You won’t miss other fruits at all in this Alkaline Lime Smoothie. Perfectly rich, creamy, and tangy, this smoothie is perfect for all stages on an anti-candida diet and is dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, soy-free, nut-free, yeast-free and low glycemic.
Let’s keep the summer smoothie love going today! As I mentioned last time, the vast majority of smoothies contain fruit–and, in most cases, high-sugar fruit such as bananas. After sharing my fruit-free Smooth Operator Smoothie in my last post, I’m thrilled today to bring you another fabulous beverage sans fruit, from my dear friend Tess Masters of The Blender Girl. This Alkaline Lime Smoothie comes from her latest book, The Blender Girl Smoothies. I absolutely loved it!
The Blender Girl Smoothies is another gorgeous offering following Tess’s bestseller début tome, The Blender Girl. As with that book, the recipes here are all gluten-free, vegan, and Paleo-friendly–and all smoothies! The book is also beautifully produced, with high-quality, full-color pages; clean, sharp layout; and stunning photos by Erin Kunkel.
[Photo credit: Erin Kunkel.]
Like the popular Blender Girl Smoothies app that preceded it, this book also provides you with the means to create “your perfect blend” in smoothies that are categorized by their benefits, such as flavor profile, nutrients, or health outcomes.
The book begins with a full chapter on “Smoothie Secrets,” revealing how to achieve smoothie success without creating a glass replete with typically muddy green smoothie sludge (which Tess calls “rhapsody in brown”). Not exactly appetizing, right? But the beverages in this book are all vibrantly colored mixes of fruits, liquids, vegetables and more. (And don’t despair–you can freeze them all for later, too!).
You’ll also learn the six steps to a perfect smoothie, paired with a handy ingredient-combination chart to help you fashion your own smashing smoothie mix.
In Chapter Two, “Find Your Perfect Blend,” Tess covers how to select your smoothie by category, from “detox” to “energizing” to “weight loss,” “protein-rich,” “alkaline,” and more.
And then it’s on to the recipes! These are not your run of the mill smoothie recipes, either. Innovative, creative combinations and nutrient-packed boosters make these some of the most alluring meals-in-a-glass I’ve ever seen. A few of the ones I’m dying to try include Black Magic (blackberries, mango and basil); Hangover Helper (even though I don’t drink alcohol any more, I just love the name!); Liver Lover (beet, lemon, chard, mango); Green Tea-Ni (apple, green tea); Green Tea Ice Cream; Brownie Batter; Sweet Potato Pie; Strawberry Kiwi Candy; Maca Mojo; and so many more! I could literally list the entire book’s recipe index here. . . virtually every smoothie looks amazing.
The book wraps up with a chapter called “The Smoothie Pantry,” filled with useful information about the various smoothie ingredients, and a Resources section that includes where to buy those key ingredients.
This really is the only smoothie manual and cookbook you’ll ever need. If you’re a smoothie aficionado or just dabbling for now, there’s something for every type of smoothie love in this book. And for a seasoned smoothie fan like me, this book offers a huge selection of novel ideas and recipes for my morning blend.
The Blender Girl Smoothies is available on amazon and bookstores everywhere.
Connect with Tess at her blog or on Facebook, twitter, Instagram or Pinterest or Periscope as theblendergirl.
[My own version of the smoothie at home.]
Alkaline Lime Smoothie
Reprinted with permission from The Blender Girl Smoothies © 2014, 2015 by Tess Masters. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random HouseLLC.
This tangy, refreshing blend (I love adding ginger) is my go-to breakfast. Potent detoxifiers, limes are acidic, but alkaline when metabolized, thanks to their mineral salts—which help liver function and cleanse the colon. This blend is healthy heaven in a glass, but drink it fast, before the stevia develops an aftertaste.
serves 2
3/4 cup (180ml) coconut water or water
1/2 cup (90g) young Thai coconut meat or 1 tablespoon creamed coconut
2 cups (86g) firmly packed baby spinach
1 medium avocado, pitted and peeled
1/2 medium cucumber, chopped
2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
2 limes, peeled and halved
20 drops alcohol-free liquid stevia, plus more to taste
Pinch of natural salt (optional, to bring out flavors)
1-1/2 cups (190g) ice cubes
Optional Boosters:
1 tablespoon blanched raw almonds, soaked (see page 6)
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon chia seeds
Throw all of the ingredients into your blender and blast on high for 30 to 60 seconds, until smooth and creamy.
Nutritional Facts (per serving)
Calories 360 kcal | Fat 30 g | Saturated fat 15 g | Sodium 134 mg | Carbs 26 g | Fiber 14 g | Sugars 5 g Protein 5 g | Calcium 100 mg | Iron 3 mg
Suitable for: ACD All stages; sugar-free, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, egg free, soy-free, nut free, yeast-free, vegan, low glycemic.
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YUM! I just made coconut cream (it was more like coconut butter!) and almond milk kefir, and the silky thick slightly acidic tang of the coconut cream kefir would be amazing in this! I just happen to have all these ingredients on hand! trying it tommorow! WOOHOO! Do you think the 1tbsp chia would hold me up until lunch as for protein satiety is concerned? I would love having this for breakfast!
Hi Frederique, I know it’s not much protein, so you might find you need something else. I did have it for breakfast and personally found it held me over until lunch time because of the avocado’s density–it’s a really thick, rich-tasting drink! But if you’re looking for appropriate numbers for protein, I’d maybe add a little protein powder to it. 🙂
I made this one over the weekend – we loved it!
Yay! I loved it, too, Kristina. And SO low in natural sugars–perfect for me (and anyone else following a low-sugar diet–or not). 🙂
looks delicious – and I love the art of smoothie names – looks like a fun book to browse
I know, she’s a master (no pun intended!) at recipe names!! 😀
Can’t wait to try this refreshing and healthy smoothie! Best way to start the day!
It really is uber-refreshing, Kelley! 😀
Hey Ricki! Long time friend. Slowly transitioning back into the blogging world after the busiest year of my life! Phew.
What a lovely, lovely smoothie. You had me at inflammation and immunity. Yes! Always looking for alkaline recipes. Pinning and definitely going to try. And thank you for information about the book. I did not know she had one…this is great.
Hugs
–Amber
Yay, so glad to see you back, Amber!! I’ve been negligent about visiting other blogs, so sorry I haven’t been in touch! And yes, this is Tess’s 2nd book (the other had all kinds of recipes). You’ll love this smoothie!
Ricki,
I just made this smoothie and it is delicious. I used a can of Thai Coconut Milk for the coconut cream and water because I had that on hand. I love your blog and cookbook. Like you, I have struggled with a stubborn case of Candida and have learned to stay close to the diet or suffer the consequences. It took years of problems before a doctor finally diagnosed Candida.