by Georgia Stewart

Created on: November 15, 2009

Smoothies are an excellent way to consume a large amount of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals easily and simply. Food contains more nutrients when it's consumed raw because they can be destroyed when they're cooked. There are an infinite number of fruit or vegetable combinations that can go into smoothies but one that is beneficial both for the health and for it's delicious, refreshing taste is the following one:

Grapefruit & Mint Immune System support smoothie

1 grapefruit

2 tsp fresh or dried mint

2 desert spoons ground flax seed (linseed) (optional)

2 desert spoons ground pumpkin seeds (optional)

filtered water

The ingredients can be added in any order but please be sure to peel the grapefruit first (as if you'd forget!). Grapefruits contain properties that support the immune system so they're excellent for maintaining the health and during recovery from health conditions.

Mint adds an extra zing to the beautifully refreshing taste of the grapefruit and it's good for the digestive system; it can even cure nausea.

Ground flax seed and pumpkin seeds add extra nutrients because seeds are some of nature's nutritional power packs!

I mentioned filtered water because tap water isn't always as clean as it could be and we should attempt to minimise the amount of toxins that go into the body. Of course filtering is optional though; bottled or tap water could be used or fruit juice if it's preferred. If fruit juice is used I recommend using pure fruit juice that contains no added sugar or sweeteners. There is natural fruit sugar, or fructose in the grapefruit and too much sugar or artificial sweeteners can be destructive to the health.

This smoothie is one that most children will love, especially when the weather is hot. Their immune systems will be supported, helping them to stay healthy and they'll be consuming important nutrients. If they don't like grapefruits an orange could be substituted because it's a citrus fruit that contains Vitamin C like the grapefruit. Vitamin C helps the body to absorb Iron, which in turn keeps the blood healthy and in this way supports the immune system.

If children enjoy this smoothie I'm sure that they'll want to try others and perhaps vegetable smoothies could also be introduced. They're an easy way for them to consume vegetables and herbs can enhance the taste.

Blenders are one of the most valuable modern day inventions for the kitchen and they don't have to be expensive. In this day and age when so many of us live unhealthy life-styles I suggest that every home should contain one. Also a grinder or a grinder attachment so that nutritional seeds can be added to smoothies.

I hope you try and enjoy the smoothie!

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