So I have been trying hard to improve the way I live, the things I eat and indulging some of my passions to become a more “well rounded” person. Having coffee with a friend of similar age just recently she told me of a challenge she was just about to embark on but one that she had done previously and found very beneficial to health, hair and skin, energy levels and overall well being. The Simple Green Smoothie 30 day Challenge is a web based program put together by a couple of lovely friends Jen and Jadah at www.simplegreensmoothies.com and provides you with daily inspiration, recipes and weekly shopping lists to encourage you to add more fruits and vegetables also some nutrient boosts into your daily diet. Sign me up I say!
Not having all of the ingredients in the fridge but wanting to get started straight away, my first smoothie was a bit hard to stomach! But once I went shopping and had some variety I was loving the smoothie challenge and using it to replace my lunch which usually consisted of whatever was left over in the fridge from the weekend or a fast sushi roll while out doing the banking. I am still constantly amazed at how with the addition of a few fruits (particularly banana and pineapple) you literally cannot taste the 2 cups of spinach or kale once it is smooshed together.
My first attempt was done in my blender. Its a heavy duty, ice crushing model but the result was just a bit chewy to say the least which didn't really add to the appeal. Then I tried the food processor which even though it has a bigger motor didn't quite get all the bits from the sides and so ended up even more chunky.
Then as I munched my way through Saturday lunchtime TV I came across an advertorial for the NutriBullet. I have NEVER bought ANYTHING off TV shopping channels before but this one had me hooked. The way it professed to extract the nutrients from even the seeds of the raspberries and the skins of the kiwi fruit with its ultra powerful motor and cyclonic action that dragged ever last skerick through its powerful extractor blades made me want one real bad. As with all these TV offers there is a 30 day trial which costs you postage only and then sixty-four monthly payments as big as your mortgage and your first born son if you are completely satisfied with the product and want to keep it. But I signed up anyway and I’ve got to say that I am happy with the NutriBullet, it does what it said it would and after about a months worth of daily smoothies and homemade salsa and pasta sauce has been processed it is still going like a champion. Oh and did I mention there were free gifts too! A Slicer Dicer 2000 and an economy peeler as well as all the books and recipes and daily diet planners etc that come along with the Bullet itself.
MY FAVOURITE SMOOTHIE
Ingredient:
2 cups of washed spinach leaves
5cm piece of banana (only because my tummy reacts badly, so you can have a whole banana if you like)
1 kiwi fruit
1 inch of ginger
1 peach no pit
Cocobella coconut water to the max fill line or at least 250ml
1 tablespoon chia seeds
Method:
Extract using NutriBullet but if you don't have one then process/blend the spinach and water first then add the rest of the ingredients and process again. Drink quickly so you get an awesome green moustache! Instagram the pic cause you can!
Try other ingredients at random, but beware that if you put anything red e.g. raspberries in with the green leafy you get something that looks like it came out of a babies nappy, which can be a turn off, trust me. So its over to Tanya for the breakdown…
Tanya?
All of those ingredients are favourites of mine….Oh….who am I kidding, I love all fruits and veggies, yes even brussel sprouts, which by the way make excellent chips, instead of packet potato chips, quick and easy too.
Lets look at the nutrition and benefits as a whole from this delicious smoothie, whilst keeping in mind the ingredients on their own are very powerful and target specific issues, but combined are and excellent way to maintain health and vitality.
Nutrition
- Iron and chlorophyll
- Magnesium
- Potassium – helps the body to absorb calcium
- Calcium
- Copper
- Folate
- Vit A - which helps with night blindness
- Vit B’s including B6, Vit C and E
- Melatonin
- Healthy Protein and Fibre
- Sulphur – helps relieve herpes irritations
- Polyphenols
- Beta-Carotene and Lutein – supports lungs and prostate
- Coconut water – 5 essential electrolytes, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus
Benefits
- Protects the heart
- Blood pressure, anaemia, blood clots
- Blood builder – not to be confused with Bob!
- Bones
- Healthy Digestive Track
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Good for stress and depression
- Coughs
- Ulcers
- Constipation and haemorrhoids
- Strokes
- Post exercise snack
- Hangovers
- Excellent brain power
YummmO Julia, and I think we should see more colourful moustache photos from you!
Love and Light Tanya ox
So have a go, get your blender out and give it a try. So many combos, so little time. Share your faves in the comments below. Cheers!
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