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Sunday, July 28, 2013

Green Smoothie


Why hello there!  So sorry for my extended absence.  To be quite honest, I have been really focusing on eating very healthy... at least during the week. I've been allowing myself one "cheat day" and I made a fabulous pasta dish last night.  Recipe to be posted soon! My brother is getting married on September 7th and that has been motivation to get my butt in shape!  

For the past two weeks. my weekdays have consisted of a pretty regimented routine; green smoothie in the morning, raw vegetable salad for lunch, green smoothie for afternoon snack and a lean protein and vegetable for dinner. I feel incredible and am convinced it is because of the green smoothies I have been drinking.   

Each morning before I head into work, I make an entire blender full of this green powerhouse of a drink.  Since I drive 40 miles to work, my commute allows me ample time to sip on this smoothie and I kid you not, I feel amazing and full of energy when I get there.  This recipe makes enough for another large smoothie for you to enjoy when you start feeling that 2:00pm lag.  I don't know about you but that is the time each day where I need some instant energy. 

I used to drink at least 1-2 cups of coffee each morning and if it was a rough day, another one in the afternoon.  Not anymore. I find myself making better choices throughout the entire day when I start my day with one of these smoothies. 

The contents of the smoothie vary but usually consist of a large portion of leafy greens, carrots, berries, flax seed, fresh ginger, raw honey and almond milk.  I have even thrown in raw almonds, celery, green beans, broccoli, organic unsweetened coconut, coconut water and citrus.   

Speaking of raw honey, I bought the jar below at the Howe Meadow Farmers Market.  It was $13 for a 3 pound jar and worth every penny.  I have been using this honey in smoothies, tea, oatmeal, marinades and salad dressings.  Unfiltered and never heated, the honey has a cloudy appearance which is in contrast to the clear, gold, teddy bears you find at the supermarket.   After speaking with the darling girl from the Schmidt Family Farm, I was blown away at all of the health benefits that come from raw honey.  Here is another article that explains why you should steer clear of grocery store honey.  

Make this smoothie your own.  If you are not accustomed to them, gradually work your way up to increased vegetables and leafy greens.  A good way to start off is by adding handfuls of spinach to a fruit smoothie you would normally make.  


Try to buy organic when possible.  


Blueberries and blackberries 


Peaches and apples.  No need to peel. 


Nectarine and grapefruit.  I do peel all my citrus because the peel is bitter.   


Grapefruit and banana.  I use half of a banana and throw the other half in the freezer for the next day.  


Avocado.  I used 1/4 in each smoothie. 


 The vegetables.  


Carrots and ginger.  Again, no need to peel either.   


The amazing raw honey.   


I just feel good looking at this stuff.   


Flax 


For digestive health 


Spinach and beans 


Kale and Swiss chard.  



Green Smoothie

Fill your blender about half full with your fruits of choice.  Add 1 tablespoon of flax seed, raw honey and 4 capsules of psyllium seed husk.  Top the other half of the blender with leafy greens, carrots and any other vegetables you like.  

Fill blender about half full with almond milk and then the remaining half with water.  Top with ice and blend until combined.  

2 comments:

  1. I've been wanting to try smoothies, but we need to get a nicer blender first. What kind do you have? This would definitely help me get all my veggie servings in!

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  2. We invested in a Vitamix. Matt thought I was crazy to pay that much for a blender but I use it everyday and it really is worth it in my opinion. It comes with a great recipe book and you would be AMAZED at all of the things you can make! Let me know if you decide to take the plunge :)

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