It started just as they all do. But instead of my juicer, it was the good ol’ blender this time around.

I was thinking of making a smoothie.

But, just wasn’t feelin’ it.

I knew I wanted something green and the fresh sugar snap peas from the farmer’s market caught my eye. I simply couldn’t resist.

Adding a bit of my favorite other greens did just the trick and complimented the delicate flavor of my sugar snap peas.

All spring peas are nutrient dense and delish, but I love using the greens when they first flower; adding them to this juice gives a burst of blossoming energy with each sip.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

You may just have the energy to spring clean your home.

Hehe.

Well, okay let’s not go that far. But, you surely will reap the feel-good, taste-good bliss.

Drink up.

Sweet Pea Juice

Serves: 2

 

Print

Prep

5 minutes

Cook

0 minutes

Total

5 minutes

 

Gluten-Free and Vegan

Author: Amie Valpone

Recipe type: Entree

Ingredients

• 1 cup freshly pressed apple juice
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 cup sugar snap peas and/or sweet pea greens, when in season
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro plus additional for garnish
• 1 very ripe avocado peeled and pitted

Instructions

1. Place apple juice and orange juice with the peas in a blender; pulse until liquefied.  Add cilantro and avocado.

2. Transfer into serving glasses. Top with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Sweet Pea Juice

Amount Per Serving

Calories 295 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 10g

Sodium 16mg1%

Potassium 969mg28%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 9g38%

Sugar 25g28%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 1064IU21%

Vitamin C 103mg125%

Calcium 58mg6%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Now if you’re feeling a bit creative and want to add in a lil’ extra bite to your juice, you can simply add a pinch of these little add-ins. They offer more than mere flavor… each packs an impressive health punch that’ll keep you buzzin’ all day long.

Numerous studies link this white bulb to cancer prevention. Garlic’s anticancer chemical, diallyl disulfide, can be inactivated in heated too soon after peeling, so if you’re using garlic in cooking recipes, be sure to wait 15 minutes before cooking. As for this juice recipe, I used raw garlic. I simply chop 1 clove and plop it into the blender to add to the juice. Just be sure to brush those teeth after you sip as it may leave your breath a bit stinky.

Rosemary is great for juices and smoothies but I also love using this fresh herb for grilling, which can help cut carcinogen formation. If you’re using rosemary for cooking, simply season your eats  before cooking for a better bite. But, if you’re using it to toss into a smoothie or beverage, simply chop n’ toss in. I love adding fresh rosemary springs to my fresh spring water with sliced lemons and cucumbers; it’s a refreshing and rejuvenating drink.

Because of a compound in the spice called curcumin, curry helps curb breast cancer. I like to sprinkle pure curcumin (it’s flavorless) into smoothies and juices for a healthy dose and fun yellow-orange tone. It’s also a great spice to add to guacamole, salsa, eggs and grilled tofu.

I added cilantro to this juice; however, if you’d like you can feel free to add in some fresh basil, which tastes equally as sweet n’ delicious. I opted for cilantro in this recipe because there’s a chemical in this lil’ green herb that kills salmonella, the bug behind many food-borne illnesses. Since I’ve been dealing with many stomach problems these past few months, I have started using more and more cilantro in my everyday eats n’ sips. You can also add cilantro to your favorite dressings, salads, marinades and salsas.

Green Pea Tips n’ Thoughts…

When selecting snap peas, you can perform a bit of a ‘fresh test’ by snapping them open. When snapped, they should be plump and firm. If you are using sweet-pea greens, note that they tend to toughen pretty quickly and lose their sweetness; therefore I’d suggest using them when freshly picked.

Green peas can help you feel more energetic by providing nutrients that support the energy-producing systems of our bodies.

Though people have been eating lil’ green peas for centuries, sugar snap peas weren’t developed until the 70s.  Interesting, huh? These peas are a cross between snow peas and garden peas.

I tend to enjoy sugar snap peas the most out of all the pea varieties.

How about you? Do you have a favorite pea?

Check out this interesting tool from Mother Earth News, which helps you lay out your garden from start to finish.  Now that’s some inspiration for a summer backyard garden, isn’t it?