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Superfood Energy Drink – Quick and Easy and Delicious

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Since the mid 70’s, this delicious and nutritious drink has been our breakfast almost every morning. The recipe has evolved and morphed over the years, but the basic idea has remained the same.

The idea is to start the day with excellent fuel for the body – something that kick-starts the metabolism and provides a steady supply of energy throughout the day.

It’s easy to make, it’s quick and the variations are endless. After over 30 years of almost daily consumption, we still love it. We still say “Mmm” and “Yumm” a lot, as if it was the first time.

Basic Recipe

We prepare enough for two of us, so that equals a full blender. (We use a Vita-Mix, but any blender works fine.) We drink enough to get full – about 3 glasses – it’s a full meal. That’s probably about 30 to 36 ounces each. It goes down easy and lasts for several hours. There is no energy crash after an energy spike like what occurs with sugary foods. The energy provided by this superfood smoothie is noticeable and steady.

• Basic Ingredient #1: The liquid base is Rice Dream, which is made out of brown rice. It’s available at health food stores, and now many grocery stores too. We get it at Wal-Mart when we can find it. It comes in a blue and white carton. We like to use the vanilla enriched variety for this smoothie drink. Use enough to fill about 1/3 of the blender.

• Basic Ingredient #2: Bananas – 3 large or 4 small. (This gives it the smooth texture and natural sweetness. Tip: Buy ripe ones at a discount, peel them and freeze them – frozen bananas work great in smoothies, and you’ll always have some on hand when you run out of fresh ones.)

• Basic Ingredient #3: Apples – 2 large or 4 small. (Adds to the thickness and provides good dietary fiber.) You’ve heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away – this is a good way to do it.

• Basic Ingredient #4: Green Superfood Nurtitional Product – 2 scoops. (This provides the ultra-nutrition and steady energy.) There are many brands on the market, and we like to use a particular brand for a month or two and then use a different brand for the sake of variety. Each brand has a different combination of nutrients and this “diversity” approach gives us as many different nutrients as possible. We do have a favorite that we keep coming back to – “Green Vibrance,” distributed by Vibrant Health in Canaan, CT 06018. Phone 1-800-242-1835. (Our local health food store was able to order it for us. Our friends buy it online at a discount. They found it with a google search.) Here’s some of the blurb from the label:

“25 Billion Probiotics Per Dose from 12 Strains. Certified Organic Greens, Wild Crafted Herbs, Restorative, Concentrated Superfood . . . Supporting the 4 Foundations of Health: Nutrition, Digestion, Circulation and Immunity with Additional Benefit to All Body Systems.”

There are far too many ingredients to list, but here a few to give you an idea of what’s in the fine, green powder:

Spirulina, (certified organic)
Alfalfa grass juice powder, (certified organic)
Barley grass juice powder, (certified organic)
Wheat grass juice powder, (certified organic)
Chorella, pharmaceutical grade, soft cell
Royal jelly (6% 10 HAD)
Bee pollen
Carrot juice powder
Spinach powder, freeze dried (certified organic)
Silymarin milk thistle extract, 80 % silybin
Ginko bilboa extract
Green tea standardized extract
Grape seed standardized extract
Sea Vegetable Complex (providing 231 mcg. Iodine and trace minerals)

The ingredients go on and on, in these categories:
Nutrient Dense, Healing & Support Foods
Cell Membrane and Nerve Support
High Fiber Foods & Prebiotics
Antioxidants & Circulatory Support
Adaptogens
Immune Support
Probiotic Blend
Enzyme Complex
Phyto-Minerals
Tonics
Palatability Factor (Mango powder, freeze dried – YUM)

The label says a serving size is 11.47g, and there are 60 servings per canister.
Calories: 44
Calories from fat: 7
Calories from saturated fat: 0

It comes with a small scoop.

• Basic Ingredient #5: Oil. (We use flax seed oil as a fall-back option, but our preference is “Udo’s Oil 3•6•9 Blend”). It comes in a bottle, inside a box. From the box: “The ideal 2:1:1 ratio of unrefined omega fatty acids . . . made with organic flax, sesame and sunflower seed oils. Plant-based, fish-free, omega-3. This oil contains the ideal balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids (2:1) for people who want one product that gives them all of the good fats they need, without any of the bad fats they should avoid. Every cell, tissue, gland and organ is dependent upon the presence of essential fatty acids. They are the main structural component of cell membranes and are necessary for cell growth and division . . . Udo’s oil blend is fresh-pressed in a state-of-the-art low heat, light and oxygen-free environment. It has a pleasant, nutty, buttry taste and can be added unheated to foods . . .”

• Basic Ingredient #6: Ice. (We like our smoothie cold, and a few hand-fulls of ice does the trick.)

Recipe Variations

One reason why we love this superfood smoothie so much is because it is so versatile. We enjoy making it different each time just for the sake of variety. Here are some of the variations we enjoy:

Instead of apples, try pears.
Add ¼ cantaloupe.
Try blueberries, strawberries or raspberries. (Fresh is best but frozen works.)
Grapes are good. (Tip: buy loose ones at a discount and freeze them.)
Mangos and papayas make it a tropical delight.

Improvise

There are no rules. Experiment with the recipe until you find your own favorites. We have lots and we keep finding new combinations that are scrumptious – even after 30 years of variations.

Not Just for Breakfast

When we are performing, after the gig, we are often hungry. Before bed is not a good time for a regular meal, although many musicians eat late. Sometimes, we have a small smoothie after the show. It’s satisfying and not heavy on the stomach.

How about lunch in a thermos? Make the smoothie the night before and put it in a portable container. Enjoy it at lunchtime in the middle of your workday. This superfood smoothie is convenient, fast, and will provide you with steady energy throughout the day without the mid-afternoon slump.

How it Looks

If you are new to green superfood, this may take a while to get used to. (Or it may not.) The color is . . . well, it’s green. No matter what you add to the basic recipe, the smoothie comes out green. (The superfood – ingredient #4 is a fine, dense, green powder.) If you use blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or other berries, the green turns into an ugly brownish green – but it still tastes amazing!)

How it Tastes

Great! If you mix it like I recommend with the rice milk, bananas, apples, your other favorite fruits, and the oil, you’re bound to find some fabulous combinations.

How it Feels

Fantastic! Especially when I’m really hungry in the morning, it’s fun to take the first sip, close my eyes, and monitor what’s going on deep inside. It’s almost like I can hear the actual cells of my body celebrating the excellence. They are throwing a party because the nutrition is so complete and so readily available. Sometimes, I can actually feel the energy cruising through my veins. To say you feel your tummy smiling is an understatement. It goes down easy and is very satisfying.

Pass It On

Through the years, we have introduced our suprfood smoothie to dozens of people, but this is the first time I’ve ever written it down.

Whenever we introduce it to someone new, the routine is always the same. Visiting guests will eye our mysterious mugs full of green smoothie with suspicion. The adventurous ones will agree to try a sip. They usually say something like, “That’s GOOD,” as if they expected it to taste like pond scum just because that’s what it looks like. Another sip and they usually ask for their own glass. Then, I’m off to the kitchen to make another blender full.

Once you get past the color, there is no looking back – you will likely enjoy it for years to come, just as we have . . . and your body will thank you for treating it to such exceptional nutrition. Bon apetit.

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