Step-by-step Green Smoothie

Initial Reaction to Green Smoothies

All folks physically cringe when I describe a glorious green smoothie. And some even audibly voice their disapproval with out loud gagging noises.

But, most take a sip when offered one, especially if they watch me drink mine first.

And then they chug the entire glassful when given the "okay" to do so.

After I explain a few health benefits, they often ask me how to make green smoothies at-home...

Reported Benefits of Green Smoothies

I would say that 9 out of 10 persons I have tempted to try one of these concoctions, continues to make and chug these nutrient-dense green drinks. Reported health benefits and improvements in my circle of green smoothie drinkers include:

increased energy

diminished food cravings

quicker recovery from physical exertion 

hair, darker & thicker

skin, softer & smoother

weight loss

lowered cholesterol

seasonal allergy relief

increase in general well-being

lowered blood sugar levels

and on 

and on

For an introduction to green smoothies, click here.

And for more ideas and recipes, click here.

Making a Green Smoothie 

1. 2 cups of water

2. add large amounts of greens (I fill to near the top)

pictured here: pink chard, yellow chard, lambs quarters (yes, it is a weed)

3. blend to smooth

a hi-speed, hi-power blender (i.e. K-tec or VitaMix) works best as you want to break open the actual cell walls of the greens

4. add frozen fruit (about 2 cups)

I often use blueberries or strawberries; add in a frozen banana if you are new at it and like a creamy texture akin to a shake

5. blend to smooth

add-in some other goodies like ground flax, hemp seeds...or for sweetness, add-in a couple of dates or a dollop of honey/agave/brown rice syrup

6. drink!

not all green smoothies are green when done--but the green nutrients are packed to the rim!

Why not give it a whirl?! Yeah, pun intended. Blend yourself up a nice glass of nutrients...

By the time breakfast is done, my family has met the standard daily recommended servings of fruits & veggies! Soon, I will post the rest of our general breakfast menu, complete with photos... 

whole wheat scones

strawberry sauce

fruit salad

Strawberries!

It is that time of year when strawberries are hanging ripe and juicy, 

just waiting to be picked by an eager hand 

and popped into an anticipating mouth.

These are three strawberries on my 6'4" husband's hand. 

Those are some BIG berries!

Each of those giant strawberries was the size of 3 berries.

Yum.

After an evening of processing strawberries for the annual freezer fill-up, 

I made some strawberry syrup for my boys 

and their Saturday whole wheat pancake breakfast feast.

* Toss that store-bought pancake syrup and sugar-laden jam. Your family will love simple, fresh, homemade syrup. 

Whatever is left-over, use that week for almond butter-jam sandwiches for the kiddos!

And I made a quick fruit salad 

to go with their pancakes and our green smoothies. 

Strawberry Green Smoothie

- 2 cups water

- 3 cups of greens (red lettuce, collard)

-> blend 

- 1 cup frozen strawberries

- 1/4 cup ground flax

-> blend to smooth

Easy Summer Fruit Salad

- fresh strawberries

- frozen blueberries

- orange pieces (peeled, cut into slices & separated into small pieces

* optional: top off with soaked raw sunflower seeds and/or chopped raw soaked almonds; avocado is a surprisingly delicious add-in too

Simple Strawberry Syrup

- very ripe strawberries, stemmed & chopped

- honey

- cinnamon

- allspice

-> add all ingredients (sweetener and spices to taste) simmer 30 minutes, stirring frequently; smash berries to a thick pulp; put into jar and use within one week or process in hot water bath for long term canned preservation

If you are new to whole food, vegan, and/or living food eating, 

keep it simple and easy!  

Your taste buds will be delighted, 

your body will be healthier, 

and you will find more success 

in meeting your healthful aspirations.

Nuts for Coconut

Yesterday 4 health-filled coconuts came to our home. This morning, I took one of them and poked it's eye right out with the pointy end of a knife sharpener. I inserted a straw and let the kiddo drink. After he had his fill, I drained it's water. That most nutritious & delicious source of electrolytes was for me. What to do with a coconut missing an eye? Pop it into a plastic bag, tie it off and smash it to pieces by slamming it onto the sidewalk. Repeatedly.

Now, that does not sound like a very nice thing to do to a poor lil coconut, does it?! 

Oh there are more civilized and stylish ways to get to the "meat" of the coconut, but hey, this is Simple Raw Food Mamma and I am a farm girl...

After the rather un-fanciful treatment of one hairy little coconut, we had rawsome green smoothies for breakfast today!

- 1 1/2 cups water (preferably coconut water, if you didn't drink it all yet)

- cram blender up past the 3 cup mark with greens (garden-fresh spinach & collard)

- blend

- add about 1 cup of blueberries

- and 1/2 peeled orange

- and a chunk or two of coconut

- blend again

Viola! Yummers!

Recently...

We have made raw strawberry pie.

We have made a whole wheat crust filled with gooey, spiced plums.

We have made a farm fresh, very colorful & flavor-filled veggie salad.

Oh, the fun and the yum we had in our kitchen! Stay tuned for posts and recipes and pics on the above...

Eat More Fruits & Veggies

Eating more fruits and veggies. That is a challenge for some. For me and my clan, it is a way of life. You see, the more living foods you eat, the more your living body thrives! Simply put, enzymes are the catalysts for all sorts of functions and processes within your body. Enzymes are destroyed when food is heated. A raw/living food way of eating, nourishes your precious body because the enzymes are still intact. Still living. Still working.

So, eat 'up! Grab yourself a 'nana or peel an orange and read along...

See my story here. 

Learn about some raw food facts here and basics here.

And look to the side bar for other topics, ideas and recipes.

Scroll on down to my last post. 

What an easy & fun & messy way to get some fresh wholesome fruit 

on your plate and into your mouth!