Winter has finally drawn to a close, so to celebrate the arrival of spring we’d like to share some of our favorite vegan superfood smoothie recipes. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, “superfoods” are power-packed foods such as chia seeds and goji berries, which are rich in nutrients and health-promoting properties. Give your blender and your body some love this week by trying out some of these unique smoothie suggestions.
1. Find Calm with an Antioxidant-Rich Goji Berry Smoothie
Goji berries are powerful antioxidants that can aid in the prevention of disease and aging. They are also packed with Vitamin A. Preliminary studies find that they may help promote calmness and better quality of sleep.
Blend for 1-2 minutes: 1 cup shelled hemp seeds (you can also use raw almonds as a substitute) 3 cups filtered water 1/2 cup dried goji berries, (optional: soak overnight) 1 cup raspberries 1 banana handful of ice cubes
2. Gluten-Free, Protein-Packed Spiced Buckwheat Smoothie Fights Cholesterol
Buckwheat groats (also known as kasha) are high in protein and amino acids, making them the perfect combatant against cholesterol. Soak them overnight before using in your smoothie to make them soft.
Blend for 1-2 minutes: 1 cup soaked buckwheat groats (add 3/4 cup to the blender, save 1/4 cups for garnish) 1 large carrot 1 stalk celery 3 large kale leaves 1 cup parsley 1 tsp cinnamon 1 banana 1 small apple 1 tsp spirulina (optional) handful of ice cubes filtered water added to your preference, if mixture is too thick
Pour the mixture into a glass and sprinkle the remaining buckwheat groats on top!
3. Keep Colds at Bay with a Turmeric-Boosted Smoothie
You’ve tasted it in traditional Indian dishes, like curries, but did you know that adding turmeric to smoothies will boost your body’s ability to fight off illness? Turmeric is a strong anti-inflammatory superfood!
Blend for 1-2 minutes: 1 banana 1 large apple seeds from 1/2 a pomegranate 1/2 inch piece of ginger (or 1 tbsp powered ginger) 1/4 inch piece of turmeric (or 2 tsp powered tumeric) 1/4 cup orange juice 1 cup filtered water handful of ice cubes
4. Feel Full Longer with a Chia Seed “Morning Meal” Smoothie
Chia seeds have a unique property: when they’re combined with water, they become a thick, gelatin-like porridge. This thickness keeps you feeling full longer, and the seeds are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. Chia is also known to help with digestion.
Blend for 1-2 minutes: 1/4 cup almonds 1 mango 1 large apple 2 tbsp chia seeds handful of ice cubes 1 cup filtered water
5. Zesty Kale & Spirulina Combine for the Ultimate Calcium-Rich Green Smoothie
Kale contains so many good things for you that it may just be the ultimate superfood. You may not know that both kale and spirulina (a powdered algae) are fantastic sources of calcium, but spirulina has been found to have 26 times more calcium than milk!
Blend for 1-2 minutes:
1 cup of coconut milk (you can also substitute with coconut water) 1 banana 1 cup pineapple 4 large leaves of kale 2 cups of spinach juice of 1 lemon 1 tsp spirulina handful of ice cubes
6. Skip the Wine, and Dine on This Red Beet Smoothie to Strengthen Liver Function
Beets are full of betalains, which are strong antioxidants that have been shown to repair liver functions.
Blend for 1-2 minutes: 1 large red beet, baked until soft, peeled and cut in chunks (for a quick fix use packaged pre-cooked beets) 1 cup frozen mixed berries 1 sweet red apple 3 large kale leaves 1/2 medium cucumber juice of 1/2 lime 1 cup pomegranate juice handful of ice cubes filtered water added to your preference, if mixture is too thick
