High Protein Blueberry Coconut Green Smoothie

My favorite green smoothie is a Blueberry Coconut Green Smoothie.

My morning meal has evolved over the years as I have increased my understanding of what types of foods will keep me optimally healthy. The breakfast I currently enjoy is designed to improve the health of our mitochondria, the main power generators of energy in our cells.

Let me explain why I love smoothies and especially these ingredients.  There are many brands of protein powder, coconut oil and coconut milk that are really good. In this photo are the ones I have on hand.

Blending Gets The Nutrients Into Your System Fast

Blending foods before you eat them speeds up digestion, making it so the body doesn’t need to work nearly as hard during the digestive process. By blending the food, you’re breaking down the cell walls that contain the nutrients so they are more readily available to your body. That makes it easy for your body to extract the nutrients quickly and utilize them with maximum efficiency in a way that chewing never could.

Green Vegetables Fill Your Body with Nutrients

Green smoothies are one of the best and quickest ways to reduce inflammation (the root cause of most chronic disease) while hydrating your body, drenching your cells in life-giving nutrients and even repairing your DNA. Green vegetables are alive with enzymes, vitamins, and minerals which alkalize your body, improve the digestive processes and make your system work more efficiently.

I like ROMAINE because it is not goitrogenic which many of the dark leafy greens like kale and other cruciferous vegetables are. Goitrogens are naturally-occurring substances that can interfere with the function of the thyroid gland.  If you have any thyroid problems romaine is a good choice.  Romaine also has low levels of oxalic acid. If you have problems with calcium oxalate kidney stones, romaine lettuce might be a good choice.

Romaine can have a very grassy taste, if you prefer spinach is much milder.

Celery is highly alkaline and helps regulate fluid balance in the cells. It’s well-known diuretic effect comes from its balance of potassium and sodium which helps to flush out excess fluid from the body

Coconut Boosts Your Metabolism

About 95 percent of the energy your body uses is created by your mitochondria that metabolize food through a complex series of electron transport chain that ultimately transfers the energy to ATP (adenosine triphosphate).  ATP transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism.

One method to strengthen your mitochondria is to supply a regular flow of ketones, as they’re a magnificent fuel to up-regulate many mitochondrial processes. This is why I add in coconut, a food rich in fatty acids that are readily converted into ketones. 

Besides being an excellent fuel for your mitochondria, coconut oil is beneficial for your thyroid.

Coconut is made of medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs) that raise your body’s metabolism and fight off pathogens.   Coconut is also easy on your digestive system and does not produce an insulin spike in your bloodstream but it will give you a quick energy boost. It provides brain fuel that can help prevent the brain atrophy associated with dementia.

*NOTE:  Coconut does not work for everyone.  We are all different which is why it is important to listen to your own body.   If you don’t like coconut use 1/2 of an avocado. 

Flaxseeds Help Detox Estrogen

Flaxseeds must be ground before you use them.  Grind them in a spice grinder.  Grind only what you are using since they go rancid very quickly once ground.

Half the fat in flaxseeds comes from beneficial plant-based omega-3s, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Flaxseeds are also the richest dietary source of lignan precursors.

Flax is beneficial for hormonal balance, particularly useful for detoxing estrogen which is found in many plastics and cosmetics. Fiber in the form of lignans binds to estrogen in the digestive tract so that it will be excreted from the body. The lignans may bind to some of your estrogen receptor sites, thereby actually reducing total estrogen activity.

Lignans’ ability to block the effects of estrogen could potentially help reduce the risk of hormone-associated cancers (breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate), and they may help lower your risk of heart disease as well.

Vegan Protein Powder Keeps You Satisfied

Protein powder is a simple way to add more high quality protein into your diet.  There are many good protein powders on the market.  I stick to the plant based ones. Vega Sport is the one I am using right now. It has a smooth, creamy, and thick texture which is great for adding it into smoothies. I like the vanilla. The protein comes from pea protein, chia seed, alfalfa and sprouted brown rice protein.  It has 25 grams of protein per scoop.  Sometimes I only use half a scoop.  It depends on how active I am.

Eating protein instead of sweet carbs in the morning improves blood sugar and helps you feel satisfied. If you eat a protein rich breakfast you will feel less hungry throughout the day and reduce cravings after dinner.

Another protein option is Collagen made from grass fed cows.  Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is a key constituent of all connective tissues.

Hemp protein is a good vegan protein.

Cinnamon Balances Blood Sugar

Studies indicate cinnamon can help control blood sugar by lowering insulin. “Yes it does work,” says Paul Davis, a research nutritionist at the University of California, Davis. He authored a recent meta-analysis published in the Journal of Medicinal Food that concluded that cinnamon lowers fasting blood glucose. It also has a wonderful sweet flavor.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a low glycemic fruit. They have the highest amount of antioxidants of all fruit.  I like them because they are purple and there aren’t many purple foods. Anthocyanins, which give blueberries their vivid color, also are known for their natural ability to neutralize free radicals.

Enjoy the recipe.  Please leave me a comment below.

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