I know it is hard to think smoothies during the winter but they are the BEST way to get in tons of great nutrients throughout your day!
This Gingerbread Smoothie gets in me the holiday spirit and my kids really liked that they were able to have a small gingerbread man along with their smoothie! The smoothie also offer great health benefits and protein to keep you full throughout the day! Enjoy!
- Gingerbread Smoothie
Gingerbread Smoothie
1 cup almond milk
1 frozen banana
2 tsp ginger (or 1 tsp fresh ginger)
1 cup Greek yogurt or 1 serving vanilla protien powder
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp maple syrup
1 cup crushed ice
(top with cinnamon and one small gingerbread man)
Health Benefits of Ginger
From WebMD
- Ginger-root
There are many health benefits of ginger. This powerful herb has been shown to be useful in the treatment of everything from cancer to migraines. It has been said to help provide relief for conditions as diverse as asthma, painful menstruation, migraines, indigestion and infection and is said to promote vitality and longevity. Ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress.
Ginger's healing properties come from its volatile oils, gingerols and shogaols, which are also responsible for its pungent taste. The oils cause more digestive enzymes to be produced which help with the whole digestion process and neutralize the acids that can cause nausea, cramps and even diarrhea.
Ginger is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin E, vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, potassium and selenium, and a very good source of manganese. Ginger root is very low in cholesterol and sodium. Also, ginger root is full of natural anti-inflammatories, and anything that helps keep levels of inflammation low is good for your heart.
One of ginger's most touted health benefits is its ameliorating effects on digestive ailments. It can help digest fatty foods and break down proteins. It is excellent for reducing gas. Many people report that it will also relieve nausea, and can be effective in treating morning sickness as well as motion sickness. Ginger can also help reduce inflammation. So it can be used to treat any disease that is caused by inflammations such as arthritis or ulcerative colitis. Being a warming herb, ginger can help knock out a fever. This property also makes it effective in stimulating circulation of the blood. It can also help relax muscles around the blood vessels and is said to help prevent blood clots from forming. The warming effects make it a natural decongestant as well as an antihistamine, making it the perfect remedy for colds.
1 tsp of Ginger is all you need for one serving.
- Lemon Ginger Tea