Smoothies are phenomenal for packing in essential nutrients and minerals into a delicious and cooling pick-me-up treat. By pureeing, juicing and blending wholesome fruits and veggies into smoothies, you can consume recommended large doses easily instead of ending up with the gas, bloating and nausea that can result from scarfing down so much produce.
And since smoothies are liquefied, they aid in detoxifying the liver and the digestive system, allowing it to rest from the digestion process while still providing the body with ample nourishment. Natural nourishment and deep cleansing from within is what leads to glowing, radiant skin and hair, the Conatural way.
Smoothies make for excellent meal replacements too during Ramzan. When time is scarce and you need to pack in tons of water and nutrition at sehri, filling and nourishing smoothies can do wonders to get you through the day. Whereas at iftaari, hydrating, energy boosting smoothies such as the Royal Flush smoothie below can be just the right combination of fluids and nutritional lift one needs after a long day of fasting.
Plus smoothies are great for kids and for sneaking in all the nutritious goodies such as spinach, beetroot and yogurt which they would probably never eat otherwise.
The great thing about smoothies is that if you can understand some cardinal basics and plan a basic infrastructure around smoothie-making, they can become your favourite go-to no-fuss, quick meal. They can be incredibly versatile, so move around the ingredients based on your symptoms, the time of day, season, energy requirements, etc. to tailor your smoothie to fit your needs.
Hello Sunshine
Turmeric is known to be effective against inflammation, jaundice, menstrual pain, colic, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and, cancer and almost every other ailment known to man. It also lowers bad cholesterol and is packed with cancer fighting and anti-aging antioxidants. Mangoes and bananas contain high levels of potassium which helps to regulate blood pressure. And the significant quantities of pectin found in mangoes make them supreme contenders on your side in the fight against cancer. The beetroot is excellent for making new blood and cleaning out toxins from your existing.
Makes one 16 oz. glass
Ingredients:
1 medium Beetroot (boiled, peeled and cut into chunks)
2 Bananas
1 Mango (peeled and cut into chunks)
2 tsp. Turmeric
2 tsp. Ginger (grated)
1 ½ cups Almond milk
Method:
Blend all ingredients together.
Pour in a glass and serve chilled.
Royal Flush
This dusky purple gorgeous looking smoothing is packed with antioxidants and cancer fighting flavonoids and phytochemicals. Loaded with energy, this drink will keep you going for longer as the high fiber content helps to release the energy to your body slowly. The beetroot will help to regulate hemoglobin and iron, keeping your red blood cell count in the healthy zone.
Makes one 16 oz. glass
Ingredients:
2 cups Purple Grapes
2 Plums (pitted)
1 large Beetroot (boiled, peeled and cut into chunks)
Method:
Blend all ingredients together.
Pour in a glass and serve chilled.
Restoration smoothie
This smoothie is refreshing and cool, ideal for the summer months and excellent for deep cleansing and removing unwanted toxins from your body. The ginger, honey and lemon are a combination well known to be excellent for the respiratory system and the throat.
Makes one 8 oz. glass
Ingredients:
1 cup Watermelon/any melon (de-seeded) chunks
1 tbsp. grated/finely chopped Ginger
Rind of 1 Lemon
1 tbsp. Honey
few sprigs of Mint
¼ cup natural Yogurt (optional)
Method:
Blend all ingredients together.
Pour in a glass and serve chilled.
Hour of Power smoothie
Usually a great idea at breakfast, it’s even better having this smoothie for sehri. Bananas provide you with the potassium and energy you’ll need, keeping muscle cramping away and the dates provide essential magnesium and sugars. The oats provide the complex carbs that will slowly give you consistent energy for long periods during the fast.
Makes one 12 oz. glass
Ingredients:
1 ½ cup Milk
1 tbsp. Oats
1 Banana
4-6 Dates (pitted)
2 tbsp. chopped Almonds
Method:
Blend all ingredients together.
Pour in a glass and serve chilled.
Guidelines for making smoothies:
- Use basic ingredients, like fruits, vegetables, natural yogurt, etc. Skip mixes and anything processed or store bought
- Any seasonal fruit that you have lying around that you know will go bad before you can use it, immediately peel, cut, de-seed and freeze in zip lock bags. It’ll come in handy for many a smoothie later. Bananas are especially infamous culprits for turning black and mushy almost instantly in the heat these days. Simply peel and roughly cut into large chunks, pop into a freezer bag and use in your next smoothie
- Choose only produce that is in season and available locally
- Opt more often for smoothie bases such as freshly squeezed fruit juices, herbal teas, coconut water, or even just plain water instead of dairy bases such as milk, yogurt and cream
- Avoid alien sweetening agents like artificial sweeteners and sugar. Instead, go for sweet fruits, honey and dates (or other dried fruits)
- For an extra boost of energy, smoothies are a great opportunity to include some lean vegan protein and healthy vegan fats in your diet. For protein, go for soy or whey protein powder and for fats, go for avocados, coconut oil, flaxseeds, coconut milk, peanut butter, tahini, and nuts.