Hangover Recovery Smoothie

What are your plans this New Year’s Eve? Whether you’re staying home or going out, chances are you will be indulging in some bubbly and some not-so-healthy snacks.

This year, New Year’s day happens to fall on a Friday. This means that if one of your goals this coming year is to get healthy, you’ll probably use that fact as an excuse; “but it’s the weekend, I’ll just start on Monday”. Sounds familiar? I think that preparation is a key to success. If you’re serious about cleaning up your diet, make sure that you start NOW. Even if it’s a very small change.

In today’s post I’m sharing a quick and simple recipe for a pink Hangover Recovery Smoothie which makes for a perfect New Year’s day breakfast. It’s slightly tart and sweet and will nourish and detox your body.

When fighting occasional hangover, reaching for bitter foods like arugula or grapefruit is best for removing toxins from your body. They cleanse, repair and nourish kidneys and liver- both of which are affected by large consumption of alcohol. High content of Vitamin C also detoxifies. Banana is rich in potassium which may also help ease those hangover symptoms. Coconut water hydrates and restores electrolytes, berries and flaxseed are rich in antioxidants. By adding spinach, you’re also getting a dose of those healthy greens, but their delicate flavor is masked with sweet fruit like apple, berries and banana.

Hangover Recovery Smoothie

1 grapefruit, peeled, seeded, chopped*
2 bananas
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup strawberries
1 small sweet apple, peeled, cored and chopped
handful of ice cubes
1 tsp ground flaxseed
3 cups coconut water

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more coconut water, if your smoothie comes out too thick. If it’s a bit too tart for your taste, add more apple and/or banana. This recipe makes 2 portions.

*When peeling your grapefruit, remember to only use the “flesh” and discard any membrane, as it’s very bitter. You can see how to properly peel and section a grapefruit right here.

Regardless of whether you’re going out tomorrow, or staying under a warm blanket, I wish you all a very safe and fun New Year’s Eve!