Revitalising Green Drink To Start Your Day

In spring, when we get the first dandelions and nettles in the garden I start with a routine to make a green drink boosting of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and serve it for myself, my husband and for our son as the second drink in the mornings (after a glass of water). Our daughter has not yet shown interest towards it as it looks too green for her. This green drink routine runs into early autumn till we still have fresh green ingredients to add into the drink. Then we typically change over to fermented drinks (like kombucha, beet kvass, coconut water kefir etc) in the mornings or warming teas or elixirs in the evenings during the cold months of the year.

The below drink is good for supporting bodily detox systems, supports liver and gallbladder health, packs good amount of fibre for digestive health as well as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (below I name just a few next to the ingredients). You can add and remove ingredients as you feel and as they are available. Fruit such as apple or pear gives the slight natural sweetness to the drink.

Revitalising Green Drink To Start Your Day

Serves 3

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dandelion leaves (contains vitamins A, B9 (folate), C, K and minerals calcium, potassium)

• 2 stalks of celery (hydrating, contains vitamins A, C and K and minerals calcium, sodium and iron, also high in antioxidants)

• 1 cup kale leaves (contains carotenoids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, C, K, and minerals manganese, magnesium, iron and calcium)

• ½ cucumber (hydrating, contains vitamins C and K, minerals potassium, sodium)

• 1 apple or pear (contain vitamin C, K (pear) and potassium)

• 2.5cm piece fresh ginger root (adds a zesty kick and aids digestion as well as contains vitamins C, B6 and minerals calcium, iron, magnesium)

• 1 teaspoon black cumin seeds (boosts immunity and has anti-inflammatory properties, contain vitamins C and B6 and minerals (iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper)

• Juice of 1 lemon (for a tangy touch and contains vitamin B6, C and minerals calcium, magnesium, iron)

• Filtered water (around 1 cup)

I also add into the drink Elsavie fibre mixture if I have it available and 1/2 teaspoon of spirulina or chlorella.

Instructions:

1. Wash all ingredients thoroughly.

2. If your blender is not high-powered, chop the dandelion leaves, celery, kale, cucumber, apple/pear, and ginger root into smaller pieces. Vitamix blends the ingredients nicely.

3. Add all ingredients into a blender.

4. Squeeze in the lemon juice.

5. Blend until smooth.

6. Pour into a glass and serve.

   
   

Tip: Enjoy this drink first thing in the morning for a refreshing start to your day!