Sometimes you just don't want a green smoothie. As much as we adore a glowing fresh puree of spinach, kale, fresh fruit and nuts, sometimes what our body really wants is something richer... Something creamy, smooth, sweet, and reminiscent of the french vanilla soft serve of our youth. Yeah, baby! And when cravings point you and in that direction, it's always good to try to balance those elements with some protein and fat, lest we sugar rush our way into oblivion, and then the always inevitable post-high crash. The recipe that follows is a super simple combo of all of the above attributes, that also packs some extra power-food punch! Take chia seeds for instance. They are a great source of protein, fiber and Omega fats. They are also a great base for puddings, and act as a binder in vegan baked goods. And there's more! Read all about their greatness and why you should be eating chia seeds here. Our sweetener of choice in this recipe comes in the form of lucuma powder. This dry treat is made from the subtropical fruit of the lucuma tree, native to Peru, Chile and Equador. The dried powder of the lucuma adds a unique, sweet, caramel-esque, flavor to foods and beverages, plus a boost of rich antioxidants and B vitamins. But the bonus here is that this fragrant fruit sits low on the glycemic index and it will not cause major spikes and crashes of blood sugar. Next up, is our fave spice in the whole entire world (for real, I add it to EVERYTHING); cinnamon. Warming and grounding, with complexity and depth, not only is cinnamon considered anti-diabetic (paired with high carb food, it can help lessen its impact on your blood sugar levels), but it is also anti-microbial! As in, it may assist in stopping the growth of bacteria and fungi, including the commonly problematic yeast Candida. Rounding out this delightful drink, is the nectar of sheer of decadence, coconut milk. This is such an excellent substitute for cow’s milk because it is easy to digest, simple to make and contains an abundance of nutrients. Coconut milk is also rich in lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid, that is believed to contain many germ-fighting, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Awesome, right? So make this, and save your green smoothie for tomorrow morning, friends.

Chia, Lucuma, and Coconut Smoothie [Vegan]