DAY 2/7 VEGAN CHALLENGE (ALOE VERA AND MANGO SMOOTHIE)

Day 2! If you missed day 1, it's not too late to join in! Today I'm sharing this simple smoothie recipe that works great as a snack or breakfast. Aloe vera grows abundantly in Nigeria, but if you live abroad in a colder climate then you can probably purchase the leaves from any good health food store. 

Aloe vera is a medicinal plant and is known for its soothing and hydrating effect on the skin, hair and when ingested. Here are 3 top reasons to give aloe vera a try:

• It is high in vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3 and B6, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, selenium and copper.
• It helps aid digestion by soothing and cleansing the digestive tract. It also helps to decrease the amount of unfriendly bacteria in the gut.
• It helps with detoxification. The gelatinous nature of aloe vera means that as it passes through the intestinal tract, it absorbs toxins along the way which are then eliminated through the colon.

This smoothie is sweet, refreshing and packed full of good stuff. I've added coconut water because it is super hydrating and makes the smoothie taste that much better. If you can't get your hands on coconut water easily then use plain water instead.

Ingedients
- 4 large, ripe mangoes (chopped)
- 1 aloe vera leaf (peeled)
- 1.5 cups pure coconut water

To make the smoothie, you will need to scrape out the clear gel-like substance in the aloe leaf. To do this, trim along the spiky sides of the leaf, lay it down flat and use a sharp knife to thinly and carefully slice off the green top layer. Use a spoon to scrape out the gel. Place in a blender along with the chopped mango and coconut water. Blend until smooth and drink immediately.