Hidden Veggies Smoothie

Last week, we discussed several issues with pre-packaged smoothies and juices. Many of them are low in nutrients, heavily processed, and include a ton of additives you’re better off avoiding. While there are some brands of juices and smoothies I approve and recommend to my clients, I always point back to the same advice: there’s nothing like homemade! Making smoothies at home is not only easy, but wonderful since you can customize it to your exact preference.

This smoothie is high in anti-inflammatory benefits, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. It’s bursting with vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, and potassium. Drinking this smoothie for breakfast will assure you that you’ve received your daily vitamins and nutrients, in one simple cup. The turmeric is optional, but definitely aids in healing and preventing many diseases. If you cannot handle the strong taste of kale in your smoothie, you may easily replace it with baby spinach and still pack in a myriad of vitamins. You will be drinking your green veggies without even realizing it.

I would like to advise that you consume your flaxseeds ground in order to better absorb their nutrients. You may grind them fresh and then add them to your cup along with the other ingredients. Your body better absorbs the benefits when flaxseeds are ground. Buying pre-ground flaxseeds may cause it to lose some of the benefits unless packaged properly.

Ingredients:

1 small orange, peeled

¾ cup organic baby kale (or spinach)

2 stalks organic celery

1 carrot, sliced

1 teaspoon turmeric, ground

½ cup water

½ cup organic berries, frozen

1 teaspoon flaxseeds

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients in a high speed blender and pulse well
2. Consume immediately for optimum benefits

18-19

Editor’s note: Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, Sunnah Superfoods, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other languages.