Fresh Green Glorious Aloha Smoothie -

This is such a refreshing morning smoothie-- can just feel the chlorophyll pulsing through my system!

This is one of those days when all the work in the garden -- soil amendment, weeding, seeding, watering etc-- seems like it was all worth it! The sky is robin's egg blue, the sun is dazzling, and there is an abundance of fresh greens for the smoothies!  There is really nothing like the HUNDRED STEP DIET (that is, eating right out of your own garden).  No fruit or berries yet, but I have a freezer with frozen fruit in it (so refreshing), bananas and apples! Let's go:

 INGREDIENTS:

Put the following together in a Vitamix Carafe (or other blender):

• 2 + handfuls of FRESH GREENS (I used Cilantro, Chard and a Lettuce leaf)
• 1 C. Frozen Pineapple (or fresh)
• 1 Banana (chunks)
• 1 Apple (chopped with core and stems removed, but skin intact)
• Filtered Water to make 1 +  Quarts/ Litres

Whirl up!  Simple as that... but simple is so satisfying!  

SUCCESS WITH THE SEEDS

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Aloe Vera Smoothie

I originally had an aloe vera smoothie video here that demonstrated a recipe using (wild?) aloe vera and suggesting that a leaf of potted aloe vera, peeled, could be used instead.  The recipe in the video used citrus fruit (orange, lemon, lime), berries (goji) and mango, but there are quite a few variations that you can follow. 

 Today I am using 1 C. frozen blueberries, an apple (minus the core), and the aloe vera with about 4 cups of water in my Vitamix.  The benefits are listed below-- I'm using it for some breathing issues that I have for which a small study has shown some possible benefits (asthma) but it is a general all-round healthful green.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA

*immune regulator: helps to restore the body to balance after illness
*soothes and heals eczema and burns
*healing to ulcers in the digestive tract
*contains protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, B12 and E, essential fatty acids and is naturally rich in Vitamin C, amino acids, enzymes, germanium (a mineral that may help with cardiac disorders)
*is laxative and an excellent cleanse. However, if you experience any cramping or diarrhea, stop use.

*Contraindications: Do not use aloe vera if you are taking the following medications: oral corticosteroids, such as beclomethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone-- this misuse of aloe vera may lead to developing a potassium deficiency and experiencing of other toxic effects from the medication.  Please check with a pharmacist or your doctor re your own medications not listed above.

The Green Smoothie vs. Radiation Poisoning

COMBINE THE FOLLOWING IN THE VITAMIX CANISTER:
*2-6 Celery stalks, chopped
*1 Apple, cored, chopped
*1 C. Blackberries, frozen or fresh
*1 T. Cinnamon
*1/2 tsp. Turmeric
*Pinch of Celtic Sea Salt
*1 T. Raw Honey
*1/4 C. Raw Pumpkin Seed
*1/4 C. dried Coconut
*Water (1 - 1 1/2 Quarts)

Spin up. Drink by itself (i.e., don't eat it with your breakfast, etc. Give yourself about an hour before and an hour after eating to digest this. There are several kinds of radiation that will be protected against by drinking Green Smoothies every day.  (recipe adapted from David Wolfe)
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Smoothie of the Week: ABC Smoothie

I was with a group of people last week talking about refreshments we would serve after a presentation we were hosting. We wanted the said refreshments to reflect upon our support for healthy living, so out went coffee, Black Forest cheese cake, and the like.

 Someone suggested fruit trays. Another pointed out that people get as much of a glycemic surge with several pieces of fruit as they do with a cookie.

It got me thinking about fruity smoothies... and today's recipe is for a smoothie that is sweet, without being cloying, but made with blackberries and mostly greens. There is no banana-- just an apple and an avocado. It is smooth, flavourful, and creamy delicious... isn't that what one wants in a smoothie? Oh yes, and extrememly healthy!


Put the following in the carafe of a Vitamix and whirl up together until smooth and creamy:

• 2 C. frozen organic Blackberries (or other low glycemic berries)
• 1 handful fresh organic Cilantro
• 1 small, very ripe Avocado
• 1 4" piece of fresh Aloe Vera (if you have it- and peel off/discard the outer layer of skin)
• 1 small organic Apple, cored
• Stevia to taste (if desired)

Smoothie of the Week: Emperor Blueberry Smoothie

          

This Emperor smoothie originally appeared in the first issue of the Smoothiemoves ezine, but I'm updating it a little here so that it can be made for 2 people (and I have cut out the expensive MLM "juice")

• Soak about 6-10 natural almonds in 2 oz. of organic Orange Juice
• Grind up 2 T. Flaxseed in coffee grinder

Add to the Vitamix canister in the following order:

• 1 C. Frozen organic Blueberries
• Ground Flaxseed
• 1 T. Hemp Protein Powder
• 1 organic Apple, cored, seeded and cut into segments
• the Almonds and soak juice

Whirr until smooth.  Eat it like ice cream with a spoon, or if you want to drink it, add more fluid (water or organic orange juice.

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This smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions. If you found anything useful, intriguing, or have questions, I appreciate your feedback... please use the comment box below.

 To your better and better health.

-- Cynthia

Smoothie of the Week: Carrot- Apple Green Smoothie

Carrots and apples are a great sweet, fresh combo that measure up against bugs going around this time of the year-- and parsley is a boon for anyone with 'iron deficiency'.  Some people may find this a  little hard to digest.  In that case, be sure to take your enzymes somewhere in the process (before, during and immediately after drinking the smoothie).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh-juiced apple juice (or regular organic apple juice if necessary)
• 1 cup of sliced apple (Pink Ladies are a winner for this smoothie!)
• 1/4 cup raw applesauce (a cored apple chopped into the blender)
• 1/2 cup fresh organic chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup of fresh organic Parsley
• 2 cups of ice
• Blend this vegetable smoothie until smooth. 
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This smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions. If you found anything useful, intriguing, or have questions, I would really appreciate your feedback... please use the comment box below.. 

 To your better and better health, ~Cynthia

Apple Cider Green Smoothie

Mmmmm.... Apples are definitely a nice clean crisp fall fruit choice for smoothies.  And they 'warm up' with a couple of shakes of cinnamon or cardamom... as you wish.  

When I was a kid and went out trick'n'treating I remember the smell of MacIntosh apples being crunched into in the cool (sometimes frigid lol)night air. 

 I grew up where we didn't grow big apples (just crabapples and small tart pie apples)-- the MacIntosh of that day was such a treat!  Well, on the weekend at the Farmer's Market in Steveston, we picked up some "old fashioned" MacIntosh and some Ambrosia, great locavore varieties.  Organic, of course-- apples are highly sprayed fruits so please buy organic... if you scrimp on the cost of other fruits, buy something like oranges that have a thicker skin.  

Here is a perfectly delightful and tasty Apple Cider Green Smoothie, all made up in your blender... no dairy (yogurt, etc.) and really just 3 ingredients (besides water) to give you a real clean start to your day or to refresh you somewhere along in your day... you really can't miss with apples for taste and nutrition!

Put the following in your high speed blender:
*2 Tasty organic Apples (not too soft), cored and chopped, but with skin still on
*Chopped organic Celery, including the leaves (cut off the bottoms)
*2 shakes good quality Cinnamon powder, or perhaps Cardamom seed ground in your coffee bean grinder
*2 C. Filtered Water, more or less, as you desire
(you might choose to add 1 T. Braggs Apple Cider-- with the "mother" in it-- and perhaps 1 T. Maple Syrup for extra enzymes)

Whirl up and go climb a tree!

Did you know that....

• apple, like other fruits, is 'antidepressant'?  Try it-- feeling down? Grab an apple and munch!
• pectin-- soluble fibre-- in an apple slows down the release of sugars into the bloodstream and thus controls insulin levels... the apple is a pancreas-friendly fruit
• by lowering insulin levels, the pectin also reduces cholesterol levels
• the antioxidant activity in one medium-size apple with skin is equal to 1500 mg of Vitamin C.  Studies show that both human liver cancer cells and human colon cancer cells are inhibited in growth by the application of apple extracts in vitro
• people eating lots of apples have lower rates of lung cancer than those who don't
• Quercetin, a flavenoid in apples, is found right under the skin, so don't peel your apples to get the most benefit from eating them

~facts above from AtoZ of Health, Beauty and Fitness 


This smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions. If you found anything useful, intriguing, or have questions, I would really appreciate your feedback... please use the comment box below. To your better and better health, ~Cynthia

Smoothie of the Week: Sweet Beet Smoothie

I've been dehydrating beets this week... tediously slicing and then when they are dry, grinding up the chips in a wee coffee grinder (don't get me wrong, I like doing everything the hard way lol). So now I have a fair amount of 'beet powder'. I know about the idea for instant borsch, and it's a good one, but I also thought of what I could do to augment smoothies with beet powder. Here is the delicious result of that pondering:

Combine the following in your Vitamix carafe:

• 2 T. Organic "Raw" Beet Powder (dehydrated beets at less than 115 degrees) OR 2 C. cooked beets
• 4 C. filtered Water
• 1 Banana
• 2 Lg. Handfuls of Kale leaves
• 1 Braeburn Apple, cored
• 1-2 T. "raw" Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Blend until smooth and yummy!  The beet fibre will stimulate your body's production of glutathione-S-transferase, an enzyme that speeds the liver's removal of fat-trapping toxins.  

The phytonutrient betaine in beets will soothe chronic inflammation and will also suppress the output of the belly fat-storing stress hormone, cortisol.  

The apple cider vinegar's acetic acid switches on genes that are key to creating fatty acid oxidation enzymes.  These enzymes block the storage of incoming dietary fat and break down and eliminate almost 10% of existing stored body fat.  You might want to try the "Apple Cider Vinegar" diet as a result of having enjoyed this delicious smoothie... go here to read more.

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This smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions. If you found anything useful, intriguing, or have questions, I appreciate your feedback... please use the comment box below. ~Cynthia

Smoothie of the Week: Light and Green Smoothie

This nutritious and refreshing smoothie is dedicated to all those readers who live in places where the humidity is so high that they hardly have enough energy to think, let alone plan a nutritious meal.  This would make a terrific lunch– all on its healthy little own!
Per person, blend together in the blender:

• 1 large peeled organic cucumber
• 2 ripe kiwi (also peeled)
• 1/2 organic apple, peeled, cored, seeds removed

This is so refreshing and tasty– finally, a salad the kids will love!

This smoothie information is for you-- it's my bias-- so please see your own health care professional before making any health-related decisions.
  To your better and better health, ~Cynthia