A Papaya and Amla Smoothie Recipe

One of the best tasting ways to get the benefits of amla and papaya into your diet is to mix amla powder and antioxidant rich papaya into a delicious superfood smoothie.

I’ve been making up different variations on the recipe below to start off my day for quite a while now.

It’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done for my health and I’d really recommend trying it for yourself.

You’ll need a good blender for some of the ingredients ahead but it’s a great way to have some very nutritious foods that are not always the easiest to eat, especially first thing in the morning.

Feel free to use whatever fruit and other ingredients you have available, but here’s an example of a breakfast smoothie enhanced with papaya, amla and other superfoods.

It’s equally good as a mid afternoon pick me up or even a surprisingly filling and very easily digested dinner.

Ingredients

• A cup of chopped fresh papaya (preferably just turning from green to yellow for more of the digestive enzyme papain). Alternatively try a cup of chopped fresh pineapple (keep the bromelain rich core) or 3 kiwi fruit scooped out of their skins.

• A teaspoon of antioxidant rich amla powder (or two of the fresh amla fruit if you’re lucky enough to have them).
• Half a cup of organic berries like raspberries, blueberries or strawberries. These add a beautiful color as well as flavor and nutrients to any smoothie. Packs of frozen berries are a handy ingredient for your morning smoothies.

• A handful of parsley, kale, spinach or other nutritious greens, washed and with the larger branches and particularly the stems chopped up well. Even relatively strong tasting green superfoods like parsley are barely noticeable in this smoothie and it’s an excellent way to get more of them into your diet.

• Enough ‘milk’ of your choice to reach two thirds as high as the ingredients in your blender. I recommend this new Milkadamia over conventional cow’s milk with it’s hormones, lactose and poor fatty acid profile.
• A couple of ice cubes if you like your smoothies extra cold.

Optional Extras

• A whole apple, preferably organic, is an easy way to add extra sweetness, though not recommended regularly if you’re trying to lose weight. Always scrub the skin of non-organic apples well with a splash of apple cider vinegar to remove waxes and sprays. Also cut up and add apples last in smoothies or juices as they tend to oxidize quickly.
  

• Half a dozen drops of liquid stevia will give a sweeter taste without the calories or insulin rush if you’re concerned about stronger flavored ingredients.

• A teaspoon of fresh papaya seeds for their anti-parasite properties. These do have a peppery flavor but once again you won’t taste them once they’re all blended up.

• 2 tablespoons of high antioxidant goji berries, soaked in water for 10 minutes if they’re dried. Add both the soaked berries and the water to the smoothie.

• Any other fruit or vegetable you’d like to use up. The blender I use in my kitchen even blends up diced carrots and beets well for an incredibly healthy drink that will keep you going for hours with a really strong, solid and reliable energy (completely different to the jittery caffeine buzz).
• If you’re have trouble enjoying your smoothies with too many strong tasting fruits, or particularly vegetables, then try adding a teaspoon of greens powder like this. It’s a simple way to massively boost your nutritional intake.

How to Make an Amla and Papaya Smoothie

1. Chop up the larger fruit like the papaya, pineapple or apple. These can be quite thickly cut, just enough to make sure they get down into the blades of the blender. If you’re using greens it’s best to chop them up well and put them in first.
2. Add the amla powder or fruit and the rest of the ingredients.
3. Pour in the milk of your choice until it reaches about two thirds as high as the fruits.
4. Blend everything up well into a smooth and creamy consistency.
5. Drink this amla papaya smoothie immediately for maximum benefit.

I’d appreciate hearing what you think of this papaya and amla smoothie recipe, any other ingredients you’d add and especially how it makes you feel if you try it out for yourself.