You Have to Try This Beet Recipe

by Alisha

Beet recipe? Okay, it’s not exactly on everyone’s most-wanted-recipe list, but I stumbled upon an amazing way to eat this purple produce. First, why beets? Well, we recently joined a fresh organic produce co-op and we get a large crate full of various organic fruits and veggies every other week. It’s a surprise what’s inside each time we get it and we often find ourselves with veggies we would not normally buy. I’ve been looking at it as a sort of challenge. It helps us try new things and new recipes! I’ve not been a big beet fan in the past, but I did a little research and found that they are incredibly healthy.

Just look at all the health benefits of beets!

lowers blood pressure
effective in lowering LDL and total serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels
raises antioxidant enzyme levels in the liver and may promote detoxification in the intestines, blood, and liver
may increase CD8 cells, which detect and remove abnormal cells in your colon
help prevent stomach and colon cancer
very high in folate = great for preventing birth defects during pregnancy
high in magnesium = preventing osteoporosis
lowers the level of free radical in your body, which are responsible for cell damage

There is something else about beets that can make them appealing…they’re sweet! I remembered that I frequently see them as an ingredient in some of the freshly made juices at a grocery store we like. So, I decided to throw some beets into our morning smoothie. Here is what I did…

“We Got the Beet” Smoothie
1 1/2 cups apple juice
1/2 cup milk
1 pkg. frozen strawberries
1 banana
1/4 cup flax seed meal
1 beet, cut into large chunks

Throw it all in the blender and give it a whirl! Makes about 4 cups.

OK, so if you don’t believe that this could actually be drinkable, here is the proof!

Gabriel drinking smoothie