Thursday, February 28, 2013

DR FUHRMAN’S CHOCOLATE GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE

A serious smoothie – there are few forces of nature that can compete and then you must fulfill the craving. What better way to do that than with the wonderful Dr. Furhman‘s chocolate green smoothie! Chocolate smoothie recipes are a great way to mix fruit and chocolate into a swirling combination of chocolatey-goodness. Make sure to use raw cocoa, not the processed/sweetened stuff. Dr Fuhrman adds spinach to assure that you get a bigger powerhouse of nutrients, but any greens will work.

Chocolate Smoothie
Author:
Serves: 3½ cups

Ingredients
  • ½ C. Soy milk (or other milk substitute)
  • ½ C. Pomegranate juice
  • 5 oz. Baby spinach, organic (about 4 cups packed)
  • 1 Banana, medium, peeled
  • 1 T. Cocoa powder, raw
  • 1 T. Flaxseed
  • 2 C. Blueberries, frozen

Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients into the blender in the order listed and secure lid.
  2. Blendtec: Press the SMOOTHIE button.
  3. Vitamix: VARIABLE, speed #1. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to VARIABLE, speed #10, then to HIGH. Blend for 1 minute, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.
 
 
 
HEALTH BENEFITS & FUN FACTS

Dark Chocolate increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart, so it can help improve cognitive function. It also helps reduce risk of stroke. Dark chocolate contains several chemical compounds that have a positive effect on your mood and cognitive health. One is phenylethylamine (PEA), the same chemical your brain creates when you feel like you’re falling in love. PEA encourages your brain to release endorphins, so eating dark chocolate will make you feel happier.

Spinach is a powerhouse of nutrition rich in many vitamins and nutrients. Experts have identified at least thirteen different compounds in spinach that provide antioxidant and/or anti-cancer benefits. Spinach rich in calcium and magnesium, helps prevent osteoporosis. It is also an excellent source of iron, which is critical for women in menopause and for people who have anemia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Spinach contains vitamin E, which helps slow mental decline and memory loss.

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