Move-Over-Migraine! Green Smoothie

Despite the countless health improvements I've experienced from plant-based living, nasty migraines still get some sick satisfaction out of body slamming me every now and then. Sadly, they are hormonal in nature, not food-related... so I'm stuck with the little beasts until further notice.

Yet it is generally accepted that food can definitely help and hinder migraines, despite the origins of the headache. And that's how this magnesium-packed smoothie came about.

Last night I had a class-A brain-plosion! Easily the award-winner for Worst Migraine in Years. Thankfully, when I was still writhing and whimpering in bed at 3am, my super-hero-husband offered to go out to Wal-Mart to grab some migraine meds for me as a last recourse. 

These whopper headaches are rather infrequent, so I generally try to ride them out with black coffee and dark lighting, but this needed intervention. After a couple OTC pills and a few hours of sleep I happily got my brain back! 

I know foods high in magnesium can help regulate and prevent migraines, especially of the hormonal variety. That being the case, I went about concocting this migraine-busting smoothie in an effort to keep any relapses at bay the following morning. 

Top 10 Foods Highest in Magnesium

Magnesium Content of Foods

Unfortunately, while cacao carries a good dose of magnesium and would've perfected this smoothie, some other component in chocolate makes my migraines take on horrendous dimensions (...like within minutes of eating it). So I must avoid that beloved food like the plague whenever a migraine is lurking in the shadows somewhere (I'm sure other migraine sufferers might say the same... it's a common trigger).

This smoothie was calculated for maximum magnesium content, not necessarily taste... but I was astonished by how delicious it turned out! I'd drink this any old time!

Since my migraine fled the scene by the time I woke up this morning, I can't say whether it works for me or not. Also, if you're having sustained, intense migraines, I advise seeing your doctor.

Move-Over-Migraine Green Smoothie
(Makes 4 cups)
Magnesium content in parenthesis

• 1 frozen banana (33mg)
• 1 cup cooked spinach (158mg)
• 1-2 dates (3-6mg)
• 1 cup almond milk (<20mg?) 
• 1/4 avocado (18mg) 
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (56 mg) 
• 1 tbsp natural peanut butter (25mg)
• 1/4 cup wheat germ, raw (69mg) 
• 1 tbsp ground flax seeds (35mg) 
• 1 tbsp blackstrap molasses (43mg)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (for taste) 
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for taste)
  
  Note: You could also dump more greens in there, like mixed greens or kale, to make this a super-green smoothie, which is just great for your health all around! 

Total: Approximately 463 mg of magnesium (DV is 400mg)!

Boil spinach in small pot (set aside to cool, retain liquid). Meanwhile, blend oats, peanut butter, wheat germ, flax, dates, and almond milk together until liquefied. Add banana and avocado and blend fully (adding more water or milk if too thick). Add spinach (with liquid), molasses, cinnamon, and vanilla and a handful of ice to regain icy consistency. (Or if you have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, just dump everything in at once!) 

These measurements render a small blender's worth (2 large glasses), but you'll want to drink it all so you get the full dose of needed magnesium. Put half in the fridge to drink later if you don't inhale smoothies like I do. :)  

So there it is! Trying to nourish your aches and pains away is often as simple as finding the right nutrient-packed foods and bringing them together in a cup. You actually might be surprised by how yummy the endeavor can be! 

It seems that food remedies are feats of trial and error. I'm no doctor, but if magnesium helps headaches, this smoothie should, too! If anyone else experiences headaches or migraines, try this green goody and let me know how it goes!