All Green Cleansing             
           Smoothie

Happy New Year!

I have been on a bit of a hiatus over the last few weeks, which has been wonderful.  My skin has been touched by the cold snow during Christmas, warm sun in the New Year and now rain at home, which I don’t mind at all.  It’s always nice to come home after traveling.  There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed.

One thing I missed and want (or need as I picked up a chest cold last week) is my morning green smoothie, which was introduced to me from Organic Lives.  I love the taste and find it gets better and better the more i have it.  In order to utilize and absorb all nutrients possible I avoid adding extra fats and proteins, which slows down absorption and only add greens to this smoothie. 

It is highly nutritious, alkalizing and cleansing to the body. 

If you are used to sweet fruit smoothies this may take a little getting used to.  The frozen banana is optional; however I think it makes all the difference.  It makes it smooth and adds a little sweetness.  The coconut water is great to use in place of water if you have access to it.  Coconut water one of the best transports for nutrients and tastes delicious.  I really like the addition of mint to.

We actually notice a boost in energy and mood having these on a regular basis.  My husband actually said he missed having it while on vacation. Music to my ears.

Ingredients:

1/2 cucumber
3 stalks celery
small handful parsley
small handful cilantro
small handful mint
2 inch ginger root
¼ lemon
1 small frozen banana
1 cup water or coconut water

1.  Wash veggies well, chop into small pieces and blend in high speed blender until smooth.
Makes 4 cups.

Note:  You can add any other greens you like.  I add a handful of spinach or kale often. 

You can also juice all these vegetables if you like.

Food for Thought:

“The great Sufi poet and philosopher Rumi once advised his students to write down the three things they most wanted in life.  If any item on the list clashes with any other item, Rumi warned, you are destined for unhappiness.  Better to live a life of single-pointed focus, he taught.”

This quote from the book ‘Eat Pray Love’ resonated with me and got me thinking of the things I most want in life.  Keeping things simple is good for the mind, body and soul.  This lesson stands true for food and cooking as well.  If you feel inclined, figure out what three things you most want out of life.  This may help with your life goals.

     Rockmelon and Ginger Whip

Even though were well into the cool winter months, I was walking in the grocery store and saw a large organic cantaloupe (aka rockmelon) and was in the mood for a refreshing drink rich in flavour and aroma. 

I wasn’t sure how good it would be since they are in season in the summer.  I lucked out with a super juicy, sweet cantaloupe.  I was given a beautiful cookbook, Food + Drink at home, from a friend and remembered seeing a simple, whole food drink using cantaloupe. 

I whipped up these three whole foods and it was exactly what I wanted –succulent, satisfying and a delicious tasting drink. I love it!  It tastes incredibly refreshing.  It is full of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and important vitamins (B’s, C, A) and the mineral potassium to name a few. 





Ingredients:

2 cups rockmelon (cantaloupe)
2 valencia oranges (or ½ cup orange juice)
1 Tbsp fresh ginger root, chopped
1 cup water

1.   Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.  Serves 2.

Enjoy!

Note: For more of a slushy drink use 8 ice cubes instead of the water.

         Whole Food Sneak Peak: 
                  Rockmelon       
          AKA Cantaloupe or Muskmelon


Canteloupe belongs to the Curcurbitaceae family along with cucumbers, squash, gourds and pumpkins.  It is round or oval in shape, grows along the ground on a vine.  It has a soft, succulent flesh, orange in color and has a musky aroma when ripe.

Canteloupe is extremely nutrient dense.  It has excellent levels of carotenes, potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.  It’s a good source of vitamin A, fiber, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid and thiamine.  It has a little calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and traces of iron, copper, mangnese and zinc.

It has been shown to contain the compound adenosine, which is currently being used in patients with heart disease to keep the blood thin. 

I was surprised to learn that cantaloupe can be juiced peel and all.  Before you cut that Cantaloupe or juice it, get it clean.  Melons grow resting on the ground, which means the rind can be contaminated by animal or human waste or contamination from other handler’s.  If there is bacteria on the outer rind, and you simply take your knife to cut through, you quickly and simply cross-contaminated the flesh with bacteria from the rind.

Its good practice to wash all fruits and vegetables well. 

            Creamsicle Smoothie

I haven’t had an orange smoothie, probably since way back in the day when my friend Lana and I would go to the mall and have Orange Julius.  Fortunately, I was reintroduced this past weekend by Preet at Organic Lives and it was way better than I remembered it to be – I was in HEAVEN!  It tasted exactly like a Creamsicle….. but made from natural, whole foods.  No sugar, no syrup, no dairy.  Preet has a phenomenal palate and is able to create fabulous meals and drinks from living whole foods and spices. 

For all you Vancouverites and foodies, Organic Lives Café is a place you must visit.  The food speaks for itself.  I didn’t have coconut milk (which Preet makes fresh daily) so he gratefully helped me come up with a recipe that would work for the ingredients I had and it was outstanding. 

It had a sweet, smooth, creamy texture --
the juicy, tangy fresh oranges were mellowed by the coconut water and almond milk and the hint of vanilla and camu camu enhanced the orange flavour and pulled all flavours together in perfect harmony.  Oranges and camu camu together are a superior way to get Vitamin C (tons of antioxidant action).  This has got to be the best tasting and most nutritious way to have o.j. in the morning. 

I know it’s the weather is only getting cooler, but I’m already imagining pouring this smoothie into homemade popsicle molds and having a refreshing, nutritious creamsicle on a hot summer day.

Ingredients:

3 Valencia organic oranges
1 cup coconut water
¼ cup almond milk
¼ tsp whole ground vanilla bean
¼ tsp camu camu berry powder

1.       Peel and chop oranges (remove the few seeds).  Place oranges, coconut water, almond milk, vanilla bean and camu camu in Vitamix (or blender) and process until smooth.  Serves 2.


Enjoy!

Note:  You can also use fresh coconut milk or coconut meat in place of almond milk. 

If making your own almond milk be sure to strain it for a smoother consistency. 

Add a few ice cubes for a cooler smoothie.

I know some of these ingredients are hard to find.  You can order high quality, living coconut water, whole ground vanilla bean and camu camu berry powder from Organic Lives online store.  They ship all over the world. 

   Whole Food Sneak Peak: 
                     Oranges

Oranges are round citrus fruits with finely texturized skins that are orange, just like their pulpy flesh.  They are undoubtedly one of the most popular fruits in the world. 

Oranges are an excellent source of flavonoids and vitamin C. 

One orange supplies nearly 100 percent of the recommended dietary intake of vitamin C. 

They are also a good source of fiber, B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, folic acid and pantothenic acid), carotenes, pectin and potassium.  Oranges contain almost all the vitamins and minerals, at least in modest amounts.

The combination of flavonoids and the high vitamin C content make oranges important wherever vitamin C is required – immune system, lens of the eye, adrenal glands (stress does a number on these!), reproductive organs and connective tissues of our body.  It generally promotes overall good health. 

Hesperidin, is one of the most important flavonoids in oranges.  It has been shown to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol in animal studies and to have strong anti-inflammatory properties.  The concentration of hesperidin is higher in the inner peel and inner white pulp, than the actual orange flesh…so no more peeling off the white stuff!

The consumption of oranges and orange juice has been shown to protect against cancer and help fight viral infections.


 

Oranges can be eaten as a snack – just peel and enjoy. 

They can be added to salads, juiced, made into creamsicle smoothies, to make marinades, or made into popsicles.  These are just some of the numerous ways to enjoy these delicious citrus fruits. 

If a recipe calls for orange zest ensure its organic, as most conventional grown oranges have pesticide residues on their skin and may be artificially coloured.  The taste of organic fresh oranges is the best.