Watercress is a sharp and peppery tasting cruciferous vegetable. Like most greens, watercress can easily make it to the top of super-foods list, and it’s a perfect addition to your green smoothies.
Its amazing health benefits are due to its high levels of phytochemicals, the same disease fighting components found in broccoli and cabbage. By weight it contains more vitamin C than oranges, more calcium than milk and more absorbable iron than spinach.
Watercress greens help boost the immune system (contains Vitamin B6; vitamins C and E, which are antioxidants that provide protection form free radical damage; and vitamin A, which enhances white blood cell function and the resistance to infections and carcinogens), contains lutein and zeaxanthine, needed for healthy eyes; provides nutrients for strong, healthy hair and nails (iron, zinc, vitamin A), contains vitamins for beautiful skin; helps thyroid function; helps build strong, healthy bones (Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, and vitamins A, C, and K), as well as boosts the detoxification function of the liver.
With all of these health benefits, it’s important to add more watercress to your diet!
Since watercress has a very distinct flavor, I recommend that most people use only a handful in a smoothie at a time or mix it up with spinach, if the flavor is too much for you in the beginning.
You can washed it up and store in a refrigerator (in a plastic bag with a piece of paper towel) or freeze it in single-sized servings.
For those who do not have a high-powered blender… watercress fits in the category of tender greens along with spinach and baby greens, as it blends quite easily.
Watercress: Ready for the smoothie! http://www.flickr.com/photos/anjuli_ayer/3102132111/sizes/z/in/photostream
Watercress soup: Just blend it! I have found this beautiful picture on http://www.flickr.com/photos/hills_alive/2752734262/
For all my blending recipes I use Vitamix. If you don’t already own a VitaMix, I strongly encourage you to check out what this machine is capable of! For more information about VitaMix you can go directly to the VitaMix website. You may also want to read my post about the Best Blender.
I LOVE my Vitamix blender and highly recommend investing in one if you are ready to make serious changes to your diet. I have had mine for almost 5 years and use it daily!
If you decide to purchase Vitamix – be sure to use Promotional Code 06-004554 to get free shipping.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
If you have a favorite recipe, why not submit it here in the comment section of this smoothie recipes blog for others to enjoy too!
I also welcome any comments, questions and suggestions. Thanks!
