High Energy Green Blueberry Smoothie

This High Energy, Power Packed Green Health Drink (meal in a glass) can be enjoyed in place of a morning cup of coffee or an afternoon pick me up. It’s great for weight loss and helps decrease appetite while providing powerful essential nutrients for your body.

Yerba Mate’ is an antioxidant-rich beverage that prevents heart disease and boosts metabolism. On top of that, the antioxidants in yerba mate’ will help neutralize free radicals from sun damage that could cause skin cancer. Please see the end of this article for the benefits of yerba mate.

Blueberries contain more antioxidants than almost any other food!

Bananas are an excellent source of vitamin B6 to promote a healthy immune system

Greens have so many health benefits and nutrients as well as support and protect your skin from disease and outside damage.

Brazil Nuts: Brazil nuts are an excellent source of the trace mineral selenium, which is essential for beautiful skin. The majority of us don’t get nearly enough selenium in our diets. But a single Brazil nut will pack a powerful punch with a hefty dose of selenium to neutralize outside free-radical damage that can cause fine lines and wrinkles. Make it your beauty goal to eat one Brazil nut a day for youthful skin.

Flax and Chia seeds both provide fiber and omega 3, along with other nutrients and health benefits.

Coconut oil and flakes provide so many beneficial nutrients the body needs. Many books have been written on the benefits. For this recipe, they are added to provide healthy fats that boost your metabolism while giving you long lasting energy.

Ingredients:

1 ¼ Cup filtered water, room temp.
1 Tbs. yerba mate’; loose tea or tea bags to equal 1 Tbs. (you could also substitute with green tea)
2 Tbs. coconut flakes
1 Cup blueberries
1 banana
1 Tbs. extra virgin coconut oil
1 Tbs. flax seeds or chia seeds
1-2 Brazil nuts (optional  for added selenium)
A handful of greens (I use baby spring greens)
Splash of vanilla (optional)
Instructions:

1. Place the loose herb (or tea bags) in the water and leave for an hour or up to 4 hours to infuse into a tea.
2. Strain the liquid tea and put in a blender with coconut flakes, blend well. (You are making infused coconut milk here).
3. Next, add the rest of the ingredients and blend very well. ~Ejoy~

The profile of Yerba Mate’ is taken from my upcoming book on super foods – A Closer Look At Super Foods; How To Make Your Own Supplements At Home. (Will be available in July 2013)

Yerba Mate 

Originally grown in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, this herb has been consumed throughout the centuries as a daily health drink. But only recently has been scientifically studied in the last 2 decades. The Pasteur Institute in Paris did a thorough study and concluded that it is difficult to find a plant in any area of the word that has equal nutritional value, and yerba mate contains practically all vitamins necessary to sustain life.

The Druze people of Lebanon have also enjoyed this health drink for centuries; it is common to enter a Druze home and share this social drink out of the same gourd (a special “cup” made from a gourd of the squash family) and bombija (bombilla in Spanish, a specially made wooden or steel straw that filters the loose herb while drinking), while disinfecting it with a rind of lemon.

Mate can be compared to green tea in taste with a slight bitterness, but with more nutrients, health benefits and higher in anti oxidants. 

Nutrients Contained:

• Vitamins A,C,E, B Complex, K
• Calcium
• Manganese
• Iron
• Selenium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Zinc
• Carotene
• Fatty Acids
• Chlorophyll
• Flavonols
• Polyphenols
• Inositol
• Trace minerals
• Antioxidants
• Tannis
• Pantothenic acid
• 15 amino acids

Benefits:

• Increases oxygen to the heart and lungs
• Flushes kidneys
• Contains a 3^rd of the caffeine in coffee
• Increases focus and clarity
• Detoxifies
• Immune system
• Anti oxidants
• Decrease blood pressure
• Aids elimination
• Bad breath
• Helps in weight loss
• Decrease appetite
• Boosts energy

How to take it/ Dosage:

Very important when steeping mate, first cover it with room temperature water for a few minutes, then strain and pour hot water over it to steep again. This will reduce the absorption of any carcinogenic compounds of the plant.

Taken as extract or loose tea (do not use tea bags, the quality and benefits are lessened along with the health concerns of tea bags; bleach, chemicals, metal staple, and so on.)

 Extract:

Use as directed on bottle

Tea (loose herb):

2 Cups a day is a normal dose, as with any herb or supplement, take a break of 1 or 2 days off of the week or a week off the month. Always start with a lower dose and work your way up. 

Directions; place 1 tsp- 1 Tbs. of loose herb in a cup, cover with room temperature water for a few minutes (3-5) then strain, then pour hot water over the loose herb to steep for 5-20 minutes depending on how strong of a brew you desire.

Alternately; you can also cold brew your tea by steeping the loose herb in room temperature water overnight, no need to discard the first strain, just strain and gently heat if desired.

You can enjoy as a tea or make the brew a base for a health drink or smoothie.

1 Cup after a small meal 2 times a day 1-in the morning and 2- in the afternoon will balance energy. How much herb used will depend on the strength you desire.

 Side Effects:

Quality plays a big role, organic and/or fair trade is best. Always steep with room temperature water for a few minutes then strain to reduce absorption of possible carcinogenic compounds found in the plant.

Contains caffeine; may cause:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Headache
• Always start with a lower dose and work your way up.
• Due to caffeine content; Avoid if you have high blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Anxiety

Use caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to the caffeine, may cause colic in babies.

 

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