The Seriously Stupendous Springtime Ayurvedic Smoothie Recipe
As soon as the days get longer and the sun stronger – my body craves delicious meals that will lighten my load, boost my immunity, and help me feel F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.
How about you?
Right now, we collectively enter a transformational phase of year… one where winter’s darkness winds down and spring starts to peep its grassy sprouts to the surface.
According to Ayurveda, we’re in the junction between winter (Vata-Kapha season – although mostly Kapha) turning to Spring (Kapha-Pitta season – also mostly Kapha!)
The common denominator? Kapha needs reducing, baby.
This the season (in baby steps!) to get stored, excess Kapha on the move.
Today I rode my bike around town (a favorite pastime) and headed home with my mind on what I would eat for breakfast.
Eggs with greens? That awesome kale smoothie I made on my last trip to Oahu? (insert link to blog post) I kept asking myself, “How do I feel? What do I need?”
Or, as my talented yoga teacher Dawn Hayes says, “What’s the weather like inside?” Speaking of which, Dawn and I created Home Ayurveda-Yoga Immersion course about that very topic! But I digress…
As I pedaled the final hill home, I remembered an “Elixir” cookbook bought for me by one of my beloved clients. It’s filled with superfood-infused smoothies, juices, and hot drinks. Immediately my body said, “Yes, THAT.”
Juice felt too cold and I was too hungry for a simple hot drink. So I settled on a nutrient-dense chocolate smoothie.
The recipe called for ice – a huge no-no in Ayurveda, especially for a Vata-Kapha girl like me.
I mean… MAYBE you’d say yes to the ice? But only for someone who’s Pitta predominant, in the middle of summer, in the hottest part of the day, who’s seriously overheated, and one iced drink isn’t going to extinguish their digestive fire.
This is the problem with smoothies!
“I don’t have a problem.” – Sally
“Yes, you do.” – Harry
Most smoothies are too cold – calling for ice, frozen fruit, and all manner of cold ingredients that may or may not combine well enough for your digestive system to break them down.
So when I come across a smoothie recipe that SOUNDS awesome (but too cold), I take charge of maintaining my digestive by adding spices, adaptogenic herbs, and other elements that make said smoothie PERFECT for me.
Now, the recipe I’ve created for you here is chock-full of ingredients you may or may not have on hand. Below the recipe, I’ll tell you WHY you may want these ingredients on hand this summer – and where to get them.
So without further ado… here is The Seriously Stupendous Springtime Smoothie – inspired by one of Malcolm Saunder’s recipes from his book, “Elixir Life.”
The Seriously Stupendous Springtime Ayurvedic Smoothie Recipe
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Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 serving
½ cup oat milk or almond milk (to reduce Vata, use oat milk)
½ frozen organic banana, broken up into chunks (for Kapha, substitute ½ cup frozen blueberries)
1 Tablespoon coconut butter
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
3 Tablespoons chocolate or vanilla goat milk whey protein powder, or substitute any protein powder you love here
2 Tablespoons lucuma powder
2 Medjool dates, pitted
1 Tablespoon raw cacao powder or carob powder
1 Tablespoon raw cacao nibs
1 teaspoon Billy’s Infinity Chai or one of Four Sigmatic’s medicinal mushroom mixes, optional
½ teaspoon ground ginger (to reduce Pitta, use cardamom or fresh minced ginger root)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch high-quality, mineral-rich salt
1 teaspoon bee pollen, optional
1 teaspoon raw cacao nibs, optional
Put all the ingredients in a high-speed blender. Process until smooth and serve with an optional sprinkle of bee pollen or raw cacao nibs.
Notes About This Recipe: On a warm day you can drink this as is. The frozen banana doesn’t make it TOO cold. But it’s better for your digestive system to wait 30 minutes before drinking. If bananas feel too heavy, or they just aren’t your thing, substitute with ½ cup frozen blueberries.
Goat milk whey protein can be replaced with plant-based protein powder. My favorites include Billy’s Infinity Protein, Moon Juice, and Mattole Valley’s plant-based protein. If you want to go sugar-free, choose a plain variety.
For more Amazing spring detox recipes and your fastest track to feeling AMAZING, check out The RAD Cleanse Spring Detox HERE.
Awesome post. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post with us!