Book ~ "Super Smoothies: 61 Recipes and 12 Detox Plans" (2017) Fern Green

From Goodreads ~ A fresh collection of more than 60 illustrated recipes for delicious, healthful blended beverages with targeted detox plans and step-by-step instructions for creating custom smoothies. 

This easy-to-follow and informative guide pares smoothie-making back to its essence. The recipes are presented in highly visual spreads, with each ingredient photographed for at-a-glance instruction. Suggested 3- and 5-day detox plans target specific concerns, such as weight loss, metabolism, digestion and clear skin, and the smoothies are optimized to enhance and rejuvenate well-being, with health benefits noted for each recipe. 

Using fresh fruits and vegetables, "Super Smoothies" provides the perfect introduction for novice smoothie makers, as well as new inspiration for experienced blenders.

Gord and I have been starting our mornings with smoothies for many years.  My smoothie includes protein powder, water (Gord uses grapefruit juice instead), fish oil (Gord puts Chia seeds in his instead), Greens+ Multi+ powder, frozen berries (usually raspberries or blueberries) and frozen wheatgrass juice.  I find it's a filling healthy way to start my day.

Because we've been using the same ingredients to make our smoothies, I thought it would be interesting to get other ideas.

This book starts with an introduction to smoothie detoxes, the equipment you need and how to design your own detox plan.  Top fruits and veggies for a detox are listed for skin health, stress busting, blood cleansing, better digestion and energy boosting ... which inspired me to buy more apples than usual, fresh kale and grapefruit today.

The detox plans are three to five days and there are six smoothies per day.  The plans are:

1. Metabolism
2. Clean skin
3. Energy booster
4. Digestion
5. Stress buster
6. Purifying
7. Probiotic
8. Alkalizing
9. Summer booster
10. Immunity booster
11. Weight loss booster
12. January detox

Each chapter starts with information about what the detox is (for example, metabolism), what to do, why and when.

Each smoothie is clearly laid out with the list of ingredients, including a picture, how to make it, why it is so beneficial, what it does (for example, blood regulating, anti-inflammatory and hydrating) and a picture of what it will look like.

It's an inspiring colourful book to make smoothies using fairly normal ingredients for different reasons and I look forward to trying some.