PLUM PASSION SMOOTHIE

Fresh plums combine beautifully with frozen grapes and hemp hearts to make a delightfully simple, refreshing & satisfying sweet-tart shake.

Plums are actually the second most cultivated fruit on the planet, and are grown on every continent except for Antarctica!  In Chinese culture, these juicy, antioxidant-rich stone fruits are a symbol of good fortune.

There are over 100 plum varieties sold in the US alone.  For this recipe, I used organic black plums and included the skin for extra phytonutrients and insoluble fibre.  Eaten this way, plums are a great natural constipation remedy.  In addition to aiding digestion, the fibre in plums helps to keep us feeling full and satisfied, which is important for weight control.

Consumption of antioxidant-rich foods such as plums and grapes has been found to have numerous health benefits, including improved skin, cardiovascular and immune health, and a reduced risk of cancer and cognitive decline.

The hemp hearts add essential minerals such as calcium and iron along with healthy fats and 9 grams of protein per serving.

For 2 servings, blend together until smooth:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond or nut-free milk (I like to use my Almond Cow to make homemade plant-based milk)

• 2 to 3 large pitted plums

• 1 cup frozen purple or black seedless grapes

• 1/4 cup Eaton Hemp gluten-free hemp seeds

• 2 to 3 tsp MCT oil (optional)

• Lakanto sugar-free monk fruit sweetener, raw honey (nonvegan), pure stevia, or maple syrup, adjusted to taste

Note: This recipe was first published on Aug 28, 2017.