Recipe (2 servings):
2 cups water
1-2 handfuls baby kale
1 handful broccoli sprouts
1 pear
1 cucumber
3 stalks of celery
Remember to buy organic and if you choose not to, at least peel the cucumber and pear. Choose USA-grown produce whenever possible. The best deal on cucumbers right now is at the farmer's markets (if you have them...we're in Southern CA, so we have them all year round).
Q: Can I substitute some other greens instead of the baby kale?
A: Of course! The idea is to use whatever your favorite greens are. I'd rather you use something you like to eat than something you don't because then you're more likely to drink and enjoy the smoothie every day.
Q: Can I substitute something else for the broccoli sprouts? How about alfalfa sprouts? They're cheaper!
A: Yes, of course! Use whatever you like. Start with alfalfa sprouts, which do tend to be the least expensive, and then experiment with other sprouts to see what you prefer. However, I do recommend not using soybean sprouts.
Q: Cucumber? You put cucumber in it? Isn't it mostly water?
A: Cucumbers have an extremely alkalizing effect on the body which leads to a better state of general wellness and creates an environment more resistant to bad bacteria and illness. (The bad guys can't live in an alkaline environment. They need acidity, which is most often provided by bad diets and lack of physical activity.) For this reason, they make a great base for almost any smoothie. Plus, they taste great and lend a cool, refreshing taste to the smoothie. They're also full of vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Win-win.
Q: I don't have time for that.
A: Time-Saving Tip: We spend an hour or two on Saturdays after our trip to the Farmer's Market washing, chopping, prepping, and dividing all of our produce into portions for the week. We separate each day's green smoothie ingredients into a quart-sized freezer bag and pop it in the freezer. In the morning (or whenever you make your smoothie), all we have to do is pour the water into the blender and dump the bag of frozen ingredients in. Yes, it takes some time on Saturdays, but saves us time during the week and we only have to wash the knives and cutting board once...and we're investing in our long-term health and well-being. (Note: Cucumbers and celery do not freeze well for anything except for use in smoothies.)
Q: I tried it for a day or two and nothing happened so I stopped and just made a salad instead.
A: I dare you to take an hour to prep all your smoothies for the next 2 weeks, pop them in the freezer, then drink one every day for those two weeks. If you don't feel a difference then, then we'll talk. Healthy habits are a commitment. Flossing for two days in a row, then stopping completely will not prevent gum disease...just as drinking a green smoothie for a day or two will not do much to contribute to your long-term well-being. Just try sticking to it for 2 weeks. I was skeptical too, but now if I miss a day, my body craves the green drinks and I feel much less energetic. Another thing to consider is that when you blend the food instead of just eating it in a salad, more of the cell membranes are broken open than when you just eat the food items, thus allowing your body to access more of the nutrients.
Q: What's it supposed to do for me anyway?
A: Aside from helping to keep your body more alkaline (and thus helping to ward off illness and disease), we've found that daily consumption of green drinks leads to more balanced blood sugar levels, better mental clarity, higher levels of energy, and a better feeling of general well-being.
There you have it. If you have a question that I missed, feel free to ask it.
Much love,
Erin
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