Zesty green smoothie

Smoothies are quick and easy to prepare, I usually have them at least once a week as breakfast, light lunch or nutritious snack.

Celery, young spinach and bananas are staples in my kitchen and so I often use them in smoothies. To vary the taste I’d use different spices and nut milks, or add one ingredient. For this variation, I’m using quite a lot of fresh ginger, ground turmeric, cinnamon and coconut milk. The tablespoon of oil is essential to allow for flavours to come to life.

I find the banana and the cinnamon provide the right amount of sweetness which makes it one of my go-to smoothies at any time of the day.

• Ingredients

  • 1 stock celery, roughly chopped

  • 1 small banana, roughly chopped

  • 2 good handfuls young spinach

  • 2 heaped tbsp thin fresh ginger slices (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger)

  • 1 tsp ground turmeric

  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil, such as flaxseed oil, hemp oil, or mild olive oil

  • Unsweetened coconut milk to fill you blender jar to about 80%.

  Tip: Bananas that are less ripe have a lower glycaemic index, which means they don’t raise blood sugar levels too quickly, helping maintain your energy levels for longer.

• Preparation

  • Add all dry ingredients in your blender jar, finishing with the spinach

  • Add the oil and the coconut milk so the jar is about 80% full (this is to avoid overspill when you use the blender at a high speed)

  • Blend until a smooth consistency is reached.

• Health benefits

  This nourishing and tasty smoothie is a quick win to get a good amount of dietary fibre, promoting gut health.

  You’ll also reap the anti-inflammatory benefits of ginger, turmeric, flaxseed oil or hemp seed oil, and cinnamon.