Homemade V-8 Shake Immunity Booster

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, this beautiful spinach shake recipe is quick, green, and healthy. It's my own homemade V-8 shake. When you read the ingredients, you may think it sounds weird (I did), but I assure you it tastes absolutely delicious despite mixing orange juice and vegetables. The question is- "Is this a soup, shake, or a smoothie"? 

Eating raw (uncooked) fruits and vegetables during the Coronavirus crises is a positive way to increase the number of enzymes, phytochemicals, and antioxidants in your diet which is vitally important for boosting the immune system. And who doesn't want to boost the immune system during this tenuous time of the Coronavirus?

These are my new soup bowls - I love them!!

This "souper" easy recipe is made in the blender.
For those of us in warm climates, this room temperature smoothie will be refreshing and energizing. For those in cooler climates, it won't warm you up, but I'm sure you will still enjoy it (unless you don't like spinach).

You could also think of it as a green smoothie and drink it for breakfast or a quick energizing snack. 

I originally found this "spinach soup" recipe on Anthony William's Facebook page. 

If you are not familiar with Anthony Williams, he is the "Medical Medium". He has written many books on food and health and offers many free recipes. Visit his page for recipes https://www.facebook.com/medicalmedium/posts/665406990261149

I have to say his "spinach soup recipe is really tasty!
However, to suit my own tastes and needs,  I cut the quantity of ingredients down and made my own adaptations and additions.

Ingredients:

1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes
1 large handful of baby spinach or baby kale

1 stalk of celery cut in thirds

1 very small clove of peeled garlic

1 orange, peeled and cut into pieces 

1-2 basil leaves or a few sprigs of cilantro

1/4 of an avocado 

1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger 
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 Kirby or Persian cucumber, peeled and cut in half  
2 tablespoons of fresh lime or lemon juice

Preparation:

1. Blend the tomatoes, celery, garlic, cucumber, and orange.

2. Add the spinach a handful at a time until well blended.

3. Lastly add the avocado and herbs and blend until creamy and smooth.

4. Pour into a glass and enjoy it. This is best soon after preparation.

Of course all fruits and vegetables are naturally vegan and gluten-free!

Notes: 

1. Herbs: I grow fresh herbs in my condo- I have an oregano plant, so I use fresh oregano- you can use fresh basil or any herb you grow. 

2. Fresh Ginger Hack: I keep whole pieces of ginger in my freezer in a baggie. Whenever a recipe calls for fresh ginger, I always have some. I do not even let the ginger defrost, I just wash and use it. For grated ginger in this recipe,  I remove a piece from the freezer, wash it, and use a hand grater to grate some directly into my blender. 

3. Garlic: The recipe calls for a small piece of "raw" garlic. Garlic has amazing properties especially antibiotic properties. Therefore, I really want that garlic in my green smoothie. My husband is not able to tolerate it, so I omit the garlic when I make one for him. 

4. Orange: I find the freshly squeezed OJ, or the entire peeled orange,  not only gives the drink a lovely flavor, but it is also very rich in Vitamin C which is also a terrific immune builder. 

5. Greens: Although I use spinach, I have also at times added a little kale or omitted the spinach and used kale. The important factor is that greens are very alkalizing which according to some experts is necessary for maintaining good health. An acid environment is a more conducive environment for disease to flourish. Therefore many people choose to eat alkalizing foods to help restore balance to the ph of the body.  

Alkalizing foods in this smoothie: greens, cucumber, celery, garlic, ginger, lime, basil, etc. 

Anthony Williams' Books 

Check out His books: (Affiliate Links)

Cleanse to Heal

Thyroid Healing 

Life Changing Foods: Healing Power of Fruits and Vegetables

Liver Rescue
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Other Vegan Ideas from my regular recipes

Steamed or roasted vegetables with orange cashew dressing

Vegetable kabobs

Persian roasted eggplant soup

Vegan chopped liver (substitute eggplant for Passover)

Mexican guacamole

Moroccan Harissa Soup

Sharing on Beth Fish Read's Weekend Cooking where anyone can share a food related post.

Sharing on Souper Sunday where anyone can share a soup, sammie, or salad.

Healthy, delicious, easy to make food is my passion. I am gluten intolerant, busy. and strive for a healthy balanced lifestyle. It has taken me many years to develop and discover easy healthy recipes that meet gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and real food standards. On my blog I share my journey, my struggles, my discoveries, and my successful recipes. I hope you find ideas, resources, and recipes that will be helpful to you. Come Back soon.