Excerpt from queen bee Zen Master Tova Tarantino Toshiba: The Illustrious and Delusional Abbess of Satire.
Do bees dream of honey?
From The Honey Dew Book Oracle. Date Unknown.
More koans and dreams at: Zen Master Tova Tarantino Toshiba: The Illustrious and Delusional Abbess of Satire.
Morning Lift-Off
by Gabriel Constans
This contains a complete well-rounded breakfast for the athlete in each of us waiting to burst forth, if it hasn’t already.
Yield: 5 cups
3 small bananas
2 cups fresh-squeezed (or frozen) orange juice
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
1/4 cup shredded wheat, grape nuts or brown rice cereal
1/4 cup firm tofu
1 tablespoon honey or agave
1 1/2 teaspoons egg substitute plus 2 tablespoons water
Place all the ingredients in a blender, and mix on medium speed for 1 minute.
Pour into bowls, mugs or cups and get energized for the day.
Luscious Lassi
by Gabriel Constans
Lassi is an Indian drink most often made with dairy, honey, and fruit. In India, you’ll often see people greet one another by putting their palms together and saying, “Namaste” (“I honor the light within you”). The Luscious Lassi is a cool, refreshing smoothie which honors the light within each one of us. One sip and you’ll think you’re in Kashmir, Mumbai or Southern India.
Yield: 4 1/2 cups
3 tablespoons plain yogurt (dairy, soy, rice or almond)
1 1/2 ripe mangoes, peeled, seeded, and sliced
3 cups milk (soy, rice or dairy)
3 tablespoons honey
Place all the ingredients in a blender, and blend on low speed for 1 minute.
Pour into glasses and serve. Namaste.
Leti’s Chai
by Gabriel Constans
This smoothie is one of our daughter Leti’s favorites. Chai is a traditional Indian spiced tea made with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, dates, and cardamom. It can be bought prepackaged, or you can make it yourself*.
Yield: 3 cups
2 cups chai, steeped and cooled
1/2 cup rice milk
1 tablespoon honey, or to taste
1 tablespoon dried mint
Place all the ingredients in a blender, and mix on medium speed for 1 minute.
Pour into tea or coffee cups and serve.
*Chai can be bought prepackaged at natural food stores or made at home by combining equal amounts of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, dates, and cardamom. Add 8 cups water, bring the mixture to a boil, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Strawberry Strut
by Gabriel Constans
Clasp this drink in your hand and truck on down to your favorite hot spot to “strut your stuff.” With the added oxygen your body receives from the strawberries, you’ll have all the extra energy you need.
Yield: 4 cups
2 cups almond milk
20 fresh, ripe strawberries
1 small European or Japanese plum
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 pecans, chopped
2 tablespoons honey
Place all the ingredients in a blender, and blend on medium speed for 30 seconds.
Pour into tall, short, large or small cups and feel the rhythm.
All That Jazz
by Gabriel Constans
Jazz is an original art form of American music that first became popular in the 1920s. It has continued to expand and deepen its roots throughout the music world. Elements of jazz have been integrated into classical, folk, blues, soul, country, rock, and rap music. Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, and John Coltrane are just a few of its famous innovators. This smoothie is perfect to drink while listening to their music – or making your own.
Yield: 4 1/2 cups
2 1/2 medium bananas
3 tablespoons brewer’s yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 1/2 cups apple juice
3 apricots, finely chopped
3 tablespoons honey
Place ingredients in a blender, and blend on medium speed for 1 minute.
Pour, stir and let yourself move with all that jazz.
Blueberry Boogie
by Gabriel Constans
Boogie Woogie is an American original. It is a spin-off of jazz and rhythm and blues that influenced rock-and-roll. One person who helped popularize this style was Fats Domino, whose song “Blueberry Hill,” was a big seller. “Fats” was so named because of his large size – when he sat on the piano bench, it would disappear from view. Drink the Blueberry Boogie when you’ve got the blues. It will lift your spirits and your blood sugar.
Yield: 4 cups
1 cup soft tofu
2 cups frozen or fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons honey
5 drops peppermint extract
2 cups filtered water
Place ingredients in a blender, and mix on high for 30 seconds.
Pour into tall glasses and boogie woogie away.
Neighborhood Nectar
by Gabriel Constans
Ah, nectarines! What a treat. Not only do they taste fabulous, but they are also rich in potassium, sodium, and calcium. Nectarines help clean out the toxic crud that accumulates in your pores, thus aiding your complexion. Try sharing this smoothie with your neighbors – they’ll love it!
Yield: 5 cups
6 tablespoons plain yogurt (soy, almond or dairy)
6 fresh nectarines, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 tablespoons honey, or to taste
1/3 cup wheat germ
1 cup seedless grapes
3 cups filtered water
Place ingredients in a blender, and blend on medium speed for 45 seconds.
Pour into tall glasses and serve at your next block or neighborhood party.
That Old Black Magic
Spirulina is a form of algae. It’s a big energy booster that the Aztecs used to take on long trips. Rose hip tea is high in vitamin C, and helps fight off colds. This smoothie should be dark in color and rich in taste.
Yield: 4 cups
1/4 cup spirulina
1 large banana
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 cup grape juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup brewed rose hip tea
Place all the ingredients in a blender, and blend on medium speed for 30 seconds.
Pour into tall glasses and serve this delicious and healthy concoction.
Completely Nutz
by Gabriel Constans
You’ll feel a little nutty after you swig down this concoction loaded with minerals, protein, and iron.
Yield: 5 cups
2 large ripe bananas
2 cups filtered water
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 cup orange juice
1 cup fruit punch
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup chopped pecans, cashews, or walnuts
1/4 cup pine (or pignoli) nuts
Place all the ingredients in a blender, and mix on medium speed for 1 1/2 minutes.
Pour into any size cup and let your self go.
Gabriel Constans 