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Green smoothies are all the rage as a breakfast or meal replacement. How about a green smoothie packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods to help re-build your immune system? Next time you feel a cold or allergies coming on, try substituting this tropical spicy green smoothie for one meal a day.
Health Benefits of the Spicy Immunity Building Green Smoothie
This green smoothie builds your immunity by bringing together powerful ingredients with many healing properties. To find more information about the health benefits of any individual ingredient, take a look at these articles:
- Papaya- loaded with antioxidants and Vitamin C
- Pineapple- natural anti-inflammatory loaded with Zinc and Vitamins A & C
- Mango- loaded with vitamins A, C, E, K and several B vitamins
- Kale- excellent source of antioxidants, iron, calcium and vitamin C
- Yogurt- natural probiotic and rich in calcium and vitamin D
- Flaxseed- high in Omega-3 fatty acids
- Chia Seed- high in fiber, Omega 3 fatty acids, and calcium
- Ginger- natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Cayenne Pepper- contains vitamin C and home remedy for congestion
Buy Organic or Quality Ingredients
When purchasing your ingredients, make sure you purchase high quality and organic if possible. The Farmers Market is a great place to pick up several of the ingredients, while others, you can find in the natural foods section of the grocery store.
When choosing a yogurt, check the sugar content and make sure it has at least 3 strains of live active bacteria – or probiotics. Siggi’s is a great low-calorie and low-sugar yogurt with a smooth consistency. If you’re not a yogurt fan, Siggi’s vanilla non-fat yogurt is an excellent addition to any green smoothie because it has a smooth texture and light flavor.
Caution… Chia Seeds Need Time to Plump
If you’re new to chia seeds, make sure you give them enough time to absorb the liquid in the shake before drinking. Chia seeds need 5-10 minutes to become plump with liquid and create a geletanous pudding. Since adding chia seeds is the last step in making this shake, it is helpful to allow the chia to absorb liquid in the refrigerator.
Fresh vs. Frozen
Whenever possible, always use fresh organic ingredients vs. frozen. While frozen will help you save time, some frozen fruits have added sugar or preservatives. Peeling and chopping fresh papaya and pineapple will take you about 10 minutes. To offset this, separate half the fruit into a freezer safe bag and freeze it for future use. This will help you save time the next time when you need a quick smoothie and want to minimize added sugar. Pre-cut kale can save you time, but you should still wash kale thoroughly before using.
Need Help Finding the Perfect Blender?
I’ve tried quite a few blenders in pursuit of the perfect shake. For compact places like a dorm room or small apartment, I would go with the Nutri bullet. I’ve graduated to the Ninja
If you’re looking for more immunity boosting recipes check out:
– 🍲 Chicken and Wild Rice Homemade Soup
– ☕️ Turmeric, Ginger, Cinnamon Tea