Nourishing Green Smoothie

Introducing the Nourishing Green Smoothie, a new tool to add to your skincare routine! This smoothie is loaded with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, specifically those I target for great skin, hair, and nail health in my daily routine and also for my clients. Not only are you nourishing your skin on a cellular level with this smoothie, but it’s also simpleto make and tastes amazing!

The Nourishing Green Smoothie contains strawberries, acai, spinach, coconut oil, chia seeds, and more whole food ingredients perfect for radiant skin. It’s rich in vitamins C, A, K, zinc, iron, protein, fibre, and healthy fats. The mixture of greens, sweet fruits, and healthy fats make this smoothie really creamy and completely satisfying- it can easily become a meal by adding a bit extra healthy fats or protein to the mix as I share below.

Beauty comes from within. This is such a true statement on many levels, but for the topic of today external beauty truly does start from within. What we put in our bodies (and on top of our skin), impacts the way our skin is. Whether it be dry, oily, aging quicker than you’d like, or glowing, soft and smooth; our lifestyle impacts our skin. This smoothie isn’t just for those of you interested in anti-aging or fighting the free radical damage that comes with the territory of daily living, but for anyone who has suffered from skin issues, rashes, or if you’re after that natural “glow”.

Fun fact // researchers found that those who consume vitamin A rich foods, beta carotene in particular, were found more attractive. Can you guess why? The natural “glow” many consumers of vitamin A rich foods experienced, literally made their skin glow with a natural golden hue from the beta carotene.

Is it possible to get the “glow” naturally with vitamin A rich foods? Find out with this smoothie! CLICK TO TWEET

This smoothie contains essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients vital for healthy skin and work on a cellular level providing your cells with nourishment. Take vitamin C for example, found in the acai, spinach and strawberries, all are loaded with vitamin C which is important for the production of collagen, maintaining skin integrity, and fighting damaging aging free radicals. Carrots and spinach are both high in vitamin A, which plays an important role in skin, hair, and nail health for it’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

The acai, chia seeds, and coconut oil all contain healthy fats which are vital for healthy hormonal production which leads to healthy hair, skin, and nails as well. Chia seeds in particular have omega-3 fatty acids alongside protein, iron, zinc, calcium and provides a feeling of fullness after eating due to their unique “gel-like” fiber structure (read more about chia here). I love adding in pumpkin seeds and brown rice protein both for protein and giving the smoothie a bit more substance- it’s also a great way to help stabilize blood sugars when it’s mixed with carbohydrates, a win win! Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which is often overlooked when it comes to beauty and it shouldn’t be! It’s incredibly important for thousands of functions in the human body, but especially with healthy metabolism, thyroid, hormonal, and you guess it, hair and skin health. Many practitioners actually supplement patients who suffer from acne with zinc (although always check with your doctor first, this isn’t for everyone).

After a long day of working and shooting, some times it feels so good just to make a quick smoothie and relax. I love making this with a little extra dates or fruit to make it sweet as a dessert smoothie. If all of these powerful nutrients don’t convince you to add this smoothie into your beauty routine, I don’t know what will! I’ve been getting so many emails requesting foods and recipes specifically for improving skin, it was perfect timing to share with you all this beloved smoothie of mine. Enjoy this for breakfast, as a snack, or even for dessert. It’s great with added ice or even half frozen pear or banana to give it a bit more carbohydrate and calorie content- as always adjust it to your goals and needs.

BEAUTY GREEN SMOOTHIE
PREP TIME  -  5 mins
TOTAL TIME  -  5 mins
A thick, creamy green smoothie loaded with healthy fats, protein, and nutrients important for overall skin health.
Recipe type: smoothie, breakfast
Serves: 1
INGREDIENTS

• 250ml / 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 handfuls organic spinach
• 125ml / ½ cup strawberries, frozen or fresh
• 125ml / ½ cup blueberries, frozen or fresh
• 125ml / ½ cup organic carrots, fresh
• 2-3 dates, pitted
• 1 tablespoon spirulina
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
• 1 teaspoon maca
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1 tablespoon acai powder
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• dash of cinnamon

 
INSTRUCTIONS

1. Simply add all the ingredients to a high speed blender/vitamix and blend until smooth. If you're using a traditional blender, I recommend adding the liquid and carrot first since the carrot is the hardest to blend, followed by the remaining ingredients.
2. Adjust dates for sweetness.
3. May add ice to chill further.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy chilled!

 
NOTES
PROTEIN // use whichever plant-based protein you enjoy, I like Arbonne Daily Protein Boost  or Sunwarrior for this one
ACAI // Naturya or Organic Burst
Side note, if you don't' have spirulina, this smoothie will not turn out this colour. Where to buy // Amazon or The Natural Dispensary

​Emma xx