Winter Health Smoothie Recipe
With  from Cynthia

Smoothies are all the rage aren't they?   Everywhere you turn, in all the cafes  someone  is either sipping away on a smoothie or whirring up a nutribullet bursting with fruit and veg.   Well I am relatively new to the smoothie groove but I have totally jumped on the bandwagon.  I love the convenience of throwing it all in a blender and having a quick easy takeaway meal that I know is full of fresh wholesome goodness.

Always a big lover of vegetables I wanted them in my smoothie too so I turned my attention to kale.   Why?    

“The nutrients in kale can help boost wellbeing and prevent a range of health problems.
It contains cancer fighting  antioxidants, calcium, and vitamin K,  A,  C &  B6 and many essential minerals.. Even the chlorophyll in kale may have health benefits.  And It is a good source of  iron.”   Megan Ware RDN LD

Kale is said to be among the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.  But I have to say I have struggled to make it appetising to me.   I have  steamed it, had it raw, toasted it into chips and added it to stews and salads. But what I have found to be  the best way to get your Kale Kick is in a smoothie. Its RAW  so still  nutrient sound, you can't taste it and it creates a gorgeous green nutritious smoothie.
 
This is my current recipe:

I use a whole orange and a whole banana as a meal replacement but as a snack just use half of each.

• A whole or half a navel orange
• Either half or a whole banana
• 3-4 kale leaves
• Juice of one lime (or lemon)
• Tablespoon of Kefir (or yogurt)
• 2 tsp Flax oil (or other heart healthy Omega 3 oil like virgin coconut oil)   (Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to health and have been associated with benefits like reduced inflammation, improved heart health and protection for the brain against aging)
• Add enough of your favourite milk.  My choice is coconut milk or BonSoy.

Whirr it up!  
I use an old fashioned blender and it works just  fine.  Pop in a reusable straw and suck away for a great natural energy lift.  Delish!

Other options and even more benefits:   add a handful of berries, Kiwi,  some soaked nuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, add dessert spoon of LSA , chia seeds, collagen,
Green powder (spirulina or chlorella)....
For a sweeter option a couple of stoneless dates or a glug of maple syrup/homey.