Banana Coconut Smoothie (VEGAN)

OK this is almost too simple to post on the site but it's also too good not to share. 

Summer = Smoothies at Cafe Drake HRV but we've been weaning ourselves on those made with dairy (i.e. yogurt), craving something lighter, refreshing, packed with vitamins and minerals and super hydrating on these steaming August mornings. Voila!

Begin with 1/2 t. ground cardamom powder. If you don't have it in ground form, do as Cafe Drake HRV does and split open 1 cardamom pod. Scrape all the black seeds into a mini-processor or spice/coffee grinder and pulse until powdered. Discard the cardamom husk or shell. This method is ideal for three reasons:

1) It only takes a few seconds.
2) Fresh ground spices are far superior in flavor to pre-ground.
3) Whole cardamom pods cost roughly 75% less than the ground ones.

Now add the powdered cardamom to a blender or use the same container. Again, easiest option, our preferred method and totally possible if you have a Magic Bullet. Add to the cardamom: 1 peeled and chopped banana (we do this all with our hands, breaking off chunks), 1 cup coconut water, 1-2 t. maple syrup and the juice of half a lime. Blend until smooth. Add ice if desired.