Here is a Green Smoothie recipe for anyone ready for a challenge and some health improvements. Drink it daily!
I have been a fan of green smoothies for a long time now. I came across Kimberly Snyder’s Beauty Detox website and got interested in her health principals, detox phases, food pairings and eating guidelines. I was looking for tips on how to have more energy, improve my skin and eat healthier, although I was eating relatively healthy at that point anyway. Losing weight was not my goal.
The first phase described in her book “The Beauty Detox Solution” is all about detoxing your body. You achieve this goal by eliminating certain foods like dairy, gluten, refined sugar and processed food. Instead you eat plenty of vegetables, properly combined meals, learn about eating light to heavy and how to make your own sauerkraut which is an excellent source of probiotics. You also start drinking hot water with lemon juice first thing in the morning. In the second phase you follow the same principals like before and you add green smoothies and more fruit to your daily routine. It takes time to get used to the taste and texture since the green smoothie isn’t loaded with yogurt, juice, very sweet fruit or sweeteners. Having a powerful blender makes a huge difference since you want that smooth texture without pieces of kale floating in it.
After the initial detoxing phase where I experienced the expected headaches, some acne and occasional bloating, I started having more energy. I could understand why after heavy and unbalanced lunch I would get sleepy but when I had a salad with either carbohydrates or proteins (but not together) I would feel great. Our bodies use a lot of energy to digest food and heavy meals require even more of that energy. So, when most of it goes into our digestive system, there isn’t a lot left to keep us going full speed. Hence the sleepiness two hours after lunch. Because of the energy needed to digest a meal, the heaviest one should be dinner when most of us are ready to unwind.
I did lose probably around 8 lbs, which I know many people would be thrilled about, but that was never my goal. I got a bit concerned and eventually started consuming more calorie-rich, mostly healthy foods and continued with hot lemon water and smoothies. Drinking hot water with lemon juice first thing in the morning “wakes up” your digestive system and flushes out the toxins produced during the night. I’m used to it right now and drink it regularly but it was a big change at first since like most people I would start my day with coffee. I like the idea of putting something clean and refreshing into my body as the first thing I consume every morning. Warm up a cup of water and squeeze the juice from about 1/2 lemon up to 1 (if you can tolerate the sourness so soon) and drink it. Give it a try.
Around last summer I stopped making the smoothies. I’m not sure why. Maybe I got lazy or bored or maybe both. Anyway, since the beginning of the Fall I have come down with a cold 3 times! I was sick before and at Thanksgiving and during Christmas. It sucked! I’m pretty convinced that my immune system wasn’t getting good enough support from me. So, I’m back to making smoothies. Have you tried any green smoothies?
Green smoothies are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which can keep our weight at a healthy level, eliminate toxins by preventing constipation, make us feel full (so we eat less), lower cholesterol and keep the sugar level in our blood even. Having a healthy gut helps strengthen your immune system. By blending all the fruit and vegetables for the smoothie we make all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals more accessible to our bodies. I know it is suggested to drink a Green Smoothie for breakfast but I don’t always do it then. Sometimes I drink it around lunch time or in the afternoon. In my opinion it is better to drink it anytime than not at all! Try to buy as many organic ingredients as possible for your smoothie.
Green Smoothie Principals:
- Liquid: water, coconut water, almond/coconut milk – 1 cup/serving
- Greens: kale, spinach, Romaine lettuce, Swiss chard – 2 big handfuls of 2 of these
- Celery sticks: 1-2
- Banana
- Pear
- Apple
- Lemon juice: a good squeeze or add 1/4 to 1/2 lemon (with the peel) to the blender
Additions: 1 teaspoon flaxseed, hemp hearts, a handful of sprouts, 1/2 avocado or zucchini (for creaminess), a few stems of parsley, cilantro or mint, low sugar fruit: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, kiwi.
I always make a big batch, the full capacity of my blender, about 48 ounces and share it with my husband. The smoothie will keep in the fridge for about 2 days but it tastes the best when fresh.
Makes: 2 20 oz. servings Prep time: 5 minutes Ready in : 7 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of water
- 2/3 of 1 Romaine lettuce head, chopped
- 2 big handfuls of spinach (no need to chop) or 2-3 large leaves (with stems) of kale, chard or combination of these, chopped
- 2-3 celery sticks, chopped
- 1 banana, peeled, cut into chunks
- 1 apple, cored and cut into chunks
- 1 pear, cored and cut into chunks
- 1/4 to 1/2 lemon (washed well) or lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1 orange, peeled (optional)
- 1 teaspoon flaxseed (optional)
- a few ice cubes (optional)
Directions:
- Using a good blender, add water, chopped greens, fruit and lemon juice. Blend on low, then gradually turn the speed up to high. Blend until smooth. Drink immediately or store, covered in a fridge for up to 2 days.
Enjoy!
It's Cooking with Magda 