Aloe Vera Smoothie

I originally had an aloe vera smoothie video here that demonstrated a recipe using (wild?) aloe vera and suggesting that a leaf of potted aloe vera, peeled, could be used instead.  The recipe in the video used citrus fruit (orange, lemon, lime), berries (goji) and mango, but there are quite a few variations that you can follow. 

 Today I am using 1 C. frozen blueberries, an apple (minus the core), and the aloe vera with about 4 cups of water in my Vitamix.  The benefits are listed below-- I'm using it for some breathing issues that I have for which a small study has shown some possible benefits (asthma) but it is a general all-round healthful green.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA

*immune regulator: helps to restore the body to balance after illness
*soothes and heals eczema and burns
*healing to ulcers in the digestive tract
*contains protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, B12 and E, essential fatty acids and is naturally rich in Vitamin C, amino acids, enzymes, germanium (a mineral that may help with cardiac disorders)
*is laxative and an excellent cleanse. However, if you experience any cramping or diarrhea, stop use.

*Contraindications: Do not use aloe vera if you are taking the following medications: oral corticosteroids, such as beclomethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone-- this misuse of aloe vera may lead to developing a potassium deficiency and experiencing of other toxic effects from the medication.  Please check with a pharmacist or your doctor re your own medications not listed above.

Smoothie of the Week: Apple-Almond-Blackberry Green Smoothie

Here is another delicious Blackberry Smoothie-- using apple, almond milk and of course, blackberries.

Now, it is possible that the combining of the almond milk and the fruit might pose a bit of a digestion problem for some-- if so, just take a full-spectrum enzyme before, during or after the smoothie... enzymes help with digestion.

Combine the following in your Vitamix (or other) blender carafe:
*Frozen Blackberries
*Tender Greens (Kale, Baby Spinach, Romaine, etc.)
*2-3 Apples (cored, all seeds removed, skin on)
*1-2 C. Fresh Almond Milk (10 soaked almonds per Cup of Water spun up in Vitamix)
*1 tsp. Cinnamon
Whirl up until fully creamy smooth.  Add more water or almond milk if it is too thick.  Mmmm.

Smoothie of the Week: Sweet Beet Smoothie

I've been dehydrating beets this week... tediously slicing and then when they are dry, grinding up the chips in a wee coffee grinder (don't get me wrong, I like doing everything the hard way lol). So now I have a fair amount of 'beet powder'. I know about the idea for instant borsch, and it's a good one, but I also thought of what I could do to augment smoothies with beet powder. Here is the delicious result of that pondering:

Combine the following in your Vitamix carafe:

• 2 T. Organic "Raw" Beet Powder (dehydrated beets at less than 115 degrees) OR 2 C. cooked beets
• 4 C. filtered Water
• 1 Banana
• 2 Lg. Handfuls of Kale leaves
• 1 Braeburn Apple, cored
• 1-2 T. "raw" Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Blend until smooth and yummy!  The beet fibre will stimulate your body's production of glutathione-S-transferase, an enzyme that speeds the liver's removal of fat-trapping toxins.  

The phytonutrient betaine in beets will soothe chronic inflammation and will also suppress the output of the belly fat-storing stress hormone, cortisol.  

The apple cider vinegar's acetic acid switches on genes that are key to creating fatty acid oxidation enzymes.  These enzymes block the storage of incoming dietary fat and break down and eliminate almost 10% of existing stored body fat.  You might want to try the "Apple Cider Vinegar" diet as a result of having enjoyed this delicious smoothie... go here to read more.

SMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSSMSMSMSM

This smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions. If you found anything useful, intriguing, or have questions, I appreciate your feedback... please use the comment box below. ~Cynthia