Coconut Lime Cleansing Smoothie

I could have called this a 'Detox Smoothie’ but personally I really struggle with that word. I think it’s over-used in the health industry and conjures aggressive feelings about your body when really we just want our bodies to be functioning efficiently. Making your body happy doesn’t mean depriving or depleting yourself. Sometimes it just needs a gentle nudge in the right direction.

Activated charcoal is nothing like the stuff you scrape off the barbeque after steak night. Activated charcoal is charcoal that has been processed at a high temperature so it ends up with lots of tiny pores, increasing its surface area. I recommend using activated charcoal made from coconut husks - which is the most common type - you will find at health food stores.

Activated charcoal works by chemically binding to things in your body before they enter your blood stream. This can be anything from chemicals to nutrients so it is important to do your research before using it; especially if you are taking certain medications. And I don’t recommend it as something you do everyday. It is so good at binding with poisons that it is used in emergency rooms worldwide in cases of certain drug overdoses.

We use activated charcoal when we’ve over indulged on foods we don’t normally eat (hello pizza and wine) and it seems to help us avoid that groggy, ‘I feel like a blimp’ stage the next day. It is said to help kidney function because it is taking some of the work off their hands by clearing out the bad stuff. It’s also good at removing gassy bloat and some say it can even help that gas smell a little less (I won’t say it will make it smell good but partners you can thank me later).

Of course you can make this recipe without the charcoal. It will be just as delicious because the charcoal doesn’t have any flavour, but hey, it’s 2018, why not have a black smoothie?! And if you don’t like the smoothie, there is a whole wonderful list of other uses for activated charcoal like teeth whitener, face masks and body scrubs.

Jen xx

Coconut and Lime Cleansing Smoothie

Makes 1 smoothie

GF, DF, SF, vegan

Prep time + tidy up: 10mins

Cook time: 30seconds

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen cherries

1 cup fresh spinach

1 cup ice

Juice and zest of one lime

1 cup coconut water - We like Raw C

1/2 - 1 tsp activated charcoal powder – we use this one from Pure Eden

1/2 desiccated coconut

1/2 frozen banana or 1 tbsp maple syrup – optional if you need it sweetened

Method:

Add all ingredients except the ice to a blender and blend until smooth.

Check consistency and if you would like it thicker add some ice. If your blender is struggling, add a little more coconut water.

Pour into a big glass.

Garnish with a lime wedge and extra coconut and remember your teeth will be black while drinking it so try not to smile at unsuspecting strangers.

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