Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You know, you’ve been hearing it your entire life from your mama. It affects your energy levels, your mood, your metabolism and your blood sugar levels. Yet, so many of us don’t properly fuel ourselves for the day. We’ll grab a bagel at work or go through the Starbucks drive through for a pastry of some kind. I totally get it! We’re too hurried to remember to take care of ourselves in the morning because we have deadlines and responsibilities.
For those of you that do not have time to think about making your own breakfast and for those of you that do, I have an equally amazing option for you! My green smoothie is the perfect way to pack in as many nutrients that you can imagine with little prep time, and, you can take it to go!
Amazing Green Superfood: Organic Alfalfa and Super
Also Read: Taxas Superfood Reviews
Did I mention that the super high fiber content makes you feel fuller, longer!? This is a great way to maintain and even lose weight because you’ll be satiated after drinking this smoothie. It absolutely holds me over until lunch!
I started making these smoothies when I was beginning my journey to better health. I was still working crazy long hours and had little to no time for myself. I needed something that was inexpensive, quick and offered me a host of nutrients so that I could have the happiest, healthiest and most productive day at work.
New to drinking vegetables? I was too when I first made this! I would recommend easing your way into it. I put far more vegetables in my smoothie to increase my nutrient intake and decrease my sugar intake. I would still recommend that you have more vegetables than fruit. The wonderful thing about these fruit/veggie smoothies is that fruit is so sweet that it often masks any unpleasant taste that you might attribute to ‘drinking vegetables’.
Health Benefits in the ingredients in my Breakfast Superfood Green Smoothie:
Kale has everything you need in a leafy green veggie! Kale truly is king. High in Vitamins A, K and C, Kale also has a good amount of CALCIUM. Kale has a ton of folate which is important for fertility. It is one of the most nutrient dense foods you can consume. Pictured here are two different kinds of kale. Eat any and all kinds of kale at your hearts content!
Also packed with Vitamins A and C and folate, Spinach is high in potassium and iron as well as magnesium and protein. Spinach also contains vitamin K, fiber, phosphorus and thiamine. It’s no wonder why Pop-Eye was so strong!
Also known as strawberry spinach and Roman Kale, Swiss Chard has similar nutritional benefits as spinach and kale. Chard contains more than 300% of your daily value of Vitamin K which helps prevent blood clotting and increases bone strength (ladies)!
You don’t have to be a hippy to eat this superfood! Wheatgrass is a concentrated source of nutrients. It has antioxidants and decreases inflammation. It also contains a chemical that can kill bacterial infections. It helps with respiratory infections such as the common cold. It improves blood sugar disorders and is a great detoxifying food to help the liver eliminate toxins as well as drugs, heavy metals and cancer- causing agents. Because of it’s high levels of chlorophyll, it’s used for alternative cancer treatment programs. Some, but not all of it’s nutrients include vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium and Amino Acids.
Lemon Juice: I could go on about the health benefits of lemon! Most people would assume that lemon makes your body more acidic. In fact, it does just the opposite. Lemon helps the body maintain a more alkaline composition as opposed to acidic. Acidic bodies are magnets for disease. Free radicals love acidity. Lemon assists your hard working liver in the detoxification and digestion process. It helps your liver eliminate unwanted toxins and waste in your body much more efficiently. It’s high levels of Vitamin C increases collagen production which means healthier glowing skin and hair! It helps your body fight infection and disease and is a blood purifier.
Green Apple: Green apples are super high in antioxidants. They help to have healthy teeth, regulate blood sugar, and keep a steady heart rhythm. They also help in weight loss because they are low in calories and very high in fiber. The high fiber content satiates you and makes you feel fuller, longer!
Kiwifruit: Kiwis are another superfood! They are high in nutrients and low in calories. Kiwis have more vitamin C than most other fruits. One serving of Kiwi (two kiwifruits) have just as much potassium as a Banana with far less sugar! There are many other vital minerals and vitamins packed in this deliciously sweet and cute little fruit! Spoon the insides out (similar to the way you would an avocado). You don’t want to eat the fuzzy skin.
Ginger: This root and spice has been used for centuries in Chinese Medicine. It has SO many healing properties that I wrote a separate post here Fresh ginger adds such a uniquely sweet and delicious flavor to the smoothie. Only put a fingernail size piece into your smoothie so it isn’t overbearing (peel it and chop it from the ginger-root). Some of the benefits of ginger include the improved assimilation and absorption of nutrients. So this little sweet root will help your body properly absorb all of the nutrients you are consuming from the veggies and fruits in this smoothie! It’s a natural anti-inflammatory which can help with menstrual cramps, intestinal inflammation, arthritis, etc
Hemp Seeds and Chia Seeds are both a complete protein that are much more digestible than meat. This means that you get all of the essential amino acids that your body needs! They hardly have a taste and blend so easily. Chia seeds are a gelatinous fiber which catches and carries toxins out of your body (including pesky heavy metals like mercury). Both of these seeds are high in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and increase metabolic rate (which can help aid in weight loss).
Plant Based Protein Powder: This protein powder does not contain any artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners. It is plant based and easy for your body to digest and assimilate. It also contains spirulina, another awesome superfood.