Thickalicious Christmas Cake Smoothie

Thickalicious Christmas Cake Smoothie

This Thickalicious take-off on a Christmas Cake as a smoothie
When designing this 'cake' smoothie, I wanted to get the essential flavour "idea" of Christmas cake but without having to expand the recipe to include all the not-so-healthy ingredients you might find in a typical Christmas cake (and I'm not referring to the commercial ones).  There is NO butter, so you don't have to worry about that... in fact, like all of the Christmas smoothies, this one is also vegan which means no yogurt either, or other dairy products.  Of course, if you are not vegetarian, you can go ahead and put in whatever you like from the animal by-product arena.  I'm hoping that the almond milk and the oatmeal carry the mouth-appeal for all the fats-- milk, butter, eggs-- in this smoothie.

I also have skipped most the rum or brandy and the raisins and/or currants.  Instead I'm using frozen  seedless grapes and I believe that these little gems do the trick as a much healthier, tastier sub.  Along with the grapes, the dates provide wholesome sweetness (I also added a packet of Sweet Leaf stevia, and you can opt for more sweetener of your choice, or just stick with the dates).  Too, I kept the spices to a minimum, using a small amount of nutmeg and a more pronounced portion of cinnamon.

I like it-- it satisfies my Christmas Cake urges in a more satisfactory way, and I don't have to start putting it together in October! (I vaguely remember that regimen from my long-ago Trudy Traditional days).

Thickalicious Christmas Cake Smoothie (serves 2)
Put the following in your blender carafe and whirl up:

• 1/2 C. Rolled Oats (Gluten-Free if preferred)
• 1/4 tsp. ground Nutmeg
• 1 tsp.   ground Cinnamon
• 9 pitted Dates (or more if desired)
• 1 C. Frozen Seedless Grapes
• 2. C. Almond Milk (or 1 C. Almond Milk and 1 C. Water)
• 1 pkt. Sweet Leaf Stevia powder (or sweetener of choice and how much you want-- optional)

Try these other Christmas Smoothies too!

Cranberry-Apple, Green Grape and Chia Christmas Smoothie

Cranberry Lassi with Coconut Milk, Cumin, Chia and Ginger Smoothie

Mandaringo-Ginger Smoothie

Luscious Eggless Nog Smoothie

Sweet Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Chocolate-Mint Smoothie

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!

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.

Smoothie of the Week: Dates With A Sweetie

 Dates with a Sweetie:

I couldn't help being a little silly with today's smoothie title... this is by far the sweetest little smoothie I've ever made... sweet and smmmooooth!

Put the following in your Vitamix cannister:

• 1/2 Bunch (large handful) organic Cilantro
• 1-2 C. Fresh Pineapple Chunks
• 4 Medjool Dates, pitted
• 1 C. Frozen organic Berries (I used Blackberries)
• Water from a Young Thai Coconut
• 1/2 ripe Avocado flesh
• 2 T. ground organic Flaxseed
• Filtered Water to amount desired (I fill the cannister)

To your better and better health! 

--Cynthia

Smoothie of the Week: Pumpkin Howl

courtesy of JillWellington at Pixaby

Pumpkin Howl is just a real scary name for a delectable 'pumpkin pie' type smoothie. I think you'll love it:

Put the following in your blender canister:

• Meat and Liquid from one Young Thai Coconut (or 12 oz of Coconut Water)
• 1/2 C. of canned Organic pumpkin puree
• 4 soaked dates (pit removed) or Stevia to taste or Maple Syrup to taste
• Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon or as desired)

(makes enough for two adult portions)  

Bwahahahahahah