Spring Has Sprung
April showers have brought on an abundance of promised May flowers! White tents are popped up in parking lots, brimming with leafy and flowering plants, bike paths and sidewalks are lined with the sweet scent of fresh blooms and treetops are aflutter with chirping birds and chasing squirrels. The farmer's market is in full swing and berries are ripe for the picking.
The other night, the hubby and I were watching one of my favorite movies, It's Complicated, with Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin, and I swoon every time I lay eyes on the dreamy, California home, garden, and bakery that Streep's character gets to call life. At one point in the movie, she mentions a bowl of Lavender ice cream, and the idea stuck with me.
Lavender makes the world stand still.
LAVENDER
NICE CREAM
Lavender Love
Lavender is known for it's stress and anxiety-relieving properties and its sweet scent evokes a calm and relaxed state of mind. On top of that, lavender can be used to heal minor wounds and burns, reduce acne, restore skin complexion, alleviate headaches, and aid in a restful night's sleep. For more on lavender its benefits, check out this quick, 3-minute video on NutritionFacts.org!
I'm a lavender addict--from dried sprigs sprinkled throughout our home, to essential oils wafting from my bed sheets to a calming cup of tea and a good book at the end of a long day. While at Open Harvest, our local co-op, I wandered through the herbal and supplement aisle to explore, as I often do. To my delight, I stumbled upon a large glass container of organic, dried lavender flowers, typically used for brewing your own tea. It was a 90-degree day, and all of a sudden, the idea of creating my own version of Lavender Nice Cream didn't sound half bad!
My cart was already lined with the obligatory assortment of berries that dominate my breakfasts and snacks, so I thought I'd use my favorite-of-the-moment, blackberries, to create the perfectly purple bowl of dairy-free, fruitfully delicious, Blackberry-Lavender Nice Cream.
Blackberry-Lavender Nice Cream
Nothing says spring has sprung, like a cool, frozen treat combining two of the season's finest--fresh-picked blackberries and luscious lavender. This bouquet of flowers in a bowl will leave you feeling blissed out, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert!
raw vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, herbal, antioxidant-packed deliciousness
serves: 2 // time: 5 min
ingredients:
- 1-2 cups blackberries
- 4-5 frozen, ripe, freckled bananas
- 1-2 tablespoons dried lavender
- 1.5 cups hot water
method:
- Place lavender into tea ball or sachet and place in tea cup. Pour hot water over top and allow tea to brew for 8-10 minutes.
- While tea is steeping, add frozen bananas and blackberries to high-speed blender.
- Add anywhere from a splash to the entire cup of tea into the blender, depending on the thickness you prefer.
- Scoop or pour into bowl or glass and sprinkle with a dusting of lavender. Top with blackberries and other fruit of your choice and enjoy!
notes:
- If you don't have dried lavender, simply substitute a lavender tea bag or a couple drops of food-grade, lavender essential oil.
- You may also brew the lavender tea ahead of time and chill in the refrigerator.
AS SEEN ON YOUTUBE
Come hang out with me as I whip up a bowl of lavender-love in the kitchen! Be sure to Subscribe to the EatMoveRest channel, hit the bell symbol to turn on Notifications to stay up-to-date on new videos, Like the video by giving it a thumbs up, show some love and leave us a Comment, and Share with family and friends!
The Perfect Mother's Day Delight
Related Recipe:
Raw Vegan Blackberry Cheesecake (this recipe also tastes great with love + lavender added in!)
Spring is here, the berries are bright, the lavender is abloom, and most importantly--Mother's Day is around the corner! What better way to say I Love You to Mom, than with a sweet treat, made specially for her! Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there, and mom, I Love You! ;)
