It’s day 1 of our healing whole foods detox cleanse! I’m so excited to share our detox cleanse with all of you and I hope that doing it will help you start on the path to vibrant health and wellness! This Strawberry Green Smoothie is a day 1 green smoothie recipe that I made in May 2012 and decided to include in the recipes for our 5 day healing whole foods detox cleanse because I love it so much! This smoothie should be enjoyed for both breakfast and a mid-afternoon snack. This fantastic green smoothie is packed with nutrients to help you stop the clock on aging and increase your energy at the same time!
The following post is what I wrote for the recipe in May 2012 when I made this smoothie for the first time.
I just bought some juicy locally grown strawberries and as soon as I laid eyes on these beautiful red babies I knew I had to come up with several recipes to take advantage of their sweet flavor and wonderful health benefits.
Since I love drinking green smoothies for breakfast every day the first and quickest recipe I came up with is this anti-aging green energy smoothie. If I can enjoy a smoothie that tastes great, is easy to make, and can help slow down aging, I’m all for it!
This smoothie pairs some of my favorite anti-aging and energy foods together in one sweet and tasty drink. The smoothie has strawberries, cucumber, coconut water, coconut milk, spinach, and chia seeds. I will break down the individual nutrients in each ingredient so you can fully understand just why this smoothie combination is so good at fighting aging and giving you more energy.
Strawberries
Strawberries are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, iron, biotin, and fiber. Antioxidants like vitamin C protect our cells from free radical damage and inflammation which contribute to premature aging. Vitamin C is vital for connective tissue (collagen) formation which keeps our skin looking young. Vitamin C also protects the skin against sun damage.
The Biotin (B7) in strawberries is a water soluble vitamin which helps build strong hair and nails. Strawberries also contain the antioxidant ellagic acid which protects the elastic fibers in our skin to help prevent sagging.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are water-rich which keeps you hydrated and promotes better energy. Their high water content also supports healthy kidneys. The skin of the cucumber is loaded with chlorophyll and silicon which builds the blood and promotes smooth, supple skin.
Silicon is very important for improving the condition of aging skin, hair, and nails. Silicon increases the strength and thickness of the skin. Cucumbers are also a great source of vitamin C, and B vitamins.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is a refreshing beverage that is loaded with calcium, potassium, and magnesium which are electrolytes that replenish and hydrate our bodies. Coconut water also contains B vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and antioxidants which all help prevent premature aging.
Coconut water is also a rich source of plant hormones called cytokinins. Cytokinins have been shown to slow down aging of human cells and tissues. You can get fresh coconut water from young coconuts which have a white outer shell or purchase packaged coconut water from Harvest Bay, Body Ecology, or Zico.
Spinach
Spinach is a top source of chlorophyll and iron two potent blood builders. Iron is a key mineral that carries oxygen throughout our body and promotes healthy circulation and beautiful skin.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds contain protein, all the essential amino acids, calcium, magnesium, antioxidants, potassium, B vitamins, omega-3 essential fatty acids, and soluble fiber which makes these seeds a potent superfood. Omega-3 essential fatty acids will make your skin glow!
These tiny super seeds are also hydrophilic or water loving and can absorb many times their weight in water which makes them extremely hydrating to the body. Chia seeds will decrease inflammation in your body while boosting your energy.
Now it’s time for the recipe so you can experience the anti-aging and energy benefits of this delicious green smoothie! You can freeze the strawberries if you want your smoothie creamy and cold.
For all you green smoothie lovers, what’s your favorite green smoothie? If you would like to contribute to the conversation, please take a moment to leave a comment.
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Anti-Aging Strawberry Energy Smoothie
Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free
Serves 2
3 cups unsweetened coconut water (good source for coconut products)
½ cup organic coconut milk—preservative free
2 cups organic strawberries
1 organic Persian cucumber—cut into large chunks
3 cups organic baby spinach
2 tablespoons Chia seeds
Stevia to taste
1. Place all ingredients inside a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately.
What an amazing lead up to a very tasty recipe. Thank you for all the health information that lead to this smoothie. I will feel even better about drinking it!
France recently posted..Whole Food Wednesday: Glazed Beet and Chevre Bruschetta
Thanks France! I hope you enjoy it and reap all the great benefits.
I’ve heard berries are really good anti-oxidants, which is not surprising that you use it in an anti-aging smoothie. Your recipe looks good, I will definitely try this one. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi Stevie, Berries are a fantastic source of antioxidants and I love strawberries so it was easy for me to include them in this anti-aging smoothie. I hope you enjoy it!
Hi Shelley,
I love strawberries and smoothies. During strawberry season I buy my strawberries at the farmers market and eat them every single day for the whole season.
For some reason I do not like to buy seasonal fruits at the super market, so when the season is over my strawberry consumption kinds of go way down.
Thanks for this recipe of anti-aging health. Love this stuff
Sylviane Nuccio recently posted..A French Jewel – The Palais Idéal Of Facteur Cheval
Hi Sylviane, You and I share a common love of strawberries and smoothies so you will like this recipe. I agree with you seasonal fruits and vegetables are the way to go and the farmers markets have the best varieties and you get to support your local farmers when you purchase from them.
Hi Shelley,
I am not actually a strawberry fan, but when I find some ripe juicy fresh organic strawberries I will try this.. Just to say I did. I do juicing and lots of smoothies so I look forward to new recipes to try all the time!!
Holly recently posted..Do You Really Hate Exercise? I Bet You Don’t!
Hi Holly, This smoothie is great with any berry so feel free to try your favorites like blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries I love them all and they all help prevent premature aging.
This smoothie just made me very hungry, sounds very unique and rejuvenating. It sounds like it is the best way to jump start you day by getting the right nutrients and energy needed.
Jacob recently posted..MLM Success Secrets The Evil Goo-Roos Don’t Want You To Know
Thanks Jacob! This smoothie will absolutely get your day off to a great start with plenty of healing nutrients and energy!
I love green smoothies! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I definitely will try it!
Tracey E Mitchell recently posted..Virtual Profit Network Review – An Insider Review
Hi Tracey, I’m happy to hear that you will try the recipe and share it! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
This is a fabulous way to start the day-wow! Love the addition of cucumber to this smoothie.
Thanks Laura! I really love the cucumber in this smoothie too, it blends great with the sweet strawberries.
What a brilliant mixture and I could definitely use anything that is ‘anti-aging’ and tastes good! I would love to invite you to share your recipe in our recipe hop this week. It will be open until midnight tonight ☺ Hope to see you there!
Mary Hudak-Colllins recently posted..‘Made From Scratch’ Monday – Week 19
Thanks Mary! Healthy foods should taste delcious otherwise you won’t eat them. I would be happy to share my recipe in your recipe hop. I appreciate the invite.
Shelley,
I’ve got a VitaMix blender so I can definitely do this. And it looks like it tastes so good. Thanks for motivating me!
~ Jupiter Jim
Jupiter Jim recently posted..Thesis Tutorial: Remove Page Titles from Specific Pages in WordPress Sites
Hi Jim, This drink will whip up quickly in your VitaMix into a smooth creamy smoothie. I’m happy to provide motivation to you.
Hi Shelley,
Thanks for your delicious recipes. I like smoothies for the convenience and ease of making. I have always liked strawberries since I grew large patches as a child. In my youth I really LOVED them, but things have changed.
Most of the strawberries we find in the grocery store are oversized and underflavored. They have been bred to be tough for shipping and large for profit. I miss the vine ripened smaller sweeter varieties I used to raise. If I had a garden space now, I would research availability of the old fashioned flavorful and tender berries. Although I used to eat about every third berry I picked while I was still in the patch, I also used to add sugar to the berries for my favorite desert: strawberry short cake with ice cream. Now to be more healthy I add no sugar and no ice cream. That is another reason I only like (not love) them now. I prefer red raspberries and blueberries. I will definitely try your recipes.
Buddy Hodges recently posted..Social Networking Online and Offline
Hi Buddy, You are so right about smoothies. They are the best for quick and easy food prep and they are loaded with nutrients if you put the right ingredients in them. I bet the strawberries you grew were so wonderful! I agree with you that most supermarket varieties don’t have much flavor that’s why I love getting them at the farmers markets. I’m fortunate to have access to local strawberries grown by some great farmers in Oxnard, California that are sweet and juicy. Let me know how you like the recipes.
Shelley,
Thank you so much for linking this beautiful recipe in with the Ingredient Challenge Monday’s June Strawberry Challenge! I am so excited to give it a try.
xoxo
SunnyB
http://www.andloveittoo.com
SunnyB recently posted..Ingredient-Challenge Monday: Strawberry Mojito Sorbet (Fruit-Juice Sweetened, Vegan, Raw, Paleo)
Hi Sunny, I was happy to share my recipe in your ingredient challenge and find your fantastic blog. I look forward to trying your recipes and the strawberry mojito sorbet is at the top of my list! xoxo
I made this recipe last week and it was definitely the best dish I have ever served to my family… the best! Thanks for this recipe idea!
Hi Chris, Thank you! Your wonderful comment brought joy to my heart! I’m so happy to hear that your family enjoyed the smoothie.
Shelley, The smoothie looks very yummy and delicious, but most of all so good for us as it is packed with so many wonderful nutrients! I think I will cut the recipe down so I can make one serving in my Magic Bullet. My hubby regularly makes apple/celery smoothies to keep his blood pressure normal, as celery is really good for that.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Lynn
Lynn Jones recently posted..It’s Time to Debunk the Myths about What Brings You Joy
Thanks Lynn! You should be able to whip this smoothie up quickly in your Magic Bullet. Celery is great for helping keep your blood pressure normal and it tastes good in fruit smoothies so your husband probably enjoys drinking it.
I love strawberries; in drinks, shakes, smoothies, just plain, they are absolutely my favorite fruit. I grew up picking them and eating them, you would think I would grow tired of them after a day of picking, but I did not and still don’t. This looks like a terrific recipe and I am really anxious to try it. I like the idea that it has coconut water in it. that is something else I have really come to enjoy. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
Michael recently posted..Stick With Me Here
Hi Michael, I eat strawberries all the time and they are one of my favorite fruits too! I hope you enjoy the smoothie!
According to the scientific study Strawberries are rich in antioxidants which prevents anti-aging. I love strawberries and thanks a lot for sharing this information.
Nicolle Olores recently posted..read more here
You are absolutely right about strawberries Nicolle. I love them too and they are great in this smoothie.
Looks really refreshing. I’m a smoker and I just quit smoking, I think need to clean my system with this kind of treat. Thanks Shelley for such a great info!
Luke Brynes recently posted..What Is Acai Berry?
Congratulations on quitting smoking Luke! This smoothie is the perfect for you to start your healing.
Thanks Shelley! I have already tried it. I feel lighter now hope I can make one daily.
Luke Brynes recently posted..What Is Acai Berry?
Hi Luke, I’m so happy to hear that you tried the smoothie and you feel lighter. Try some other varieties of berries and greens in this smoothie so you can reap the benefits of all the different nutrients that they offer.
Hi Shelley,
Many thanks for sharing your Energy Smoothie and I really enjoyed reading why it is so good for ones health. I really like strawberries and they are really good at this time of the year. As our local strawberries are available. It is great to think of all the good things for our health . Many thanks for sharing. take care Rosemary
Rosemary recently posted..Emigration from Ireland 2012 – Social Media Eases the Pain
Hi Rosemary, I’m so glad you like finding out about all the health benefits of one of my favorite smoothies. Now is a great time to make it while local strawberries are so good. Enjoy!
Wow, this recipe is pure gold. I just love strawberries and like you say – easy, yummy and anti aging is the best combination we can dream of. Bookmarking for tomorrow morning, can’t wait to try the taste. Besides I’m sure my boys will love it too!
Ara recently posted..My Idrotherapy Review – Part 2
Thanks Ara, I so happy to hear that you like the recipe and will be making it for you and your boys! As a fellow strawberry lover I get so excited to create new recipes for strawberries when they are in season and at their sweet juicy best. I hope you enjoy the smoothie.
Hi Shelley,
thank you so much for this mouth-watering post!
It is so good to have nice recipe from someone like you who also provides all this great information about the benefits of the ingredients.
I learn something every time I come to your blog.
Soon we will have strawberries in season again here in New Zealand.
To your Well Being!
Yorinda
Yorinda recently posted..Sprouts Nutrition grown in jar
Thanks Yorinda for sharing such kind words about my blog! This is one of my favorite smoothies and it really does help you feel great and full of energy. I hope you enjoy this smoothie when strawberries come back in season in New Zealand.
Shelley, what a fantastic recipe! I’ll have to look into chia seeds, as I can’t imagine they’d be too expensive. My favorite green smoothie, which I drink almost every day, always contains strawberries. I also add one cup of water, a banana, and handfuls of kale and spinach. With liquid stevia for sweetener. Yum.
Thanks Steve! Chia seeds are not to expensive. Your favorite smoothie sounds similar to mine and I also love smoothies with mango or wild blueberries.
Thank you for sharing a delicious anti-aging smoothie recipe. Wrinkles are part of aging and are prominent on the face, neck, and forearms because they are exposed to the sun. Since these problems arise when we cross our 40s we have to find ways to improve and maintain our youthful appearance. It is important to choose products with sun protection. We must have a healthy diet and avoid smoking. Vitamins E and C are also important. Remember, good skin should start from within.
All excellent points Jennifer! Thanks for sharing and I’m glad you like the smoothie recipe.
Made this for breakfast thing morning. Added 1 T of coconut oil and left the stevia out….it was delish!! Thank you!!!
Sada
I’m glad you enjoyed the smoothie Sada. I love it when people take my recipes and add their own twist. The coconut oil was probably really tasty in this smoothie. Thanks for sharing!
Shelley Alexander recently posted..2 Spring Energy Salads
I am really into your recipes. Just a heads up: I tried this with cooled jasmine green tea in lieue of coconut water and it really tasted good (and still have the coconut feeling because of the milk). That now makes 2 smoothies today – I need to pace myself!
Paula
Paula S recently posted..FREE: Smoothie Recipe Infographic
Paula, I have made many smoothies with plain green tea and I love them. I will have to make this recipe with the jasmine green tea that you suggested since I just purchased some last week. Thanks for sharing this good recipe variation!
Shelley Alexander recently posted..Deliciously Holistic Cookbook Launches!