Directions for all of these raw food smoothies:
- bring all ingredients down to a reasonable size,
- remove all pits and inedible hulls,
- then toss them in the blender and take it for a spin!
Each recipe should serve one adjust proportions as necessary for more people, or hungrier people.
Raw juices may be acquired from your local natural foods store, but I prefer to make them at home in a juicer — there’s something very delectable about fresh juice.
The Pure Fruit Basics
1 cup raw orange juice,- one fresh banana,
- 1/2 cup strawberries (or the berries of your choice) and half a peeled mango,
- plus some crushed ice if you’re so inclined.
This one is simple, user-friendly, and loaded with fresh fruit carbohydrates for immediate energy. You can also substitute peach for mango.
The Immune Rocket
- 1/2 cup raw carrot juice,
- 1/2 cup raw apple juice,
- one fresh banana,
- 1 cup spinach,
- kicker ingredients: garlic and ginger.
Now, there are two ways to get the garlic and ginger into your smoothie. The way I recommend, should you happen to have a juicer handy, is to push one clove of garlic and a segment of fresh ginger about the size of a marble into your juicer with the apple and carrots.
The other way is to simply blend them up with the rest. If blending, I recommend cutting the green shoot out of the center of the garlic clove first, and peeling the ginger.
Garlic offers immune protection and improves heart health, while ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory and adds a delicious spice.
The Avo-Lution
- 1/2 cup raw apple juice, one fresh banana,
- one fresh small avocado,
- 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice,
- 1/2 cup crushed ice.
The avocado smoothie may sound odd, but it’s a traditional treat in Southeast Asia, and your first exposure will win you over. It can be a delicious, creamy light meal in a glass. If you have access to raw coconut milk, or want to cheat, you can replace the apple juice with coconut milk.
The Almond Builder
- 1 cup raw almond milk, or 1 cup raw apple juice if almond milk is unavailable.
- 2-3 tablespoons raw almond butter,
- 1/3 cup pitted dates,
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries.
Almond butter is very high protein for raw vegan food — this is a great smoothie for after the gym!
The Salad Days
1/2 cup raw tomato juice,- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes,
- 1 cup greens of your choice,
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber,
- 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice,
- 1/2 cup crushed ice.
You can add garlic and ginger, as per the directions in the Immune Rocket, for a little extra kick! Chopped red pepper also makes a good alternate addition to this smoothie.
The Wicked Cool
- 1 cup raw milk (vegans can replace this with nut milks),
- 2-3 tablespoons raw cashew butter,
- one banana,
- 1 tablespoon raw honey,
- 1/2 cup crushed ice,
- a pinch of grated vanilla bean.
The idea is to create a tasty treat much like ice cream!
