We all know that green juices and smoothies are great for our internal and external health (digestion, metabolism, immune system, glowing skin, cell replenishment, bone strength, muscle rehabilitation... the list goes on), but instead of spending a packet on pre-packaged juices, why not tailor your green drinks to your body?



Fuel
I'm not a morning person (don't even try talking to me before my morning cuppa) and so to lift my sluggishness I like to opt for a little pick-me-up. This usually takes the form of a more fruit-based smoothie with a few added greens and super boosters.

Banana - remember the days your mum would send you off to your GCSE exams with a banana and a handful of nuts? There's a good reason for that. Bananas are infamous for giving you an energy boost and are chock-a-bloc with potassium which helps muscle function and prevents cramps so are great for having before a morning workout.

Peanut butter - as for the 'handful of nuts', not only do they give you a boost of energy (which is why so many fruit and nut cereal bars are sold as midday office snacks), they're also full of essential fatty acids and protein. Adding peanut butter into your smoothie (making sure it's pure minced nuts with no added sugars, salts, or preservatives) will give your smoothie a great taste and all of the benefits of a handful of nuts. Your mum would be proud.

Glow
The warm weather is here and we all want to look our best with minimal effort so we can get out into the sun. To get the glow into our skin without applying lotions and potions to our skin every day is easy as long as you know the right ingredients to add.

Carrot - carrots are high in vitamin A which is great for evening skin tone and reducing signs of ageing. Intaking enough will also start to give you the effect of tanning... honestly! We absorb the pigmentation in carrots and eating them often enough (and raw) can show in our skin and give a nice golden brown (not orange) glow.

Lemon - not only does lemon add a zingy taste to any smoothie (it actually improves the taste of every smoothie I've made), it's also great for your skin. It's full of vitamin C, which works wonders especially if you suffer from breakouts. It's also a good way to add vitality to dull or tired skin.

Boost
Along with fruits and veggies, I like to add a little boost to each smoothie to give an extra kick of health. Chia seeds are one of my favourites. They are packed with omega-3 so are great for your skin and brain and can help with weight loss or maintenance. They're also full of calcium, protein, manganese, phosphorus, tryptophan, and fibre. I know. Amazing. I also like adding a teaspoon of  wheatgrass powder which is packed full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and antioxidants. Along with many other benefits, it purifies your blood and eliminates toxins (helping reduce skin problems like acne), turns body fat into energy to help you keep slim, and recharges dying cells to keep you looking young.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to smoothies and nutrition for health and beauty. I post pictures and recipes on my Instagram  here so if you're interested in more just give me a follow. Also, if you want help or advice on what ingredients would be best for your skin, don't hesitate to leave me a comment.

What are some of your favourite smoothie ingredients?