Carrot Pineapple & Ginger Glow Smoothie

My topic for today? A filling, tropical treat of a smoothie that I’ve added to my repertoire and think you will love, too.  I call it my “glow” smoothie, because it is chock full of vitamin C and vitamin A-rich ingredients that your complexion will love, especially in the depths of winter.

So what’s in this juicy smoothie? Not yogurt, milk or sugar. Instead, this smoothie comes together with whole carrots, pineapple, fresh ginger and a bit of orange juice.

It is sweet, satisfying and filling, especially first thing in the morning (right after I teach my early morning spin class or get back from a run). A bonus? Adding vegetables to my mornings makes me feel virtuous , even when I head out the door with a lumpy ponytail and mismatched socks.

I’ve been reading more about the importance of vegetables to any running or training regime, and carrots are a perfect place for anyone (myself included) to add in on a more regular basis.

Carrots offer long-lasting energy in the form of complex carbohydrates; they top off the glucose in your tank without the crash-and-burn of a sugary processed snack. Carrots can also help decrease and prevent inflammation, including the micro muscle damage, swelling and body aches that can be attributed to overdoing it on a run or strenuous workout.

If you have high-speed blender, you can add everything at once to the blender and puree until super-smooth (even toddlers will love this, although I leave out the ginger when making this for Nick). If you have a traditional blender, I suggest grating the carrot before adding; you’ll end up with a super silky smoothie! Happy sipping!