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This great smoothie will help restore your health with all the great ingredients. I’ll give you broad categories so you can decide which specific ingredients are right for you!
1. Liquid Base
This is the liquid in your smoothie. I use 1/2 cup of coconut milk and 1/2 cup of coconut milk kefir. I also add some purified water to thin it out if it gets too thick. The full-fat coconut milk has healthy fats and the kefir has lots of rich probiotics. Additionally, I add an ounce or so of Aloe Vera Juice. Aloe Vera is healthful for the digestive system, is supportive of the immune system, and detoxifies the body.
2. Protein
Because I’m sensitive to whey protein, I use a Vegan Protein powder. If you aren’t sensitive, you can use a whey protein and a marine collagen protein powder. Make sure you’re getting enough protein every day. Multiply your weight by .36 and that’s how many grams of protein you should get every day. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, multiply that by .36 and you get 54 grams spread out over the course of one day.
3. Fiber
Fiber is so important for your gut! I use several types of seeds for fiber, all pre-soaked and ground. About 2 Tablespoons total is all you need, so mix and match from chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.
If you’re soaking (sprouting) the seeds yourself, here’s a great article on how to do it. Or you can just buy them already sprouted and ground.
4. Herbs/Spices
Here’s a place you can go wild. I add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground organic Ceylon cinnamon and the same amount of ground turmeric, plus a 1-inch slice of fresh ginger. What herbs and spices do you like? Fennell? Basil? Add them to your smoothie! Fresh or powdered is fine. Or substitute with essential oils. So many ideas!
5. Greens
Another place to go wild! Do you like kale? Spinach? Beet greens? Add ’em! I also like to add fresh parsley. Not only is it rich in many vital vitamins, including Vitamins C, B-12, K, and A, parsley keeps your immune system strong, tones your bones, and heals the nervous system, too. It helps flush out excess fluid from the body, thus supporting kidney function.
I also add fresh cilantro, which has good amounts of antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins, and dietary fiber, which may help reduce LDL or “bad cholesterol” levels in the blood. It’s also helpful for heavy metal detoxification.
I’ve found it’s easiest to deal with the greens and herbs by packaging them together in one-serving sizes and freezing. When I’m making my smoothie, I just have to pull out a frozen packet containing kale, chard, spinach, mint, cilantro, and parsley and empty it into the blender.
6. Berries
I add a handful each of frozen organic strawberries and blueberries to my smoothie. Some people like to add raspberries, but I don’t like the little seeds. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, called anthocyanins, that may help keep memory sharp as you age, and raspberries contain ellagic acid, a compound with anti-cancer properties. Strawberries are a true-blue superfood! They are an excellent source of vitamin C, are chock full of antioxidants, and they contain powerful heart-health boosters. All berries are great sources of fiber, a nutrient important for a healthy digestive system.
7. Additional Ingredients for Your Specific Health-Restoring Needs
I also add Organic Cacao Powder, a superfood containing a rich supply of antioxidants, magnesium, polyphenols, and dietary fiber. Omit if you’re sensitive to gluten.
For those who like their smoothie sweeter, you can add stevia or local, raw honey. (Don’t use more than 1 tablespoon honey PER DAY. Although it’s far healthier than table sugar, it’s still a sugar.)
So, there you have it. I add a couple of ice cubes and some water, then put it in the Vitamix and oh, my! You’d think that with all these ingredients, the flavor might be a little wonky, but to me it tastes like creamy deliciousness! Enjoy!