Healthy Veggie Smoothie

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, megnesium

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!

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