PINEAPPLE, GINGER ELIXIR

With seasons changing and temperatures getting warmer, I find myself craving lighter food.  I love summer food! Light, crisp, clean, and healthy!  Pineapple is loaded with Bromelain, Manganese, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B1. Bromelain has many health benefits that often times get overlooked.  I remember being in a car accident years back and being told by my chiropractor to eat a lot of pineapple for its Bromelain.  I have been intrigued ever since!  Here is a little more information on Bromelain:

  Bromelain is a powerful enzyme which is extracted from pineapple cores. (Most pineapple cores are inedible, but you can find some that are soft enough to eat). Once the enzyme is collected, it's often turned into supplement tablets. Bromelain is a popular supplement for athlete's, and also for people who just want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The pineapple enzyme helps with the digestive system to break down our foods, and clean blood by removing debris and toxins from the blood stream. Bromelain enzymecontains anti-inflammatory properties that benefits our internal organs. The enzyme also speeds up recovery after external injuriesand reduces swelling. Eating pineapple fruit has also been known to reduce 'ulcerative colitis'.

An added bonus is that pineapple is really cheap right now and super delicious!  So go get your PINEAPPLE ON!  I buy a couple at a time so I can clean, chop, and freeze it to have on hand at any given time.  This recipe is a nutritional powerhouse!!!  If you are not educated on the health benefits of ginger....google "health benefits of ginger."  Get ready to read for a bit because ginger is amazing at healing pretty much all things!  Lastly, this Elixir contains my most favorite spices!  Which is WHY I love it so much!  Cinnamon, Cardamom, and Cayenne...what could be bad!?

PINEAPPLE, GINGER ELIXIR

Serves:  4

-4 cups fresh or frozen pineapple cubes

-1 TBSP. minced fresh ginger

-1/4 cup coconut milk

-1 TBSP lime juice

-6 pitted dates

-1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

-1/4 tsp. cinnamon

-1/4 tsp. cardamom

-1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional, but you really should:)

-2 cups ice cubes

Puree pineapple cubes, dates, and ginger in blender or food processor until smooth.  Add the coconut milk, ice, lime juice, vanilla, and spices. Blend until smooth and serve.

ENJOY!  Eat Well & Be Happy:)