Acai Antioxidant Smoothie

From eat, drink & be vegan.  wheat-free, gluten-free, soy-free, oil-free


Acai ("ah-sigh-ee") is an antioxidant-abundant berry that is also a source of protein and omega fatty acids. Acai has a unique berry-cocoa flavor, and combines beautifully with the frozen blueberries and cocoa powder which also happen to be antioxidant-rich foods! You'll be glowing after enjoying this nutritional powerhouse smoothie!

1 1/2 cups plain or vanilla non-dairy milk
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen sliced bananas (see note)
1 tbsp Dutch-processed cocoa powder (can omit or
use carob powder)
1–2 tbsp pure maple syrup or agave nectar (to taste)
1 packet Sambazon “Pure Açai” frozen pulp (see note)
1 1/2 –3 tbsp extra non-dairy milk (to thin as needed)

With a hand blender or in a blender, combine milk, blueberries, bananas, cocoa, agave nectar, and Açai pulp (break up pulp by hand first if using hand blender) and purée until smooth. If smoothie is too thick, add extra milk, 1 tbsp at a time, to thin as desired (smoothie will also thin as frozen elements thaw).  Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

Notes:
1) For a purely raw smoothie, use fresh nut milk, or use freshly squeezed apple or other juice instead of milk. Also, use raw cocoa or carob powder and raw agave nectar.
2) Let bananas get overripe; whenready, they can be sliced, placed in Ziploc bags, and frozen.
3) I use Sambazon brand of Açai berries for this recipe. The berries are processed into a pulp, then frozen and sold in packets. I use the “Pure Açai” unsweetened variety. If using the “Original Açai,” note that they are pre-sweetened.
4) If you want to make this smoothie even more substantial, add 1–2 tbsp raw almond butter.