Judges declared “Taste of Heaven” the top smoothie when civil servants broke out their blenders for the “123-Blend” competition today (Wednesday, 21 January 2015).

Cory Martinson of the Information Commissioner’s Office created the winning drink, which had a cacao base, leading to its ‘heavenly’ name. Government Nutritionist Simone Sheehan and Tanya Foster of Foster’s Food Fair judged the lunchtime competition, which was held in the GOAB café.

Other event finalists were (runner-up) Daniel Lee of the Office of the Complaints Commissioner and his “Julie’s Jubilee”, Martha Connolly of Government Information Services who prepared a “Pink Berry-Butter Smoothie”, and Julius Aurelio from the Office of the Auditor General with a “Goji Chocolate Super Smoothie”.

The contest was part of the three-week “Every Step Counts” pedometer challenge.

Deputy Governor Franz Manderson also served as a blind-taster, and Premier Alden McLaughlin was amongst the civil servants cheering-on the competitors. Both officials have championed health and fitness within the civil service.

The event was organized by the Pedometer Challenge Committee and supported by the Cayman Islands Civil service Association.

The sponsors were Smoothie King, GNC, Smoothie Factory, Green Machine and Dolphin Discovery.

The Winning Smoothies…

The ingredients of the four prize-winning Government smoothies are as follows:

• “Taste of Heaven” by Cory Martinson (Information Commissioner’s Office):

1 cup of uncooked spinach

1+half cups of homemade almond milk (vary for consistency)

1/3 cup of organic peanut butter

1 cup of frozen low fat vanilla yogurt

1 frozen banana

2 tbsp of raw organic cacao powder

1 tbsp of chia seeds

1 tsp of bee pollen

1 scoop of GNC Vanilla Whey Protein Power

• “Julie’s Jubilee” by Daniel Lee (Office of the Complaints Commissioner):

(Yields two 8 oz. servings)

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

2 Tbs natural almond butter

1 cup Greek yogurt

3 medium ripe bananas

1 bag frozen Strawberries

1 cup frozen Blueberries

1 TBS flax meal

• “Pink Berry-Butter Smoothie” by Martha Connolly (Government Information Services):

Half a Gala apple

Half a banana

1 cup of diced strawberries

1 Tsp of chia seeds

1 Tsp of flaxseeds

1 Tbl spoon of Jiffy Natural Creamy peanut butter

• “Goji Chocolate Super Smoothie” by Julius Aurelio (Office of the Auditor General):

1 cup (packed) organic spinach and kale mix

2+half cups unsweetened almond milk

4 Tbsp goji berries, pre-soaked in 4 Tbsp water

2 bananas, peeled, sliced and frozen (not thawed)

Half avocado, peeled and pitted

Half cup organic blueberries, frozen (not thawed)

2+half Tbsp organic cacao powder

3 Tbsp organic hemp protein powder

1 Tbsp organic ground flax meal

2 Tbsp raw honey

Credits: Information Officer Lennon Christian

Photos:

1 Cory Martinson whips up his Heavenly masterpiece.

2 The contestants, judges and organisers.

3 Daniel Lee was well-prepared.

4 Martha Connolly creates her “Pink Berry-Butter Smoothie”.

5 Julius Aurelio combines ingredients.