few sugar-conscious smoothies, which may give you more sustained energy throughout the morning and help minimize sweet cravings in the afternoon. As a result, I recreated my famous LL’s Daily Green Smoothie with avocado instead of banana, and I truly find it equally delicious. In addition to smoothies and a smoothie bowl, you’ll also see a handful of “fatty” drinks in this chapter. Don’t run from the word fatty! The healthy fats in these beverages are wonderful for your brain, hormones, and, of course, that crucial satiation factor. My Almond Chai Latte, Creamy Cashew Iced Coffee, and Crash- Free Hot Chocolate can even serve as a meal replacement if you’re not super hungry in the morning. I hope this chapter serves as a happy welcome to the second LL Balanced Cookbook.
L L’s Daily Morning Elixir
| HANDS-ON TIME: 5 min | TOTAL TIME: 5 min to overnight | YIELD: 1 serving |
Juice from 1 lemon or lime
(2 tablespoons)
1 to 3 teaspoons raw apple
cider vinegar (start with 1 and
increase gradually)
½-inch piece ginger, peeled
and grated
4 cups filtered water
2 to 10 drops liquid stevia
Pinch sea salt (optional)
1 scoop collagen peptides
(optional)*
Combine all ingredients in a large jar or pitcher, and stir well. Serve
immediately, or refrigerate overnight, and enjoy first thing in the
morning. (I prefer to make this the night before because 1) I don’t have
to think about it in the morning, 2) I like that it’s chilled, and 3) if using
collagen peptides, I find they dissolve better with more time.)
I don’t remember exactly when I started making my Daily Morning
Elixir, but I do know that it has been an absolute game-changer for me.
Lemon juice helps move food through your digestive system quickly
and efficiently. This flushes out toxins, a process that benefits your
whole body and will show up as brighter, healthier skin. Raw apple cider
vinegar is rich in gut-friendly probiotics and enzymes, and it helps kill
bad bacteria. It has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and
reduce blood sugar levels. I only recently began adding ginger to my
elixir, but it is incredibly anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative, and it
can soothe an upset stomach. In addition to all of these health benefits, I
personally love the combination of flavors, particularly with a few drops
of liquid stevia added. I feel incredible after drinking my Daily Elixer, and
I look forward to it each morning.
* Consuming high-quality collagen peptides made from the collagen of 100 percent pasture-raised, grass-
fed cows can noticeably combat the signs of aging, as well as improve joint health. For more information
on the health benefits of collagen peptides, see K. L. Clark et al., “24-Week Study on the Use of Collagen
