It seems the whole world is on some kind of health kick these days. Currently, smoothies are all the rage. People make them with their favorite wholesome ingredients — fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbs are added to smoothies to help boost immune systems. Smoothies can give you antioxidants, vitamins, and other supplements that provide healthful benefits in a tasty, appealing way. Anyone who owns a blender can make smoothies. Some cannabis consumers are adding weed to their smoothie creations!
Why Are Smoothies So Popular?
There's no denying we live in a fast-paced world and lead busy lives. For years, many of us have turned to fast food when we're on the go. Obviously, fast food isn't as healthy for us as home-cooked meals. But let's face it — not everyone has the time to prepare a great meal every day, let alone three of them! So many of us who're trying to eat better buy fresh fruits and vegetables, only to let them sit in the fridge until they rot.
Turning those fruits and vegetables into a great-tasting smoothie is one way to make sure they don't go to waste. Raw fruits and vegetables are incredibly good for us, and provide us with more nutritional benefits than when cooked. A smoothie can take the place of a full meal when prepared correctly. With a little chopping and blending, you can have breakfast, lunch, or even a tasty dinner served up in minutes.
Smoothies are great to take along with you if you're out for the day. If you don't have time to prepare your own smoothies at home, you can pick them up at plenty of fast food places as well as your local grocery store. As long as they're made with quality ingredients, store-bought smoothies can be just as healthy and delicious as smoothies you make at home.
Types of Smoothies
There are three popular types of smoothies, to be mixed and matched as you like: protein smoothies, green smoothies, and fruit smoothies. Depending on the nutritional benefits you're looking for, you can determine what ingredients to add. You never have to make it the same way twice, unless you come up with a blend you really love.
Everyone knows we need leafy greens in our diet, but not everyone likes the taste of greens. Adding spinach or kale to a fruit smoothie can provide you with the health benefits of greens, and adding fruit can help disguise the taste. Healthy carrots and beets also blend well with fruit.
If you want to make a protein-packed smoothie, you can add things like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or silken tofu. If you don't like any of these items or can't have dairy products, you can always use a protein powder. Almond milk can be a nutritious addition to a smoothie if you can't use dairy milk or cream. Nut butter is a great addition too!
Medical Benefits of Smoothies
Since smoothies are considered a healthy alternative to replace a meal, they can be even beneficial for anyone with an underlying medical condition. People who live with diabetes must monitor their blood sugar carefully. If their blood sugar levels spike too high or fall too low, it can be life-threatening. Fiber-rich foods can help stabilize or prevent sugar spikes and keep glucose levels in a healthy range. Chia seeds are a healthy addition to a smoothie for diabetics. Diabetics should use caution and not have too much fruit in smoothies to prevent sugar spikes.
Osteoporosis is when bones deteriorate with age. Falling can be dangerous, leading to broken bones. Osteoporosis can be helped by drinking smoothies with leafy greens like kale and spinach added, because they are rich in calcium, which is key for bone health. Blending a cup of raw kale or spinach into a smoothie can provide you with plenty of antioxidants and vitamins K, C, and A.
Making a smoothie with low-potassium fruits like cranberries and strawberries can be beneficial for those with kidney disease. The kidneys work to balance mineral levels in the body, and kidney disease interferes with their function. Kidney disease can lead to potassium build-up in the bloodstream. This can lead to heart issues. If you have chronic kidney disease, it's better to stay away from high-potassium fruits like bananas, melons, and oranges in your smoothies.
Medical Marijuana
Thirty-five states in the US have medical marijuana programs. Two of the main cannabinoids in marijuana and hemp, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been shown to treat numerous physical and mental conditions.
Marijuana is being recommended for some medical patients to treat things like pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, seizures, inflammation, and much more. In those states where marijuana is still illegal, you must be approved to be in a medical marijuana program. The condition you have must be on the list of qualifying conditions.
Many people are using marijuana to treat some of their conditions in states where marijuana has been legalized. They don't need to worry about prosecution for doing so. Some people use marijuana to treat symptoms, along with medication their doctor has prescribed. Some use marijuana as a replacement for another medicine. It is always advisable to consult with your doctor before stopping medication or adding marijuana as a treatment.
Easy Marijuana Smoothies
This is where smoothies come into play with using marijuana. Many people that use marijuana for medicinal reasons prefer not to smoke it, instead cooking with it or taking it in capsule or tincture form. Marijuana can be added to almost any dish, but cooking with cannabis can be a little tricky unless you know how to go about it.
Many weed users have discovered using it in smoothies is a fast and easy way to take advantage of weed benefits. If you want the medicinal benefits of weed and also want psychoactive effects you can get from it, the marijuana must go through decarboxylation first. This process activates the cannabinoids in marijuana. Once it's been decarbed, you can mix it into your favorite homemade (or storebought) smoothie any time. This is the most basic method. Check out this great recipe for making a weed smoothie at home!
Another easy way to add weed to smoothies is to drop in some cannabis tincture. You can make your own tincture following the steps in this recipe. How much tincture to add to your smoothie will depend on your tolerance level, and how big a smoothie you're making.
For experienced cannabis consumers, knowing how much weed to add to a smoothie isn't usually a problem. It might take a bit of trial and error to get the amount needed right for new weed users. A good rule of thumb is to "go low and slow." This is because when you ingest weed instead of smoking or vaping, it can take longer to feel the effects, and they can last longer.