Green Smoothie Goodness

When I previously stated that green smoothies may be my new addiction, I was definitely right.  I have made a green smoothie every single morning since, seriously, every morning.  I've picked a pretty awesome thing to get addicted to, and I'd like to share with you a little bit about why green smoothies rock:

• Green smoothies are incredibly nutrient dense; filling you up with good stuff, giving your cells the nourishment they need.  Ya know what that means?  You cut cravings for the crappy stuff by feeding your cells the good stuff!  
• Green smoothies are rich in magnesium in calcium.  In fact, kale, an easy to find leafy green, has more calcium than dairy!!!  Say what!?  Yea, eat some kale.
• Green leaves have protein!  Think about gorillas, and elephants, and other huge, mighty animals that only eat greens...
• Low calorie!!  These smoothies are super low in calories, plus the calories that are there are accompanied by awesome nutritional benefit and filling fiber.
• The fiber is turned into mush so its easy to digest.  But, since the fiber is still there, it keeps you from absorbing the fruit sugars too quickly and getting a blood sugar rush.  

Good stuff, right!?  Plus, I bet you'd be hard pressed to find any kitchen in the country that doesn't have a blender!  I do think juicing is great for you, and important to being healthy but if you aren't ready to go get a juicer, or you're ready to switch it up, grab your blender and make a green smoothie!!  

The rules to creating green smoothies are simple: 

• Variety: pick different greens all the time, don't juice the same green day after day.
• 60% fruit and 40% greens is a good general guideline for proportioning your smoothie.
• Experiment!  Have fun trying different combinations of fruits and greens.  These are all good greens to use: lettuce, kale, dandelion greens, watercress, escarole, cabbage, broccoli, asparagus, and celery.  Mix with any fruit your healthy heart desires, and you're set!
• Blend your fruit and liquid first to make a base, then blend in the greens; it'll be easier this way.

Here are some combinations that I have tried and loved:

1. 2 bananas, 1 cup frozen blueberries, water, 1/2 head romaine lettuce
   
2. 1 cup fresh pineapple, 1 cup fresh strawberries, juice from 2 oranges, handful of ice, 4 stalks kale
3. Mango, frozen strawberries, banana, collard greens
4. 2 bananas, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 4 stalks kale, 1 teaspoon raw honey, water

Try some of mine, or get creative right away!  Work with what you've got in the kitchen and you'll be sure to come up with some tasty problem solving.  Enjoy your health, punks!!

Music Fix: Boys in the Band-The Libertines