Tummy Soothing Smoothie

Have an upset stomach? Help get rid of it with this tummy soothing smoothie! It is packed with ingredients that help ease digestive distress and reduce inflammation, leading to a healthier, happier tummy! The high potassium content in bananas has been shown to help reduce stomach cramps as well as women dealing with morning sickness from pregnancy. 

Ginger is also a wonderful remedy for those suffering with stomach aches - it has been found to reduce inflammation in a similar way to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like aspirin and ibuprofen! Ginger contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which relax the intestinal tract, preventing motion sickness and relieving the nausea and stomach aches associated with the flu!

Ingredients:
- 2 ripe spotty bananas
- 1 ripe pear
- 1 cup cucumber
- 1-2 cups your choice of greens (kale and spinach work well!)
- 2-inches ginger root
- 1 cup water or young thai coconut water

Pulse blend the above ingredients in a blender for 30 seconds and enjoy!

Creamy Banana Caramel Smoothie

Looking for more ways to include bananas in your diet? Start with this creamy, gluten-free, guilt-free, raw vegan banana caramel smoothie! It is sure to satisfy your tastebuds and will leave you feeling energized, and ready to take on the day (whether that be in the morning, afternoon or evening!)

Here are some powerful reasons to start including more bananas in your diet!

1. Bananas help overcome depression due high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin

-- the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter

2. Eat two bananas before a strenuous workout to pack an energy punch and sustain your blood sugar
3. Protect against muscle cramps during workouts and night time leg cramps by eating a banana
4. Counteract calcium loss during urination and build strong bones by supplementing with a banana
5. Improve your mood and reduce PMS symptoms by eating a banana, which regulates blood sugar and produces stress-relieving relaxation
6. Bananas reduce swelling, protect against type II diabetes, aid weight loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the production of white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6
7. Strengthen your blood and relieve anemia with the added iron from bananas
8. High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure, and protect against heart attack and stroke!

Ingredients:
- 3 ripe spotty bananas
- 6 pitted medjool dates
- 1 cup young thai coconut water
- 1 tsp. fresh vanilla bean
- 2 tsp. raw coconut oil
- 1 tbsp. raw maple syrup

Pulse blend the above ingredients in a high-speed blender & enjoy!

Zucchini Pasta with Raw (vegan & gluten-free) Alfredo Sauce

Craving a creamy vegan alfredo sauce? This sauce will help satisfy ALL your creamy cravings without the mucus causing effects inflicted by dairy (not to mention bloating, inflammation, skin problems, digestive issues and weakening of the immune system).

This recipe utilizes zucchini noodles, acting as a wonderful, healthy alternative to wheat-based noodles.  It may seem a little weird at first to use zucchini as noodles, however, they actually have a very similar texture to cooked pasta! You can even modify this recipe and add some shittake mushrooms to make a mushroom-based alfredo sauce! 

Ingredients:
Noodles: 
3-4 Zucchini

Sauce: 
1 zucchini, peeled
1/2 cup soaked cashews (or pine nuts - if you are allergic to nuts, use seeds like sunflower or hemp seeds)
4 large fresh basil leaves (or 1 tsp. dried)
1 tbsp. fresh oregano (or 1 tsp. dried)
1 leaf sage
1 large clove garlic
1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
ground pepper to taste

Blend the sauce ingredients in a high speed blender until well incorporated. For the noodles, use a spiralizer to turn the zucchini into noodles, or use a vegetable peeler to make zucchini ribbons! Pour the sauce over the noodles, and garnish with a couple sprigs of parsley. Enjoy!