Let’s talk smoothies – specifically, GREEN smoothies!  These bad boys may not have a pretty pink color, but they are PACKED with nutrients.  Smoothies do not have to be high in calories and sugar to taste delicious!  One of my favorite smoothies to make is a Green Machine Smoothie – here are some of the benefits of the ingredients in this particular smoothie:

• Dark, leafy greens (baby spinach, romaine lettuce, kale)

These greens all promote blood clotting, healthy vision, immune function, and skin and bone health. The fiber content also improves digestive function! They have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes, improve muscle strength, lower the risk of certain types of cancer, detoxify the body, and act as anti-inflammatory agents. They are also good for women trying to get pregnant (thanks to the folate content).

• Green apples

Green apples can lower your risk of chronic diseases, promote weight loss, and regulate blood sugar. It also is very good for your heart!

• Celery

Thanks to antioxidant content, celery can help us have healthy cells, blood vessels, and organs. It reduces inflammation, can be soothing to our nervous system, regulates pH in the body, and lowers blood pressure and LDL (“bad” cholesterol).  Plus, it just freshens up that smoothie! 🙂

• Matcha

Grinding the whole green tea leaf really maximizes its benefits!  It’s like brewed green tea times 10 – wow!  This stuff is a cancer fighter, mood booster, and metabolism-raiser. It is a great detoxifier, chronic disease and virus fighter, and blood sugar regulator – full of vitamins and minerals!

• Bananas

Not green, but can sweeten up your smoothie without making it unhealthy.  It is good for nerve and muscle function, heart health, immune function, fluid balance, and iron absorption.

• Lemon juice

Lemon juice is so refreshing. It is great for your digestive tract, can help fight cancer, help your body, bones, and muscles stay strong, promote a great immune system, and balance pH.

• Apple cider vinegar

It doesn’t take a lot of this stuff to reap benefits!  It can lower cholesterol, detoxify, increase metabolism, promote bowel movement or help with diarrhea, regulate blood sugar, improve your immune system, and help with weight loss.

WOW!! I could go on and on.

Green Smoothie Recipe:

• 2 handfuls of any combo of baby spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce
• 1 stalk of celery (go on and use the whole thing, leaves and all)
• 1/2 small green apple
• 1/2 slightly green banana (go ripe for a sweeter smoothie)
• Juice from 1 lemon 
• 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 C cold water
• 4-5 ice cubes
• Optional: 1/4-1/2 tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder and sweetener of choice

Directions:

1. If you didn’t buy your greens pre-cut, go ahead and chop them up!. Throw each of them into the blender – putting your greens in first will help it to blend well without getting stuck.

2. Chop 1/2 of an apple into small chunks and add them in with the greens.

3. Slice celery stalk into a few pieces and toss them in.

4. Slice 1/2 of your banana up and add.

5. Squeeze your lemon straight into the blender. Roll it on the table with your fist first to release some of the juices (it’s okay if some seeds get in there – they’ll blend right up!)

6. For the apple cider vinegar, I use the cap on the bottle to measure out what I want!  I normally use half a capful and pour it with the rest of the ingredients. It is very powerful!

7. Scoop out and add matcha if you choose to use it (it doesn’t alter the taste, but is so good for you!)

8. Pour in cold water and ice cubes.

9. Blend until all/most of the greens are liquefied, then add your sweetener of choice (I use a few drops of Stevia), and blend for a few more seconds.

Bon appetite!  This makes one giant (very filling!) juice smoothie or two normal-sized ones (if you feel like sharing or want to store one for the next morning!)