No candy hearts here.
This Valentine’s Day marks the first one I’ve ever celebrated candy-free. It doesn’t seem like a big deal… maybe it’s because Valentine’s Day is a a Tuesday and I’m spending the entire day holed up in a conference room with my boss prepping for a meeting tomorrow? Or it could be because I’ve been single for 2 years.
In lieu of silly things like candy and flowers, I’m drinking my holiday spirit…. and for once it doesn’t involve red wine. Today I bring you the best new smoothie I’ve made lately: Roasted Beet and Orange.
You know you make a lot of green smoothies when you get excited that the beets overpowered the spinach to make a red smoothie.
I have never liked beets. The dirt flavor was off-putting and I didn’t like how they stain everything they touch (I also never ate chicken wings because they are too messy… and the bone grosses me out).
Recently, I discovered how delicious they are with citrus – orange and grapefruit in particular. When we started the cleanse, I decided to take the plunge and roast them myself. This has only made me fall completely in love with them! Just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Freshly roasted, the flavor turns more earthy than straight-up dirt. I find that the sweetness in these beets came forward more as well.
After using the first beet in last week’s red cabbage lentil salad, I started on beet #2. It’s fairly common to see beets listed in juices, why not smoothies?
This post-workout, protein-loaded breakfast smoothie turned out better than I’d hoped! The orange flavor was quite prevalent, and the almond extract was an amazing compliment. Both of these are what I credit for hiding the beet “funk” I was sensitive to.
In case you were wondering, beet sunflower pesto* also eliminates the funk. 🙂
*That post also explains why you should buy ’em even if you don’t like ’em.
Oh yeah…
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
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Roasted Beet and Orange Smoothie
- 1 C spinach
- 1/3 C beet, roasted
- 1/2 a medium orange
- 1scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 cap full of almond extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp guar gum (optional)
- 7-8 vanilla stevia drops
- 1/2 C unsweetened coconut milk
- Water and ice, to taste
- Ground flax seed, to top
Put it all in the blender/Magic Bullet and let the magic happen!
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I’m seriously thinking of taking up online dating.
Do you feel like it’s V-Day today? Or just another Tuesday?
What is your favorite Valentine’s candy/chocolate/treat? I love those Reese’s hearts.