My Keep It Together Smoothie Recipe

Powerhouse smoothie with herbs and medicinal mushrooms

This isn't a recipe I've shared before and there's a reason I'm sharing it now. But, you'll have to be patient, I'll come to that. As a medical herbalist, I've developed a variety of herbal formulations for many ailments. I frequently share recipes and stress-busting strategies to help patients and clients and of course, I use some of these myself. Whilst one may argue that life is neither good nor bad, but more about perception, I believe there are certain situations that most people would agree are simply challenging. At times like this, I recommend paying more attention to your self-care than usual and although this could be a pamper session for some, my attention turns to nourishing but simple food.

This smoothie recipe has helped me through some difficult times when prayer, meditation, relaxation, talking it out, crying, walking in nature and all of the other tools I use were just not enough. It nourished me when I had no appetite and enabled me to function sufficiently enough to get through the day when I would have preferred to stay in bed and sleep (due to a particularly challenging life event that I wouldn't wish upon anyone). I think it's the perfect example of the Hippocrates quote, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food".

Unlike certain medications, it won't dull or numb the senses; it may, however, improve resilience to stress, support immunity, increase energy levels and improve the appearance of skin, hair and nails - who doesn't want that? Why do I make it? Because I'm a busy person and I want to live a life I love whilst being authentic and practicing the very thing I talk about - a healthy and balanced life. A busy life can cause overwhelm and it's all too easy to neglect the basics like diet and sleep. Food is essential for life; it isn't an optional pampering session. This recipe takes minutes to make and doesn't involve any cooking. When I drink this smoothie, I feel satiated and calm whilst being fully alert, focused, and energised.

So, why am I sharing it now? While I'm not ready to explain this fully, I will say this; for me, this type of recipe and food is a way of life; my food choices are mostly based on function but like everyone else, I like it to taste as good as possible. What does this mean? Well, it means it's not going to taste like a mass-produced, sugar-laden, fruit smoothie from the supermarket. It will have depth, texture, and flavour that has to be experienced to be understood. I was concerned that most people would find the ingredients too far 'out there' and be put off by them. But, the effects of the smoothie and the ease of making it are just too good to justify keeping it to myself.

This smoothie is functional and tastes good when made with the finest, organic ingredients. I make mine and consume it straight away to ensure I get the maximum benefit, but if I make too much, it can keep in the fridge and I'll finish it the same day - if someone else doesn't beat me to it!

Items needed to make my Keep It Together Smoothie Recipe

• 1 cup

• A blender

• A teaspoon or measuring scoop

• 1 cup of organic fresh or frozen blueberries

• 10 ounces of plant-based milk alternative (I use Rude Health Organic Almond Drink or Plenish Almond Drink).

• 1 scoop of Organic Sun Warrior Clean Keto Protein Peptides powder (The dosage guidelines say two scoops but I'm only using one at the moment). Try Sunwarrior Warrior Blend if you prefer or another good brand)

• 2.5 teaspoons of Planet Paleo Primal Goddess Powder.

• 1 teaspoon of organic Ashwagandha powder.

• 1 teaspoon of organic Cacao powder (optional).

• 3g of MycoNutri Organic Chaga powder

• 3g of MycoNutri Organic Reishi powder

• 5-10ml of liquid chlorphyll (If anyone knows of an organic one, please let me know.)

Directions

I should mention I don't measure out my ingredients into small bowls before I start. While this looks good on cookery programmes, I really don't need to waste time on this step and then have extra dishes to clean. I measure straight from the packet using the provided scoops or separate clean spoons, but this is my preference, do whatever works for you.

1. Prepare your blender.

2. Add the cup of blueberries to the blender.

3. Add the plant-based milk alternative.

4. Add the Sunwarrior Keto Powder, Primal Goddess powder, Ashwagandha powder, Cacao powder (optional), Reishi powder, Chaga powder.

5. Add the liquid chlorophyll.

6. Blend until smooth.

7. Add more almond drink or water if the consistency is too thick (it can be eaten this way like a yoghurt if you prefer and is delicious with grated dark chocolate on the top).

8. Pour into a glass and consume immediately. Refrigerate any excess and use within ten hours of making.

Berries that won't spike your blood sugar

There can be many variations of this recipe and the colour will vary according to the berries you use. Adding blackberries or strawberries will make the smoothie a brighter, more vibrant colour, as will using the berry blend of Sunwarrior and cacao will make it a more earthy tone. I'm not a fan of the tiny seeds in some berries and will sometimes use powders instead or add the berries after and eat it like a dessert! I usually opt for berries that don't spike blood sugar in the same way as some other fruits do. This way, I'm able to eat a nutrient-dense smoothie that's easy to digest and will provide me with energy for hours. Which reminds me, it's time to drink the rest of mine!

Important note: The Sun Warrior Clean Keto contains fava beans so for those with G6PD deficiency, you may want to consider another product.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information. You are encouraged to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.