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.
