Pumpkin Spice Sweet Almond Lassi & Green Smoothie Musings

Here's a recipe for a super delicious, golden-green smoothie I invented today using freshly soaked almonds, spices, sweet fruits, and parsley (for the green).

Remember my easy, fun new way to make almond milk, using a French press instead of a nut mylk bag, that I shared with you last month? Well, today I skipped even that step! You'll find details below, but first, a few words about green smoothies.

There are two kinds of green smoothies I love drinking (and sharing): Cleansing and Creamy. The cleansing green smoothie, foundation of many a fine detoxification program, contains approximately 60% juicy fruits (grapefruit, apple, berries, etc) and 40% dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, cilantro), with ingredients like lemon, ginger and cayenne included for detox and flavor support. Even when we add powdered superfoods or hemp protein to this style of green smoothie, juiciness remains its primary characteristic.

Drinking a cleansing green smoothie for breakfast is one of the best ways to lighten up your diet and increase energy levels. Cleansing green smoothies also make a wonderful lunch drink if you are on a "liquids till dinner" plan.

The creamy green smoothie, on the other hand, serves a totally different purpose: comforting nourishment. Creamy green smoothies are built around not fruits, but instead, a protein-containing nut or seed milk. This makes them a kind of a vegan Sweet Lassi (the famous Indian drink, traditionally made with yogurt, milk and sugar).

I sweeten my creamy green smoothies with low-acid fruits (dates, banana, papaya) or, sometimes more decadently, maple syrup. I'll then choose from a selection of mild greens (parsley, baby spinach), warming spices and superfoods to create a unique and satisfying elixir.

While creamy green smoothies make a luscious afternoon snack, I always feel like a kid on holiday when I drink them in the morning. (Chocolate milkshake for breakfast? I'm in!)

Today's offering features fresh-blended almond-chia milk plus vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, banana, dates and parsley. Plus a pinch of salt, to bring sweet yin together with tonifying yang, and provide magical protection benefits. Blessed be.

Pumpkin Spice Sweet Almond Lassi

1/4 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon white chia seeds
1 1/2 cups cool water
1/2 banana, fresh or frozen
2 medjool dates, pitted
one generous handful fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
pinch of Himalayan pink salt

In a high speed blender, blend soaked almonds, chia seeds and water together to make a milky base. Add remaining ingredients and blend thoroughly. Makes 16 ounces.