Let’s be real, we all know what green smoothies are. Everyone at least thinks about drinking one every time they want a health kick- and heck, if corporations like Starbucks are getting in on the action then you know there’s gotta be some staying power. Unlike some health fads that last a year or two, the green smoothie has been around for decades, and for some very good reasons too.
No matter how busy I am, or where I am, I always have a green smoothie for one of my meals. They are incredibly delicious, easy to make and drink. Once you are in the habit of having one, and feel the change in your vitality after drinking it, there’s no going back. I’ve listed just a few of the many reasons why you need a green smoothie daily. If you already know the goodness I’m talking about then you can give these reasons to spouses, kids or friends who need a little coaxing to get on the smoothie train: You’re Too Busy to Eat Breakfast: A smoothie takes 2 minutes to make, is easy to clean up after, plus it is transportable. I like to freeze my fruit in advance to get a milkshake-esque texture. You’ll Absorb More Nutrients: Even if you already eat a good amount of fruits and veggies, the magic happens when the cell walls of the greens are broken down so that the chlorophyll and other micronutrients can be released. Blending greens into liquid form is much easier than chewing! If you don’t like eating veggies then bonus for you, you’ll get it over with quickly! You’ll Have More Energy: Chlorophyll is the sun’s energy absorbed through plants to give them their bright green color. Chlorophyll delivers oxygen throughout your body. It is also a detoxifying agent, because it binds to heavy metals and toxins in your body.These combined factors give you a nearly instant energy boost after eating greens- and you can pack a ton of greens into smoothies! . You’ll Decrease Your Risk of Cancer and other Degenerative Diseases: We should all understand by now that more fruits and veg equal better health. It’s because we all have free radicals in our body, which can potentially cause cancer and cause the gradual breakdown of our tissues. When we eat foods with antioxidants (phytochemicals found in fruit and vegetables), they bind to the free radicals and neutralize them, therefore reducing your risk of illness. These foods also contain a ton of fiber, which helps in the process of eliminating toxins from the body. You’ll Look Incredible: As the chlorophyll, antioxidants and fiber get to work on nourishing and healing your body, you will be actively cleansing your body of old sludge and allowing your systems to work more efficiently. As a result, your hair, skin and nails will all begin to look better. Many of my clients find their acne will clear up, hair becomes shinier and softer, and nails become stronger and grow faster. As a bonus, the reduced appetite and sugar cravings you’ll experience will also help you shed unwanted fat stores. Yes- as a last ditch effort to get you on the smoothie train I’m appealing to your vanity! No one ever regretted being in amazing health and feeling fantastic. That is an unresearched but obvious fact. I invite you to make this one simple change to experience the results for yourself. If you need inspiration, check out my free download, A Guide to Creating Green Smoothies, and stick it on your fridge as a reminder to enjoy one every day! Cheers!
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![]() This is my absolute new favourite thing to eat. I am working to create a cookbook based on incorporating as many nutrient dense, healing foods as possible into each recipe, and this will definitely be a favourite. Smoothies and soups are, in my opinion, the best ways to eat foods. This is because you can cram a ton of nutrients into each serving, they are easy for everyone to consume and simple to digest (so that you can absorb more of their healing goodness). This smoothie lends a taste of the tropics while providing your body with a wealth of health benefits. Most of the chronic daily damage that we do to our bodies happens on a cellular level, so it’s important that we are always recharging with antioxidants to keep our bodies from rusting! This powerhouse recipe has everything you need to detoxify on a micro level, so that you’re cleansing while still enjoying a regular diet. Check this out: Turmeric is the superfood show stealer in this recipe. This root is similar to ginger, and when dried and ground into powder is a gorgeous yellow colour. A note to remember- when you see naturally yellow foods, you can assume that they help clean your liver. A little of this potent powder goes a long way to providing your body with antioxidant benefits, all you need is 1/2 tsp a day to increase longevity. It has been used in traditional Eastern medicine for centuries to treat all kinds of maladies. Lemon juice (another yellow food) aids the liver in flushing out toxins naturally and acts as a diuretic. Here on the beach in the DR, lime is the closest it gets, and it provides similar benefits. Ginger aids in digestion and has numerous anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Cinnamon is rich in minerals and contains phytonutrients (plant superpowers) that aid in the metabolism of carbohydrates and control appetite. Pineapple adds natural sweetness as well as fiber and loads of Vitamins A and C (antioxidant nutrients) and contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids in digestion and reducing inflammation. Coconut has healthy fats which give this smoothie staying power, and like the other ingredients, is hella good for your digestion and promoting healthy cells in your entire body. Try this smoothie for breakfast or 20 minutes post workout to fuel up, lean down and rejuvenate your whole body. Serves 2 ingredients2 cups kale 2 cups coconut milk 2 cups pineapple *if fresh and not frozen, add a few ice cubes Juice of ½ lemon 1 thumb sized chunk of fresh ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric, to taste Blend kale and coconut milk until smooth. Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth. Enjoy! |
AuthorAriel Richards, R.H.N. Archives
January 2016
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