The best gift to give your body each day is something to eat! Very simple advice, but as my life gets crazy busy, I find myself running out the door and not following my own advice! So my commitment to myself is to start the day off right by putting something nourishing into my stomach. My favourite smoothie has always been the Detox Smoothie that I made with a friend on Health Wellness & Lifestyle TV a few years ago. With a few modifications, it's not only delicious but loaded full of goodness. Here's what's in the drink and why it's so good for you:

 

Ginger - You're going to hear me speak a lot about Ginger this month. I love it. Not just for the taste, but all of its healthy goodness. Studies have suggested that consuming ginger can enhance calorie burn and reduce feelings of hunger and that it's associated with weight loss in adults. It's also been linked to positive changes in cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammatory proteins and liver health. It reduces inflammation and strengthens your immunity. Add ginger to your dishes for a healthy boost.

 

Parsley or Cilantro - Parsley is very low in calories and contains many essential nutrients, such as Vitamins A, B, C and K along with iron and potassium. It is rich in chlorophyll, which improves detoxification and supports weight loss. The enzymes in parsley break down food and release nutrients from the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates you consume, thereby improving digestion and playing an essential role for slimming your body. Parsley helps to reduce water retention and bloating. It is a natural diuretic, which helps to eliminate excess fluid without exhausting the body of potassium. Parsley also aids in balancing blood sugar levels, which may help protect against diabetes as well as assist long-term weight management. The carotenoids in parsley, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, have been linked to a reduction in cancer risk and better eye health. Who knew that parsley was so amazing! The next time you see it on your plate at a restaurant, EAT IT!

 

Lemon Juice - Considered as one of the most popular fruits for shedding pounds, lemons are packed with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and folate. Did you know that studies have shown that drinking lemon water (warm water with juice from half a lemon) may boost metabolism and keep you hydrated? Lemon water is very low in calories; it can also help promote satiety and fullness, which may reduce calorie intake and contribute to weight loss.

 

Honey & Bee Polen - Bee pollen is one of the richest and purest natural foods known to man. It’s a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals and proteins, supplying us with almost every essential nutrient necessary for good health. I have been using it in my smoothies for years.

 

Some of the reasons it works for weight loss include:

1. It stimulates your metabolism which in turn speeds up the burning of calories.

2. It corrects chemical imbalances that are usually involved in weight gain. This then regulates and stabilizes your appetite, at the same time is a natural energizer, so you feel good while losing weight.

3. It is a low-calorie, but tasty and easy to eat food.

4. It is rich in lecithin which helps with fat digestion and metabolism. This is also a reason why bee pollen lowers LDL and increases helpful HDL cholesterol.

5. Because pollen is so nutritionally complete and balanced, it helps reduce food cravings. Its natural phenylalanine (an essential amino acid) content acts as an appetite suppressant.

6. It has high protein content which helps to achieve satiety and lessens overeating.

7. Bee pollen is more valuable than both honey and royal jelly. It has a similar but has a more stable composition than that of royal jelly.

 

Honey is a good source of antioxidants, has antibacterial and antifungal properties and helps with digestive issues.

 

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Cucumber - Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in your brain health. They also contain polyphenols called lignans, which have been known to help lower your risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Cucumbers are low in calories and high in fibre, which makes them useful for both weight loss and digestive health. So include cucumbers where you can - they're guilt free!

 

Cucumbers are composed of about 96% water, which may increase hydration and help you meet your daily fluid needs.

 

Apples - You've heard the saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away..... Well, there is some truth in all of this. Recent studies suggest that the high fibre in apples may be a weight-loss secret weapon. One analysis of studies following more than 133,000 people for 24 years looked at the weight loss of those who ate more high-fibre, low-glycemic fruits like apples and pears compared to people who ate more higher glycemic fruits like pineapple and mangos. Results showed that after adjusting for exercise and other lifestyle factors, the researchers found that the apple eaters lost weight, while the mango and pineapple group actually put on pounds.

 

Not only does fibre fill you up, it also feeds the good bacteria in your gut, for overall healthy gut performance. Some studies show a correlation between obesity and poor gut health.

 

So there are all of the reasons why the ingredients that form this tasty drink are perfect for weight loss and your overall health. Consume this drink in place of a meal and know that you're doing your body good! You can add other ingredients for additional benefits like kale or spinach and if you want to consume healthy fats, go ahead and add a tablespoon of flax oil or coconut oil.

 

Go over to the recipe section of my site for the full recipe: DETOX SMOOTHIE RECIPE

 

Tell me your thoughts on this smoothie. Did you like it? Would you consume it often? What have you added to make this drink your own? Would love to hear from you.