INGREDIENT OF THE MONTH: Rooibos (or Red Bush):

Often found in teas, notably in Pomegranate teas, this magical plant of the Western Cape Province of South Africa is rich in anti-oxidants. It is low in caffeine and tannin levels, contrary to the green tea leaves. It also has phenolic compounds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenolic_compounds), and has anti-oxidants. It is rumoured to help with nervous tension, allergies and digestive problems. They might even help keep those wrinkles at bay.

Traditional medicinal uses of rooibos in South Africa include alleviating infantile colic, allergies, asthma and dermatological problems.

Similar to this plant is the Honey Bush of the same region.

Products:

•        Many red teas, notably pomegranate teas,
•        Green teas and black teas made only of rooibos.

HIGH-PROTEIN SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIES: HIGH IMPACT ACAI

Acai, cranberries, raspberries, vanilla frozen yogurt, skim milk and whey protein powder. (25g of protein).

Source: Booster Juice.

Choices in ingredients:

-       Consider getting the fruits frozen (e.g.: Europe’s best),

-       Vanilla frozen yogurt: get something organic (preferably),

-       Also, consider adding Goji berries.

CUP-OF-CAKE: CREAMSICKLE CUCPCAKE RECIPE

Photo credit: Michelle.

Ingredients:

• One box orange flavored cake (prepared as the box directs) 
• Two cups heavy whipping cream 
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar 
• Two oranges for garnish (why not try candy orange slices instead?!)

Makes about two dozen cupcakes 

"After you prepare the cupcakes, whip the heavy cream until it becomes light and fluffy, slowly adding the powdered sugar while you mix until you get your desired sweetness. By using whipped cream instead of frosting you get the flavors of a creamsicle rather than orange cake. Slice orange quarters for garnish. (Keep them refrigerated before you serve them, the cream is delicate and will melt easily)."

Source: That's so Michelle.

HIGH-PROTEIN SMOOTHIES: STRAWBERRY STORM

Cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, vanilla frozen yogurt and whey protein. (26g of protein).

Source: Booster Juice.

Choices in ingredients:

-       Consider getting the fruits frozen (e.g.: Europe’s best),

-       Vanilla frozen yogurt: get something organic (preferably),

-       Also, consider adding Goji berries.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD HOT-SPOT: BOOSTER JUICE!

Visit their FB page.

This is their website.

Booster Juice is a now international smoothie and juice bar, growing ever popular in its now seven-year life span. Their mission statement is: "To provide customers with an incredible, healthy alternative to fast food that’s great tasting, convenient and nutritious making it perfectly suite for today’s active lifestyle. Our stores & products are ENERGETIC, FUN, NATURAL and ADDICTING!" I can definitely vouch for the 'addicting' part in that. ;-)

Booster Juice does not add any sugars to their products, instead using frozen fruit and their natural sweetness combined with yogurt and vanilla frozen yogurt, among other products (all natural, of course). They also feature products like whey protein bars, matcha green tea (for a hefty price), and sandwiches/wraps made on site.

Booster Juice is definitely my recommendation for a smoothie shop. 

They make:

• Smoothies (High Protein, Power, Berry, Tropical Spirit and Life Choice categories),
• Juices, juiced right in front of you (e.g.: Red Sunrise and Tru Green, but also Orange, Carrot and Apple, etc.),
• Meals (Quesadillas, Chicken Panini, Vegetarian Panini, Tuna Wrap, Greek Vegetarian Wrap, Egg Scrambler Wrap),
• Shakers (Wheatgrass, Acai NRG and Matcha Shaker),
• Yogurt Blends,
• Acai Berry Bowl,
• Zola Acai Tetra Pak.

For every smoothie they offer a choice of Boosters: go to their website, click on "Smart", then "Boosters", and you will have an interactive display to show you their different boosters and their individual benefits.

Booster Juice also caters. =)

The only thing I would recommend to Booster Juice is that they might want to establish a reward system. Although they do accept SPC.

Hope you enjoy this new discovery! =)

HIGH-PROTEIN SMOOTHIES: RIPPED BERRY

Blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, skim milk, vanilla frozen yogurt, honey and whey protein powder. (26g of protein).

Source: Booster Juice.

Choices in ingredients:

-       Consider getting the fruits frozen (e.g.: Europe’s best),

-       Vanilla frozen yogurt: get something organic (preferably),

-       Instead of honey consider agave syrup/nectar,

-       Also, consider adding Goji berries.

HIGH PROTEIN SMOOTHIES: BANANAS-A-WHEY

Bananas and frozen yogurt with pineapples, skim milk and whey protein powder. (26 g of protein).

Source: Booster Juice.

Choices in ingredients:

-       Consider getting the fruits frozen (e.g.: Europe’s best),

-       Vanilla frozen yogurt: get something organic (preferably),

-       Also, consider adding Goji berries.