Sunflower Seed Hemp Milk (and Chocolate Variation)
I usually make a week’s supply of Sunflower Seed Hemp Milk at a time, which for me is about 8 cups. Hemp milk is a good substitute for cow’s milk on cereal. For a tasty change, try using the chocolate version on your morning cereal. Hemp milk also adds a subtle creaminess and flavor to smoothies.
Time: 2 minutes • Makes about 3 cups
2 ½ cups water
½ cup hemp seeds
½ cup sunflower seeds
3 large pitted dates (fresh, or dried dates soaked overnight)
1 tbsp roasted carob powder or cocoa powder (for chocolate variation)
• In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. To make into chocolate milk, you may add 1 tbsp of either roasted carob powder or cocoa powder before blending. Be aware that cocoa, unlike carob, does contain a bit of caffeine.
• Keep refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks.
Sacha Inchi Milk (and Chocolate Variation)
Soaking sacha inchi seeds doesn’t enhance their nutritional value, but it does allow them to be blended into a smooth milk.
Time: 2 minutes • Makes about 3 cups
2 ½ cups water
1 ½ cups soaked sacha inchi seeds
3 large pitted dates (fresh, or dried dates soaked overnight)
2 tbsp roasted carob powder or cocoa powder (for chocolate variation)
• In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. To make into chocolate milk, you may add 2 tbsp of either roasted carob powder or cocoa powder before blending. Be aware that cocoa, unlike carob, contains a bit of caffeine.
Ginger Pear Smoothie with Sunflower Seed Hemp Milk
The riper the pear, the sweeter the smoothie. If you’d like it even sweeter, add one or two fresh or soaked dried dates. Since ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory, this is an ideal choice for a post-workout snack.
Time: 2 minutes • Makes about 3 cups (2 servings)
1 banana
½ pear, cored
1 cup water
1 cup Sunflower Hemp Seed Milk (see p. 128)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1 tbsp hemp protein powder
1 tbsp peeled, grated ginger
• In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
Chocolate Almond Smoothie with Sacha Inchi Milk
Rich in protein and omega-3, this smoothie will keep you going for hours with sustainable, non-stimulating energy.
Time: 5 minutes • Makes about 3 ½ cups (2 large servings)
1 banana
2 fresh or presoaked dried dates
1 cup water
1 cup Sacha Inchi Milk (or chocolate variation) (see p. 128)
¼ cup almonds (or 2 tbsp raw almond butter)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1 tbsp hemp protein powder
1 tbsp roasted carob powder
• In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
Brendan’s Original Lemon-Lime Sports Drink
Dates are high in glucose, which will enter the blood stream almost instantly. The sugar in the coconut water will enter the blood stream more slowly, spreading out the energy over a longer period.
Fresh dates are ideal. You can also soak dried dates for four hours beforehand to rehydrate.
Time: 5 minutes active • Makes 2 cups (1 large serving)
1 cup coconut water
1 cup water
2 dates (pitted fresh or presoaked dried)
Juice from ½ lemon
Juice from ¼ lime
Sea salt to taste
• In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend. If you prefer your drink smooth, strain out any pulp left from the lemon and lime.
The Brazier
THRIVE JUICE BAR, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
Jonnie Karan, co-founder of Thrive Juice Bar, named this one after me since he figured I’d like it. He was right. It’s certainly one of my favorites.
Time: Under 5 minutes prep • Makes 2 cups
1 tsp raw cocoa nibs
1 tbsp organic cocoa powder
6–7 raw cashews
2 tsp blue agave nectar
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 scoop or 1 ¾ ounces organic dairy-free vanilla gelato
1 tbsp almond butter
⅓ ripe banana
⅓ cup rice milk
½ cup coconut water
2 or 3 ice cubes
• In a blender, combine all ingredients, including ice, and blend until smooth.
• It’s best served immediately but can be kept up to 2 days in the fridge.
Thai Avocado Smoothie
THRIVE JUICE BAR, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
A unique-flavored and filling smoothie.
Time: Under 5 minutes • Makes 2 cups
½ ripe avocado
3 tsp dark raw agave
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp chopped lemongrass
½ cup coconut water
⅓ cup rice milk
2 or 3 ice cubes
• In a blender, combine all ingredients, including ice, and blend until smooth.
• It’s best served immediately but can be kept up to 2 days in the fridge.
Coconut Thai Lime Leaf Smoothie
THRIVE JUICE BAR, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
Lime leaf adds extra chlorophyll and a whole bunch of extra flavor in this exotic-tasting smoothie
Time: Under 5 minutes • Makes 2 cups
2 small scoops or ½ cup non-dairy coconut gelato
2 tsp blue agave
½ tsp chopped lemongrass
3 medium Thai lime leaves (available, usually frozen, in Asian markets)
Zest of half a lime
⅓ cup rice milk
½ cup coconut water
2 or 3 ice cubes
• In a blender, combine all ingredients, including ice, and blend until smooth.
• It’s best served immediately but can be kept up to 2 days in the fridge.
Coconut, Mango, Yellow Curry Smoothie
THRIVE JUICE BAR, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
Straight-up delicious with anti-inflammation properties as a bonus from the curry.
Time: Under 5 minutes • Makes 2 cups
½ cup frozen mango
1 fresh orange, juiced
½ tsp lime, juiced
⅛ tsp yellow curry powder
2 tsp blue agave
¼ cup rice milk
2 ounces organic pure mango juice
⅓ cup coconut water
2 or 3 ice cubes
• In a blender, combine all ingredients, including ice, and blend until smooth.
• It’s best served immediately but can be kept up to 2 days in the fridge.
La Belle Verte (The Beautiful Green One) Smoothie
CRUDESSENCE, MONTREAL, QUEBEC
Sweet, chlorophyll-rich goodness.
Time: Under 5 minutes • Makes 2 cups
¾ banana, frozen (or fresh banana + 2–3 ice cubes)
4 chunks pineapple
2 large leaves fresh kale
¼ cup parsley, chopped (firmly packed)
1 or 2 dates
2 tbsp shelled hemp seeds
1 pinch sea salt
1 ½ cups water
• Place all ingredients in a blender and add water to 16-ounce level. Blend until texture is like a smoothie, without lumps.
• It’s best served immediately but can be kept up to 2 days in the fridge.
Kombucha Mojito
Delicious, nutritious, and refreshing. Can be served solo, or with a meal to aid in digestion.
Time: 5 minutes • Makes 2 servings
½ cup chopped mint
3 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
2 tbsp orange juice
3 tbsp palm sugar
½ tsp lime zest
Ice
2 cups kombucha
Mint leaves, for garnish
• Muddle the mint, lime juice, orange juice, palm sugar, and lime zest together to release the flavor of the mint leaves.
• Strain and pour into 2 glasses filled with ice. Top each glass with kombucha, stir, and top with a fresh mint leaf for garnish.
Green Mango Dessert Smoothie
Is it a smoothie or is it a dessert? The Vega Sport Performance Protein Powder with its 20 grams of protein, high-quality ingredients, and smooth texture pretty much rocks in this recipe, but another vanilla hemp or rice protein will work too. You can increase the protein powder to two servings and add a little extra water for a less dessert-like, more traditional smoothie.
Time: 5 minutes • Makes 2 servings
2 heaping cups frozen mango chunks
½ cup hemp milk
½ cup water
1 scoop vanilla-flavored Vega Sport Performance Protein Powder
Touch of white stevia, to taste (optional)
2 tbsp shredded coconut (optional)
• In a blender, combine mangoes, hemp milk, water, and protein powder and blend until completely smooth.
• If desired, boost sweetness with a touch of stevia, to taste, and blend again. Serve in a bowl and top with shredded coconut.
Pomegranate Smoothie
This is a simple, refreshing smoothie.
Time: 5 minutes • Makes about 3 ½ cups (2 large servings)
1 banana
1 date
2 cups cold water (or 1 ½ cups water plus 1 cup ice)
1 cup pomegranate seeds (the amount from 1 pomegranate)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1 tbsp hemp protein
1 tbsp hemp oil
½ tsp cayenne pepper
• In a blender, combine all ingredients, and blend until smooth.
• Can be kept up to 3 days in the fridge.
Tropical Pineapple Papaya Smoothie
A good smoothie when you are on the go or feeling fatigued. A great tasting energy booster.
Time: 5 minutes • Makes about 3 ½ cups (2 large servings)
1 banana
2 fresh or soaked dried dates
2 cups cold water (or 1 ½ cups water plus 1 cup ice)
½ medium papaya
½ cup pineapple
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1 tbsp hemp protein
tbsp coconut oil
• In a blender, combine all ingredients, and blend until smooth.
• Can be kept up to 3 days in the fridge.
Chocolate Goodness Smoothie
A full-flavor, nutrient-dense, chlorophyll-rich super smoothie that’s filling enough to take the place of a meal.
Time: 5 minutes • Makes 1–2 servings
1 banana
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup unsweetened hemp milk
1 scoop Chocolate Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer
1 tsp wheatgrass powder
2 tbsp raw cocoa powder
1 tsp mesquite powder
Stevia powder, to taste (substitute a touch of palm sugar or maple syrup if desired)
2–3 cups water
Handful of ice
• In a blender, combine all ingredients, including ice, and blend until smooth.