You may have heard of moringa. It’s gaining popularity as a new “superfood” green, and it’s a pretty awesome plant. Moringa combined with chia seeds, which are high in essential fats, minerals and protein, are a super charged health combo in my Green Chia & Moringa Smoothie Bowl Recipe.
Yes, it’s time for another bowl recipe!! Let’s see how…
Beauty Protein: Chia Seeds
Remember that protein is found in a wide variety of foods- and both plant foods and animal foods contain it! Incorporating more plant protein to replace animal protein (though of course it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, especially when you are starting out!) is such a great way to boost your overall well-being.
Plant foods will not only supply you with protein, but tons of micronutrients, and fiber, which improves gut health, while animal protein has been shown to cause unfavorable changes in gut microbiota.
Animal protein contains no fiber, which is key in helping to keep your digestive tract healthy, clean, and functioning at its best. Nor does it supply any of the Omega 3s, antioxidants, or other vast range of thousands of micro-nutrients you can get from a plant-based diet.
When you ingest animal protein, you are placing added stress on your body (especially on the detoxifying organs of your kidneys and liver), and forcing its pH levels into a more acidic range. This is not what we’re striving for here in the Beauty Detox Solution.
Put less stress on your body by giving it the boost it deserves!
Rather, in the plant world, vegetables, grains, nuts, legumes, and seeds all contain significant levels of high quality, clean burning proteins.
Chia seeds are an example of a great plant food supplying complete protein (particularly from an athletic performance point of view). These miracle seeds also offer antioxidants, vitamins, and a variety of minerals, like calcium. Chia also supplies a rich plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids.
As you can see, chia seeds are one of the best foods out there, and I eat them almost daily. One of my staple recipes is my Chia Seed Delight Recipe. There’s nothing easier than making a quick batch of chia gel to add to your afternoon smoothies and bowls.
I also love adding chia seeds to my Power Protein Smoothie for a long-burning, energizing and refreshing treat after a workout.
Beauty Superfood: Moringa
I recently tried to grow a moringa tree in my hard, but she didn’t make it :(. But it’s okay, as we can get powdered moringa at the health market, and add it into smoothies such as this one.
Moringa is loaded with health and beauty supporting vitamins, minerals, and enzymes—making it a true superfood in every sense of the word.
It is a super unusual “vegetable tree”, being incredibly nutritious and highly valued for its medicinal properties and every part of it can be eaten. I love adding fresh moringa leafs (or baby spinach, when I can’t find moringa), into stir-fry’s, like my Moringa Stir-fry recipe!
When ground into powder, Moringa can be used as a natural health and beauty promoting multivitamin. The powder can even be taken in capsule form, sprinkled into soups and sauces, and steeped in hot water as a soothing tea (I would add a sweetener of some kind though!). You’ll be fueling your body with tons of nutritional, alkalizing and purifying benefits.
Here are just a few health benefits that should get you motivated in using this superfood on a regular basis:
A single serving of moringa contains about 3 times the iron in spinach, helping you enrich your blood, carrying life, energy and oxygen into your muscles, organs and tissues. No need for those sugary, high caffeine “energy” drinks when moringa can support your overall health and vitality, including glowing skin!
Moringa is also rich in antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids which reduces inflammation—contributing to healthy cell production and regeneration. These help your skin retain its suppleness, helping to keep your skin fresh and youthful looking, while boosting your immune system.
These Omega 3 fatty acids are so integral to our health and beauty and something our bodies must get from the foods we eat. Check out some of the ways these fatty acids can assist your body:
- Reduce and regulate inflammation
- Keeps blood from excessive clotting
- Reduce cytokines (which are involved in inflammatory processes)
- Improve insulin response
- Promote healthy cell membranes
- Regulate prostaglandin production [1]
Adding this plant in for vitality is well worth it. You can find powdered moringa at your local health market or on Amazon. Just try to find a brand that you can trust that is raw, organic, non-GMO, vegan and gluten-free.
How about we get started on recharging our afternoon with this yummy smoothie bowl recipe and be sure to tag me on social with your creations!
Prepare ingredients.
Add the unsweetened plain coconut yogurt to the blender.
Add the unsweetened coconut milk.
Next, add the moringa powder, being careful how much you add (too much and you will have a bitter smoothie bowl!).
Add the banana.
Add the stevia to taste (you’ll want to balance the bitterness with this sweet!). Blend ingredients until fully combined.
Pour into bowl. Stir in the prepared chia seed gel.
If desired, add dollops of coconut yogurt, bananas, bee pollen and mint to decorate. Enjoy!
See full recipe below…
Green Chia & Moringa Smoothie Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened plain coconut yogurt plus additional for design if desired
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
- <yoastmark class="yoast-text-mark" data-mce-bogus="1">1 teaspoon moringa powder be careful how much you add, too much and you will have a bitter smoothie bowl!</yoastmark>
- <yoastmark class="yoast-text-mark" data-mce-bogus="1">1 frozen banana</yoastmark>
- <yoastmark class="yoast-text-mark" data-mce-bogus="1">1 tablespoon chia seed gel 1/3 cup of chia seeds soaked in a bowl with 2 cups of water for at least an hour.</yoastmark> You can soak enough for 3-4 days at a time.
- Stevia to taste
- Optional: spinach or other greens to make more green in color coconut yogurt, bananas, mint, bee pollen
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to your blender, except the chia seed gel, and blend until smooth. Add additional greens if desired.
- Stir in the chia seed gel.
- Pour, serve and enjoy! If desired add dollops of coconut yogurt, bananas, bee pollen and mint to decorate
Let me know what your favorite smoothie bowl creation is, and don’t forget to add this recipe to your Pinterest Smoothie board!
All love,
Kimberly
[1] Prostaglandins and Inflammation
Do your best to get some outdoor nature time in whenever possible, especially on the weekends! Spending time in nature a vital part of us reaching our optimal wellness :). xo
Sounds yummy! I always wonder when the best time is to eat something like this. For an afternoon snack? Or could it be enough for a lunch?
Thank you darling Kimberly
Love all these recipe suggestions off
to my local health shop
Have a fantastic day
Love Sev ????????????????
Hi Sev! Thanks for stopping by! Please let me know how the recipes turn out for you :) Sending you lots of love xx