A Girl’s Night Out Green Cocktail (pomegranate, medjool date and spinach)

Every now and then I think it is healthy and fun for women to get together for a girl’s night out. We spend so much time taking care of our friends and family and if you are anything like me, we put everything and everyone first, and by the time we are ready to do something for ourselves, we’re too tired.

Well as divas, let’s make a change to do something special for ourselves at least once a month. If you can squeeze in more time for yourself, I say go for it. I thought I would make a special cocktail for my friends who plan to come over for dinner and drinks.

I remember watching Oprah some time ago and one of her favorite cocktails was a pomegranate martini, I thought to myself, I’m going to make a virgin variation one day. Well I love pomegranates and what better time than during the holidays to make this festive cocktail.

Pomegranate

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L. Punicaceae) is an autumn harvest fruit which grows in Mediterranean climates as well as California and Arizona. The pomegranate originated in Persia and has been cultivated in Georgia, Armenia and the Mediterranean region for several millennia. The pomegranate was originally native from Iran into the Himalayas, and then spread throughout the Mediterranean region, spreading into Southeast Asia and Africa.

The pomegranate has become a very popular super-fruit in recent years due to its high anti-oxidant capacity.Pomegranates which are high in vitamin C and potassium are a good source of fiber and contain three different types of polyphenols, a potent form of antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals, and the antioxidants found in whole foods have been linked with protection against almost every major modern disease.

The three types of antioxidants – tannins, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid – are present in many fruits, but pomegranate juice contains high amounts of all three. Recent studies suggest that pomegranate juice can slow the progression of prostate cancer, improve blood flow in patients with heart disease, and prevent the hardening of arteries.

I have to admit that it does take some patience in removing the edible seeds, but they are so worth it and once you taste the mouth watering sweet tart flavor, you will forget the work that went into removing them from the inner membranes and rind which are not generally eaten due to high tannic acid content.

Before you start to remove the edible seeds, beware that the seeds will stain so it is a good idea to work close to the sink and wear an old shirt. To remove the edible seeds from the fruit:

• with a chef’s knife, make a cut through the crown of the pomegranate half-way through the fruit,
• open the pomegranate with your fingers, and
• working over a bowl of water, soak the pomegranate and use your fingers to pry away the seeds from the peel and membranes.

The seeds are considered good roughage to help cleanse the body. Once you remove the seeds add them to the following recipe.

Pomegrante Green Smoothie Recipe

Green Smoothie Note: If you have a high speed blender, you may add entire seed to the blender, but if you have a blender that may not have a powerful motor, then juice the seeds and add them to your smoothie.

• · 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• · 1 to 2 medjool dates (optional)
• · ½ to 1 cup baby spinach – I really love the color of the pomegranate seeds so I don’t use as much leafy greens as I usually do.
• · 1 cup water

Blend and Enjoy!

Tracy