Family Owned 
Tarashaun is the founder of Blender Babes with a long held passion to help people live a Healthier Lifestyle in our chaotic and stress-heavy world. It took many moons to find this path – and she is very excited to share what she has learned and help people around the world more easily and quickly prepare healthy meals at home!
The Blender Babes’ mission is to create a MOVEMENT: to encourage and teach people how to heal themselves through healthy relationships with food… and to thoroughly test, review and share quality products with our blending loving tribe! See their videos on YouTube, Join the Fun on Facebook and Instagram, Share yours and our friends’ recipes on Pinterest and Twitter.
Here at Raw Blend we love the Blender Babes’ mission and are thrilled to have Tarashaun as this month’s Featured Friend!
Firstly, what does creating ‘A Healthy Mix for Life’ mean to you?
A Healthy Mix for Life for me means BALANCE. Everything from work, play, relationships and even what’s on my plate or in my blender!
Speaking of plates, what does your day on a plate look like and why do you eat the way you do?
I’m always creating and testing new recipes to use for my free smoothie challenges so I usually start my day off with a green smoothie. For lunch I typically make a sandwich or wrap for lunch, filled with crunchy veggies like cucumber, sprouts and lettuce and a hummus or pesto spread. Dinners during the week are either vegetarian such as a nice curry bowl or a lean protein such as salmon with veggies and a starch. I try to use my blender as much as possible for fresh sauces, dips and marinades to be used with my meals. It helps me make sure I’m using all fresh whole foods and not dumping artificial ingredients that are in pre-made condiments on my real food!
What is your ONE Super Hero Food that you cannot live without?
BLUE GREEN ALGAE!! I’ve been taking this stuff since I was in the womb! Most people are familiar with spirulina, but my favorite kind is actually called E3Live. It’s the only kind in the world that you can buy fresh frozen from the Klamath lakes in Oregon. The blue green algae is a whole, complete food that’s actually more nutrient rich than spirulina. It’s filled with protein, vitamins, over 65 trace minerals, antioxidants and trace minerals! I take it every morning and it helps give me energy, fights inflammation, boosts my immune system, and keeps my body and my brain balanced.
It sounds amazing! Living a healthy life though doesn’t just mean eating well … how do you keep your mind and body healthy?
This is REALLY IMPORTANT and I’m so glad you asked! I always stress to people that want to know how I overcame a decade long eating disorder that it started with a shift in my MIND. Of course it was partially about learning how to eat real food and not all the processed junk, but it was initially about learning to become aware of my thoughts, especially the negative ones, and how they contributed to my low self-esteem and bad feelings about myself. I began meditating for the first time in my life and that changed everything. Exercise of course is imperative for a health body AND mind, since it releases chemicals in the brain that help you feel good. I now practice yoga and pilates regularly, hike, and take my dogs for walks.
That is an overwhelming disorder to overcome. We know you inspire so many other young women out there who might be battling something similar but who is your health, wellness or fitness guru that inspires you?
I have always been a big fan of Dr. Oz! I’ve tried many of his recipes and on occasion will watch his show, especially if any of my friends in health and wellness are being featured! He always gives really great tidbits and information that’s easy to remember. I learned that the skin on a cucumber is the most nutritious part, and since it’s part of the dirty dozen I know always buy organic cucumber and keep the skin on in my smoothies and whole food juices.
If you could share with the Raw Blend Family one piece of your wisdom what would it be?
Healing yourself starts in your mind and the kitchen. Your thoughts are living things that your physical body reacts to. Once you realize this you can start working on shifting your thoughts to positive ones. Real, whole foods are natures pharmacy and you can heal a myriad of ailments naturally, through food, herbs, essential oils, energy and more.
We are lucky enough to have you share one of your favourite recipes with us, why do you love this recipe?
My grandmother used to make the most delicious whole fruit jam!! Since she lived in Germany I had only had it a couple times. I was really sick of the sugar-filled gelatinous store bought versions and didn’t like how expensive homemade versions were. This recipe reminds me of her delicious recipe, that’s even more nutritious thanks to an added superfood, chia seeds. Plus my recipe testers also ALL LOVED this recipe, it had high scores across the board. Win win.
Quick and Easy Blueberry Chia Jam
This blueberry chia jam recipe is super easy to make and not too sweet. Straight out of the blender, this jam recipe works well as a dessert sauce or over ice cream. It’s also good drizzled on waffles, oatmeal, or pancakes. Once cooled/refrigerated it will solidify to more of a jam-like consistency and be ready to spread over toast in the morning. Light, slightly sweet, and made of only natural ingredients this is an easy, guilt-free spread. With no additives you will love that you can lavish it on whatever your heart desires without having to worry about your sugar consumption. The bit of protein and fiber provided by the chia seeds is a great health benefit, as well making it a much better choice for the table than the sugar-laden, store-bought brands.
Note: This recipe makes three 8 ounce (3 x 1 cup) canning or mason jars of jam! Perfect for gift giving!
Equipment
- Blender
- Glass Jar(s) such as Mason jars
Makes: Three x 8 ounce (3 x 1 cup) Jars
Serves: 15
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh blueberries (not frozen)
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup or coconut nectar (vegan) or honey
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
Method
- Place blueberries into your blender container.
- Blend the berries on Speed 7/Medium-High speed for one minute, long enough to break up the seeds.
- Add liquid sweetener and chia seeds, and blend at Speed 5/Medium for 20 seconds to incorporate.
- Allow the mixture to sit and soak for 10 seconds.
- Re-blend the mixture at Speed 7/Medium-High speed for 30 seconds.
- Remove to a clean glass jar(s), and refrigerate for an hour or until ready to use.
I was wondering how long the blueberry and chia seed jam will keep refrigerated?