Peachy Pink Smoothie

I really enjoy green smoothies, but I also like to play with color so sometimes I'll create purple, cream, or orange smoothies.  This day I decided on my favorite color...pink.

Now I don't always use supplements in my smoothies, but they are such an easy way to boost the nutrition value of a smoothie, so if I have them on hand I use them.  It's important to note that I do not in any way recommend using supplements in place of whole foods, but rather as way to compliment all the healthy foods and things already in place.

mise en place = everything in place

My favorite supplements are Spirulina Powder by Pure Hawaiian (Spirulina greatly boosts the overall vitamin, mineral and amino acid intake to the body, seriously - it contains so many you'll need to look it up), but since I was aiming for pink this one got left out today, Chaga by Mushroom Science (Chaga is an immune booster and one of the highest anti-oxidant containing foods, BIG cancer fighter), Astragalus by Solaray (Astragalus is an adaptogen, meaning it adapts to support the body wherever it is needed, slows tumor growth, supports heart health, boosts immune system, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, regulates/prevents diabetes), and Maca Powder by Navitas (Maca is a butterscotch tasting root that increases physical and mental endurance, increases libido, improves skin health, balances hormones, helps mood).  *The chaga and astragalus come in capsules so I just pull it apart, pour in the powder and throw away the capsule.  

A great prep step to create thick, creamy, and beautifully colored smoothies anytime you like is to make fresh juice ice cubes.  Pick a day to set up the juicer.  Have several ice cube trays with lids ready (or use plastic wrap and freezer bags to put them in once full).  You can use one cup and rinse out between colors, or use several small jars to catch the fresh juice in.  Pick vibrant fruit and veggies, doing one whole batch at a time.  Once the jar is full, pour liquid into ice cube trays, cover tightly and place into the freezer until you're ready to use them.  *This also makes for great natural dyes when baking.  If using for baking you would allow an ice cube to thaw - voila! - you have your pretty dyes ready to color frostings, cakes, muffins or cookies.  Some of my favorite juice cubes to have on hand for making colorful creations are beets = reds and pink, blueberries or red cabbage = purples, carrots = orange,  etc.  This really doesn't take much time, it all depends on how much produce you want to juice, and how many different colors you're doing.  

I also like to keep homemade almond milk on hand for smoothies, overnight oats, chia pudding, etc.  This is not necessary, I just prefer the taste so much more than store bought milks.  If interested you can find the recipe here.  

On to the recipe...

Peachy Pink Smoothie: (Serves 1, approx. 16-20 oz.)

Ingredients 

1 cup homemade almond milk (or any nondairy regular or unsweetened milk of choice)

1 astragalus capsule (discard capsule)

2 chaga capsules (discard capsule)

1 tsp. maca powder

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 

Pinch of ground vanilla (or dash of pure vanilla extract)

1 Tbsp. organic peanut butter (or any nut or seed butter of choice)

1-2 beet juice cubes (keep frozen, do not thaw)

1 frozen banana (should already have been peeled prior to freezing)

1 cup organic peach slices

Directions:

1.  Place ingredients into high speed blender in order listed.  

2.  Blend until smooth and creamy (depending on blender strength, you may have to stop and scrape down sides, then blend again).  

3.  Place in nice glass, bowl or jar to serve.  

Optional - sprinkle with extra cinnamon, hemp seeds, chopped nuts, etc.