Raw Food Smoothies: “The Rawkstar”

When I lived in Los Feliz a few years ago, I lived with an amazing raw food chef, September Death.  While roommates, September taught me so much about the benefits of raw food, tools and tips for implementing raw “un-cooking” into your day-to-day life (think dehydrators, mandelines, VitaMix) and many of her very best recipes.  The one recipe I cannot live without is “The Rawkstar” smoothie.  It’s absolutely delicious, healthy and nutritious, and surprisingly leaves you feeling full.  I seriously make it a few mornings every week!  You can find the recipe below.  And for more information about raw foods and cleanses, check September out at redcarpetcleanses.com

But first, a note on the first ingredient – milk!  You can use any kind of milk; ideally it would be raw.  My Mom and I use fresh, raw goat milk from our Chivas farm because it is readily available to us and because it has so many health benefits.  If raw goat milk is not an option, you can buy pasteurized goat milk at select Trader Joes’s, Whole Foods and other natural food markets.  Another good option (especially for anyone who is lactose intolerant) is almond milk.  You can make homemade, raw almond milk by (1) soaking 2 cups of raw almonds for 8 hours;  (2) straining almonds; (3) blending the almonds with 4 cups water; (4) straining again and serving. Or you can just pick up a carton of almond milk at Trader Joe’s or the like; preferably unsweetened, organic, low-fat.  Cow’s milk, soy milk and rice milk are obviously options too; although I’ve never tried it so I can’t speak to it.

“Rawkstar” Breakfast Smoothie

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups milk (you choose)
1 cup kale leaves (I buy a bag of baby spinach and stick it in the freezer to use)
1/2 cup of frozen mango (I like pineapple either in addition or in replacement of)
1/2 frozen banana (I like to use avocado; same creaminess, but with added green factor)
1 T Cinnamon (sounds strange, but makes it what it is)
1 T Raw Almond Butter (again, Trader Joe’s has a great raw, smooth version)
Pinch of sea salt

(Optional:  I also like to add supplements and powders to my shakes, such as Udo’s Choice flax, omega 3 & fatty acid blend, Maca powder, lecithin powder and bee pollen.  Plus, I really need the added sweetness of agave or honey).  (Note: You can learn more about these types of supplements and powders at Mountain Rose Herbs).

Instructions

Blend all of the above ingredients until creamy & smooth (generally the high-quality the blender, the smoother the shake – I love my VitaMix!)