EnerGizing Blueberry Boost Smoothie (Paleo Vegan)

We all need more energy to start our day or to get through the day. This smoothie provides just that and tastes absolutely scrumptious, even the kiddos will love it. Did you know that beets contain naturally occurring nitrates that can improve the efficiency of your body's energy-producing cells (mitochondria). If the mere idea of eating beets freaks you out, trust me, you will NOT taste them in this. I am married to a beet-hater and I am able to disguise them so that he doesn’t notice them in foods like this.
Money saving TIP: When it comes to frozen fruit, especially berries, use FROZEN berries. Unless it is berry season, fresh berries are terribly expensive. Fresh (organic if possible) berries are just as nutritious, often more nutritious in fact than fresh out of season, highly travelled berries, and of course they are far less expensive. Not only that, but fresh berries spoil very quickly.
Ginger root is probably my favourite smoothie add-in. Loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties ginger root is SO good for our bodies. Try to source organic ginger root, but only if it fits within your budget. I have found that fresh organic sourced at my local Food co-op is less expensive than the non organic ginger I find at local super markets. In my experience, organic ginger root lasts longer, tastes better and has a much deeper flavour and colour than non organic ginger root. Side by side there is a remarkable difference in the colour. Non organic is often a very dull yellow whereas organic is often a bright sunny yellow. When it comes to colour where vegetables and fruit are concerned studies have shown that intensity of colour often indicates higher levels of nutrients, disease fighting compounds and vitamins.
Smoothie add in’s to boost your vitamin and antioxidant intake that I LOVE: any of Koyah’s freeze dried organic fruit and vegetable powders are top of my list. In this smoothie I added Acerola whole cherry powder. Acerola powder is extremely high in Vitamin C. Just one scoop provides 200% of the recommended daily intake. Use code: rocks&dirtbakery for 10% off your order and enjoy free shipping to Canada and the U.S. at koyah.com
I typically add a little natural sweetener to my smoothies to balance the flavours, I do not add bananas to any of my smoothies as is typical in most smoothie recipes (my husband is allergic to bananas & I don’t love the strong banana-ey flavour they impart. Dates and date syrup are one of my favourite healthy sweeteners to add to my smoothies. Dates are considered a low glycemic sweetener. They are high in fiber, a great source of potassium and magnesium, as well as antioxidants and electrolytes. I love D’vash date syrups. They are made from “ugly” dates that otherwise would not be suitable for sale as is. Essentially they are up-cycled into date syrup. Use code: Kimberley20 at D’vash organics.com for 20% off your order.