Recently, my friend Cynthia Millman, co-author with Frankie Manning, Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop, recently sent me a great smoothie recipe to try. I was excited when she sent it over because I had most of the ingredients on hand already. In particular, I’ve had some cranberries in the freezer that I hadn’t gotten around to using so this seemed like the perfect recipe to try.
The only thing I couldn’t get my hands on at my regular grocery store at this time of year is organic oranges. Since her recipe calls for the orange ride, it’s definitely better to use organic. Cynthia likes using the orange rind for flavour and also for all of the nutrients. If you’re sensitive to bitterness, you might find the white part of the rind a bit strong, in which case consider just using the orange zest.
It’s a very tart smoothie but with an echo of sweetness from the bee pollen. Bee pollen is rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, and has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. It also helps to reduce inflammation, stimulate the immune system, and lower cholesterol.
Maca is one of those ingredients I use every day. Here’s a post about how it can help to regulate your hormones, and a post about how it can help clear up your acne.
I did make a few substitutions based on what I had at home. I’ve noted my adjustments in brackets beside her original version.
The Cape Codder Smoothie
4 oz of wild frozen blueberries (I used frozen peaches that I had on hand)
rind and white pith of 1/4-1/2 and orange (organic recommended)
2 oz frozen cranberries defrosted
greens and/or some avocado as desired (I added 2 giant handfulls of spinach)
cover with fresh ginger tea and/or rice or nut milk (I just used water and a scoop of protein powder)
1 tbsp maca
1 tsp bee pollen (I actually used 2 tsp because I like it)
a pinch of cardamon
Directions
blend until smooth.
It’s a great, nutritious smoothie. Thanks, Cynthia, for sharing it!
