Sunday 16 March 2014

Pear, Apple & Kiwi Fruit Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

Main
100-300ml unsweetened pear juice
1 apple (peeled, cored and sliced)
1 kiwi fruit (peeled and sliced)
honey to taste

Extras
1 tspn slippery elm powder
1 tspn swisse digestion vital green superfood powder
1 tbsn natural whey protein isolate
1 tbsp black and white chia seeds

METHOD
1. combine the extras and juice in a small pulse mixer
2. add apple and kiwi fruit and blend until pureed
3. add more water if too thick and honey to taste, and drink immediately

Warning: be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day when using chia seeds.

EXTRAS - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Banana, Pineapple & Cinnamon Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

Main
100-300ml unsweetened pineapple juice
1 medium size banana peeled and sliced
2 slices of pineapple (no core)
honey and cinnamon to taste

Extras
1 tspn slippery elm powder
1 tspn swisse digestion vital green superfood powder
1 tbsn natural whey protein isolate

METHOD
1. combine the extras and juice in a small pulse mixer
2. add banana and pineapple and blend until pureed
3. add honey and cinnamon and blend until pureed
4. add more water if too thick, and drink immediately

EXTRAS - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Mixed Berries Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

Main
100-300ml water
1 handful of frozen mixed berries
dark agave nectar to taste

Extras
1 tspn slippery elm powder
1 tspn swisse digestion vital green superfood powder
1 tbsn natural whey protein isolate

METHOD
1. combine the extras and water in a small pulse mixer
2. add mixed berries and agave nectar and blend until pureed
3. add more water if too thick, and drink straight away

EXTRAS - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Orange & Honey Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

Main
100-300ml water
1 large orange (peeled and sliced)
honey to taste

Extras
1 tspn slippery elm powder
1 tspn swisse digestion vital green superfood powder
1 tbsn natural whey protein isolate

METHOD
1. combine the extras and water in a small pulse mixer
2. add orange and honey and blend until pureed
3. add more water if too thick, and drink straight away

EXTRAS - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Banana & Peanut Butter Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

Main
100-300ml water
1 medium size banana peeled and sliced
1 large tablespoon of peanut butter
honey to taste

Extras
1 tspn slippery elm powder
1 tspn swisse digestion vital green superfood powder
1 tbsn natural whey protein isolate
1 tbsp black and white chia seeds

METHOD
1. combine the extras and water in a small pulse mixer
2. add banana and peanut butter and blend until pureed
3. add more water if too thick, honey to taste and drink

Warning: be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day when using chia seeds.

EXTRAS - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sunday 16 February 2014

Mango, Apple & Guava Smoothie


INGREDIENTS

Main
100-300ml v8 apple & guava smoothie juice
1 handful fresh or frozen mango cubes
1 small granny smith apple peeled, cored, sliced


Extras
1 tspn slippery elm powder
1 tspn swisse digestion vital green superfood powder
1 tbsp black and white chia seeds


METHOD
1. combine the juice and extras in small pulse mixer
2. add apple slices and mango and blend until pureed
3. add water if too thick, and drink

Warning: be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day when using chia seeds.

Substitution: To reduce the added sugar content, use an unsweetened juice or water base, and add fresh or frozen guava, and honey or agave nectar to taste.


EXTRAS - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Saturday 15 February 2014

Banana & Strawberry Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

Main
100-300ml water
1 medium size banana peeled and sliced
1/2 punnet of fresh strawberries (tops off)
honey to taste

Extras
1 tspn phsyllium husk
1 tspn slippery elm powder
1 tspn swisse digestion vital green superfood powder
1 tbsn natural whey protein isolate
1 tbsp black and white chia seeds

METHOD
1. combine the extras and water in a small pulse mixer
2. add banana and blend until pureed
3. add strawberries and honey and blend until pureed
4. add more water if too thick, and drink

Warning: be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day when using phsyllium husk and chia seeds.

EXTRAS - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Why Smoothies?

About a month ago I started making smoothies for my week day breakfasts to improve my daily intake of healthy protein, fiber and fruit.  On weekends I have rolled oats, cereal or other breakfast food depending upon commitments and location.  As I continue to experiment with making smoothies and make changes to meet nutritional needs I intend to record some of my recipes and ingredients in this blog starting with some of the smoothies I have made over the paste couple of weeks.  Feel free to use my recipes and provide feedback or suggestions to improve.

Below are some of the base elements I have been using in my smoothies to date.

Phsyllium Husk
Used for Constipation, Diarrhea, High cholesterol, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colon Cancer, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Haemorrhoids, Diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia and Obesity. Treatment of dysentery, catarrhal conditions of the genito-urinary tract, inflamed membranes of the intestinal canal etc. The oil in the seed embryo contains 50% linoleic acid and has been used as a preventative of atherosclerosis.

Do not use Psyllium if you have a bowel obstruction or a disease that causes narrowing of any part of the digestive tract.

Diabetics should avoid Psyllium if they are having problems keeping blood sugar levels under control.

Take with plenty of water.


Slippery Elm Powder
On contact with water, slippery elm powder becomes mucilaginous (slimey, gel-like) in texture which accounts for the majority of its medicinal properties. It has demulcent (soothing) actions on all mucous membranes, including those of the digestive tract, urinary and respiratory tract and also soothes the skin on contact. It also has astringent effects, tightening the surfaces on which it contacts, providing an effective barrier to bacterial infection and alleviating diarrhoea. Slippery elm is also rich in nutrients and can be used as a gruel for infants, invalids and patients with intestinal inflammation.

Swisse Digestion Vital Green Superfood Powder
Swisse Digestion Superfood Powder contains premium quality superfoods rich in nutrients, including calcium, to support digestive health.

This great tasting blend includes barley grass, wheat grass, spirulina and apple, along with Aquamin - a natural marine source of calcium - to support energy metabolism. With over 2 billion probiotic organisms in every serve, Swisse Digestion Superfood Powder is packed with 100% natural, nutrient-rich ingredients to help keep your digestive system healthy.


Natural Whey Protein Isolate
Helps to satisfy hunger cravings and is 100% natural and pure, 99% fat free, has 93% protein, and is low in carbohydrate.

Black and White Chia Seeds
Nutritionists recommend that 15g (one tablespoon) of chia is consumed each day. Be sure to drink plenty of water as chia is very high in fiber.  Chia is also high in whole protein, omega 3, antioxidants, iron, calcium, potassium and vitamin c, and has a positive impact balancing blood glucose levels.