Green Detox Breakfast Smoothie
I believe I've mentioned before that Matt and I have a green smoothie for breakfast most mornings. We switched over to green smoothies about a year ago and noticed how much more energy we had, how much lighter we felt, and we haven't looked back since. Starting your day with a smoothie provides an awesome opportunity to get some good servings of veggies while giving your body a few more hours to divert energy it would be using for digestion to rebuilding and repairing. Recently, I figured, if I'm going to be making smoothies every morning, why not create a recipe that has even more health benefits. This smoothie is packed full of good-for-you plant-based ingredients! If you're not a cilantro fan, this probably is not the smoothie for you, though I must say the flavor is quite subtle and refreshing in this recipe.
This recipe makes approx 2 smoothies
1 avocado
1.5 handfuls of frozen mango
8 leaves of kale (though you could substitute any greens of your choice)
4 tbsp flax
1 cup cilantro
Approx. 1.5 inches of ginger root peeled
4-5 large ice cubes
Approx. 1.5 cups water
Protein powder (this is our favorite protein powder)
Directions: Blend. Enjoy.
I have a fairly fast metabolism and this smoothie keeps me satisfied until lunchtime. So why these ingredients? Supposedly the combination of cilantro and flax help to detoxify the liver. Cilantro is a major detoxifier, supporting to rid the body of heavy metals, and decrease inflammation. Flax contains good plant-based omega-3 fatty acids which are so good for the skin. It also helps to balance hormones, and works in conjunction with cilantro to support the detoxification process. Mango adds a bit of sweetness, and a smooth consistency to the smoothie while providing a great dose of Vitamin A and C, both of which stimulate collagen production (necessary for smooth supple skin). Kale provides tons of antioxidants and fiber, avocado provides plant-based fat to keep you full longer, while fueling the brain and body, and ginger root further supports digestions and fights inflammation. We use and love the Vitamix blender. It's definitely an investment, but so worth it if you're into healthy eating. We use ours every morning for smoothies, for making vegan sauces, and raw desserts. We actually bought our Vitamix certified refurbished and it's worked perfectly for years. If you've been eyeing a Vitamix but just don't want to spend the money on a new one check out the refurbished options (you save about half the price) here here and here
The Detox and Rebalance Breakfast Smoothie recipe was created after reading the below articles. Check them out for more information on the smoothie ingredients, and how they work to detox and rebalance the body.
The Best Smoothie Recipe For Bad Skin Days
The Two Random Foods That Cleared My Skin and Balanced My Hormones