Drink Your Breakfast!

In a society that makes not-so-good-for-you foods readily accessible, it’s a good idea to start your day with essential vitamins and minerals so you don’t find yourself grabbing pre-packaged foods to keep the edge off. But that’s no secret, is it? The secret is how to do it quickly and easily every day.

A smoothie is a great way to get a good dose of nutrition any time of the year. Depending on the season, there are always fresh fruits available to keep your smoothie different and delicious. Smoothies also give opportunity to add an array of other foods that may otherwise make an odd pairing on a breakfast plate.

With the help of friends who also “drink their breakfast,” I have combined several ingredients for my smoothies that help make a well-rounded meal that lasts for hours. I have done a fair amount of research to choose my ingredients, and since drinking on a regular basis I feel the difference in my energy level, have seen my hair grow faster and my nails grow stronger. And that’s just what I can see externally!

Let the yum begin as you work towards your 2017 health goals.

Ingredients:

1 raw egg

1 banana

1 apple

1/2 cup blueberries

1 handful of spinach (or kale)

1 tsp chia (or flax) seeds

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp raw honey

1/2 tsp turmeric

1 drop essential rose oil

1 cup juice of your choice (or milk if you want to cut down on sugar)

Handful of ice

Why is that in there??

• Chia is one of the richest sources of soluble fiber. The seeds also have 60 percent omega-3s, making them one of the richest plant-based sources of these fatty acids. Omega-3s can help reduce inflammation, enhance cognitive performance, and reduce high cholesterol.

• Coconut oil works as a natural anti-inflammatory, suppressing cells responsible for inflammation. It also contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which enable the oil to supply energy directly to the brain.

• Turmeric is a potent antioxidant that boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which increases the growth of brain cells and fights degenerative processes in the brain. Turmeric also helps keep your immune system healthy while improving your brain’s oxygen intake.

• Raw honey contains bee pollen, which is known to ward off infections, provide natural allergy relief, and boost overall immunity. Many seasonal allergy sufferers have found local, raw honey to be helpful because it desensitizes them to the fauna triggering their allergic reaction.

• Rose oil strengthens gums and hair roots, tones and lifts skin, and contracts muscles, intestines and blood vessels. This essential oil helps protect against the loss of teeth and hair, combats wrinkles, and helps keeps intestines and muscles of the abdominal area and limbs firm.