Healthy Sundays-Breakfast Smoothies 3 Ways
Ever since I moved to Malaysia my breakfast oatmeals or so known "Sunday kashka" became breakfast smoothies. Not sure, because of the heat, the abundance of fresh fruits and veggies or the slight change in diet (all related to my health condition), but I turned to these delicious heavenly potions that are not only super refreshing but also nutritious and packed with goodies.
Not gonna lie, I wasn't always so passionate about smoothies, in fact, I didn't like them. I preferred to actually chew the bites of fruit myself rather than delegate the job to a blender or juicer. I used to get sick as well, after drinking just half a glass of orange juice for example. However, carefully selecting and balancing the ingredients helped my body get used to the new regime.
You will notice that most of the ingredients are veggies, which balances the sugar rush that inevitably strikes the body after consuming fruit juice. There is plenty of fibre, plus a moderate helping of coconut milk and healthy fats like avocado fill the body for longer and help stay energised.
Rise and Shine Smoothie
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup kale
4-5 basil leaves
1 stick celery
1/2 cucumber
1/2 carrot
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 scoop pea protein
pinch of sea salt
This smoothie is inspired by a book I've read recently-The Hashimoto Protocol"
by doctor and pharmacist Izabella Wenz. It is no secret that I've been struggling with the Hashimoto disease for nearly 20 years now, and the book has provided me with directions and advice how to change the course of the illness and enjoy life and good health despite it.
Back to the smoothie, the recipe, as I've mentioned is my take on Izabella's Root cause smoothie. It helps detox the body and promotes the function of the thyroid gland (one of the organs affected by the Hashimoto disease). The mixture consists of pea protein with healthy fats of the coconut milk and fibres from the vegetables. Because all the ingredients are blended into small particles, the drink is easier for digestion and makes the absorption of all the nutrients a lot easier.
The coconut milk stabilises blood sugar. The avocado does the same, plus adds a creamier consistency to the breakfast drink. The veggies pack the smoothie with fibres and micronutrients. The sea salt supports the adrenal glands, which quite often are subject to stress in people suffering from Hashimoto.
Feel free to add chia or sessame seeds fro extra fats and protein. Blueberries are a nice addition too!
Beets and Berries Smoothie
1 carrot
1/2 apple
1/2 cucumber
1/2 beetroot
1 stick celery
4-5 mint leaves
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/ 2 cup frozen berries
1 scoop pea protein
This is another variation of the root cause smoothie, with a beetroot twist. Beets are rich in phytonutrients and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and help detoxification. Because beetroot has a naturally high content of sugars, I wouldn't recommend drinking this smoothie daily. But if you do, make sure to combine it with a healthy source of fats and proteins. In this case-the coconut milk and pea protein.
I like to add a slice of dragon fruit as well, but having said that, I do realise that I am currently privileged to live in a country where this exotic fruit is largely available and quite cheap.
Mango Nice Cream
1 carrot
1 frozen banana
1 cup frozen mango
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
This smoothie is more on the dessert side and helps with my afternoon sweet cravings-especially if those cravings consist of Ice-cream. Because of the frozen fruits, the consistency is quite creamy and well... obviously ice-y.
I like to top my smoothie with passion fruit, as it adds a little sour freshness that cuts the sweetness of the mango and banana, but then again repeating the comment from above, passion fruit is largely available in my region, so it is not an irreplaceable ingredient.
So here are my three most favourite breakfast potions. Try the, let me know what you think. Should I share more?