Firstly, welcome to the new Coconut and Berries! Hope you like the new look! A huge thank you to Tiffany from Beautiful Dawn Designs for making this all happen.
As well as the blog looking a bit different I’ve moved across from wordpress.com to a self-hosted site too which allows for a few features to make things easier for you and me-You can now print, share and pin my recipes with just one click and my recipe index is hopefully easier to navigate too.
As I’m sure you can imagine there are still a fair few issues to resolve so please bear with me while I iron out the creases…
A pretty smoothie to go with my pretty new site!
If you’ve been following Coconut and Berries you’ll have read that I’ve been following an anti-candida diet which doesn’t allow for any fruit. But, I’ve been feeling so much better that I’ve started to gradually add some things back into my diet including the occasional berries and apples (low-sugar fruit).
Bananas are supposedly the worst culprit for candida as they’re high in sugar so I’m still avoiding those for the time-being. Unfortunately, most of the smoothies I typically make use bananas so I’ve had to rethink things.
I’ve been mad about almonds for as long as I can remember. I adore making fresh almond milk and the smell of almond extract is like perfume to me. When I had a holiday job in a coffee shop I loved making coffees using the almond syrup just for the smell and now I use Dr Bronner’s soap in almond scent so I get to enjoy the delicious fragrance whenever I shower.
This smoothie incorporates homemade almond milk and a dash of almond extract to bring out the flavour. Raspberries work so wonderfully here but I haven’t added too many so as to keep the smoothie creamy and sweet.
This is more of a snack-size smoothie so for breakfast why not have it alongside one of my homemade muffins.

- 1C Almond milk (I recommend homemade for extra creaminess)
- 1T Chia seeds
- 1/4C Frozen raspberries
- 1/2t Vanilla extract
- 1/2t Almond extract
- 1T Liquid Sweetener (e.g. agave nectar, maple syrup, etc. ) OR 5-10 drops liquid stevia
- Optional: 1/2 Scoop Vanilla protein powder OR 1/2 a Frozen banana
- Blend all the ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth. Check for sweetness and adjust to your liking.

One of my very first recipes was also a smoothie- Apricot and Almond with a hint of Cardamom. I’m a little embarrassed about the pictures but it’s a really tasty recipe so do check it out…just ignore the photos.
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Such a pretty site Emma, I LOVE it!!!
Almond milk and raspberries go so well together don’t they? I’ve just made tomorrow’s almond milk, I might make a version of your smoothie but I don’t have the chia seeds. However, I do have frozen raspberries, vanilla and a banana so it will make a lovely breakfast drink.
Have a wonderful weekend xo
Glad you like the new look Vicky. Can I ask how you were notified of the new post? I don’t think my subscribers have been transferred over yet…
The chia seeds just help thicken the smoothie but if you’re adding banana that should take care of that.
I saw it in my FB newsfeed
Have a lovely weekend!
I adore that almondy smell too, so amazing! This looks really yummy, and cool to have a banana free smoothie!
Glad you understand my almondy thing! I made the smooothie again for dessert tonight. Delish 😀
Emma, your new site is beautiful! Simple, elegant, clean. Isn’t it fun to (re)start fresh :-)?
Thanks Annie. It’s nice to have a new look but there’s still so much to sort out! Oh well, it will be worth it…
Absolutely loving the new look - so clean and yet distinctive. I think the coconut ‘O’ is a lovely touch as well
I should probably steer clear of bananas too - I definitely don’t need such a concentrated source of sugar. I must find a substitute for banana ice cream. I only have it once every couple of days, but I should still cut it out since my body just doesn’t process any sugars very well.
xxx
Thanks Jess. Glad you approve of the new design. I’ve got lots of updates to sort out still.
If I want a banana-free cool treat I often blend almond milk, chocolate sunwarrior, cacao, ice and stevia. Yum 😀
Hi Emma!
I LOVE the new layout!! It is so sweet and welcoming!
This recipe sounds delicious! I’ll definitely give it a try soon! I love your blog! I made your lucuma almond cookies and they are a big hit at my house
Thank you!
By the way, I use Feedly and your new post still hasn’t shown up yet. The only way I knew to check it out was your post on FB.
Thanks so much Nicole. I’m really pleased you like the new look…and the cookies!
Thanks for letting me know about feedly. I use feedly too and saw that the post hadn’t come through. I have a feeling readers subscribed via blog readers are going to have to resubscribe so please go ahead and do so. I can transfer those with email subscriptions and those subscribed with wordpress but not otherwise. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience. I hope I don’t lose too many readers in the process
Thanks Emma! I tried resubscribed but your new post still didn’t show up. Does it take a while to come through?
Hmmm. No I don’t think so. Did you click on “Add content” and then copy and paste the URL into the box? If you click on the title of the blog is the latest post not visible?
Thanks for your help
It just came through about 25 minutes ago! Sorry for the delay I was studying
That smoothie looks really creamy and sweet- I love smoothies for breakfast- maca is my new favourite addition. Thanks for sharing
Oooh I love maca too, especially with cacao. Yum.
Love the new site! It looks great. That smoothie also looks very satisfying. I think raspberry and almonds are a great combo.
It looks beautiful Emma! When I moved to self-hosted there was definitely a learning curve, but it is absolutely worth it!
I’ve been waiting for this smoothie recipe. You’re always such a tease on Instagram! Almonds and raspberries are my favorite nuts and berries, so perfect combination in my opinion!
Hurray for new designs and simple smoothies!
Thanks Anna. My main worry is losing all my subscribers but hopefully that’s being sorted out so not everyone disappears!
Hope you like the smoothie
Looks great, Emma! I love your colors and the simplicity of it all.
Thanks Sarah. Still a lot to sort out but I’m pretty happy with it.
How do you make almond milk?
Sorry for not explaining:
Soak almonds in water for a few hours to soften them up then blend with water (1C almonds to 3C water is the ratio I use) until smooth.
Then strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a special nut milk bag. Discard the pulp or save for another purpose.
You can blend in dates or vanilla for extra flavour too.
Here’s a clearer explanation: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-almond-milk-at-home-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-189996
Hope you try it! It’s definitely worth it
Your site is beautiful Emma - although your photos are so beautiful that it always has been
This is a lovely recipe to kick off the new design too, and like you, I love almond flavours and I think they pair perfectly with raspberry. I don’t really have a problem with sugar / fruit, but still try to vary from the standard banana-containing smoothies - so this is great!
Thanks so much Kari. I’m pleased you like both the new look and the smoothie!
great new look - I have swithered over moving to wordpress but never been sure enough to make the jump - how do you find it - are you able to do most of the changes you want or do you find it too technical? (that is my worry) Love the sound of your smoothie - yay for more fruit in your diet - I love my fruit and my smoothies so the ACD sounds challenging (though I know there are lots of great ACD recipes about) but if it is making your better that is worthwhile
It’s not the easiest thing ever and I have a feeling that a lot of my readers have been lost in the process… I’m working on transferring my email subscribers but I think those using a blog reader like feedly aren’t able to see the new posts unless they resubscribe. As you’ve been blogging for such a long time it would be even more of a shame for this to happen.
There are a lot more tools and features here though.
Thanks for your kind comments on the smoothie and new look
Yes, the longer I am blogging the bigger the challenge it seems. I don’t think I would do it unless I could organise an automatic redirect of the url but blog readers are another challenge. Have fun with your new tools and features
lovely site Emma! i liked your old site too. maybe with no background image it was very nice.
lovingthe color scheme and this smoothie!
Thanks Richa. Glad you like the new look. I thought the pink smoothie went with the colour scheme 😉
It’d be hard to live without bananas, I have one every day!
I know! I used to eat at least one a day too. You can get used to anything though. I’m amazed I went 5 weeks with no fruit whatsoever!
I love the new look of your site! So fresh and clean, just like your recipes. And your smoothie sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing it at Raw Foods Thursdays! Have a lovely weekend!
Heather
Thanks so much Heather. Fresh and clean was what I was aiming for so I’m pleased that’s how it comes across
this looks so creamy and delicious, emma! i love bananas, i’d be so sad to give them up. luckily, you’re super creative in the kitchen! and i love the new site! yay for positive changes!
Thanks Caitlin. I’m trying to keep positive about the whole thing and think of the things I can have rather than those I can’t. I am certainly a banana lover too though
Glad you like the new site x
These photos, just like those from your first post, are all very lovely. Way to go on the cleaner blog design.. I hope I still get the instant notifications when you reply to comments (since we were both on wordpress).
I’m still on wordpress just .org not .com so I hope comment replies still happen. Let me know if this comes through!
If you were subscribed to the blog via a blog reader you’ll have to resubscribe but wordpress and email subscribers are being transferred.
Glad you like the new design
Nope, sadly, I didn’t get a notification of your reply.
I still got your newest post on feedly though without any resubscription
Boooo! That’s so annoying. Well I’m pleased the post came through on feedly ok at least. Still waiting to have my email subscribers moved over…
The blog and the smoothie both look GREAT!!
Thanks so much Suzanne! I’m glad my readers seem to like the new site too
Love the new look! That smoothie sounds right up my street
Thanks so much Laura
I like the new look, Emma! Clean and minimalistic and the berry icons are cute. Congratulations with the move to a self-hosted site, that was the best choice because you can do whatever you like with a self-hosted site. I made myself a quick cashew milk with dates & ground cinnamon… I would love to add some berries! Do you currently own a Vita-mix or which blender did you have? I’m currently looking for one!
Thanks so much Rika- I’m pleased with the new look but will be even more so once I’ve got everything sorted. I need to sort out my recipe index and get all my recipes printable.
Cashew milk with dates and cinnamon sounds perfect! “Miam”! (hehe..)
I have a Blendtec not a Vitamix but I think it’s great. I also have a tribest personal blender http://www.tribestlife.com/productcart/pc/BPA-Free-Mason-Jar-Personal-Blender-350-p567.htm which is also fab as it’s really powerful but small so you can travel with it. It comes with a grinding jar too so you can grind nuts/seeds as well as make smoothies, dressings and sauces with it. Highly recommend it!
This sounds delicious! I’ve been eating far fewer bananas as of late- they just don’t agree with me! Except last week I got some in my produce delivery…ah well, sacrifices 😉 Anyway, so I’m loving this banana-free smoothie.
Beautiful new blog design! I still need to get around to doing mine…haha
And those pictures in that post are better than most of mine now, so no more talking down about them! 😉
Thanks Gabby. I certainly hope I can have bananas back in my life before too long. It’s forcing me to try new things though as I used to have a banana with breakfast somehow everyday.
I’ve always liked your blog design- it’s simple but cute.
ha, finally some time to play catch up: beautiful smoothie on beautiful site!!!!
Thanks lovely
x
Yummy
What could be better than almond and raspberries! Hope the diet is going well for you, it’s a hard slough during elimination, but I hope you’re feeling better as you reintroduce foods 
Thanks for linking this recipe to the Wholefood Blender Party, it’s simply stunning!
Thanks Ally
I’ve been reintroducing foods gradually but am not doing so well with practicing moderation with anything sweet! Those cravings clearly still have a hold on me.
i love your all recipes thanks for sharing