Becky's Green Smoothie with Collagen

By: Becky Koch

Ingredients:

Becky's Green Smoothie with Collagen

1/2 peeled lemon
Thumb tip sized piece of ginger
1/4 cup heaping of canned coconut milk
Handful of spinach
Handful of baby kale
Handful of celery tops and inner stalks
5 or so sprigs of cilantro
1/2 granny smith apple
1 large banana
2 tbsp Great Lakes Collagen Hydrolysate
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup ice

Method:
Blend all the ingredients and enjoy. Makes about two pint sized glasses.

Easter Coconut Smoothie

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

Ingredients:

½ cup coconut water

Easter Coconut Smoothie

⅓ cup packed coconut pulp or one sliced banana

¼ cup lemon juice

6 drops lemon stevia, or to taste

½ - ⅔ cup ice cubes

Method:

Blend all but the ice until smooth and creamy.

Add the ice and blend again to incorporate.

Enjoy! ♥

Frozen Veggie Cubes

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

Ingredients for kale-and-parsley cubes:

Two bunches KALE

One bunch PARSLEY (optional)

WATER to blend

Directions:

Frozen veggie Cubes

• Wash and de-rib kale and remove stems from parsley.
• Steam kale and parsley 3-5 minutes until limp but still bright green.
• Plunge steamed greens into cold water.
• Transfer to a high-powered blender and add enough water (I use about ½ cup) to blend to a smooth and pourable consistency.
• Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.
• Once frozen, transfer to airtight container and keep frozen.
• Use within 2 months. ♥

Tip: You can “cube” any nutritious food for later use in smoothies etc.,

Raw Eggnog Latte

By: Laurie Erdman

Recipe:

Raw Eggnog Latte

2 1/4 cups almond milk (unsweetened, homemade preferred)
1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for 2 hours or overnight
1/2 cup pitted dates, soaked for 15 minutes
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ cup of Dandy Blend powder (optional)

Blend until smooth. Garnish with ground cinnamon.

Quick Guide for Green Smoothie

 By: Esther Vasa

Cherry-Berry Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

Cherry-Berry Smoothie

Cherries are a superfruit, packed with antioxidants called anthocyanins that help fight inflammation, aid in heart health and reducing the chances of cancer. They contain melatonin, an antioxidant that helps regulate the body's sleep cycles. They are rich in beta carotene (vitamin A). They have 19 times more beta carotene than blueberries and strawberries. They are a good source of vitamins C, E, potassium, magnesium, iron, folate and fiber. They are referred to as “brain food”, aiding in brain health and in the prevention of memory loss and I believe a must-have for MS fighters. Combined with berries the amount of nutrition you get is humongous.

Recipe:

Frozen Cherries - 1/2 cup or a big handful

Frozen Blackberries - 1/2 cup

Frozen Wild Blueberries - 1/4th cup

Aronia and Goji berries - 1/2 cup

Fresh Romaine Lettuce from the heart - 5 leaves
Frozen Banana or Mango pieces (optional)

Almond Milk - about 10oz

Blend in a power blender until smooth and enjoy!

Antioxidant Powerhouse Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

Dragonfruit highly benefits a person with diabetes (especially type 2). This is a mildly sweet fruit with little black seeds all over. The seeds are high in lipids. The fruit is rich in Vitamin C, fiber, calcium and phosphorus. Aronia is packed with antioxidants and is one of the superfruits in the world. If you have some place to grow your own, grow aronia. Blackberries are one of the top ten foods containing antioxidants. They are filled with polyphenols that help in the prevention of cancer and heart disease. They are also rich in anthocyanins, which give blackberries their deep purple color. Anthocyanins help in memory retention, fighting inflammation and in improving eyesight. I therefore called this smoothie as "Antioxidant Powerhouse Smoothie"!

Ingredients:

Dried Aronia Berries - 1/4th cup or 1/2 cup fresh aronia berries

Frozen Dragon Fruit - 1 (chopped and frozen)

Frozen Blackberries - 1/2 cup

Cold Cantaloupe - 2 cups

Preparation:

In a power blender, quickly blend cold cantaloupe. This is the medium for making your smoothie. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.

Variations:
1. You can easily transform this into a sorbet by using all frozen ingredients. For blending, you could use 1/2 cup of fresh coconut water.
2. You can make this into ice cream by using all frozen ingredients as well. For blending use cold coconut cream to get the required creaminess.
3. If you like your smoothie/sorbet/ice cream a bit sweeter, add five or six soaked dates or a frozen banana.

Creamy Glorious Green Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

Ingredients:

Creamy Glorious Green Smoothie
topped with dried white mulberries

Avocado - 1/2
Spinach - two handfuls
Cashew or Pine Nuts or Hemp Seeds - 1/4th cup (I used pine nuts)
Grated Coconut - 2 tbsp
Organic Dates - 3
Mulberries - nearly 1/4th cup
Pinch of Himalayan Salt
Vanilla Powder or Cinnamon Powder - 1/4th tsp (I used vanilla powder)
Cold Water - 2.5 cups or more depending on the desired consistency

Preparation:

• Soak nuts or seeds you are using for an hour in 1/2 cup water. Keep it in refrigerator.
• Soak dates and mulberries together in another 1/2 cup of water for an hour and store in fridge also.
• When ready, blend all the ingredients in a power blender including the soaked water.
• Enjoy this cold and creamy glorious green smoothie!

Cranberry-Kale Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

Cranberries are a good source of Vitamin C and are known to prevent urinary tract infections, bladder infections and kidney stone formation. They are a great alternate to antibiotics and have probiotics to promote the gastrointestinal health. Multiple Sclerosis fighters are prone to UTIs and these berries have the power to fight it off naturally.

EarthBound Farm's Organic Mixed Baby Kale is a superfood made super easy for our consumption. These tender baby kale leaves are packed with antioxidants, fiber and a lot of rich flavor. You don't need to use baby kale explicitly for this smoothie. However, the tenderness of baby kale in combination with tart cranberries, nutty hemp and sweet mangoes works just perfect by creating a unique blend of wonderful goodness.

Ingredients:

Frozen or Fresh Cranberries - 1/2 cup

Frozen or Fresh Mango Pieces - 1 cup

Mixed Baby Kale - 2 cups or 2 large kale leaves

Hemp Seeds - 2 tbsp

Water - 2 cups or as you prefer

Preparation:

Blend all the ingredients and enjoy this smoothie any time of the day!

Goji Berry Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

Goji Berries are also known by their other name wolfberries. Although I don't believe in all the health claims that some marketers make, I do believe that they are quite nutritional like any other berries. Remember, these belong to the nightshades yet these are considered anti-inflammatory. These are grown in the Himalayas and contain 11 essential and 22 trace dietary minerals, 18 amino acids, 6 essential vitamins, 5 carotenoids, and are packed with antioxidants. This orange-red superfruit has been used for medicinal purposes in China and Tibet for centuries because of its neuroprotective, anti-aging, and anti-carcinogenic properties. The vitamin A in them may prevent aging. There is some research that suggests goji berries as brain food. These berries help in nourishing liver and kidneys. Chinese had used it to treat cancer as well. If you are on blood thinners, blood pressure, diabetes medication or allergic to pollen, these berries are not for you.

Ingredients:
Goji Berries - 1/4th cup
Bananas - 2
Almonds soaked for a minimum of 4 hours - 1/2 cup
Maca - 1/2 tsp
Water - 2 cups

Preparation:

Blend all the ingredients until smooth and enjoy! Quite a healthy shot in the morning or evening. Serves 3.

AA Choy Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

AA Choy is a Taiwanese lettuce and has nearly the same nutritional value as the regular lettuce. In the picture, you can see how it looks like. For this smoothie, I have used papaya and its seeds as well. Papaya seeds are powerful in that they can help detox the liver. Also, can protect the kidneys from toxin-induced kidney failure. Furthermore, they can eliminate intestinal parasites naturally. When you cut up a papaya, save the seeds and use them on your salads or in your smoothies.

Ingredients:

AA Choy - 1 bunch

Medium Papaya - 1/2

Papaya Seeds - 2 tbsp

Bananas - 2

Almond milk or any alternate milk - 1 cup

Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Serve cold and enjoy immediately! Great way to start your day. Stay healthy and happy, always!

Cauliflower & Froot Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

Ingredients:

Cauliflower - 1 big floret

Beetroot - 1/2

Carrot - 1

Apple - 1

Banana - 1

Hemp seeds - 2 tbsp

Vanilla Powder - 1/4th tsp

Water - 1.5 cups

Blend all the ingredients at a high speed for a minute or two. Enjoy! I was amazed to see my 12-year older drinking the last drop without complaining. That is called "success" for me! Makes about three tall glasses.

Dirty-Pink Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

Ingredients:
Homemade Almond Milk - 1 cup or per your wish
Frozen Banana - 1
Ripe Guava - 1
Frozen Pineapple - 1/2 cup
Pomegranate Arils - 1/2 cup
Spring Mix - 1 cup
Chia Gel - 1 tbsp

Preparation:
Blend all the ingredients until smooth and enjoy right away. Makes about three tall glasses.

Pumpkin Smoothie

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

Ingredients:
½ cup pumpkin puree
½ very ripe medium-sized banana
¾ cup nut butter diluted with water; or ¾ cup yoghurt if you’re lactose tolerant
1 tsp raw honey (optional)
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 cup crushed ice
Ground cinnamon to taste

Preparation:
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth, making sure the ice is completely crushed. Top with ground cinnamon. Makes two servings. Enjoy! ♥

Beet and Pineapple Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

BEETS have two important carotenoids called LUTEIN and ZEAXANTHANIN. These two carotenoids  protect your cells from damaging effects of free radicals. They also protect your eyes from age related macular degeneration. They get their red color from an antioxidant phytonutrient called BETALAIN. This phytonutrient along with others provides anti-inflammatory benefits. Beets have the ability to curb the activity of COX enzymes from promoting inflammation. The other important function of beets is to detoxify. The betalin pigments in beets can neutralize the toxins and flush them out of our bodies. Combine beets with pineapple known for BROMELAIN enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties to make this flavorful smoothie.

"BEETS are anti-cancer! According to The World's Healthiest Foods recent lab studies found that betanin pigments in beets can impede tumor cell growth in tissues throughout the body. Betanin is one of the most researched betalains found in beets to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and detoxifying effects. The blood red color in beets comes from betacyanins, which are natural compounds that are extremely powerful cancer-fighting agents. Beets also contain an amino acid called betaine and unique phytochemicals called betalains. Be careful to start out slow with beets or beetroot to not overwhelm your liver’s waste disposal system. Start with small quantities and gradually increase." - Craig Stellpflug

Recipe:

Beet - 1/2

Pineapple - 1 cup

Sliced carrots - 1/4th cup

Flaxseeds - 1 tbsp

Ginger piece - 1 inch piece

Blend all the ingredients with enough water to make a nice smoothie that serves two to three people. Enjoy!

Enzyme-Rich Smoothie

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

Ingredients:
• 2 cups rice or almond milk
• 1 banana, sliced
• 2 dates (remove the pits)
• 14-16 almonds (soak them overnight in water and remove the skins)
• 3 ice cubes

Preparation:
According to my blender's directions, I blend on high for about 30 seconds. Serve immediately. Makes several cups.
Enjoy! ♥

"Chocolate" Smoothie

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

500 ml prepared almond or brazil milk

1 banana

2 t raw honey (optional)

3 t cacao or carob powder

1 t maca

Put all the ingredients into a power blender and blend until smooth. Serves 2. Enjoy! ♥

"Supav" Plum Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

Ingredients:
Maca - 1 tsp (optional)
Papaya - 1 cup (peeled, de-seeded and cut into cubes)
Avocado - 1/2 (de-seeded and the flesh scooped)
Plum - 1 (de-seeded)
Fresh Spinach - 1 cup
Banana - 1 (if you like it sweeter)
Fresh Ginger - 1 inch piece (for flavor)
Walnuts - 1/4th cup
Crushed ice or cold water - 2 cups

Preparation:
This smoothie gets the name "Supav" due to its three key ingredients - maca (a superfood), papaya and avocado. To get an idea on the benefits of maca check this link. Ginger gives it a good finishing touch. Put all the ingredients into a power blender like Vitamix and blend on high for 2 minutes or until well blended. Comfortably serves 4 people.

"Orange" Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa

Ingredients:

Cantaloupe Pieces - 1/2 cup
Carrot - 1
Beetroot - 1/2
Tomato - 1/2
Red Bell Pepper - 1/2
Cucumber Slices - 4
Himalayan Salt - a pinch
Almond or Rice Milk - 1 cup
Sage or Thyme for additional flavor
Water or crushed ice - 2 cups (I used cold water)

Preparation:
Put all the above ingredients in a power blender like Vitamix and blend for 2-3 minutes. This smoothie has a lot of rich aromatic flavors and the color is so enticing. Your children will enjoy it too. I specifically tried this during the MS Awareness week. Go Orange... move it!

Serves: 4-5

Cell Rejuvenating Smoothie

By: Esther Vasa
Fresh green juices rejuvenate your cells by supplying live enzymes, minerals and vitamins in their native form. The chlorophyll resembles hemin, a component of hemoglobin and that should tell you why it helps fight anemia. The vegetables used in this smoothie alkalize the body and lo and behold, your cells get rejuvenated!

Ingredients:
Celery Stalk - 1
Cucumber - a few big slices
Spinach - 10 leaves
Collard Greens / Kale / Mustard Greens - 1 large leaf
Green Pepper - 1 (deseeded)
Jalapeño Pepper - 1/2 or per your taste (deseeded)
Spring Onion - 1
Dill - a bit
Juice of one lime
Garlic - 1 large clove
Himalayan Salt - a pinch
For sweetness add a few green grapes
Water or ice-cubes based on the desired thickness

Below to be steamed lightly
Green Beans - 8
Asparagus - 1
Broccoli - a big floret
Green Peas - 1/4th cup
Any wild mushroom bits (I used shiitake) - 1/4th cup

Preparation:
Just steam the veggies listed for steaming anywhere from 3-5 minutes. Blend all the ingredients thoroughly and enjoy the smoothie for your lunch. The number of veggies you get in a glass or two is inexplicable. Super-healthy, nutritious and rejuvenating...