Shakes and smoothies can be a great way to load your body up with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.  I tend to make a batch of smoothies and have one for breakfast for the week.  The below recipe makes 6-8 cups and will last the whole week.

I prefer to make my own at home rather than order them somewhere, mostly to save money, but also because you never really know what is in them.  My recipe changes week to week depending on what I have in the house, but I always include both fruits and veggies.  It’s also a good way to get your kids to eat veggies, since all they see is juice.  This one is my favorite.  I hope you enjoy.

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. In a high powered blender or Vitamix, add the kale, spinach, broccoli, ginger, carrot, lemon juice, blueberries, mango, and strawberries. Add three cups of water and blend on high until the mixture is smooth. Add more water to create the consistency you like.

2. If you’d like a bit more sweetness, add maple syrup.

3. Another optional addition is protein powder, if you so desire.

(Makes 6 – 8 cups)

Kale and spinach are a good sources of vitamin A,vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, vitamin E, folate, manganese, riboflavin, iron, fiber, calcium, and potassium.  Broccoli provides excellent vitamin C and vitamin K, as well as several B vitamins.  Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene antioxidants.  Ginger is an anti-inflammatory and contains antioxidant compounds such as gingerols, beta-carotene, capsaicin, caffeic acid, curcumin and salicylate.  Lemons are rich in vitamin C and potassium.  Blueberries are considered a superfood that have proven to benefit the cardiovascular system and help regulate blood sugar as well has contain cancer fighting nutrients.  Mangoes provide vitamin C and alkalizes the body with its richness in tartaric acid and magic acid.  Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese and are a very good source of dietary fiber, iodine, folate, copper, potassium, biotin, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B6 and omega-3 fatty acids.  Overall, this smoothie is a great way to start your day and your body will thank you!

You can add protein powder, I typically do.  My favorite is NutriBiotic Raw Organic Rice Protein Vanilla.  I like the subtle vanilla flavor, but I love the fact that it doesn’t leave my shake tasting chalky, like many can.  NutriBiotic also makes a pea protein powder that I have yet to try.

Did you make this recipe?  Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture using #gingerveganista on Instagram and tag @TheGingerVeganista or Twitter and tag @GingerVeganista or Facebook and tag The Ginger Veganista.  Can’t wait to hear from you!