The Body Boosting, Glowing Skin Smoothie

by Tara Mackey | Blogroll, DIY, Food

So, before I backstory, let me just say that I posted this on instagram the other day by sharing that, “Not only has this smoothie balanced my belly, enhanced my food & vitamin absorption, improved my mental clarity & let me kick some deadline a$$ buuuuut… it’s begun to clear my skin, plumped up my assets & gives my skin a killer glow!”

What powerful herbs and foods make up this super drink?

First, a bit about how we got here. It all started with a craving for sushi. Normally I make my sushi at home (I’m not bad at it 😉 ), but this particular day on a whim I grabbed some from the local market and chowed down as I caught up on some emails and finished my book edits.

I realized after about an hour that I definitely had gotten food poisoning. 3 days later I was at my doctor, begging her to help me. She prescribed me gatorade, water and bread. 5 days later, I was back, even worse. Around 7 days – one week into it – my body finally started kind of turning around and remembering what it was like to keep food down and not consistently feel awful. I lived on smoothies because I didn’t have much of a choice. Even the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Apples & Toast) would not comply.

I lost ten pounds, my skin was dry, dehydrated and sunken from all the meals that had come up. All the time spent laying around feeling like death had done a number on my body as well as my mind. I felt super cloudy and light headed, and I even started to get migraines again – something I hadn’t suffered from in over four years! When I started to be able to keep food down more regularly, I thought I would be on the mend; but my body was still at it’s weakest and I then struggled with fatigue and constipation in particular. Had I have read this article back then, I would have been able to cure the constipation a lot quicker, but unfortunately I had to suffer it out for a while. At this point I needed a serious boost, so I went to my favorite medicine cabinet – my refrigerator – and made myself a great tonic for belly health, skin and my overall digestion.

Two weeks later, and this has been my go-to for skin health, my digestion, any days where nausea or even some anxiety may have crept in… plus! It’s balanced my hormones, plumped up my assets and totally relieved my PMS symptoms this month! Ready to change your life, totally naturally? Here’s what you’ll need!

A Blender.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons Olive Oil because of it’s well-researched anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidants and numerous heart-healthy macronutrients. Olive oil fights free radical damage and has been proven to boost brain power.

Raw Vanilla by Moon Juice is filled with potassium, magnesium, and promotes natural production of dopamine, stimulates good moods, lubricates your cells for brain function and keeps your blood sugar healthy. Yes, I said vanilla. 🙂 Raw vanilla is amazing for your health, as long as the source is pure. It’s also high in calcium, manganese, and has been proven to release both serotonin (making it a natural aphrodisiac and mood booster).

2 Tomatos as tomatos are high in lycopene (carotenoids precursor) for skin boosting, glowing color and acne remedy. In addition to being antioxidant rich, tomatoes have a high level of acidity inherent in their juice, which can help digestion as well as complexion.

15 Cherries ‘cause, like all other berries, cherries are store houses of antioxidants such as vitamin-C and flavonoids which effectively neutralize free radicals and protect us from all ailments associated with aging or the action of oxidants, such as weakening of the heart and nervous system. Apart from protecting against the damage of free radicals, the antioxidants (Vitamin-C, Carotenoids and Flavonoids) also boost immunity and protect us from bacterial, viral and fungal infections, particularly those of the colon, urinary tract, intestines, and excretory system.

Spinach makes a great base for any smoothie, because dark leafy greens like spinach are important for skin and hair, bone health, and provide protein, iron, vitamins and minerals. Spinach is high in fiber and water content, both of which help to prevent constipation promote a healthy digestive tract.

Chlorophyll since the use of chlorophyll to promote the healing process was first reported nearly 100 years ago. Chlorophyll binds with toxic metals to hamper absorption, and research has shown it can do the same with some carcinogens. Great for especially icky days!

Pineapple is one of the world’s healthiest – and most delicious – foods! Vitamin C is the body’s primary water-soluble antioxidant, defending all aqueous areas of the body against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells, and pineapples contain a high concentration of vitamin C, making it great for skin as well as your gut.

Seasonal Carrots for their ability to promote skin health as well as their awesome effects on digestion. Carrots are rich in dietary fiber, a type of indigestible carbohydrate that’s found in plant-based foods. Fiber comes in two forms, called soluble and insoluble, and carrots are a good source of both types. For example, a 1-cup serving of sliced, cooked carrots provides a total of about 3.5 grams of fiber, with approximately equal amounts of each type. Although it provides no nutrients, fiber plays an important role in digestive health, especially when we’re fighting a powerful gut bacteria.

Avocado because eating a cup of sliced avocado has been known to increase your fiber intake by 4.9 grams — 13 and 19 percent of the daily fiber needs for men and women, respectively. Avocado’s beneficial fiber helps promote healthy digestion. Fiber doesn’t break down into energy as it passes through your digestive tract, but instead absorbs water.

Mangoes contribute copper, calcium and iron to the diet as well as antioxidants such as zeaxanthin and beta-carotene. The antioxidant zeaxanthin, found in mangoes, filters out harmful blue light rays and is thought to play a protective role in eye health and possibly ward off damage from degeneration, also helping my migraines.

Coconut Water may be better at replacing lost fluids than a sports drink or water — as long as you enjoy the taste. A study recently published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows that coconut water replenishes body fluids as well as a sports drink and better than water but the athletes preferred the taste of the sports drinks.

Flax Seed are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote cell regeneration and supple skin and hair. My nails have even gotten longer since I’ve been sipping this tonic every morning!

Mixed Carotenoids give your skin a beautiful, golden color. Classified as a xanthophyll, which is a carotenoid pigment found in fish and algae, this gives you a striking, supple complexion all around! Fair skin? This will enhance skin’s pigment over time, giving you the healthy, bronzed color we all crave. Totally natural, and it’s also been proven to help one burn less while out in the sun!

Ginger Kombucha to support digestion and eliminate any bacteria still left in my stomach from the food poisoning.

Herbs & Vitamins:

Pueraria Mirifica for hormone balance. This is what’s been making me curvier in all the right places – and I love it! It contains phytoestrogens that balance feminine hormones. PM also has flavonoids and miroestrol compounds, which have all been shown to be effective for fighting aging. A reduction in gray hair and cellulite, increased energy, improved memory and improve circulation are some of the benefits that people have reported after taking pueraria mirifica.

withinUs TruMarine Collagen (use code ORGANICLIFE at checkout for a discount) because Collagen is one of the most important structural substances in our bodies, accounting for 25 to 30% of its total protein – 75% of our skin is collagen. It is the key component for supple and radiant healthy skin. As we age, our body loses its ability to make collagen, causing it to break down. Loss of collagen leads to a collapsing dermal layer and this contributes to wrinkles and loss of elasticity. The environment also affects our skin and UVA/UVB exposure induces skin damage and loss of collagen. Everyone can benefit from taking collagen and maintaining the integrity of the extracellular matrix is essential for a youthful skin appearance.

St. John’s Wort is commonly used for treatment of depression and anxiety, but it also has amazing benefits on mental clarity. And surprisingly – your skin! St. John’s Wort contains flavonoids, which protect, soothe, and heal skin, while providing anti-acne and anti-inflammatory benefits.

LifeEquals probiotics (use code ORGANICLIFE75 for 75% off subscription orders!) supports digestive health issues (constipation, bloating, gas, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, food allergies, and obesity). When your gut or skin is in a serious state of distress, these are your answer! I empty 4 capsules into my smoothie before I blend it up.

Blend on high! Enjoy! You’re on your way to becoming your own wellness warrior!

With love,

Tara