Do you want to have a smoothie that can boost your brainpower and focus? If so, please read on. This smoothie is the one I have been relying on to boost my brainpower for the past year. The best of all its delicious and it works.

Why do we need a boost in the morning?

It is important to have a good start to the morning and be able to concentrate during the most productive hours of the day. I find when I eat too much in the morning, I feel sleepy and unable to focus. By replacing my usual breakfast with my Brain Power Smoothie, I can save time and boost my brain. This recipe may not be for everyone, but for those of you are ok with having leafy greens and a whole range of superfoods, then read on.

What do we need?

I am assuming you have a blender. If not, I recommend the Nutrabullet. It’s durable and is easy to wash. Then its a trip to the local supermarket.

What is in my Green Brain Power Smoothie?

1.Super Kale

This superfood is one of the most nutrient-dense food on the planet. It is a cruciferous vegetable like broccoli, cabbage and contains Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Manganese, Calcium, Copper, Potassium, and Magnesium. It also contains 3% or more of the DV for vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), iron and phosphorus.

Benefits of Super Kale

Benefits range from lowering cholesterol, which may reduce the risk of heart disease to numerous cancer-fighting substances. It is very high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body can turn into vitamin A.

How do I prepare it and how much do I need?

I prepare my kale in a batch. I wash, blanch and freeze my kale. I do this on Sundays and make enough for the week. I usually use about a third of the blender jar amount of Kale.

2.Green Leafy Spinach

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is one of the most popular green, leafy vegetables in the world as it is a rich source of minerals, vitamins, pigments, and phytonutrients. It contains vitamins like folate, niacin, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, and thiamine.

Benefits of Spinach

Spinach has been known to help improve EyeSight, Macular Degeneration and has a load of Neurological Benefits. The vitamins contained in Kale can relieve symptoms of Hemohilla, strengthens muscles and helps improving bone density. Other benefits include aiding the digestive system, preventing Atherosclerosis, reducing inflammation and has Anticancer Effects.

How do I prepare it and how much do I need?

Honestly, I just use a handful and blanch/freeze it like Kale. If I run out of Kale, I will just add more Spinach and vice versa.

3.Avocado

Avocado is loaded with healthy fats and fiber. It is known to be incredibly nutritious. It contains Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin E. It also contains small amounts of magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorous and vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin).

Benefits of Avocados

By having more potassium than bananas, Avocadoes helps support healthy blood pressure . Avocados contain high levels of Lutein, a little-known plant nutrient that keeps brain cells healthy and found to protect against cognitive decline.
They are high in monounsaturated oleic acid, a heart-healthy fatty acid and are rich in fiber — about 7% by weight, which is good for weight loss and metabolic health. Avocadoes improve heart disease risk factors and are food for eye health by lower your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

How do I prepare it and how much do I need?

I use half an avocado and just scoop it into my blender

4.Lime Juice

Lime is a good source of antioxidants, magnesium, and potassium. It not only helps with revitalizing your skin but also helps with digestion.

Benefits of Lime

Lime contains vitamin C, flavonoids, the antioxidants that help strengthen collagen and rejuvenates the skin. It improves digestion by helping saliva breakdown food. It helps fight infections by having plenty of Vitamin C. Lime helps with weight loss due to the high concentration of citric acid which boosts metabolism. The magnesium and potassium promote heart health by improving heart circulation.

The high antioxidant helps promote healthy cell growth. It also improves the function of the immune system – helping reduce the risk of cancer

TIP: Drinking a glass of warm water with 2 teaspoons of lime juice about 30 minutes before meals may help prevent reflux symptoms.

How do I prepare it and how much do I need?

1/2 Lime squeeze into the blender directly

5. Dry Dates

Dates are high in fiber and minerals. It contains flavonoids, Carotenoids and Phenolic acid which are potent antioxidants. I use dates to add a bit of sweetness in my smoothie instead of using honey or sugar.

Benefits of Dates

Dates can help prevent constipation and control blood sugar levels due to it being high in fiber. It contains high levels of antioxidants that may help prevent certain chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. It may be helpful in preventing plaques from forming in the brain, which is important for preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

How do I prepare it and how much do I need?

I just add two or three dates. It’s up to you depending on the level of sweetness. Get the pitted dates to save time.

6. Turmeric

Turmeric contains bioactive compounds including curcumin. Curcumin is high in antioxidants and is a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Benefits of Tumeric

The high concentration of curcumin boost levels of the brain hormone BDNF. The hormone BDNF increases the growth of new neurons and fights various degenerative processes in your brain. It improves the function of the endothelium and is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. Curcumin has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease. With its many positive health effects, turmeric has been linked to potentially prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer, curcumin may aid longevity.

How do I prepare it and how much do I need?

I just add a teaspoon into my smoothie

7. Walnuts

This brain shaped nut actually is extremely good for our brains. Walnuts are one of the best foods we can have for our brains and longevity.

Benefits

It contains twice the many antioxidants as other nuts and is packed with a high concentration of DHA (a type of Omega-fatty acid) and polyphenols. Polyphenols play an important role in fighting free radicals and cancer cells. Omega 3’s are known to be one of the fundamental building blocks of the brain. It is critical for brain health in both infants and adults and has been studied to boost mood and improve cognition.

How do I prepare it and how much do I need?

A small handful will do

8. Blueberries

The antioxidant power of blueberries protects the neural tissue from oxidative stress.  Studies have shown improvements in memory and learning while reducing symptoms of depression. The riper the berries the more anti-oxidant power they contain.

Benefits of Blueberries

This superfood slows down vision loss, breakdown belly fat, preserve bone health, relieves constipation and improves memory It induces cancer cell death (Apoptosis), reduces the risk of heart attack, lowers blood sugar and prevents urinary tract infection.

How do I prepare it and how much do I need?

A small handful of blueberries is enough. If you don’t have fresh ones its all good. Just get the frozen version from your supermarket. It may seem a bit expensive but if you are using a small handful its doesn’t cost too much.

9. Banana

I add a banana for a bit of sweetness and to thicken the smoothie. Bananas don’t need much introduction. I add a banana for a bit of sweetness and to thicken the smoothie.

Benefits of Banana

Bananas contain potent antioxidants, including dopamine and catechins. These antioxidants have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and degenerative illnesses. They are rich in fiber, antioxidants can moderate blood sugar levels after meals and reduces appetite by slowing stomach emptying.

How do I prepare it and how much do I need?

I usually add one small banana or half a big one.

10. Nut Milk or Filtered Water

I tend not to add any dairy into my smoothie. I prefer to add almond milk or any other nut milk as they contain fewer calories. If you’re allergic to nuts just add filtered water.

OPTIONAL

MCT Oil

MCT stands for medium-chain triglyceride, a type of fat found in milk, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil. Proponents consider MCT more “efficient” than long-chain triglycerides, the kind found in foods high in dietary fat.

How do I prepare it and how much do I need?

I just fill the blender jar to about 70% full after I put all the ingredients in.

Ideas to save on time and cost when making the Brain Power Smoothie

Nut Milk tips

You can buy nut milk from most supermarkets. The supermarket version while it is fine usually contains a few percents of the nut. For example, typical almond milk from the supermarket only contains anywhere from 4% to 7% of almond. The price of the nut milk can be a bit pricey.

I make my own nut milk

What I do is I buy the nut, for example, almond or walnut and soak them in water overnight. I will blend these nuts with filtered water in my blender and pour them in a nut bag to filter the pulp. I will make enough nut milk for a few days and put them in a glass bottle and leave it in the fridge.

Now that I’ve covered all the ingredients, it looks like a long list and takes a lot of time. We’ll not exactly. It depends on how you prepare it. I batch my preparation for most things and for my brain smoothie I do the same.

Batch preparing your ingredients

Blanche and pack Spinach and Kale

I will blanch the spinach and kale and freeze them in a zip lock bag. I use a large ziplock bag for spinach and one for kale. I label them just in case I get it mixed up.

Other ingredients

• Walnuts, Dates, and Turmeric – I keep my walnuts, dates, turmeric powder in jars. It’s easy to put into my smoothie jar when they are all on my benchtop.
• Nutmilk – As mentioned earlier, I make a big batch that will last me a few days.
• Bananas – They are pretty easy to just peel and place into the blender
• Blueberries -I just grab a handful and add to the blender
• Avocado – I cut it in half and just put the other unused half in a glass container.

What if I don’t have all these ingredients or run out?

I would suggest using as many of the ingredients above as possible but if you for example run out of Avocados, just add more banana. This goes with Kale and Spinach. If you run out of dates, then add some honey. As long as you consume most of these ingredients regularly it will have significant benefits to your brain and body.

Final thoughts…

This recipe is what I am using now and I have adjusted it a few times over the years. I find having simply done something good for myself each morning like having a healthy first meal has a positive flow-on effect throughout the day. It will encourage me to watch what I eat for lunch and keep the health focus going for the rest of the day. Why don’t you give it a try!