In order to get my daily requirement of vegetables without spending hours on end chewing salad, I have devised a way to cheat… Veggie Smoothies.
I don’t recommend them for anyone new to eating vegetables, as they have been known to make even the most devoted vegan make a face, but the health benefits can’t be ignored. I started drinking these about a year ago, and have actually grown to like them (ok, I lied, but I tolerate them now and love them because of how great I feel).
I have noticed a huge increase in energy, skin improvement, hair growing faster, and better sleep since starting drinking them. I have also noticed weird looks from friends as I have become infamous for these smoothies. I often carry them to meetings or friends houses in a quart mason jar with a lid and get some strange looks!
The basic smoothie consists of some mixture of:
Tomatoes- Full of lycopene, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, and antioxidants.
Cucumber- High water content, Vitamin C, silica, caffeic acid, potassium, magnesium
Celery-Vitamins A, B2, B6 and C, Potassium, Folic Acid, Magnesium and Calcium
Garlic- Immune support, anti-cancer, infection fighting
Bell Peppers-Vitamin C, Thiamine, Vitamin B6, Beta Carotene, Folic Acid and a variety of phytochemicals
Onions-Beneficial sulfur containing compounds, Vitamin C, Chromium, manganese, can help lower blood sugar, reduce cancer risk and lower cholesterol
Greens-Combination of spinach, kale, mustard greens, lettuces and green herbs containing a wide variety of nutrients and beneficial compounds
Jalapenos- Capsaicin, Vitamin C and other. Can help relieve headache, congestion, high blood pressure, inflammation, intestinal diseases as well as aid weight loss and strengthen the heart
Kelp-Great source of Iodine and trace minerals
Spirulina- A green-blue cyanobacteria. Great source of protein, good immune support, and the most nutrient dense whole food.
Recipe:
In the blender, combine:
- one small tomato
- 1/4 of a cucumber
- one bell pepper
- one jalapeno
- 1/4 of an onion
- 1-2 cloves of raw garlic
- 1-2 stalks of celery
- 3-4 big handfulls of greens of choice
- 1 tsp kelp
- 2 tsp spirulina
- 2 cups water
- handful of ice cubes
I make my smoothies in our Vita Mix, so quantities might need to be adjusted if you have a smaller size blender. If you don’t have all the ingredients, use what you do have and add any vegetables that can be eaten raw. As one reader recommended, I have also started adding turmeric, as this gives additional health benefits.
Blend ingredients until smooth. Smoothie will be thick. I find the easiest way to drink is like one would do weights at the gym, in sets. I take 5 gulps, chase with water and repeat. If you don’t handle spicy foods well, omit the jalapeno!
Happy drinking and good luck!
- one small tomato
- ¼ of a cucumber
- one bell pepper
- one jalapeno
- ¼ of an onion
- 1-2 cloves of raw garlic
- 1-2 stalks of celery
- 3-4 big handfulls of greens of choice
- 1 tsp kelp
- 2 tsp spirulina
- 2 cups water
- handful of ice cubes
- I make my smoothies in our Vita Mix, so quantities might need to be adjusted if you have a smaller size blender. If you don’t have all the ingredients, use what you do have and add any vegetables that can be eaten raw. As one reader recommended, I have also started adding turmeric, as this gives additional health benefits.
- Blend ingredients until smooth. Smoothie will be thick. I find the easiest way to drink is like one would do weights at the gym, in sets. I take 5 gulps, chase with water and repeat. If you don’t handle spicy foods well, omit the jalapeno!
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