Delicious Raspberry Banana Smoothie

I think the trick to getting the best version of this recipe is to use something that’s vanilla flavored. Somehow I find that synthetic vanilla extract tastes artificial, so I prefer to use vanilla-flavored drinks. The vanilla soy milk I buy, made by a supermarket chain, tastes pretty amazing. It’s also a great way for vegans to get a taste for smoothies, as vanilla soy milk raises them all into the stratosphere. They are truly delicious. Milk and yogurt don’t make them as tasty.

Another important element is the honey. It adds not only sweetness, but also flavor, and is essential to turning this great smoothie combination into an excellent one.

A cup (123 grams) of raspberries contains 54% DV Vitamin C, 41% DV manganese, vitamin K (12%), magnesium (7%), folate / folic acid / B9 (6%), copper (6%), potassium (5%), iron (5%), vitamin E (5%), niacin / B3 (4%), pantothenic acid / B5 (4%), thiamine / B1 (3%), riboflavin (3%), calcium (3%), zinc (3%), and other vitamins and minerals. It also contains some omega-3 fatty acids (6.2%) and lots of fiber (8 grams / 32% DV -- that’s a third of the recommended daily intake) for only 64 calories, which means raspberries are your friends if you’re on a weight loss journey.

But that’s just the vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fats and fiber in raspberries, which make them especially good for the heart and bones, and promoters of general health (the latter due to high levels of the antioxidant vitamin C). Just as important are their phytonutrients, such as ellagic acid, which prevents a number of cancers. Ellagic acid has also been shown in the 1980s to inhibit induced cancer of the esophagus in rodents.

• You all know mint is a breath freshener.

• It also promotes digestion (peppermint oil is a carminative) and relieves heartburn.

• Menthol (rubbed on your chest, added to steam inhalations, or in mint tea) is a decongestant, giving respiratory relief when you have a cold. Extracts from peppermint also inhibit histamine release, thus relieving nasal congestion in seasonal allergies.

• The scent of mint and mint oil rubbed on wrists and abdomen relieve nausea.

• The scent of mint boosts your mood as well. It also stimulates your brain so you feel less tired and more focused.

• Peppermint oil reduces skin inflammation. You can use it to treat insect bites, for instance.

• Peppermint oil also helps with headaches, and sensitivity to noise and light.

• Inhaled before and during a workout, the oil of this plant also helps to boost your energy; and it calms your sore muscles after that workout.

You can use raspberries in a variety of cake recipes, with or without the mint. As far as quick raspberry recipes go, they are great in parfaits as well, or with oatmeal and Greek yogurt. Here in Romania we also add them to egg-white foam, which we then eat with crepes.