Sluggish? Tired? Fed up of the endless winter and cold grey days? Well the good news is that spring officially begins at 7:02 am on March 20th and with increased daylight, warmer temperatures and the rebirth of flora and fauna, it’s time to come out of hibernation and step into spring!

Give yourself a boost with some energising food that can help revitalise your body and mind. You don’t have to be a domestic goddess in the kitchen to perk up your personality; just a few simple changes to your diet could increase your energy levels and give you a much needed lift. It’s never too late to make a new resolution and who knows, with energy levels at a high, this could be YOUR year for finishing that novel, climbing a mountain or cycling across a continent.

So how are you going to achieve this?

I’m talking SMOOTHIES…

Smoothies are a great way of energising yourself

Smoothies are simple, healthy and very easy to make!

Whip up a smoothie and ensure that you get all the energising ingredients you need to perk yourself up. Have one as a meal replacement and you could find yourself a few pounds lighter in no time at all (The Carrot Cruncher). Falling asleep in front of your computer? Energise yourself with lashings of vitamins in a smoothie that packs a punch (The Big Brain Booster). When you’ve really indulged (as we all do and regret it the morning after) a hangover smoothie can bring you back to life before you can utter, “never again!” (The Red-Eye). You can have a lot of fun  finding your favourites. They’re quick and easy and will keep you going when there’s no time to cook.

Don’t reach for the biscuit barrel – blend up a smoothie!

There are some fabulous foods available in spring and with such a variety to choose from you can pick ‘n’ mix your daily smoothie and ensure that you never get bored. I’ve listed three of my own recipes below to get you started but you can experiment – be creative and don’t forget to share your recipe!

There are no rules with a smoothie but you may want to consider the following points:

• If using banana, apples or pears – remember that the fruit oxidises when cut and goes brown quickly, so drink straight away
• Add organic honey to sweeten (much healthier than sugar)
• If you’re really hungry you can bulk out your smoothie with oats or nuts
• Yogurt blends beautifully and gives a creamy consistency. Use a fat-free and no added sugar flavoured yogurt for a really healthy option
• Fruit juice helps smooth the ingredients. Use fresh or sugar free
• You don’t need expensive equipment – an inexpensive stick blender will work well
• Ice, or ice cream, is delicious in a smoothie
• Use a flask and take it with you. A few quick shakes and you’ve got food-on-the-move – a healthy version!

Cancel the coffee and cupcakes – Sexy Smoothies are a girl’s best friend!

RECIPES

The Carrot Cruncher

A filling and nutritious meal replacement

The Carrot Cruncher

Here’s a great energy boosting smoothie using carrots. It’s packed full of vitamins A, C, K and B12 which will also give a boost to your immune system. Carrots in a smoothie you ask? Give it a try, it’s really delicious. This smoothie is great as meal replacement at lunch time as it tastes like a cold soup. I like to add a couple of leaves of wild garlic to give it bite – wild garlic is a wonderful spring food and free! Forage it from the banks of streams at this time of year and use the leaves only, leaving the bulbs to grow again next year.

Ingredients:
4 small carrots – peeled and chopped, 1 apple – peeled and cut in quarters, I kiwi fruit – peeled and cut in half, a handful of fresh basil, 2 dessert spoons of natural yogurt, 3 or four chunks of ice, wild garlic leaves (optional), 1 cup natural apple juice.

Method:
Blitz all ingredients with a blender till smooth, pour into a glass and drink immediately.

Tip:
Use really fresh organic carrots from your local farmer’s market if you can. Rub the skin and select carrots with a shiny texture and bright orange colour which is a good sign of beta carotene (vitamin A), a powerful antioxidant. If you prefer a really sweet smoothie, choose thicker carrots where the core region of the root contains more sugars. Organic vegetables are in general, free from harmful pesticides and chemicals which contain toxic elements. If you can’t find organic carrots, make sure you peel them prior to blending as the majority of toxic substances are contained in the top layers of the skin.

The Big Brain Booster

Indulge and replenish yourself

I LOVE this one! It’s creamy and fruity and I just want to sit back, close my eyes and scoop it up with a spoon. Blueberries are a powerful little superfood; rich in antioxidants and vitamin C and can slow or even reverse the ageing of the brain, they are expensive but you only need a few and they can be found all year round in the supermarket. Bananas contain thiamine which helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy and supports the nervous system and pineapple is packed with vitamins, making it an excellent addition to any diet.

Ingredients:
Half a cup of fresh blueberries, 1 medium banana, half a cup of fresh pineapple, one low-fat yogurt – I use vanilla or coconut yogurt (if you can get it), organic honey to sweeten, a few drops of fresh lemon juice.

Method:
Blitz all ingredients with a blender till smooth, pour into a glass and drink immediately.

Tip:
If you’re trying to lose a weight this spring, try and include blueberries into your daily diet. Blueberries contain catechins which activate fat-burning genes in abdominal fat cells and can assist with weight loss – especially around your tummy.

The Red-Eye

A great smoothie for a hang-over

A smoothie provides moisture and nutrients for your body – much needed after a heavy night! Cranberries are high in vitamin C and have an antibacterial effect on the body (great if the urinary tract wonders what on earth you have been putting through it), raspberries give energy and aid digestion, they are high in vitamin B and work as well or better than caffeine filled energy drink. Mangoes are just too damn delicious to leave out of this! They contain zinc which is good for the immune system, which has no doubt taken a battering while you were out partying. Add lemon juice and fresh mint to taste – they refresh and detoxify and a pinch of cinnamon will protect the liver from alcohol damage. Ginger is oh so soothing for your tummy.

Ingredients:
Half a pint of cranberry juice, half a cup of raspberries (fresh or frozen), fresh mango (slices from a medium mango), a couple of sprigs of fresh mint (coming up now in your herb tub as spring arrives), lemon juice to taste, organic honey to sweeten, a pinch of powdered cinnamon, one teaspoon of freshly grated ginger, three or four chunks of ice.

Method:
Blitz all ingredients with a blender till smooth, pour into a glass and drink immediately.

Tip:
Add a low fat vanilla yogurt if you want to make this smoothie really creamy and extra soothing after your night of excess. You could add a handful of cranberries to bulk up this smoothie and frozen cranberries are available all year round in most supermarkets.

I hope you enjoy experimenting with your smoothie recipes and that you step into spring feeling energised, happy and raring to go!

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