Goji Cranberry Green Smoothie…A Festive Cleansing Drink :)

I was visiting my parents all last week for Thanksgiving in the San Francisco area. As a family, we tend to eat fairly moderately, so I didn’t feel like I overindulged so much on turkey and pie. What I did indulge on was BREAD. That San Francisco sourdough will be the death of me, I tell you!

At any rate, I am back home and cooking in my own kitchen again. I came up with this little recipe after I went to the grocery store yesterday. As I was re-filling my refrigerator and putting some things in the freezer, I realized I had taken a bag of fresh cranberries I had opened before I left town and put them in the freezer so they wouldn’t be rotten when I returned. I thought about them before I went to bed last night and decided they would be added to a green smoothie I intended to make in the morning.

Now I am not always a green juice or smoothie drinker, but ever since I purchased a Vitamix about a year ago, I have really enjoyed creating my own and bringing them places with me in mason jars. I prefer the smoothie version of green juices, because I like to get all the fibers, vitamins and minerals that are found in the skin of most of my favorite fruits and veggies. This smoothie may or may not be a filling breakfast for some. I do add a scoop of my friend Sophie’s raw vegan protein powder called Green Dream and a tablespoon of flaxseed oil, since the healthy fat helps our bodies absorb the vitamins from the fruits and vegetables more readily.

Using cranberries in a smoothie is also a seasonal thing. It will make your smoothie taste more tart, but on the plus side, cranberries are known for fighting cancers and contain proanthocyanidins, which help block urinary tract infections.

Goji berries are something I also do not normal add to smoothies. They can be pricey, but I ran a turkey trot race when I was home for Thanksgiving and they gave us sample bags in our race gift bags, so I figured this would be a clever way to use them. Goji berries, like other berries, are known for their antioxidant properties and are said to help with mood, sleep and energy levels. If you are interested in purchasing some, I recommend this site for some of the best prices.

GOJI CRANBERRY GREEN SMOOTHIE

1 cup water

1 head of romaine*

1 cup kale or spinach*

2 celery stalks*

1 piece of raw ginger

1/2 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen (fresh preferred)*

2 tbsp. goji berries

1/2 banana

1 tbsp. flaxseed oil

1 tbsp. Philosophie Green Dream (optional)

Blend and enjoy!

*I do recommend using organic produce wherever possible 🙂