Wonderfuel Carrot Cake Smoothie

Name: Wonderfuel Carrot Cake Smoothie
Ingredients: 1 small grated carrot; 4 Tbsp full fat yogurt; 1/2 banana (optional); 10-20 Baruka (Baru) nuts (optional); 1 Tbsp Dr. Cowan’s Garden Carrot Powder; 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder; 1/4 tsp cardamom powder; 1/4 tsp nutmeg powder; 1/2 tsp ghee i.e., clarified butter (optional); 2 Tbsp hemp seeds; 1/2 tsp Dr. Cowan’s Garden Turmeric Powder; 1/2 tsp Dr. Cowan’s Garden Three-Beet Powder (optional); 1/4 tsp Dr. Cowan’s Garden Threefold Blend Powder (Spicy); 1/2 cup coconut flesh (optional); 1/2 cup coconut water (optional); Pinch of salt; 1/2 tsp of vanilla powder or ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional); 1 tsp of coconut shreds or flakes (optional); 1 tsp of bee pollen (optional)

Jul 27, 2021

By Esther Boateng

(Inspired by Ben Greenfield’s Cookbook: Boundless)

If the thought of eating a carrot cake makes your heart sing, I should probably warn you that this smoothie might induce a happy dance. Feel free to put on your favorite track, clear your dance space and start blending your way to happiness.

This recipe bears all the hallmarks of a carrot cake, minus the baking. Instead of using of a bunch of freshly grated carrots, I’m using one carrot, and Dr. Cowan’s Garden Carrot Powder. I’m also using Dr. Cowan’s Garden Threefold Blend Powder (Spicy) for its unique blend of spices. It contains a root (carrot), a rhizome (ginger), a leaf (wasabi), and a fruit (pepper). I’m guilty of over-using this spicy blend for many of my savory/sweet recipes, much to my husband’s dismay, but this recipe definitely warrants the use of as much, or as little powder as your taste buds can handle.

The sweet component in the carrots, spicy component in the ginger and wasabi and gentle heat component in the Jimmy Nardello peppers balances well with the pumpkin spices: nutmeg, cardamom and cinnamon. These ingredients will upgrade your smoothie to a detox smoothie, especially the peppers, which help with the nutrient absorption of any food in which they are added. Ginger is a well-known spice valued for its medicinal properties, and its ability to reduce inflammation. Real wasabi, not the ‘fake’ stuff you sometimes get offered in restaurants, has a similar consistency to fresh ginger. It’s prized not only for its delicate flavor, but also its sulfur-based medicinal properties that assist in detoxification.

Whenever I make a smoothie, I normally include a generous dose of healthy fats, such as avocado, coconut or ghee (clarified butter). If I have a fresh coconut in the fridge, I’ll crack it open, scoop out the flesh and add it to my smoothie, along with some fresh coconut water. Alternatively, I might use dry unsweetened coconut flakes or coconut butter, if I don’t have access to fresh coconut. A dollop of ghee cranks up the nutritional profile of this smoothie. Not only is ghee high in fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E and vitamin K, its distinctive nutty flavor and deliciousness makes this a versatile smoothie addition.

Whenever I include healthy fats such as ghee to smoothies, or even hot beverages, it helps keep me satisfied for longer. Besides adding a hint of sweetness, fresh coconut adds bulk to your smoothie and gives it a deliciously thick and creamy consistency. I also prefer to use full fat creamy yogurt for the same reason.

If you prefer to eat your smoothie with a spoon rather than sip it, you might favor a dose of fiber- and protein-rich hemp seeds; this will transform your smoothie into a heavyweight champion.

Typical smoothie recipes call for loads of fruit like blueberries or pineapple. That’s fine if you lean towards sweet beverages, and you can handle that level of sweetness when you break your fast. I prefer a warm, savory breakfast, so I usually opt for something less sweet to kickstart my day. A small amount of banana in this recipe provides just the right amount of sweetness without going overboard. The taste will vary slightly depending on the ripeness of your banana.

Many of the ingredients are optional. That’s the beauty of making smoothies; they are incredibly versatile, with a high nutritional profile, budget friendly if you don’t get carried away with additional ingredients, and relatively quick and easy to whip up.

Although this recipe does not take long, being a creative wiz in the kitchen still requires a small investment of your time. Like most people, I often find myself short on time when it comes to fitting in self-care practices other than cooking, such as regular daily movement, breath-work, meditation and so on.

If you find there are not enough hours in the day to make nutritious meals and fit in your daily movement, why not do both simultaneously? Sometimes I like to shake while I blend, and hum along to my favorite tunes. Shaking not only releases stress in the body; it also plants a smile on your face and puts you in a positive mood to start the day. Blend your way to happiness with your favorite tunes each morning, and see if it makes a difference to how you feel.

Shake and blend!