In the kitchen with Kelley: Red velvet cake smoothie

I love smoothies. But I realize some people can’t get past the idea of all these green things in a drink, some of which are not even foods they’d like to find on their dinner plate. Isn’t that the magic of smoothies, though? The right combination of fruits and vegetables and a few spices can transform even Brussels sprouts into a tasty healthy meal you’ll actually enjoy.

I actually like Brussels sprouts. It’s beets that I’ve had a hard time with — that is until I discovered Two City Vegan’s red velvet cake smoothie. On their site, this is how they describe it… “This Red Velvet Cake Smoothie is the ultimate confection to indulge both your inner child and your adult brain.  It combines all the richness and flavor of a red velvet cake, the cold and creamy deliciousness of a milkshake, and the nutrition and fiber of a salad.”

Well, I was sold! And thrilled that I finally found a tasty way to benefit from the power of the beet. The great thing about beets is the massive concentration of natural nitrates found in the red root veggie. These nitrates perform a key role in helping your body produce extra nitric oxide molecules in the blood, which are extremely helpful in dilating blood vessels and helping more oxygen reach the muscles throughout your body. Perfect for circulation and boosting stamina.

So try this smoothie–and have your cake and eat it too (sort of).