The HeartBeet Red Velvet Smoothie
Happy (late) Valentine’s Day dear readers! I know the way we celebrate V-Day in this day and age is pretty much concocted by the card, chocolate, and floral industries as a money maker… But I hope you felt super loved and treasured this past Friday! My husband and I spent a relaxing day (full of delicious food, of course) at home together after several weeks of craziness and busy schedules, and it was just what we needed.
I woke him up in the morning with this yummy number, and some Pear and Hazelnut Muffins (from Sara Forte of Sprouted Kitchen) that I had made the night before. I subbed in gluten free flour and almond meal for the flours, coconut oil for the butter, 1 cup almond milk + 1 tsp apple cider vinegar for the buttermilk, plus a brush of maple syrup 5 mins before they finished baking, to amp up the healthiness and tastiness factor of these little flavor bombs.
We ended the evening with the most delicious meal I have ever made. And I mean ever. Seriously. I know it would be mean to just tell you this delicious news and leave you hanging, so I will be shooting and posting it in the next few weeks (lucky you)! This meal honestly belongs in an expensive five star restaurant. And I am certainly glad that we weren’t sitting in one of those, paying $100+ a head on Valentine’s night, when I came up with something to rival just about everything on their prix fixe menus. Anyways, enough about what is to come and back to what this post is actually about, which is… The HeartBeet Red Velvet Smoothie!
This Superfood Smoothie packs a deliciously healthy punch with Raw Kale, Raw Beets, and Raw Cacao! Rich and satisfying (and the most gorgeous color ever!), you’ll probably want to make this scrumptious winner of a smoothie everyday.
Here are some of the health benefits of these all-star ingredients:
Raw Cacao - Raw Cacao is one of the best sources of magnesium in nature, and contains high amounts of calcium, zinc, iron, copper, sulfur, and potassium. It contains many naturally occurring chemicals such as, alkaloids, proteins, magnesium, and beta-carotene, that enhance mental and physical well-being. Raw Cacao is very high in antioxidants… Higher than Goji Berries! And if you’re a chocolate lover, it’s an easy and incredibly healthful way to get your fix.
Beets - The special pigments in beets, called betalins, help with the body’s detoxification process. Beets are also packed with insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber passes through our digestive tracts mostly intact, and acts like a broom, sweeping our intestines free of unwanted toxins and debris.
Kale - Kale is the richest source of carotenoids in the leafy-green vegetable family, making it a top cancer-fighter. It helps to regulate estrogen, protects against heart disease, and regulates blood pressure. The calcium in kale is more absorbable by the body than milk (and ounce for ounce, contains more calcium than milk)! This makes it an excellent choice for both prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, arthritis and bone loss. - Sara Britton of My New Roots
Bee Pollen - Bee pollen is a super high-energy whole food that supplies us with nearly every single nutrient the human body needs to survive. It is very high in protein, containing between 20-35%, including all 22 amino acids.
Bee pollen is loaded with enzymes, something hugely lacking in many modern diets. Enzymes are the little compounds that help us break down and digest food, one reason that eating raw foods is so important.
Many people actually experience relief from seasonal allergies by introducing small amounts of fresh, local pollen in to their diet. This could be due to the high levels of quercitin it contains, which is known for its ability to minimize or neutralize the histamine response.
And to top it all off, bee pollen is jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, and phytonutrients! - Sara Britton of My New Roots
Makes enough for 2
2 large leaves kale
1 banana, frozen
1/2 medium-large beet, peeled
4 tbsp raw cacao
2 dates
2 tsp bee pollen
1 tsp cinnamon
a pinch of nutmeg
a pinch of cardamom
1 1/2 cups almond milk
2-3 cups ice
Optional add ins for staying power - choose one
1 serving of your favorite protein powder
1/2 cup rolled oats (if you are going gluten free, remember to make sure the oats you use are certified gluten free!)
2 - 4 tbsp of your favorite nut or seed butter
Add all ingredients to the blender (except the ice), and blend until smooth. Add ice, and blend again until smooth. Pour into two large glasses. Enjoy!
