From Farm to Skin - Green Radiance Smoothies
Spring is in Full Bloom
Spring is in full bloom here at the house and we are getting ready to plant our flower and veggie gardens. I can feel my heart beat with excitement as my Hotorculturist neighbor gives me trays of transplants for my veggie garden.
I love knowing exactly where my food is coming from. The plant is is pulsating with enzymes when it is alive and well growing in soil and the minute you harvest it, it starts to die, so the sooner you eat it the better!
The Zero Mile Diet is the BEST when we can acsess it and this time of year we can. Not everyone is into cultivating and spending time in the garden, that’s fine, do yor best to buy local.
A note about smoothies and raw food:
Listen to your body. I only eat raw food at certain times of the year and when my digestion is strong. A good time to have a smoothie is when the weather is warm. If you run hot - smoothies are fine, if you run cold and live in Iceland or the Canada in the dead of winter, cold raw food will weaken your digestive fire. AND we always want that fire stoked (just right) not too cold and not too hot.
I often recommend cooking or steaming spinach or kale before putting them in the blender. (Trust me it taste good cooked too!) Enjoy these recipes and the recommened skin supplements below!
Collagen-Glow Green Smoothie
Ingredients (1 serving)
1 cup baby spinach
1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 cup mango
1 small ripe banana
1 cup coconut water (for hydration + electrolytes)
1 tsp chia seeds - adds omega-3s for skin barrier.
Juice of 1/2 lemon (vitamin C for collagen synthesis)
Skin benefits: supports collagen production, hydrates, brightens, and reduces fine lines.
Directions: Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Notes: Recommended -Take with Super Sized Collagen Support by Advanced Nutrition
Anti-inflammatory Green Glow
Ingredients (Serving 1-2)
1 cup kale (stems removed) or spinach (cooked to reduce oxalates)
1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
1/2 green apple, cored
1/2 avocado (healthy fats to nourish skin)
1/2 cup pineapple or mango
1 cup unsweetened nut milk
1 tsp fresh grated ginger
1/2 tsp turmeric powder + pinch black pepper (bioavailability)
Skin benefits: reduces redness/inflammation, supports skin barrier, supplies vitamin E and antioxidants.
Directions: Blend until silky. Add a splash of water to adjust consistency.
Notes: Turmeric can stain; use small amounts. Avocado gives a creamy texture and vitamin E.
Step three.
Brightening Anti-oxidant Green Smoothie
Ingredients (1 serving)
1 cup baby spinach (cooked to remove oxalates)
1/2 cup blueberries (high in antioxidants)
1/2 cup banana
1 stalk celery, chopped (hydration + minerals)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (omega-3s)
1 cup green tea, chilled (brewed and cooled; rich in EGCG)
1 tsp raw honey or maple syrup (optional)
1 tsp lemon zest
Skin benefits: antioxidant protection, evens tone, reduces oxidative stress, supports hydration.
Directions: Blend all until smooth. Serve chilled.
Notes: Use matcha powder (1/2 tsp) to boost antioxidant punch if desired.
