Mango, Pear & Green Tea Smoothie

This has to be one of my favourite go-to smoothies.  It was one of the first combinations I really loved, and is a great one for people trying out a green smoothie for the first time.   The pear and frozen mango mean that it's light and refreshing, while the spinach provides that dose of green goodness without being overpowering.  If you struggle with low energy, headaches and a tired complexion as I did, then upping your intake of iron is an incredible way to combat this.  You can mix this simply with cold water, or with a cup of chilled green tea for some more flavour and an extra energy boost, not to mention the benefit of its antioxidant qualities.

If I'm feeling a bit run down this always helps to pick me up, and give me that extra boost.

Recipe:

1 cup of frozen mango

1-2 cups of spinach

1 pear

1 cup of water or green tea, brewed and chilled (I use lemon flavoured) 

I also add:

1-2 desert spoons of flaxseed (at the moment this is a flaxseed & goji berry mix)

1 tbs of shelled hemp

1 tbs of chia seed

Just throw everything in and blend until smooth.  You can adjust the consistency easily by adding more fruit or spinach to thicken, or more water to thin.  Enjoy!

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An Afternoon in Arnside

Arnside is a beautiful village in Cumbria not too far from where we live, but it feels like a world away.  It's so peaceful, refreshing and has the most beautiful limestone houses.  Last week my son and I caught the train there and spent a rather cold afternoon wandering through the village and playing on the beach.  The surrounding bay is an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', and with such stunning views across to the Lakeland fells it's not hard to see why.

We followed a winding path through the houses before finding our way down to the beach, where we watched for trains passing over the bridge.  The tide was low so we were able to walk along the headland.  It's a beautiful walk, but you have to be aware of the tides!  Here a siren sounds an hour before the water returns, but stray too far out and you might come across some quicksand first!

On the promenade we found a cafe to warm up in, then there was just enough time for a quick look around the gift shop (where my boy found another wooden animal figurine to add to his collection) before it was time to catch the train home.  We left feeling refreshed and a little windswept, but as always, it was a lovely afternoon in this charming village.

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Mango and Beetroot Green Smoothie

Smoothies are a fantastic way of adding extra goodness to your diet with minimal fuss, and they're so tasty and really easy to make!  My favourite by far are green smoothies, as there's just so much goodness in one serving and you can feel the benefits very quickly.

The spinach, kale and beetroot in this recipe are all high in iron, without which you start to feel tired, lethargic and are more prone to illness, it can even affect everything from your brain function to your complexion!  They all also contain vitamins A and C, which are great for your vision, skin, immune system and digestion too.

Frozen mango has to be my favourite fruit to add to a smoothie; it's so light, sweet and refreshing and as it's high in vitamin C it also helps your body to absorb all that iron.  The coconut drink is also a great addition, being naturally sweet and a source of vitamin B12, which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. 

This smoothie really is full of nutritional benefits, whilst also being a deliciously refreshing and light drink.

Serves 1

1 cup of kale

1 cup of spinach

1 boiled beetroot, chopped

1 cup of frozen mango

1 1/2 cups of coconut drink such as Alpro (A blend of coconut and rice milk)

1tbs of chia seeds

I also add:

1tbs of flaxseed

1tbs of shelled hemp

Simply throw everything in the blender and mix until smooth.   It's best fresh but if you want to store it in the fridge for later it will still taste great.  Enjoy!

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