The Best Energy Drink Of Your Life

Article by Jenna Barrington.

I had the urge to write about this daily habit that takes 10 minutes or less, but can have an incredible influence on you and your family’s health!

Right now in our world there are a lot of people who would love to feel better about their bodies. Studies show that a good portion of both men and women are unsatisfied with themselves or struggle with self-confidence. This is no secret, and it is apparent that as a society we are searching for better answers than painful dieting and hours in the gym. 

I was first introduced to the idea of green smoothies by Robyn Openshaw when I was a teenager.  I struggled a lot with body image during adolescence, and more than wanting to feel beautiful I also wanted to feel healthy. So I was always looking for the secrets to having a body I felt confident walking around in!

The idea is you find the right blend of fruits, veggies, and greens to throw into a blender that make a delicious smoothie and a powerhouse nutrient-rich boost for your body! The possible and proven benefits to drinking a green drink on a daily basis are awesome!

• Weight loss
• Mood enhancement
• Natural detox and cleanse
• Immune support/boost
• Huge percentage of daily need for vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• ENERGY increase that lasts
• Fiber that you don’t get from juice
• You feel ‘light’ verses ‘heavy’
• Happy cells!!

Green smoothies are great at anytime during the day, but are particularly excellent forbreakfast. Our body goes through natural cycles  throughout a day where it focuses respectively on these three processes: Elimination, Appropriation, and Assimilation. In the morning we are typically in elimination mode and our body is focusing on releasing toxins and cleansing. 

Eating a heavy breakfast that is cooked can often be counter-productive to this cycle. Think of how it feels if you’re trying to clean the kitchen and before you’re done someone comes in and starts pulling out  food to make a big meal.  It would definitely slow you down or maybe even stop you from cleaning completely. Our body is the same way.

Our body responds the best to living and easily digestible foods in the morning. Living food means it is raw (uncooked) and is thus still full of enzymes and nutrients that aid digestion and fuel your body.

Convinced to give smoothies a try? Let’s address some common hesitations for those that need a push!

Tastes nasty?

The first time I made a green smoothie it was disgusting. I didn’t blend it well so it was chunky and I was a little too ambitious on the percentage of greens that I added.  In general we are used to overly-sweet food, and starting off your smoothie habit with too many veggies can cause you (and your family victims) to tank before finishing the first glass. Luckily our taste buds adapt over time. Try starting with 20% veggies and 80% fruit. Then slowly change it until you’re eventually drinking 50/50. Baby steps!

Can’t get over looks and texture?

I would recommend getting a good blender.  For example try a Blendtec. They are FANTASTIC. Your smoothies will feel like Jamba Juice.  But let’s be real, a good portion of us don’t have that kind of money to throw around just yet.  But don’t let that stop you from changing you life.  Any blender will do the job. Putting the veggies in and blending them for a bit first can help to get rid of chunks making them easier to drink. 

Bored?

Now that I’ve got a spouse to please, I’ve put a lot more energy into VARIETY. Don’t get stuck on one recipe. Try new things! Mix new colors! If you make your family drink something that tastes too weedy one day, make a really delicious one the next day. Find your favorites and have fun getting creative.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE RECIPES:

#1

• 1/2 Cucumber
• 1 whole lemon (just cut end nubs off)
• 1 handful of spinach
• 1 banana
• 2 tbsp of green super-food powder
• 1 tbsp of organic flax power
• 1 cup of frozen pineapple
• 2 scoops of organic yogurt
• Coconut milk/Water

#2

• A few handfuls of spinach and kale
• 1 Banana
• 1-2 cups of frozen berries
• 1 whole lemon (just cut end nubs off)
• 2 tbsp of organic chia seeds
• Water

#3

• 1 cup of carrots
• 2 tbsp of organic flax powder
• 1 tsp of bee pollen
• 1 whole lemon (just cut end nubs off)
• 2 oranges
• 1 banana
• A few slices of grapefruit or 3 drops of grapefruit oil
• 2 scoops of organic yogurt
• Water/Coconut milk

#4

• 1 mango
• 1 cup of carrots
• 1 apple
• 1 banana

Just not sure it is for you?

Maybe smoothies just aren’t and will never be your thing. That’s fine! As with everything, don’t take my word for it. Give it a good shot. If it is a good thing your body will let you know!

Thank you for reading!

Jenna Barrington

To see some of my references, and for more yummy recipes and information on green smoothies:
Simply Real Health
Green Smoothie Girl
Veg Kitchen
Better Raw (Body Cycles)

Studies:
Men
Women