I enjoy playing in the kitchen. For me play time is experimentation time and it’s interesting to see the flavour combinations that work well. Today I have a cold coming on. Oh noooooooooooo!!!!! My head feels fuzzy, not great for concentrating on writing, my throat is a little sore on one side, one side of my nose has also decided to get in on the action and I fear that this will only get worse thanks to my lowered immunity brought on by lack of sleep (we can thank Mr Squishy for that).
Thankfully I am a medical herbalist so what do I do, duh use my few functioning brain cells and combine some natural ingredients to make something that will assist my body to combat the invading virus.
The recipe:
Serves 2
30g spinach
20g kale
0.5tsp freshly grated ginger
0.5tsp Manuka honey
1 banana
160g watermelon
Method
Wash the spinach and kale and pop them into a blender. Add the ginger, honey, watermelon and banana and blitz. Once smooth pour and serve. If you are saving one glass for later or the following day cover with cling film and refrigerate. This doesn’t produce enough for two full glasses but you can alway add a little more watermelon and kale to bulk it up.
The Science Part
Spinach contains few calories yet is packed full of vitamins and minerals. Most importantly it contains zinc that that can prevent the virus multiplying and attaching to the mucus membranes of the nose and throat. Having a small amount of zinc in your diet is great as it can help you get over colds faster. (Avoid using this if you have a histamine intolerance.)
Kale is full of antioxidants that help to fight off infections this is also full of a range of vitamins and minerals that have a positive effect all over the body.
Ginger has antiviral and antioxidant and antiseptic properties. It can help reduce inflammation and is a natural antihistamine and decongestant.
Manuka honey has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Manuka’s antiviral properties make it very effective in treating cold and flu symptoms.
Banana has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties thanks to its high concentration of rutin. Bananas are also high in fibre which is great to improve waste and toxin elimination.
Watermelon is rich in vitamin C as well as other antioxidants, watermelon can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. The red, pulpy area of a watermelon nearest to the rind contains glutathione (an antioxidant) which can strengthen the immune system and help to fight off infections.
Not only does this taste great but it also gives the immune system a boost.
Enjoy!
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Written by Melanie Edjourian. Please do not use these pictures without permission x
Love these smotthies health and full of nutrients
I love smoothies, they are so versatile 😉
Love the combination of flavours and all the nutritional value going to try out this re ipe
Thanks Margaret, it’s nice to know how foods can improve well being.
I’ve just got into making smoothies and I’m still trying to find the best combinations that are mega healthy, I’ll definitely be giving this one a go!
I have made a few diferent ones and plan to post more. Make sure you try the strawberry and oat one it’s gorgeous.
Oh goodness just the look of it doesn’t appeal to me, you are much braver than I am!
Lol Shelley, trust me it tastes far nicer than it looks.
This smoothie looks and sounds lovely! I love green smoothies.
It’s really yummy, why not try making it yourself.
Love smoothies sounds lovely colour puts me off but bet it taste amazing
Lol, I know what you mean, I’ve had some awful looking ones that taste amazing!
This looks amazingly tasty and healthy, I will definitely have to try!
Enjoy 😉