Strawberry Pineapple Cucumber

Today’s smoothie ingredients (serves 2):

• 1 cup water
• 1 orange, peeled
• 1.5 cups spinach (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup strawberries
• 1 cup cucumber, chopped
• 1 cup pineapple

Benefits:

• Orange: fiber, potassium, vitamin C and choline found in oranges all support heart health.
• Strawberries: an excellent source of vitamin C
• Cucumber: has the power to freshen your breath
• Pineapple:  contains 75 percent of your daily-recommended value of manganese, an essential mineral that helps develop strong bones and connective tissue
• Spinach: has a compound called oxalic acid, which blocks the absorption of calcium and iron. No worries thought – combining spinach with vitamin C foods like oranges and strawberries will make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you’re slurping down

Nutritional information for both servings:

Calories: 307

Carbs: 73

Fat:0

Protein: 6

Sodium: 36

Sugar: 50

Strawberry Banana Ginger

Today’s smoothie ingredients:

• 2 cups almond milk
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 2 cups fresh strawberries
• 1 large banana
• 1 tbsp ginger

Benefits:

• Almond Milk: has no calories or saturated fat, but is high in healthy omega fatty acids which keep your heart healthy and prevent high blood pressure.
• Baby Spinach: one cup of fresh spinach blended in a smoothie provides almost 200 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin K. Vitamin K contains bone-building nutrients that decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
• Strawberries: love the vibrant red color of this delicious berry? This pigment is because of anthocyanins which have been shown to display antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic activities.
• Banana: this funny fruit has high levels of tryptophan, which when consumed is converted into serotonin, a happy-mood brain neurotransmitter.
• Ginger: has a warming effect on the body and stimulates circulation in the bloodstream.

Nutritional information:

Calories: 311

Carbs: 60

Fat: 7

Protein: 6

Sodium: 388

Sugar: 33

Basil Strawberry Watermelon

Today’s smoothie ingredients:

• 1.5 (12 oz.) coconut water
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 2 cups frozen watermelon
• 3 leaves of fresh basil (more for a stronger taste)

Benefits:

• Coconut Water: contains easily digested carbohydrate in the form of sugar and electrolytes
• Strawberries: a low glycemic food also high in fiber, which helps to regulate blood sugar and keep it stable;
• Watermelon: a natural electrolyte that helps regulate the action of nerves and muscles in our body;
• Basil: contains antibacterial capabilities. It has been shown to stop growth of many bacteria, even some that had grown resistant to other antibiotics.

Nutritional information:

Calories: 243

Carbs: 61

Fat: 0

Protein: 3

Sodium: 45

Sugar: 44

Mango Strawberry Vanilla

Today’s smoothie ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of natural coconut water
• 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk
• 2 fl. oz aloe vera juice
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1 scoop of protein powder* (vanilla-naturally flavored)

Benefits:

• Coconut water: is the ultimate hangover remedy, replacing essential electrolytes that are perfect after a night of alcohol indulgence.
• Almond Milk: low in calories, almond milk contains no cholesterol or saturated fats, which calls for a healthier cardiovascular system.
• Aloe Vera Juice: is a well-known adaptogen, which helps boosts the body’s ability to adapt to external changes, cope with stress (physical, emotional, environmental) and resist illnesses.
• Strawberries: unsweetened frozen strawberries contain folate, which supports healthy eyes, skin and hair.
• Mango: are an excellent source of dietary fiber and vitamin B6, as well as a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C.
• *Protein Powder: as a vegan, I incorporate Shaklee’s non-GMO soy, low glycemic, gluten-free protein powder. A full serving contains 18 grams of hunger fighting protein and 6 grams of fiber. It keeps me full throughout the day and is delicious too! But feel free to substitute for your powder of choice or to keep out.

Nutritional information:

Calories: 244

Carbs: 46

Fat: 4

Protein: 10

Sodium: 255

Sugar: 32

Coconut Berry Wheatgrass

Today’s smoothie ingredients:

• 1 cup of orange flavored coconut water
• 1/4 cup of raspberries
• 1/4 cup of blueberries
• 1/4 cup of blackberries
• 5 large strawberries
• 2 cubes of frozen wheatgrass
• 1 large inner leaf romaine lettuce
• 3 ice cubes

Benefits:

• Coconut water: rich in dietary fiber, enzymes, vitamin C, minerals (such as magnesium and potassium) and amino acids
• Raspberries: can fight inflammatory conditions (such as arthritis and gout) in much the same way as aspirin and ibuprofen do
• Blueberries: have the highest levels of antioxidants in all fresh fruit.
• Blackberries: are a good source of vitamin K, offering 36% of the daily recommended amount of this nutrient used by the body for the clotting of blood and to aid the absorption of calcium
• Strawberries: contain the antioxidant ellagic acid, which protects the elastic fibers in our skin to prevent sagging
• Wheatgrass: wheatgrass juice contains up to 70% chlorophyll, which does wonders including neutralizes toxins in the body, purifies the liver and improves blood sugar issues
• Romaine: you’d be surprised to know that one head of romaine contains 6mg of iron, which is a significant source of iron to vegan diets

Nutritional information:

Calories: 143

Carbs: 34

Fat: 0

Protein: 2

Sodium: 37

Sugar: 27

Coconut Strawberry Mango

Today’s smoothie ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut water (Zico – natural)
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 tsp ginger root

Benefits:

• Coconut water: extremely hydrating, high in electrolytes, contain cytokinins that protect cells from aging and cancer
• Mango: this smoothie thickener is rich in antioxidants which restrict the oxidation of cells in the body and helps aid digestion due to its high fiber content
• Strawberries: low in calories, eases inflammation
• Baby spinach: very high in vitamin K, A, C and folate
• Ginger: alleviates symptoms of gastrointestinal distress

Nutritional information:

Calories: 235

Carbs: 51

Fat: 1

Protein: 2

Sodium: 120

Sugar: 40