Green smoothie for healthy, glowing skin
I’ve struggled with acne for many years, and one thing that made a huge improvement in my skin was changing my diet.
The minute I cut dairy out of my diet, my cystic acne disappeared. Eating mostly plant-based foods, good Omega-3 supplements and drinking a lot of water also helped me quite a bit.
Over the holidays though, I definitely indulged a little- I just can’t say no to both my mom’s and my mother-in-law’s cooking. Whenever my diet changes, it shows on my skin pretty much instantly and as much as I love the holiday season, I’m really excited to go back to my regular routine, healthy diet and exercise.
Every morning, I start my day by drinking a glass of warm water with lemon on an empty stomach and then usually have a green smoothie for breakfast. Today’s little recipe is my go-to for when my skin needs a little pick-me-up.
My favorite base for green smoothies is kale or spinach. Kale is packed with fiber, Vitamin A, C, and K as well as iron. It aids inflammation, it detoxifies and helps boost immunity. Spinach is also loaded with Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K as well as vital minerals.
Avocado is another great ingredient to add to your smoothies- it’s packed with vitamin E – a skin antioxidant- and due to avocado’s high oleic acid content, it moisturizes the skin and reduces redness and irritation. For fruit, bananas are also a must for me- I always keep a few frozen ones in my freezer. Mango is full of antioxidants and chia seeds are rich in omega 3 fats which are essential for good skin (especially if you’re suffering from acne).
Green smoothie for healthy, glowing skin
2 cups of spinach
1/2 cups kale
2 frozen, ripe bananas
2 cups of coconut water
1 cup mango, cubed
1 small apple, cored and roughly chopped
1/2 avocado
2 tsp chia seeds
1 scoop of plant-based protein powder (optional)
1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. This makes two, big portions- for one, half the ingredients.
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31 Comments
Elre Hugo
January 5, 2016 at 1:06 pmNice! Thanks for sharing Paula. I was looking for a green smoothie to try in my new smoothie maker. This one it will be!
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
January 7, 2016 at 1:18 pmYou’re so welcome, thanks so much for visiting!
Ashley
January 5, 2016 at 2:06 pmThis looks so yummy!
Ashley
http://www.ashleyelizabethbeauty.com
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
January 7, 2016 at 1:18 pm;)
Serein Wu
January 5, 2016 at 3:14 pmTotally agree! My skin never looked better when I avoided dairy, soy, and corn (the most overly processed crops in the U.S.) Sadly I have fallen off the healthy eating plan the last year and my energy and fitness levels suffer from it. Definitely going to start my mornings with more greens. Thanks for the inspiration!
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
January 7, 2016 at 1:19 pmYou’re so welcome Serein, thanks so much for visiting!
Samantha Frances
January 5, 2016 at 3:15 pmMy skin has gone into melt down recently so this is definitely something I need to try out! xxx
http://www.samanthafrances.co.uk
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
January 7, 2016 at 1:35 pmHope you like it! :)
Serene Kurd
January 5, 2016 at 3:23 pmOh gosh this looks so delicious, I need to try this out for my skin to start glowing! :D
Serene | I Am Serene L
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
January 7, 2016 at 1:36 pmHehe :) Thanks Serene!
Georgia Owen
January 5, 2016 at 3:45 pmLooks and sounds like it tastes delicious! Need to take a break from milky things and get on the fruity bandwagon I think.
//teandtwosugars.blogspot.com xx
Olivia Aimes
January 5, 2016 at 3:45 pmI love myself some green juice xo
http://fridaynightstyle.com/
Rita Ferreira
January 5, 2016 at 5:31 pmNeed to try and start drinking/eating healthier! This sounds really tasteful, might have to try it out!
Rita xx
http://trendy-taste.blogspot.com
Liz | Lipstick & Confetti
January 5, 2016 at 5:32 pmThis sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe :)
xo, Liz
http://lipstickandconfetti.com
Paula Loreti
January 5, 2016 at 5:34 pmi’ve always wanted to try one of these, everybody says they are super healthy and yummy!
ps: I know this has nothing to do with the post but I love your nailpolish, where is it from??
http://www.blossomikebana.com
Krista
January 5, 2016 at 6:30 pmI bought a Nutribullet a few months ago but haven’t found a green smoothie recipe that I actually enjoy! Will definitely be trying this one out, thanks for sharing!
xx Krista
love-krista.com | a beauty & wellness blog
Janica Khemlani
January 5, 2016 at 7:53 pmthis looks so yumm!!! need to try this out! thanks for sharing paula! :)
Jeanne
January 6, 2016 at 12:43 amI’m really not a smoothie person but I’d love to give this a try to give my skin a little treat!
http://www.jeannechristinemarie.blogspot.com
Bash Harry
January 6, 2016 at 5:09 amI love drinking some good ol’ health smoothies! This looks incredible! A little bit of kale and apples always adds to a better smoothie <3
xx Bash | H E Y B A S H | bloglovin’
Hannah
January 6, 2016 at 6:43 amDefinitely going to try this one, my skin is suffering from all the junk I’ve been eating!
hannahsnotebook.net
Elizabeth Hisle
January 6, 2016 at 9:05 amYessss, post holiday season reset, here I come. I need more spinach in my life.
aroseisinbloom.blogspot.com
Sophie Sierra
January 6, 2016 at 3:09 pmAhh this looks so gorgeous; full of green goodness and such a refreshing treat for January to banish away these winter blues (with some greens hehe)! It looks super divine Paula, another fabulous recipe filled with such nutrition and nurture. And the fact that it gets you glowing is just all the amazing. Love, love, LOVE! <3
Sophie | soinspo xo
Emma Bought What
January 6, 2016 at 4:08 pmThis sounds great! Definitely going to make this for myself when my skin is having a bad day x
http://emmaboughtwhat.blogspot.co.uk/
Nereyda Gonzalez
January 6, 2016 at 5:16 pmI am obsessed with avocados! Mangos are my favorite fruit so the fact that this smoothie has both is awesome! I love smoothies for breakfast. I drank one today and am determined to get back to my healthy eating habits. Bookmarking this!
Nereyda│ This Girl Is Obsessed
Alina
January 6, 2016 at 5:24 pmI am loving smoothies lately but do get bored of making the same one over and over agin. Will definitely try this recipe, you made it sound so delicious and it even looks great x
Beauty with charm
Ela BellaWorld
January 6, 2016 at 5:49 pmI used to drink warm water&lemon mixture, it was really good at boosting my metabolism. After a holiday season, my skin acts up too. I’ve never tried a drink to make an effect on my skin, now this is something I should try. I saved the recipe and hopefully will give it a try soon!
Ela BellaWorld
Dagmara Klich
January 6, 2016 at 6:30 pmI have certainly overindulge in not so healthy food and I can see some breakouts on my skin. I definitely need to get back to healthier eating and start making smoothies more often, I should try your recipe :) x
Mummy’s Beauty Corner
MargaritaChi.co
January 6, 2016 at 7:47 pmI make green smoothies for breakfast too – I never thought about using avocado in them but that makes total sense! Thanks for the tip. I totally love this post – what a great way to start 2016!
I also agree about diet having a huuuuge impact on acne. I try and avoid dairy and other processed foods too. For me, cystic acne is hormonal, so the only thing that really helps stop it is an anti-androgen pill :(
Hope you have a lovely 2016 and I’m looking forward to all the posts for this year!
Margarita Chi | MARGARITACHI.CO
Rachel Shnayder
January 6, 2016 at 9:29 pmI love smoothies! I’ll have to give this one a try!
http://imperfectlyrachel.blogspot.com/
Chelsey A. Thornton
January 6, 2016 at 11:57 pmPost New Years my skin needs a glow boost, this Ace Paula!
Chelsey | http://www.chelseythornton.com
Jenny M
January 8, 2016 at 8:02 amLooks great, smoothies are such a handy way to boost your fruit and veg intake. I have yet to try mango so I must give that a go. Thanks xx
http://blushpanda.blogspot.ie/