Anti Inflammatory Smoothie

“There are literally hundreds of illnesses caused by chronic inflammation that modern medicine has classified as unique and unrelated, when in fact they are all products of the same underlying imbalances inside the body. When the root causes of these imbalances are properly addressed, chronic illness in general stands a far less chance of taking hold than if left to run its natural course. Persistent, systemic inflammation is at the root of practically all known chronic health conditions, including everything from rheumatoid arthritis and high cholesterol to dementia and cancer. These conditions are not necessarily inevitable, and neither is chronic inflammation, but you have to know what lifestyle and dietary steps to take in order to avoid them, many of which are fairly simple and straightforward.” ~ from Natural News-Natural Health News & Scientific Discoveries

Basically, what I’ve learned from extensive research of inflammation, how it damages the body, and how to get rid of it is this: Inflammation is the root of almost all evil in the body. A little inflammation is a good thing because it’s helpful in fighting off sickness that doesn’t belong, but for most of us, we are overloaded with inflammation because of diet issues, stress, and environmental hazards. This overload of inflammation does the exact opposite of what inflammation was created to do. The good news? There’s all kinds of things YOU can do to work with the amazing disease fighting system you were given, rather than work against it.

Figuring out your food sensitivities and allergies, eating whole organic foods, reducing chemicals in your daily products, drinking filtered water (half of your body weight in ounces every day), and adding fermented foods as well as anti inflammatory spices and herbs to your diet will go a long way to helping you fight the overload of inflammation and the ugly side effects it brings along with it.

A morning smoothie is an excellent way for you to start off on the right foot. But if you can’t fit a smoothie into your morning routine, you can have it for any meal or snack. I aim for 5 days a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less. But I definitely notice the difference in how I feel if I slack off for several days. If you’re not used to buying organic ingredients there may be a little sticker shock involved. The way I look at it; I would rather spend more on whole, organic, items that are excellent for my health and then tighten the budget elsewhere to compensate.

This smoothie is packed with nutrients and anti inflammatory benefits. It’s a cinch to whip up. Pour it in a BPA free cup (mine is 24 ounces) and it will go anywhere with you.

Love Your Body Smoothie

*makes one 24-26 ounce serving (383 calories/ 13 grams protein)

9.5 oz of Coconut Water (or nut milk, hemp milk, coconut milk)

1/2 Cup Organic Spinach and/or Kale, packed

1/2 Cup Fresh Organic Pineapple

1/2 of a Medium Organic Apple

Juice of 1 Small Organic Lemon

3/4 Cup Frozen Organic Blueberries (or fresh)

1 Medium Organic Carrot

1 Stick of Organic Celery

1 Tablespoon of Raw Organic Pumpkin Seeds

1 Tablespoon of Organic Chia Seeds

2 teaspoons of Manuka Honey 400+

1/2 teaspoon of Organic Ginger (fresh or powdered)

1/2 teaspoon of Organic Cinnamon, heaping

1 1/2 teaspoons of Organic Turmeric

2 teaspoons of Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil

1 Cup of Ice

Place all ingredients (except the ice) in a heavy-duty blender until smooth. Add the ice, blend until smooth.

*I switch it up and add other items occasionally: 1/2 Organic Avocado, Banana (not too often!), Beet Greens, Chard, Fresh Beets, Mango, Non-Dairy Protein Powder, Unsweetened Shredded Coconut, Almonds, Walnuts, Ground Flax. You can also do all vegetables and no fruit. Be mindful of too much fruit and not enough protein and healthy fats.