Smoothie Round-up

Meredith is here talking smoothies today. And this is wonderful news for ladies who wonder how Meredith's skin looks so amazing. NO it's not photoshopped; I see her in person quite often and her skin just glows and is free of blemishes. I used to say "oh she's just young!" But, well, truth be told she's not all that "young" anymore {sorry Meredith}!

So take a look - what DOES she sip on all day - magic potion? 

Meredith: Hello! Sorry it has been so long. Always on the move, with many exciting things in the air, but PUREmamas is always my favorite place to be 🙂 

Sooo… now we're back on the smoothie wagon! 

Although we encourage drinking smoothies year round- sometimes it just seems really counter intuitive. Like winter in Maine!! Go with your- gut on this subject. Embrace intuitive eating.  Summer is the perfect time for smoothies. Especially when you have more fresh produce than you know what to do with. 

Two chapters in my book Everyday Raw Detox  focus on smoothies. The first is fruit. The second is green. 

I'm excited to share several amazing recipes with you! 

Blended Fruit Tonics 

Let's talk fruit. 

I could talk to you about fruit juice, but the truth is the fiber and quality of a smoothie is often more sustainable - and helps keep your blood sugar in check. If you are going all fruit - I really encourage the smoothie over juice route. This will help the sugar from hitting your bloodstream like bam! Fruit has sugar right? Yes. It also has a wide array of antioxidants, nutrients and is incredibly hydrating - so I don't encourage avoiding it at all! Focus on berries that are lower in sugar, and use higher sugar fruits as accent flavors. 

I like to use herbs and spices in fruit smoothies to help balance the sugar. Cinnamon, cayenne, ginger, turmeric, etc. are all great for this. 

I'm including two recipes that are perfect for summer! Strawberries and blueberries. 

Sweet Immunity

This combination might sound odd, but it is absolutely delicious. It tastes almost like sweet and sour candy. This smoothie is packed with Vitamin C. The addition of a red bell pepper and cayenne make it high in capsaicin, which acts as a natural pain reliever and antibiotic. This smoothie is great for immunity and metabolism.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Drinks, smoothie

Cuisine American, Beverage, Detox, Raw Vegan

Servings 2 people

Equipment

• 1 Vitamix

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups strawberries
• 1 large red bell pepper juiced
• 1 large apple juiced
• 1 lemon juice
• 1 pinch cayenne

Instructions

 

• Blend all the ingredients until smooth.

Keyword fruit, raw vegan, smoothie

Blueberries and Cream 'Kefir'

Blueberries are one of the most loved and highest antioxidant plant foods. Their powers include improving memory and stabilizing the nervous system. They are also low in calories and sugar. The addition of probiotics gives this easy-to-love smoothie an extra digestive boost. This is a great smoothie for kids before school.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Course Breakfast, Protein Snack, smoothie, Snack

Cuisine American, Detox, vegan

Servings 2 people

Equipment

• 1 Vitamix

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 each banana
• 1 ½ cups nut milk or choice
• 2 each probiotic capsules

Instructions

 

• Blend all ingredients until really smooth!

Keyword green drink, raw vegan, smoothie

Blended Green Tonics 

The Green Smoothie is pretty much the Goddess of nutrition. Usually, more greens and fruit than you could possibly eat,  all blended up - and slightly predigested. The green smoothie is such super fuel!!! The combination of fruit and greens truly gives you all the colors of the rainbow. 

When making smoothies, I really encourage you to throw a handful of spinach in or a few pieces of kale. This creates a more balanced "meal". 

Pear-licious

This is one of my favorite green drinks. It is extremely cleansing and rich in beneficial healthy fat. I love pears, and they have less sugar than richer tropical fruits. This combination is delicate and the flavor is refined. With-out the Vitamineral Green, it would make a great summer soup.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Drinks, smoothie, Snack

Cuisine American, Beverage, Detox, Raw Vegan

Servings 2 people

Equipment

• 1 Vitamix

Ingredients

  

• 1 pear peeled, cubed
• 1 avocado peeled
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 tablespoon coconut butter
• 1 ½ cups coconut water or nut milk or choice
• 1 tablespoon Vitamineral Greens
• 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions

 

• Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Keyword avocado, Detox, fruit, green drink, greens, raw vegan

I try not to combine too many different things. The one qualm I have with the "superfood" smoothie is that there are too many ingredients-  your body doesn't know what to do with all of that, and you end up feeling bloated and gross. A green smoothie doesn't have to be a muddy mess of flavors. Make sure to use common sense and mix things that taste good together!!! 

Both of these recipes are low in sugar- and really balance in both flavor and nutrition so they keep you satisfied! 

Clean and Lean

The melding of fennel and grapefruit is classic. Fennel has a unique combination of phytonutrients and antioxidants, giving it powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits. Fennel also aids in digestion and other stomach ailments. Fennel and grapefruit are both rich in vitamin C and beneficial to weight loss.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Breakfast, Drinks, Snack

Cuisine American, Beverage, Detox, Raw Vegan

Servings 2 people

Equipment

• 1 Vitamix

Ingredients

  

• ½ bulb fennel chopped
• ½ grapefruit peeled
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint chopped
• 2 cups water or coconut water
• 1 date pitted
• 1 pinch sea salt
• ½ avocado peeled

Instructions

 

• Blend all ingredients except avocado until smooth. Add avocado and blend until creamy. Serve chilled.

Keyword Cleanse, Detox, fruit, green drink, greens, raw vegan, smoothie

As always- make sure to relax, savor and enjoy!! 

p.s. all images are courtesy of Adrian Mueller - photographs from my book.  

xx 

M