All Hail the Blender!

This week I did something new for the very first time, and I can’t wait to share it with you! Are you ready? I put a RAW BEET in my smoothie! It was the most gorgeous color, it was delicious and filling, and it made me feel fantastic! Personally, I eat beets whenever I can because they are grounding and supportive to the root chakra. Beets also reduce resting blood pressure, are full of vitamin C, and are even a natural aphrodisiac! Woah! Now, I could write about the amazing qualities of beets all day, but my favorite author Tom Robbins already has the beet covered. (Read Jitterbug Perfume). Today, my friends, let’s talk smoothies. 

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If you don’t yet have much experience with smoothies, now is the PERFECT time to start! As we are heading into spring, you might find your body craving cleaner and lighter foods. Helllllllo fruits and vegetables!! It’s time to get out the blender, or invest in one if you haven’t yet! Don't worry, seasonal ingredients make smoothies are great for the winter, too - so you can use that blender year round.

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Why should you drink smoothies? First of all, you will get some extra veggies in your diet that you might not have eaten otherwise. In fact, just imagine the produce you can add to your shopping cart if you plan to drink one smoothie a day! Most people don’t get enough vegetables in their diet, and smoothies help. Digestion is easier, too, since the raw food is already processed for you. A smoothie doesn’t take long to make, and when eaten as a snack, you might be replacing some processed food like a granola bar or crackers. Way to go, you! A smoothie makes a great breakfast, especially in the warmer months. You can make it more filling by adding some hemp protein, chia seeds, hemp seeds, coconut oil, or avocado! Time to upgrade from your cereal with milk to a plant based, real foods option…no fake food dyes, hormones, or added sugars! 

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Smoothies are a great way to sneak in more leafy greens ( kale, spinach, swiss chard, dandelion greens, collards, etc,) that have a wide variety of health benefits. Pretty much EVERYONE, even you, could benefit from incorporating more leafy greens into their diet. They are alkalinizing to your system, are seriously nutrient dense, and promote healthy gut bacteria. SO - Blend up that kale!!

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One of my favorite things about smoothies is that they are a great way to incorporate more superfoods into your diet. Some examples of things you can add are maca powder, raw cacao, spirulina, chlorella, ginger, turmeric, chia seeds, hemp seeds, sky’s the limit! 

Hot Tips for Making a Great Smoothie:

1. ‍Add Superfoods! Options listed above, find what works best for you!
2. ‍Add some leafy greens like kale or spinach. Blend your liquid and leafy greens first, then add other fruits and veggies. (If you have a vitamix or other high-speed blender, this does not apply)
3. ‍Avocado or coconut oil will add creaminess. Coconut oil is also a good source of Omega-3s. If you want it to be sweeter, add a half of a banana . 
4. ‍Add protein to make your smoothie more filling. Use a plant based protein like hemp protein, chia seeds, hemp seeds, nuts or nut butter. 
5. ‍Herbs and spices are awesome in smoothies. Depending on the season and the flavor you are going for, some great options of herbs you can add to smoothies are mint, ginger, parsley, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  These can have medicinal effects as well! 
6. ‍ Ice--- Add some if you are planning on drinking it right away. If you are making it to drink for later, don't add ice and just store it in the fridge.  Also, when I drink smoothies for breakfast in the winter, I don't add ice.   Don't need those extra chills. :)

I hope you enjoy these recipes!!  Please share your own!

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Sweet Beet Smoothie

• ‍1 cup of water
• ‍1 small beet (peeled - raw is OK if you have a vitamix or similar blender) 1  fuji apple
• ‍2 stalks of celery 
• ‍a nub of fresh ginger (as much as you like! Add more to taste, I like a lot.)  
• ‍a big handful of leafy greens (your choice)1 tsp lemon juice
• 2/3 cup of strawberries  ( you can use more or less depending how big your apple is) 
• ‍1 tbsp chia seeds

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Supergreen Breakfast Smoothie

• ~1 cup water 
• ~2 cup of organic Spinach or Kale (not all blenders handle kale as well)
• 1  organic apple
• ‍1/2 avocado 
• ‍~1 tbs of chia seeds (I just pour them straight from the container) 
• ‍2 tbs Hemp Protein (I use Nutiva brand)
• ~3/4 cup frozen blueberries (you can use fresh in the summer)
• a nub of fresh ginger

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Green and Clean Smoothie

• ‍~1 cup of water 
• ‍1 cup spinach/leafy green
• ‍1/2 lemon
• ‍1 green apple
• ‍1 kiwi 
• ‍1/2 avocado
• ‍6 or so big mint leaves (add more to taste)
• ‍1/2 cucumber
• ‍(add honey to sweeten) 

Berry Nut Chocolate Smoothie

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 3 large strawberries
• 1/4 banana
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 Tbsp almond butter
• 1 Tbsp raw cacao powder

Have fun and experiment!  You can always blend it up, taste it, and then add more of whatever you think it needs.   Add hemp / chia / protien powder / bee pollen to any and all of the above recipes!!

What are your favorite or go-to smoothies to make?  What are some favorite ingredients to use? I'd love to hear from you!  Happy Blending!

Love,

Stacy