A pretty powerful thing happens when you start your day with an early morning workout and refuel your body with the best of the best…I’m talking plants, people. Plants do wonders for the body. And, by plants, I am referring to whole plant foods in their most natural, or close to their natural form.
According to Dr. Michael Gregor, “The convergence of evidence suggests that an affordable plant-based diet can help prevent and even reverse some of the top killer diseases in the Western world, and can be even more effective than medication and surgery (see also here and here).”
“A plant-based diet may also help in averting and/or slowing certain cancers (like breast cancer (see also here), prostate cancer, cervical cancer, kidney cancer, colon cancer, as well as BPH, benign prostatic hypertrophy). This is in part because plant foods contain anti-aging, anti-cancer antioxidants (on average 64 times more than animal foods…”
Even if you’re not compelled to eat plants 100% of the time, try incorporating more whole plant foods (veggies, fruits, mushrooms, seeds, nuts, legumes, grains) into your daily routine and see how you feel. My hope is that you’ll feel the transformative, healing power of plants.
This Blackberry Mango Smoothie Bowl has a hearty dose of blackberries, along with other health-promoting ingredients, which makes it a great post-workout treat. Berries rock! Berry consumption has been shown to reduce muscle soreness and “Scientists have found berries have some of the highest antioxidant levels of any fresh fruits (measured as ORAC), and kale and spinach are the only vegetables with ORAC values as high as fresh, delicious berries. Fresh berries are some of the most powerful (and delicious) disease-fighting foods available.” This is according to the Oregon State University Department of Food Science and Technology.
So, hop on the smoothie train and enjoy the ride.
BLACKBERRY MANGO SMOOTIE BOWL
Recipe by Jentry Lee Hull
Yields 1 large or 2 small servings
SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS
- 8 oz. plant milk (I used unsweetened Flax milk from Good Karma)
- 2 oz. cold, filtered water
- 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp. almond butter
- 1 scoop of your favorite (plant-based) protein powder, optional (I used Vanilla Hemp Protein)
- 1 tsp. ground turmeric or 1 thumb-sized piece fresh turmeric root, peeled
- 1 hearty handful baby kale, spinach or other baby greens
- 1 large ripe banana, peeled
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1 ½ cups frozen blackberries
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
TOPPINGS
- Ezekiel Cereal
- Fresh blackberries or other berries
- Sunflower seeds
- Slivered almonds
DIRECTIONS
- In a high-powered blender, combine smoothie ingredients (in order shown above). Blend until ingredients are smooth.
- To thin out, add more liquid. To thicken, add more fruit of choice.
- Pour smoothie into serving bowls, add toppings and enjoy immediately.
NOTES
- Use organic ingredients whenever possible, especially when it comes to fruit.
Thrive on,
Coach Jentry
Gumsaba Outdoor Fitness Class schedule Saturday 1/9/16
8:30 AM Saturday Co-Ed Boot Camp – Coach Briana – HIIT Saturday