Red Raspberry Smoothie - Got Raspberries? NOPE!

No Raspberries? That's okay! While running around trying to find a dress for my daughter's wedding...oops, we ran out of greens and fruit for our morning smoothies. I decided to try something new and where I normally use coconut water and meat as a smoothie base, I set the coconut meat aside for another recipe by freezing it, and just using the coconut water. 

Red Rasbperry Smoothie
Ingredients: 
4 cups liquid (can be combined water or coconut water and meat from a young Thai coconut - or almond milk - whatever your preference - just so you have about 4 cups = 2 smoothies)
2 bananas, preferably frozen
2 Tablespoons hemp seed
2 Tablespoons chia seed
1 1/2 teaspoons Red Raspberry Powder 
1 teaspoon Noni Fruit Powder, optional
1 teaspoon Lucuma Powder
2 medjool dates, pitted and chopped
ice, optional

Directions: 
Blend liquid and frozen bananas.
Add remaining ingredients and blend until creamy. Add ice to chill and blend.
Serve: Sprinkle with Red Raspberry Powder and enjoy.

Note: The Red Raspberry Powder is freeze-dried and therefore not raw. Click on the ingredient links above to learn more about each of these items. Personally, with the bulk of my food being raw, I don't have a problem adding a non raw ingredient here and there to enhance the flavor or add depth. It's a personal choice and I've listed it as an option that might help you during challenging times. The added color and flavor were both lovely!