Green Smoothies for Added Nutrition

When it comes to preparing meals for myself, I can be lazy. I’m like many busy moms. After I get my children situated with the myriad of things that children need: food, bath time, school, extra-curricular activities, and on and on, I try to do some self-care. That self-care often involves meditation, exercise, and preparing healthful snacks.

All of these things are very challenging for me to fit into my daily schedule, so if I can fit at least one in, I’m doing the dang ole thing. My go-to snack that includes as many nutrient dense foods as possible is the ultimate green smoothie. Sipping my food is my way of getting many of the foods down that I probably wouldn’t otherwise eat because of lack of time.

This smoothie recipe is really not a recipe, rather a guide for creating your own favorite green smoothie.

Water is my base. I usually use spinach or kale for my greens. Of course, you can feel free to freak your smoothie however you like. Kale is a good source of calcium, fiber, and protein. Spinach is a good source of folic acid, calcium, and iron. My uncle and his wife told me that they add broccoli to their smoothies and it kinda grossed me out. But if it works for you, go for it. My mother adds carrots. Yeah….. I don’t know about that either. The options are endless.

All of my green smoothies must have fresh pineapple. For some reason, my mouth will burn and/or itch when I eat fresh pineapple, which suggests that I may have an allergy. I find that blending the pineapple in my smoothie doesn’t cause that reaction. I believe that pineapple makes every fruit or green smoothie better, so I have no intention of leaving it out. By the way, pineapple contains an enzyme, bromelain, that may help with inflammation and ease digestion.

I add a variety of fruits, which can vary depending on season or availability. Apples, rich in beta-carotene; oranges, known for its high vitamin C content; strawberries, rich in flavonoids; blueberries, containing vitamin C; bananas, which provides long-term energy; and peaches, also rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene have all been thrown in the blender, all at once or not. Depending on my nutrition goals, I will include ground flaxseeds, good for protein and fiber; hempseeds, providing protein and magnesium; chia seeds, good for fiber and calcium; coconut oil, a good energy source; or sea moss gel, which is thought to relieve anemia and help with thyroid issues. Of course, only you know what your body needs, so let your body be your guide.

You can literally have a different green smoothie everyday of the year. This will allow you to eat the rainbow, which can give you the various vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health.

My favorite smoothie has kale, pineapple, frozen strawberries, banana, apple, sea moss gel, flax meal, and distilled water. It gives me the energy to get through my day, but it also gives me the confidence that I’m doing something positive for my body.

Experiment with your food. There are food combining charts that you can use to help you avoid combinations that may cause gas or bloating. I kinda like finding out what works for me on my own. Either way, choose good quality products, be mindful of the calorie count, and enjoy.