Superfood splendor for your blender

The term “superfood” has recently been used to describe many food items that don’t necessarily qualify. An unfortunate example of this occurred on a well-known street where a large yellow bird and a disgruntled garbage man have occasionally been seen. Yes, sunny day, sweeping away the clouds, on my way to where the air is sweet, can you tell me how to get there, how to get to Superfood Street…not exactly? Four new characters recently moved into apartment B12 on Sesame Street: Broccoli, Banana, Whole Grain Hamburger Bun, and Block of Cheese. All of them qualify as food, but two aren’t particularly good. While Mr. Broccoli, sporting the green afro and bleeding vitamin C, is a legit superfood, and his friend Mr. Banana is considered a health food, the Whole Wheat Hamburger Man and Block of Cheese Guy shouldn’t have been leased. These two cats need to find their own efficiency in Unhealthy Lane somewhere.

Jokes aside, there is no legal definition for the term “superfood.” Therefore, anything can be called a superfood for the sake of marketing and selling products. However, common sense and most grandmothers will tell us that a stem of broccoli will be a healthier option than a block of cheese. We can also safely assume that most dieticians and nutritional scientists who are not advocates of the superfood label will also not advise their customers to consume gallons of ice cream for its health benefits. It is common sense and knowledge that some foods are better for us than others, and these are generally the natural, unprocessed kind straight from Mama Earth, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Additionally, some of these healthy foods possess nutritional properties superior to the rest of the edible world, earning them superfood status.

Before I delve into the details of superfoods and their benefits, I’d like to re-introduce my favorite kitchen gadget from my previous article on Blendanomics. This, my friends, is the amazing blender, a vehicle for the convenient consumption of superfoods. I find mixing up a healthy smoothie is the ideal way to ingest superfoods, especially since some of them come in powder form. This method also presents the opportunity to consume a wide range and quantity of superfoods simultaneously.

Sample Superfood Blender Mix

I suggest a good mix of fruits and vegetables (all of which are healthy foods, if not superfoods), as the base of a superfood smoothie. And their combination should produce something that appeals to your palate. Feel free to choose from the following, which are available at your local grocery store or supermarket most of the year:

– Bananas (good source of iron, potassium and natural energy source)
– Kiwi (great source of antioxidants, vitamins C, E and A, fiber and potassium)
– Avocado (provides twenty essential nutrients and is excellent for weight control)
– Apples (great source of soluble and insoluble fiber)
– Kale (contains large amounts of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients)
– Spinach (excellent source of antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, etc.)
– Carrots (great source of beta carotene and good for the eyes)
– Limes (excellent source of vitamin C, weight loss aid and medicinal food)
– Blueberries (high in fiber, vitamin C, and cancer-fighting antioxidants)
– Strawberries (great source of vitamin C, fiber and folic acid).

Of these fruits and vegetables, the following are commonly considered superfoods: kiwi, avocado, kale, spinach, blueberries, and limes. Combining them with some of the other healthy fruits and vegetables mentioned above will provide a great base for your superfood smoothie.
The next healthy and superfood options for your creation can also be found in most grocery stores and supermarkets. After the fruit/vegetable base is thoroughly mixed, you can add the following foods to the blender:

– Organic natural yogurt (great source of probiotics, calcium and B vitamins)
– Coconut milk (contains lauric acid which has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, it is also a great source of vitamins and minerals)
– Almond butter (great source of minerals and antioxidants, also good for the heart, can lower blood pressure, control blood sugar and help control weight)
– Turmeric (a medicinal master food, has been used for centuries as a healing agent in Indian medicine)
– Cinnamon (a great source of minerals, can lower bad cholesterol, regulate blood sugar and help with weight loss)
– Oatmeal (excellent source of fiber, known to lower cholesterol and a good source of protein…will also turn your smoothie into a meal)

After maneuvering through the second tier of healthy and superfoods, now it’s time to delve into some top tier additions to your health shake. These superfoods aren’t common to most of us, but they’ve been health staples for centuries in other parts of the world. Some of them may be available at your local grocery store, but your best bet is to find these foods at Wholefoods or another health food store. And since most of them are available in powder form, they’re an easy addition to your blender’s splendor. Without further ado, the next level of superfoods:

– Goji Berries (stimulate the secretion of human growth hormone, contain powerful antioxidants, increase energy and stamina, improve libido, protect DNA, and can aid in weight loss).
– Hemp seeds (contains the ideal balance of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids, is a source of complete protein, and is a great source of trace minerals)
– Chia Seeds (excellent source of energy, keeps the body hydrated, easily digestible and stabilizes blood sugar)
– Aloe Vera (it is an anti-inflammatory, helps with digestive problems, a great source of essential minerals, vitamins and enzymes)
– Acai Berries (powerful source of antioxidants, protein, and dietary fiber; aids in weight loss, digestion, and energy)
– Spirulina (the highest protein food with the highest concentration of beta-carotene, vitamin B-12, iron, minerals, and the essential fatty acid GLA; improves immune function and RNA)
– Maca Root (provides energy, strength and endurance, improves libido and helps the immune system). Researching maca before use is recommended due to potential side effects.

Now that you have a whole list of super healthy foods to choose from, get out your blender, clean it up, give it a real good clean, let the creative juices start flowing and make an amazing super healthy smoothie! For anyone feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of this, here’s a not-so-basic recipe to get you started:

– 2 small bananas – 1 kiwi – a handful of fresh spinach
– ½ Granny Smith apple – ¼ lime – a handful of goji berries
– ½ cup of natural yogurt – 1 small carrot – 2 to 3 drops of turmeric
– 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds – ½ cup of water – 1 teaspoon of maca
– A 1-inch piece of aloe leaf – Lots of ice!

The above should produce a complete blender, packed with awesomeness. If you’re not ready to consume all of that or don’t have a friend nearby who’s willing to experiment with you, do it in the morning, drink half, and refrigerate the rest for later in the day. Ideally, we want to consume super shakes soon after preparation because they may not refrigerate well. Also, the color of your smoothie will probably look like something you might not want to drink. If this becomes a problem, use a colored cup or mug instead of a clear glass. Lastly, the taste of the above recipe may not be to your liking, and that’s okay. Experiment with food combinations you like to develop your own great shake.

At the end of the day, a superfood shake isn’t going to cure every disease known to man, but it’s very likely to make you feel better on a daily basis, giving you energy and an overall sense of well-being knowing you’re giving your body a wonderful amount of nutrients. And if you don’t feel confident enough to start creating smoothies with double-digit ingredients, whip up a simple blend of fruit and vegetable smoothies and see how it makes you feel. The purpose is to reintroduce high-quality, nutritious foods into the American diet so that everyone can experience each day at its highest level of health. You are what you eat, so consuming something called a superfood shake can only lead to one thing: a super consumer! Be creative my friends and enjoy your creations.