This smoothie is one of my favorite smoothies to make when I'm in a rush and on the go. So here's what I do...
INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups of frozen kale
- 2 frozen bananas
- 1/2 chopped pineapple
- Then I add either 1-2 cups of coconut water or coconut milk. (Depends on if I want a milk shake taste or a less heavy taste to it-today I opted for coconut water.)
Side Note: Normally I make this with spinach, but I was out. To see the spinach recipe click here.
Throw them all in the Vitamix Blender!
Blend for about a minute or two. Notice I don't add any ice. Because I pre-clean, chop and bag my ingredients and freeze them, they are "smoothie ready" and I don't need ice or anything else! Just pure ingredients! (for a look inside my refrigerator to see how I stay organized click here) And...VOILA!!! You have green smoothie!!!
Now I have 55 ounces of pure yumminess to take with me on the go! Now I know you're wondering how is she going to carry all of that around...I know...I know. Here's one thing you'll learn about me...I'm a "LESS IS MORE" kind of gal! So here's what I do...
I throw everything that was in that blender into this kanteen! It's stainless steal on the inside and out. It keeps it cool and guess what, I ordered a 40 oz kanteen container. However, it actually holds 50 oz! So its compact, convenient and holds a lot! This is about 2 meals and I can carry it with ease on the go! Now of course you don't have to use this, use any type of storage container you like. But this is what works for me! Hope this inspired you to make smoothies to go!
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Some Health Benefits
Coconut Water: Coconut water is a very refreshing drink to
beat tropical summer thirst. The juice is packed with simple sugar,
electrolytes, and minerals to replenish hydration levels in the body. Research studies suggest that cytokinins
(e.g., kinetin and trans-zeatin) in coconut water showed significant
anti-ageing, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-thrombotic effects. Coconut water has been generally offered to
patients with diarrhea in many tropic regions to replace fluid loss
from the gastrointestinal tract and reduce the need for intravenous
therapy. The osmolarity of tender coconut water is slightly greater
than that of WHO recommended ORS (Oral Rehydration Therapy) osmolarity.
Presence of other
biological constituents like amino acids, enzymes,
minerals, and fatty acids may account for this higher osmolarity.
However,
unlike WHO-ORS, its water is very low in sodium and chlorides, but rich
in sugars and amino acids. This well-balanced fluid
composition with much needed calories would be an ideal drink than any
other brand of soft drink beverages in dehydration conditions. Coconut water is composed of many naturally
occurring
bioactive
enzymes such as acid
phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase,
diastase, peroxidase, RNA polymerases etc. Altogether,
these enzymes aid in
digestion and metabolism. Despite very light consistency, its water has
much better composition of minerals like calcium, iron, manganese,
magnesium, and zinc than some of fruits like oranges. (Compare mineral
composition of oranges). Its water is also a very good
source of B-complex
vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates.
These vitamins are
essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to
replenish. Coconut water contains
a very good amount
of electrolyte potassium.
100 ml of water has 250 mg of potassium and
105 mg of sodium. Together, these electrolytes help replenish
electrolytes deficiency in the body due to diarrhea (loose stools). In addition, fresh coconut water has small
amount
of vitamin-C
(ascorbic acid); provides about 2.4 mcg or 4% of RDA.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble ant-oxidant.
Pineapple:
is a fruit that contains a
proteolytic enzyme bromelain
that digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain also has
anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties. Studies
have shown that consumption of pineapple regularly helps fight against
arthritis, indigestion and worm infestation. Fresh pineapple is an
excellent source of antioxidants and vitamin C. Vitamin C is
required for the collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main
structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity
of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods
rich in vitamin C helps body protect from scurvy; develop resistance
against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful,
pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body. It also contains good
amount Vitamin A (provides 58 IU per 100 g) and beta-carotene levels.
These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A
is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes, skin
and essential for vision. Studies have suggested that
consumption of
natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps body to protect from lung and
oral cavity cancers. In addition, this fruit is rich
in
B-complex group of vitamins like folates,
thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and
minerals like copper,
manganese
and potassium. Potassium is an
important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart
rate and blood pressure. Copper is helpful cofactor for red blood cell
synthesis. Manganese is a co-factor for the
enzyme superoxide
dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger.
Banana: Banana’s are loaded with potassium, a mineral that helps
within the protein synthesis and constructing of muscle groups. A diet plan
loaded in potassium is believed to trim down the menace of stroke and
hypertension. They are also full of Vitamin B6, which aids inside the
manufacturing of antibodies inside the immune method individually from red
blood development, protein metabolic process and operating with the central
nervous program. Bananas also have magnesium, which assists in recovering from
exhaustion. Together with B12 and potassium, they support the entire body to
enhance from your signs and symptoms associated towards the taking from
nicotine. Vitamins C is in bananas also and it assists to safeguard the human
body versus infections and remedy them too. This vitamin also delivers proof
vital inside the synthesis with the connective tissue, assimilation of iron as
well as the formation with the blood. Last, but not least banana’s contain
Fructoogliosaccharides (FOS), which acts as foods for your “good bacteria” or
perhaps a prebiotic inside the digestive method.
Kale:
Kale is a superstar in the arena of carotenoids and flavonoids, two powerful
antioxidants that protect our cells from free radicals that cause oxidative
stress. The key flavonoids kaempferol and quercitin (not to dismiss the 45 other distinctive flavonoids in kale) have
also been shown to specifically fight against the formation of cancerous cells.
With the addition of high doses of well-known antioxidants like Vitamin C,
Vitamin A, Vitamin K and manganese, kale is certainly a smart choice in the
battle against cellular oxidation. Last but certainly not least the
isothiocyanates (ITC) from glucosinolates found in kale aid in both phases I
and II of the body’s detoxification process. The high sulfur content of kale
has further been shown essential for phase II of detoxification.
This content was originally from Veg Vivaciously, a website that teaches healthier alternatives one veggie at a time. You can get your FREE (food, hair and skin care) recipes, tutorials and other writings and tips directly at www.vegvivaciously.org. PLUS you can stay connected and join the Veg Vivaciously community on Facebook, Twitter and/or even download the Veg Vivaciously Toolbar and/or Phone App to stay in the know!
