Where do I start with this green smoothie?! It’s such a good one! Our bodies do a pretty great job of detoxifying thanks to our livers. But it never hurts to help out by including foods that naturally detoxify our bodies.
Kale is a great detoxifier, as are all cruciferous veggies. The glucosinolates in kale form isothiocyanates (ITCs) which help regulate detox activities in our cells. When you add kale to your green smoothies, you’re also adding great anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, and anti-cancer benefits into your day. Kale also has heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids which help fight cardiovascular disease. Is there anything kale can’t do for our health?
Lemon juice aids the liver in flushing out toxins naturally and acts as a diuretic. Ginger aids in digestion and has numerous anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Two compounds found in high concentration in ginger, gingerol and shoga, may help the entire digestive tract to relief any discomfort from gas, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. (Yep, I went there.) And now we come to turmeric, another natural liver detoxifier.
We most often find it in its dried, ground form. It is a root similar to ginger that is common in Asia and Polynesia. It lends a gorgeous yellow color to curries, mustard, and other foods we consume on a normal basis. But adding in a little extra turmeric into your diet adds big benefits.
The curcumin in turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and has been used in traditional Eastern medicine for centuries to treat all kinds of maladies. Pineapple and mango add natural sweetness as well as fiber and loads of Vitamins A and C.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups kale
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 2 cups pineapple
- 1 cup mango
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger
- ¼ to 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric, to taste
Directions: Blend kale and coconut milk until smooth. Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
*Use at least one frozen fruit to make smoothie cold.
