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Immunity-Boosting – Green Smoothie Recipe

My favourite that I’d want to share with health buffs is the super-healthy, awesome Green Smoothie recipe that I mixed up by chance. But believe me, it is my choice now as I shake it up every other day. Vegan and made with lots of healthy ingredients, this amazing shake is just right for breakfast and keeps my energy levels up all day long.

Now that I’m pretty well settled in the lockdown routine and know that it’s going to be a long time ahead, I’ve decided to unlock my culinary talent. And the last thing I want to indulge in is the unhealthy goodies that sound so tempting. Rather my agenda for this period is to eat healthy and feel energetic, that too while relishing the recipes I create. And the fact that I have two fussy eaters at home makes the challenge even bigger. Still, I love cooking for the family and discovering recipes that are delicious and healthy at the same time.

Jump to Recipe

The best thing about my Green Smoothie is that it has ingredients that are all easily available at home. And if you don’t have one of them, you can find an easy alternative in your refrigerator or kitchen cabinet. So here is a list of the ingredients I use to shake up a jugful for my family.

Print Recipe

Immunity-Boosting Green Smoothie

My favourite that I’d want to sharewith health buffs is the super-healthy, awesome Green Smoothie recipe that Imixed up by chance. But believe me, it is my choice now as I shake it up everyother day. Vegan and made with lots of healthy ingredients, this amazing shake isjust right for breakfast and keeps my energy levels up to match the challengesof work from home, even while I juggle with loads of housework and an energetic6-year old!

Prep Time5

Cook Time1

Total Time6

Course: Breakfast, Drinks

Keyword: green smoothie, healthy, immunity boosting, smoothie

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 220kcal

Author: Archana

Cost: £2 – £3

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

1 Cup Chopped Kale
1 Cup Spinach Leaves
1 inch cube Ginger
1 tablespoon Flax Seeds
7 pieces Almonds
1 tbsp Honey
1/2 Banana
125 ml Coconut Milk

Instructions

Once you have all the ingredients onyour shelf, it’s time to get started. Here is a list of instructions to createthe most yummilicious, gorgeous-looking Green Smoothie in just three steps anda couple of minutes.
Put all the ingredients in a blenderand blend them till smooth; make sure that there are no chunks of the leafygreens or fruits.
Once you mix up the perfect smoothie, taste it and perfect it. Ensurethat it has just the right consistency and temperature. If you want your kid totry it, I’d suggest adding some honey for the healthy sweet kick. You can evenadd a dash of lemon to balance the bitterness of the greens. My secretingredient is ginger because I love the zing it brings to the drink. Even mylittle one loves it!
After perfecting the flavours, justgive it a final whisk in the blender to get that amazing smooth consistency andvibrant green colour. You can refrigerate the drink for up to 24 hours, thoughI prefer blending a fresh batch every time. If you do want to use arefrigerated batch, be sure to shake it up before drinking.

Video

Notes

I’m sure you’d love this recipe as it is just the pick-me-up you need when you feel the blues of the lockdown effect. You can try a few variations every time as I do. For instance, you can use pineapple or mango in place of banana. Toss in nuts and seeds of your choice. Or just experiment with any juice, water or any other milk. I like honey and ginger, though they are optional too.

And I’d surely want to list down the nutritional benefits of each of the ingredients so that you appreciate my smoothie’s health value as much as its taste.

Kale–High in antioxidants and vitamin C, detoxifies naturally, lowers cholesterol levels
Spinach- Loaded with folic acid, carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and calcium, cleanses your skin inside out
Ginger–Improves digestion, protects from cold and flu, reduces inflammation naturally
Flax seeds – Rich in fiber, omega-3 fats and high quality proteins, give instant energy boost
Almonds-Contain fiber, healthy fats, protein, magnesium and vitamin E, reduce hunger and promote weight control
Honey – Healthiest alternative to sugar, rich in antioxidants
Banana-Nutritious, filling and hefty source of energy, minus unhealthy fats and cholesterol
Coconut milk- High in antioxidants, strengthens immunity and aids weight loss

Seeing these benefits, you will probably understand why I have settled for these ingredients for mixing up my Green Smoothie. And if you have some great ideas, do share them here.

Happy Blending!!

Eat Healthy!

Healthy Food Habits to Start the New Year

2018 is here and it’s time to make sure our resolutions are followed through. There might be a long list to consider, but one thing that everyone wants to make sure is to be healthier and happier in the year to come. When it comes to being healthier, a lot depends on the kind of food you eat and the lifestyle you follow. So if you are looking to revamp your food habits in the next year, here are a few tried and tested tips I would recommend:

Pack variety in your daily diet

The best way to give yourself a kick start in the New Year is to pack variety in your daily diet. Balance your nutrients, with plenty of protein and vitamins, healthy carbs, and minerals in your daily menu. I suggest at least five servings of fresh fruits and veggies in a day, with precedence to high-antioxidant sources such as berries and leafy greens. Look for some colour in your plate as coloured foods are high in anti-oxidants.

Be selective with your fats

Who says that fats are always unhealthy!! Learn to differentiate between “good” fat and “bad” fat so that you can be selective. I have experienced the difference after switching over to the healthier options such as olive oil and coconut oil. Omega-3s are the healthiest form that you can get from sardines, salmon, walnuts and almonds. On the other hand, keep away from processed foods that are high in unhealthy trans-fats.

Start the day with a healthy breakfast

If you have been ditching your breakfast in the last year, it’s time to start having a hearty one now. Believe me, you are not doing any favour to yourself by missing your daily bowl of cereal. A full breakfast keeps you satiated and gives you all the energy you need through the day. At the same time, it prevents hunger pangs, which is great news for weight-watchers.

Go low on sugar and salt

This year, cut down on your sugar and salt intake so that you can curb weight gain and bloating. This healthy habit can also alleviate the risk of chronic health issues such as diabetes and hypertension too. Substitute this with healthier options such as honey, rock salt and spices. Try out healthier recipes with these healthier ingredients and who knows, you may come up with a stellar one!

Be generous with water

And, the best resolution that you can make for a healthier 2018, is to increase your daily water intake to at least 10 glasses. Water is a superb natural detoxifying agent and does wonders for your digestion, skin, hair, and the entire body. Opt for water instead of drinking energy drinks, flavoured juices and sodas. Warm water after meals makes a great way to digest food faster and easier.

Aren’t these food habits simple to adopt? Yes, they are and most amazingly, the changes they can bring are really, really effective. And most importantly, combine them with regular exercise and healthy lifestyle to have a great year 2018.

Skinade Collagen Drink 30 Day Course

I have to share something great with you. I never really had much faith in anti-ageing skin products. I mean, of course there are some luxury brands that do have potent skin-renewing products to offer. But I really didn’t believe that any there is much that can be done to halt the skin’s ageing process.
That’s when I came across Skinade which is essentially a collagen drink – yeah you heard me right! – a drink that claims to boost the natural production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in one’s body. Skin begins to show signs of ageing when these very compounds are no longer produced in ample amounts as when one was young. Now, I’m no expert, but the fact that Skinade has a fine balance of active ingredients that can naturally aid your body’s ability to renew itself, seems like a sure-shot fix for fine-lines, dull skin, dark patches and so on.

Given that Skinade is a beverage and not a cosmetic product or pill, I was willing to try it out without having gone through any reviews. I got the 30 day course which has 30 bottles of 150 ml each – one to be consumed on each day. And believe it or not, after just two days of having Skinade, I could already see the difference! My skin looked brighter and more smooth but I first thought that I was probably just imagining it. But after about a week of regular consumption, the results were undeniable for even other people noticed and complimented me about how healthy and radiant my skin looked.
The drink itself isn’t exactly delicious, but it has a natural peach and mangosteen flavour, so I don’t mind the taste really. I was advised to take it with breakfast because that is when absorption of ingredients is highest. The best part is, it’s very convenient to have these little bottles of anti-ageing elixir because with the 30 day course, I even got a travel pouch. So even when I’m running late and take my breakfast to go, my daily dose can be easily carried alongside.
I would recommend that women above 30 consume Skinade every 1 to 2 months on a cyclical basis to maintain good skin quality. And those over 40 could even take it regularly for that’s when skin retardation really begins to set in. Fortunately, the product is well-priced with the 30 day course costing £99.00. You can buy it online here, and if you want your skin to be plump, glowing and porcelain smooth, you should give it a try too!

5 Healthy Food Substitutions for Better Hair and Skin

One of the easiest ways to embark on your journey to healthy living is to substitute unhealthy food items for healthy options that serve the same purpose. Not only does this technique ensure long-term wellness; it also has multiple benefits for your weight, hair, skin and nails. Wedding season is right around the corner and every one of us wants our hair and skin to be looking their very best – these five food substitutions are the way to go!

Glowing skin: avocado puree instead of butter in baking

Though both these fats are quite different in nature, they have pretty much the same consistency and work the same way when it comes to baking. Plus, the subtle taste of the avocado works really well in chocolate bakes like brownies and cakes! Avocado is loaded with antioxidants that help in repairing damaged skin and protecting it from the harmful rays of the sun. Lots of antioxidants also create a gorgeous glow, unlike anything that a bronzer can give you!

Healthy hair: cacao nibs instead of chocolate chips

Cacao nibs are loaded with protein, vitamins, minerals and all that good stuff! Needless to say, they have multiple benefits for your health and skin, but did you know that they work wonders on your hair, too? That’s right! The most important hair benefit is that cacao increases the blood circulation in your scalp, which promotes hair growth and makes your tresses shiny and lustrous. On the flipside, it also minimizes the chances of hair fall. Win-win!

Softer skin: quinoa instead of oatmeal

Quinoa is a grain seed that is really, really good for you, which is why this super food has sprung into the limelight this year. It works as a really good substitute for oatmeal – just cook it with milk and add a dash of cinnamon. Quinoa is loaded with riboflavin, a vitamin that helps in restoring elasticity in your skin, making it soft and supple. It also prevents fine lines and wrinkles from developing prematurely.

Hair growth: chia seeds instead of cornflakes

Chia seeds are another type of super food that are loaded with protein and a host of other health benefits! Not only do they taste absolutely amazing when soaked in almond milk – they are also much healthier than your usual bowl of cornflakes, and they keep you full for longer, so your snacking tends to reduce. More importantly, chia seeds are made up of a lot of protein, which helps in restoring damaged hair, encourages hair growth and strengthens weak tresses. After all, our hair is primarily made up of protein, too.

Revitalised skin: lettuce instead of regular tortilla wraps

Apart from the huge number of calories that you are saving on, lettuce also works miracles on the skin. It can do a lot of things – fight acne, remove toxins, protect your skin from UV rays and give your skin cells the nutrition they need. Additionally, lettuce is great for revitalising damaged or tired skin because of its high vitamin A content. Give it a shot and say hello to healthier skin!

The Ten Best Foods for Your Skin

The quest we all face for great skin can be tiring and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Just making sure you’re consuming the right things can make a huge difference to your skin, so you may not need to be forking out a small fortune on specialist products. Here we’ve compiled a list of the ten best foods for your skin to keep you looking and feeling great at minimal cost and minimal effort.

Water
It’s no secret that consuming enough water works wonders for your skin. In many ways, hydration is the key to great skin as it keeps it from drying out.

Olive Oil
Olive oil is the best kind of oil to consume when you’re looking to better your skin. The majority of the fat found in olive oil is monosaturated fatty acids which keep the skin looking young and fresh. On top of this, there is an antioxidant found in olive oil called polyphenols which works against free radicals found in sun rays that damage skin.

Tomatoes
Tomatoes are, surprisingly, a little-known protector against sun damage to the skin. Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which improves the skins natural SPF. Just make sure you use sunscreen as well.

Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate, unlike more processed chocolates with a lower cocoa content, is rich in cocoa flavanols. These flavanols contain antioxidants that both keep the skin hydrated and improve circulation, making dark chocolate the perfect solution for when you’re craving a sweet snack.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great alternative to other breakfast foods, as it doesn’t contain refined sugar like bagels, jam and white toast. These refined sugars created an insulin spike, causing the skin to secrete more oil, opening pores and triggering breakouts. Sweeten oatmeal with fresh fruit and honey to get a healthy filling, sweet fix in the morning.

Sardines
Sardines, like all fish, are full of omega-3 fatty acids, the best kind of fat for your body and skin. Sardines, however, also act as an anti-inflammatory, preventing acne and angry spots in general, as well as keeping your pores tight and your complexion even and clear.

Green Tea
Aside being great for the metabolism and digestive system, and being a purer, healthier source of caffeine than coffee and black tea, the antioxidants found in green tea increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the skin, creating healthier, more elastic and radiant skin.

Kale
Not only is kale packed full of iron, but it is one of the very best sources of lutein and zeaxanthin which protect your skin against sun damage by neutralising the free radicals created by UV light. If this weren’t enough, just one portion of kale a day gives you more vitamin C and vitamin A than you need! Talk about a super food.

Walnuts
All nuts are full of good, healthy fats, but walnuts are especially full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for keeping the skin moist. Keeping topped-up on omega-3 can help to prevent against dry skin which can lead to eczema.

Rosemary
Herbs are packed full of anti-oxidants, rosemary being one of the best for this. These antioxidants protect your skin against sun damage. Just be sure to use fresh herbs rather than dried, as drying out herbs saps all their scrummy goodness.