Green Smoothie Challenge: How to add even more beneficial greens to your routine

The Green Smoothie Challenge is now into week 2 and we have been mixing up delicious green based smoothies to pack more greens into our routine.  So far we have enjoyed spinach, rocket, avocado, carrots, beetroot, coriander, basil, parsley, coconut, flaxseed, chia seeds and a variety of antioxidant rich fruits.  

Why green smoothies? Because we are just not eating enough vegetables daily and more importantly raw 'live' vegetables.  When we eat raw vegetables we are providing our body with live enzymes that help our cells function at an optimal level for health and aid in the digestion of our food to the smallest molecules that get absorbed into our blood stream and used for cellular energy.

Combining 'live' raw foods with lightly cooked foods through the day gives our body the highest sources of vital nutrients it needs to thrive and survive.

Now what about all those powders and potions that are being added to smoothies these days? Is there any health benefit by adding them to our green smoothies? 

The answer is YES!  There are many amazing 'superfood' powders that can be added to your smoothies that all offer their own health benefits, but the one I wanted to look more closely at is a Greens Powder.

Since we are trying to get more greens into our routine, it may be worth looking a a greens powder that you can add into your daily blend that combines wheatgrass, spirulina, barley grass and chlorella.  Here are the health benefits of each.

Wheatgrass:  Provides you with all the vitamins & minerals you need daily allowing the body to preform at its highest levels.  It contains high amounts of Vitamin E, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Fibre & Protein.  Helps to keep your skin glowing, your hair shining and your energy soaring.

Spirulina: A blue green algae that is known for its high levels of plant based protein.  It is also an excellent source of B Vitamins, Calcium, Magnesium & Iron.  It provides high levels of antioxidants that help protect our cells from damage and also has anti-inflammatory properties.  

Chlorella:  Another blue green algae that is rich in phytonutrients, including amino acids, chlorophyll, beta carotene, potassium, phosphorus, biotin, magnesium and B Vitamins.  It is shown to detoxify the body from heavy metals, supports the immune system, promotes weight loss, helps you look younger, fights cancer, lowers blood sugar & cholesterol.

Barley Grass: A concentrated source of over 3 dozen nutrients particularly Vitamin A, C, B1, B2, Folic Acid, B12, Calcium, Iron, Potassium and chlorophyll.

You can now see why having a greens powder every day has been part of my daily routine. There are various brands available in health foods shops or online, however buying an organic source is essential.  It will ensure there is no contamination which can occur if appropriate standards are not met for these delicate super greens. 

Happy Blending,
Debbie Vanderboom
Nutritional Advisor