Paleo Quick Tip of the Day #40 Spice up your Smoothie!

PQTD #40  Spice up your Smoothie!

www.paleojay.com
One of the foundation stones of my version of eating Paleo here at Paleo Quick Tip of the Day and at PaleoJay’s Smoothie Cafe is a daily, paleo smoothie whipped up in a Vitamix blender, ideally.  Why is this so important?  Because, even more important than eliminating toxic and processed foods like wheat, sugars, high fructose corn syrup and highly processed foods like orange juice and skimmed milk is to add in all of the nutrient dense foods that you can!

The most efficient, easy, and palatable ways to do this is by making your own Paleo Smoothie- one canister usually lasts my wife and myself for several days, and it supplies more nutrition in those few glasses we consume than all of the other God made, ancestral foods we eat- a paleo smoothie is that nutrient dense!

With that in mind, I am constantly trying to increase that density of superfoods to the maximum- and one of the best ways I’ve found to do that is by adding spices to the smoothie- specifically ginger & turmeric.

These are both super spices, that add in nutritional benefits in exceedingly huge proportions, especially considering the small amount that is needed!
I have ginger and turmeric powders that I buy in larger amounts, and then add into small spice jars above my counter- then, when I make my smoothie, I simply reach up and shake about a teaspoon or so of each into my Vitamix... I also have my kelp, maca, and spirulina powders handy in spice jars for easy access!  It makes smoothie making pretty effortless.

Ginger is not only high in nutrient density, it has anti-inflammatory properties that make is a potent protector against cancer, heart disease, and many lesser ailments like colds, flu, and skin conditions.  Turmeric and maca have much the same properties- all are made from ancient plant roots, and can be ground into a powder that can be easily added to your smoothie and are thus easily assimilated into your diet.

In addition, all of these spicy powders are very helpful in the healing of leaky gut, which is endemic in the modern Western world, and the foundation of most of our modern, degenerative diseases.  This includes obesity, all skin diseases, diabetes, heart problems and cancer, not to mention the many lesser ones like gerd, heartburn, diverticulitis, ulcers, migraines- I mean the list goes on and on of the many curses of living in the modern world!

And, if just by adding in some nutrient dense spices into an already veggie loaded smoothie containing just about all that is needed for healthy human life support and enhancement...

My gosh!  Just spice up your life- get a Vitamix with free shipping, any model you choose, at www.paleojay.com, pick up some spices and the other ingredients for the Paleo Smoothie, and get going NOW!

It’s not complicated, it’s not hard, and just this one simple step will improve your life, mindset and overall health more than anything.



Check out this episode!

Paleo Smoothie SUPER INGREDIENTS!

Butter gets a very bad rap!  "High saturated fat- artery clogging and fattening!"

B.S.- Butter satisfies! Butter is loaded with nutrients you need and want, things like Vitamins A, D, and K...  Butter, particularly grass fed, or pastured butter such as the Kerrygold shown above, will up your satiety level, so you do not feel hungry at all- that's because you have satisfied your body's nutritional needs so well by eating it!  Here is some really cool info about butter from Dave Asprey, his Bulletproof Butter info-graphic!

Pretty much sums it up- that's why I include pastured butter in the Paleo Smoothie! Use a healthy Tablespoon or so- don't skimp on this nutrient powerhouse.   Nothing against Dave's "Bulletproof Coffee"- I think it is just great; I'd just rather have the butter in the resultingly creamy smoothie, and add coconut oil and whipped cream to my coffee, thanks... same end result!

Beets- I personally love beets!  But, to get them in my diet, since I am the only one in the PaleoJay Cave that appreciates them- aye, there's the rub!

The thing about beets is that they are so good for you, particularly good for your cardiovascular health.  They can lower high blood pressure as well, and are particularly high in vitamin C, as well as other nutrients- and so, I have begun adding dried beet powder to the Paleo Smoothie!  

Find it readily at bulkfoods.com   (scroll to the bottom for the beet powder...)

Beet it- Beet it! oh well, enough of that....

KEFIR- 

Here is some of my home made Kefir!  I strongly recommend you take up this new "hobby" of kefir making- not only is kefir simple to make, it has become a mainstay of the Paleo Smoothie- I use about a cup per day!  That is a cup of very potent probiotics, each and every day- needless to say, my gut is now very happy indeed!

"But Jay, but Jay!" I hear you plaintively cry.

"I don't know HOW to make kefir!!"  Sob.

It's really, really simple- first, you need some kefir grains.

Never fear- just go here- cultures for health.

Buy the milk culture grains- they will last you for the rest of your life, and you can give some away every week for the rest of your life as well!  Be a hero- order some Kefir grains!

You can buy the grains elsewhere as well, I bought mine off of Ebay, and they are great!  But whatever, get some grains!

Then, put them in a mason jar (that works the best, but almost any glass jar with a lid will work fine), add raw milk if you can, but it you can't (Thanks FDA!), use goat's milk, or coconut milk!  I have been using a mix of about 1/2 coconut milk, and 1/2 goat's milk, and I just love it!  These grains will culture just about any high fat type of product...All are good to use!

I put the (2 at a time) mason jars on top of my fridge with the jars loosely screwed on, overnight.  Usually, that is all the time you need- it's done!  The first time you do it you might want to wait a couple of days, and then just put the jars in the fridge- ready to pour into your Paleo Smoothie each morning!  Simple!  

When you get to the bottom of the jar, and only have about 1/4 cup left, add more milk and repeat the process.  You don't need to wash anything out, or "wash the grains" as some say, or anything at all- just add more milk, and age overnight!  

Your grains will thank you, your GUT will thank you, and your overall bodily health and vitality will thank you, since you are doing a great thing for the wonderful microbes in your body that actually digest and process the foods you eat for you.

GINGER, and Turmeric- the two most potent cancer fighters you can find!

Both of these "spices" or herbs are readily available, and are potent anti-inflammatory agents right off the bat!  Ginger appears to be particularly effective in fighting cancer as well, (as does Turmeric as well!), and anything that combats inflammation will be a potent ally to you in your search for health.  Powdered varieties are fine- just add a teaspoon or so each day to your smoothie, for maximum effect!


Just so you know, if all of the above seems overwhelming- YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT ALL!

Start out with my Beginning Paleo Smoothie... enjoy the benefits... and gradually progress to the

ULTIMATE PALEO SMOOTHIE!

One in which the nutrient density is OFF THE CHARTS,

WHERE YOUR HEALTH IS UNREAL!

You don't have to get there all at once- start slowly- and KEEP ADDING INGREDIENTS!

Add foods, spices, veggies, exercise and good sleep- 

YOU WON'T BELIEVE THE NEW YOU!

J