Carrot, Orange & Cayenne Smoothie

This smoothie may sound a little intimidating, but its bright orange hue and warming qualities will help warm your inner soul on a cold day. You can adjust the spiciness to your liking :)



I've been learning about the addictive properties of capsaicin, which is found in cayenne peppers, and helps boost production of endorphins in the body. Endorphins induce relaxing and happy feelings.. kind of like a natural high. Cayenne also dissolves mucus which is perfect for this time of year when the flu and all kinds of colds are being spread everywhere you go, and it's the peak time for allergies here in Florida as the pollen begins to take over the world. If you've ever underestimated the power of this rich red spicy powder think again... it also increases metabolic rate, aids digestion, kills harmful bacteria, lowers blood pressure, fights cardiovascular disease and cancer, and thins the blood. If this sounds beneficial to you, start turning up the heat in your foods! If you don't like super spicy, try just a tiny pinch of it here and there in mild recipes, a small enough amount won't be very traceable to your taste buds. This smoothie also contains carrots which are packed with vitamins A and great for eyesight, orange juice which is packed with vitamin C, and goji berries that are high in antioxidants. This recipe was adapted from my "Vegan Smoothie" book by Eliq Maranik.

Ingredients for 2 glasses of smoothie:

2 tbsp goji berries, or goji berry powder

1 1/4 cups fresh carrot juice, or if you don't have a juicer and are okay with a chunky texture, just use about 2-3 cups of raw carrots

juice from about 3 oranges, or use prepared orange juice little by little until your desired thickness is reached (the more OJ you use, the thinner the smoothie will be)

juice from 1/2 a lime

1 frozen banana

1 pinch of cayenne, or more to taste

optional add in- my favorite add in is turmeric, if you're looking for some natural anti-inflammatory use about 1-2 tablespoons of turmeric powder or a piece of fresh turmeric root

sweetener, such as agave, to taste (optional)

3/4 cup of ice (optional)


Directions:

If using dried goji berries, presoak them in the carrot or orange juice for 5-10 minutes to soften them. Blend with the rest of the ingredients until smooth. Use ice for a chilled smoothie.