I have the fortune of working for an organisation that values wellbeing. Not only is my role to love and serve some of the neediest in our community and aid them in their employment, but through the organisation my health concerns are also well taken care of. Each morning on arrival at work I beeline for the Pure North booth. Here I have access to any vitamin, fish oil or supplement I could possibly dream of (if I were so inclined), alongside a Green Juice – powdered greens and pumpkin seed protein mixed through orange juice.

Pretty ideal straight after the early morning workout, or for a mid morning pick-me-up.

As employees we are also offered free bloodwork assessment and a program for a daily pack of vitamins and supplements. I jumped at the opportunity to get things checked out (why not?) but was rather surprised to find that my ‘healthy body’ could still benefit from taking 9 pills and 8 D3 drops a day. I don’t know about you but that doesn’t bode well with my idea of a healthy, natural, wholefood diet.

Having grown up in a household rather cynical towards supplements in pill form (the joy of having a doctor and a nurse for parents!) I am certainly hesitant to get involved in the supplement program. Articles such as this one which recognizes the risks of long term vitamin supplementation and this one which questions the necessity in a well nourished population – of which I most certainly am.

As my mother always said, supplements mostly lead to expensive pee. And this (questionably reliable) article discusses this further..

Nonetheless, I do like the concept of incorporating more greens into the diet (or, gosh, should we be wary of this too!?). So I requested from Pure North a small pack of the Pure Synergy Superfood powder so I can make these green juices on the weekend too.

Instead of using only the sugary juice of the orange I like to incorporate as much whole, fibre-filled fruit as possible – a whole orange, a whole apple and a good handful of spinach. This is a meal in itself – load up the ginger and it’s sure to fight off any cold during this sick-season.*

*Not scientifically proven.

Super Green Smoothie
Recipe adapted from Oh She Glows
Serves 2

Being highly fibrous, dark greens (the spinach and the Superfood Powder) will absorb liquid in the body leaving you with some uncomfortable bowel movements. If you normally maintain a low-fibre diet (as most in North America do) you will want to ease into high-fibre greens by beginning with only 1/4 teaspoon a day and ensure to keep well hydrated.

1 cup spinach or kale
1 large Gala apple (or other sweet apple), roughly chopped
1 small cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped
1 orange, peeled and chopped
1 tsp fresh grated ginger
1/2 Tbsp powdered greens (spirulina or Pure Synergy Powder)
1 tsp honey, to taste (I used 1/2 tbsp or so)
Protein powder, optional (pumpkin seed protein recommended for this one)
water as necessary

Place all ingredients in blender in order listed. Whizz until blended, adding water as necessary to loosen. Throw in some ice cubes to cool and thicken if desired. Serve with slices of fresh, cool cucumber.