goji pomegranate orange smoothie

I have my beautiful niece Ella Mae to thank for this smoothie!  She gave me this wonderful Christmas present…she knows me so well :)

"Superfood Smoothies" by Julie Morris

“Superfood Smoothies” by Julie Morris

I love this book!  It is loaded with useful information on different ways to pack more nutrition into every smoothie, essential superfoods to use and nutritional benefits of drinking smoothies!  The author also gives really creative ideas on how to jazz up the ordinary smoothie.  One of my favorite tips was to make “almond ice” by freezing almond milk in ice cube trays, brilliant!

The smoothie I chose to make today was the “pomegranate orange” smoothie.  It tasted amazing, gave me a quick burst of energy and is off the charts in ORAC value (the antioxidant level of foods) thanks to the pomegranate juice and goji berries.  To add a healthy dose of omega fatty acids I added two tablespoons of hemp seeds.

Goji Pomegranate Orange Smoothie

Goji Pomegranate Orange Smoothie

1 orange, peeled

2 tablespoons dried goji berries

3/4 teaspoon grated orange zest

2 tablespoons hemp seeds

3/4 cups pomegranate juice

2 cups of almond ice cubes

(To make almond ice: freeze almond milk using an ice cube tray)

dash cinnamon

~blend and enjoy!~

Thanks Ella Mae :)

purple power smoothie

I’m on a spirulina kick!  Here is why you should be too!

In addition to being loaded with antioxidants, spirulina also contains the omega 6 fatty acid GLA or Gamma Linolenic Acid.  According to webMD, the body converts omega 6 fatty acids into substances that reduce inflammation and cell growth.  It is used to treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, heart disease, depression, ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis and for cancer prevention.

Combined with berries, spirulina gives this smoothie a rich purple color!

purple power smoothie ~vegan, gluten free~

Purple Power Smoothie

2 cups soy milk or almond milk

1 banana

1 cup frozen mixed berries

2 teaspoons spirulina

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 tablespoon goji berries (optional)

1 date, pitted

~Blend and Enjoy~

If you don’t have spirulina powder you can always substitute baby spinach leaves for a healthy dose of greens!

berry smoothie with walnuts and oats

Want a break from the traditional “green smoothie?”  Here’s your answer!

 I try out new smoothies all the time and have such a hard time leaving out the baby spinach!  It just adds such a nutritional boost with such little effort!  This smoothie tastes great on its own and has an abundance of antioxidants from the berries, but adding the baby spinach makes it that much better!

berry smoothie with walnuts and oats ~gluten free, vegan, green smoothie~

Berry Smoothie with Walnuts and Oats

1 frozen banana

2 cups almond milk

1 cup frozen berries

1/4 cup old fashioned oats

3 tablespoons walnuts

2 dates, pitted

1 tablespoon goji berries (optional)

handful of baby spinach (optional)

~Blend and enjoy~

berry smoothie with walnuts and oats

We’ve totally been enjoying everything the fall has to offer!  I love the change of seasons, it makes me feel alive.  It makes my heart melt to see Noah share in my excitement of the autumn colored leaves, bright sunsets and pumpkin flavored everything!

Here are a few pics from our day…

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my mum

my mum

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Hope you’re enjoying the fall too :)