If you’re like me, then I am sure you like to get up early and go through a morning routine before work.
I believe that waking before sunrise and not eating after sunset, has been the secret of longevity and sound health for ages. While this principle requires some commitment (and may even seem impossible to many at start) turning this action into habit and then a ritual will be easy when you begin to taste its benefits, with small steps.
Out of all my activities in my morning ritual, the “Gut Reset” smoothie (as I like to call it) is the star.
Smoothies are a great starter for the day as they sneak greens and other healing foods into our systems without having to take it all separately which can be boring, bland and may even make you feel like a cow!!
Starting your day with a liquid meal is also a good way to avoid the “food coma” feeling and bloating. Less energy will go towards digestion than with a heavier meal, leaving you feeling lighter and more energetic throughout the day.
Besides, there’s no better feeling than getting in several servings of leafy greens before 9 a.m.—even if your day devolves into an orgy of chocolate chip cookies and french fries from there, you’ve still filled yourself with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
I usually change my smoothie recipes pretty frequently (please scroll to the bottom of this page for more recipes), but this one seems to be sticking around. I’ve found myself making it four or five times a week for the past few months, and I think it’s a perfect staple for a morning kicker. I have used Nutribullet for most of the time, but any blender would do.
Here’s what goes in it:
- Spinach: Approx 20 washed leaves
- Beetroot/Carrots: 2-3 cut up pieces
- Berries: Blue Berries/Strawberries 5 -7 each
- Chia seeds: One Spoon
- Walnuts x 5 kernels
- Almonds x 5
- Tumeric/ Brocolli Sprouts powder (by Enduracell) – Quarter tea spoon
- Kiwi Fruit/ Persimmon/ Pineapple/ Grapes- to taste
- Banana: Half to full
- Plant based protein powder: I have used Pea Based Powder with Vanilla flavour
- Cinnamon (pinch)
- Coconut water/ Almond milk/ Filtered water approx. 500 mls
Method
Blend until smooth and enjoy! Makes a volume of 750mls. Method 1. Blend until smooth and enjoy! Makes a volume of 750mls.
Benefits of Gut Reset Smoothie
1. Pain and inflammation relief.
The active ingredient in the above smoothie bromelain (pineapple) and curcuramin (turmeric) has pain-relieving effects which has been studied extensively. A recent investigation from the University of Reading found an improvement in stiffness and function in acute knee pain for people using bromelain.
2. Liver protection
Research from Benin in Africa discovered that the fruit was helpful in correcting liver damage in laboratory rats. This means it can help support our detoxification pathways, which is never a bad thing.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]
3. Multifaceted inflammation fighter
A review from India and Malaysia explained that bromelain decreased key inflammatory mediators in numerous studies. For example, bromelain helped down-regulate an important component of inflammation called COX-2. In another example of its therapeutic impact on inflammation with soft-tissue injuries, bromelain was able to help athletes recover from bruising more quickly.
4. Digestion support
Pineapple has been long praised as a digestive aid because of its potent enzymes. In a rather dramatic example of this, a study appearing in the Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology said that drinking pineapple juice led to the dissolution of undigested food in the stomach due to the enzyme in the juice.
5. Improves bowel cleansing
Cleansing is paramount in prepping for a colonoscopy since an incomplete cleanse can lead to unsuccessful procedures. A study from Turkey discovered that adding pineapple juice to the cleansing regime significantly helped to clear the tracks for colonoscopies.
6. Fights cravings
Research from the University of Maryland School of Medicine indicates that bromelain can fight diarrhea from GI infections such as the notorious E. coli. The authors concluded that “It may be clinically useful as an antidiarrheal drug.”
7. Fights yeast like candida
Yeast infections are a major health concern. In a lab experiment done in Germany, bromelain demonstrated an ability to support the immune system and kill candida.
You may want to give these smoothie recipes a try too!
For each recipe, combine ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Vanilla Latte
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop Unflavored Plant based Protein
- 1/2 cup cold brew coffee or chilled coffee
- 1/4 cup milk or unsweetened milk alternative*
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
- Stevia drops to taste
- Optional: 1/4 frozen banana for creamier texture
Avocadolicious
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop Unflavored Protein (ReLaunch)
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 cup milk or unsweetened milk alternative*
- 1/2 cup frozen fruit of your choice (I use green banana)
- Stevia drops to taste
Chocolate Lover
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop Unflavored Protein (ReLaunch)
- 1-2 tbsp. unsweetened cacao powder
- 1/2-1 cup milk or unsweetened milk alternative*
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Stevia drops to taste
- Optional: Add 1 tbsp. peanut butter or almond butter
Berry Berry Kaley
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop unflavored protein (ReLaunch)
- 1/4 cup chopped kale
- 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 cup milk or unsweetened milk alternative*
- Stevia drops to taste
Lemonilla
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop unflavored protein (ReLaunch)
- 1/2 squeezed lemon
- 1-2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup milk or unsweetened milk alternative*
- 1/2- 1 cup ice
- Stevia drops to taste
M.Y.O.S.
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop unflavored protein (ReLaunch)
- 1/2 cup frozen fruit of choice
- 1 cup milk or unsweetened milk alternative
- Stevia drops to taste
- Optional: 1 tbsp. smoothie booster
These smoothie boosters can be added to any smoothie to increase nutrients and health benefits:
- Flax Seed/oil
- Chia Seed
- Unflavored Kefir
- Coconut oil
- MCT oil
- Greens superfood powder
- Psyllium husk or other fiber powder
- Spirulina
- Liquid/powder multivitamin or other vitamins
- Probiotic powder
- Wheat grass
- Beet crystals
- Acai powder
- Bee pollen
- Matcha powder
- Maca Root
- Turmeric
- Ginger
*Milk Alternatives: coconut, almond, cashew, soy, hemp, flax, etc.
