If I had to narrow down exactly what it is that I do, I would describe it thusly: I feel. I see.
What I put into my body has enormous potential to help in that regard.
Just like I feel people’s energy, I feel the energy of food. That’s why I invest in very good food: organic and local as much as possible. I often joke that 80% of my budget goes to food, but that’s probably a true percent (though it never amazes me that I can walk out of a natural food store with 2 bags, spend around $75 and still have 1/2 an empty fridge. Such is life.)
Food can make me feel sharp. Food can make me feel sick. And both have direct consequences to my business.
I’m not a raw foodie. Not a vegan, either. I’m a sometimes vegetarian if I need to go light, but I’m a consistently conscious omnivore, at this point in life. I’m gluten-free (not for the fad; I actually do have reactions to wheat) and am 99% dairy-free (which is much harder, but necessary.)
Now that the weather is warming up, I drink lots of smoothies. I used to have a juicer, and that was great, until the motor burned out. I actually prefer smoothies because they sustain me for hours without making me feel all meh like a heavy meal can do.
Posts about green smoothies from crazy raw vegans kept popping up on Twitter and I thought it sounded positively disgusting. Kale in liquid form? It was hard enough to saute the stuff and people were drinking it?
But I was growing tired of my standard smoothie: peanut butter, banana, flax seed, coconut, some form of berry, almond or coconut milk. It was almost too thick and a little too sweet — even though I’m a total sugar fiend.
A mess of kale was dying a slow death in my crisper, and as I putzed around the house with bronchitis, I decide to search “green smoothie” and a million hits came up — but I picked up the basic thread. (Besides, smoothies are simple. Just throw shit in, try it out and when you say, “yum”, it’s good.)
It shocks me to say this, but green smoothies are delicious. They are simple to make and you do not need a fancy juicer or blender. Just a plain old blender will do. I had concerns that the veggies wouldn’t shred right but have had no problem.
This is where you start:
(This morning’s smoothie: apple, Lacinato kale, carrot, banana, peanut butter, whole flax seeds)
Of course, add or remove as you please. Use your intuition and find out what your body needs. She will always tell you.
Directions:
- Add a 1/2 cup of water and almond or coconut milk if you want it creamier. Water is just fine – which was the biggest surprise.
- Chop up 2-3 leaves of kale (any kind of greens will do) and carrot (optional) so they blend well.
- Add 1/2 apple and a banana for sweetness and the fruit factor. Berries are also a great option.
- Wheatgrass is also lovely for sweet — and I hear it helps keep your hair from going gray.
- I grind up the flax in my coffee grinder to add thickness – as I don’t care for thin smoothies. Make to the consistency that you wish. Sunflower seeds are also great.
- Add peanut butter or not. I *love* peanut butter but it isn’t a necessity.
- If it isn’t sweet enough, add a touch of maple syrup.
- Blend until smooth. Voila! You have a green smoothie.
I was a little taken aback by the green color — but the taste is wonderful and the health benefits are amazing! I’d never eat this much kale/spinach/mixed greens during my day, so this smoothie makes it simple. (Just realize that as it is green going in, it may be green coming out. Don’t let it freak you.)
Want to help your intuition? Eat clean food. Green smoothies are just one way to help your body get cleaner and clearer.
