Blue-tiful Breakfast Smoothie

This.  My new, most favorite smoothie!  I’ve discovered a new superfood that is not only, well… super… but also fun.  It’s the most gorgeous, brilliant blue you’ve ever seen!  It’s called phycocyanin.  The word “phycocyanin” comes from the Greek word for Algae “phyco” and the Greek word for blue “cyan.”  Or, in this case, Blue Majik.  It’s the amazing water-soluble blue pigment that gives blue-green algae (spirulina) its bluish tint.

Interestingly, according to David Wolfe, it’s one of the very few actual blue pigments made in nature.  Most of the blues in nature are actually not blue at all. For example, blue jays, a peacock’s feathers, the blue morpho butterfly, etc. None of these have actual blue pigments in them.  They are all structural colorations and are just refracting and diffracting light. There are only a handful of true blues in nature including blueberries, mulberries, saskatoon (or service) berries, bilberries, and — of course — the blue in blue-green algae (phycocyanin).

Health Benefits Of Phycocyanin

This rare, bright blue superfood helps inhibit the growth of certain cancer colonies, reduces the inflammation of colitis, fights chronic inflammation, supports the liver, protects against free-radical damage, improves the production of neurotransmitters, and aids production of rejuvenating stem cells.  Think about that for a minute.  That’s huge! 

• It operates with our own internal pigment bilirubin to keep the liver functioning at optimal levels. Evidence suggests bilirubin can protect tissues against free radical-caused oxidative damage. In fact, slightly elevated bilirubin blood levels have been linked to normal healthy cardiovascular function.
• It helps with the formation of neurotransmitters by acting to assist in the attachment of one amino acid to another.
• It has been shown to inhibit the enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and lipoxygenase. COX-2 and lipoxygenase are enzymes associated with the production of inflammatory compounds. When COX-2 and lipoxygenase are inhibited naturally with phycocyanin, the inflammatory and pain-forming reactions in the body are slowed and/or stopped.
• Studies show that it may have multiple health benefits, including support of brain and heart health, protection against oxidative stress, and the promotion of a healthy immune system.
• Phycocyanin may play a major role in stem cell regeneration, especially in bone marrow and blood cells. It supports the creation of the red blood cells that oxygenate your body and the white blood cells that make up your cellular immune system.
• Scientists have discovered that the phycocyanin in spirulina supports white blood cell production. 

Considering that inflammation is at the core of virtually any condition, phycocyanin is a perfect superfood addition to any health routine, and why I’ve made it the center of attention for this smoothie.  (Also, did I mention it was pretty?)

So What’s In This Blue-tiful Smoothie?

Let’s build this smoothie beginning with the hero of this story.  Blue Majik.  It’s the only phycocyanin I’ve found that is trustworthy, stringently quality tested both in-house and independently, and comes highly recommended by many experts.  It’s also the one I personally use!

I highly recommend using this whey protein because of it’s purity.  It’s certified organic and grass fed, and has no other ingredients.  Choosing a single ingredient protein allows you to control exactly what you are putting into your body. Too many protein powders contain artificial sweeteners and other poor quality ingredients, even some of the “healthier” proteins.  If you happen to be vegan or vegetarian you can adjust the recipe by using this single ingredient, organic hemp protein instead of whey.

Also included are these really high quality collagen peptides that are pasture raised, grass fed, and non-GMO.   It’s important to use collagen peptides because they are highly bio-available.  Peptides are short chain amino acids naturally derived from  collagen protein.  Adding collagen is a good way to support the cohesion, elasticity and regeneration of skin, hair, tendon, cartilage, bones, and joints.  Who wouldn’t want that? 

I’ve added a tablespoon of my favorite colostrum for a boost to the immune system and good gut health.  To read more about the many benefits of taking colostrum, check out my article “Colostrum – A Mother’s Miracle.”

Organic pineapples, banana, blueberries and walnuts are all considered anti-inflammatory foods, not to mention they make it taste like a nutty blueberry banana muffin.

I like to use organic plain kefir from whole milk, again for gut health, and coconut milk.  If you’re avoiding dairy you can certainly change this to just coconut milk or almond milk and leave out the colostrum.  Make sure if you do, that you use almond/coconut milk that has no carrageenan.  (You can learn more about why you should avoid it by reading my article “New Report: Widespread Contamination In A Common Food-Grade Ingredient.”)

Happy Blending!

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