You're a Clean One Mister Grinch

I posted my first "green juice" recipe on Oct 10th. Although smoothies had been a breakfast staple for months I was just getting into green juice. It seemed almost too natural, pure and, dare I say, "hippie." (Although, with my kale, kombucha and yoga habits I'm leaning in that direction!)

I became hooked almost immediately. Within 1-2 weeks I had replaced all fruit smoothies with green juice and haven't skipped a day. (My parents laughed when I came home for Christmas with a mini cooler. "Are you making an organ donation?" they asked. Nope - just my flax oil and fresh produce from the farmers market:)

The more excited I got about green juice, the more I talked about it and the more I talked about it the more I realized how popular it is. I've lost count of the friends who have posted about it on facebook in the past couple months. And it even came up in conversation on a recent trip to the esthetician. In fact, she's the one who shared the below recipe with me. (Thanks Lisa!)

Grinch Power Nutrient Smoothie
1 small ripe banana (the spottier the better for sweetness)
1 ripe kiwi (washed and stem removed but skin left on)
2 cups raw spinach, kale or chard
1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
1/2-1 tsp stevia
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped cucumber
1 cup chopped mango (frozen is best)
1/4 cup unsweetened aloe vera juice
Juice from 1 fresh squeezed lemon, lime or 1/2 orange
1 cup room temp or chilled strong green tea (2-3 teabags)
1/2 cup (or more) ice cubes
For optional protein add 1/4 cup slivered almonds

It's very easy being green

Here are a few very easy "green" recipes. Due to a holiday party last night I slept MUCH later than usual and was still able to throw the smoothie and beet green salad together before I left for work.

Kiwi green tea smoothie

Blend:
8 oz brewed green tea
2 kiwis
1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 tbsp agave or honey
Ice (you can make ice cubes out of almond milk for a less diluted smoothie)
I also added a handful of kale as I try to sneak it in whenever I can!

Beet green salad (a great way to use beet tops if you buy raw beets)

Ingredients:
1 bunch beet greens
1/4 cup onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp olive oil

Directions:
Remove heavy stems, tear leaves into bite-sized pieces
Sautee onions in olive oil, add garlic
Add the beet greens. Gently toss in the onion mixture until greens are coated and cook until wilted.

Brussels sprout salad

Ingredients:
12 brussels sprouts
4 oz shredded parmasean cheese
1/2 cup toasted walnuts in pieces (cook over the stove 5-8 mins on med heat)
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tbsps apple cinder vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
salt & pepper

Instructions:
Shred the brussels sprouts in a food processor, mandolin or chop with a knife.  Toss the sprouts in a bowl, top with toasted walnuts & grated cheese.  In a small jar, add the olive oil, apple cider vinegar and mustard with a sprinkle of salt & pepper. Put a lid on the jar and shake it up. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir thoroughly.

Beat up the Beet!

I have been a fan of beets for years and consider a beet salad with goat cheese a treat. However, since discovering all the health benefits they contain (below) I have begun searching for ways to incorporate beets into my daily diet.

Beets are a source of: Vitamin A, B, (folic acid) C, iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, carotenoids and dietary fiber. (Phew!) They are used to detoxify the liver and spleen and to help balance the blood’s pH balance by reducing the blood’s acidity. (Acidic blood creates a welcome environment for viruses and bacteria to flourish.) But the best news for those who are trying to lose weight is that the cellulose content of beets acts as a bulk residue increasing peristalsis (the muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.) In other words, they keep you regular:-P

The first smoothie is a "starter smoothie" for those who haven't acquired a taste for beets (or who don't plan to!) The second smoothie is for serious beet fans and it is beetastic! There are also many smoothie and juice recipes that incorporate beet tops (the leaves attached to the bulbs) so check them out if you buy fresh beets and want to get your money's worth!

Purple Kale Smoothie:

1 large ripe banana
3-4 large kale leaves
1/4 medium beet (baked and peeled - see below)
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 packets stevia
1 1/2 cups water

Beet Banana Smoothie:

1 large handful fresh baby spinach leaves
1/2 bag frozen strawberries
1 beet bulb (baked and peeled - see below)
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 tbsp flax-seed
1 1/2 cups almond milk
1 tbsp agave nectar

Baked Beets:

Separate from tops. Rub dirt off with a dish towel (washing them will cause them to "steam" instead of bake.) Preheat oven to 400. Arrange beets in a casserole dish, cover with lid then cover the entire dish with aluminum foil. Cook for 90s minutes. Refrigerate.

Glowing Green Smoothie

I am AMAZED by this smoothie. It's 100% natural and is the equivalent of eating a pear, an apple, a banana*, half a bag of lettuce, half a bag of kale and three stalks of celery. More nutrients than some people get in an entire day (or week!) and I got it all in one glass. Thanks Brooke!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 bunch kale
3-4 stalks organic celery
1/2 head of a large bunch or 3/4 of a small bunch of spinach
1 organic apple, cored and chopped
1 organic pear, cored and chopped
1 organic banana
Juice of 1/2 fresh organic lemon
optional:
1/3 bunch organic cilantro (stems okay) (if you know me you know I passed on the cilantro;)
1/3 bunch organic parsley (stems okay)

Directions:
Add the water and chopped head of romaine to the blender. Starting the blender at low speed, mix until smoothi. Gradually moving to higher speeds, add the celery, apple and pear. Add the cilantro and parsley, if you are choosing to add them. Add the banana and lemon juice last.

Blend until smooth. This may take several minutes and, as smoothies tend to get warmer the longer you blend, be sure to serve over ice. (It makes enough for two smoothies so you can keep the other half in the fridge and won't need ice the second time.)

* Just as olive oil and avocado are "good fat" fruit is "good carbs" and is much healthier than other sources of carbs like rice, bread and pasta. However, for those who prefer to get less sugar from fruit use the chart below to substitute.

Low to Medium in Sugar:
Strawberries, Papaya, Watermelon, Peaches, Nectarines, Blueberries, Cataloupe, Honeydew, Apples, Guavas, Apricots, Grapefruit Fruits

High in Sugar:
Plums, Oranges, Kiwi, Pears, Pineapple

Very High in Sugar:
Tangerines, Cherries, Grapes, Pomegranates, Mangoes, Figs, Bananas