Orange Carrot Smoothie

Adding fresh juice (ideally cold-pressed for maximum nutrient retention) to a smoothie can really make the flavors pop. Both juices and smoothies are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes. When consumed on an empty stomach they are very easy to digest and absorb- this means that the nutrients will be well utilized and replenish or build up our stores. I like to think of all these nutrients as quality of life enhancers, while major deficiencies show up in diseases like scurvy, many simply manifest less dramatically as fatigue, lackluster skin and hair and weak nails. Packing smoothies with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables will ensure that we get a wide range of all the vitamins and minerals we need. For those who do not find blended or juiced vegetables appealing carrots can be a great place to start, their natural sweetness disguises the fact that vegetables are present. I have been sneaking them into the juices I make for my brothers and they have not complained yet. In time, more and more of the fruit can be replaced by vegetables as the palate becomes more accustomed to less sweetness.