Super Vegan Power Shake

In the past eight years of my life I have been taking the Vegan path of life. It has been a hard fought journey. I for one, am not a big fan of the Soy-this, tofu-that, as a means to sustain health as a non-animal eating citizen of our beautiful green and blue paradise we call Earth. So in developing the ultimate vegan power shake I did as a do in all my recipees and attempt to fill my stomach with the most potient and nutritious foods as possible, with as much variety and as little processing as can be found. My key issues with the creation of this vegan dream shake were; protein content, smoothiness, taste, and nutritional content. Early versions were met by my Vegan friends with faces of grimmace. Now however I feel as if I have come to my Magnum Opus of animal-free kitchen concoctions. It is a three step process (for reasons explained later), and each shake cost, from my figures, about $5 US to make (this is also using higher end products). With that said, it is a great way of starting the morning and finishing off a workout. I have not taken measurements for the amount of some of the ingredients, I have put my trust in you to make some on-site executive decisions when it comes to how much rice milk to pour in your blender.

Ingredients:A banana, frozen fruit (pineapple and berry would be my pick), nut butter (peanut, almond, etc.), hemp powder (Nutiva is a great brand, you can find this at most health food stores), Amazon Power Shake and Pure Camu (both of which can be purchased on my website "http://foundation.amazonherb,net") non-dairy milk (hemp preferably), raw cocao powder, Seabuckthorn berry juice and Goji berry juice (these can be found at health food stores and from a number of online distributors).

I choose to use specifically Amazon Herb Company herbal blends and Camu, not only because they are the only kind of their products (finding pure camu can be tricky) but because of the integrity of the product and the beneficial relationship they have with the tribes of the Rainforest that harvest the herbs. Adding to the embodiment of peace and health in most vegan living. Incase you haven't noticed, I'm passionate about my vegan food.

Let's get started!

Step 1: Blend the banana, a handfull of some frozen fruit, a shot of Seabuckthorn and Goji berry juices and enough hempmilk to make a decently light blend (the peanut butter will thicken it later). You are already set up with enough potassium to get you through the day, a wide variety of vitamins and minerals from the super fruit juices and a small amount of protein and fat (healthy fat) from the hemp. The frozen fruit helps add the coldness to the drink without making it too liquidy.

Step 2: Add the powders to the fruit and hempmilk mixture and blend slow-to-fast. I have seperated this step due to years of seeing all my powders either clump up on the side of the blender, or cloud up when I hit the switch. As well, in a Zen mind-frame, it creates more attention to the process and a seperation of ingredients to add depth to the meal that is about to help continue your life. So it is both logical and personally gratifying.

Go as liberal as possible with the hemp powder and Amazon Power Shake. Both have great protein and the herbal power blend packs great nutrients for energy and strength through the day and for muscle repair after a workout. Throw in 1 pack of Pure Came for more than enough vitamin C to charge you up for the day and some cocao for taste. I recommend taking a wiff (smell) of each powder before adding it atop the blend. The Camu in particular has an awakening scent. Also giving each powder a side or area will add color and distinction to your eye (and thoughts for the rest of the day) as each powder has a distinct appearance.

Step 3: After the powders have been evenly blended into the mix, add a big scoop of peanut butter and any other nut/seed butter (almond is probably the healthiest for you, but I like to mix it up from time-to-time). If you are allergic to peanuts, two scoops of any nut/seed butter will do the trick. This adds great consistency to the shake, great flavor (paired up with the cocao), and good protein and fat. I use organic butters, the kind you got to stir up when you first get them. I also recommend changing out ingredients in order to follow season crops. This is a step I haven't taken in my life yet, but I know it is needed and crucial for not only creating a healthy self, but a healthy world.

Step 4: Drink!

This is my morning breakfast before catching the bus early in the morning. It takes me about 15 minute from start to complete consumption. I will then grab a bagel with some avocado or hummus a little later in the morning after I've let the nutrional goodness of my shake find a new home in my body.

The initial investment for making these shakes can be pricey. Seabuckthorn and Goji berry juice can be expensive (especially if ordered over the internet), and the Amazon Power Shake and Pure Camu, even with the company's 30% rewards points on MAS purchases, will cost a little over $100/month total. Though when broken down, each shake cost a little under $5. Compare that to the cost of an obviously inferior shake from any Smoothie chain and it will even out. These are great for after workout as well, if I haven't mentioned that already. Prepare to feel the greatest you've ever felt in the morning. These shakes are my life blood and I'm glad I get to share them with you.