Yerba Mate Smoothie

I came across this wonderful smoothie on the blog "This Rawsome Vegan Life". The blog has so many great vegan recipes but this smoothie really stood out. It's full name is Hormone balancing Yerba Mate Banana Smoothie with Maca, Lucuma, Vanilla and Cashews. It could almost be called the South American Superfood smoothie since many of it's ingredients originate there and are packed with nutritional benefits. That's particularly why it caught my attention. From my travels to Peru, Argentina and Brazil names like maca, lucuma and yerba mate are very familiar. Here is the recipe from Emily's blog :



Yerba Mate Banana Smoothie

2 frozen bananas
1 1/2 cups chilled yerba mate tea (chai blend can be used)
1 tsp lucuma powder
1 tsp maca powder
1 tsp vanilla powder
3 dates
Pinch of Himalayan salt
1/4 cashews, preferably soaked
Cacao nibs (optional)

Blend everything until smooth. Taste and adjust accordingly (add more dates, vanilla, etc.) Top off with cacao nibs.


 ♥

For more info on this superfood smoothie and other great recipes visit This Rawsome Vegan Life.






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Black Rice & Purple Carrots

I can't wait to try this recipe that I found on Maria's blog Scandi Foodie from Australia. Maria, originally from Finland, takes beautiful photographs to accompany her wonderful recipes. This Black Rice and Purple Carrot Salad recipe really caught my eye. Not only is this salad an amazing color but it's full of super foods. The black rice, once known as the forbidden rice, has more health promoting properties than blueberries and is better than brown rice. Purple carrots are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. See the recipe below for all the other good ingredients.

Black rice and purple carrot salad 

(Serves 2)

1 cup non-glutinous black rice

grated zest of 1 lime

juice of 1/2 lime

1 tablespoon brown rice vinegar

1 teaspoon tamari

pinch of salt

1 teaspoon pumpkin seed oil

3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

5 small purple carrots, coarsely grated

1/2 pomegranate, seeds

2 shallot greens/spring onions, finely chopped

2 tablespoons fresh coriander, finely chopped

peppery greens, to serve

 Cook the black rice in boiling water until soft (30 minutes). Drain and place in a large bowl.

       Add in all ingredients and toss well to combine. Serve with peppery greens (rocket, mizuna, etc.)

visit Scandi Foodie for more beautiful recipes