My digestion has been a bit out of whack over the past few months. Actually, I’m feeling a bit out of whack as a whole. Maybe I was naïve, but I really didn’t anticipate the postpartum phase to be so challenging, on many different levels. The pregnancy seems to get the most attention while the period after having a baby seems to be all about getting back to your old self as soon as possible. At least in the media. I guess I expected that for myself too, but it’s not my personal reality nor is it for many other new moms I’ve talked to. We’re almost 5 months in and I still don’t feel like I have it together. I mostly blame the overnight waking hours and sugar cravings (the cravings result from lack of sleep – it’s a vicious cycle), but it’s everything really. Life has changed in so many weird and wonderful ways. I wonder if I ever will feel like my old self, or if I’d ever want to; what I have right now is great. I say it all the time but motherhood is amazing. I pinch myself so many times a day…like, do I actually get to witness this sweet baby discover the world? It’s the kind of thing that fills my heart with so much joy it keeps me up at night because I know that it could all be taken away in a second.
The intensity seems to be lifting as the months go on. We are laughing so much every day! I’m convinced Adriana is a 90 year old woman trapped in a baby’s body. Seriously…she does this lip-sucking in thing that makes her look like she forgot her dentures. I die every time. She is my number one priority and because of this I think I have let my own self fall to the wayside. It’s the cliché saying about motherhood, but it’s been so true. For me, this seemed necessary to get through the first months as a new parent, but I’m getting to that place now where I think I can find a balance for both of us. The fog is lifting. This is where a plant-based diet can help in so many great ways! I think I’ve done a good job of staying healthy this past year, but there are a few things I would like to improve upon.
The advice I often give to others is to make small changes when starting out, so that’s what I’ve been doing recently. Just a bunch of little tweaks that all contribute to the whole. Baby steps. Rather than having caffeine in the morning (which doesn’t seem to agree with my anxiety-prone nature), I’ve switched to a tea made with fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, and Rooibos tea. I drink it all day long. A few other things I’m doing (almost) everyday – green protein smoothie, exercise, probiotics (plus my other regular vitamin regime), and hitting the hay earlier. There’s nothing ground-breaking or gimmicky here, but they are things that just WORK time and time again. Sure there are days when none of these things happen, but for the most part it’s helping!
While this smoothie is different from my regular morning protein smoothie, it makes for a lovely afternoon snack. You could probably add some hemp hearts to this one if you wanted to boost the protein enough for a morning drink.
This smoothie combines the power of many digestion-friendly and immune-boosting foods:
// Pineapple // Digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits, immune support. One cup gives you 105% of your daily Vitamin C requirements. I use frozen pineapple chunks in smoothies to save time.
// Fresh ginger // Soothes the intestinal tract and helps with digestion. Awesome for all kinds of gastrointestinal relief, such as morning sickness. Anti-inflammatory and immune boosting.
// Fresh parsley // Rich in vitamins K, C, A, folate, and antioxidants. It’s a natural diuretic which can help release water retention. Opt for flat-leaf parsley as it’s less bitter than curly parsley. Cilantro would be a nice swap here too!
// Avocado // Major anti-inflammatory benefits + heart-healthy fats. High in fibre which aids with digestion.
// Banana // Rich in B6, manganese, Vitamin C, fibre, and potassium. Interesting to note – while bananas are high in sugar, they have a low glycemic index score which means that they won’t spike blood sugar levels. It’s soothing to the digestive track and thought to regulate the bowels and enhance friendly gut bacteria.
// Lemon // Rich in vitamin C. Aids digestion and helps flush out toxins.
[Source: The World’s Healthiest Foods]
I also add some coconut water and probiotic powder for an extra boost! Feel free to add a handful of spinach or kale too.
Happy Digestion Smoothie
Yield
2 1/4 cups (560 mL)
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
This green smoothie is packed with digestion-enhancing and immune-boosting foods like pineapple, parsley, ginger, and avocado. Don't worry though; its sweet flavour makes it friendly for green smoothie newbies! If you are adverse to the spiciness of ginger, I recommend starting with half the amount and adding to taste from there. This smoothie also keeps well overnight. I will often make a double batch, save leftovers in a small mason jar in the fridge overnight, and enjoy it the next morning.
Ingredients
- 1 heaping cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2 large frozen banana
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) water
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) coconut water
- 1/4 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
- 2 tablespoons avocado
- 1 teaspoon packed fresh grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon probiotic powder, optional
- lemon or lime slice, for garnish
Directions
- Add all ingredients into a blender and blend on the highest speed until super smooth.
Tip:
- Feel free to add a handful of baby spinach to boost the nutrient power even more.
- Fresh mint also gives this smoothie a nice digestion boost (not to mention a delicious minty flavour).
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
PS – I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Publisher’s Weekly recently – hop on over and read the interview here!
Two things. First, I don’t think anyone has asked this yet, but how do you keep the avocado fresh after using only 2 T? A brush of lemon juice?
Second, I suffered from PPD that developed into borderline PP psychosis because I waited way too long to get help. Please take care of yourself (I know you do, but I feel obligated to tell this to new moms.) I thought everything I was feeling was normal and it almost put me in the hospital. Not that you are necessarily feeling this way, you seem to be doing very well! And good for you! I hope it continues and you get out of that fog. Best wishes!
This was breakfast this morning, and it was delicious. Definitely a great way to get the benefits of parsley while hiding the flavor (not a fan of the taste). The only adjustment I’ll make next time is to decrease the amount of ginger a little. It was really spicy. I agree that this would make a better snack than breakfast, although as Angela said, adding some hemp for protein (or I’m thinking a little coconut oil for added fat) would increase satiety.
Hi Angela,
Be gentle with yourself as there will be time for balance but it not easy to do right now. You have your priorities in place which is great. As a new first time Mom, just getting through each day is an accomplishment – all of you are learning from this life changing experience. You are in a better situation than most because you focused on your health a long time ago. Try not to stress too much about things (oh how easy that is said). It is time with your baby and husband that matter.
Sounds to me like you are an amazing Mom, she’s a happy baby.
Enjoy each day, the ups and downs because you will laugh about them later. Don’t put a lot of pressure on yourself. You do need some moments to stop and just take in how different your life is. I remember many times asking myself where did I go? I’m a mother, a wife, a worker – but where is me. That will come back, trust in that.
Take care and have a wonderful day.
Kathy
Sounds great, can’t wait to try it myself! Can I just say that your pictures are so awesome, really wow, they are so beautiful!
looks delicious! Glad you’re starting to feel better! Where do you buy probiotic powder from?
This is a great post. These days too many people look at these celebrity pictures and articles about how quickly they have bounced back to their before sleeves. Guess what it’s all propaganda and it’s wrong. Your body has had a major renovation and tenant these past 9 months. Your body is now in a state to nurture this new person for as long as needed and is definitely not meant to slip into a bikini within 5 weeks. ( besides they have nannies, chefs, maids,personal trainers, etc). Think of all they have missed. If you want to spend a morning/afternoon cuddled in bed with the little one do it. If you are a cranky zombie from lack of sleep, it is normal. Your hormones, along with your body, have been all over the place and it does take a long while for them to settle.
So, to try and come to my point, as a Mom and Grandmom, I say, be kind to yourself, sleep whenever the baby sleeps, and enjoy you newborn. Don’t worry about others opinions and trust your instincts. If you think something is wrong or off, talk to those you trust. The time will fly by and you will hardly believe how fast your little grows. But, you probably already know all this. Thanks for the great smoothie recipe! I love your creations.
This looks absolutely delicious! X
http://charlottesophiaroberts.blogspot.co.uk
Regardless of the digestive benefits, this smoothie looks amazing! It has all my favorite ingredients! Yum!
This looks like the perfect smoothie for me right now! My body needs a healthy boost of energy and proteins.
Love that beautiful green color!
=)
This sounds great!
I make a similar breakfast smoothie when i want to jumpstart my digestion as well! Mine is coconut water, pineapple, banana, ginger, lemon, cilantro, mint, & any type of leafy green I have on hand or wheatgrass powder.
This is so absolutely amazing! I didn’t have any parsley but it still tasted awesome! Angela, you’re such a food genius! :)
This looks delicious. People are always asking for ways to increase their energy, especially in the mornings, and especially before workouts. You had me at ginger, but pineapple is the key ingredient of making any smoothie work. I’ve had some miserable adventures with beets, or some such veggie, where the only thing that could save it was a nice chunk of pineapple. I keep them around just for this reason… and they are tasty.
My digestion was also out of whack for a few months post baby and it’s taken me this third time around (3 boys under 5!) to figure out something that works well for me and that’s a FODMAP diet. It’s what some people who suffer from IBS follow and it’s so interesting to learn about. I think even if you didn’t use it, you may be interested in reading about it from a nutrition stand point.
http://www.med.monash.edu/cecs/gastro/fodmap/
This sounds amazing.
It also sounds like you are doing a great job at being a mother, and I can only imagine how intense and wonderful an experience it is… and my imagination probably can’t even get close to the real thing!
This looks awesome! I’m making this ASAP!
What kind of probiotic powder did you use?
Give yourself some time and patience. I did not feel “back to normal” until my child was 18 mos old. The shift is hormonal, thus gradual.
Getting any hemp based food products is a bit difficult in New Zealand, what would you suggest instead of hemp hearts for protein? Would almond butter taste funny?
This was just what I needed in preparation for my 12 hour shift today. I’m a NICU nurse and I need to be on my A-game at all times! I added 3T hemp hearts, spinach, mint, a little bit more lemon juice and avocado, and 1 tsp. coconut oil. Not only did it give me the energy I needed, but it was DELICIOUS! And I have been feeling great all day. It’s amazing what a plant-based vegan diet and healthy breakfast can do! I cannot wait to have it again… Perhaps tomorrow ;)
This smoothie looks so refreshing. I love putting ginger into most of my cooking and the combination with pineapple is just gorgeously refreshing.
I made it this morning for breakfast and it was soooo good!
Just perfect!
I used cilantro instead of parsley, because that was all I had and added about a cup of spinach.
Can’t wait to make it again tomorrow for breakfast.
Definitely one of my favorite smoothies.
Thank you for another great recipe!