Thickalicious Exotic Tropical Green Smoothie With Cardamom

Today's lovely Thickalicious Exotic Tropical Green Smoothie is fragrant, sweet, delicious and packed with a ton of nutritional benefits.  The mango, pineapple, and banana are all fruits with endorsed health recognition, as well as the delightful flavour that you expect from yummy tropical fruits.  I use organic frozen fruit from Costco.  A half-cup of pineapple from a huge bag goes a long way and makes smoothies for two adults in our house, so don't be freaked out the initial output of $$.  Believe me, buying organic is worth it if you don't have access to local unsprayed products (many organic growers choose not to pay the rather exorbitant cost of registering their operations, but will advertise as 'unsprayed', etc.  If you shop at the 'farmgate' or a farmer's market, you can ask all about how they grow their fruits and veggies).  

I'm pretty sure you will also love the other items in this smoothie: the chia seed is one of the highest sources of balanced Omega-3 essential fatty acid (meaning that it is not overpowered by Omega-6, a not-so-useful fatty acid, very plentiful) which is great for hearts and brains of all family members, and provides good energy, as seeds often do, packed as they are with everything a plant needs to grow.

   Turmeric is used in a lot of our food prep these days since my husband took a longevity class at the local Elder College and learned about ayurvedic herbs, like turmeric.  Besides a whole list of impressive benefits, turmeric is a mild digestive, always nice to have when you are eating a variety of foods like a smoothie contains.  

Today's 'new' smoothie addition is the cardamom pod-- $150/k at our local health food store, so we didn't buy much (and it is light-weight).  You can read a little about it on the sidebar.  

And of course, the lovely sweetening coconut shards and the rolled oats that get imbibers of Thickalicious smoothies through from breakfast to lunch without cravings!

METHOD:

Layer the following in your blender:

• 1/2 C. organic Rolled Oats
• 1 T. Chia Seed (ground with Cardamom in a Coffee Bean Grinder)
• 5-6 organic Green Cardamom pods (ground with Chia in a Coffee Bean Grinder)
• 1 tsp. Turmeric
• 1 C. Coconut Shreds (organic, unsweetened preferred)
• 1/2 C. Frozen Organic Mango
• 1 organic Banana, ripe, chunked
• 1/2 C. Frozen  Pineapple
• 1-2 Handfuls of Tender Green (what makes it a Green Smoothie)
• 2-? C. of Filtered Water
• small packet of Sweet Leaf Stevia or other sweetener of choice (optional)

Let it sit in the carafe for a few minutes just to allow some soaking by the seeds and oats.  Then whirl up and enjoy!

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!

Tropical Green Smoothie with a Touch of the Ayurvedic

My dear husband is a great fan of (1)alternative healing methods and (2)the Comox Valley ElderCollege.  So, ever since he enrolled in a course in *Aging Reversal that looked closely at the philosophy of healing and wellness, he has been giving mini-lectures throughout the day at home and has stocked us up on some Ayurvedic herbs that we are incorporating into our eating. We are also imbibing a daily teaspoon each of Ghee, the wonderful clarified butter, which rather destroys my claim to be vegan, but there ya go-- I'm ever so submissive a wife (not).   Anyhow, there will be a few smoothie recipes to come that will contain various Ayurvedic herbs, or as David Wolfe, raw foodie guru would have it "SUPERfoods".  Today's Tropical Green Smoothie contains Turmeric (Ayurvedic) and Astragalus (Chinese)

Turmeric: Sometimes referred to as "the Indian Saffron" for the bright yellow colour that imparts warmth and earthiness to many familiar Indian curries, Turmeric is a current star in the Celebrity Health Wiz-dom Firmament of Dr. Oz et al.  Curcumin is the active ingredient in Turmeric, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.  And since many believe that low-grade inflammation is the basis of most Western disease, a good consideration of Turmeric is in order since it is seen to fight inflammation at a molecular level.  Turmeric also has other wonderful attributes: it is linked to improved brain function and to a decrease in the brain diseases that we fear most as we age: dementia, Alzheimers, brain tumors.  Apparently Turmeric is most effective if taken with a 'fatty meal' (I guess that is where the ghee comes in?) and black pepper-- swallowing a couple of black peppercorns whole when eating Turmeric is suggested.  hmmm...

Astragalus is an herb used in Chinese Traditional Medicine.  Among other things, it is said to regulate the immune system, and is used for kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

You can do your own research, with the recommendation that you discuss taking any "medicines"-- alternative or otherwise-- with a trusted health and wellness person.  In Courtenay we have several: as well as physicians and other allopathic medical personnel, there are well-regarded naturopaths, and was at one time even a much-esteemed, albeit controversial, compounding pharmacist and traditional herbalist who was well aware of herbs and "supplements" and many other aspects of natural and orthodox western health provision.

Here is the recipe for today's delicious Tropical Green Smoothie with a Touch of the Ayurvedic:
Whirl the following up in a high speed blender, or in smaller batches in a regular blender for 2-4 servings:

• 1 C. Frozen Organic Mango Slices (Costco)
• 1 C. Frozen Pineapple (Costco) (or may by all means use fresh pineapple)
• 1 ripe, Organic Banana (riper the better for digestion, flavour, and texture)
• 4 C. of Tender Greens such as organic Baby Spring Greens, Chard, or Romaine.  If you are a long-timer at Green Smoothies, add in Cilantro, Parsley, etc.  
• 1 tsp. Turmeric
• 1 tsp. Astragalus
• 1-serving envelope of Stevia if you like your smoothies a little sweeter
• Filtered Water (2 - 4 cups)

This is a tasty, refreshing, and uplifting way to start the day!  Mango is particularly great in a smoothie because it is a natural emulsifier and the smoothie doesn't separate into water and veggies/fruit if you leave it sit in the fridge for a bit.  This is best ingested right after it is spun up.  You who think it is repulsive to look at and think you will gag if you try it, well, use a few less greens to start with and just savour the lovely reviving fruity flavours.  Romaine Lettuce has the benefit of being a watery green with no significant flavour when mixed with fruit, so is a great starter green.  Some greens (spinach and kale, for example) are favorites in the green smoothie crowd, but there is some suggestion that they might not be so friendly to the thyroid and are best used if they have been steamed or cooked (can't see that in a raw smoothie, can you?)  So, romaine is a good green to go with.  Bonne appetit!

*AGING REVERSAL – AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH  (6 Weeks)
Presenter: Kasandra Manering CVEC 5700
Thurs. Oct. 9 – Nov. 13 8:30 – 10:00
Our skin, liver, the cornea of our eyes, in fact nearly all of our body, is constantly    being rebuilt. Most of our body is less thantwo years old. Why and how do we age? Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old wellness system, has some novel answers – not only as to why we age but what we may choose to do about   it. This introductory course is full of practical, enjoyable options that you may choose to incorporate into your daily routine.< ~taken from the Comox Valley Elder College Newsletter for the Autumn 2014 p.5 of Course Outlines

Thyroid-Happy Mango-Banana-Coconut-Green Smoothie

The ingredients used in this smoothie are meant to be kind to all thyroids, especially those thyroids that have been damaged by repeated consumption of goitrogenic foods, assaulted by environmental chemicals, and the rest of the list that can severely disable this little butterfly-shaped organ that is so keenly important to our body's energetic system.

INGREDIENTS:

* 1/2 to 1 C. of very ripe Mango (I used frozen organic mango purchased from Costco)
*1 ripe Banana, chunks
*shake of Coconut Shreds (unsweetened, but they do lend sweetness to this smoothie)
*Large handful of greens (I used fresh Leaf Lettuce, Cilantro, Parsley and a couple of Baby Grape Leaves) (Avoid goitrogenic greens such as Kale and Spinach)
*Filtered Water (1 - 2 Cups, you decide how thick and how much you want)
*1/4 - 1/2 Avocado Flesh (Optional)
*1/4 C. Raw Pumpkin Seeds (Optional) (do not use if you already take a 200 mcg Selenium tablet)

METHOD:
Put all of the above into your high speed blender, or divide in half for a less speedy blender and do in two batches.  Relax and enjoy!

Other Thyroid-Happy Smoothies on Smoothie Moves

Mango-Cilantro Anti-Candida Smoothie

 

It is New Year's Eve and I am eating and drinking delicately today after having "overdone" the sugar and fats during the holiday proper. If you are looking for a divinely satisfying smoothie that is also very soothing and healthy, then you can not go wrong with this Mango-Cilantro green smoothie.

This smoothie has only four ingredients (feel free to add and subtract as you see fit, of course).  I don't think it is necessary to dictate actual proportions, but for the two of us to have a large glassful each (10-12 oz) I used about:

1. a handful of frozen fruit and 
2. about 16 oz. of water. 
3. My husband added in Astragulas to his-- I am a little more sensitive to the added 'flavours' that some of the power herbs bring to the smoothie, even though I know that astragulas probably makes up for its astringent details with vast health benefits.  Make this smoothie fit for you!

• Mango is a 'digestive' tropical fruit that contains antioxidants that are said to prevent several forms of cancer; it is alkalanyzing AND has the right amount of fibre, Vitamin C and pectin to lower Low-density Lipoprotein (the 'bad' cholesterol).  Along with pineapple and pectin, mango is considered a candida-fighting fruit.  And maybe you thought Mango was just one of those delicious tropical 'frill fruits' with nothing much to offer but yummy taste and texture? I used Moov frozen organic chunks that our son picked up at Costco-- you can see Mango's excellent nutrition profile right here:

• Cilantro is sometimes called "Chinese Parsley".  It is used a lot in Mexican dishes.  For me it imparts a delectable fresh lemony flavour, but some folks (with maybe "a genetic response") can find its smell and taste to be quite repulsive.  I feel blessed to love the taste, because Cilantro is a natural chelator, grabbing on to certain heavy metals (like the residuals of mercury fillings, etc) and getting them out of your body.  If you can't stand cilantro, then use another green like regular parsley or celery.  (I use a large handful of organic cilantro greens in my smoothie).
• Tumeric -- the trendy root from the East.  Shake in about a teaspoon full or more.  You might detect a bit of an earthy flavour, but otherwise it is pretty neutral tasting and full of benefits: there are lots of indicators that it is useful to stopping the spread of cancer; it's an anti-inflammatory; and a pile of other wonderful assets.  Read more about it here  
• Water

• Ginger Peach Anti-Candida Smoothie Recipe

Aloe Vera Smoothie

I originally had an aloe vera smoothie video here that demonstrated a recipe using (wild?) aloe vera and suggesting that a leaf of potted aloe vera, peeled, could be used instead.  The recipe in the video used citrus fruit (orange, lemon, lime), berries (goji) and mango, but there are quite a few variations that you can follow. 

 Today I am using 1 C. frozen blueberries, an apple (minus the core), and the aloe vera with about 4 cups of water in my Vitamix.  The benefits are listed below-- I'm using it for some breathing issues that I have for which a small study has shown some possible benefits (asthma) but it is a general all-round healthful green.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA

*immune regulator: helps to restore the body to balance after illness
*soothes and heals eczema and burns
*healing to ulcers in the digestive tract
*contains protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, B12 and E, essential fatty acids and is naturally rich in Vitamin C, amino acids, enzymes, germanium (a mineral that may help with cardiac disorders)
*is laxative and an excellent cleanse. However, if you experience any cramping or diarrhea, stop use.

*Contraindications: Do not use aloe vera if you are taking the following medications: oral corticosteroids, such as beclomethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone-- this misuse of aloe vera may lead to developing a potassium deficiency and experiencing of other toxic effects from the medication.  Please check with a pharmacist or your doctor re your own medications not listed above.