KELVIN'S JUICE DIARY: Berry Smoothie

Winter is here, Christmas, New Year, parties, celebrations and all that. So when you’re feeling a bit worse for wear, this wonderful tasting smoothie is a real tonic and will aid your recovery!

Ingredients

1 large orange (peeled but leave the pith on)

1 large handful mixed berries/currants (e.g strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants)

1 banana

100 gm low fat yoghurt (preferably live yoghurt)

4 ice cubes (optional)

(Add milk if you want to achieve the consistency of smoothie you prefer)

At this time of year the mixed berries/currants have to be frozen (available in most supermarkets), thus making the ice cubes optional, I place my berries and currants into the blender straight from the freezer which chills the resulting smoothie perfectly. If you use milk to achieve the consistency you want, I prefer milk alternatives like almond milk as I’ve cut down on dairy products to improve my health, just personal preference, hence I also use dairy free yoghurt instead of traditional yoghurt.

Method

• Juice the orange and pour into the blender

• Add all the other ingredients and blend until smooth

• This juice provides you with Vitamin A, B6 and C, calcium, folic acid, iron, potassium, thiamine, magnesium, fibre, natural sugars, anti-oxidants, amino acids and beta-carotene. An impressive array of good stuff I’m sure you’ll agree.

• The oranges are rich in vitamin C, folic acid and an array of minerals like potassium, all of which are depleted by drinking alcohol. If you use dairy yoghurt instead of dairy free, then try to use low fat live yoghurt if you can, the natural bacteria will help replenish healthy bacteria in the gut, helping to quell any nausea or upset stomach. The natural sugars in the berries and currants help to raise depleted blood sugar levels and will re-hydrate your system.

• (So when you feel your head pounding after a night on the drink, most of that feeling is caused by blood trying to pump through a dehydrated brain)