The Blender Girl Smoothies -- Grapefruit Fennel Smoothie

Reprinted from THE BLENDER GIRL SMOOTHIES Copyright © 2014, 2015 by Tess Masters. Photographs copyright © 2014 by Erin Kunkel. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

I am so excited to tell you about a new book from healthy-cooking dynamo, Tess Masters, aka The Blender Girl. The Blender Girl Smoothies: 100 Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Paleo-Friendly Recipes is a fantastic collection of recipes that make it a pleasure to sip your fruits and veggies (and a whole lot of other good-for-you foods). The book is based on The Blender Girl Smoothies app, which launched in October of 2014.

Not only is the book loaded with 100 innovative vegan and gluten-free smoothie recipes, each recipe includes a gorgeous photograph, optional 3 nutritional boosters and benefits of each smoothie, for example weight-loss, detox, etc.

Tess also includes information on how to build a smoothie, how to stock your pantry and more essential smoothie-success information.

I have tried several of the smoothies in the book, and each is delicious and different. The Grapefruit Fennel Fix is a new favorite. This exciting flavor combination makes me feel like I'm on vacation ... and that's always a good thing! Tess has generously shared the recipe for this delightful smoothie with us.

Reprinted from THE BLENDER GIRL SMOOTHIES Copyright © 2014, 2015 by Tess Masters. Photographs copyright © 2014 by Erin Kunkel. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. 

grapefruit-fennel fix 

A surprisingly stunning combination, grapefruit and fennel are both rich in vitamin C, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and potassium. The blend serves up anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, weight-loss, and detox power that helps boost immunity, scavenge harmful free radicals, cleanse the colon, regulate heart rate and blood pressure, aid digestion, and alleviate stomach ailments.  
Serves 2  

1/2 cup (120ml) water  
1/2 small fennel bulb, cored, trimmed of stalks, and chopped  
1 medium red grapefruit, peel and pith removed, seeded, and cut into chunks 
 1 green apple, skin on, cored and chopped  
1/4 medium avocado, pitted and peeled  
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 
 15 drops alcohol-free liquid stevia, plus more to taste  
1 1/2 cups (190g) ice cubes  

Throw all of the ingredients (except the ice cubes) into your blender and blast on high for 30 to 60 seconds, until smooth and creamy. 
Add the ice and blast for a few seconds more, until smooth and chilled.  

Boosters 1 cup (27g) loosely packed baby spinach  
1 teaspoon flaxseed oil  
1 teaspoon pomegranate powder 

Happy Cooking!

Kim 

My new book,  Super Seeds, is available now! You can also find tasty recipes in Welcoming Kitchen: 200 Delicious Allergen- & Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes.