Skin glow smoothie

Skin glow smoothie (Serves 2)
Autumn & winter squashes are stored sunshine. Their delicious and naturally creamy flesh contains whopping amounts of Vitamin A, as well as vitamins C & E, B vitamins, and minerals. Cleverly teamed here with turmeric, coconut oil, and nuts, makes this smoothie the perfect superfood for your skin.

Ingredients

250g cooked winter squash – eg Crown Prince, or other winter squashes with deep orange flesh
3 cups of nut milk, or a handful of soaked nuts eg walnuts or almonds and three cups water
4 dates
1 tbsp melted coconut oil plus extra for roasting
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp natural vanilla extract
1/2 tsp turmeric
1-2 grinds black pepper – optional (if you want a little heat)

Method
1. Pop the dates in a little boiling water and leave to soften.
2. Melt the tbsp of coconut oil (it melts in seconds in a bowl over boiling water).
3. Add everything apart from the oil to a blender (or nutribullet) and whiz until smooth and creamy; you might need to do this in batches.
4. Stir in the melted coconut oil, pour into glasses, and enjoy.

Lauren is one of the UK’s bright new chefs who are making exciting vegan food. She is head chef at Asparagasm in Nailsworth http://asparagasm.com a small boutique restaurant serving totally delicious super – nourishing vegan food made with organic (and some biodynamic) ingredients.

Photo credit and copyright: Lauren Lovatt