Smoothment goes free radical

Smoothment goes free radical
If the notion of whirring hemp seeds into your breakfast smoothie still sounds like a prank from the ‘60s, then you haven’t been to a health food store lately. Navitas Naturals invites us to “join the smoothment.” They don’t make your father’s Power Snack. Those little seeds of weed jokes are now a popular add in. Try a Chco-Maca-Nana smoothie for energy. I downed Blueberry Hemp Superfood morsels in the parking lot of the Bush Presidential Library. Enjoy your hemp in the open and let it fuel you. The seeds have a nutty flavor for delicate desserts, or let Navitas cook for you and order bags of ready-made snacks.
Navitas Naturals has an extensive line that includes coconut palm sugar (great for Cherry-Berry Vitalilty free radical fighter smoothie) and lucuma powder for a Tropical Detox smoothie.



Eye on the VOGA
To spy the cylindrical VOGA bottle on the shelf begins one’s curiosity. This is unique, the bottle tells you. The cap re-seals itself. I was pleased with my old favorite, merlot, but the award-winning Italian line also offers pinot grigio, moscato, Quattro and sparkling from $10.99 to $15.99. Once you unleash it, don’t stop there. Try one of these easy, colorful concoctions to entertain guests:

Spring Sparkler

2 ounces VOGA Sparkling

½ ounce vodka

½ ounce Raspberry Liqueur

½ ounce Soho Lychee Liqueur

Combine vodka, raspberry liqueur and soho lychee liqueur in the bottom of a champagne flute. Top with VOGA Sparkling Pinot Grigio.



Life’s A Peach Sangria

1 Bottle of VOGA Moscato 


1 12-ounce bottle of Peach Beer (VOGA recommends using Dogfish Head’s Festina Pêche or Lindemans Pêche Lambic)

3 ounces triple sec

2 sliced peaches

2 sliced apricots

1 sliced Granny Smith apple

1 sliced lemon

1 sliced lime

1/2 liter club soda



Pour VOGA Moscato and beer in a large pitcher and add sliced peach, apricot, apple, lemon and lime. Next add triple sec and stir gently. Chill mixture for at least one hour, and top with club soda and stir before serving.



Go Red

We just don’t have or eat rhubarb around here. How about drinking it instead? I’ve learned to read a wine label so I can search for the “tasting notes.” I savored every last drop of Apothic Red Wine with hints of “spicy Zinfandel and lush Syrah combine with bold Cabernet Sauvignon and smooth Merlot to create this dark, red blend.” TI got the cherry, mocha and vanilla. Each sip was like a red garnet of pleasure. Somehow I missed the rhubarb reference until that bottle was long gone. I love it. It’s a $14 treat.

Have Mercy, not a hangover

A trim little can of Mercy comes with a sexy, winged “angel” from a sailor’s tattoo, and a warning to drink alcohol responsibly. That said, the idea behind this clear libation of amino acid, antioxidant and vitamin supplement is designed to consume during your night out, to counter the after-effects of up to four alcoholic beverages. For you, dear readers, I tried one on a night I had nothing stronger than tap water. It tastes much better than the energy drinks those kids seem to love. I’d have Mercy again. I just saw “The Rum Diary” with Johnny Depp. His character certainly could have used Mercy so he wouldn’t have to wear sunglasses his first day on the job after a night of wrestling the hotel mini bar.

ddoiron@panews.com