Green Smoothie Yakking

[Kate H]

I've fasted and done raw on and off for a long while but frankly I've never been that exposed to info on green smoothies yet on this forum there seems to be a lot of enthusiasm for them. Is there a 101 on green smoothies posted somewhere? If not can someone post some recipes, how much is a good amount to have in a normal raw diet and any info on nutrition benefits---that would be great.

I know there are some search features on here, but I prefer present interaction with currently active memebrs to reading a bunch of archived threads... ;)

[Veganforlife]

Here's a link:
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=23906&highlight=green+smoothie+recipes
For info on all the benefits of green smoothies? I highly suggest reading Victoria Boutenko's book, "Green for Life".

[Bampot]

Hi Kate
I've literally just started the green smoothie thing the past couple of days, so am by NO means an expert! But I have been doing a fair bit of research and looking out good recipes.

Here is the 'basic' recipe I use to create my green smoothies (60% fruit to 40% greens seems to be the recommended ratio):


Cut up 2 pieces of fruit (apples, pears, bananas, plums, etc)

Throw in 1 large handful of greens (romaine, spinach, kale, chard, etc.)

Add about 1/2 a cup of frozen fruit [Optional] (pineapples, mangoes, raspberries, etc.)

About 2 cups of water (Be sure to add enough so it’s drinkable).

Add flavorings [Optional] (Cinnamon, honey, etc.)

Blend ingredients

Here's a great recipe I tried (Dr Fuhrman):

Green Gorilla


Ingredients:
1/2 avocado
1 banana
5 ounces baby romaine lettuce
5 ounces organic baby spinach

Instructions:
Blend avocado with the banana, then add lettuce and spinach.


I'm having fun experimenting with them and loving the flavours - have only really tried making them with spinach so far though, and that seems to be the green that is recommended most when you're starting out and it has a very mild flavour and you can't really taste it when blended with other fruits (seriously, didn't believe it until I tried it!)

The only thing I've experienced negatively is that I've broken out quite badly since starting them, but I'm pretty sure it's just a detox symptom as I wasn't eating that healthily before I started on the greenies

Good luck! ;)

[garden granny]

I also recommend Victoria Boutenko's book, very informative about green smoothies, greens, etc.

[Veganforlife]

Side note - be sure to add enough liquid. Again - your choice, coconut water, OJ, water, whatever so that you don't end up with green glue glop. Although - Shrek was proud of me when I first started making my GS's. Yep, I had the green glue glop gunk. Until these kinds folks here asked (duh!) if I was adding enough water.

[elfinbaby]

Read everything you can find. Green for Life is excellent! I've been drinking green smoothies for a couple of weeks and just finished an 8 day smoothie cleanse. They really are amazing - the way they make you feel that is. The taste can be good, too, depending on what you put in them;)

I have 3 kids - ages 9,5,3. The nine yr. old has 1-2 every morning. Last week he said he was tired of them but I pressed on. This afternoon, for the first time, he put in a request for one! It done me good:) The 5 yr. old loves them and drinks about 20 oz. a day. I think she craves the nutrients. She has Rett Syndrome and does not chew her food well so she's never had food that is broken down so well nor has she had fresh leafy greens. She can't get enough sometimes. The 3 yr. old is turning her nose up at it but she can be a little weird with her eating habits. She eats lettuce, red bells, cucumbers, fruit etc. but the smoothies aren't getting through.

As for me, I've seen a wonderful change in energy, skin, mood, etc. To stay raw I need something fast when I'm hungry and I always feel guilty about not getting enough greens so green smoothies are awesome.

When dh gets a break from his traveling schedule I intend to pour them down his throat and see what happens:p I think he'll be impressed. He drinks them but isn't around consistently enough to see results.

April

[Kate H]

...I am back on raw fulll time and I know David Wolfe recommends a 33% ration of juicy fruits, greens, and fatties A(avos, olives, etc.) in his Sunfoods Pyramid, so I want to up my green intake and needed a way to get more in. I'll break out my juicer tonight and see if I can whip one of these up.

Danke!