I love smoothies. They are a powerful way to start the day and I make sure every single member of my family has one every morning to ensure a daily dose of fresh fruits (and vegetables) and the resulting vitamins and minerals. Mine and RJ’s are slightly more “enhanced” with plenty of green leafy vegetables, green powder, and other super food supplements. The kids’ smoothies are simpler, easier on the taste buds but super healthy nonetheless.
Here are some of the reasons why I highly recommend including smoothies into your diet:
- It is the fastest, easiest and tastiest way to get fresh, living fruits and vegetables into your diet
- They are a perfect vehicle to introduce more nutrient dense, cleansing and detoxifying leafy greens into your diet (and we can all do with some more of those!)
- The blending process helps break down the fiber and makes it easier to digest
- They help to:
- hydrate your system
- give you an energy boost
- keep your brain healthy
- maintain a strong digestion
- strengthen your immune system
- reduce cravings
- give you clear and radiant skin
- detox
- They are a party in a glass!
Here is how to start:
1. Invest in a high powered blender. The Vitamix is my favorite, but there are other good quality blenders on the market that work equally well. If you want to start off right away without having to make such a substantial investment you can use your regular kitchen blender. You might need to run it for longer to avoid having “chunks” in your smoothie.
2. Decide on your ingredients. Word of advice here: start simple and get your taste buds accustomed to more “advanced” smoothies slowly!
- Start with a liquid base such as purified water, coconut water, fresh-squeezed juice, nut- or seed milk, water kefir etc.
- Add your fresh fruits (orange, banana, mango, papaya, pear, green apple, kiwi etc.)
- Add your leafy greens and other vegetables (micro greens, cucumbers, sprouts etc)
- Add a bit of high quality fat (avocado, flax oil, coconut oil, etc.)
- Add some zing in the form of lemon, lime, fresh ginger etc.
- Throw in the super foods (spirulina, chlorella, green powder, maca, bee pollen etc.)
- Blend!
Making smoothies is a great way to get creative. There will be hits and misses but you will find your favorite concoctions and start looking forward to the instant energy boost that they give your body on a daily basis.
Some great starter smoothie recipes to get you going:
Smoothie no. 1:
- 1 whole orange, peeled, cut into wedges and seeds removed
- 1 whole banana, sliced
- 1 pear, chopped
- a handful of baby spinach
- 1 tsp of flax oil
- 6 soaked and peeled almonds
- cold water
Smoothie no. 2:
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 pear, chopped
- handful of kale
- 1 tbsp extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil
- 6 soaked and peeled almonds
- coconut water
Smoothie no. 3 (see photograph):
- 2 cups diced papaya
- handful romain lettuce
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- mint leaves to taste
Do you have any favorites? Please share below!
Monique
