Ginger Papaya Green Smoothie
I recently discovered Toasted Coconut Almond Milk by Califia Farms at my local Kroger. I often make my own nut milks, but decided to give this brand a try since it is a carrageenan free brand of almond milk.
Being an island girl, I don't need much prompting to create new tropical inspired recipes. Papaya is one of my favorite fruits. It is antioxidant rich, high in vitamin C, and a tasty source of fiber, vitamin A, folate and other beneficial vitamins and minerals. It also supports digestive health and contains enzymes that help to reduce inflammation within the body. With ripe papaya already cut up in the fridge, I decided to make a smoothie incorporating these two ingredients.
Green smoothies area a great way to incorporate more leafy green vegetables into your diet. They're also a great option for a quick healthy breakfast, which is essential for a busy OB/GYN. I try to vary the vegetables I use in my smoothies to reduce the chance of forming sensitivies to certain greens. Rotating my vegetables is also a way to take advantage of the range of nutrients that they offer. Lately, I've been using the Organic Girl Spring Mix. Always use organic vegetables when you are juicing or making smoothies to avoid getting a "side" of pesticides with your beverage. Here's my recipe.
Ginger Papaya Green Smoothie
Place the following ingredients into a Vitamix or other high-powered blender:
1 - 1 ½ cup Toasted Coconut Almond Milk by Calafia Farms
1- 2 handfuls of Organic Spring mix (the more you put in the "greener" it tastes)
1 Tbsp local bee pollen (bee pollen is a natural way to reduce histamine - valuable during Georgia allergy season)
1 Tbsp Axe Naturals Collagen Protein (helpful for those recovering from leaky gut like me) or 1 Tbsp Nutiva Hemp Protein powder (a good plant-based protein boost)
1 Tbsp Nutiva Coconut Manna (add richness to the smoothie and more coconut flavor)1 tsp Essential Living Foods Maca Blend (great for an energy boost)
½ - 1 tsp Ginger powder (I use 1 tsp since I love ginger)
1 cup papaya
1 ripe banana (you can use half a banana if you need to lower the natural sugar content of the smoothie)