Blackberry-Orange Juicing for Summer (with a Hint of Fall)

By Cal Orey

Heat wave! On the West Coast summertime is here and it is hot. No way will I go to the kitchen to cook or bake. It's a no-cook week. That means juices, smoothies, salads, and water. During our short summers in Lake Tahoe, we usually get thunderstorms. This year, less than more. Blame it on climate change.

This week, I went swimming yesterday and will do so tomorrow. Sadly, I can't live in the pool, Back home instead of cooking, I made a quick smoothie with fresh summertime blackberries.

SEASONAL BLACKBerry-ORANGE JUICE

1 cup blackberries, fresh, sliced

½ banana, fresh

5 small ice cubes

½ cup fresh orange juice

½ cup vanilla gelato

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Sweeten with honey to taste (local preferably)

Add nutmeg and cinnamon to taste (ground from cinnamon sticks is best)

Mint (garnish)

In a blender, combine fruit, ice, juice, and gelato. Blend until smooth. (All the better if your blender has a "smoothie" button.) Add vanilla, honey and spices; blend quickly. Pour into a large milkshake glass. Top with whipped cream, nuts and serve with a straw and spoon. Serves one or two. 

The texture of a smoothie, like this one, is thick and creamy, naturally sweet.Its mix of fruit and spicy flavors are like summer's wild berries with a hint of spices to remind me autumn around the corner. *More smoothies and juice recipes in all of the Healing Powers Series.