Blueberry Ambrosia Green Smoothie

I got a little carried away with social networking this morning and forgot about eating.  Now, that tends to sound like a good thing for someone who could likely live on a desert island (but not a dessert island, haha) off the resources of several years of eating well, but what generally happens is that I get really hungry later into the evening and risk going into the *see-food diet until I finally haul myself off to bed. (*I see food, I eat it)  I am 64 years old.  I know now that if I skip meals, I end up hungry and hunting.

So, the best fast meal that I know of is a green smoothie.  And the most satisfying for me, in the place where I am at, sort of craving to feel full, but also wanting that not-too-sweet, fruit-and-greens combo, is a smoothie I refer to as Blueberry Ambrosia.  It has that plump silky yumminess of the old "fruit ambrosia" salad recipe that I remember from afternoon teas at some church as a young person.  My own mom actually never bothered fussing with dainty, yummy recipes, so I know that she didn't send it along with me (I was an inveterate tea-server as were all the young teens in my day who had any church connection in small-town Saskatchewan). But someone else's mother or grandmother took the time to make it, repeatedly, and I salute them with this thick smoothie (no, it is not 'thickalicious'-- there is no trademark oatmeal in this one).

INGREDIENTS:
1 Banana, Chunked (organic)
1 C. Frozen Blueberries (organic)
1 C. Frozen Mango (organic)
1 T. Chiaseed, ground in Coffee Bean Grinder
2 Handfuls of Tender Greens
2 C. Coconut Dream

Whirl up in your blender until thick and silky smooth.  Blueberries let no green shine through, so it will be a dark purply, brown colour.  The fruit and berries are filled with health phytonutrients that most of you are aware of, so don't be worried about "nasty carbs".  The coconut milk has medium chain fatty acids that help pump up the immune system, and the chia seed is the highest plant source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, good for heart and brain health.

I think you'll love it!

Thickalicious Classic Tropical Green Smoothie Plus

This Thickalicious Classic Tropical Green Smoothie Plus is everything you expect when you think "Aloha" or "Muchas Gracias"-- tangy, yummy, refreshing, zesty, what you really wanted when you ordered those alcoholic cocktails with the little umbrellas.  No, there is no Grenadine or any other high fructose syrups in this baby... just the real fruity thing PLUS some great "superfood" herbs that will give you the gusto for the day (and maybe even a longer, happier life if my husband's class in Ayurvedics was correct).

Layer your blender carafe with the following and cover with filtered water; soak for at least 15 minutes:

• 1/2 C. organic Rolled Oats (the Thickalicious factor to get you through until lunchtime)
• 1 tsp. ground Chia seed (grind in your coffee bean grinder)
• 1/2 tsp.- 1 tsp. Ashwagandha
• 1/2 tsp.- 1 tsp. Turmeric

After soaking the above in the carafe for at least 15 minutes (to improve digestability), add in:

• 1 C. Frozen Mango chunks
• 1 C. Frozen Pineapple chunks
• 1 Banana, chunked
• 6 Dates
• 1-2 Handfulls of Tender Greens

Whirl up and Enjoy!

Thickalicious Apple-Grape Superfood Green Smoothie

This is a wonderful Green Smoothie, if I do say so myself.

There are three super-foods in this Apple-Grape "Superfood" Smoothie: Astragalus, Chia seed, and Cinnamon.  Although it is another Thickalicious smoothie, we have cut the oats down to a 1/2 Cup and amped up the (Medjool) dates to a dozen from the 6 I have used in the other recipes.  If you love Apple Crisp dessert, you will love this sweet and tasty breakfast smoothie.

Layer the following in a Blender Carafe (or in 2 bunches for less powerful blenders):

• 1/2 C. Rolled Oats                                               }soak in 1 C. of Water 30 min. before
• 1 tsp. Chia Seed (ground in a coffee bean grinder) }soak in above 1 C. of Water before
• 1 tsp. Astragalus Powder (More information about this Chinese herb at bottom of this post)
• 1 T. Cinnamon
• 12 Dates, pitted
• 1 C. Frozen Green Grapes
• 2 juicy Apples, cored and chopped (I used McIntosh Apples, juicy and flavourful)
• 1 large handful of Tender Greens

Whirl up and enjoy!

Product Description for Astragalus Astragalus root is one of many herbs  known by several names. Astragalus  membranaceus and Astragalus  propinquus are both Latin names for  the unique plant more commonly known as Astragalus root.  Astragalus comes from the pea family,  and has been used for thousands of  years in traditional Chinese medicine.  Astragalus herb is thought to boost  overall vitality. In Chinese medicine it has been historically used to promote healing and reduce pain. Click <----

Thickalicious Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Green Smoothie With *Benefits

This morning's smoothie was set up for my husband's jaunt off on his bike for a few miles and back.  It's sunny but cool.  He's just finished a Longevity class from the local ElderCollege and is keen on incorporating the Ayurvedic herbs into his daily diet. This Thickalicious Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Green Smoothie With *Benefits is a mouthful, in more ways than one.  Like my othersmoothies, this contains rolled oats to sustain him from hunger pangs on the trip, chia seed to give him great bursts of energy and perseverence, pineapple, banana, dates and coconut for that smacking good taste (and all those phyto-nutrients), and  ashwagandha and turmeric for the Ayurvedic *benefits: improved immune system, brain power, longevity!

Layer the following in a blender carafe (you might want to do two half-batches if you have a regular blender):

• 2 C. Frozen Pineapple chunks (or Fresh)
• 1 C. Rolled Oats (buy Gluten-Free if you are coeliac or sensitive to wheat / gluten)(Presoak in 1 C.of Water if you have the time)
• 1 Banana in chunks (Frozen is great)
• 6 Pitted Dates (I used Medjool but use what you like / can find)
• 1 T. Chia Seed ground in Coffee Grinder or 2 T. Chia Seed Gel http://techygran.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Make-Chia-Seed-Gel-and-How-To-Use-It
• 1/4 C. Coconut Shreds
• 1 tsp. Ashwagandha mixed with 3 T.*Coconut Sugar or 1 packet of stevia
• 1 tsp. Turmeric
• Large handful Tender Greens of Choice
• 1 C. Filtered Water, or as much as you wish.  Letting the contents of the Carafe sit for about 15-30 minutes is a good idea for the chia (chia gel) and the oats.. makes digestion easier.

Whirl up and drink right away!  You are going to feel satisfied and won't be given to the usual cravings, probably right up until lunch time!

Raspberry-Mango Superfood Smoothie

Raspberry-Mango Superfood Smoothie

Today's Raspberry-Mango Superfood Smoothie is an attempt to gain back some of the sunshine and soul of summer that seems to have washed away with these last several days (weeks?) of rain.

Yes, I know, and I AM grateful to be living on this paradise Island (Vancouver Island) where winters are rainy but also MILD.  I am happy to be married to a wonderful man, to be blessed with a roof over my head, food to eat, a car to drive, friends, loving children and grandchildren.  

But a lotta raining can bring on the blues...

So that is why today's Smoothie is a mix of summer-y tang and sweetness, bright colors, and Superfoods -- herbs that have been granted that title because of the superlative job they do of energizing, healing, protecting and balancing our body systems.  

To achieve this whimsical 'layered look' of a smoothie parfait, you must make two separate smoothies, each with the ability to hold its own place and not run into the other's space (although that is okay too.)   Mango is an emolient fruit that is great to use in any smoothie if you like one that doesn't separate out into its constituent parts before you get a chance to drink it!  Raspberries are watery little creatures and need the boost of something like CHIA seed, which is also emolient, but has extra superfood qualities as well!

THE MANGO LAYER

Put the following in the blender (I use Vitamix, but you should be able to do this in any blender... just take the time):

• 1 C. Organic Frozen Mango
• 1/2 tsp. Ashwagandha powder
• 1/2 tsp. Turmeric powder
• 1 Ripe Organic Banana
• 1 C. Nut Mylk

Spin it up and pour into 2 glasses about 1/2 way up the glass... (this glass is half full! hehe)

Rinse out the Carafe

THE RASPBERRY LAYER

Put the following in and spin up:

• 1 C. Organic Frozen Raspberries
• 1 tsp. Chia Seed  ground up in a coffee bean grinder
• 1 packet of Sweet Leaf Stevia (or a shot of Maple Syrup, Honey if you aren't worried)
• 1 C. Nut Mylk

Whirl it up.  Let it sit in the blender for a couple of minutes.  Pour gently over the Mango Layer.  Drink!

You should be able to find the Superfoods in a nearby health store.  If you cannot, you can learn more about them and purchase them online/div>