How and Why Green Smoothies

Very simple really… green smoothies are made from fruits and vegetables, they are notably calorie-poor, but rich in minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, in addition to being loaded with tummy-filling fiber.

What do these substances do to your body?

By working synergistically they slow aging and protect against degenerative diseases, they promote healthy digestion by providing enzymes to our bodies, they prevent cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers, healthier liver and kidney, balance blood sugar levels, clear vision and skin and maintain a stronger immune system. Green smoothies are also rich in chlorophyll, a substance which closely resembles human blood. It is a simple sneaky way of introducing more vegetables in your diet, takes almost no time to make, therefore it is excellent method for healthy, effortless weightloss.,

A green smoothie in the mornings will fill you up with energy for all day, balance deficiencies, and power you up!

The idea is not to guzzle it down in one breath. Take your time to drink it, enjoy it. Even if the ingredients have been broken down and liquefied (steps usually done by chewing) and are very easily assimilated, you still want to awaken those taste buds.

You can drink a smoothie every day, replacing one meal (morning is a great choice), so please try to get the best ingredients for it. By that I mean ORGANIC, and RAW.

Here is what you would usually need to make a smoothie…

1) a blender.

2) the liquid base: either young coconut water (you can get this at your local health food store), or nut milk (almond, walnut, cashew, etc) ~ I try to stay away from soy milk since it has highly processed stuff in it (see soy protein isolate) – and if you feel adventurous and like to know where your food comes from, make your own nut milk. It is soooo easy (more recipes to follow).
You can also use plain filtered water, or room temperature herbal tea. Let’s start you up with what you have easily accessible. Then you can move you on to other good stuff.

NO MILK OR DAIRY IN THESE SMOOTHIES.

3) the fat: you can use ORGANIC coconut meat, RAW cashews (if you are not using home-made nut milk already), RAW cacao butter or avocado.

4) green leafy greens (stemmed kale, spinach, chard or lettuce leaves)

5) fruit (use common sense cleaning them, but keep the skin if it can be eaten): bananas, berries, peaches, mangoes, pineapple, apples pears and such, fresh or frozen.

6) superfoods (that have A LOT of nutritious power): maca powder (an adaptogen and hormone balancing Incan root), raw cacao powder (very high in magnesium), or cacao nibs, spirulina (high in protein and iodine), wheatgrass powder, goji berries, royal jelly, bee pollen (bee careful if you are allergic).

7) sweetener (IF NEEDED ~ taste the smoothie first, if you added fruit): pitted dates or, for the people watching their glycemic index, use whole stevia leaf powder.

SO… let’s get into the recipes (start with the fruit and add the rest):

2-3 handfuls of any greens of your choice,

2 cups papaya,

one peeled lemon,

3 dates

half of peeled and seeded lemon

1 handful lettuce leaves,

1 handful mint,

2 ripe bananas,

1/2 cup water

- Winter Smoothie -

• 1 cup organic frozen berries (any kind),
• 2 cups fresh spinach,
• 1/4 inch fresh ginger,

- Spring Smoothie -

• 2 ripe bananas,
• 2 pealed and cubed mangoes,
• several large leaves of kale

• 1/2 bunch romaine lettuce,
• 1 cup strawberries,
• 2 bananas,
• water

• 4-5 kale leaves,
• 4 apples,
• 1/2 lemon juiced,
• water to your desired consistency

-Mint Chocolate -

• 2 cups spinach,
• 10 mint leaves,
• 3 bananas,
• 2 Tbs. raw cacao powder,
• one Tbs. maca powder,
• 1 cup water

• 1 handful parsley,
• 3 cups of peeled papaya,
• water

You get the idea?

Do this for a week and let me know what you experience. I’d love to hear from you.

Until then, enjoy and keep playful.