You always hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So why not start it off right with a delicious smoothie? I make this one every morning. It’s full of healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It’s sweet without being too sugary. Plus it’s super filling and delicious! 😋
Ingredients
- 8 oz coconut water
- 4 oz orange juice (optional)
- 1 cup kale
- 1 carrot
- 1-2 Tbsp collagen powder
- ½ cup blueberries
- 1 avocado, pitted
- 1 banana
- ⅓ medium cucumber
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp spirulina (I use Pure Hawaiian brand)
- 1 tsp turmeric
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients and enjoy!
Why It’s Good For You
Coconut Water: Coconut water is amazing. It’s rich in nutrients, high in fiber, facilitates digestion, lowers blood pressure, promotes weight loss, hydrates, and regulates blood sugar. It’s full amino acids and electrolytes. Coconut water also alkalizes your body.
Orange Juice: OJ is known for its high amounts of Vitamin C. But it’s also full of phytonutrients and lowers inflammation.
Kale: Kale is a superfood! It has disease-fighting vitamins K, A, and C as well as manganese, copper, fiber, calcium, and potassium. Kale contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory flavonoids.
Carrot: Carrots have vitamins A, K, B6, and folate. They also have a lot of fiber and manganese. Carrots improve eyesight, prevent heart disease, and regulate blood sugar levels.
Collagen Powder: I like the brand Great Lakes Gelatin. Collagen is helpful for gut health, healthy skin, joints, and overall wellness.
Blueberries: Another superfood! Blueberries are full of antioxidants and phytochemicals that boost immunity. They alleviate inflammation and intestinal conditions as well as protect your heart.
Avocado: Avocados are the holy grail of healthy fats – they are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats. Avocados benefit vascular function and heart health and regulate blood sugar levels. They are high in potassium and contain 20 essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and folic acid. They also help you absorb more antioxidants. I love avocado in this smoothie because it keeps the smoothie from separating and overall makes it more creamy.
Banana: Most people associate bananas with potassium. But they also are full of fiber and antioxidants. Bananas moderate blood sugar levels and help you feel more full.
Cucumber: Cucumbers are 95% water, but they also contain vitamins K, B, C, copper, potassium, and manganese. They help you avoid deficiencies, are anti-inflammatory, support brain health, and provide hydration.
Apple Cider Vinegar: I have been hearing a lot of good things about ACV lately. It detoxifies your body, cures acid reflux, aids weight loss, balances pH and blood sugar levels, lowers blood pressure, and boosts probiotics. It’s very good for your skin.
Spirulina: Also a superfood! Spirulina is a natural “algae” that is high in protein, antioxidants, B-vitamins, nutrients, amino acids, iron, calcium (26x more than milk!), and omega-3s. It also helps remove heavy metals from your body.
Turmeric: Turmeric is kind of amazing. It aids metabolism, purifies your blood, improves digestion, lowers cholesterol, and improves skin conditions. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, prevents cancer, and is an antioxidant.
And of course, make sure you buy organic ingredients!
Sources:
- http://unclematts.com/dev/7-health-benefits-of-drinking-organic-orange-juice/
- http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/8-benefits-coconut-water-you-didnt-know-about.html
- http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/14302-avocado-smoothie-recipe.html
- https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/carrots.html
- https://draxe.com/apple-cider-vinegar-uses/
- http://wellnessmama.com/4738/spirulina-benefits/
- http://vitalhomeremedies.com/health-benefits-of-turmeric/
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