PINEAPPLE + JALAPEÑO SMOOTHIE

I love smoothies for many reasons. They can provide so many nutritional benefits in one glass. They can pack vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, macronutrients and more into one meal or snack. They’re easy to take on the go if you’re in a rush or you can enjoy them at home. You can make them a complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fat or you can stick to more of a fruit/veggie smoothie. We offer morning smoothies for our fitness retreat guests as a way to grab a quick breakfast if they want something lighter or if they’re in a hurry.

Smoothies are often packed with nutrients which help fill nutritional voids and detox your body of anti-nutrients. I love this pineapple and jalapeño green smoothie (or any green smoothie for that matter) when I need to fill my body with nutrients, benefit from it’s energy producing effects and rid my body of impurities. Plus, as a benefit, jalapeño can be a major fat burning influence.

Depending on the day, sometimes it’s tough getting in all of the nutrients you need. If I’m not doing a morning protein shake where I throw in spinach and kale or a scoop of amazing grass then I’m behind for the day. Sometimes, I find myself thinking I didn’t get enough greens or enough color in my food that day. Luckily, smoothies like this one can pack a ton of nutritional goodness into one cup.

I love spicy so when I make a juice or green smoothie, I tend to love adding ingredients like jalapeño or ginger and even cayenne. I like my food spicy so it’s no wonder that I like my smoothies with a little kick too. You could easily omit any spice though if you aren’t someone who likes heat.

PINEAPPLE + JALAPEÑO DETOX SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS

Why did I choose the ingredients that are in this smoothie? Let’s go over just a little bit about their nutritional value.

Celery – Every part of the celery plant is edible. I use the entire stalk in my smoothies. Celery is loaded with antioxidants which help prevent free radical damage and help combat inflammation. It is full of folate, vitamin B6 Vitamin C and vitamin K. In addition, celery has potassium and sodium, both of which help to keep water retention at bay and relieve bloating as well as boost digestion.

Kale – Kale the superfood! It’s so huge right now and for good reason. Kale has protein, fiber and folate (a B vitamin that aids in brain development). It is also rich in vitamins A, C and K and has ALA, a plant based Omega 3.

Jalapeño – This one might surprise you because most people don’t think about jalapeños being good for their health. They are a good source of fiber as well as vitamins C, B6, A and K. According to Healthline, Jalapeños may help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism, increasing fat burn and reducing your appetite. Several studies have found that capsaicin and other similar compounds called capsaicinoids can boost metabolism by 4–5% per day, potentially making it easier to lose weight. In addition to boosting metabolism, capsaicinoid supplements have been shown to reduce abdominal fat and appetite so that people eat 50–75 fewer calories per day. All of these factors help explain why regularly consuming chili peppers is associated with a significantly reduced risk of becoming overweight or obese over time.(Healthline)

Tumeric – The Feel Good (name of the brand) turmeric powder that I used in this smoothie is produced from pure turmeric rhizomes and is packed with curcumin, a strong antioxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric can support joint health, a strong digestive system and natural healing.

Pineapple – Pineapple is extremely high in vitamin C – an antioxidant. 1 cup of fresh (not canned) pineapple contains 131% of the RDA of vitamin C. Pineapple also contains iron, calcium potassium and sodium.

Amazing Grass – The perfect way to boost any smoothie, juice or beverage with greens, phytonutrients, antioxidants and vitamins and minerals. Amazing grass is “Crafted with 7 alkalizing farm fresh greens. It contains 3+ servings of greens, fruits and veggies. Also has more organic greens than any other “greens” blend. It is certified Organic by CCOF, Gluten Free, No Sugar Added, Plant Based, Non GMO and Kosher.” – Amazing Grass

INGREDIENTS

WHAT YOU NEED:

2 Celery Stalks – rough chop
2 Cups Kale – rough chop
1 Large Jalapeño – whole (you could substitute this for ginger if preferred)
1/2 tsp Tumeric Powder
1 1/4 C fresh pineapple – rough chop *getting canned pineapple will add sugar and decrease nutrient value
1 Scoop Amazing Grass (comes in 7 different flavors so pick your favorite to change the flavor of the smoothie)
8 – 10 oz Filtered Water
Ice

DIRECTIONS

Set up a blender or nutri-bullet (some blenders may require you to chop produce smaller to blend smoothly – please adjust accordingly to your device). I used a Vitamix which is a high speed blender that blends super smooth and creamy and has many functions.

Add water to bottom of blender or Vitamix (adding liquid first will help to make sure all ingredients are blended well).
Add celery and kale and blend until incorporated.
Next, drop in jalapeño, turmeric powder and pineapple and keep blending.
Drop in your scoop of amazing grass.
Add a few ice cubes (or as many as you’d like) and blend until completely smooth without any chunks or bits of vegetables.
Enjoy!

**This smoothie can also be juiced if you prefer rather than drinking it as a smoothie.

We hope you like this recipe. If you try it and love it, give us a like or love in the comment section below! And if you have any questions about how to make it or the ingredients, please feel free to leave those also. We offer nutritional help and guidance in person and online for your convenience. Check out our health and wellness coaching to learn more about it. If you’re looking to reset your eating habits, join us for a fitness retreat to reboot from head to toe!