NASTURTIUM GREENS SMOOTHIE

I learned a lot while co-teaching Cooking with Chinese Medicinal Herbs at the National University of Natural Medicine with my friend Ellen Goldsmith - Chinese herbalist, acupuncturist, and author of Nutritional Healing with Chinese Medicine. She taught that our beloved morning smoothies, when cold and sweet, can dampen digestion, especially first thing in the day when the body needs warmth to get the digestive system moving. Her fix: add warming ingredients like ginger or cinnamon. I like to take it further with peppery greens such as arugula or nasturtium leaves, or even a pinch of chili flakes. This version uses nasturtium greens for a fresh, spicy twist and a hit of vitamin C and antioxidants. Or add some leaves and/or flowers to your favorite smoothie.

🌸 Handful nasturtium greens
🌸 A couple handfuls frozen berries
🌸 1-2 tablespoons yogurt
🌸 1-2 tablespoons sesame seeds or 1-2 tablespoons tahini
🌸 2 dates, pitted
🌸 Ice and water to thin