This smoothie is so sweet and tasty that no one will believe you when you tell them it’s super healthy and cleansing to the liver!

• 1 cup (about 2-3 average sized beets) *I like to cook mine in the slow cooker first, but you can throw them in your high-powered blender raw
• 1 cup carrots (raw or previously steamed)
• 1 green apple with peel (cored)
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger (or about 1 tsp ground ginger)
• 1-2 cups of water, depending on desired consistency/thickness

Blend everything up together.  The beets and carrots make for a delicious sweet flavour.  Because this is a blended smoothie and not juiced, all the pulp and wonderful stays intact – making this not only incredibly supportive to the liver, but also to the intestinal system.

To make it a fully balanced meal, add your favorite protein powder or collagen and some healthy fats (2 tbsp flax seed or 1 tsp fish oil). Now you have a balanced smoothie complete with carbohydrates, protein and fats supportive to blood sugar stability.

 

This makes a couple servings, store in refrigerator for up to 3-4 days (but you’ll drink it before then!)

Beets are loaded with health-benefitting properties; including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, high phytonutrients, fiber, folate, and manganese.  They have betalin pigments and an enzyme called glutathione-S-transferase that aids in the neutralization and excretion of toxins from the body.

DID YOU KNOW?

Beetroot is a plant in the amaranth family.  It contains powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that contribute to its distinctive reddish-purple flesh and skin. Beetroot has been touted as a natural source of potentially performance-enhancing dietary nitrates, containing nearly 300 mg of those nitrates per 100 g (~4 oz) serving!  These natural nitrates act as vasodilators, helping to open up those blood vessels for faster delivery of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to those working muscles.  Great for cardiovascular output!

The physiological effects of beetroot kick in 30 minutes post-consumption with activity peaking after 90 minutes and staying elevated for approximately 6 hours. Overall health and performance benefits may last as long as 2 weeks post-consumption.  Wow, now that’s good food fuel!