WALNUT BROWNIE BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE (RECIPE)

AMY CRAWFORD (THE HOLISTIC INGREDIENT )
This is a seriously yummy breakfast smoothie that is both sustaining and seriously good for you. It feels decadent but know it is doing you so much good!

INGREDIENTS
Approx. 1.5 cups almond milk (or milk of choice), add more if you prefer a runnier smoothie
1/3 cup of walnuts, or about 20g
1/4 of an avocado
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 tablespoon raw cacao (or to taste, I like my chocolate intense, I added an extra half tablespoon)
2 heaped teaspoons maple or rice malt syrup, or sweetener of choice, to taste
1 heaped teaspoon maca powder (optional)
1 heaped teaspoon raw cacao nibs
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of vanilla powder (or essence)
Pinch salt

METHOD
Leave half the walnuts and cacao nibs aside. Throw the rest of your ingredients into the blender and blend until really smooth.
Top with the cacao nibs and remaining walnuts.
 I would recommend making this the night before or at least half an hour before you eat it to allow the chia seeds to soften.

http://www.foodmatters.tv/content/walnut-brownie-breakfast-smoothie-recipe

3 Ingredient Omega-3 Smoothie to Nourish Your Heart and Brain

by Carol Lehmann

3 Ingredient Omega-3 Smoothie to Nourish Your Heart and Brain 

Tropical turmeric weight loss smoothie to banish your belly

I've really been enjoying starting my days with a smoothie lately. It's a great way to make sure that I don't go breakfast-less and that I start off my day with a big dose of good-for-me nutrients. A recent addition to my smoothie rotation has been an incredible spice: turmeric! Amigas, turmeric is a miracle spice. It fights bloat, it's an anti-oxidant, it aids in weight loss, it helps detoxify the liver and I don't know about you, but I don't get enough of it in my diet that's why I've started making this tropical turmeric smoothie.

Turmeric is popular in Indian cuisine and it's quite delicious, but if you are not used to cooking with it aren't quite sure how to incorporate it into your meals to reap its health rewards, "hiding" it in a smoothie is a great way to go.

Of course you could just add a half teaspoon of turmeric into just about any smoothie you make and it would probably be fine, but I've been making mine with frozen mango and pineapple chunks as well as some cinnamon and ginger because I think all the flavors really complement each other. Check it out!

Tropical Turmeric Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup almond milk
1 ripe banana
1/2  cup frozen mango chunks
1/2  cup frozen pineapple chunks
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a blender, press vrrroom and mezcla it all up until it is a smooth consistency.

If it's too thick for your liking, you can always add more almond milk. Also, it's a smoothie recipe, not the blueprint for the Sistine Chapel, so feel free to play around with how much of the spices or what kinds of fruits you put in it until you get one that makes you crazy happy

http://quemas.mamaslatinas.com/health_fitness/132175/turmeric_smoothie_weight_bloat_loss

Anti-Inflammatory Pineapple Ginger Smoothie

by KAREN FOSTER

Pineapple has been used for centuries to reduce pain and inflammation. It turns out that an enzyme found in pineapples called bromelain does, in fact, have scientifically proven medicinal benefits. Two molecules isolated from an extract of crushed pineapple stems have even shown promise in fighting cancer growth. Studies have shown that bromelain reduces swelling, bruising, healing time and pain. An even more potent anti-inflammatory is ginger whose analgesic properties have been proven stronger than ibuprofen. Combine the two in this smoothie recipe and you have deliciously balanced beverage at any time of the day.


Ingredients:
- 2 cups ripe pineapple
- 1 cup ripe mango
- 1 piece of ginger (about 3 inches)
- 1/2 cup of celery
- 1 cup of coconut water
- 1 tsp. fresh vanilla

A high-speed blender is your friend for this recipe so if you have a vitamix or blend-tec you'll be able to achieve a great consistency.
http://preventdisease.com/news/14/030614_Anti-Inflammatory-Pineapple-Ginger-Smoothie.shtml

Turmeric Smoothie Recipe Makes A Delicious & Powerful Antioxidant

by Joe Martino
 

 

How would you like to start your day with an awesome antioxidant packed smoothie that has a ton of medicinal properties as well? This turmeric smoothie recipe is perfect for that.

The Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family. The average person may best recognize turmeric as a spice commonly used in Indian cuisine. The active compound curcumin is known to have a wide range of medicinal benefits including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumour, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. In India, turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for stomach and liver ailments. Turmeric can also be used topically to heal sores due to its antimicrobial properties.

Turmeric is also the liver’s favorite spice and helps boost liver detox. It does this by assisting enzymes that actively flush out dietary carcinogens. Be sure to check how powerful turmeric can be in treating depression as well.

Turmeric Smoothie Recipe Ingredients:

For these ingredients, try and use organic as much as possible. Also try not to substitute actual milk for hemp or coconut milk. If you need, you can try almond milk as well.

• 1 cup hemp or coconut milk
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple or mango chunks
• 1 fresh banana
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (can be increased to 1 tsp)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon maca (optional)

Add all ingredients into a blender and process until smooth. Try to drink this smoothie in the morning before you have anything to eat. It’s a solid way to start your day and pack your body full of antioxidants.
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/08/04/turmeric-smoothie-recipe-makes-a-delicious-powerful-antioxidant/

Tahitian Vanilla Mango Lime Smoothie

  

This smoothie tastes as heavenly as it sounds.

I’ve made this smoothie almost daily for the last week and a half and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon. Why would I stop when it tastes so good, is super good for you, and I start dancing every time I drink it because I feel so alive?
Yup, as I said, no reason to stop.
I hope you enjoy this wonderful combination as much as I do. It’s satisfying, hydrating, slimming and wonderful for boundless energy!

Tahitian Vanilla Mango Lime Smoothie
Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups of water (adjust for your desire consistency)
• 2.5 cups frozen mango (or more if you want it extra fruity and thick, you could also use fresh mango and a few ice cubes)
• 2 large leaves swiss chard, roughly chopped or torn (remove stalks and set aside for another use)
• 1/3 tsp fresh ginger (or use more as desired)
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds only
• Juice of 1 lime

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender. Start with 2 cups of water only.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Taste and adjust to desired thickness and taste.

That’s it! So hydrating, refreshing and delicious!

What’s your favorite way to use mango? Share in the comments below and like and share this recipe if you dig it!

http://blog.vimergy.com/tahitian-vanilla-mango-lime-smoothie/

3 Veggie Smoothies Your Kids Will Love — Yes, Really

BY ELIZABETH STARK

Do your kids eat enough vegetables? If you answered yes, by all means, go plop a couple scoops of ice cream or beet sorbet into a bowl and pat yourself on the back. You’ve done some great work! Truly. For the other 96 percent of us, there are smoothies. Of course, a call for spinach smoothies might not get your littles galloping to the kitchen, but with a few fun and fruity twists, healthy vegetable-based smoothies can be a painless, and even a delicious, part of your day.

The secret to great veggie smoothies is balance — sweet, somewhat mild vegetables like carrots, beets, or spinach are balanced by a range of fruits like bananas, blueberries, pears, and oranges. For each of these veggie wonders, I played with texture and sweetness to achieve a balanced, absolutely kid-friendly sip. And, to be completely sure these smoothies would go over well with kids, I enlisted my 7- and 3-year-old daughters as test subjects. Head below for all three kid-approved smoothie recipes!

A few notes on making vegetable smoothies at home: A powerful blender shouldn’t have any trouble blending vegetables to prime smoothie form, but if you’ve got a more modest blender, do a little experimentation. Start by chopping the vegetables into little bits and consider grating the tougher vegetables like carrots and beets for seamless blending. It’s also worth noting that frosty smoothies are the most delicious, so start a few days ahead by stockpiling frozen, peeled bananas in the freezer. Freeze bananas flat on a parchment-lined surface, then bag frozen bananas and store until needed.

3 Kid-Approved Veggie Smoothies:

Carrot Orange Smoothies

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 32 ounces, or 4 8-ounce servings

Ingredients:
1 cup peeled, chopped carrots
1 orange, peeled and chopped
1 frozen banana, chopped
1 cup ice
1 cup orange juice

Directions:
Layer the ice, banana chunks, orange segments, and carrots in the blender, add the orange juice, and blend until smooth.

Beet Berry Smoothies

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 32 ounces, or 4 8-ounce servings

Ingredients:
1 cup peeled, chopped beets
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 frozen banana, chopped
1 cup ice
1 cup orange juice

Directions:
Layer ice, banana chunks, blueberries, and beets in blender, add orange juice, and blend until smooth.

Spinach Avocado Smoothies

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 32 ounces, or 4 8-ounce servings

Ingredients:
1 packed cup spinach leaves
1 avocado, chopped
1 large Bartlett pear, sliced
1 frozen banana, chopped
1 1/4 cup ice
1 1/4 cup orange juice

Directions:
Layer ice, banana chunks, avocado, pear slices, and spinach in blender, add orange juice, and blend until smooth.

http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/kid-approved-veggie-smoothies-3-fresh-takes/

Super Healthy Raw Food Smoothie

Super Healthy Raw Food Smoothie

20 Daily Habits That Will Enrich Your Life

MATT MAYBERRY

Take time each day to visualize your goals.

As entrepreneurs and business owners, it can be very easy at times to fall into a rut and get in the habit of having just average days where we seem to not get much of anything done.

Here are 20 ways that will hopefully rekindle that passion of yours and help make each day amazing.

1. Engage in consistent action.

2. Constantly picture yourself beyond your current circumstances. Dream enormously big and hold that dream deep within your mind, body and spirit.

3. Spend time in solitude to just think and visualize.

4. Write your most important goal on a note card and look at it five times a day. Say it out loud and believe with a deep conviction that it will become a reality.

5. Drink plenty of water. It's impossible to operate to the best of your ability and tap into your full potential if you are dehydrated. Our minds and bodies need water in order to perform at an extremely high-level.

6. Eat to win. If you don't want junk results stay away from junk food. The bottom line is that we are what we eat.

7. Get your sweat on. One of the best productivity tools that you can utilize is to get a workout in at some point throughout your day. Whether you go to the gym or at home, make the time.

Find time to read every day.

8. Pick up a book for 15-20 minutes and get lost in it. Just as our bodies need physical exercise, our minds need to stay mentally fit.

9. Spend your time around those who lift you up and encourage your vision, not belittle it. We are the average of the five people we hang out with the most. Pick your company wisely.

10. Make time to grow. Carve out 30 min to an hour and find ways to personally and professionally grow.

11. Turn off the music in your car to an audiobook. Most of us spend hours in a car daily, utilize that time to better yourself and learn.

12. Keep a journal. Record your thoughts, ideas and strategies. We have roughly 20,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Don't let an idea or strategy go to waste. Never rely solely on your memory.

13. Think of five things you are grateful for right this second. It can be something as simple as how beautiful is mother nature or how wonderful your family is. Be grateful for what you have and you will eventually end up having more.

Almonds will give you more energy and keep you going all day.

14. Snack on almonds. Great source of protein and other minerals and vitamins that will increase your energy levels and keep performance in peak state.

15. Say "I love you" more often. Don't let a day go by where you don't tell those you love how much they truly mean to you. Life is short and by simply saying the words "I love you" will bring you an immense sense of satisfaction.

16. Treat others how you want to be treated. In business and in the game of life, people matter. If you want to truly win in both, make every person you come in contact with feel important.

17. Have a green smoothie. Instead of turning to caffeine turn to the power of mother nature and blend yourself up a delicious, energizing and healthy green smoothie. One of my favorites is two handfuls of organic spinach, one apple, juice of one lemon, three stalks of celery, and ginger root. There are plenty of recipes available to you online.

18. Take a post-it-note or note-card and write down some quotes that move, inspire and empower you. There will be times throughout the day that might upset you or discourage you. Constantly feeding your mind with words that inspire and empower you will instantly get you back on your feet ready to hit the ground running.

19. Cut off all distractions. When it's time to work, work. When it's time to relax, relax. Discipline yourself to stay off Facebook and other social media sites when you are working on a computer. If you are in an office, hang up a "Do Not Disturb'' sign if possible. Focus completely on the task at hand.

20. Take full and complete responsibility for your life. Own up to your mistakes and never fall into the trap of playing the ever-so-popular blame game.

Adopting winning habits is one of the surest ways to get to where you want to go. What we do on a daily basis determines the results that we end up with. If you don't like what you have been producing up to this point, then change what you do daily. It's my hope that this list of 20 ideas is of extreme value to help make today utterly amazing for you.

http://www.businessinsider.com/daily-habits-that-will-enrich

Aphrodisiac Smoothie-Perfect Choice to Boost Libido

No matter whether you have problems with your sexual desire, or you just want to make it stronger, today we suggest both delicious and simple to prepare smoothie which consists of only three ingredients and will contribute a lot to your ultimate sexual satisfaction.

Your sex life can greatly benefit from certain foods especially if they are eaten raw. Once you take them, you will experience the aphrodisiac magic they have.

If you want to have more satisfying sex life, then consider including Berries in your diet on regular basis. They are loaded with extra powerful antioxidants which stimulate the circulation, increasing the blood flow to genitals which in turn brings you a greater sexual pleasure.

Banana is one of the best choices for increasing your sex drive. Bananas are an excellent source of B Vitamins, like riboflavin, which is known to transform the carbohydrates into energy and it is believed to help in the production of sex hormones.

Seeds, especially flax, sesame and pumpkin seeds, are among the foods with the most direct libido-boosting effect. They are fully packed with essential fatty acids, which are extremely important if your aim is to increase your sexual desire. Omega -3 and Omega-6 are regarded as a major building blocks of all sex hormones.

Spice up your sex life by adding these ingredients on your daily menu or simply use them to prepare a tasty smoothie that you and your partner will enjoy minutes before you devote to each other.

Ingredients:

•  2 cups fresh or frozen berries ( raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
• 1-2 bananas
• 2-3 tbsp. ground mixed seeds 

Instructions:

Put the necessary ingredients in a blender and blend for a couple of seconds till you get rich texture and vibrant color smoothie. Pour in glasses and drink immediately. Enjoy!

http://www.healthyfoodstyle.com/aphrodisiac-smoothie-perfect-choice-to-boost-libido/

10 Healthy Snacks To Always Have On Hand

BY MARGARET WERTHEIM

Smoothie with Fruit, Hemp Seeds, and Chia Seeds

I love adding hemp seeds to smoothies, because they're fiber rich and packed with nutrients like magnesium, iron, zinc, and B-vitamins. Chia seeds are very rich in soluble fiber, meaning they absorb water and can thus help promote good digestion and elimination. Berries are always a great choice for smoothies, but experiment with adding avocados, apples, oranges, spinach, and other fruits or veggies.

Plain Yogurt with Berries, Nuts or Seeds

Flavored yogurts often contain more than 20 grams of added sugar. If adding fruit doesn't make plain yogurt sweet enough for you, add a small amount of honey, maple syrup or molasses.

Hummus or Bean Dip with Vegetables

Keep hummus or bean dip on hand for dipping vegetables like carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Kale Chips

This delicious nutrient-rich snack is about as good as it gets. Coat chips with nutritional yeast or your favorite spices before baking for a savory and crunchy snack.

Apple with Almond Butter

A very yummy and satisfying snack rich in vitamin E from the almond butter and the phytonutrient quercetin in the apple.

Dark Chocolate with 90% Cocoa

I know there are many people who crave chocolate. Choose chocolate with the highest cocoa content you can handle, and keep striving for higher cocoa content. Remember that certain things are an acquired taste. Generally, the higher the cocoa content, the lower the sugar content. There are only about 3 grams of added sugar in 1.5 ounces of 90% cocoa dark chocolate!

Guacamole with Vegetables

Pass on the pita chips or tortilla chips and boost your intake of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants by using vegetables, veggie chips, or flax crackers instead.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

This nutrient-rich food gets an undeserved bad rap. Eat hard-boiled eggs plain, or put one in a corn tortilla with some spinach and guacamole for a very satisfying snack. Because hard-boiled eggs can be great for an on-the-go morning, boil or bake some up ahead of time to quickly grab.

Banana Ice Cream

For those really stubborn sugar cravings, try "ice cream" sweetened only with bananas. Try plain, strawberry orchocolate peanut butter

.

Sweet Potato Chips

Thinly slice sweet potatoes and coat with a small amount of coconut oil and bake until crisp. They're an absolutely delicious snack packed with vitamin A, potassium, and vitamin C.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/1-12570-10/10-healthy-snacks-to-always-have-on-hand.html

Top 7 Morning Drinks for Body Detox

Body detox drinks are important from two points of view: first, they can help you shed pounds in a natural and side-effect-free manner, and second, they will flush out all the toxins and harmful chemicals gathered inside your body throughout the months. Besides this, these detox drinks usually help your body replenish the natural supply of minerals and vitamins, given the fact that most of them rely on natural fruit juices. Regardless of why you have decided to switch to a more natural lifestyle and to add a glass of fresh detox drink to your diet, here you will find seven of the most efficient and sought-after morning drinks for body detox:

1. Mango and Pineapple Smoothie

There is no better or healthier way to start your day than with a glass of freshly squeezed mango and pineapple smoothie. Fresh, delicious and filled with nutrients of the highest quality, this smoothie will deliver all the valuable minerals and vitamins your body needs to work correctly, and it will also give you an energy boost for the entire day. Besides this, the mango and pineapple smoothie will give your body a fresh antioxidant intake that will help it fight off the harmful effects of free radicals, and it will also help you naturally purge all the toxins that have built up in your intestines. This is a tropical drink and a natural source of antioxidants – have one of these smoothies each morning and you will feel the difference within less than a week!

2. Dark Leafy Greens Juice

Most of us are not very fond of vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, even though we are well aware of all their health benefits and outstanding nutritional properties. However, if you do not like to eat your greens raw, then why not turn them into a shake or juice them with your kitchen juicer? Not only is this easier than eating them, you can also combine the greens with various ingredients to make them taste even better. These dark leafy greens are an essential part of our diets, since they will keep your body well hydrated (hydration is the key to an effective detox diet and also to healthy and good-looking skin) and it will also deliver all the phytonutrients your body needs. Besides, you have a plethora of greens to choose from, from collard greens and spinach to delicious cucumbers that you can juice within seconds – your body will certainly be grateful for your choice, both now and later in life!

3. Green Tea Detox Smoothie

Green tea has been used for thousands of years for its outstanding health benefits, and this is precisely why it is still widely used today – especially in Asia. So what is better than enjoying a fresh cup of green tea each day? Drinking a citrus and green tea detox smoothie that will double the benefits of this detox drink! As you may already know, most fruit smoothies are green-tea-free, but by adding some green tea to your delicious citrus juice, you will only boost its effect and support the antioxidant intake. This will speed up your metabolism, increase your potassium and fiber intake, and also support the natural detoxification process. This drink is particularly important for those who have abused alcohol or who haven’t had a proper detox diet in years, and who are afraid of the negative effects that chemicals have on their bodies in the long haul.

4. Watermelon Juice

This is a very versatile and tasty drink, which you can enjoy either with watermelon or with cucumber, since they are equally beneficial. The recipe is very simple, and the preparation time is less than five minutes – all you need is a few slices of watermelon or one or two medium-sized cucumbers, some lemon or lime, a couple of mint leaves, and fresh water. This is perfect if you want to get rid of the toxins lurking in your system and if you crave a fresh and nutritious drink on a hot summer night. This is an intensely flavored drink that will help you purge toxins, thanks to the citrulline contained in the lime and the watermelon. This particular compound will support the correct functioning of your liver and kidneys, and it will help your organs get rid of the ammonia and all the other harmful chemicals while increasing your energy levels at the same time.

5. A Morning Detox Routine With Lemon and Warm Water

This is a rather unconventional lemonade, as it involves a few cups of warm water rather than cool water. All you have to do is to squeeze the juice out of half a lemon into two cups of warm water, and drink this lemonade first thing in the morning, before your breakfast. After that, you can go on with your daily meals as usual – this is one of the best morning detox drinks you can ever get. However, if you are on a tight schedule, then you can prepare this drink the night before and only slightly heat it up in the morning. For the best results, you should stick to this morning detox routine for 21 days.

6. Cinnamon and Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

This is yet another popular morning detox drink that involves stevia, cinnamon, lemon juice, icy cold water and some apple cider vinegar. If the water is not cold enough by default, then you can even add a couple of ice cubes to the mix. The water should be cold because your body will burn more calories trying to heat the water up than it would if the water were already warm – this is very important for those who want to adopt a detox diet to lose extra weight and to purge their bodies of toxins at the same time. All you have to do is to mix 16 ounces of cold water with some ice cubes, then add one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, the juice of one full lemon and then a sprinkle of stevia and cinnamon – with the latter being used just to add to the taste of the detox drink. Enjoy!

7. The Master Cleanse Diet

The supreme morning detox diet is the well-known Master Cleanse Diet that has become very popular after Beyoncé used it for her role in Dreamgirls. The recipe involves a pinch of Cayenne pepper, one tablespoon of maple syrup, two tablespoons of lemon juice and some warm water. The Master Cleanse Diet is perfect for weight loss and for detoxifying your liver and your body overall.

These are seven of the most commonly used morning detox drinks to clean your body from the inside out.  Try them out and feel the positive effects yourself!

http://www.lifespan.com/top-7-morning-drinks-body-detox/