Berry Maca Vanilla Smoothie and WIAW

Good morning! Happy What I Ate Wednesday! I also just had to share this new smoothie creation I came up with. It’s too delicious and healthy to be kept a secret! Meet the Berry Maca Vanilla Smoothie. This superfood smoothie tastes just like a milkshake with its creamy texture. What the heck is Maca you ask? Don’t worry I will list the wonderful benefits below 😉

Remember when you were little and getting a McDonald’s shake was the best treat ever? Maybe with fries on the side? Haha. This smoothie brings me back to those days. But today it has been done vegan style! Dairy-free, chemical-free, fake-ingredient free, and best of all cruelty-free. I found a new way to cover up the Maca taste too! By using vanilla extract. You can find Maca powder at Whole Foods or on iHerb here. I like the Navitas Naturals brand because its organic and raw. 

What is Maca root powder? It has been a miracle superfood to the Andean societies for thousands of years with an earthy, nutty taste. It comes from the cruciferous family, and has been used as a source of nourishment and healing.

Benefits of Maca?

• Instant boost of energy, Increase in Stamina, Fights Fatigue
• Vitamin-Packed with B vitamins, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus
• Many Essential Minerals
• Plant Sterols and Phytochemicals
• Fatty and Amino Acids
• Stress-fighting Adaptogens
• Alkaloids to nourish the Endocrine System
• Boosts Libido

I’m guilty, I love any superfood kind of powder. Maca has amazing benefits, I love adding it in when I can. Try adding some to your next smoothie or make my Berry Maca Vanilla smoothie below and let me know what you think.

Time for What I Ate Wednesday: I had my usual glass of warm water with fresh lemon juice and I have been adding some lime juice in too, limes have more antioxidants than lemons.. who knew? I also had a cup of coffee with some almond coconut milk and coconut sugar. Marty was in a rush so I made a quick green juice with Lacinto Kale, Spinach, Celery, Cucumber, Apple, Ginger, Lemon and Lime juice and water with ice. I like to blend it instead of juice it to keep all the fiber and nutrients from the skin of the fruits and veggies. I have been getting super fast at making green juices/smoothies! And I am so thankful for my Blendtec Blender  I use it at least twice a day. It is a lifesaver, unlike all my other blenders that have broken within a couple months of purchasing them. The Blendtec is pricey but seriously worth every penny, especially living this lifestyle. I know the Vitamix is comparable as well.

I was starving like a half hour later so I listened to my body and had some oatmeal made with almond milk and topped with coconut, raspberries, mulberries and cinnamon. Yummy! White mulberries get a thumbs up. (Not the best picture, I know)

Lunch was way later as that oatmeal kept me pretty full. But I was craving a smoothie, hence the Berry Maca Vanilla Smoothie! I had a huge mason glass jar full of it. I snacked on some almonds too.

Dinner was a large salad with spring mix, spinach, quinoa, red cabbage, avocado, yellow tomato, red onion and hemp seeds. I made a quick dressing too with lemon juice, tiny bit of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, turmeric, sea salt and pepper. Marty had a few bites of my salad but usually when I have salad I have to make something else for him. He’s not a salad type of guy ha. I have yet to meet a guy who will eat only a leafy green salad for dinner. He had a couple leftover tempeh wraps with some fresh veggies.

And here is my new smoothie recipe!! Enjoy!
 

 Makes 1 large mason jar serving (like the picture above) or 2 smaller servings.