So you’ve been making green smoothies faithfully now for months…and you’re wanting to spice things up a bit, right? Ok. The list below contains some little goodies that you can add to your smoothies for a little extra boost. HOWEVER, I want to make it very clear that these are optional. They are not necessary for optimal health…I believe that they can make a difference…but whole fresh fruits and veggies are still BEST! Personally, I don’t use them on an every day basis…maybe 3-4 times a week.
Powdered green superfoods in general are a bit on the expensive side, and in my opinion are a little overemphasized in the raw movement. The best thing to do is just try them and decide for yourself if they are beneficial. Add them consistently for a week and then determine if you have more energy. There are many boosts that you can add that aren’t as expensive…flax, chia seeds, hemp seeds, etc. Lots of options! 
Vitamineral Green:
This is what I am currently using the most. It has tons of different things in it…including probiotics. I can taste it in the smoothie, but it doesn’t have an overpowering taste. You can also take it straight in water…but I’ve never tried it. There is another supplement called Pure Synergy that I hear a lot about…it has similar properties but I haven’t tried it either.
Ingredients: 100% Organic/Wildcrafted
Land Vegetables:
Whole Leaf Barley Grass , Whole Leaf Wheat Grass , Nettle Leaf , Shavegrass (Horsetail) , Alfalfa Leaf Juice , Dandelion Leaf Juice , Kamut® Grass Juice , Barley Grass Juice , Oat Grass Juice , Burdock Root , Broccoli Juice , Kale Juice , Spinach Juice , Parsley Juice , Carob Pod , Ginger Root , Nopal Cactus , Amla Berry
Algaes:
Spirulina , Broken Cell Wall Chlorella
Wildcrafted Aquatic Vegetables:
Icelandic Kelp , Nova Scotia Dulse
Enzymes:
Optimum absorption of Amylase, Lipase, Protease, Cellulase, Bromelain and Papain (rawguru.com)
Spirulina:
When people are going on and on about protein content in my diet…I like to tell them about GREENS! And spirulina falls into that category. It’s a complete protein. I have a big jar of Spirulina…same brand at the Vitamineral Green. The Vit. Green also has spirulina in it…so I haven’t been using the straight powder as much.
“Spirulina is an exceptional food and an incredible source of concentrated, non-toxic, absorbable nutrients. It is a highly beneficial substitute for protein powders. The protein in Spirulina contains all 8 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Spirulina (a blue-green algae), also contains vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, E, and K. In addition, Spirulina also provides minerals, trace minerals, cell salts, phytonutrients and enzymes, as well as an abundance of chlorophyll & other beneficial pigments. ” (rawguru.com)
Hemp Seeds:
Hemp seeds are super versatile and I use them in everything! I add them to smoothies and salads. I sprinkle them inside of wraps and also on top of Bella’s oatmeal.
These are the Earth’s most nutritious seeds. This shelled hemp seed is 33% protein, rich in vitamin E and iron, as well as Omega-3, 6, 9 and GLA. hemp nut offers complete, whole food nutrition. Canadian Farmers grow hemp without pesticides or herbicides making this a safer product for you and the Earth. Hemp is a weed, grows anywhere easier and has no natural pests. Growing hemp (a nonpsychoactive crop) restores our soils and conserves forests, contributing to a healthy sustainable world. Start a hemp food tradition, save your health and the health of the planet. This hemp nut is raw, vegan and delicious. Sprinkle this raw Hemp Seed Nut generously on salads, cereals and soups - or eat by the spoonful as a delicious snack by itself. Hemp seed nut goes great in smoothies. (rawguru.com)
Maca:
Maca is known to be an energy, fertility, and libido enhancer. Take with caution! ha ha. It does have a bit of an aftertaste…I think it’s best in chocolate smoothies, but I’m able to get it down in a green one as well.
Chia Seeds:
I haven’t used these much, but I did pick up a small bag a few cities back to start adding them to our smoothies. They can be sprinkled on anything, much like hemp seeds…although most sources say to soak them before eating (they do not need to be ground).
Chia seeds provide the essential omega 3 & 6 oils. Chia seeds are 30% oil, of which 30% is omega 3 and 40% is omega 6, and have a long shelf life. They also have approximately two times the protein concentration and up to ten times the oil concentration of other grains, and are digestible without grinding. Other seeds with harder shells, such as flax seeds, require grinding to make them digestible and have a very short shelf life in the ground form.
Chia seeds are small and have the unique feature of a shell that turns gelatinous (mucilaginous) when it gets wet. This gel is thought to create a barrier in the stomach between the carbohydrates and digestive enzymes - slowing the breakdown of carbos into sugar and prolonging endurance. The seed can absorb more than 10 times its weight in water which can prolong hydration and retain electrolytes in body fluids. The name, chia, is Maya for strength or strengthening. (rawguru.com)
Flax Seeds:
To obtain the most nutrition from flax seeds, they must be ground. I use these in smoothies and salads. They have a really nice flavor and texture…I love it! There are just too many benefits to list here, so go and read them here!
So that’s my list…there are many, many more supplemental foods out there, but these are the big ones for us. What is your favorite boost?
While we were in beautiful San Diego in May, we enjoyed some delicious raw food at “
