Pineapple and Orange Fluff Parfait {Skinny, Gluten Free and Vegan Options}

Pinapple Ambrosia1

This beautiful layered parfait is basically an ambrosia copycat. I had no idea what ambrosia was until a few years ago when I encountered the strange concoction at a BBQ. I spotted a large glass bowl billowing with white fluffy fluff stuff, dotted with orange and yellow bits- What the heck is that I asked? “Oh that’s ambrosia- just try it,” was the reply. Which I did, as I’m usually up for trying just about anything! I was love at first bite- sweet, light, and airy, with bits of orange, pineapple, coconut and occasional marshmallow that was soft and melty. So of course I got the recipe- it was made with whip topping (I’m a big fan!), sour cream (weird, right?), canned pineapple and orange chunks, shredded sweetened coconut and marshmallow. It was so amazing but also basically a WHOLE LOTTA SUGAR!

So I went out and made my own- and it’s guilt free, made with clean ingredients, and oh so yummy! First I use fresh pineapple and oranges to avoid the sweetened canned fruit, and I used TruWhip for the whip topping (which I found at Whole Foods, but is also at most grocery stores), vanilla yogurt (you can use soy or coconut based yogurt),“clean” marshmallow (also at Whole Foods- I used Dandies brand), and all natural/unsweetened shredded coconut. The fresh oranges and pineapple are loaded with vitamin C to provide a wonderful immune boost. I have a entire post that shares all the health benefits of pineapple- click HERE to read! And HERE is another great article on the health benefits of pineapple by HealthAmbition.com.Pinnapple Ambrosia Ingredients

This takes 5 minutes to put together- quick, easy and so good!

My Cuisinart Immersion blender comes with a small food processor attachment which is soooo handy for small quick jobs like this. That way I don’t have to bring out the “big gun” and have a lot more clean up. I highly recommend and you can order it via Amazon HERE (its the last item on my “Shop My Pantry Page”).

Pinnaple Ambrosia Blender

Pineapple Fluff Collage

 

Pineapple and Orange Fluff Parfait {Skinny, Gluten Free and Vegan Options}

Pineapple and Orange Fluff Parfait- skinny, clean, gluten fee and vegan options

  • 1 cup of pineapple and oranges (cut into small pieces)
  • ¼ cup of vanilla yogurt of choice (greek, coconut, etc)
  • ¾ cup of whip topping (I used TruWhip, or you can use whipped coconut creme as an alternative)
  • ½ cup of marshmallows (I used Dandies’ Brand- gluten free and vegan)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened coconut shreds
  1. Use a food processor to chop up the pineapple and oranges until they are small ⅛” chunks.
  2. In a bowl mix together the yogurt, whip topping, marshmallows, and coconut.
  3. Layer a few tablespoons of fruit, then the whip mixtures, one on top of each other in a mason jar or other glass bowl. This make one large personal serving.

Pineapple Rise & Shine Smoothie Bowl

Pineapple Smoothie Bowl1

When I think of summertime I think of laying in the sun at the beach, windows rolled down in the car, the smell of flowers and fresh cut grass, and fresh tropical fruit- like watermelon and PINEAPPLE! I love fresh fruit- how sweet and juicy it is when it’s in season, and it’s so good for you too! Pineapple is packed with vitamin C, manganese, thiamin (vitamin b-1), and bromelain which aids in digestion of protein.

For more information on the health benefits of pineapple click HERE. HealthAmbition.com has an excellent article about pineapple’s health benefits and you can read that HERE.

I love to freeze fresh pineapple chunks to use in smoothies during the hot summer months. The result from using fresh frozen fruit to replace much of the ice is a more flavorful, less icey, more smooth, smoothie!

I made this smoothie extra thick, so you can eat it with a spoon and it feels more like a meal than a drink.

Everyone in your family, kids included with love this smoothie! It tastes much like the Pina Colada Julius from Orange Julius- creamy, smooth and sweet, but made with healthy and simple ingredients!

Pinapple Smoothie Bowl2

Pineapple Smoothie Collage

Pineapple Rise & Shine Smoothie Bowl

Healthy pineapple smoothie bowl- vegan, gluten free, paleo

  • ¾ cup frozen pineapple chunks
  • ¼ cup pineapple juice (you can reserve this much juice when cutting up your pineapple or use canned pineapple juice)
  • 1/2 cup of almond milk
  • ¼ cup of full fat coconut milk (the canned kind)
  • 5 + ice cubes
  • a few drops of stevia or maple syrup if needed for sweetness
  • optional- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (whey, or soy/veggie-based, chia, hemp, coconut flakes on top)
  1. Blend all the ingredients in a high speed blender. I use my Vitamix. It has a super high powered motor that blends thick smoothies exceptionally well!