Thickalicious Classic Tropical Green Smoothie Plus

This Thickalicious Classic Tropical Green Smoothie Plus is everything you expect when you think "Aloha" or "Muchas Gracias"-- tangy, yummy, refreshing, zesty, what you really wanted when you ordered those alcoholic cocktails with the little umbrellas.  No, there is no Grenadine or any other high fructose syrups in this baby... just the real fruity thing PLUS some great "superfood" herbs that will give you the gusto for the day (and maybe even a longer, happier life if my husband's class in Ayurvedics was correct).

Layer your blender carafe with the following and cover with filtered water; soak for at least 15 minutes:

• 1/2 C. organic Rolled Oats (the Thickalicious factor to get you through until lunchtime)
• 1 tsp. ground Chia seed (grind in your coffee bean grinder)
• 1/2 tsp.- 1 tsp. Ashwagandha
• 1/2 tsp.- 1 tsp. Turmeric

After soaking the above in the carafe for at least 15 minutes (to improve digestability), add in:

• 1 C. Frozen Mango chunks
• 1 C. Frozen Pineapple chunks
• 1 Banana, chunked
• 6 Dates
• 1-2 Handfulls of Tender Greens

Whirl up and Enjoy!

Thickalicious Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Green Smoothie With *Benefits

This morning's smoothie was set up for my husband's jaunt off on his bike for a few miles and back.  It's sunny but cool.  He's just finished a Longevity class from the local ElderCollege and is keen on incorporating the Ayurvedic herbs into his daily diet. This Thickalicious Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Green Smoothie With *Benefits is a mouthful, in more ways than one.  Like my othersmoothies, this contains rolled oats to sustain him from hunger pangs on the trip, chia seed to give him great bursts of energy and perseverence, pineapple, banana, dates and coconut for that smacking good taste (and all those phyto-nutrients), and  ashwagandha and turmeric for the Ayurvedic *benefits: improved immune system, brain power, longevity!

Layer the following in a blender carafe (you might want to do two half-batches if you have a regular blender):

• 2 C. Frozen Pineapple chunks (or Fresh)
• 1 C. Rolled Oats (buy Gluten-Free if you are coeliac or sensitive to wheat / gluten)(Presoak in 1 C.of Water if you have the time)
• 1 Banana in chunks (Frozen is great)
• 6 Pitted Dates (I used Medjool but use what you like / can find)
• 1 T. Chia Seed ground in Coffee Grinder or 2 T. Chia Seed Gel http://techygran.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Make-Chia-Seed-Gel-and-How-To-Use-It
• 1/4 C. Coconut Shreds
• 1 tsp. Ashwagandha mixed with 3 T.*Coconut Sugar or 1 packet of stevia
• 1 tsp. Turmeric
• Large handful Tender Greens of Choice
• 1 C. Filtered Water, or as much as you wish.  Letting the contents of the Carafe sit for about 15-30 minutes is a good idea for the chia (chia gel) and the oats.. makes digestion easier.

Whirl up and drink right away!  You are going to feel satisfied and won't be given to the usual cravings, probably right up until lunch time!

Raspberry-Mango Superfood Smoothie

Raspberry-Mango Superfood Smoothie

Today's Raspberry-Mango Superfood Smoothie is an attempt to gain back some of the sunshine and soul of summer that seems to have washed away with these last several days (weeks?) of rain.

Yes, I know, and I AM grateful to be living on this paradise Island (Vancouver Island) where winters are rainy but also MILD.  I am happy to be married to a wonderful man, to be blessed with a roof over my head, food to eat, a car to drive, friends, loving children and grandchildren.  

But a lotta raining can bring on the blues...

So that is why today's Smoothie is a mix of summer-y tang and sweetness, bright colors, and Superfoods -- herbs that have been granted that title because of the superlative job they do of energizing, healing, protecting and balancing our body systems.  

To achieve this whimsical 'layered look' of a smoothie parfait, you must make two separate smoothies, each with the ability to hold its own place and not run into the other's space (although that is okay too.)   Mango is an emolient fruit that is great to use in any smoothie if you like one that doesn't separate out into its constituent parts before you get a chance to drink it!  Raspberries are watery little creatures and need the boost of something like CHIA seed, which is also emolient, but has extra superfood qualities as well!

THE MANGO LAYER

Put the following in the blender (I use Vitamix, but you should be able to do this in any blender... just take the time):

• 1 C. Organic Frozen Mango
• 1/2 tsp. Ashwagandha powder
• 1/2 tsp. Turmeric powder
• 1 Ripe Organic Banana
• 1 C. Nut Mylk

Spin it up and pour into 2 glasses about 1/2 way up the glass... (this glass is half full! hehe)

Rinse out the Carafe

THE RASPBERRY LAYER

Put the following in and spin up:

• 1 C. Organic Frozen Raspberries
• 1 tsp. Chia Seed  ground up in a coffee bean grinder
• 1 packet of Sweet Leaf Stevia (or a shot of Maple Syrup, Honey if you aren't worried)
• 1 C. Nut Mylk

Whirl it up.  Let it sit in the blender for a couple of minutes.  Pour gently over the Mango Layer.  Drink!

You should be able to find the Superfoods in a nearby health store.  If you cannot, you can learn more about them and purchase them online/div>

Chai Pumpkin-Spice Avo-Banana Smoothie

This is a significant birthday for my dear husband.  It is a "longevity" marker, and if I say that we have been married going on 45 years and married young, you likely can guess his age?  He has been taking a class from the local ElderCollege about Age Reversal with a focus on Ayurvedic (Indian) wellness and longevity.  So, we have re-introduced butter (as in "Ghee", clarified butter) into our was-vegan life, and lots of exotic herbs and spices (eg., Turmeric, Ashwagandha, etc.)  I thought that a sort of "chai" smoothie would be lovely for the morning smoothie (and he has a meeting, so it will give him a boost before he goes off to that and should keep him energetic, sharp as a tack, and not hungry until lunchtime).  Here it is (recipe for two people):

Put the following ingredients into a Vitamix, or in batches into a less workhouse blender:

1 ripe Avocado
2 C. non-dairy Mylk + Filtered Water (you decide how much of each)
2 frozen Bananas
3 T. Maple Syrup, or more to taste OR/AND 1 packet of Sweet Leaf Stevia (to taste)
2-3  tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 tsp. Turmeric Powder
1 tsp. Ashwagandha Powder
(A cup of icy chai tea might be a great addition-- I haven't tried that yet)

Blend until smooth and silky like a really great Pumpkin Pie custard!  If a spoon stands up in it and you would like it a little thinner, then add more Mylk or Water.

Click HERE to scroll other luscious Smoothie recipes containing Avocado

Thickalicious Very Berry Apple Green Smoothie with Ashwagandha

Today's smoothie is another thickalicious (substantial) Green Smoothie that will get you through the morning until lunchtime, while providing all the usual delightful ingredients: fruit, greens and "superfoods". The extra little goodies in this breakfast drink include oatmeal (yes!), the amazing Ayurvedic herb, *Ashwagandha (read more under the recipe) and the energy standby, Chia Seed. You will find it thick, maybe even chewy, but definitely tasty and nutritious... like a 'liquid muffin'. I am grateful to fellow smoothie blogger Katherine Natalia at Green Thickies.com who developed the oatmeal-green smoothie.

Put the following in your blender: (all at once in a high speed, maybe in divided batches for a reg. blender)

• 2 C. organic Frozen Mixed Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.)
• 1 C. organic Rolled Oats (buy Gluten-Free if you are coeliac or sensitive to wheat / gluten)
• 1 organic Apple, chopped, cored and seeded (if not organic, peeled)
• 1 large handful of tender Greens (I used mix salad greens that included baby romaine, kale, etc.)
• 6 pitted Dates (I used Medjool, but use what you like / can find)
• 1 T. Chia Seed ground in Coffee Bean Grinder OR 2 T. Chia Seed Gel
• 1 tsp. Ashwagandha powder
• 1 C. Filter Water, or as much as you wish.  Presoaking the Oats and Chia Seed is a good idea.

Whirl up and drink immediately.  You will be full, and should feel well and calm, unless of course you have a sensitivity or other issue.  Please remember to drink as much water as you know to drink over the course of the day... this is a high fibre drink.  Hydrating with a glass or two of lemon water (or just plain water) an hour before you start this smoothie is a great idea.

Now about the Ashwagandha... my husband has been taking a Longevity course (actually called "Age Reversal") at our local Elder College.  The course focused on the benefits of the Ayurveda (Indian) philosophy of wellness and health, and introduced Ayurvedic herbs (such as Turmeric) that have been used for centuries to good benefit in India, but which are just being "discovered" by Boomers everywhere.  

I have begun to incorporate some of these into smoothies, soups, etc.  The herb, Ashwagandha, has cognitive benefits -- enhances memory and improves brain function.  It has been shown to reduce stress, increase sports endurance, greatly diminish depression and anxiety, and relieve fatigue in those undergoing chemotherapy.  Current studies have been done, are being undertaken, and are awaiting replication, with the hope that Ashwagandha extracts will one day be a go-to prescription for healing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.  

The powder does NOT have a strong flavour so is easily tucked into a smoothie.  You can buy it bulk at health food stores, and perhaps some pharmacies.  Consult your health care provider before adding it into your diet.   The literature my husband reviewed in the class suggested that a teaspoon per person per day was an adequate supplement, so don't go overboard with it.  You may experience drowsiness, so if you are driving, etc., please don't take it until you are based somewhere for a period of time.