Mango Coconut Chai Smoothie

Mango-Coconut-Chai Smoothie

This lovely bright yellow (thanks to the superfood, turmeric) Mango Coconut Chai Smoothie is just the thing if you are looking for a bit of sunshine in a gloomy morning-- or even a way to celebrate a gloriously sunny morning!  And, of course, this is a super-healthy smoothie!  The phytochemicals and vitamins in the fruits, the medium-chain essential acids in the coconut, and the antioxidants in the spicy chai add up to a powerful start to your day!  It doesn't hurt, either, that this smoothie is one of the most delicious ones you'll ever drink!

Chai tea is an ayurvedic drink traditionally made with milk (vegan milks work fine) and some combination of black, oolong, or green tea, ginger, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and/or fennel.  At the very least, chai is found to be a great drink for the digestion, and recently scientific research is suggesting that chai is high in antioxidants and as such, is offering yet another tasty, healthy preventative for cancer.*

If you are planning to try this smoothie in the morning, pop an ice cube tray of cooled chai tea into your freezer to freeze overnight.  You can also just opt to use individual herbs, such as fresh-grated ginger and a couple of cloves ground up in your coffee bean grinder.  You might even just try 1 - 3 drops of a therapeutic essential oil, such as cinnamon bark, clove or cardamom. (Caution: use only oils that are designated safe for human consumption, that have not been processed to include harmful solvents and other chemicals, and that do not contain the disclaimer that they are only for "external use".)

METHOD:

Put the following into the carafe of your blender:

• 1 Banana, chunked
• 1 C. Frozen Mango
• 1/2 C. Coconut Shreds (unsweetened)
• 1 tsp. Turmeric powder
• 3-4 Chai Tea Ice Cubes, or desired Chai herbs and spices as mentioned above
• 2 - 4 C. Coconut Dream or other vegan mylk
• 1 packet "Sweet Leaf" or other natural sweetener (optional)

Spin up and enjoy your healthy, sparky start to the day!

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>