• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Listen to the Latest Podcast EpisodeRewiring Your Brain: The Science of Habits with Gretchen Rubin
Food Heaven Made Easy

Food Heaven Made Easy

Black Registered Dietitian Nutritionists | Intuitive Eating Dietitians

  • About
  • Press
    • Start Here
    • Podcast
      • Hookup Codes
    • Work With Us
      • Brand Partners
      • Meal Prep Challenge
    • Resources
      • Recipes
      • Blog
      • Cookbook
      • Books We Love
    JOIN OUR EXCLUSIVE EMAIL LIST!
    SUBSCRIBE FOR OUR FREE 3-STEP AUDIO COURSE TO ACHIEVE FOOD FREEDOM

    Blueberry Basil Piraguas

    Sweets

    Disclosure: This post was made in partnership with the US Highbush Blueberry Council. Thank you for supporting the work we’re doing at Food Heaven! 

    Summer is HERE (!!!)  and we thought it would be appropriate to highlight a refreshing and hydrating recipe that has a lot of personal value to us. For those of you who are thinking, piragua who? Piraguas are those upside down cone-shaped, shaved ice treats that vendors sell on the streets of New York City during the hot summer months. This cooling treat is a staple in Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

    In fact, my grandfather (Wendy speaking) sold piraguas when he first immigrated to the United States decades ago. If you have ever traveled to Puerto Rico before, there is a high probability that you have encountered a colorful cart selling Piraguas during your trip. Wanna see piraguas in action? Check out this video from Jess’ trip to Puerto Rico 10 years ago (within 5 minutes of landing, a Piragua cart was spotted). 

    The word piragua is derived from combining the words pirámide (pyramid) and agua (water). Traditionally, the ice is hand-shaved with an instrument called a cepillo, which means “a brush” in Spanish. After shaving the ice, it’s covered with a flavored syrup and then given to the customer to either start eating right away or sip out of a small straw. Typical flavors include coco (coconut), limón (lemon), and melón (watermelon).

    We added our own twist to this beloved treat by using blueberries as the primary ingredient. Instead of an artificial syrup, we created our own flavors using whole foods like lime, mango, basil, and maple syrup. We also made it ridiculously easy to recreate this recipe in your own kitchen, because most people don’t have a cepillo (brush) and ice machine on deck.

    Aside from the taste, our favorite part about this recipe is it’s gorgeous blue color. This comes from anthocyanins, a water-soluble pigment that imparts colors ranging from blue and purple to shades of red in fruits and vegetables. We used frozen blueberries for this recipes because they are a convenient and cost-effective way to help you eat nutritiously. In fact, one cup of blueberries provides a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C.

    Let’s get this piragua party started! Add the fresh or frozen blueberries and lime juice to a small pot, and cook over low heat for 5-6 minutes. Make sure to mash the blueberries with a large spoon or pestle as they’re cooking to help release their juices. Once done, allow to cool, and add the cooked blueberries to a blender with the basil, mango, maple syrup, and water. Blend well into a smooth, consistent syrup. Set aside.

    Add the ice cubes to a food processor, and pulse for 15-20 seconds, or until the ice is grounded into fine ice. Scoop the shaved ice into two small bowls or cups/jars that are at least 8oz+. Don’t pack the ice tightly into your serving cup. You want to make sure there’s enough space for the syrup to penetrate. Add the homemade blueberry syrup onto the shaved ice, and let it drizzle all the way to the bottom and let it fill its way up to the rim. Enjoy immediately with a spoon or straw!

    If you try this recipe, make sure to let us know how you liked it in the comments below and tag us in your creation on instagram (@foodheaven). Catch you next time! xo

    Print
    Blueberry Basil Piraguas
    Servings: 2
    Ingredients
    • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • 4 basil leaves
    • 1/4 cup fresh mango, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 3/4 cup water
    • 14-16 ice cubes
    Instructions
    1. Add the frozen blueberries and lime juice to a small pot, and cook over low heat for 5-6 minutes. Make sure to mash the blueberries with a large spoon or pestle as they're cooking to help release its juices.
    2. Once done, allow to cool, and add the cooked blueberries to a blender with the basil, mango, maple syrup, and water. Blend well into a smooth, consistent syrup. Set aside.
    3. Add the ice cubes to a food processor, and pulse for 15-20 seconds, or until the ice is grounded into fine ice.
    4. Scoop the shaved ice into two small bowls or cups/jars that are at least 8oz+. Don't pack the ice tightly into your serving cup. You want to make sure there's enough space for the syrup to penetrate.
    5. Add the homemade blueberry syrup onto the shaved ice, and let it drizzle all the way to the bottom and let it fill its way up to the rim. Enjoy immediately with a spoon or straw!

    0 Comments

    You Might Also Like

    Cranberry-Almond Energy Balls
    Frozen Mocha
    Blueberry-Lemon Energy Balls
    5 Easy Ways We Meet Our Daily Fiber Needs
    How to Eat Intuitively w/ Rachael Hartley

    Share the Love

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Let’s Connect

    Meet Wendy & Jess

    Registered Dietitians & BFF's. We're probably busy eating right now.

    Subscribe to our Podcast

    food heaven podcast

    Podcast Hookup Codes

    food heaven podcast hookup codes

    Meet Wendy & Jess

    Registered Dietitians & BFF's. We're probably busy eating right now.

    Footer

    • Our Story
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • Articles
    • Newsletter
    • Contact
    • Policies
    Last month when I asked who you wanted us to inter Last month when I asked who you wanted us to interview for our habits series, 90% of you said Gretchen Rubin. Today your wish comes true. For those not familiar with @gretchenrubin, she is one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature, especially as it pertains to habits. Gretchen is the author of Better than Before, The 4 Tendencies and The Happiness Project and in this episode she shares the secret to creating health promoting habits that will work for you. ALSO: I want to also acknowledge that regardless of your tendency, forming new habits may be more challenging for people with ADHD or for neurodivergent folks, and these tendencies may not be one-size-fits-all.

Listen to this episode with Gretchen Rubin to learn how to help yourself based on your personality type and tendencies. 

Which type are you!?!?! Comment below. 

What we cover:
Gretchens #1 tip to being happier. 
Why it’s important to know your nature before you try to adopt habits.
How to figure out your personality type.
What are outer vs inner expectations?
How do you know when you need an accountability buddy?
How monitoring your current habits can help you create change. 
3 strategies to create change.
How to start making healthier habits.

3 Ways You Can Support This Podcast:⁠
• Rate⁠
• Review⁠
• Support our sponsors using our unique ‘HOOKUP’ codes at https://foodheavenmadeeasy.com/hookup⁠
⁠
For our resources and shownotes, visit foodheavenmadeeasy.com/podcast.⁠
⁠
#foodheavenpodcast⁠
    LIFE UPDATE: I purchased a home in the Hudson Vall LIFE UPDATE: I purchased a home in the Hudson Valley with 5 acres of land! (Even typing that makes me anxious lolol) All reno updates will be on @bohiohomes. I’ve been wanting a home close by to retreat into nature and considered a few locations but honestly, the racial tension and lack of diversity upstate gave me mixed feelings. I actually went to school in New Paltz (and love it SO MUCH) so I’m not sure why I didn’t consider buying here sooner. I took a trip this summer to go apple picking and was like wait, New Paltz is perfect! It’s welcoming, diverse (thanks to all the city kids and professors) and there’s so many fun things to do!! It’s also just 90 minutes away from the city. 

I’ve officially moved in and will be renovating this a-frame beauty built in the early 70’s. There is SO much work to do. The home has solid bones but needs major updates and I have to condition the land. We even have a cute pond! Very scary and very exciting. Eventually, I may open it up for retreats or for people who want to disconnect from the NYC chaos. For now, it’ll be home. Follow along for renovation updates on @bohiohomes 💕💕
    THIS ONE SIMPLE HABIT TIP CHANGED MY LIFE. What’ THIS ONE SIMPLE HABIT TIP CHANGED MY LIFE. What’s one thing you already do that you can build a habit around?! 

Ps have you been listening to our habits series

#foodheavenpodcast #habits #dietitiansofinstagram #haes
    © Food Heaven Made Easy
    In order to provide you with the best service, our website uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy I consent
    Privacy Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    Font Resize
    Contrast
    Accessibility by WAH
    wendy and jess of food heaven

    Break FreeFrom Chronic Dieting

    Get our free 3-step mini audio guide to achieving food freedom….even if you’ve tried every diet in the book