Banana Lime Spinach Smoothie

by Celestia

Cleanse, calm, and nourish your bod with this lean, green, smoothie.

Inspired by a recipe from joyfulbelly.com

How did your belly fare after this feastful (yes, that is a new word) holiday? Lighten the load on your digestive system with this smoothie. Bananas, coconut water, and cardamom are great to calm internal inflammation, while the lime and spinach lend to purification of the body. Tired of turkey but need the protein? Add a scoop of protein powder and stay sated for hours. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 Bananaa

1 Cup coconut water

1/4 Lime

Plus juice of 1/4-1/2 Lime

1/4 Tsp. Cardamom

*Optional: 1 Cup raw or steamed spinach

*Optional: 1 Scoop high-quality protein powder

Method:

Put all ingredients into a blender, and blend to smithereens.

Benefits:

Bananas: These nutritional powerhouses contain oodles of potassium and magnesium and are packed with vitamins B6 and C. They promote healthy bones and heart, and are an excellent source of dietary fiber.  See here for more health benefits and nutritional info.

Cardamom: This spice is an excellent source of iron and manganese, making it a rock star for blood and cellular regeneration. It also contains significant amounts of riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and can be used as an anti-spasmodic and digestive aid. Great for the belly AND the heart. See here for more health benefits and nutritional info.

Coconut Water: Coconut water is perfect for replenishing simple sugars, electrolytes, and minerals within the body. It contains cytokinins with significant anti-aging, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-thrombotic properties, and is very soothing to the digestive tract. But there’s so much more! See here for more health benefits and nutritional info.

Lime: Limes are vitamin C powerhouses. Great for immunity, vitamin C can also be helpful for preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. See here for more health benefits and nutritional info.

Spinach: Spinach is a rich source of vitamin K (think blood builder/purifier!), vitamins A, C, B2 and B6, as well as manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium. Popeye apparently knew how to protect himself against inflammatory problems and oxidative stress-related issues, while promoting his cardiovascular and bone health. AND he got the girl! See here for more health benefits and nutritional info.