Smoothies are amazing for our insides and outsides!
Our skin is the mirror of what is going on inside of us. If it is healthy and glowing, then oftentimes so is your inside. If you are like me and love having smooth, glowing skin, then using natural skin care products is definitely one way to make that happen, the other is to eat healthy foods.
Making smoothies a part of your daily routine is one of the best things you can do for your health. It’s a great way to meet your daily recommended allowance of fruits and vegetables, and provide your body with much-needed nutrition. Adding in a green smoothie each day will naturally move you towards healthier choices and can have a dramatic positive effect on your health.
The Benefits of Healthy Smoothies
There are a number of health benefits experienced by people who regularly consume healthy smoothies. Smoothies can be crafted to address a specific concern or boost your intake of certain vitamins and minerals. Below is a list of the more commonly reported health benefits.
- Increased energy
- Hormone balance
- Weight loss
- Better sleep
- Improved digestion (decreased constipation, gas, bloating)
- Strengthened immune system-packed with disease-fighting antioxidants
- Meet daily allowance of fruits and vegetables
- Detoxify the body
- Beautify (skin, hair, nails)
- Reduce sugar cravings
- Reduce and eliminate sickness
- Increased overall physical fitness
When was the last time you sat down and enjoyed eating 2 cups of raw kale? Green smoothies make eating cups of kale, or any other leafy greens an absolute breeze. Not only do they taste really good, but they are so good for you. Adding large amounts of leafy greens and other vegetables into your diet will transform your body from the inside out.
Just like anything, these wonderful, healthy side effects won’t happen overnight but make a smoothie a part of your daily routine and you will be amazed by the transformation! A word of warning – if your diet is hugely lacking in nutrients you may feel a slight detoxification effect when adding in green foods. This is your body’s way of clearing out the toxins you have been loading it up with.
Smoothie Ingredients to Boost Your Skin Beauty
AVOCADO is one of my favourite skin-boosting smoothie ingredients. It makes your smoothie extra creamy, and it adds a dose of healthy fat. This helps your skin retain moisture and keeps it super soft. Avocado is also a great source of vitamin E and vitamin C. These are key nutrients that protect against free radical damage, ward off wrinkles, and slow down signs of aging.
CILANTRO isn’t just for your guacamole and salsa! It’s great for blending into green smoothies, too. Cilantro helps the body naturally get rid of heavy metals, free radicals, and other toxins in the skin. It’s high in vitamin C, which plays a role in collagen production (a structural protein that is key to youthful, glowing skin), and may also help ward off dry skin.
CARROTS are packed with antioxidants, making them the perfect anti-aging veggie. They’re most widely known for their high beta-carotene content, which is converted to vitamin A inside the body. Beta-carotene helps repair damaged skin, reduces sun, and gives your skin an all-natural glow. Blend some carrots into your next smoothie to reap these all-natural skin benefits!
COCONUT WATER-When it comes to glowing skin, hydration is key. If you’re dehydrated, your skin gets dry, and flaky, and is more prone to wrinkling. Coconut water is a great way to up your fluid intake and get important nutrients. Coconut water is like nature’s sports drink. Packed with electrolytes (1 cup of coconut water contains more potassium than 4 bananas!), coconut water helps hydrate your body, regenerates your tissue, and flushes out toxins. These are all key to getting your glow on!
BLUEBERRIES-Did you know that blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant contents amongst all fruit? These antioxidants protect your skin against free radical damage. Free radicals are one of the main causes of wrinkles, dull skin, and accelerated aging. Eating an antioxidant-rich diet can help protect your skin from free radical damage.
PINEAPPLES are full of antioxidants that help prevent and repair damage to body tissues, our skin included. Vitamin C is one of the greatest antioxidants we have available, and it’s abundant in pineapple.
FLAX SEEDS & CHIA SEEDS-Getting enough fibre in your diet is incredibly important to your skin’s health. Fibre helps your digestive system stay on track, which keeps things moving in the body. This allows nutrients to be absorbed and toxins to be eliminated, which is essential to getting that healthy glow you’re aiming for. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fibre, along with essential vitamins and minerals that aid in normal digestive tract function and smooth skin. Blend these seeds right into your smoothie or sprinkle some on top. Your digestive system + skin are sure to thank you. Here’s to that youthful glow for years to come!
Skin Loving Green Smoothie
Avocado has a significant portion of healthy fats and vitamin E, while coconut water is like nature’s Gatorade, hydrating and regenerating your tissues. I love the natural sweetness of the pineapple. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help on those days when you spent too much time in the sun. This smoothie will help repair your skin quicker and reduce the symptoms of sunburn and will become your go-to skin booster.
- 1/2 banana
- 1 cup frozen pineapple or mango
- 1/4 ripe avocado (peeled)
- 1 cup coconut water (unsweetened)
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
- Put all your ingredients in a blender and blend for 30-60 seconds or until smooth. If you’d like it thinner, just add a bit more water or to make it thicker, use some almond milk to make it to your desired consistency.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” — Mohandas Gandhi
To your good health and skin!
If you’re looking to change up your skincare products and understand what ingredients you are using on your skin, you may want to try Rain Natural Skincare products.
If you have any questions, send those to hello@raninnaturalskincare.com
~Lorraine
