After doing some research into foods that help one through
the spring allergy season, I got the idea for this cranberry-pineapple ‘meal in
a jar’. Tangy and sweet, this smoothie
is great for a quick breakfast or 3pm slump pick-me-up while being full of
immune-boosting quercetin (see the previous post for all the info).
It is basically the same ratio that I use for all my
smoothies, so is infinitely adaptable depending on your mood and larder. And don’t skip the fresh greens – you won’t
even taste them – though all green powders
are not created equally and some of those you definitely will taste. The one I used
includes stevia and apple flavor, and so adds some fruity sweetness even though
it darkens the color somewhat of the end result. If you are adventurous go with spirulina or
alfalfa powder as greener-tasting alternatives.
Cran-Pineapple Smoothie
Makes one quart
In the blender vessel, add:
- 1 cup frozen cranberries with no added sugar
- 1/3 can pineapple chunks and juice (from a 20oz can, about ½ c; canned in juice with no added sugar)
- 1 handful mixed baby greens (spinach, kale, chard, mesculun mix or lettuce)
- 1 scoop green powder (I used Garden of Life’s RAW Organic Green Superfood in Apple)
- 1 t flaxseeds (chia or hemp would work too)
- 1 t cold-pressed oil (I used flax)
Then pour in enough liquid to make up to the 3 cup line
in the blender (while all of the above is already in there). I used a combination of:
- a third of the pineapple juice from the can
- ~ 2 c coconut water, and
- tap water to make up the remainder
Other good options for the liquid are more pineapple
juice, other fruit juice such as apple or cranberry, or just go with straight tap
water. If the fruit is not frozen, or
you like things especially cold, you may want to add some ice cubes.
Blend on low to incorporate – I find the green powder
gets everywhere but in the smoothie
if you abruptly start on high – then move to high speed until thoroughly
blended and smooth.
I love the flavors of this blend but it is definitely a
thinner consistency, more like juice than what you might consider a typical
smoothie. If you want to add some more body
and/or protein for additional ‘staying power’ some good choices are (chose one
or two):
- 1 heaping T nut butter
- 2 oz silken tofu
- 2 T more seeds
- 1 T fiber powder
- 1 T protein powder
- ½ a medium avocado (flesh only; omit the cold-pressed oil above to reduce fat if desired)
- ½ c yogurt
Either drink the whole quart yourself, or another good option is to go halfers with a friend and then have some raw seedy crackers and fresh fruit on the side (while you peruse food magazines for more food ideas, as is happening here!).
Shown are Okanagan Rawsome Apple Sesame Flax Crisps - sooooo delicious if you find yourself in British Columbia, Alberta or Saskatchewan. Thanks to my friend Alana for sharing so I could bring some home!
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