{recipe} Super-Sweet Super-Food Smoothie

I’m not big on powdered superfoods, just not my thing. (That’s part of why there is an easy alternative below for you.)

In fact, I often scoff at powdered super foods. Nicely, of course. But I gave the camu powder a try at the Ohio restaurant anyways. Neither Kristen (the owner) nor I had any idea what it was good for.

After I tried it in a drink, I had a (good) jolt of energy and said with certainty that it was SURELY HIGH IN VITAMIN C AND ANTIOXIDANTS.

Sure enough, when we researched it, we read in multiple spots that it is supposedly the best source for Vitamin C in the world! So there ya go.

SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup frozen cherries
1 frozen banana
1 t camu powder
1 t lucuma powder
2 soaked medjool dates (optional)
1/2-1 cup water or OJ*

CARAMEL INGREDIENTS

1 t lucuma
1/2 cup coconut nectar**

INSTRUCTIONS
And blend!

SPECIAL INGREDIENT NOTES

Orange Juice is, for me, a very strange mix with lucuma. I recommend ONLY using OJ if you are enjoying the powder-free smoothie. If you take a walk on the wild side, please do report back though!
I prefer to use coconut nectar, although you may replace it with honey (if you are not vegan) or agave or any other raw sweetener without a strong flavor.

SOME EXTRA TIPS AND NOTES

Lucuma! It’s fruit that comes from Peru. It looks kind of like a Florida avocado ~ high in beta carotene, niacin (B3), iron, and fiber
Camu! Heavy in phytonutrients, as well as an excellent source for several amino acids, huge amounts of vitamin C
According to Navitas Naturals (keep in mind that while they are a reputable company, they do sell the product so may be biased by default), the camu (pronounced kah-moo) fruit has a “higher naturally occurring vitamin C content than any other food on the planet”.
Between the different ingredients, we are looking at a mix that: builds the immune system, helps ward off stress, benefits your skin, gums and eyes, improves your mood… and… tastes good.
If you want only a powder-free super super smoothie, skip the powders, add some beet greens, and throw in another banana with either another 1/4 cup of water or orange juice.

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The lovely photo depiction of this recipe is courtesy iStockphoto. The lighting and other details in our photography were simply not good enough to share. We’d love to share a reader photograph with credit to you if you manage to have better luck than we did!

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PLEASE TAKE NOTE! Would you like to use this recipe in your e-zine or on your website? This recipe is my own, and I would be so THRILLED if you shared it! You can share it in emails, websites, forums, blogs, etc. as long as you include the below blurb and link to the newsletter along with it.

This recipe was originally created for Raw News Bites, Eva Rawposa’s free weekly e-zine for raw food lovers and anyone looking to feel great. You can get your FREE recipes and tips, and your free subscription to Raw News Bites, at www.uncooking101.com. PLUS you will receive a link to download Eva’s book “Around the World in 8 Easy Recipes” when you sign up, as your WELCOME GIFT!

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