Are you looking for an antioxidant and immunity boost this winter?  This pomegranate cranberry antioxidant smoothie is sweet and fruity and delicious and full of crazy health benefits including antioxidant and immunity support. It’s like a big dose of healthy goodness in a sweet smoothie treat.

Did you know that the name for the pomegranate fruit is derived from Latin and literally means “seeded apple”?

Not to go all conspiracy theory on you, but think about this…. The pomegranate is considered indigenous to the Mediterranean and Middle East. During Old Testament times, apples were not indigenous to those geographic areas.  There are many scholars who believe that the “forbidden fruit” that Eve ate in the Garden of Eden was actually a pomegranate, and not an apple as commonly thought.  #thingsthatmakeyougohummmmm

Today though, the pomegranate is commonly cultivated in the warmer parts North and South America.

Speaking of the Old Testament… (and hoping to make my Jewish friends proud here) … pomegranates contain 613 seeds to correlate to the same number of mitzvot (commandmants) of the Torah.

Pomegranates are a traditional food for the second night of Rosh Hashanah.  They symbolize “new” fruit that has just come into season and has not been eaten throughout the year, and are eaten with the prayer, “ken yehi ratzon-may it be thy will, O Creator, that our year be rich and replete with blessings as the pomegranate rich and replete with seeds.”

There are several ways to extract the seeds (arils) from the pomegranate. They all involve effort and mess.   My favorite way is to place a bowl on top of the drain in the sink (which is clean), and place a pomegranate half on top of it seed side down. Then take a wooden spoon or silicone spatula and pound the daylights out of it. The skin will loosen up, and you can then rotate it around and more gently pound the majority of the 613 seeds into the bowl. Word of caution – be sure to wear clothing that you don’t mind getting stained as the juices do tend to go rogue.

I usually buy a few containers of arils just so I’m not spending my entire day beating up fruit, but they are 2-3 times as expensive as a single pomegranate.

Whole pomegranates can be stored at room temperature for about one week, or they can be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic for up to two months. Fresh pomegranate seeds (arils) can be refrigerated for up to three days. They can also be frozen in a single layer on a tray and then stored in the freezer for up to six months in an airtight container.

Health Benefits

Cranberries – Move over UTI’s, there are many more health benefits in town! I can throw out big complicated terms like phytonutrients, anthocyanidin flavonoids, and quercetin but here’s the deal. Cranberries are one of the most healthiest superfoods around. They contain one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants of any fruit. They are high in fiber, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. They are heart healthy, help to fight against cancer and inflammation, and protect our cells from free-radical damage. One of the most important phytonutrients in the small but mighty cranberry is quercetin, which is highly anti-inflammatory.

Pomegranates – The perfect pomegranate.  They are full of fiber, protein, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, potassium, and also contain the antioxidant punicalagin and punicic acic, which is known for it’s heart benefits. Pomegranates are anti-inflammatory, they help to fight breast and prostate cancers, lower blood pressure, fight arthritis, lower risk of heart disease, help fight bacterial and fungal infections, and improve memory.

Pomegranate Powder – You can use fresh or frozen pomegranate arils, but sometimes for smoothies, I also like to add pomegranate powder instead.  It is made of 100% real fruit soluble powder and contains high levels of vitamin C, K and folate (folic acid). It’s also rich in a number of important minerals including potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and calcium, as well as key amino acids. Pomegranates are known to be a source of antioxidant phytoestrogens and polyphenols.

Mix It Up and Enjoy!

Add all of the ingredients to your Vitamix or Ninja, and let the magic happen.  Add some cute straws and drink up!

1 cup cranberries

1/2 cup pom arils

1 tsp vanilla

1 TBSP pomegranate powder

1-2 cup Vegan milk (almond, flax, cashew, etc – add until desired creaminess)

Are you Inspired?

Love, hugs, and may your blessings be as rich as the seeds.