Want a smoothie to get you in the Valentine's Day mood? Or maybe you want to surprise your lover with a Valentines-y breakfast in bed?
The star ingredient in this smoothie recipe, dragon fruit (also called pitaya), is a tropical fruit known for its beautiful colors and superfood health benefits. It's high in vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and is loaded with fiber.
It's also packed with antioxidants, which helps the body fight off viruses and disease. In addition, it can greatly reduce inflammation in the body and act as a preventive measure, hampering the growth of viruses and disease in the first place. Studies suggest that eating foods high in antioxidants help prevent the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
Dragon fruit may also benefit your gut, as it contains prebiotics that help balance out good gut bacteria and thus support healthy digestion.
Besides all of this good stuff that dragon fruit has to offer, it's a beautiful natural food pigment/coloring, perfect for a Valentine's Day recipe.
The second star of the show is maca powder, another powerful superfood.
Maca is a type of root vegetable found in the Andes of Peru. It has adaptogenic-like qualities, which means that it helps the body protect itself against stress. A tranquil Valentine's Day sounds fantastic to me!
Maca consists of important micronutrients and is loaded with antioxidants. In addition, it has been shown to balance hormone levels, improve energy, and boost cognitive functioning (especially in the mood and memory department).
This root has also been shown to improve sexual health and increase sex drive. That's right, it has been claimed to be an natural aphrodisiac or "sex superfood." There have been a few studies conducted that proves that maca has a significant positive effect on impotence and sexual arousal in healthy menopausal women and healthy adult men.
See for yourself this Valentine's Day ;)
INGREDIENTS
2 frozen bananas
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup plant milk
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons dragon fruit powder
2 teaspoons gelatinized maca powder (most easily digestible form of maca, no it's not made with gelatin!)
optional: 1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder
INSTRUCTIONS
Toss all ingredients in a blender and blend away until smooth. Feel free to add pretty toppings like frozen blueberries, more frozen raspberries, and a pinch more pitaya powder.
Time to get sensual.
Lots of love,
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