superfoods smoothie

I’ve been a bit under the weather lately…possibly Lyme’s disease or possibly a superbug that I can’t shake. Somedays I feel good, other days I feel as though I was plowed over by a Mac truck! Either way, I need to boost my immune system big time!

This superfoods smoothie is just the way to do it! My sister-in-law turned me onto wheat grass powder from a company named AmazingGrass. I am a huge fan of this company and have used many of their products in the past, but somehow I overlooked simple old wheat grass powder! Wheat Grass contains all essential animo acids, has a high alkalinity and contains phytonutrients and chlorophyll, all important for improved immune function and detoxification.

photo-43

I also used blueberries in this recipe for immune support. Blueberries are a superfood all on their own! They are an excellent source of flavonoids, especially anthocyanidins. This component pushes blueberries to the top of the fruit and veggie line for antioxidant content. Researchers have found this antioxidant to prevent against Alzheimer’s disease by reducing the amount of oxidative stress on the brain.

I had a professor in college that would tell his students to eat blueberries before big exams…I thought he was joking, but I guess not!

SuperFoods Smoothie

1 cup vanilla almond milk

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 banana

1/2 cup baby spinach or baby kale

1 scoop wheat grass

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 tablespoon hemp seeds

~Blend and Enjoy!~

superfoods smoothie ~vegan, gluten-free~

www.beginwithinnutrition.com

Sunbutter Smoothie

We often think of sunflower seeds as something baseball players chew and spit out…gross!

Who knew they were a nutritional powerhouse???

Highly addictive due to their salty and slightly sweet flavor, they are a great “nut-free” choice of snack!. And, they are cheap and easy to find! When ground up, sunflower seeds make a tasty butter, which is a great substitute for nut-butters such as peanut butter.

photo-3

Just a quarter cup of sunflower seeds provides half your daily recommendation of vitamin E! Vitamin E keeps our hearts healthy, skin and hair radiant and combats free radicals which may lead to disease. They also contain phytosterols which have been proven to lower elevated cholesterol levels by inhibiting the intestinal absorption of cholesterol. Phytosterols have also been linked to decreased cancer risk.

For more information and links to scientific research, click here.

Leaving all research, biology and scientific data behind…sunflower seeds (especially sunbutter!) simply taste good!

Sunbutter provides protein and healthy fat, which gives this smoothie “staying power” to keep you full and to keep cravings at bay.

Sunbutter Smoothie ~raspberries, spinach, banana~ vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free~

Sunbutter Smoothie

(makes 2 servings)

2 cups coconut water (or water, non-dairy milk, cow’s milk)

1 banana

1 cup frozen raspberries

2 heaping tablespoons sunbutter

2 dates, pitted

2 large handfuls of baby spinach

2 tablespoons chia seeds, 2 tablespoons hemp seeds (optional)

~blend and enjoy~

Weekend wrap up: the weird New England weather has us running between rain drops…

photo-2

We tried making it outside as much as possible because we’re going a little stir crazy these days!

photo-1

But, it’s fun just being lazy too!

the best smoothie ever

The Best Smoothie Ever! Goji berries, hemp seeds, cacao, chia seeds, almond butter and greens...oh my!

I decided to mix it up a little. Every morning I make a green smoothie…usually with mango, pineapple, spinach and a bunch of “add-ins” such as chia, hemp and spirulina. It’s what I crave and I miss it on days that I don’t make it. However, I wanted to break out of the norm and try something new! I’m sure glad I did because this recipe is a keeper!

I’ve been addicted to goji berries since ordering them in bulk. I just snack on them but you can add them to granola, yogurt, smoothies or salads to name a few. The gogi berry aka wolfberry is a bright red berry native to China. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years. This bright colored “superfood” is a powerful antioxidant which minimizes damage from free radicals. Research shows that goji berries increase athletic performance, happiness and overall wellbeing . (www.webmd.com)

Goji berries also boost immunity, circulation and stimulate the pituitary gland producing HGH (human growth hormone) which makes us look and feel younger…who doesn’t want that?!?!

Goji berries can be found in most healthfood stores or online. If you’re feeling adventurous give them a try…you won’t be sorry!

Note, goji berries interact with blood thinners such as warfarin so please don’t try if you take this or a similar medication. And as with all medicinal foods…always check with your doctor first!!!

The Best Smoothie Ever! Goji berries, hemp seeds, cacao, chia seeds, almond butter and greens...oh my!

The best smoothie EVER

1 cup almond milk or non-dairy milk of your choice

1 cup water

1 banana

1-2 cups baby spinach

1 cup frozen organic strawberries

2-3 tablespoons goji berries

2 tablespoons hemp seeds

2 tablespoons chia seeds

2 tablespoon raw almond butter

1 heaping tablespoon cacao or cocoa powder

(makes 2 servings)

The Best Smoothie Ever! Goji berries, hemp seeds, cacao, chia seeds, almond butter and greens...oh my!

In other news…this weekend we ran the Provincetown 10K road race! I ran with my two closest friends Kathryn and Jayme…and pushed Noah the whole way! 27 pounds gets heavy after a while!

The Best Smoothie Ever! Goji berries, hemp seeds, cacao, chia seeds, almond butter and greens...oh my!

Shaye blazed ahead of us and finished 6th!!! (it must have been the goji berries!) It was his first road race ever, I’m so proud of him!!!

The Best Smoothie Ever! Goji berries, hemp seeds, cacao, chia seeds, almond butter and greens...oh my!

And…I passed my exam! I am officially a Certified Lactation Counselor!!!

The Best Smoothie Ever! Goji berries, hemp seeds, cacao, chia seeds, almond butter and greens...oh my!

Hope you all had an excellent weekend too