Drink Your Greens

Want clear, glowing skin, brighter eyes, more energy and better health all around? Drink your greens!

So much has been said about raw foods in recent food studies and the long and short of it is that we destroy a lot of our foods healthy properties when subjecting them to high heat. In effect when we cook food we are killing off a lot of what makes it good for us and all of us should aim to implement more raw whole foods into our diets. In other words eat more raw fruits and vegetables.

While this is easy to say in theory I think a lot of us feel that time and convenience prevent us from doing this. 

It's much easier to grab a coffee and donut than to prepare a healthy meal right? 

Except the damage you are doing to your body when you do that far outweighs the ease of eating poorly. 

In the last few years I've discovered that you have to make it just as easy to eat good, healthy foods as it is to buy something unhealthy. One of my best friends in this mission to eat more raw, whole foods is the green smoothie. 

It is so simple and easy to make and leaves you feeling refreshed and energized. When I drink a green smoothie in the morning I do not feel a need for coffee or tea. I feel better, have more energy and this drink also helps you cleanse naturally, if you know what I mean!

Basically a green smoothie is a thick green drink made up of leafy greens, fruit and a liquid base. Blending instead of juicing it leaves the fibre in the drink and you will feel full as well. In this way the green smoothie can also help in weight loss because it acts like a meal replacement. I also drink it as a snack or with my breakfast. It's also great after a workout and as a rule I like to have one a day.

I make it easier for myself by freezing fresh fruit when it goes on sale (blueberries, strawberries and chopped mango) and I always stock my fridge with pre-washed, organic baby spinach. It takes only a few minutes to make and the results will stay with you. 

Although it looks green in colour, I promise it does not "taste green". You can barely taste the spinach and I recommend starting with my classic green smoothie recipe and then venturing into different fruits, greens and liquids. 

Tip: while I use my Vitamix to make these drinks, I only bought one recently. Any other blender can do a great job too! My recommendation is to blend your green leaves and liquid together until the leaves disappear into the juice. Then add the other ingredients. If you add the fruit at the same time as your greens you will be left with leafy bits in your beverage - and no one wants to chew a smoothie.

Classic Green Smoothie

1 1/2 cup baby spinach

1 cup almond milk (I use unsweetened natural flavour)

Half of a banana 

Ice 

First blend the spinach and almond milk. When it gets to the consistency you like add the banana. At the end add your ice and blend once more. 

That's it! In only a few minutes you will be one step closer to a healthier mind and body. I promise if you make this a part of your daily routine you will truly love the results. Happy blending!