Adaptogenic Beauty Smoothies*
Nowadays I don’t just want great tasting vegan food, I want to eat and create things that have optimum nutritional benefits and energise me. I’ve spoken about when I first transitioned and lived off pasta, bread, sweet potato fries and hummus. All delicious on their own but not the backbone of a varied diet.
Over the years I’ve began to experiment with different combinations of fermented foods and spices and ingredients that will really nourish my body. I’ve also seen a huge difference in my skin tone, digestion and energy levels as a result. Learning about Adaptogens has opened up a whole new world of enhancement. They’re an easy way to take a simple smoothie into a nutritional powerhouse in half a teaspoon.
Adaptogens are non-toxic plants that are marketed as helping the body resist stressors of all kinds, whether physical, chemical or biological. These herbs and roots have been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic healing traditions, but they’re having a renaissance today.
There are two blends I turn to regularly now. I am delighted to be collaborating with The Clean Beauty Edit which is an Irish online beauty retailer specialising in safe and sustainable beauty, with over 20 carefully-curated, Irish and International cult clean beauty brands including Sun Potion Adaptogens, to show you how I integrate them.
The Clean Beauty Edit are exclusive stockists of Sun Potion adaptogens in Ireland. Sun Potion produce products made from only the highest quality, organic and wildcrafted medicinal plants to create powders that can be added to smoothies, coffee and energy balls. They are one of the most well recognised and trusted brands for producing powdered adaptogenic blends and never use any ingredients that have been chemically grown or treated.
Ashwagandha is a cornerstone of the Ayurvedic Medicine Cabinet, also known as “Indian ginseng” for its immune-fortifying and invigorating properties. It is considered an adaptogen, as it harmonizes physiological functions in a variety of ways, and supports hormone balance in men and women.
I’ve taken it for over a year now. I blend it into a smoothie or a latte and definitely notice a difference.
One smoothie I love at the moment is a simple berry one where everything is frozen so I can stock up and make it easily. You can get creative with toppings and add a little more agave if you want it sweeter or some granola on top if you want it to be more filling.
50g of soaked almonds
100g fresh or frozen berries
1 tablespoon goji berries
1 banana - fresh or frozen
2 pitted medjool dates - or substitue maple syrup or agave to taste.
300 ml plant milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 serving Sun Potion Ashwagandha
Simply blend all ingredients together in a high powered blender. Add a little more water if you want a thinner smoothie. If you’re using maple syrup or agave blend it in a teaspoon at a time until your desired level of sweetness is achieved.
The Sun potion Green Adaptogen contains a blend of Suma, Maca, and Chlorella. This combination of herbs is meant to: promotes energy levels strengthens the immune system functions promotes overall wellbeing.
I have taken maca over the years and use it in recipes. It’s a plant that grows in central Peru in the high plateaus of the Andes Mountains. It has been cultivated as a vegetable crop in this area for at least 3000 years. Chlorella contains a range of nutrients, including proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, including antioxidants. Suma normalises and regulates the endocrine, nervous, digestive, cardiovascular and immune systems. Because it is an adaptogen it helps the body tackle stress also.
A green smoothie on it’s own is packed full of nutrients but I love adding a serving of this also.
1 handful of fresh or a portion of frozen spinach
1/2 a fresh or frozen avocado
2 pitted medjool dates
300 ml of plant based milk
a handful of Brazil nuts - approx 40g
1 teaspoon of chia seeds
Simply blend all ingredients together until a thick creamy smoothie is formed. If you want it a little sweeter add another date or a teaspoon of maple or agave.
You can shop Sun Potion Green Adaptogen on The Clean Beauty Edit >Here< and Ashwagandha >Here<
Code Holly10 gives you 10% off also.
Another thing I love about The Clean Beauty Edit is that all orders are delivered in 100% compostable and ethically sourced packaging and via DHL GoGreen carbon-neutral delivery.
*Thank you to The Clean Beauty Edit for collaborating with me on this piece.
