Orange Immunity Boosting Smoothie

Every year, like clockwork, after all the holiday travel I inevitably get sick right as I get back in town and try to get back into the swing of things. If only planes offered personal air filtration systems so that you wouldn’t catch that cough from your row mate. Until that happens, I’ll be pulling out all the stops with natural immunity boosting tricks. One of my favorite ways to get lots of good nutrients is through smoothies so I figured why not make an immunity boosting smoothie. This smoothie packs a punch and includes lots of germ bursting goodness.

This smoothie features spinach, bananas, orange, coconut, turmeric, ginger, yogurt, chia seeds and bee pollen which all have nutrients that will keep your immunity system healthy and help you fight off illness.

Spinach: Spinach is packed with lots of antioxidants, beta carotene and vitamin C. Spinach is thought to increase the illness fighting ability in our immune system.

Banana: Bananas are packed with nutrients like potassium, calcium, manganese, mangesium, iron and B6 which all help to keep your body functioning and healthy.

Orange: Oranges and other citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C that is thought to prevent the common cold from turning into something more serious.

Coconut Butter: Coconuts are rich in lauric acid which is known for it’s antimicrobial properties and is thought to be able to assist in fighting viruses and bacterial infections.

Turmeric:  Turmeric is known for it’s inflammation fighting ability. It helps to fend off any germs that may have invaded your body and can help repair damage.

Ginger: Like turmeric, ginger is beneficial in decreasing inflammation. Ginger is a diaphoretic which means that it promotes sweating and warms the body from within.

Yogurt: Yogurt includes probiotics that help keep your gut happy and in balance. A happy gut will prevent germs, bacteria and other bad things from entering your blood stream and making you sick.

Bee Pollen: Bee pollen is a superfood that reduces inflammation and boosts the immune system through antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

To make this superfood smoothie, combine all the ingredients except for the bee pollen in a high speed blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Top with bee pollen for a little flare and a big superfood punch and enjoy!