Boost Your Smoothie

July 6, 2008 at 5:46 am 16 comments

So you’ve been making green smoothies faithfully now for months…and you’re wanting to spice things up a bit, right? Ok. The list below contains some little goodies that you can add to your smoothies for a little extra boost. HOWEVER, I want to make it very clear that these are optional. They are not necessary for optimal health…I believe that they can make a difference…but whole fresh fruits and veggies are still BEST! Personally, I don’t use them on an every day basis…maybe 3-4 times a week.

Powdered green superfoods in general are a bit on the expensive side, and in my opinion are a little overemphasized in the raw movement. The best thing to do is just try them and decide for yourself if they are beneficial. Add them consistently for a week and then determine if you have more energy. There are many boosts that you can add that aren’t as expensive…flax, chia seeds, hemp seeds, etc. Lots of options! 🙂

Vitamineral Green:
This is what I am currently using the most. It has tons of different things in it…including probiotics. I can taste it in the smoothie, but it doesn’t have an overpowering taste. You can also take it straight in water…but I’ve never tried it. There is another supplement called Pure Synergy that I hear a lot about…it has similar properties but I haven’t tried it either.

Ingredients: 100% Organic/Wildcrafted
Land Vegetables:
Whole Leaf Barley Grass , Whole Leaf Wheat Grass , Nettle Leaf , Shavegrass (Horsetail) , Alfalfa Leaf Juice , Dandelion Leaf Juice , Kamut® Grass Juice , Barley Grass Juice , Oat Grass Juice , Burdock Root , Broccoli Juice , Kale Juice , Spinach Juice , Parsley Juice , Carob Pod , Ginger Root , Nopal Cactus , Amla Berry

Algaes:
Spirulina , Broken Cell Wall Chlorella

Wildcrafted Aquatic Vegetables:
Icelandic Kelp , Nova Scotia Dulse

Enzymes:
Optimum absorption of Amylase, Lipase, Protease, Cellulase, Bromelain and Papain (rawguru.com)

Spirulina:
When people are going on and on about protein content in my diet…I like to tell them about GREENS! And spirulina falls into that category. It’s a complete protein. I have a big jar of Spirulina…same brand at the Vitamineral Green. The Vit. Green also has spirulina in it…so I haven’t been using the straight powder as much.

“Spirulina is an exceptional food and an incredible source of concentrated, non-toxic, absorbable nutrients. It is a highly beneficial substitute for protein powders. The protein in Spirulina contains all 8 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Spirulina (a blue-green algae), also contains vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, E, and K. In addition, Spirulina also provides minerals, trace minerals, cell salts, phytonutrients and enzymes, as well as an abundance of chlorophyll & other beneficial pigments. ” (rawguru.com)

Hemp Seeds:
Hemp seeds are super versatile and I use them in everything! I add them to smoothies and salads. I sprinkle them inside of wraps and also on top of Bella’s oatmeal.

These are the Earth’s most nutritious seeds. This shelled hemp seed is 33% protein, rich in vitamin E and iron, as well as Omega-3, 6, 9 and GLA. hemp nut offers complete, whole food nutrition. Canadian Farmers grow hemp without pesticides or herbicides making this a safer product for you and the Earth. Hemp is a weed, grows anywhere easier and has no natural pests. Growing hemp (a nonpsychoactive crop) restores our soils and conserves forests, contributing to a healthy sustainable world. Start a hemp food tradition, save your health and the health of the planet. This hemp nut is raw, vegan and delicious. Sprinkle this raw Hemp Seed Nut generously on salads, cereals and soups – or eat by the spoonful as a delicious snack by itself. Hemp seed nut goes great in smoothies. (rawguru.com)

Maca:
Maca is known to be an energy, fertility, and libido enhancer. Take with caution! 🙂 ha ha. It does have a bit of an aftertaste…I think it’s best in chocolate smoothies, but I’m able to get it down in a green one as well.

Chia Seeds:
I haven’t used these much, but I did pick up a small bag a few cities back to start adding them to our smoothies. They can be sprinkled on anything, much like hemp seeds…although most sources say to soak them before eating (they do not need to be ground).

Chia seeds provide the essential omega 3 & 6 oils. Chia seeds are 30% oil, of which 30% is omega 3 and 40% is omega 6, and have a long shelf life. They also have approximately two times the protein concentration and up to ten times the oil concentration of other grains, and are digestible without grinding. Other seeds with harder shells, such as flax seeds, require grinding to make them digestible and have a very short shelf life in the ground form.

Chia seeds are small and have the unique feature of a shell that turns gelatinous (mucilaginous) when it gets wet. This gel is thought to create a barrier in the stomach between the carbohydrates and digestive enzymes – slowing the breakdown of carbos into sugar and prolonging endurance. The seed can absorb more than 10 times its weight in water which can prolong hydration and retain electrolytes in body fluids. The name, chia, is Maya for strength or strengthening. (rawguru.com)

Flax Seeds:
To obtain the most nutrition from flax seeds, they must be ground. I use these in smoothies and salads. They have a really nice flavor and texture…I love it! There are just too many benefits to list here, so go and read them here! 🙂

So that’s my list…there are many, many more supplemental foods out there, but these are the big ones for us. What is your favorite boost?

Entry filed under: Green Smoothies, Superfoods.

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16 Comments Add your own

1. Kristen's Raw | July 6, 2008 at 7:48 am

Ohhh, I do love Vitamineral Green powder. I have been taking it daily as help in the pre-pregnancy department because it’s a whole food and not a supplement or synthetic. 🙂

When I’m not in pregnancy planning, and it’s just ordinary ol’ me, I really appreciate this stuff on days that I just didn’t get enough greens or balance in, ya know? It’s great for that. I also take it traveling when I can’t have green smoothies.

And…hemp…I’m crazy for hemp seeds, powder, oil, and butter. The stuff rocks my world!

Cheers 🙂
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2. Cara | July 6, 2008 at 4:38 pm

All good stuff! Personally, right now I’m using hemp protein powder and chia seeds in my green smoothies, and I’ve noticed a big difference in strength and endurance at the gym recently – I think the chia seeds really did it for me as I’ve been on the green smoothies with the hemp protein for a few months now.Prior to using chia seeds, I was using ground-up flax seeds, but really, in my case the chia seeds made the bigger difference. I still use flax seeds though in my dehydrator recipes. I would like to add the Vitamineral Green or Pure Synergy as well. About the maca, I was taking some bottled maca powder and really liked it and found that it totally cut sweet cravings for me, and then I bought some bulk maca powder from my coop and found that it didn’t really seem to do that much, plus I got intestinal distress from it, so that turned me off for a good while. I just think I have to buy the better-quality stuff and stay away from the bulk maca.
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3. Jentree | July 7, 2008 at 7:00 am

I haven’t been adding any powders or extra boosts to my smoothies, but I do have a bag of Spirulina in my cabinet that needs to be used. I was taking it with water for a while, but the taste got old for me after a couple weeks.

I have some ground flax seed meal in my freezer, but it doesn’t seem to get “lost in my smoothie” during blending. I can always still see the little bits floating around and can feel them when I drink it. Maybe I need to blend a bit longer, huh?

I bought some flax seed oil about a month or so ago but keep forgetting I have it, so I may start adding a bit of that to my smoothies.

So, basically, I have a bunch of good stuff in my house that I haven’t been putting to use lately. This post was a good reminder!
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4. openwindow | July 7, 2008 at 5:44 pm

Hi Sara, I’ve been enjoying reading your blogs for a little over a year now. You have a lot of great advice and tips to offer! Just wanted to share that sometimes I add 2 tablespoons of Chlorophyll to my green smoothies. It’s really great for restoring your iron supply (if you have low iron) and it makes the smoothies extra nice and green. 🙂
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5. Jen Baker | July 8, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Hi Sara,

I’ve been adding hemp protein powder, a flaxseed oil blend & probiotics to mine. I’ll look for the VMG, though, when I run out of my probiotic. I hadn’t thought of adding chia seeds – I have some, but haven’t done anything with them, yet.

I’ve gotten to be such a smoothie snob. I can’t stand it when you go someplace & they say they have 100% fruit smoothies, then pour something out of a jar & mix it with ice! What’s the point?! I think I’m going to have to start taking my VitaMix with me everywhere I go!
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6. Sarah B. | July 9, 2008 at 2:25 pm

I’ve been wanting to start adding powdered greens to my smoothies and this was some good info. Question: do the powdered greens have to be purchased online or are they also available at local health food stores?

I’v also decided that, in honor of my 30th birthday in 2 months, that I’m asking for contributions toward a vita-mix from my family, in lieu of gifts!! I’ve been doing the green smoothie thing since March and there’s no going back now. I always thought my “dream” kitchen appliance was a kitchenaid mixer. But why spend all the money right now on a mixer that I’d only be using maybe 2-3 a month when i could have a top-o-the-line vita-mix that I’d use every day?! I get a little giddy even thinking about it! If I’m able to get a vita-mix, I’ll be sure to use your code for the free shipping!

Thanks for all the continued inspiration, Sara!
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7. livelightly | July 9, 2008 at 2:33 pm

Sarah…yes, you should be able to find the green powders at your local store. Just be sure that you’re getting the best (most pure) brand. Either research yourself or talk to the employees. The Vitamineral Green brand (Health Force Nutritionals) came highly recommended.

You’ll LOVE the Vita-Mix!! You’ll be whipping up everything in it! Thanks so much for using our code too. Have fun!
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8. jessica | July 10, 2008 at 9:55 pm

i have come across a vegan liquid DHA (some of the stuff that people get all giddy about fish oil for) but it is sourced from algae, which is where the fish get it anyway. i can’t go too overboard, otherwise it will make the smoothie taste a bit more like the ocean than i’d prefer 🙂 i know i can get the DHA from flax, but it seems to be way more concentrated in this particular liquid, so if i am feeling like my moods are dropping or my focusing ability is not where i’d like it to be, this is the addition for my smoothies!
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10. Kimberly Kinrade | July 28, 2009 at 6:32 am

Great ideas! I love my smoothies and have noticed remarkable health improvements. I recently added sea veggies (sea weeds) in a powder blend I get from a local woman in Lake County who harvests and dries it herself. The best of the best. The 7 blend powder I get from her includes Bull Kelp, Fucas, Kombu, Sea Lettuce, Sea Palm, kelp, and many more. She tailors it. She also adds spirulina if desired. I noticed an IMMEDIATE boost to my energy level and reduction of chronic pain when I added this to my smoothies. I’ll be doing a blog on her next month, but if you’d like more info, check out my blog and leave me a note. If not, keep on with the great work. It’s good to support each other. I recently went through a court battle for custody of my little girls against an abusive ex. Those three weeks I skimped on my self care and green drinks. Reading this has motivated me to get back on the wagon. I can feel the difference when I’m not drinking them daily.

(On a side note: I won the temp. custody case and my girls are safe, the Universe is caring for us all 🙂
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11. Traveling Eats…That’s How We Roll « Happy Foody | August 5, 2009 at 9:27 pm

[…] This cooler also works well if you are flying (carry on) and want to have food at your hotel when you arrive. You can also take your Vita-Mix with you when you travel…even though it’s large, it’s so worth it. I wouldn’t be caught without it! (A Magic Bullet or a TriBest work well if you want something smaller). When we are at a hotel, I usually head to Whole Foods or another good grocery store and stock up on greens, etc. (it’s smart to seek out a hotel with a mini fridge, but ice in the sink works too). If you aren’t able to do any of that, bring along some Vitamineral Green. In fact, bring it anyway because it’s good! […]
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