Add-ins for your Green Smoothie

Oh dear.  I have become a major chocoholic and sugar crave-er this past holiday season.  My jeans are feeling a little too snug for my liking, and there is NO way I am getting on the scale to see how much weight I have gained.  No, thank you.  So its back to clean eating and cutting out all sugar until Valentine's Day.  I did this last January, and loved it and saw good results.  I like to jump start my clean eating month with a week of freshly squeezed juices and green smoothies and then end the day with a good healthy balanced meal for dinner.

There are so many green smoothie recipes on the internet, and I have posted a few of my favorites here and here.  So this post is not about how to make a green smoothie, but what you can add-in to your smoothie to give it more of a healthy boost.  These are just suggestions, and I don't add them all in at the same time but usually pick one or two.

Flax Seeds--it's best to freshly grind your flax seed in a coffee bean grinder so you can get all the benefits and your body can break it down.  Flax Seed is high in fiber, omega-3s and antioxidants.  Put 1 tablespoon of freshly grind flax seed in your shake.

Raw Protein Powder--go with Sunwarrior brand.  This brand is made from sprouted whole vegetables and is free from isolates.  I like to put protein in when I have a smoothie as a meal replacement.  You have to be careful with what kind of protein powder you use.  Many brands are very processed with a lot of nasty preservatives and fillers.  Also, your body won't recognize it as a food. It will take it longer to digest and breakdown.  If you are hesitant, then just stick with hemp seeds.

Hemp Seeds--add two tablespoons to your shake, and you will feel so full.  Hemp seed contains all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids that our bodies need, which makes it a perfect protein supplement. No other single source provides such a complete protein in a form that is so easily digested and absorbed by the body.

Chia Seeds--helps to control hunger and is rich in nutrients and antioxidants that helps to protect the body from aging and cancer.  I like to put just a teaspoon in my smoothie because chia seeds leave a bitter aftertaste.

Coconut--love me some coconut!  I try to intake about 1 to 3 tablespoons of coconut every day either in coconut oil, coconut milk or raw coconut water.  Coconut has so many health benefits--weight lost, prevent heart disease, cancer and diabetes.  It also strengthens the immune system and beautifies skin and hair.  So I always put in 1 tablespoon in my smoothie.  Other ways I get my coconut in for the day is in cooking and replacing my olive oil for coconut oil.  Or I like to make coconut tea at night--hot water with a tablespoon of coconut.  I love coconut oil so much that I use it as a moisturizer for my body and face! Just keep in mind, that too much coconut oil can make the tummy wheezy, so if you are not use to it keep it on the lighter side.  

Try some of these add-ins when you make your next healthy smoothie!