My worst winter beauty complaint: dry skin.
While this smoothie can be enjoyed anytime of the year, it’s especially good for those times, like the middle of grey February, when we may need a little more healthy fat in our diets. Clinical nutritionist Kimberly Snyder recommends that we consume almonds for softer, healthier skin. High in vitamin E, almonds aid skin from the inside out, giving us that boost of suppleness we could all use this time of year.
The vitamin C in the carrots and bananas help improve the absorption of vitamin E, making the perfect complement to the almond milk and butter. What’s more—bananas can put us in a better mood (I’m okay with that), and carrots, chock full of beta-carotene, help promote liver detoxification.
Finally, in Ayurvedic practice, the warming spice ginger can be added to meals (including cold ones like this) to improve their digestibility. I love finding different ways to use ginger when it’s cold outside. This is the first I’ve ever thrown it in a smoothie!
Ginger Carrot Banana Almond Winter Beauty Smoothie
Ingredients:
(Serves 3-4)
2 ½ cups almond milk
2 tbl. almond butter (or more for a richer smoothie)
2 inches ginger root, peeled and chopped
2 ripe bananas
2-3 large carrots
Blend until smooth and creamy. Enjoy!
Related: Chocolate Cinnamon Protein Smoothie
Creamy Cranberry Oatmeal Smoothie
5 Amazing Reasons You Should Be Eating Cinnamon
Photos: Mary Hood, HealthAliciousNess via Flickr, jimlightfoot26 via Flickr.