vegan smoothies Archives - Wild Blueberries

I’m a believer in New Year’s resolutions. Although most of us are unable to stick to them long term, they can help you kick-start better eating and other healthy habits. Over the years, like many of you, I’ve learned to keep my proclamations a little more realistic and specific. Rather than saying, “I’m going to eat healthier every day,” I’ve written down “add 5 new healthy foods to my regular weekly diet” and “swap my daily afternoon treat for a smoothie.” These new dietary goals should help me with my late afternoon workouts and that lull in energy I often feel later in the day. So as you make your resolutions for the New Year try being more detailed. You’ll find them more doable and easier to track.

wild-blueberry-creamsicle-smoothie-straw-ig-2

In the spirit of meeting those goals, I’ve come up with an indulgent but energizing smoothie recipe that will help me stay the course. I recently tried a blend of Wild Blueberries with orange and the combination was magical. The zesty orange and deliciously sweet-tart Wild Blueberries made my beverage come alive without the need for a long list of ingredients. Because I like my smoothies a little rich and fulfilling, I went the creamsicle route with a touch of coconut cream and vanilla. Overall, it’s a nourishing and rewarding blend.

For the best-tasting and most nutritious results, be sure to use frozen Wild Blueberries and freshly squeezed (not from concentrate) orange juice. Frozen Wild Blueberries guarantee far more flavor than the blander conventional blueberries you find in the produce section and they have twice the antioxidants too! Wild Blueberries have so much going for them. They occur and spread naturally on a wild landscape called the Barrens; they are never planted and haven’t been modified by humans in any way. The Wild Blueberries we buy today are basically the same as the ones that existed 10,000 years ago! You can’t say that about many foods.

wild-blueberry-creamsicle-smoothie-overhead-vert-5

Wild Blueberries are flash frozen at harvest to lock in all of their goodness and they are available year round. I usually buy them in the freezer section at Trader Joe’s or I pick up the Wyman’s brand at stores like Smart & Final or Whole Foods.

wild-blueberry-creamsicle-smoothie-hand-vert

Here’s my New Year’s dairy-free indulgent and energizing smoothie.

Wild Blueberries are a perfect ingredient for wellness in our Wild Blueberry Winter Wellness Smoothie! They’re packed with antioxidants, naturally low fat, high in fiber, and an excellent source of manganese, which is important for bone health. They also taste utterly delicious!

2016_11_06_9-22-16_9999_1healthyhappylife2000wb

On the eve of cold and flu season and the busy holidays, I’ve been thinking about these two amazing Wild Blueberry wellness facts and how they make me want to incorporate more Wild Blueberries into my diet.

Antioxidants. Wild Blueberries contain two times the antioxidants of regular (cultivated) blueberries, and this means they can boost your immune system and play a role in preventing the common cold. Wild Blueberries have more skin, more pulp and less water than cultivated blueberries, which means more antioxidant-rich pigment.
Low or No Pesticides. Because Wild Blueberries thrive in their natural environment, they do not need nearly the amount of pesticides that cultivated berries need. So you can feel confident buying non-organic or organic Wild Blueberries!

2016_11_06_9-22-16_9999_12healthyhappylife2000wb

Here’s a short list of my favorite ways to enjoy Wild Blueberries, during the winter:

In oatmeal or rice porridge
Baked into fluffy Wild Blueberry muffins or breads or donut holes!
Blended into wellness smoothies
Blended into fresh salad dressings and savory sauces
As a topping over banana ice cream
In pancakes and waffles

There are so many delicious and healthy uses for Wild Blueberries in winter! Today’s smoothie is perfect for wellness, not only because it’s loaded with Wild Blueberries, but because it includes five more immune-system boosting ingredients:

Walnuts – Rich in healthy fats, omega fatty acids and vitamin E
Hemp Seeds – Naturally rich in plant-based protein, omega fatty acids, magnesium, iron and zinc
Banana – Rich in potassium and fiber
Citrus Zest – Yes the zest is good for you too! It’s packed with vitamin C and bioflavonoids.
Cinnamon – Blood sugar balancing and warming.

Too cold for a smoothie? Never. You can make this smoothie “less cold” by omitting the ice and using a non-frozen banana. You can even allow the Wild Blueberries to thaw a bit so they’re not ice cold from the freezer.