Healthy Snacks: Acne Fighting Green Citrus Smoothie

Fight acne with this anti-inflammatory green citrus smoothie.

In the few minutes I spent walking from my car to my classroom this morning, I was assailed by about twenty mosquitos who just didn’t care how fast I walked and how much I flailed. Like most days, the sliding glass doors were sweating, and my hair was glued to my neck. Muggy would be an understatement. Jungle-y seems more apt.

Immediately upon returning to my apartment, I indulged in a juicy grapefruit, arguably one of the most refreshing fruits around. Lucky for us, grapefruit is more than a sweet treat on a hot day. It’s cleansing powers make it a must for any acne-fighting, detoxifying diet.

Grapefruit contains bromelain, an mixture of enzymes that help digest protein while reducing inflammation. Grapefruit is also antiseptic and antimicrobial, making it a wonderful skin cleanser. Grapefruit is also rich in immunity-boosting vitamin C and skin-repairing vitamin A. And it doesn’t end there; grapefruit also contains phytonutrients called limonoids that help the liver process toxins more efficiently.

Now add beautifying greens (kale and spinach!), detoxifying lemon juice, anti-inflammatory ginger root, and a super fruit of your choice, and you’ve got a smoothie that has your skin’s back!

Acne Fighting Green Citrus Smoothie: The perfect post-work snack.

Acne Fighting Green Citrus Smoothie

Ingredients:

(Makes about 32 oz.)

1 1/2 cups filtered water

5-6 leaves of kale, any variety

2 large handfuls of baby spinach

1 grapefruit

1″ knob of fresh ginger, peeled

fruit of choice (like apple, banana, or pear)

juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions:

1. In a high-speed blender, blend greens and water. Because greens have tougher cell walls, it’s helpful to blend them before adding other goodies.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Since moving to a very warm climate, I crave green smoothies more than ever. I drink over a quart a day! I make a big batch in the morning, drink half in the morning, and enjoy the second half in the afternoon.