Blackberry-Fig-Avocado Smoothie-- Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Ambrosia

 You know that I don't like to boast about all the fruit we are harvesting in our yard... you do know that, right?  Well, please forgive me today... I just can't help it... and I can't take the credit either, of course... that belongs to God!

Last year our son, the veggie farmer, looked over the pathetic little fig tree, the one that seemed to be 'cursed' (read Mark 11:13-14) and went about laying down some necessary lime and other minerals.  He said, "Watch it-- it will take off for you!" and, behold, he was right on.. this year the fig tree that had never treated us to more than 1 or maybe 2 fruits in the previous 6 years, suddenly produced a minor boom crop this year.  These are Green Figs, so while they look less ripe than Brown Figs, they are soft, and sweetly delicious.  My husband adores figs-- you might say he is a Fig Pig-- so I am also very happy that he gets to harvest and eat them before he goes out onto the North Coast Trail hike with his friend Brian in a few days. (He would have been so disappointed had he missed the ripe figs while on the hike).

So juicy sweet!

Okay, on with the Smoothie Recipe: (for about 20 oz. of Smoothie)

Combine the following in a high-speed blender (or other blender, in two batches):

• 3 ripe, juicy Figs (minus the tough stems)
• 1 C. Blackberries (I used frozen ones for the ice appeal)(Regular Raspberries would also be delish!)
• 1/2 ripe, soft Avocado flesh
• 1 C. Nut Mylk (as you can see, I opted for ready-made Almond Breeze-- use what you like)
• Water as desired (I like to bulk mine up with water-- so hydrating)

Thoroughly enjoy this Smoothie by God*

Persons with Type 2 Diabetes who are trying to eat as healthy as possible from the Plant-based regimen will be happy to know that this is a body-friendly grouping of fruits, that, in season (do not eat the high glycemic dry figs and eat the fruit raw),  fresh and ripe, will just make you feel lovely in this smoothie!  Enjoy!
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Click HERE to scroll other luscious Smoothie recipes containing Avocado

Smoothie of the Week: Raw Caesar (Dressing)

Yes, Caesar Dressing is a kind of smoothie!  Image courtesy of ailinder at pixabay

Again, acting on the premise that ketchup is basically a smoothie, here is my favourite smoothie of the week: delicious raw Caesar dressing for a delish broccoli-caesar salad.  Besides giving the little fishes (anchovies) a break, this smoothie is full of vitamins, minerals, omegas and flavour.  It is magnificent in a salad made of raw veggies like broccoli, romaine, onion, cucumber, tomatoes and orange sweet pepper.  It is also yummy as a veggie dip. 

Combine the following in your high-speed blender (soak the seeds and dates if you have a regular blender):

3/4 C. organic, shelled, unsalted Sunflower Seeds
1/4 C. Nutritional Yeast  (ask at the Health Food Store)
1/4 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt
3 or more cloves Garlic
2 Lemons, peeled, seeded, and chopped
Freshly grated Black Pepper (to taste)
3 pitted Dates
2 large stalks Celery
1/2 C. Water
Optional: 1 tsp. of dried Sea Vegetable (I used Dulce) to simulate anchovies
Store in a glass jar with lid.

Smoothie of the Week: Blueberry Coconut-Chia Shake

When I wrote this blog, we were doing a 28-day cleanse with the Raw Food Rehab community and I had been enjoying using (and adapting) recipes from Penni Shelton's book, Raw Food Cleanse: Restore Health and Lose Weight by Eating Delicious, All Natural Foods--Instead of Starving Yourself. Today's recipe is an adaptation (the ice cubes are frozen blueberries for one thing) of  the Chia Coconut Custard Shake in the book.

  Generally, though, I just stick to Penni's recipes (i.e., don't adapt them) because they are so delicious.  She is a raw chef.  And, while we're talking about Penni, I'd like to point out that Raw Food Rehab was voted on "The Best of Raw" as the Best Raw Community at the time (April 2011).  I highly recommend joining a health-nutty community get-together like this for one of the many "challenges" you can find online.

  See your trusted health provider in advance and let them know about what you are considering, though, just to make sure you don't hook up with a group that is doing something really off-the-wall unhealthy (like 30 Days of Unlimited Wine Tasting, for example hahah).

This smoothie is soooo sweet and delectable.  Please note that using the chia seed gel (the chia seeds MUST be soaked for at least 15 minutes in one cup of filtered water-- thoroughly stirring 2-3X to encourage the gel process) lowers the glycemic rating of this sweet treat way down-- you might even feel like you are cheating, it's so sweety-pie sweet and tasty.

Add the following to your blender: 

• 2 Young Coconuts Meat and Water (or coconut water from the store)
• 2 T. Chia Seed Gel
• 1/2 C. Frozen Berries (I used blueberries)
• 1/4 C. Raw Honey (I actually used "Royal Jelly"--mmmm)
• 2 T. Vanilla Extract
• Pinch (however you define that) of: Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Celtic Sea Salt

Blend until smooth and creamy and e.n.j.o.y.

This smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions. If you found anything useful, intriguing, or have questions, I would really appreciate your feedback... please use the comment box below.To your better and better health, ~Cynthia

Smoothie of the Week: Blueberry Breakfast Bomb Green Smoothie (vegan)

This morning my breakfast smoothie was sooo fantastic-tasting that I thought I had better pass the recipe along before I forget:

Into the blender canister, add the following:

*1 large cup frozen organic Blueberries

*1/2 C. Chia Gel*

*2 scoops Vanilla protein powder (there are lots out there-- my husband buys Brendan Brazier's Vega brand)

*1 organic Banana (peeled of course)

*Large Handful of Fresh Parsley (leaves & stems)

*About 4 C. of Filtered Water (or 2 C. Water, 2 C. nut milk)

To make Chia seed Gel, place 1/4 Cup of whole chia seeds in a quart mason jar and add water to the top. Stir until the seeds are dispersed. Let absorb the water for at least 15- 20 minutes. Stir again. Put on lid and keep in the fridge to use with other recipes. Provides a high source of protein (4 gm in an ounce), fibre, calcium, magnesium, and more Omega3's than any other plant source, including flax seed. Use the "whole seeds" and not milled seeds. There is some indication that milled seeds lack the nutrients.

This is a 'green smoothie' but it turns out purple because of the blueberries (they are almost always the dominant color-maker). Position the 2-piece VitaMix lid securely and then start the VitaMix on low, increasing the speed gradually, and ending by flipping over into the highest speed until homogenized (about 1 1/2 minutes?). You can use a regular blender, but it will just take longer-- pulsing to break the stuff up helps. Enjoy!