I'm not sure if it's because I'm SO ready for winter to be over and for spring, or if it's just my newly discovered passion for better nutrition, but I am really into everything that is green lately. My sister Dell introduced me to Green Smoothies a while back (after my diagnosis) and I try to have one every day. Some of my friends have even started doing them each day too and have felt great! There are so many different recipes and ways of doing it and it's a great way of packing in some extra nutrients and greens. My recipe is not really measured, but goes something like this:
Green Smoothie
1 cup water (or 100% fruit juice)
1 1/2 cups spinach (I just grab a handful or so)
1-2 leaves of kale
Blend until greens are smooth and then add
1 cup of fruit (I will do strawberry-peach or a berry blend, whatever I have)
1/2 frozen banana (you can put it in raw, but a friend told me it makes it less frothy if you freeze them first. I cut them up and put them in the freezer for later)
You can add agave or stevia if you want a sweetener
I add 2 tbsp. organic ground flaxseed and some Sea Aloe too.
Blend until smooth (add ice if you want it thicker)
It's fun to experiment and try different combinations, so have fun with it if you want to try it!
It's also a great way to get kids to eat more greens. You have to "market" the smoothies a little bit first. We tell them they are "Shrek" smoothies and then they think they are cool and are more willing to try them. Once they try them, they realize that they really do taste great. I love seeing their little green mustaches after they have drank theirs down. So cute! Here's a link to a site for some ideas: HERE
Green Smoothie
1 cup water (or 100% fruit juice)
1 1/2 cups spinach (I just grab a handful or so)
1-2 leaves of kale
Blend until greens are smooth and then add
1 cup of fruit (I will do strawberry-peach or a berry blend, whatever I have)
1/2 frozen banana (you can put it in raw, but a friend told me it makes it less frothy if you freeze them first. I cut them up and put them in the freezer for later)
You can add agave or stevia if you want a sweetener
I add 2 tbsp. organic ground flaxseed and some Sea Aloe too.
Blend until smooth (add ice if you want it thicker)
It's fun to experiment and try different combinations, so have fun with it if you want to try it!
It's also a great way to get kids to eat more greens. You have to "market" the smoothies a little bit first. We tell them they are "Shrek" smoothies and then they think they are cool and are more willing to try them. Once they try them, they realize that they really do taste great. I love seeing their little green mustaches after they have drank theirs down. So cute! Here's a link to a site for some ideas: HERE
Another thing that I'm really excited about is planting a garden this year. I've asked a few friends for some tips and I'm going to try to do a square foot garden or two this year. If anyone has done one of these before and has some pointers for me, please let me know!! I can't wait to get out and dig in the dirt! Here is a link to a site that I will be reading more about: Square Foot Gardening.
I have been so frustrated as I've been reading labels trying to make better choices for my family and me. They put junk in just about everything! There is high fructose corn syrup, soy and MSG, and artificial dyes in so many things! Even the produce we eat can be full of toxins and pesticides or be genetically modified. It has really made me want to grow my own crop of something so that I know exactly what is in it and feel good about giving it to my family. Plus, I think there is something therapeutic about a garden and spring cannot come early enough for me!
The other thing I am so excited about is sprouting. My friend let me borrow a sprouter of hers and I can't wait till my little sprouts pop out! I've read that the little things are just packed with nutrients and I can't wait to watch them grow and add them to my salads and smoothies. Nathan is pretty excited about this experiment. We soaked the seeds and he said, "When does the food come?" I told him it would take a few days and he can hardly wait! I'll have to let you know how it goes.
8 comments:
I might have to give this a try! I hope all is well with you. You are in our prayers.
Im so loving all your great ideas. Would love to hear more about it all. Need some good changes in my diet.
Mandie
OH I can't even tell you how much I LOVE this post. I have been slacking on my green smoothies, I like that link, I have the greensmoothiegirl recipes but I haven't seen those! Am, sprouting and gardens without me!!! You better watch it I'm gonna show up on your door step with my blankie and move in with you if you keep it up! I am so proud of you and how many GREAT things you are doing for your body. Keep up the good work, oh and I swear I was able to sprout the raw almonds from walmart even though they are not technically 'raw'. I ate a bunch of them and didn't have an allergic reaction at all... so it did something! LOVE YOU!
P.S. thanks for the cute footsie card! You always lift my spirits at just the right time! Come up soon and we'll go again sometime.
I need to get some of your recipes for smoothies! My kids and I would really love them! (Notice I did not include Nate. He is happy with his Crunch Berry Cereal) You are such an inspiration to eat healthy foods and really watch what you are eating!
You will get me eating healthier yet! (I hope) You are so convincing and inspirational and we love you!
I was telling my husband about this post. Your green smoothies sound yummy even though they look icky. I'm gonna try making my own this week.
Wow! You are making me feel seriously guitly for having my daily Diet Dr. Pepper and chocolate donut :) Just kidding. I am truly inspired by you to try to be healthier. Do you always use artificial sweetner?
Thanks Amberly for the great ideas! I will use the smoothies this week for the competition at work which is week 6 of the Winter Olympics for our team and we have to eat so many servings of fruits and vegtables a day and this will help:)I wonder if all the turkey poop our garden is caked in counts for extra additives ;) Love ya!
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