What if we told you we had a secret tip to help you look and feel your best?
What if, you could drastically improve your mood, and feel better in your body, simply by what you eat?
We know what you’re thinking. A happier body, and healthier brain… from a smoothie?
Trust me, we’re just as excited as you are.
As it turns out, one of the biggest components of getting better health both mentally and physically comes from nutrition. If you’ve ever gotten butterflies before a date or a big presentation, you probably know anxiety and emotions can affect the gut.
And if you’ve ever experienced anxiety, brain cloud, irritability, or wanted to stay in bed three days longer than the recommended daily average – that’s your gut signaling you too!
As it turns out, that bloated, foggy, moody, state that some of us tend to punish ourselves for with more rigorous diet and exercise - has a pretty simple explanation, and a super yummy solution.
Here’s how it works:
When inflammation and oxidative stress* reside in the body, it is common to feel run-down, easily overwhelmed, or notice we look and feel bit puffier.
This can be a result of the hormone messengers between our brain and our gut become out of balance – since inflammation transfers information to our nervous system, typically through the stimulation of major nerves such as those which link the gut and brain (the vagus nerve).
*(Oxidative Stress according to Medical News Today is an imbalance in free radical cells and antioxidants in the body. It is a natural occurrence that plays a role in the aging process, however it can be thrown out of whack by certain and lead to cell and tissue damage.)
The Inflammation Checklist:
There’s a lot of different things that can cause inflammation, but some of the main contributors are:
- Sugar: Particularly in the form of fructose and sucrose can spike insulin and trigger the release of inflammatory cytokines.
- Chemicals: Pesticides, environmental pollution, cosmetic additives and more can have a big affect on your energy production on a cellular level.
- Pathogens: The guys we mentioned above + gluten, grains, and genetically modified foods can create changes in our intestinal flora and result in the growth of pathogenic bacteria yeast, and fungus which keep our immune systems in a state of panic.
- Stress: In earlier human models, stress was necessary to the release cortisol in order to mobilize blood sugar (so we could run from a saber tooth tiger chasing after us).Unfortunately, as modern human this stress monitor doesn’t always know when we are in actual danger and can be triggered by all kinds of inputs (work, social media, even a supercharged workout!). Whether it is psychological, physiological, that release of cortisol can cause inflammation and suppress the immune system, as well as the immune function of your gut.
Studies show that once inflammation is introduced to the system it is highly self-perpetuating, which can mean a snowball of lethargy, anxiety, depression, and a bunch of other symptoms that can make us feel pretty out of control of our regular routines.
How To Get Off The Angry, Bloated Hamster Wheel
So what does all this mean, and how do we fix it?
Well, studies show that once inflammation is introduced to the system it is highly self-perpetuating, which can mean a snowball of lethargy, anxiety, depression, and a bunch of other symptoms that can make us feel pretty out of control of our regular routines.
The good news is, there’s a quick and easy ways to get your body the nutrients it needs to help restore balance in your body + reduce the symptoms of inflammation. Smoothies can be packed with the essential fats, proteins, and vitamins to jump start your energy + metabolism without overloading your body with the process of having to break down solid foods.
Blend Your Way To Happiness
Here are some of our favorites recipes, simply throw the ingredients in a blender + let ‘er rip.
Half a cup of frozen organic berries
8 oz fermented coconut water, coconut water, or filtered water
3 tbs of collagen hydrolysate as a protein base
One tablespoon of sprouted nut butter or sunbather
3 pastured egg yolks
One tablespoon of coconut oil
1-2 tablespoons of ghee
1-2 tablespoons of raw cacao
Blend!
3 tablespoons hemp protein powder
2 inch piece of ginger (peeled if not organic)
2 cups of leafy greens (kale, collards, romaine, spinach, chard, etc_
1 cup of celery
1 cup of frozen mixed berries of your choice
1/2 cup filtered water
Blend!
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup frozen wild blueberries
1–2 handfuls frozen or fresh spinach, kale or cauliflower (frozen only)
1 tbsp. chia seeds
1/4 avocado
1 inch fresh ginger root
1/4 tsp. turmeric (dried)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 serving protien powder (I use MoonJuice or Garden of Life Organic Plant Protien)
3 Medjool dates, stones removed
1 handful of washed spinach
1 1/2 tsp. of ground tigernuts (if you don’t have these you can order online, or sub Brazil nuts, walnuts, macademia, or almonds)
1/4 of a cucumber
1/2 of a small avocado
1-2 tsp. of hemp protein powder
1 1/2 tsp. Maca powder
2 tsp. of cashew butter
1 1/2 cup of rice milk or any nut milk (you can adjust amount for desired consistency)1 1/2 tsp. of chia seeds (soak the chia seeds for at least 10 to 15 min in 5 tbsp. of rice or other nut milk, or pre-soak overnight)
Blend!
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5. Mood Melting Golden Milk Smoothie
1 cup banana* (ripe, sliced, and frozen)
1 cup light coconut milk or almond milk (or store-bought // use full-fat coconut for creamier smoothie)
1/2 tsp ground turmeric (preferred flavor over fresh
1 Tbsp fresh ginger (plus more to taste)
1 Dash ground cinnamon
1 Dash black pepper
1 Dash ground nutmeg
1 Dash ground clove and cardamom (optional // for more warmth + spice)
1/4 cup fresh carrot juice* (optional // for color, added sweetness + balances banana flavor // or sub 1 small carrot!)
Blend!
Bonus: Digestive Detox Smoothie
1-2 cups water or almond milk (or both)
1 cup strawberries (or any berries)
1/2 banana
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tbsp bee pollen
1 tbsp hemp protein or 3 tbsp hemp seeds
1 tbsp chia seeds
Dash vanilla
1/2 – 1 tbsp raw cacao
Ice
Blend!
