To have energy and zest for living, you need maximum nutrition from your food. A simple statement, but so powerful and true.
The body relies on the things that you eat to maintain the health of all its cells, from brain cells to the protein-rich keratin-containing cells that make up and harden your hair, skin, and nails.
Every single day, the food that you consume and assimilate initiates the performance of one of two possible tasks: it either builds up or constructs and improves your condition, also known as anabolism, or leads to a breaking down of your being, known as catabolism.
Along with adequate sleep, sunshine, water, and regular exercise – all essential to maintaining wellness and comfortable longevity – what you eat ranks right up there in importance. Healthful food ensures that your body has the nutrients to build physical and mental health and strength.
If you provide your cells with the perfect balance of nutrients, neither too much nor too little, then these building blocks will actually rejuvenate your being from the inside out, making you look and feel younger than your years.
How do you do this? Two words: green smoothies.
The Amazingness Of Green Smoothies
Green drinks are a wonderful way to get your kids or other finicky family members to down their daily greens with joy!
Related: Simplify Your Diet: The Benefits Of Healthy Green Smoothies
Does the mere idea of a green smoothie make you cringe? I hear ya. Over the years, I’ve had my share of vile-tasting, raw, cabbage-like, kale smoothies and vowed I’d never have another.
Until someone has had a properly made, delicious, green smoothie, it’s only natural that the first reaction to the offer of a spinach-colored, frothy drink is disgust. That was before I learned how to camouflage the green flavor with other ingredients that are sweet and creamy or tart and tangy.
Why Green Smoothies?
In addition to the plethora of beneficial nutrients contained within green superfoods such as kale, spinach, arugula, spirulina, chlorella, Romaine lettuce, parsley, and alfalfa grass, consuming greens in your smoothies is a great way to prevent blood-sugar swings and keep things in balance.
Greens add more fiber to the blend than exists by simply using whole fruit as the star player, and furthermore, the moderate protein content of greens helps slow carbohydrate digestion, resulting in a steadier, more stable blood-sugar level.
Related: 15 Simple Ways To Eat More Fruits And Veggies
As a bonus, this effect makes you feel fuller longer, more satisfied and less likely to snack between meals or overeat at mealtime.
Below are two of my favorite recipes for raw green smoothies – guaranteed to deliciously power your day! Here’s to your health . . . enjoy!
Green Protein Power #1
Pale green, thick, and creamy, with nary a taste of spinach — only the tangy kick of fresh pineapple and citrus reigns supreme. Jam-packed with nutrients that deliver a punch of energizing power, this potent green smoothie is the ultimate breakfast beverage for children who won’t eat their greens, but need hours of nourishing, tasty fortification.
This smoothie should be consumed right away and not stored in the refrigerator or a thermos for later consumption, as the chia seeds will begin to swell and the texture of the drink will become slippery or gel-like.
This smoothie is a good source of: blood-building iron and chlorophyll, bountiful antioxidants, bromelain, vitamins B, C, and K, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, selenium, other trace minerals, protein, complex carbohydrates, omega-3 fatty acids, natural sugars, and fiber.
Related: Always Hungry? The Top 10 Foods That Fill You Up
Juice of 3 oranges, tangerines, or tangelos
3 cups baby spinach leaves, packed
2 cups very ripe, fresh pineapple, cut into small pieces
½ cup raw cashews
1 tablespoon chia seeds, whole
1 tablespoon flaxseed oil, unfiltered preferred
Pinch of sea salt
1 Place the orange juice, spinach, pineapple, cashews, chia seeds, flaxseed oil, and salt in a blender and blend on high until the spinach leaves, pineapple, and cashews are completely liquified, about 30 seconds.
2 Pour into glasses and serve immediately. For a festive look, garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge. This blend is high in natural sugars and fiber, so sip slowly — no gulping. Please “chew” each sip, mixing well with your saliva so that it digests with ease.
Yield: 2 servings
Green Protein Power #2
A beauty drink if ever there was one, this smoothie is rich in fat, easily assimilable protein, and minerals, this energizing, filling green drink delivers the perfect nourishment for strong, radiant hair, skin, and nails. What’s wonderful is that it can double as a yummy salad dressing or cold soup!
Related: Turn Heads With Healthy Winter Hair? Here’s How
This smoothie is a good source of chlorophyll, antioxidants, vitamins B, C, E, and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, other trace minerals, heart-healthy fat including omega-3, protein, natural sugars, slow- release carbohydrates, and fiber.
1 medium, ripe Haas avocado
1½ cups purified water
Juice of 1 medium lime
3 cups baby spinach leaves, packed
1 tablespoon flaxseed oil, unfiltered preferred
¼–½ teaspoon sea salt
1 Slice the avocado in half lengthwise, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh.
2 Place the avocado, water, lime juice, spinach, flaxseed oil, and salt in a blender and blend on high until the consistency is velvety and thick and the spinach leaves are completely liquefied, about 30 seconds.
3 Serve immediately. This drink is rather rich in fats and fiber, so sip slowly ensuring that it digests with ease. For a festive look, garnish with a sprig of mint or basil.
Yield: 2 servings
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Stephanie Tourles is a licensed holistic esthetician, certified aromatherapist, and gardener with training in Western and Ayurvedic herbalism. She is the author of ten books, including Raw Energy in a Glass, Hands-On Healing Remedies, Raw Energy, Organic Body Care Recipes, Naturally Healthy Skin, 365 Ways to Energize Mind, Body & Soul, and Natural Foot Care.