DAY 6

WOW! Flavor explosion in this one. Super creamy and very kid friendly (if they can get past the color). I will be coming back to this one again and again. Romaine lettuce is such a good addition because it is nice and mild and yet still so very dark green when you use the top of the head.

I felt so full of energy today. And craved a second green smoothie in the afternoon so I made a quick green apple, romaine, lemon juice pick me up. Perfect.

If you think Green smoothies are strange and icky, you need to give them a chance. They're life changing I tell ya.

The Recipe

1 banana

1 small green apple (or half large), peeled and cored

2 cups packed dark green romaine leaves

1/3 cup parsley

1/2 cup frozen pineapple

1/2 cup frozen mango

1 1/2 - 2 cups water

DAY 5

We just can't stay away from the incredible raspberry. It's turning all our Green Smoothies such a beautiful pinky purple! This morning we used an assortment of fruit with a little help from our tried and trusty berry and then took a leap into the unknown.

The boys were very brave as they cautiously sipped on their first parsley infused concoction. They wavered, tasted a little too much earthiness, stood back, hesitated, came back for more, wanted to love it, on the fence, almost walked away, came back again, took a final gulp, said: don't put that stuff in next time.

Ha! I loved it, although that parsley does come through like a lawn mower through your berry patch. I am finding that I can handle any amount of green and still want more. Parsley is no joke though. I think cutting it with another green is the trick. Maybe one cup, loosely packed, max.

This recipe would be dead on with just a handful.

The Recipe

1 banana

1 kent mango (firm and green when ripe)

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup raspberries

1/2 bunch parsley, well rinsed

1 1/2 cups water

DAY 4

This morning, Calvin took the smoothie from DAY 2 and perfected it with his own little passionate flare (crazy about apples and raspberries!) and we made it the official smoothie for DAY 4...

He completed the presentation with two raspberries: one to eat immediately and one for garnish.

I think zeroing in on a GREEN apple as opposed to just any old apple really did the trick. Nice and tart. We also added some Omegas and Protein for some early morning school brain power.

The Recipe

2 small green apples (or 1 large), peeled & cored

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 cup frozen raspberries

2 cups fresh spinach

2 T hemp seeds

1 T ground flax

1 cup water

DAY 3

Took the kids in-line skating today and had a blast... with no caffeine headache!

Did I mention how much I love the simplicity of this adventure? I feel like I have been picking fresh flowers and rolling in fresh spring grass when I drink this stuff! The first couple of sips and I am like, interesting... then get past the foam and I am like, I need more!

This one is so green the picture just does not do it justice. A serious emerald color, and so alive. Smells of kale and grass and earth. Very pulpy, very fibrous, but bright and clean. I like the addition of the lemon, it keeps you coming back like fresh lemonade.

There is no joke about the nutrient density here with the fresh kale. I kept the peel on my cored apple but I think taking it off would yield a slightly less fibrous result.

The recipe:

1 giant dinosaur kale leaf (or 2 medium)

1 large apple, cored

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 cup water

DAY 2

Alas, no picture of this beautiful smoothie. Polished off before I remembered. I think I was really needing this one to lift myself up from the caffeine withdrawal. First day without a hot cup of stimulants gave me a dull headache and an itch for something to fill the void. Just when I thought I would make it through I made a quick run to Trader Joe's for some frozen berries and wouldn't you know it, I found myself happily sipping on a tiny cup of a coffee sample! Self sabotage is oh so fascinating, isn't it?

In any case, this smoothie killed my headache and lifted my spirits right into berry heaven. Low on the glycemic scale, it is mellow and mimics most of the smoothies I am used to. I added a tablespoon of flax and switched out the apple with a banana for the boys and they made it disappear.

The recipe:

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 cup frozen raspberries

1 apple, cored and peeled

2 cups spinach

1 cup water

DAY 1

Absolutely and simply delicious. I emphasize 'simply' because it was so simple! It is so refreshing to put together an energy boosting and system cleansing drink that is light and hydrating at the same time. Usually, I load up my smoothies with every variety of seed, nut, fruit and green imaginable... what a nice way to simplify and actually taste the few distinct flavors coming through so cleanly.

Also nice is how it is digested easily and at a faster rate due to the simplicity. The focus is on the Green, and nothing else. Today was simply bananas, romaine and water. Love it.

So what's wrong with eating a salad or cooking some kale? Why am I drinking lettuce when I could eat it? Well, I do like my salads and I am not cutting them out but here are a few highlights on the benefits of Green Smoothies from the book which has inspired me to drink to my health:

~From Victoria Boutenko's Green For Life ~

• Chlorophyll rich smoothies are liquified sun energy
• Green is the most missing food group in the Standard American Diet
• Green supports and cleanses the blood and in turn, every system in the body
• Most alkalizing food that exists on the planet
• Offers a fiber rich friend to happily bulk up waste for elimination
• Quick and easy on digestion, conserving energy, optimizing nutrition
• Basically, we could all use A LOT MORE of this stuff!!!

Seriously, I am just looking to feel more energized and less dependent on caffeine.

I am not even going to get into all the fascinating Chimp studies that are the basis for this book. Rather, I highly recommend you go out and read it!

Recipe:

1 1/2 bananas

1/4 head romaine lettuce

1 cup water

Green Smoothie Adventure

Dear Friends and Followers,

Today I am embarking on a personal wellness journey. Simply put, I am putting myself up to the challenge of drinking a giant green smoothie a day for 21 days. Ultimately, I would like to be drinking a liter a day but as this seems a bit daunting right now, I am beginning by cutting it in half to one quart. I am writing this post in order to set a deliberate and mindful intention for myself. I will spend a little time each day discussing how I feel after sipping on this vibrant green liquid.

Other daily goals include:

• Replace coffee and caffeinated tea with green smoothie
• Go to bed by 10:30 pm
• Spend time nurturing myself creatively and physically
• Spend time in nature
• Read more at night, watch less mindless computer entertainment
• Play one lengthy game (board or imaginary) with the kids

So that's it for now. After the gym today I am making my first delicious green smoothie. And then taking a lovely walk in the woods. See you back here tomorrow.