Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mamas out there!
Today’s featured smoothie is my Green Power Protein Smoothie, which is perfect for anyone, especially new moms! When you find yourself pinched for time or strapped to a Brest Friend (literally), but want to stay as close to your Beauty Detox Food plan as is possible, this is a smoothie that can help you stay on track.
Below, I am going to share some insider tips on how to eat healthy when you don’t have a lot of time!
So what if you’re unable to make your own almond milk? What is the next best thing?
Hemp Milk…
Hemp milk is made from the seeds of the hemp plant and is a fantastic plant-based milk to rotate in. I’ve been gravitating towards hemp milk since I’ve been breastfeeding, which is more fatty and rich than almond milk. Good fats are really important when you are breastfeeding. Hemp contains a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins and minerals such as zinc.
It’s creamy and delicious and tastes sort of “nutty.” Hemp milk is also easy for the body to digest (which is critical for us Beauties), and does not cause any of the health problems associated with other milk choices.
One brand you can check out is Living Harvest, Tempt, Unsweetened, without any added sugars or carrageenan.
An Easy Way to Up Your Protein…
When you need to pack in more protein, especially when you’re nursing a Lil Bub like myself, you need all the help you can get! ;) Getting in more protein while breastfeeding is a must. Thankfully, with this smoothie, it’s really easy to increase your consumption.
Personally, I love using the Garden of Life organic plant-based protein powders. Raw Protein is loaded with 17 grams of muscle-building, organic plant protein, which are easy for your body to digest and assimilate and use.
Bonus– it’s certified USDA organic, non-GMO project verified, certified vegan and gluten-free.
Don’t forget, this amazing protein is great for smoothies like my Green Power Protein because it adds to the smoothness, making it creamy and perfect for those of us incorporating the Beauty Detox Foods into our daily diets while leading a busy life.
What is Maca…?
Maca is an herbaceous plant native to the high Andean Mountains of Bolivia and Peru and is considered the superfood of the Andes.
What’s amazing about this plant is how it can thrive at such a high altitude. It has adaptogenic-like qualities that enable it to nourish and balance the body’s delicate endocrine system, and to help cope with stress. I love using Navitas Maca Powder since it helps in balancing hormones, which is critical after having given birth recently.
Maca Powder is loaded with nutritious vitamins, minerals, amino acids and plant sterols, including vitamins B1, B2, B, C, D, E, iron, potassium, and so much more. It also energizes you naturally, without feeling all jittery like other caffeine options.
NOTE: I was ingesting maca previously and personally feel comfortable consuming it. However, it hasn’t been proven safe or effective for use in breastfeeding women, so if are nursing, you should talk to your doctor before using maca.
Besides All Of That…
You have the potassium and increase levels of serotonin in the brain (giving you a mood lift), from the banana.
Next, the protein, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants and vitamins from the chia seeds.
And finally, a long list of health benefits received from the spinach, aiding with issues such as- inflammatory problems, oxidative stress-related problems, and cancers. It’s a power Beauty Food, loaded with minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins! So great.
So all-in-all, this is no smoothie to mess around with! It’s packed with power and beautifying nutrients and is good for everyone (and especially all of us Mamas!).
So what are you waiting for…let’s get blending!
- 1 cup organic hemp milk
- 1 serving plant-based protein powder (I like the Gardens of Life Brand- check the label for the serving size)
- ½ ripe banana
- ½ teaspoon of maca powder (if you are new to maca start with a tiny amount, and always check with your doctor first)
- 1 tablespoon chia seed gel (Chia seeds soaked in water in a 1:9 ratio)
- 1 cup spinach (or more!)
- Blend all ingredients on high until smooth.
- Enjoy!
Kimberly
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Honestly, I’m just not organized enough to soak my chia seeds. Is it ok to add them to smoothies unsoaked?
Hi Mary and thanks for checking out my Green Power Smoothie…Because chia seeds expand up to 15 times their size, they do soak up a lot of water which will cause dehydration. For this reason I always suggest soaking them before adding to any smoothie. Sending lots of love! ;)
Can I have this smoothie if I have Candida?
Hi Abby…if you are at the beginning stages of combating candida, I would take a look at a blog I wrote up on how to reduce yeast infections: http://bit.ly/2apFfK1. My Green Power Protein Smoothie barely has any natural sugars (from fruit), and would be okay for an afternoon snack. Generally you would want to steer clear of any foods that would escalate the problem, until you have better control over it. Take a look at my blog when you get a chance, and let me know if any of the tips help you out. Sending lots of love! ;)
Is there anything I can substitute for the banana? I have tried numerous times to like the flavor of bananas but just don’t. Would an avocado work or something else?
Hi Amy! You could substitute banana with a frozen acai packet or avocado to maintain the smoothie’s creamy consistency. Or you could omit the banana altogether! Happy blending, Beauty. xx