Smoothie Recipe of the Week: Savoury Chilled Long English Smoothie

This is one of those delicious suppertime smoothies (also known as a 'blended salad') that is both warming and refreshing, light but filling. Long English cucumbers might be a little pricier than regular cukes, but we sometimes find them in the 'discount cart' at our favorite health market.  The best place to find them is in your own garden of course!  Good for you if you grow them!

Put the following in your blender and whirl up smooth:
2 long English Cucumbers, peeled, in 3" pieces
Large handful of fresh Dill or 2 T. dried Dill
2 cloves organic Garlic
1 organic Lemon, peeled and seeded
1 T. organic Olive Oil
1 T. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 T. Raw Honey
1 Green Pepper, chopped and seeded (Optional)
Celtic Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
Filtered Water to thin as desired
Serve in 2 Tall Glasses

Enjoy!
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Smoothie of the Week: ABC Smoothie

I was with a group of people last week talking about refreshments we would serve after a presentation we were hosting. We wanted the said refreshments to reflect upon our support for healthy living, so out went coffee, Black Forest cheese cake, and the like.

 Someone suggested fruit trays. Another pointed out that people get as much of a glycemic surge with several pieces of fruit as they do with a cookie.

It got me thinking about fruity smoothies... and today's recipe is for a smoothie that is sweet, without being cloying, but made with blackberries and mostly greens. There is no banana-- just an apple and an avocado. It is smooth, flavourful, and creamy delicious... isn't that what one wants in a smoothie? Oh yes, and extrememly healthy!


Put the following in the carafe of a Vitamix and whirl up together until smooth and creamy:

• 2 C. frozen organic Blackberries (or other low glycemic berries)
• 1 handful fresh organic Cilantro
• 1 small, very ripe Avocado
• 1 4" piece of fresh Aloe Vera (if you have it- and peel off/discard the outer layer of skin)
• 1 small organic Apple, cored
• Stevia to taste (if desired)

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: Orchid Green Tropical Smoothie

                    

Orchid Green Tropical Smoothie

 Today's breakfast smoothie (although it would taste just as sensational any other time of day) is one that I would never have drunk back in my macrobiotic cooking days-- the fruits would have been deemed "tropical" and out of my geographical availability, therefore, not healthy (?)-- and I suppose my 100-mile diet would also frown upon these fruits from far, far away-- but it is delicious, and organic (except for the pineapple) and has a special ingredient that makes it super-digestible.

That ingredient is about 2 C. of homemade kefir.  Harold Tieze at Kefir, Yogurt for Life, if you are someone who thinks of using 'drugs' to heal, then kefir is one powerful drug.  But of course, it is not a drug, but a lactic acid fermented food.  Kefir restores healthy flora to the digestive system.  If you want to read of the wide list of amazing things kefir can do, go back to the link above.  If you want to buy kefir "grains", you can likely find them in a health or whole food store.  Kefir to me smells a little reminiscent of butter milk (which I loved).  When I add it to smoothies I have an almost instant feeling of balance.

Here is that smoothie recipe:
Add the following to your blender carafe and blend until creamy smooth:

• 1 handful fresh organic Cilantro
• 2-3 C. diced chopped Pineapple
• 2 frozen organic Bananas
• 1/2- 1 C. organic shredded Coconut
• 2 C. water or dairy Kefir

To your better and better health, ~Cynthia

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: Dragon-Time (Choco-Banana) Smoothie

Healthy Dragon-Time Smoothie   Image: Pixabay

*3 very very ripe organic bananas (peeled and frozen in a baggie)
*1 Tablespoon organic dark hot chocolate mix (I use Fair Trade Cocoa Camino)
*1 Rounded Tablespoon Almond Butter OR/AND 1 Tablespoon Virgin Coconut Oil
*1 Cup cold almond or hemp milk
*Hemp seeds for topping/garnish Read more about the health benefits of hemp seed HERE.

Whirr the above ingredients (except for hemp seeds) together until smooth and eat contemplatively with a spoon. Double the recipe if your partner would like to join you. This smoothie was designed for comfort and harmony during the Dragon times of the month. Enjoy!


This smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions.

Smoothie of the Week: Cherry-Choco-Banana-Berry-licious Smoothie

Today's smoothie is super-delicious and full of super antioxidant zing....  I ordinarily don't use processed juices in my smoothies, just as I don't often (maybe once or twice a year) use dairy yogurt.  This is definitely on the "treat" list-- maybe a smoothie to serve when your mother-in-law is visiting?  As I have said before, if it is too difficult to digest, be sure to take your full-spectrum enzymes before, during or after you drink the smoothie.  Enjoy!

1/2 C. organic baby spinach
1/2 cup fresh Almond milk (10 soaked almonds & water in blender)
1/2 cup cherry- pomegranate juice (or one or the other)
1 tablespoon Free-Trade organic cocoa powder, not Dutch processed
1 cup frozen cherries
1 banana
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons chia gel (1/4 C. chia seeds in 1 qt. water)


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: Carrot- Apple Green Smoothie

Carrots and apples are a great sweet, fresh combo that measure up against bugs going around this time of the year-- and parsley is a boon for anyone with 'iron deficiency'.  Some people may find this a  little hard to digest.  In that case, be sure to take your enzymes somewhere in the process (before, during and immediately after drinking the smoothie).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh-juiced apple juice (or regular organic apple juice if necessary)
• 1 cup of sliced apple (Pink Ladies are a winner for this smoothie!)
• 1/4 cup raw applesauce (a cored apple chopped into the blender)
• 1/2 cup fresh organic chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup of fresh organic Parsley
• 2 cups of ice
• Blend this vegetable smoothie until smooth. 
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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: Sweet Beet Smoothie

I've been dehydrating beets this week... tediously slicing and then when they are dry, grinding up the chips in a wee coffee grinder (don't get me wrong, I like doing everything the hard way lol). So now I have a fair amount of 'beet powder'. I know about the idea for instant borsch, and it's a good one, but I also thought of what I could do to augment smoothies with beet powder. Here is the delicious result of that pondering:

Combine the following in your Vitamix carafe:

• 2 T. Organic "Raw" Beet Powder (dehydrated beets at less than 115 degrees) OR 2 C. cooked beets
• 4 C. filtered Water
• 1 Banana
• 2 Lg. Handfuls of Kale leaves
• 1 Braeburn Apple, cored
• 1-2 T. "raw" Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Blend until smooth and yummy!  The beet fibre will stimulate your body's production of glutathione-S-transferase, an enzyme that speeds the liver's removal of fat-trapping toxins.  

The phytonutrient betaine in beets will soothe chronic inflammation and will also suppress the output of the belly fat-storing stress hormone, cortisol.  

The apple cider vinegar's acetic acid switches on genes that are key to creating fatty acid oxidation enzymes.  These enzymes block the storage of incoming dietary fat and break down and eliminate almost 10% of existing stored body fat.  You might want to try the "Apple Cider Vinegar" diet as a result of having enjoyed this delicious smoothie... go here to read more.

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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 appreciate your feedback... please use the comment box below. ~Cynthia

Smoothie of the Week: Light and Green Smoothie

This nutritious and refreshing smoothie is dedicated to all those readers who live in places where the humidity is so high that they hardly have enough energy to think, let alone plan a nutritious meal.  This would make a terrific lunch– all on its healthy little own!
Per person, blend together in the blender:

• 1 large peeled organic cucumber
• 2 ripe kiwi (also peeled)
• 1/2 organic apple, peeled, cored, seeds removed

This is so refreshing and tasty– finally, a salad the kids will love!

This smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions.
  To your better and better health, ~Cynthia

Smoothie of the Week: Coconut-Peach Punch

Peach Smoothie @pixabay

This is my absolute favourite green smoothie in a long time.  If you are new to the 'green' in a green smoothie, you might be surprised by the ingredients... but keep your mind open... I think you'll be surprised!  It's fair to preface the recipe with a few other ideosyncratic details of my own: I freeze all my fresh fruit and berries and then I don't have to use ice cubes.  Sometimes I will throw in unfrozen, fresh off the vine fruits, but quite often not.  The peaches in this recipe were peeled by hand (they were that ripe) and sliced and put into a medium freezer baggie (I also really like to use mason jars in the freezer, but more for berries).  I hack about 1/8 of the resulting block off-- maybe a couple of peaches.  We'll go with that.

All smoothie recipes have a "you-decide" quality-- you can decide if you want more or less or different ingredients!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 peaches, cut in sections (no pit)
• 4-6 ribs of celery, including leaves
• 2-3 frozen bananas
• 1 coconut, water and meat (or a small container of coconut water from the store)
• Water to the top of the blender container, or as much as you wish

Whirl up to heavenly smoothness.  Drink.  Enjoy!

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: Tutti-Frutti Orange Cream Smoothie

Orange Smoothie - from Pinterest

Oh yum, oh healthy yum-- here's my morning smoothie recipe today-- using the 'new' Superfoods, hemp and chia seed:

Tutti-Frutti Orange Creme Smoothie:
Put the following in your Vitamix or other strong blender:
*2 T. Hempseed Protein
*2 T. Chia seed Gel*
*Filtered Water to soak Protein
*1 Ripe Organic Banana
*5 Pitted Medjool Dates
*2 Organic Oranges, peeled & pipped
*2 T. unsweetened organic coconut flakes
*Small piece of organic orange peel (washed) (optional)
*1 very ripe Avocado (optional)
*1 small organic Apple, chopped and seeded
*Water (2-3 Cups or more-- as you like)

*Process and enjoy!!! This will satisfy your hunger and thirst, provide you with ample fibre, protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and assorted whole food vitamin and minerals... for added minerals you could add a 1/4 teaspoon of kelp flakes.

*to make Chiaseed Gel, place 1/4 Cup of whole chiaseeds 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 smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions.

Smoothie of the Week: Lemon-Blueberry Bliss

        

This smoothie is so tasty and SOOO healthy-- I was looking for something with a little zing (lemons!), antioxidants (blueberries!), energy, protein, and omega3s ('new superfoods':hempseed protein and chia seeds!), but also sweet (stevia drops!). 

This is a winning, thirst-quenching, energy-building, good-feeling-making smoothie. You can add other ingredients if you don't have the ones that I used (eg.,flaxseed for chia seeds) but I would really suggest you try this one if you have the means....

Add to the canister of the blender (I use a VitaMix) the following:
~1-2 Cups Frozen Wild or Organic Blueberries
~1/2 Cup Hempseed Protein
~1/4 Cup Chia Seed Gel*
~1/4 Cup to 1 Cup Fresh squeezed Organic Lemon Juice
~Filtered Water to blend (as much as required) & Stevia drops to sweeten (I used about 1/2 teaspoon)
~1 packet of Stevia sweetener (or sweetener to taste) (optional)
Blend up and drink up and enjoy!

*to make Chiaseed Gel, place 1/4 Cup of whole chiaseeds 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.

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This smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions. 

 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!

Smoothie of the Week: The Ultimate Runners' Smoothies

A while back VitaMix Corporation sponsored a couple of Ultra Marathoners to run across America as their contribution to finding more solutions around the burgeoning epidemic of childhood obesity across America and the world. VitaMix was right there with them (I'm thinking in a camper that doesn't exude too much exhaust-- maybe a hybrid?). The runners, Charlie Engle and Marshall Ulrich, needed massive amounts of calories and nutrients to fuel them each 70-mile day. I don't have access to the soup recipes etc., that they were fed, but the smoothies looked like lacto-vegetarian fare. I changed them up a little to reflect the preferences of the veggie athletes I hang with/know. Skøl!

Banana Apple Oatmeal Smoothie

1 ½ cups freshly-made raw almond milk
¼ cup oats
1 banana
1 apple, quartered
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup vanilla yogurt OR 1/4 C. Chia Gel*
¼ cup almonds
3 cups ice
Yield: 2 (3 cup) servings


Almond Butter Chocolate Banana Smoothie

1 banana
1 ½ cups fresh-made raw almond milk
2 tablespoons almond butter
2 tablespoons raw cacao syrup
1 scoop Hempseed protein powder

Green Protein Smoothie

1 ½ cups pineapple juice
1 banana
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1 scoop Hempseed protein powder
2 cups ice
Yield: 4 ½ cups (1-1.5 servings)

Banana Split Power Smoothie

2 cups plain yogurt
½ banana
1 cup strawberries, frozen or fresh
1 ½ cups pineapple, frozen, fresh, or canned
Note: If using fresh or canned fruit, add 1-2 cups
of ice before blending
Yield: 1 (3 ½ cup) serving

Recipe Instructions:


1. Place ingredients in the Vita Mix container in order
listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable #1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase to Variable #10,
then to High.
4. Blend for 45 seconds. Serve immediately

*to make Chiaseed Gel, place 1/4 Cup of whole chiaseeds 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 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