Glowing Green Smoothie
I truly believe in the power of greens to not only make you glow from the outside but nourish our bodies in a way that nothing else can. Greens truly have the power to heal and by incorporating small amounts of greens to your daily life it starts to add up over time to where you not only start to feel the benefits but SEE the benefits through glowing, radiant skin!
I've made several variations of smoothies over the years and done so many different types of juices that's I keep going back to this variation that makes me feel like no other. In fact, I had one green smoothie a day throughout my entire pregnancy and its the only thing that made me feel good on those days that I just felt nauseated and wanted to lie around all day. There's nothing like the power of greens to kick you in your tail and supercharge your energy for the day!
Before I get into the recipe, I really want to stress the amazing benefits of greens. I recently found a new supplement I started adding to my smoothies that takes green benefits to a whole new level! I'm so in love with the Amazing Greens Super Green Food. I add one scoop to smoothies, and muffins I'll be sharing later. This particular one has a lemon lime flavor which helps to mask the pungent green flavor that really can overpower anything until you mask it with something else like fruit.
As I mentioned before, the power of greens are really quite spectacular. Here's a few benefits you can expect from greens:
- Raw and cooked veggies, like spinach are rich sources of antioxidant compounds and flavanoids to help reduce inflammation.
- Spinach contains several vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B6, B9 and E. Spinach is an extremely nutrient-rich vegetable. It contains high amounts of carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron and calcium.
As far as green foods go, and when I say this I'm referring to wheat grass, barley grass, alfalfa, spirulina and other young cereal grasses as they are referred to before they are converted to a grain. These offer great health and anti-aging benefits.
As early as 7000 BC, barley grass was used not just as a food, but also to treat health issues such as skin inflammation, liver problems and blood issues. It is even believed that ancient gladiators used barley grass to boost strength and endurance.
Young cereal grasses are distiguished by thier brillant emerald green hues. They are all part of the "healthy grass" family and have TONS of vital nutrients. Every single vitamin, amino acid, enzyme or mineral needed to support animal life is in grass. Extremely self sufficient, right? That's why if you can't make it to a juice store or don't want to eat blades of wheat grass, barley grass or alfalfa a powder supplement is s great option!
Ok, now back to the recipe. Very simple and effective way to get in LOADS of nutrients in one shot first thing in the morning is to have a green smoothie for breakfast!
Blend the following in blender or vitamix:
- 4 handfuls of spinach (or I like to fill my blender with spinach)
- Add 1 cup of flax milk (or nut milk) I use Good Karma Flax Milk with Protein as it has 8g of protein per cup!
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 scoop Amazing Greens Super Greens (I like lemon lime flavor)
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen mango OR frozen strawberries
Blend and enjoy! Honestly you feel the benefits almost immediately!
