Ginger Smoothie

Ginger is actually a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.  It is the rhizome, or root, which is commonly used, not just in cooking, but also as a medicinal.

Most people usually associate ginger with Christmas baking - all those shortbreads, cookies, cakes, breads and pies.  But did you know that it is also great thrown into smoothies.  Ginger smoothies have a wonderful spicy kick to them.

Ginger Nutrition

Ginger contains many essential nutrients and vitamins essential for good health such as pyridoxine (vitamin-6), pantothenic acid (vitamin-5) as well as vitamins C and E.  It is also high in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, copper and manganese.

Health Benefits

Ginger is a cleansing herb and contains a host of health giving properties:

• Has a similar blood-thinning effect on blood clots as aspirin.
  
  
• It is well known as an anti-nausea aid and is often taken for motion sickness or to reduce morning sickness during pregnancy. 
  
  
• It is also a natural aid to digestion.  By stimulating the blood flow to the digestive system it increases the absorption of nutrients.
  
  
• It increases the action of the gallbladder while protecting the liver from toxins thus preventing the formation of ulcers.
  
  
• Its anti-inflammatory properties can help relieve the symptoms of painful arthritis.  
  

Caution

Ginger is not recommended for people suffering from kidney disease.

How to Use Ginger in Smoothies

If using in smoothies, it is highly recommended that you use the root and not powdered ginger.  There is simply no comparison in taste.  Cut one ½ inch (1 cm) slice of fresh ginger root , peel off the skin, then either grate using a microplane grater or chop into 3 or 4 pieces before adding to your blender.

Ginger complements many fruits, from bananas, citrus to tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple.

Ginger Blueberry Smoothie

Ingredients

½ cup frozen blueberries
1 frozen banana
1 ½ cups almond milk
½ inch / 1 cm fresh ginger

How to Make

In a blender, combine the frozen blueberries, banana, almond milk and fresh ginger.  Blend on high until all the ingredients are smooth.

Pour into 2 glasses.

Mango Orange Ginger Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup frozen mango chunks
1 frozen banana
½ cup orange juice
1 cup Greek-style yogurt
½ inch / 1 cm fresh ginger

How to Make

Combine the frozen mango chunks, banana, orange juice, yogurt and fresh ginger in a blender.  Start at low, then turn to high and blender until all the ingredients are smooth.

Makes 2 glasses.

Vanilla Ginger Smoothie

Ingredients

2 frozen bananas
1 cup almond milk
½ inch / 1 cm fresh ginger
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of cardamom, cloves and nutmeg
½ teaspoon vanilla

How to Make

Add the bananas, almond milk, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla to your blender.  Blitz on high until all the ingredients are well blended and your smoothie is thick and creamy.

Pour into a glass and enjoy.

Pear Ginger

Ingredients

1 pear
1 cup Greek-style yogurt
½ cup coconut milk
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ inch / 1 cm fresh ginger

How to Make

Chop the pear and remove the core.  Add to the blender, along with the yogurt, coconut milk, cinnamon, vanilla and ginger.  Turn your blender on and blitz all the ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy.

Pour into two glasses.

Gingered Cantaloupe

½ cantaloupe, chopped into chunks
1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
½ cup coconut milk
1 cup Greek-style yogurt
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Ginger Chocolate

2 frozen bananas
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon cacao
1 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon honey (optional)