By Hannah Kaminsky
For a health reboot, make the blender your best friend in 2014.
Free of: gluten and top allergens.
Method
To prepare any of these smoothies:
Add all ingredients to a blender in the order listed and cover. Start the machine on low speed, gradually moving up to the highest setting once the whole mixture is moving freely. Blend on high for 1-3 minutes, or until the beverage is completely smooth. Each recipe makes 1 large or 2 small servings.
Snow Bunny
Often labeled as “free radical fighters”, vitamins A and C help to battle troubled winter skin from the inside out. Both carrots and romaine are praised as top sources for these key antioxidants, and winter pears lend natural sweetness to this lightly creamy, yet icy delight.
Ingredients
- 4 large romaine lettuce leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 small bartlett pears, cored and roughly chopped
- 1 cup (250 mL) carrot juice
- 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) crushed ice
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup, to taste
- 1 ⁄ 4 tsp turmeric (optional, for color)
Crimson Crusader
The bright red hue in beets is more than just a pretty package. It signifies the presence of betalains, phytonutrients that have been shown to give antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cellular detoxification support.
Magnifying both the color and benefits of this brilliant beverage, whole cranberries have shown promise in warding off infections, protecting the liver and anti-cancer activity. To tame their tart disposition, fresh vitamin-rich fruit rounds out this blend.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 mL) fresh or frozen whole cranberries
- 1 medium ripe banana
- 1 small red beet, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 cup (250 mL) fresh-squeezed orange juice
Next: Matcha Magic