Pomegranate BP Reducing Protein Smoothie

Years ago, Gregg read the ABS Diet and decided to commit to it for 8 weeks and it made a tremendous difference in his overall health.  The book really pushes a daily protein smoothie regime.  Turns out, there are huge benefits to increasing your daily protein intake.  Since then, protein smoothies are a regular part of our diet. We usually keep Chocolate for me and Strawberry or Vanilla Whey Protein for Gregg on hand at any given time.  We do not use unfermented Soy Protein since it can have such unhealthy side effects.

I have struggled with hypertension since my first pregnancy. Different things can affect my blood pressure.  Some years ago, we found a recent research study conducted by the Israeli Army that showed that drinking just 1 ounce of pomegranate juice a day will reduce high blood pressure significantly.  Since then, I have added a shot of pomegranate juice to my smoothies which helps make it taste even more delicious and helps keep my blood pressure down.

If I can’t find fresh pomegranate, I use POM Wonderful Brand pure pomegranate juice since it is always fresh and has no artificial additives.

The seeds from 1 pomegranate fruit
–OR–
about 2 oz. of POM Wonderful pomegranate juice
–OR–
a mix of pomegranate seeds and juice
1 fresh banana (not frozen)
½ cup whole milk
1 cup plain yogurt
1 scoop of Strawberry or Vanilla Whey Protein powder
Berries to taste — fresh or frozen is fine — blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, any berry is fine
4 to 8 ice cubes

You need a good blender.  The 10 dollar plastic blenders sold at discount stores are not going to cut it over the long haul.  We have a Black and Decker vortex that works great.

You may need a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the blender between pulses

If you are using pomegranate seeds, crack open the pomegranate in a basin of water as you pull the seeds and the membrane from the fruit so that the seeds will float to the top of the water.

Peel your banana.

If you use fresh fruit, you will want to wash down the berries.  Do not remove the leafy green top from the strawberries.  There is more vitamin C in the tops than in the berries themselves.

Make sure your blender is clean. Take a minute to take the bottom apart and check that the seals are clean and well seated.

Place milk, yogurt, pomegranate juice and fresh fruit in blender. Blend on low.  While blending, add any frozen berries and add protein powder.  Sometimes, the protein powder will stick to the sides.  Stop blending and scrape it into the middle with a rubber spatula, then resume blending.

Blend on high for 20-30 seconds then set it to ice breaker speed and add ice cubes until your volume is met.

When all the ice has been broken up, blend on high for 1-2 minutes until desired smooth consistency is reached.

4 medium or 3 large servings (1 full blender)

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Very high in protein High in calcium High in phosphorus
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Smoothies are fast, easy, delicious and simple. They are a perfect between meal snack. This recipe  makes a wonderfully refreshing whole fruit drink that is packed with extra protein, good for your gut digestive enzymes, and pomegranate. I vary the berries seasonally for different tastes if I can get fresh berries, especially organic. If your fruits are fresh, it always tastes better in the end.

Hallee

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