Wild Blueberry Super Foods Smoothie
By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the Wild Blueberry Association of North America and I am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
I have been on a Wild Blueberry Smoothie craze! Over the last few weeks, I have fallen in love with what frozen Wild Blueberries contribute to a smoothie. Intense blueberry flavor without ice-cube dilution! Instant thickener! Mega nutritional boost! Easy to have on hand! Consistent flavor! What do I mean by consistent flavor? Have you ever noticed that fresh cultivated blueberries can be sour, sweet, or not much flavor at all? It all depends on the season and who and when the blueberries are harvested. I don’t find that with frozen wild blueberries, these little gems always deliver intense blueberry flavor. I buy the 3 pound bag of frozen wild blueberries in the frozen fruit section of my grocery store. Make sure it says “wild blueberries”!
Wild blueberries have twice the antioxidant capacity of cultivated blueberries! In my merry language that means wild blueberries promote healthy aging and warding off disease for little old me! These purple jewels have proved themselves in research studies by showing benefits in gut health, diabetes, cancer, and brain health. New studies show that we can freeze wild blueberries without doing damage to their delicate anthocyanin antioxidants!
Speaking of health, I returned from Panama City last week with chest congestion and cough. Ugh! When I was at my worst, I craved a super food smoothie. So I thought the "WildYourSmoothie" challenge was perfect for me! I grabbed wild blueberries and other any foods I had on hand. I must say, I was daring! We all have heard that turmeric is a super food still trending this year so I thought why not? And what goes with turmeric but ginger. My recipe for Wild Blueberries Super Foods Smoothie will tell the rest of my story. And oh, I do feel much better so this Wild Blueberry Super Foods Smoothie helped in the healing! Check out these wild blueberry smoothies!
Here is a list of my Wild Blueberry Super Foods Smoothie ingredients with just a touch of why they are considered a super food!
My Super Foods!
Wild Blueberries: New studies show potential benefits in nervous system, brain health, improve memory. Wild blueberries are low in terms of the glycemic index (GI), help lower blood pressure, and are super high in antioxidant power. Wild blueberries reduce chronic inflammation and improve the abnormal lipid profile. Wild blueberries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K and fiber.
Orange Juice: Reduces risk of colon cancer. Prevents free radical damage that triggers the inflammatory cascade, is thus also associated with reduced severity of inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Free radicals also oxidize cholesterol.
Carrot Juice: Improves Immunity And Controls Heart Diseases. Can help improv eyesight, helps keep the lining of the internal organs healthy, reduces Cholesterol, aids in clotting of blood, improves bone health… to name a few.
Fresh Ginger: Fights cancer, helps with irritable bowel syndrome,
protects against Alzheimer’s disease, relieves tired muscles, helps manage glucose levels
Fresh Turmeric: Protect the liver oxidative stress. Kill fungus more effectively than ginger, clove and oregano, Kill bladder cancer cells, destroy lung cancer cells, lower blood cholesterol levels, protect against cognitive/memory defects from heavy ion irradiation.
Chia Seeds: Rich in fiber, omega-3 fats, protein, vitamins, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Protein Power: protein, bone strength, energy, and overall vitamin nutrition, aid in fighting depression, energy punch and sustain your blood sugar, Protect against muscle cramps, improve mood and reduce PMS symptoms, reduce swelling, protect against type II diabetes, aid weight loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the production of white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6.
Kale: Low in calorie, high in fiber, aides in digestion and elimination, powerful nutrients, vitamins, folate and magnesium…to name a few benefits!
Lemon: High in vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein.
Wild Blueberry Super Foods Smoothie
3/4 cup fresh orange juice or refrigerated or hand squeezed
1/2 cup carrot juice
1 Meyer lemon, zest and ¼ cup juice, standard lemon, if needed
1 cup frozen Wild Blueberries
1/2 avocado, peel and pit removed
1 large leaf massaged kale, center vein removed
1 tablespoon finely grated (rasp grater) gingerroot, peeled
1/2 tablespoon finely grated (rasp grater) turmeric root, peeled
1 tablespoon vanilla protein powder
1/2 tablespoon chia seeds
In the pitcher of a blender combine orange juice, carrot juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 lemon zest, wild blueberries, avocado, kale, gingerroot, turmeric, protein powder, and chia seeds. Blend until smooth. Add 2-4 tablespoons of pure water if too thick. Garnish with grated lemon zest and frozen wild blueberries!
Drink up and have a super charged day!
Preparation Note:
I used a Meyer Lemon in this recipe. If you are making your smoothie with a standard lemon start off with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Meyer Lemons are so much sweeter!
Preparation Tip:
Use a rasp grater for finely grating turmeric, ginger, and lemon zest.
Happy Blending!
Merry Cooking!
