Super Smoothies: Chill the F%$k Out
Some mornings we make up more anxious than others. Perhaps it was an unnerving dream, an inadequate sleep that didn't let us properly replenish our adrenals or a stressful day ahead that plays in our mind as soon as our eyes open. Today's super smoothie recipe will help ease our minds and bodies into a more relaxed and calm state. Utilising a blend of adaptogens and fresh ingredients we can holistically soothe our racing thoughts and heart without popping a Xanax.
This super smoothie is made up of all crucial ingredients for potency, taste and texture. The four critical elements included for relaxation are the following:
Ashwagandha - The Ayurvedic adaptogenic herb has shown in different studies to have around 216 medicinal benefits. It reduces oxidative stress in the body, nourishes the adrenal glands and central nervous system and in turn has shown to reduce stress and anxiety.
Lavender Honey - The lavender essential oil components within lavender honey can reduce anxiety and also help improve our sleep (double win).
Mucuna Pruriens - Mucuna Pruriens is a tropical bean that contains a significant amount of an amino acid called levodopa (also known as L-dopa). L-dopa is needed in the brain to produce dopamine, and mucuna has shown to assist in boosting dopamine levels in humans.
GABA - Gamma-aminobutyric acid (also known as GABA) is a naturally occurring amino acid that works as a neurotransmitter in the brain. As an inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA blocks or inhibits specific brain signals and decreases activity in the nervous system. For this reason, GABA has shown to reduce stress.
Makes one smoothie
Ready in 5 minutes
Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon organic mucuna pruriens
One teaspoon organic lavender honey
One organic banana
One teaspoon organic Ashwagandha
One large organic spinach leaf
One teaspoon organic hemp protein
One teaspoon organic grass-fed butter
One teaspoon salt
A few organic macadamias
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon GABA
Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a nutribullet until smooth. Water or more mylk can be added to create a different consistency if preferred.
Photography by Aleksandar Zarić for Welluvia