Great juices and smoothies to start your day

This month I got inspired by the juice trend so I decided to embrace it and make 2 healthy juices packed with nutrients & vitamins and a smoothie (I am a big fan of smoothies).

You will of course need a juicer for the recipes below (apart from the smoothie where you will need a blender.

 Also, try to only use organic ingredients. Organic fruits and vegetables are better for us as they contain no harmful chemicals.

It's very important to use filtered water. In order to get the health benefits of water, it is essential to draw from a clean source of water. Bottled water is not an ongoing option (but is fine now and again). I would recommend the Santevia Water Filter System which we use in our household.

As for the quantities in each recipe, they vary – if you love apples, why not add more? A fan of spinach – add another handful! These are the ones we tried and loved but there are so many combinations to try and enjoy.

The juices below should not replace a meal in my opinion as they lack protein, fibre and fat but they will certainly pep up your day and are an easy way to increase the amount of greens and veggies you consume daily.

Morning Boost Juice 

(makes 1 large serving or 2 medium)

This is something sweet and zingy to kick start your day. You can also make this the day before and grab it the following morning on your way out.

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber
• 2 large handful of spinach (or kale)
• 2-3 celery sticks½ orange, peeled
• 2 apples
• 2 carrots½ cup of purified water

Directions

1. Wash the veggies and add them in the order they appear on the list.

Afternoon Pick Me Up Boost 

(makes 1 large serving or 2 medium)

This was a favourite in the office, it’s sweet and the ginger definitively gives it a kick. If you are not a big fan of ginger I would omit it.

Ingredients

• ½ large or 1 small raw beetroot, peeled
• 1 apple
• 1-2cm fresh ginger
• 2-3 carrots
• 2 celery sticks
• ½ cup of purified water
• Squeeze of orange or grapefruit juice (optional) – to be added at the end, once the juice is in the glass/bottle

Directions 

1. Wash the fruit & veggies and add them in the order they appear on the list.

Glowing Skin Boost 

(1 large serving)

With avocado, spinach and strawberries this smoothie is not only tasty but holds benefits for your skin too.

Ingredients

• ½ avocado
• Large handful of spinach
• 4-5 strawberries
• 1 kiwi fruit
• Large tablespoon of chia seeds
• Tablespoon of Organic Coconut Oil
• 1 teaspoon of Organic Matcha Green Tea (optional)
• 1-2 cups of water

Directions

1.  Add this to your blender and mix until smooth.