Kiwi’s Down Under

Kiwi’s Down Under
by Gabriel Constans

The raspberry hits you strongly at first, then a nice aftertaste of kiwi and almond kicks in to finish it off. Kiwis, identified worldwide with New Zealand, are high in vitamin C. They help maintain healthy gums and teeth, as well as aid in digestion.

These New Zealand rugby players just drank a pitcher of Kiwi’s Down Under.

Yield: 4 cups

2 ripe kiwis, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 ripe banana
1 cup raspberry juice
1 tablespoon almond butter

Place all the ingredients in a blender, and mix on medium speed for 30 seconds.

Pour into tall glasses, drink up and head for the nearest rugby field.

The Tingler

The Tingler
by Gabriel Constans

For your next New Year’s Eve or Winter Solstice celebration, make a resolution with this bubbly, non-alcoholic crowd-pleaser.

Yield: 5 cups

1/4 cup filtered cold water
3/4 cup boysenberry juice
1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
3 small bananas
1/4 cup firm tofu
8 fresh or frozen strawberries
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup cashews
1 cup sparkling mineral water

Place all the ingredients, except the mineral water, in a blender, and mix on medium speed for 1 minute.

Add the mineral water, and blend on low speed for 5 seconds.

Pour into champagne glasses and raise a toast.

Drinking in Land of the Buddha

Drinking in Land of the Buddha
by Gabriel Constans

Gautama Buddha once said, “Desire is a trap, Desirelessness is liberation.” Obviously he had never tasted a smoothie, or he would have said, “Desire is freedom, and the best desire of all is for smoothies.” Over the last few years, many Buddhists have been known to be secretly converting to Smoothism. This is a simple, satisfying meal, which, like Buddhism, is nourishing and easy to digest.

Yield: 5 cups

1/2 cup filtered water
1 cup coconut milk
1 banana
1/2 cup shelled, unsalted peanuts
1/2 cup cooked rice
1/2 pineapple, peeled and chopped

Place all the ingredients in a blender, and mix on low speed for 45 seconds.

Pour into small bowls, serve and discover true enlightenment.

Luscious Lassi

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.

The Mahatma

The Mahatma
by Gabriel Constans

Mahatma Gandhi was one of India’s most celebrated citizens. He practiced and advocated nonviolence, and helped India gain its independence from the British in 1947. As a strict vegetarian and a proponent of living simply, his primary diet consisted of rice, as does that of most Indians. This is a tasty smoothie, as good as the best Indian food anywhere.

Photo of Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Einstein having a drink together.

Yield: 4 1/2 cups

3/4 teaspoon curry powder
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup chopped cashews
3/4 cup plain yogurt
3 cups milk (soy or rice)
1 1/2 cups cooked short grain brown rice

Place all the ingredients in a blender, and mix on medium speed for 1 minute or longer, until desired texture (smooth or creamy) is reached.

Pour into small bowls or cups and serve.

Leti’s Chai

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.

The Tex-Mex

The Tex-Mex
by Gabriel Constans

Jicama is a root vegetable similar to the turnip. It is popular in Mexican dishes throughout Mexico, Texas, California, and New Mexico. This smoothie is sweet, hot, nourishing, and filling.

Yield: 5 cups

2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
1 small jicama, peeled and sliced
1 large mango, peeled and sliced
1 teaspoon chopped jalapeno pepper*
Juice of 1 lime
2 cups filtered water
1 banana

Place all the ingredients in a blender, and blend on high speed for 1 minute.

Pour into tall glasses and serve.

*Jalapeno and other hot peppers must be handled carefully. Don’t touch your face
and wash hands thoroughly.

Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!!!

Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!!!
by Gabriel Constans

The fig’s praises have been sung for centuries. It is used extensively in the Mediterranean and the Middle East in a variety of dishes. It is also a surefire laxative when needed. You are encouraged to sing while making this smoothie. Pretend you’re Placido Domingo or Kiri Te Kanawa performing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, or in the shower.

Yield: 3 cups

4 baked figs *
1/2 cup cooked raisins **
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 cup filtered water

Place all the ingredients in a blender, and mix on medium speed for 1 minute. Don’t forget to sing!

Pour into silver goblets or glasses and serve.

*Bake figs at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
** Place raisins in a saucepan with enough water to cover, bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 minutes.

Raspberry Razzle Dazzle

Raspberry Razzle Dazzle
by Gabriel Constans

This is a favorite and legendary thirst-quencher from Wisconsin in the 1960s and 1970s. Folks used to drive long distances to obtain this sweet, fresh drink. Raspberries are reported to help cleanse the body of toxins, and also contain vitamins C and A.

Yield: 4 cups

1 cup fresh raspberries (or frozen if out of season)
2 cups vanilla pudding
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup filtered water

Place all the ingredients in a blender, and mix on medium speed for 50 to 60 seconds.

Your Broadway hands will come alive for the old razzle dazzle, as you pour this luscious drink into containers of your choice and serve with pizazz.

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise
by Gabriel Constans

To thoroughly enjoy this smoothie, take off your shirt (and whatever else you desire), throw on a flower garland necklace, and let your mind drift off to a warm night in Tahiti, Hawaii or the islands of Indonesia.

Yield: 5 cups

1/2 cup fresh, shredded coconut
2 cups filtered water
3 large bananas
1/2 mango, peeled and chopped
1/2 papaya, peeled and chopped
1/4 passion fruit, peeled and chopped
1/2 guava, peeled and chopped
1 small slice pineapple

Place all the ingredients in a blender, and blend on high speed for 30 seconds. Include shaved ice for sweltering days.

Pour into tall glasses or pineapple husks, put on your feathers and enjoy.