Breakfast Smoothie

I recently added coconut oil to our baked goods and also using it more frequently in our home cooking. Here is a breakfast smoothie loosely based off of the one from Dr. Josh Axe. It really started with just what I had on hand and changes frequently due to what berries are currently in season. In most of my breakfast smoothies I have been using fresh green Kale from Delvin Farms, coconut milk, milled flax seed, frozen strawberries and fresh blackberries from Kelley's Berry Farm, blueberries from Blue Honey Farms, organic almond butter from Trader Joe's, coconut oil from Tropical Traditions and fresh ground cinnamon. For one glass I use the amount of Kale you see below, 1 T almond butter and 1 - 2 T coconut oil. Handful of each berry and the rest I just toss in, no specific measurements. It's too early in the morning to really be accurate!

The problem most people have with Kale is blending it. I have found my juicer does not handle it well so I use my blender. It's a powerful Viking that is a genuine workhorse and worth every penny! Some people like Vitamix but for the money I find it better to buy a Viking Stand Mixer and Blender. Cost around the same price and it's more versatile in the kitchen.

And here is the final product. The color is odd but it tastes great! Top it will a bit more fresh ground cinnamon and breakfast is ready!

Here are a few reasons why I use some of the ingredients in this smoothie:

Kale is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.

Coconut Oil - The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti fungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc. Find more info HERE

Cinnamon boosts the activity of the brain and hence acts as a good brain tonic. Also aides in Blood Purification, Blood Circulation, Infections, Healing, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Colon Cancer, Indigestion, Menstruation and much more!

Flax seed is a rich source of alpha linolenic acid, omega-3 fatty acids and lignans. These components collectively fight many ailments and diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, arthritis, allergies, asthma and diabetes. Flax seed also reduces the risk of various cancers and improves reproductive health in females. It is also a rich source of vitamins and fibre, which keeps the heart and the intestine healthy. It also maintains healthy eyes, skin and hair.

Blueberries aids our bodies in anti Aging, Urinary Tract Infections, Eye Care, Cancer, Digestion, Immunity and more!

Blackberries contain manganese and the health benefits of manganese ensure healthy bone structure, bone metabolism, helping in building essential enzymes for building bones. It acts as a coenzyme to assist metabolic progression in the human body. Apart from these, there are other health benefits of manganese actively involved in forming connective tissues, absorption of calcium, proper functioning of thyroid, sex hormones, regulating blood sugar level, and metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.