A Green Smoothie? But it's Green

I decided to write about green smoothies today because I didn't realize just how many people have never heard of it. So what is a green smoothie? A green smoothie is a drink that contains 1 or more fruits of  your choice with a designated amount of greens added to it. A typical green smoothie recipe goes a little something like this:

{Water} +{ Banana + Peach + Mango}+{ handful of Spinach, Kale, Parsley, or Romaine}+ Ice

 = Health is a glass. 

Green smoothies are a perfect way to get more greens into your diet. Green are Alkaline and help raise your body's pH. Sickness and disease cannot live in an Alkaline environment. Most of us are not eating the amount of greens that we should, so having a green smoothie daily is another way to overcome this deficiency.

Green smoothies taste amazing. The taste of the greens are masked by the blend of fruits you choose. The key to making a good green smoothie is to K.I.S.-keep it simple. Use no more than 3 or 4 different fruits and only add 1 type of greens. Be sure to rotate your greens as well. By this I mean don't make a green smoothie with only spinach for weeks and weeks on end. Switch it up.  When starting out on a green smoothie journey, your smoothie ratio should be 60% fruit and 40% greens. Once you've been drinking green smoothies for awhile you will be able to tolerate having a higher ratio of greens.

Feel free to use berries and other fruits. Experiment. There are so many possibilities. Green smoothies are excellent meal replacements. Due to the decreased burden on your digestive system, you will find that you have more energy, including the energy needed to exercise.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect from drinking green smoothies:

• Improved digestion
• Increased energy
• Improved Vision
• Weight Loss
• Decrease inflammation
• Fewer cravings for sugar and processed foods
• Stabilized blood sugar

Don't be afraid of the color green. Green represents balance and harmony. It can also signify ambition, prosperity, peace, safety. Green is life.

Have you ever had a green smoothie? If not, do you think you'd be willing to try one? If you've had one, what was your experience? Leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you.

Eating Organic IS cheaper!

I hear this all the time. "Eating organic is way too expensive." "I don't have the money to eat organic." These two statements are simply not true, depending on who you are. If you are trying to eat organic as well as maintain your current SAD (Standard American Diet) then yes, eating organic may be too cost prohibitive for you. Try this experiment.

You eat ALL of THAT????

Yes, I eat drink all of this!

So since I've had the twins, I've been juicing like CRAZY! For one I don't have much time to make an elaborate meal and secondly I need loads of extra vitamins minerals and other nutrients because I am breastfeeding. So I figured the best way to make sure I'm getting an adequate intake of phytonutrients is to juice in addition to my regular food intake. I've been juicing about twice a day. Each day I like to switch it up so I don't get bored. Here is what I had yesterday :

• Green Chard
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cilantro
• Celery
• Carrot
• Apple
• Pineapple

I typically will add an apple or piece of pineapple to take the edge off the greens. This makes the juice take on a sweeter flavor. If you are new to juicing and aren't sugar sensitive I would suggest doing this until you are used to drinking green juices.

There are countless benefits to juicing. Its easy on the digestive system. Its easy for the body to absorb the vitamins and minerals that the whole food has to offer because the juice is in liquid form. It's fast and convenient for those on the go and you don't have to worry about not getting the proper amount of fruits  and vegetables each day. It provides TONS of energy. It will give you the pick me up you need to get your day going. Its low in calories and did I mention how super easy it is?

What's your favorite juice combination and what benefits have you noticed from juicing on a regular basis? Leave a comment and let me know.