· Smiling Bear's 'Nourishing Indulgence' Smoothie

Protect your family, and  for their sakes yourself, with this nourishing indulgence. No sugar or sweetener added! ...  and not typically needed, as a result of the natural sweetness of the banana and juices. However (though we have found this smoothie quite enjoyable without...), a small amount of agave nectar or local raw honey will satisfy your loved one who has a certain undeniable sweet tooth.
The foremost flavor is the the fruit, really. One could start out on this healthy adventure with a smaller amount of the kale and carrot, and build up a taste for more. The recipe is located below the photo...

Layer in blender jar: 
1/2 banana, peeled
1 small orange or 1 or 2 tangerines, peeled
1/2 kiwi, peeled (or not peeled)
1/2 c fresh (or frozen) blueberries / strawberries / blackberries (pick one)
2 medium carrots or 1 large, chunked
1 to 2 curly leaves of fresh kale, stem removed spinach or mixed lettuce greens may be substituted or added, but majority cruciferous preferred
4 to 6 chunks fresh pineapple
4 to 6 chunks fresh papaya
6 to 10 oz peach-mango coconut water* or purified water, but coconut water is nutritionally an asset
1/2 c Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice or bilberry juice* (which is like blueberry juice)
1/2 c purple carrot juice* if available, or substitute orange-mango juice or other unsweetened juice 
2 tsp unflavored gelatin optional, but they say good for joints, nails, skin, hair 
Blend until smooth, at least one minute. Serves 2 to 4. Additional Notes:
Use only juices that are unsweetened.
* Coconut water, from the interior of the coconut, should not be confused with coconut milk which is squeezed from the coconut meat. We like to use Vita-Coco's Coconut Water with Peach and Mango.
* Coconut water, bilberry juice and purple carrot juice may be found in some supermarkets and most health food stores. We like to use Bionaturae's organic Bilberry Nectar. We like to use Lakewood's organic Purple Carrot Juice. 
Hint: In advance, we freeze berries, and pineapple and papaya chunks, ready to add to the blender, providing a nice smooth cold texture. We do not freeze huge quantities, though, as the natural enzymes will dissipate over time. If you can't find either the papaya or the pineapple, just use one or the other...though both are ideal.
Hint hint: As often as reasonably possible, we use organic produce. 
Although we are persuaded of the benefits of yogurt, it is not recommended that dairy be combined with this smoothie, as calcium has been reported to block nutrients from absorption.
Chocolate lovers alert—1 to 3 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder...now that wouldn't hurt, would it! However, we think it is best not to use chocolate containing cocoa butter. Wait half an hour...then have your organic chocolate, with some nice 'creamy' nonfat plain Greek yogurt! Or, how about a Mocha Polka at Smiling Bear Espresso Bar?  
When we have wild chokecherry juice available, we sometimes ration portions into our Nourishing Indulgence Smoothie.  Tis the season...anytime, thanks to the freezer!
Experiment, but don't leave out the KALE! :)
Brought to you by Smiling Bear Espresso Bar at Mountains To Prairies Bed and Breakfast Smiling Bear, LLC

Mountains To Prairies Bed and Breakfast
bed and breakfast hospitality inn
hill city - central black hills national forest - south dakota
convenient lodging location near
mount rushmore - 1880 train - custer state park
- wind cave national park - jewel cave national monument
- crazy horse memorial - black elk wilderness
- mountain lakes - harney peak - norbeck scenic byway
- george s. mickelson trail - the centennial trail
- historic downtown hill city - antiques