Hot and Cold Smoothies with Frank Giglio

My friend Frank Giglio was in town with David Wolfe today (David did an AMAZING talk last night at Catch a Healthy Habit in Fairfield, CT) so we decided to do some smoothies demos to show you. Frank is an amazing chef over with over 15 years of experience. Enjoy the amazing videos below and make sure to leave your comments and questions for Frank below.

I’ll also be sitting down with David Wolfe tonight to have him answer questions from the last few days. If you have a question for David you can also post that below.

Hope you’re having a wonderful day!

-Alex Ortner

Cold Smoothie – Part 1 of 2

Cold Smoothie – Part 2 of 2

Cold Smoothie Recipe:
2 cups pure water, coconut water, or nut milk
1 frozen pack Sambozen Acai(1 cup frozen org berries will work great too)
1/4 cup cacao beans
1 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
2-3 Tablespoons coconut butter
1 teaspoon medicinal mushrooms
1t-1T maca root(start w/ 1t if you are new to maca)
1/2 teaspoon spirulina
Sweetener to taste

Hot Smoothie

Warm Medicinal Mushroom Chocolate Elixir:
3 cups medicinal mushroom tea(chaga used here)
1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil
2-3 Tablespoons coconut butter
1t-1T maca root(start w/ 1t if you are new to maca)
2 Tablespoons cacao powder
1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder
3 capsules medicinal mushrooms(I used Agarikon from Fungi.com <http://Fungi.com> )
Sweetener to taste

62 Comments »

Hi,
Can you make this drink ahead of time, and reheat it later, or would it separate.

Comment by Sandra Mosemann — April 29, 2010 @ 4:41 pm

what is the difference between coconut butter and coconut oil?

Comment by sharon — April 29, 2010 @ 4:44 pm

I did not find the list of ingredients.
My mouth is watering. Someday the technology may give us a taste!
Thanks!
Susie in Redondo Beach, CA

Comment by susie — April 29, 2010 @ 4:53 pm

Thanks for sharing these great recipes…you’ve given me some new idea’s to incorporate into my morning “schroom” elixar!

Comment by Teree — April 29, 2010 @ 4:56 pm

Do you have any good smoothie recipes without a lot of sugar? My husband is diabetic and can’t have a lot. thanks again for all you do!

Comment by Geri — April 29, 2010 @ 4:57 pm

Hi Frank and Alex,

Thank you! I have a question – as someone who drinks a lot of green smoothies, how do you feel a simple green smoothie (70% greens, 30% fruit) compares to the “superfood smoothie” you made above? Is a superfood smoothie nutritionally superior? Does it provide more energy? etc.

Thanks so much!!

Comment by Daphne — April 29, 2010 @ 5:02 pm

Alex,
Please remember to post the recipes below. Thanks!

Comment by Karen — April 29, 2010 @ 5:02 pm

I am interested in your opinion about Kangen water system.I keep reading many good things about it and was wondering about your opinion if any. Thanks

Comment by Nelson Reyes — April 29, 2010 @ 5:02 pm

I Love it!!! thank you so much. I am waiting for the recipes…:)

Comment by Beth Winter — April 29, 2010 @ 5:06 pm

Hello again…
This video viewing of Smoothie making is new to me, and it’s great! Really inspiring… Makes it all suddenly seem so much more doable – not that it wasn’t, but there is always that … inertia hurdle. So, once again, thanks much to you and thx also to your guest, Steve…
QUESTION:
I’m just starting the smoothie (green and otherwise) thing, and I do have a bit of a sugar sensitivity — not diabetic and not hypoglycemic, but more like borderline to the borderline of hypoglycemic.

I do think the best way to start the day would be with a power or green smoothie of some sort, but I’m wary of the sugar — I know I can use just a little sweetener, and can use low-glycemic fruit (I’m the person who wrote yesterday, w/ the organic berry farm, so this is possible!).
but I am wondering if either Steve or David (I met you at the Book Expo a few years ago, and you signed your book “Amazing Grace” at the NorthAtlantic booth — and I’ve just begun reading it — it is magical, and I enjoy all the very very positive energy in it) —

Comment by Patricia — April 29, 2010 @ 5:12 pm

oops! I sent it the above by accident w/out the question (sorry!) — will make it short and sweet and get to the point!
What superfoods are particularly good at counteracting a reaction to sweets… YOu mentioned the fats will balance things out, and I am wondering if some superfoods are better than others at also helping with the sugar thing.
I ask b/c if I drink too many smoothies either in the evening, or the morning, I do sometimes get the spacey reaction. But I would really like to use smoothies in the morning especially.
THANKS MUCH! And I’ll make a point to be more brief! (I worked for a publisher — we tend to be over-verbal!).

Comment by Patricia — April 29, 2010 @ 5:16 pm

me again.. I meant to write: thx to your guest, Frank (I knew a Steve Giglio)
done.
really.
over and out.
(and I’m not even spacey from a too sweet smoothie!)

Comment by Patricia — April 29, 2010 @ 5:18 pm

Ingredients list?

Thanks

Comment by Julie — April 29, 2010 @ 5:24 pm

I couldn’t understand what type of mushrooms he was using for the tea. I thought you said the recipe would be posted ‘below’ but I couldn’t find it. Could this recipe on site? Also the sites of products was using were hard to understand.

Comment by vickie — April 29, 2010 @ 5:28 pm

I have a lot of recipes that call for young coconuts. I would rather not have to deal with cutting up a coconut. Would organic flaked coconut work just as well, both as a recipe substitution (if it’s going to be blended or processed), as well as nutrition/health-wise? I understand there is a lot of variation in the quality of coconuts, so I would greatly appreciate some guidance!

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise!

Comment by Marci — April 29, 2010 @ 5:30 pm

Excellent videos! Thank you for sharing. I’m really enjoying your informative videos and can’t wait for the delivery of my DVD’s

Please keep doing what you are doing–you are making a difference!

Comment by Bonnie — April 29, 2010 @ 5:31 pm

Looking down below for the recipes….no see

Comment by Don — April 29, 2010 @ 5:34 pm

Where do you purchase coconut butter? Can it be purchased in a health food store? I don’t see the recipes?

Comment by Debra Papa — April 29, 2010 @ 5:38 pm

Part one isn’t showing up.

Comment by Gina — April 29, 2010 @ 5:51 pm

Throughout the videos you mentioned you were going to put the recipes below, but I am not finding them.

Comment by Jane — April 29, 2010 @ 5:54 pm

Thanx, I learned something, including about the mushroon tea. But what is Maca, you started to tell us, then you said it was great and an aphrodisiac, but what is it for healthwise? And also, there was some mumbling going on and I could not hear words that were the name of something. “And these %%$##@%$ mushrooms can be gotten at any &&$%##@@@&^%” is one example. Appreciate you taking the time to make the videos, as a picture is worth a thousand words.

Comment by Kat — April 29, 2010 @ 5:56 pm

Unable to HEAR the video. Any suggestions vol is up.

Thanks,
emma

Comment by Emma Faulk — April 29, 2010 @ 6:01 pm

Loved your show—-Thank you!

Comment by Patty — April 29, 2010 @ 6:10 pm

what is the difference between coconut oil and coconut butter?

Comment by jeanne — April 29, 2010 @ 6:10 pm

Just noticing that what is a traditionally female field, i.e. feeding and nurturing with the fruits from the earth is now being dominated by males.There are some females on the ‘meet the experts ‘panel but suddenly after many decades of usurping women and their traditional roles through the ‘better living through chemistry’ and ‘processed food ‘paradigm men are going back to the kitchen! We are rejecting the predominantly male dominated paradigm of the past 200 years and returning to a more balanced society where feminine values are more valued.
Halleluja!!

It should be noted that women have been doing this for centuries. Without blenders admittedly.

Comment by Angela — April 29, 2010 @ 6:10 pm

Tease, tease, tease. Don’t have a clue what ingredients as most are so unfamiliar to me. Look forward to promised listing.

Comment by Carol Ann — April 29, 2010 @ 6:36 pm

These smoothies look so good. Good info keep it up.

Would you be able to find out how to make fresh home made Coconut butter. I would love to know cus I am able to get fresh Coconuts right from the tree.

Also do you have any smoothie recipes for dogs and parrots too.

Thanks so much
Tahnee

Comment by Tahnee — April 29, 2010 @ 6:43 pm

What kind of mushrooms do we look for at the local market? I was not sure on the one you mentioned. This would be new to me using mushrooms and I don’t really like mushroom but I am willing to try this for something new.

Thanks, great video :0)

Comment by Mia — April 29, 2010 @ 6:59 pm

@Sandra Mosemann …. A drink like this, because of the mushrooms and coconut oil, will do find sitting in a sealed jar at room temp for a day. If you wish, you can slowly reheat it, if it does separate, you can reblend…

@Sharon… Coconut butter is a blend/puree of the meat. Imagine peanut butter. Coconut Oil, is the pressed from the coconut meat.

@Daphne… Green Smoothies are great, if you can properly digest the fibers of the greens. I find superfood smoothies to be much more medicinal and satiating then blends of fruit and greens. Superfood smoothies allow me to go many hours without food and be completely nourished and satiated.

@Nelson Reyes… In my opinion, and because of my life style, I do not drink anything but spring water. For me, there is really no other option to pure, living spring water. As far as Kangen system goes, I too hear it is a great filter. For showers, dishes, and cleaning, filtered water is an absolute must!
I also have found a lot of research showing that water is best slightly acidic, then being more alkaline. Hope this helps!

@Patricia.. If people are sugar sensitive, then I would strongly suggest staying away from all sugar. If looking for alternative sweeteners, stevia leaf is my first choice. If you choose to do some sweets, the berries, in season, are your best bet. You can also turn to non sweet fruits like tomato, lemon, cucumbers, and bell peppers. These may not make the best chocolate smoothie, but they do make for great savory soups!

The fats and mushrooms,as well as root powders(maca) are very grounding, and will keep us at a more balanced mind set. This is one of the reasons why I do not consume too many fruits or try to stick to a low fat diet.

@Vickie… The tea I was using was made from the Chaga mushroom. Known as the King of mushrooms, chaga is host of high antioxidant and immune boosting properties!

@Marci… If you make a “milk” from shredded coconut, you will get a fatty liquid, but not as rich and creamy as you would with fresh coconut meat.

@Debra Papa… Artisana is the brand I used in the video and can be found in many health food stores across America. I just ordered a case from SacredHeartChocolate that I really enjoy..

@Kat.. Sorry for the mumbling I was mentioning that the mushrooms can be purchased in capsules via http://www.fungi.com

Comment by Frank Giglio — April 29, 2010 @ 7:08 pm

@Tahnee.. To properly make coconut butter at home, you would need a stone grinder or a melanger. Check it out here: http://chocolatealchemy.com/2006/07/23/the-new-stone-melangers-are-in/

Comment by Frank Giglio — April 29, 2010 @ 7:10 pm

Hey Folks….You have to allow for pop ups on your window in order to see the recipes…
I’m going to need to find a couple of these ingredience, namely the mushrooms, can’t wait to try them!
Thanks much,
Denise

Comment by Denise — April 29, 2010 @ 7:12 pm

Just thank you, can not wait to try them out, these are appreciated

Comment by Bill McCkleave — April 29, 2010 @ 7:49 pm

Can you use other tea besides mushroom tea? I don’t do well with mushrooms or riobos.
Are the recipies somewhere?
Love the info.
Thanks

Comment by Debbie — April 29, 2010 @ 7:57 pm

Hope I’m not too late….I have a friend who is recovering from cancer and is interested in raw foods, but she lost 2/3 of her colon and has been instructed to eat a low fiber diet. Any advice for her?

Comment by Jennifer Price — April 29, 2010 @ 8:21 pm

Thanks for these recipes. I just love coconut but have never used coconut butter before because I didn’t know what to do with it. What else can you use it for? Thanks, Frank

Comment by Karen — April 29, 2010 @ 9:21 pm

Hey Frankie, just thought I would say a quick Hello darling.
So great to see you out and about. You seem so serious these days, or is this just your on camera style? I love a little Giggle from Mr.Giglio ))
The videos are fabulous Alex and Frank, such valuable information……and I agree that sourcing as much food locally is the most sensible, nourishing and exciting way of thriving in this life. Love to you both from the land downunder and THANKYOU xxx

Comment by Remedy — April 29, 2010 @ 10:00 pm

Thanks for the written recipes below the video picture! I’m so new to raw foods that I don’t recognize most of the names of the ingredients, so cannot understand when you’re talking about them (also need to learn where to find them–maybe will know a lot more after reading my printed documents).

Comment by Myra Elliott — April 29, 2010 @ 10:23 pm

Where do you get organic coconuts? I thought coconuts from Thailand (sold in Asian markets) were irradiated? I can’t find organic coconuts in San Diego. Thanks for your advise Frank.

Comment by Luna — April 29, 2010 @ 11:27 pm

David,
What minerals do you feel are the most important to supplement a raw food diet with? How do you feel about Mineralife products?

Comment by Luna — April 29, 2010 @ 11:30 pm

My husband and I have within the last 8 weeks become vegan and we drink green smoothies at least twice a day.

Comment by Rochelle — April 30, 2010 @ 12:37 am

….any possibility you guys are caffeine addicts, all that cacao, macca etc! All that processed “whole” products…the only real food I saw go into your smoothie were the berries. All that talk about the sugar in fruit and you put gollops of honey in. You would have been better to sweeten it with fresh whole fruit which has the fiber to slow down the absorption of the sugars. Think I’ll stay with my regular greens and fruit smoothie breakfast. At least its real food. The greens are absolute powerhouses of nutrients and putting other things with them other than fruit interfears with the absorption of those nutrients. The rest of the day I’ll continue to eat fresh raw organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Sometimes a little oil. Simple. No muss no fuss. All the energy in the world and no sugar highs and lows. Works for me and comes straight from Nature.

Comment by Dhanya Wallbank — April 30, 2010 @ 12:44 am

Thanks so much Alex and Frank- videos are fabulous, makes my learning to go raw so much easier, keep them coming please. Will now search for sources of new products new to me, and get my new smoothie recipes in action- again thanks from a new raw foodie

Comment by Norma — April 30, 2010 @ 7:27 am

this is awesome! I like making mine with soaked goji berries!

Comment by Margaret Lynch — April 30, 2010 @ 7:48 am

Hi Alex & Frank;
Thank you for your video and recipe!!! I live in Canada and I am interested in knowing what blender you recommend and where you can buy it; additionally,where to order coconut butter, cocao powder and beans.
Thanks again – I hope to see more demonstrations and recipe!! Sue

Comment by Sue — April 30, 2010 @ 8:31 am

@Dhanya… These recipes are simply options for people who wish to experiment and try new things. Yes, whole, fresh, seasonal fruit is best, when available! I was clear that if there sensitivities to sugar, one should skip the honey and all other sugar sources. Glad you found what works for you!

@Luna… Personally, I rarely use the Thai “young” coconuts because they are not organic and are shipped from so far away. I know of a company, which I have yet to order from, but its worth checking out… http://www.thecoconuthutgrocery.com/

@Luna.. Most Americans are deficient in magnesium, which we can get from cacao!! Iron, B vitamins, K, D(which can be washed off), and E are essentials that we need to be mindful of…

Comment by Frank Giglio — April 30, 2010 @ 8:40 am

@Sue… Hands down, I LOVE Vita Mix!! For the superfoods and other products, check out this site… http://www.rawnutrition.ca/

Comment by Frank Giglio — April 30, 2010 @ 8:55 am

What brand of cacoa powder did you use?

Thank you!

Comment by Charlotte Schafler — April 30, 2010 @ 8:58 am

Also,

What type of medicinal mushrooms can be used and how to you brew it for the hot smoothie. I know you mentioned adding a couple of things and then brewing the tea for several hours.

Thank you.

Comment by Charlotte Schafler — April 30, 2010 @ 9:12 am

@Charlotte.. I have been using the cacao products from Ultimate SuperFoods for the last year and have had great success using their products.

As far as brewing mushrooms, you can teas from the fresh polypore mushrooms. Reishi is available from http://www.mountainroseherbs.com or you can harvest them for FREE in your local forrest.

To brew:place a few ounces in 1 gallon of water. Simmer for 30 minutes to multiple hours! I use a croc pot at home for ease..

Comment by Frank Giglio — April 30, 2010 @ 9:23 am

Hi
can you talk about why you only use spring or purified water? I struggle with cost… And I live in an Apartment so installing and water filter isn’t an option.

Comment by Bridget — April 30, 2010 @ 10:01 am

Hi,
Is there a portable vita mix sort of contraption which is travel friendly and if so where do you get them? I miss my green smoothies when I’m out of town.

Thanks,
Charmaine

Comment by Charmaine Larsen — April 30, 2010 @ 12:36 pm

Why no fresh or raw ingredients? All the ingredients in the videos were processed, mostly extractions from whole foods. Aren’t whole, fresh foods the foundation of good health?

Comment by Steve — April 30, 2010 @ 12:47 pm

Love the videos! Thanks. Would love to see Frank come back. Also, if he has any creative ways for whole or crushed cacao beans (with skins preferably) since they are so healthy. Even mortal and pestle to preserve the nutrition. Can I soak them?

Comment by Josie — April 30, 2010 @ 12:50 pm

@Steve… Tapping into super foods, herbs, and mushrooms, we are able to create super nutrition in the form of blended foods and drinks!

Yes, there is minimal fresh fruit and vegetables in these 2 recipes, but like I mentioned before, I am simply showing the options that are available to us.

Comment by Frank Giglio — May 1, 2010 @ 9:05 am

Thank you so much for these videos! I have been doing green smoothies for breakfast and love them. I ran right out to find the ingredients you mentioned to add to the mix and make my smoothies more SUPER. I am dying to find the mushrooms to try the warm drink!

Comment by Natural Remedies — May 1, 2010 @ 5:20 pm

Hi,

any suggestions for calcium rich smoothies? for 19 yr old male raised without dairy. hope not too late – concerned about lack of calcium. He is into fast food, but still willing to try healthy and eat at home.

-my role is as the cook (also in transition/challenged of breaking away from lure of commercialized fake food)

Thank you for following your truth.

Comment by Daisy — May 2, 2010 @ 10:03 am

@Daisy… Calcium rich foods include greens of all kinds. So the green smoothie thing is a great option. You can also make more complex smoothies and elixirs that include barley grass or wild grasses. Also, making a milk from sesame seed is a great way to get calcium. Carob combined with cacao is a great source of calcium and also makes for a tasty pairing. Horsetail is high in silica which is awesome for building bones!

Comment by Frank Giglio — May 3, 2010 @ 6:31 pm

I have been enjoying your videos, thank you so much for opening your home to share what you know. I have two questions that you may be able to answer at some time in a future video.

The smoothies contained some powdered superfoods. Isn’t there a lot of heat involved in making those things powdered? I use maca root, but I still think about that.

Also, Alex, is there a reason that you juice your greens instead of blending them to keep the fiber?

Just a note for those who don’t have sugar problems, dates make wonderful sweeteners, too. I prefer to save my honey for my green tea.

Thanks again.

Comment by Patti Bealer — May 3, 2010 @ 9:48 pm

alex & frank,

thank you very much for these great videos, for posting the recipes, & noting what brands & where things can be purchased. it is nice to have the information laid out prosaically and from a grounded place. your knowledge really comes through; it’s not just about tasty combos, there are reasons for the additions & adjustments. i like that.

as with a couple of other commenters, i, too, seek almost exclusively whole foods in my diet; but it is nice, as frank noted, to have OPTIONS when you want to change up the day for a treat, or if you want to introduce a newbie (especially a hard to please teen — would much rather he do THIS recipe than many other choices an average teen makes — whatever works!.

re: a travel vita-mixer: i have heard that magic bullet is good for travel. i don’t own one yet. is this the one you might recommend?

lastly, a friend who lives outside of nevada city, ca is looking for chaga mushrooms but can’t seem to find them except in supplement form. i don’t believe they grow in his area, so foraging is not an option. any thoughts on where/how he can get the mushrooms themselves?

thank you!

Comment by jasmine — May 4, 2010 @ 9:01 am