This Antioxidant Smoothie is packed with feel good ingredients! Blueberries, spinach, and banana are blended to perfection and topped with other nutrient dense goodies. The perfect way to start your day!
Let’s Talk About Antioxidants
Such a buzzy word, antioxidants. Isn’t it?
Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures¹.There are many things that can cause this “stress” in our bodies, resulting in the production of these waste substances. Internal factors, such as inflammation, can cause our body to produce these free radicals (which inherently can damage cells and ultimately body function). While external factors, such as cigarette smoke, UV exposure, or pollution all do the same thing.
Circling back to antioxidants, they’re said to help neutralize these free radicals in our bodies. Ready: boosting overall health!
Antioxidants In This Smoothie
- Blueberries: With levels of Vitamin K and C, these little berries which I lovingly phoentically refer to as “bloobs” are a favorite in the antioxidant lineup.
- Spinach: The OG superfood, spinach is packed with nutrients, iron, minerals, vitamins, and even protein! Dark leafy greens are a must!
- Maca: An excellent source of Vitamin C and Copper, this powder can be mixed right in to your smoothie or sprinkled on top. Rich in polyphenols, this magical is said to even increase libido in both males and females?! Proceed with caution.
How To Ensure Your Smoothie Is Smooth
The name kind of says it all, doesn’t it? Well, if you’ve made a smoothie:
a) In a crappy blender
b) With all fresh fruit
c) With too much liquid, or
d) All of the above
…then you know all smoothies are not created equal. The trick is ensuring you’re using frozen fruit, just enough liquid, and adding ice only when you need it.
You see, you can always add MORE liquid, but you don’t want to initially put too much in, then be stuck with a luke warm and far too thin smoothie.
I know you’re imagining the last crappy smoothie you had right now.
I like to start out with just 1/2 cup of liquid and see how my smoothie comes together when blended. If I used all frozen fruits and vegetables, it will likely be far too thick. So, another 1/4 cup goes in. And then another tablespoon. Followed by one more splash.
You get the picture. Find the ratio that works best for you, and stick with it!
Tried this Antioxidant Smoothie recipe and loved it? Then use the hashtag #sohappyyoulikedit and tag @sohappyyoulikedit on social media so I can see your creations!
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Antioxidant Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 banana, sliced in to coins and frozen
- 2 pucks frozen spinach see note
- 1/2 cup coconut water
Notes
- I buy my frozen spinach at Target, and LOVE that it comes in pre-frozen "pucks"! They're perfect for making smoothies. Use about 1/2 cup frozen spinach if yours doesn't come in convenient little bundles like mine does 🙂
¹Ware, M, RDN, L.D. How can antioxidants benefit our health? [Website]. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/301506
Tags: Antioxidant, Antioxidant Smoothie, Blueberries, Coconut Water, Maca Powder, National Smoothie Day, Smoothie Week, Smoothies, Spinach