Smoothies are a delicious and simple way to increase the consumption of healthy and powerful food. It is an especially good method for stubborn kids or spouses (yes, that may include you), that might not otherwise eat a varied diet.

This is a simple recipe that is popular in Asia, especially China and Japan, and was recently featured on the award winning YouTube cooking channel “Cooking with Dog” with Chef and Francis (the poodle). Cooking with Dog is an extremely popular channel with over 44 million video views, and almost 250,000 subscribers. The National Taoism Examiner and his wife have enjoyed many of their recipes.

This recipe has just a few ingredients, but those ingredients provide plenty of benefits for men, women and children. You should definitely consider enjoying this recipe once or twice per week.

Recipe: serves 2
1 Ripe Banana
250ml Original Unfortified Soymilk (1.06 cups)
2 tbsp Ground Black Sesame Seeds
Honey (about ½ tbsp)
3-4 Ice Cubes

Place one banana into the blender with approx. 1 cup of soymilk and ½ tablespoon of honey. Thoroughly grind the black sesame seeds until they almost form a paste and then add the sesame seeds to the blender. Blend until all ingredients are smooth and mixed well. Enjoy.

Please note: Taoism does not recommend consuming food that is frozen or too cold; however, if you want to make a cool drink you could try 1 or 2 cubes. Food that is very cold may harm the spleen/stomach, weaken energy, cool the blood and harm the heart.

Health Benefits: according to the Tao of Nutrition by Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease

Banana: clears heat, lubricates lungs, lubricates intestines, lowers blood pressure, aids alcohol intoxication. Good for: constipation, thirst, cough, hemorrhoids, hypertension and alcohol intoxication

Soymilk (Soybean): clears heat, detoxifies, eases urination, lubricates lungs and intestines, provides an excellent protein food. Good for: lung and stomach heat, dry skin, ferocious appetite, stomach or mouth ulcers, swollen gums, diarrhea, constipation, general heat problems.

Black sesame seeds: tonify liver and kidneys, harmonize the blood, lubricate the intestines, restore hair color, nourish Yin, promotes lactation. Good for: chronic constipation, premature balding or graying, chronic arthritis, joint inflammation, cough.

Honey: nourishes Yin, lubricates dryness, tonifies weakness, harmonizes, antidote to drugs, strengthen spleen. Good for: diabetes (small amounts), constipation, ulcers, dry cough, hoarse voice, burns, cold sores.

Take time, especially during the hot summer days, to enjoy this delicious and simple smoothie! Make sure you post a comment and thank Chef and Francis from the Cooking with Dog YouTube Channel.

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