Burning Love Smoothie

Maybe you're not in the mood to down chocolate for breakfast. And a green smoothie doesn't quite appeal to your senses in the AM-hours. If you agree with these two statements, perhaps this frothy, free-radical fighting concoction is for you!

Full of powerful red fruits rich in vitamins A and C -- bell pepper, raspberries, strawberries, and pomegranate -- the antioxidants in this drink are overflowing with flavor to promote optimal health. And all that beta-carotene will ensure your peepers continue to see that beautiful shade of red always and forever.


But what's up with putting a BELL PEPPER in a smoothie?

Red peppers are one of the few foods that contain lycopene, a carotenoid whose consumption has been inversely correlated with prostate cancer and cancers of the cervix, bladder and pancreas. Recent studies suggest that individuals whose diets are low in lycopene-rich foods are at greater risk for developing these types of cancers.

For people worried about colon cancer, the fiber found in peppers can help to reduce the amount of contact that colon cells have with cancer-causing toxins found in certain foods or produced by certain gut bacteria. In addition, consumption of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and folic acid, all found in bell peppers, is associated with a significantly reduced risk of colon cancer. 

WHFoods.com

That . . . and it tastes good when mixed with all those other fruits. If you want to make this smoothie your very own, just keep reading.

What you'll need . . . for one healthy smoothie!

• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice (I used POM Wonderful)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 tablespoon (or more depending on your taste) agave nectar 
• 1 tablespoon flax meal

Method . . .

1. Put everything in your blender and BLEND.
2. If you need to adjust for your own preferences, go right ahead. Make it custom to your taste. 
3. Fall in love with the vibrant color . . . and with the zing it gives you. No caffeine necessary.

Got a favorite smoothie (or other healthy . . . not-so healthy, etc.) recipe? Maybe you'd like to share it with us! Check out all the gooey details of our READER SPOTLIGHT -- where each Friday we highlight a (never home)maker who's dishing up something sweet or savory that's just too delish to keep a secret!

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