6 Healthy Superfood Smoothies

Healthy Smoothie Recipes

6 Fruits and Vegetables Healthy Smoothie Recipes that will give you energy all day long. Tips on how to adopt a whole foods diet with the best smoothie recipes to help you feel your best!

My kids leave for school at all hours in the morning so my goal is to make them something quick and healthy! Smoothies are the ultimate way to jam pack as much nutrition as possible into one drink.

These 6 Superfood Smoothies are the perfect meal and are full of vitamins that will keep them energized and their minds sharp. The key is the smoothies must taste amazing or my kids won’t drink them! I sneak in handfuls of spinach without them even detecting it since it has such a mild flavor yet is such a nutritional powerhouse.

Since smoothies are full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein — the options are endless. We mix it up with lots of variety so the smoothies don’t get boring.  I am posting our fabulous six superfood smoothies which are filled with superfoods that will start your mornings off right.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE HEALTHY JOURNEY:

Here is where I am going to get a little personal. I was a healthy and active girl when I got hit with an autoimmune disease that rocked my world. I visited the doctor and he performed an insane amount of blood tests to figure out what was going on with my body.

I was dealing with the debilitating effects of several autoimmune diseases — rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis diseases, among others.

I didn’t think I would be dealing with arthritis in my 30’s! My weight had even skyrocketed for no apparent reason (which would put any woman in a tailspin).

After many blood tests confirmed I was dealing with several autoimmune issues, I was referred to both a rheumatologist and an endocrinologist to deal with the effects of my immune system going haywire.  

What is an autoimmune disease?

Autoimmune diseases are complex conditions in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, leading to a range of symptoms and health issues.

An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system, which is designed to protect the body from harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders, mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs within the body.

In people with autoimmune diseases, the immune system fails to recognize certain parts of the body as “self” and, instead, mounts an immune response against its own cells and tissues. This can lead to inflammation, tissue damage, and various symptoms and health issues.

The specialists wanted to put me on a host of medications to help with the swelling and inflammation, all with a list of negative side effects. I felt as if I was ALWAYS at the doctor. I didn’t want to just put on a band-aid.

I went home and my husband and I just sobbed together on the couch (which he may not like me admitting publicly since he is not a crier), afraid of what the future might hold.

After a good cry, I felt determined to figure out what the ROOT cause of my health issues was. I started studying like crazy. I began driving around to every library in town, picking up stacks of health books, and researching everything I could about my disease. I became a full-on nerd!

I kept reading over and over about the powerful healing powers of whole foods. After much research, I decided to implement a 30-day healthy food plan.  It included only cold-pressed juices, whole food smoothies, vegetables, fresh fruit, fish, and chicken.  Nothing else.

Being the baker that I am, it just about killed me! Okay, truth be told….in reality, it gave me new life!  I supplemented my diet with a whole host of herbs that help with inflammation and autoimmune disorders.  I filled my refrigerator with the freshest ingredients and spent hours at a time creating smoothies and filling glass jars with them. I drank everything from raw fermented beet juice to cleanse my liver to lemon turmeric drinks to help calm my inflammation.

Here is a photo that was taken in Texas of a week’s worth of healthy whole foods that I ate to try to heal myself and relieve some of my symptoms. It’s amazing what happened after going 30 days eating this way!

After several weeks, my swelling drastically improved and I was able to move around with ease. The best part was going to visit the doctor for another round of blood tests and finding out that the most alarming results were reversed!

I still had a long way to go but this was a start. I still have to treat my Hashimoto’s thyroiditis disease with Synthroid but I have found some natural supplements to help me feel better. I am not a doctor so please don’t take my experience as medical advice but but will share some things that have helped me.

Here are some key benefits of incorporating a whole food diet into your lifestyle when dealing with autoimmune diseases:

1. Reduced Inflammation:

Whole foods are rich in anti-inflammatory properties, such as antioxidants and phytonutrients, which can help reduce inflammation in the body—a common issue in autoimmune conditions.

2. Improved Gut Health:

A healthy gut is essential for managing autoimmune diseases, as it is often linked to the immune system. Whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, provide fiber that supports gut health and aids in digestion.

3. Balanced Nutrient Intake:

Whole foods provide a wide range of essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, which are vital for maintaining a strong immune system and managing the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

4. Weight Management:

A whole food diet, centered around nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods, can aid in weight management, which is crucial for individuals with autoimmune diseases, as excess weight can exacerbate symptoms.

Harnessing the Power of Whole Foods

Fruit smoothies are a delicious and convenient way to incorporate a variety of whole, nutrient-rich foods into your diet. Here’s how fruit smoothies can be particularly beneficial for those with autoimmune diseases:

1. Nutrient Density:

Fruit smoothies allow you to blend a variety of fruits and vegetables into one delicious drink, providing a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support the immune system and overall health.

2. Easy Digestion:

Blending fruits and vegetables breaks down their fibers, making the nutrients easily digestible and absorbable for individuals with sensitive digestive systems, which is often the case with autoimmune diseases.

Consult a Healthcare Professional: If you have specific dietary restrictions or concerns, consult a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized advice and guidance.

Here are some of the healing vitamins, herbs, and supplements that have helped me with my autoimmune diseases:

(click on the links to purchase supplements for a discounted Amazon.com or Vitacost.com price)

Tumeric

— for reducing inflammation

Stress Reduction Herbs —

Rhodiola Ashwagandha Astragalus Siberian Ginseng

helps calm, reduce stress and adrenal support

Vitamin D

immune support and energy

Vitamin B12

natural energy booster

Magnesium

natural relaxer, calms nerves, good for ADHD.

Vitamin C

immune system booster

Selenium

very helpful if you have a thyroid disorder

Probiotics Refrigerated Probiotics

the gateway to gut health. Helps to rebalance gut flora.

Fish Oil

a great source of omega-3’s.

Bone Broth

helps with gut issues

L-Glutamine Berberine Digestive Enzymes Vital Proteins Collagen Unflavored Collagen Protein

— good source of protein and helps the gut lining repair.

There are so many out there dealing with the effects of autoimmune diseases and I would LOVE to hear your story and what has helped you. Please feel free to leave a comment below and share your story. I believe we can all learn from each other.  Knowledge is power and when we take our own health into our hands, we can invoke a healthy change.

I LOVE to read, study, and learn from the experts in the industry. I have found several books that are very helpful and will share my favorites. Click on the link below for more information.

Autoimmune Wellness Handbook The Autoimmune Solution An Epidemic of Absence: A New Way of Understanding Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back

If you would like to know specifically what I did to help mine and what I continue to do to stay off medication (besides my thyroid medication for Hashimoto’s disease since my thyroid no longer functions), you can reach out to me at melissa@modernhoney.com.

You can find me on instagram @modern_honey.

List of Healthy Superfoods:

• Kale – insanely low in calories, powerful anti-oxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, and helpful for arthritis and autoimmune diseases
• Spinach – the beauty of spinach lies in how easy it is to disguise the taste. It’s mild tasting yet packed with vitamins, has anti-cancerous properties, and is one of the healthiest foods on the planet
• Blueberries – have one of the highest antioxidant capacities of all fruits which helps to combat free radicals in your body
• Strawberries –  just one serving provides more vitamin C than an orange while being low in natural sugars
• Greek Yogurt – double the protein and half the carbs as regular yogurt
• Cucumber – since it’s 95% water, it’s an incredible detoxifier and helps with liver and kidney function
• Lemon – is one of the most important items to stock in your kitchen as it’s a highly effective cleansing agent and cuts through the bitterness of greens
• Banana – an essential in smoothies as it adds creaminess, a touch of sweetness, and helps you feel full longer plus, it’s rich in potassium and fiber and gives you natural energy
• Turmeric – anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties
• Ginger – aids in digestion and supports the immune system
• Chia + Flaxseeds – rich is Omega-3 and fiber benefits

After years and years of my mother-in-law telling me that the

Vitamix

is the greatest appliance ever made, I bit the bullet and bought one. I am so grateful because I use it every single day. Plus, it purees the spinach so much that you can’t taste it at all. It’s seriously amazing! You can

buy one here

If you are looking to add fruit and vegetable JUICE recipes to your diet as well, click HERE for my Healthy Juice Cleanse Recipes.

For extra detoxification benefits, a lemon turmeric flush first thing in the morning will do the trick. This isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s super simple.

Lemon Turmeric Flush Drink:

• 2 cups Water
• 1 Lemon, squeezed
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Stevia or 1 Tablespoon Honey or Real Maple Syrup
• Serves 2

Mix together, water, lemon juice, turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper (optional) and cinnamon. Add stevia, honey or maple syrup to taste. The cayenne pepper adds a kick to it so not everyone can handle it.

If you are looking for MORE JUICE CLEANSE RECIPES, CLICK HERE.

If I am suffering from anything – from allergies to autoimmune issues to overeating the night before, this helps to clean out my liver and belly. I woke up this morning with swollen eyes caused by allergies and this drink helped the swelling go down quickly. You can drink it heated up or drink it cold straight out of the refrigerator. We make a large pitcher and keep it in the refrigerator to last a week. We give it a good stir and guzzle it down.

Pin on Pinterest:

I would LOVE to hear from you about how you have benefited from drinking smoothies or juices and how you like these 6 Healthy Superfood Smoothies. Share with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Yummly. Thank you, as always, for your support. xoxo

Happy Blending!

You can also find a recipe for my pitaya dragon fruit smoothie bowl HERE.