This creamy almond maca smoothie is super creamy and loaded with vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and antioxidants, and is a fantastic energizing breakfast or workout shake.
I got this almond maca smoothie from Navitas Organics. They have a ton of fantastic superfood smoothies in their recipe center.
The Navitas superfood powders are on heavy rotation in my house. The mild-flavored powders allow me to get all of the nutritional benefits and include superfoods into my dishes in a delicious way.
The Navitas superfood powders are highly concentrated, freeze-dried products produced from high quality organic ingredients. Navitas is a family-owned company based in California. They have extremely strict quality control standards and integrity, so their superfood powders are extremely pure, and are fantastic for traveling. I keep small containers in my suitcase next to my blender, so I can boost my smoothies on the road.
I use the camu, goji, maqui, pomegranate, acai, wheatgrass, and maca powders on a weekly basis to maintain optimal health, and increase the nutrient potential of my smoothies, salad dressings, desserts, and other raw dishes. For recipe inspiration, check out the Navitas Recipe Center, where they share some recipes from their community. You can submit recipes for publication, too.
The star superfood in this smoothie is maca powder.
Also known as Peruvian ginseng, maca root has a strong nutty flavor that can be overly assertive and unpalatable in large quantities. Maca likes to be the star, so a little goes a long way. Maca pairs well with banana, cacao powder, coconut, almond butter, yogurt, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and cherries.
I find that 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of maca provides a nice caramel note to smoothies. Add any more than that and a lingering bitterness may blast your bliss. If you’re a bit heavy handed, and need to temper the flavor, add extra banana or a splash of natural sweetener. For the most balanced flavor profile, consume smoothies with maca immediately, as maca grows more assertive when left to sit.
There are two kinds of maca powder available: raw and gelatinized. Raw maca powder has gained a lot of traction in the raw food community because it has not been heated and retains its live enzymes and nutrients at peak levels. However, as maca powder is highly susceptible to microbial contamination, I recommend purchasing gelatinized maca powder.
While I’m a huge advocate of raw foods, maca is a food that must be cooked in order to be digestible. Gelatinized maca is heated to separate the root’s starch. While this process destroys live enzymes, it activates micronutrients and yields a concentrated powder that is easily digested and assimilated. Maca should not be consumed raw.
With loads of phytonutrients, antioxidants, protein, vitamins, and minerals (calcium, potassium, and iron), maca is a brilliant health-promoting food. It builds healthy blood, boosts immunity, energizes the body, combats stress, and is brilliant for revitalizing the adrenal system.
Maca is also among the best workout supplements, helping to metabolize macronutrients, and its steroid-like compounds increase endurance and aid recovery by promoting the regeneration of muscle tissue. And vegans, maca is a top plant-based source of vitamin B12.
Maca is an incredible anti-aging avenger, too, neutralizing free radicals for beautiful skin, hair, nails, bones, and teeth. It can also enhance mood, lowering cortisol levels to alleviate anxiety and depression, and aiding sleep. Maca may even help your sex life, as it enhances libido and fertility. And, for ladies going through menopause – it has been known to help with hot flashes!
Make this creamy almond maca smoothie and taste how delicious maca powder can be in a smoothie.
Find more delicious smoothie recipes in The Blender Girl Smoothies app.
*Probiotic Powder – I add 1/2 teaspoon of probiotic powder to all smoothies to replenish stores of healthy bacteria for immunity, digestion, detox, and to balance the acidic effects of high-sugar fruits and other sweeteners. The really potent probiotics require refrigeration. If you have capsules, break the shell and release the powder. Unsweetened probiotic-rich liquids like kefirs (water, coconut water, milk varieties) or kombucha make wonderful health-promoting additions to shakes, too.
*Celtic Sea Salt – I add a pinch (or more) of this alkalizing, mineral-rich salt to all smoothies to boost the natural flavor of fruits and veggies; temper the acidity of sweet fruits and sweeteners; stimulate the lymphatic system; replenish electrolytes; aid digestion; and help the body access energy. I do not recommend adding common table salt which is generally heated to extreme temperatures, iodized, bleached, processed, and refined. This salt does not have the same benefits. If you have a health condition that requires you to limit your sodium intake consult your doctor before adding salt to your smoothies.
Comments 6
Thank you for this gorgeous information on Maca and the recipe itself. I adore Maca and have built a taste tolerance to it. It grows on you over time and the benefits are superb. I love adding it to my daily superherb tonics. I will be diving into this smoothie tomorrow. Sounds delightful. Thanks for all you do, Tess! XO
Pleasure. I love maca too. It does take a bit of getting used to…I agree. But, SO many benefits. I bet you have some great recipes using it 🙂
This is absolutely decadent! My first experience with Maca, and I love it. Thanks for the lovely introduction.
Awesome! Yes, this recipe is a winner.
I bought the Nativa Raw Maca and enjoyed it in my smoothie. My concern is that on the package, it states “Contains a chemical known to the state of CA to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.” What the heck???
Hey Gloria, I’m so sorry for my delay in responding to you about this. I am just catching up responding to comments and I wanted to contact Navitas to get the most comprehensive response for you. Here is what they sent me:
What is in Navitas Naturals organic Maca Powder and organic Gelatinized Maca Powder that requires you to put a Cal Prop 65 warning label on the packaging?
Navitas Naturals Maca Powder and Gelatinized Maca Powder are certified organic. They are 100% pure powders made solely from maca plant roots. They are grown with organic agricultural processes. To the best of our knowledge, no other chemicals are used to grow it, nor are they added to it or introduced during the processing of these products. The chemical element that triggered this requirement is lead. Lead is a naturally occurring element that can be frequently found in soil and water.
What is Cal Prop 65 and what is the safe limit for lead in foods?
Cal Prop 65 is California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Companies are required to place a warning label on any product they sell within California if it exceeds the level that the State has established as risk free for a list of over eight hundred chemicals. These standards are specific to the state of California. The lead standard in California is more stringent than what is required at the U.S. federal level, and by other governments including Canada and the European Union. Under Cal Prop 65, the State of California has determined that the safe harbor level for lead to avoid the risk of reproductive toxicity is no more than 0.5 mcg/day. This was calculated by identifying the level of exposure that has been shown to have no observable effect and then dividing that level by 1,000, to provide a very large margin of safety. California’s 0.5 mcg/day threshold for lead is 150 times less than the 75 mcg/day limit that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has indicated as safe for consumption by pregnant or lactating women. California is the only state that requires warning labels at this low of a level.