As spring sets in here in the city of Angels I find myself craving mint (like off the charts) and playing with various recipes inspired by stimulating visits to my local farmer’s market, one of which I will share with you below... Coco Cream de Mint Shake.
Appropriately, mint has been considered a hospitality herb in Greece and the Middle East for centuries; used to welcome people as they enter your home, served as a tea, iced or hot, or even rubbed on the table before a meal for a special guest. Mint is rich in Vitamins A and C, contains small amounts of B2 and also a wide range of minerals such as manganese, copper, iron, potassium and calcium. Mint is thought to decrease the risk of colon and rectal cancer and can aid in stimulating digestion before a meal plus improve digestion after a meal.
On a side note, if you ever find yourself in Boulder, CO – go to visit the Celestial Seasons Factory. Apparently the oils and aroma of mint leaves are so strong that they are stored behind big heavy doors in their own room, so as not to infuse all of their other teas. On the FREE factory tour, you are allowed to go into this room, and can immediately feel the deep healing properties of the mint infused air clearing your sinuses and lungs. Needless to say, that visit inspired me to want to create my own “mint room”…some day. For now, I am growing mint in the sunlight of my new patio.
COCO CREAM DE MINT SHAKE
1 freshly picked organic apple
2 heaping table spoons of fresh pressed coconut cream*
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 pieces of kale, de-stemmed
1 large handful of freshly picked mint leaves
3 cups fresh coconut water*
Blend all ingredients in a powerful blender, like a Vitamix. Use less coconut water if you like your shakes thick. ENJOY your energizing, naturally sweet, green shake.
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Appropriately, mint has been considered a hospitality herb in Greece and the Middle East for centuries; used to welcome people as they enter your home, served as a tea, iced or hot, or even rubbed on the table before a meal for a special guest. Mint is rich in Vitamins A and C, contains small amounts of B2 and also a wide range of minerals such as manganese, copper, iron, potassium and calcium. Mint is thought to decrease the risk of colon and rectal cancer and can aid in stimulating digestion before a meal plus improve digestion after a meal.
On a side note, if you ever find yourself in Boulder, CO – go to visit the Celestial Seasons Factory. Apparently the oils and aroma of mint leaves are so strong that they are stored behind big heavy doors in their own room, so as not to infuse all of their other teas. On the FREE factory tour, you are allowed to go into this room, and can immediately feel the deep healing properties of the mint infused air clearing your sinuses and lungs. Needless to say, that visit inspired me to want to create my own “mint room”…some day. For now, I am growing mint in the sunlight of my new patio.
COCO CREAM DE MINT SHAKE
1 freshly picked organic apple
2 heaping table spoons of fresh pressed coconut cream*
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 pieces of kale, de-stemmed
1 large handful of freshly picked mint leaves
3 cups fresh coconut water*
Blend all ingredients in a powerful blender, like a Vitamix. Use less coconut water if you like your shakes thick. ENJOY your energizing, naturally sweet, green shake.
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