Carob Mint Superfood Smoothie

This carob superfood smoothie has become my latest addiction. They are so good I sometimes have them twice a day. And I don't mean, have a glassful, I'm talking the whole blenderful! Kids would love this smoothie!

They are great cold, like a thick non-dairy milkshake, if you use frozen bananas and let the mint tea cool before making the smoothie. But they are equally nice if you use fresh (not frozen) bananas and make it while the mint tea is still warm (not too hot though). It's winter here in New Zealand, and it's just turned really cold. I always find it hard to stick to a predominantly raw food diet when the weather turns cold, and amazingly just having these warm smoothies in the morning, and warm tea at night is making it really easy.

Ingredients:
2-1/2 cup mint tea
3 ripe bananas (fresh or frozen)
2 Tbsp carob powder (raw carob if possible)
1 Tbsp Maca powder
1 Tbsp Lucuma powder
1 Tbsp Mesquite powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla bean powder or extract
1 tsp honey (optional)
1 Tbsp chia seeds (optional)

Instructions:

Make the mint tea by steeping a handful of mint leaves in 3 cups hot water until cool (or warm if you want a warm smoothie) and then straining the leaves out. Some of the water will evaporate leaving about 2-1/2 cups, but don't worry if it's more or less.

The honey, or whatever sweetener you prefer is optional. Carob is naturally sweet, as are the bananas, and the superfoods mesquite, lucuma and maca (to some extent), so it doesn't necessarily need sweetening. Just go with what tastes good to you. The chia seeds will thicken it up. Chia are quite amazing, they are very sustaining and even using a small amount like this will I notice the difference. If I put chia seeds in this smoothie I can go for hours before I feel hungry.

Put all the ingredients into a blender and blend well.