Pineapple Blueberry Buzz Smoothie

Bee pollen is available in many health food stores and markets in small orange and yellow granules. It is considered to be a very nutrient dense food because of its high concentration of carbs, proteins, antioxidants, phytonutrients and vitamins. There have not been enough extensive studies done to equivocally prove all the benefits that bee pollen is purported to have. However, among people that use it there seems to be a general consensus that it does in fact help elevate energy levels and also naturally reduces the discomfort associated with seasonal allergies. The energy burst seems to come mainly from the B vitamins it contains. The allergy remedy seems to be that if people eat small amounts of bee pollen, it desensitizes them to the allergens, kind of how vaccines help the body understand and fight off dangerous invaders. However, the pollen should be from the same geographical area- not from another province or country where there are likely to be different flowers, and therefore different pollen.

Generally it is good to start with one teaspoon servings of bee pollen and increase it from there, if desired, to one tablespoon servings as one develops a taste for it and becomes comfortable with any effects. It seems that we digest and absorb bee pollen best when it is combined with fruit, and several of its vitamins need a bit of fat for the body to fully use them. Therefore, throwing it into a smoothie with sweet fruits and avocado (also a fruit) is my favorite way to consume this weird food.

Our hormonal, aka endocrine, system is responsible for a lot of how our body responds to stimuli. In nutrition specific terms, it releases different hormones that control hunger and satiety levels and determine how our body breaks down food and utilizes the resultant energy. This has a direct result on body fat stores and energy levels. Stress (be it acute, episodic or chronic) has effects that throw all these hormones off balance and one of the ways to help restore that balance through nutrition is in the form of adaptogens. Maca, a root from South America which usually comes in dried powder form, is one of my favorite adaptogens because it stores well and it is really subtle, unlike many of the others that have a stronger, bitter taste. I add it into most of the smoothies I make and it worked well for this one since the focus was to get really clear, clean energy.

I used pineapple and blueberries because I like their flavors together, which are both strong enough to overpower the bee pollen and maca. Plus pineapple has a special and unique enzyme called bromelain, which helps make digestion easy and efficient, and it may be anti-inflammatory too. Blueberries are in my mind just as special as fancy super foods like açaí and mulberries, with a comparable nutrient profile. My brother seemed pretty disappointed that the purple hue came from the humble blueberry and not açaí berries, although I am pretty sure he has never tasted them, he is just proud of himself because he can finally pronounce the word properly so he uses it any chance he gets.