Growing up, we were all encouraged to eat our greens. For most of us, we gagged them down until we eventually got used to them. Watching Popeye eat spinach never tricked a single kid I knew into liking it. But, is it normal for children to have an aversion to green foods? It may be, but in my experience, kids that are raised from the beginning on whole, natural foods tend to be more open to green vegetables. Could it be that eating processed grains, sugars, fats and denatured proteins distorts the taste buds and the sense of smell?
Regardless of the answer, as adults, we all know (almost intuitively) that greens are healthy and important in our diet. Modern research certainly supports this, and we can all attest to how eating cabbage, spinach, kale, leafy lettuce, etc. makes us feel. Greens are loaded with bone-building minerals, vitamins, complex carbohydrates, protein, and chlorophyll. Some research suggests that greens contain cancer-fighting properties, protect the heart from damage, and help digestion.
While green juice provides a lot of absorbable nutrients, most of us don't have a lot of time to juice every day. Well, that's all changed. The Green Smoothie Revolution has arrived and it's now easier to get your greens then ever. One of the biggest promoters of raw, green smoothies is Victoria Boutenko and her raw family. Victoria goes into great detail about the benefits of greens and how to create awesome green smoothies in her book, Green Smoothie Revolution.
When creating your own green smoothie, it's important to find a combination that you'll like. Pick one or two greens (leafy salad greens are milder are good to start with), but always rotate your greens (all plants have some anti-nutrients that can build up if eaten daily). In a blender, place a handful of greens, a seasonal fruit (banana, mango, apples, etc.) and water. Blend until smooth and enjoy.
Over time, you'll learn what tastes good to you, but you might want to start reducing the sugar and get used to eating more green tasting smoothies. One of my favorite combinations is celery, kale, cilantro, parsley, apple and banana. Sometimes, I even throw in some ginger or garlic for a little kick. The key is to be creative so you can find combinations that you like. If it's torture, you probably won't continue doing it. So, go out and buy some greens and join the Green Smoothie Revolution. Your body will thank you. Be healthy!
Mystic Merman
Regardless of the answer, as adults, we all know (almost intuitively) that greens are healthy and important in our diet. Modern research certainly supports this, and we can all attest to how eating cabbage, spinach, kale, leafy lettuce, etc. makes us feel. Greens are loaded with bone-building minerals, vitamins, complex carbohydrates, protein, and chlorophyll. Some research suggests that greens contain cancer-fighting properties, protect the heart from damage, and help digestion.
While green juice provides a lot of absorbable nutrients, most of us don't have a lot of time to juice every day. Well, that's all changed. The Green Smoothie Revolution has arrived and it's now easier to get your greens then ever. One of the biggest promoters of raw, green smoothies is Victoria Boutenko and her raw family. Victoria goes into great detail about the benefits of greens and how to create awesome green smoothies in her book, Green Smoothie Revolution.
When creating your own green smoothie, it's important to find a combination that you'll like. Pick one or two greens (leafy salad greens are milder are good to start with), but always rotate your greens (all plants have some anti-nutrients that can build up if eaten daily). In a blender, place a handful of greens, a seasonal fruit (banana, mango, apples, etc.) and water. Blend until smooth and enjoy.
Over time, you'll learn what tastes good to you, but you might want to start reducing the sugar and get used to eating more green tasting smoothies. One of my favorite combinations is celery, kale, cilantro, parsley, apple and banana. Sometimes, I even throw in some ginger or garlic for a little kick. The key is to be creative so you can find combinations that you like. If it's torture, you probably won't continue doing it. So, go out and buy some greens and join the Green Smoothie Revolution. Your body will thank you. Be healthy!
Mystic Merman
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