Getting in the greens

[NeGaGal]

Suggestions for getting in the greens? No problem with eating fruits and nuts but realized today that I'm not getting as much 'greens' as I know I should. I put spinach and different lettuces in salads, but what else should I do?

Thanks.
Karla

[cara4art]

THE easiest way to get in the greens, which is also really popular around here is by way of green smoothies! If you can, get ahold of a copy of Victoria Boutenko's book "Green for Life" that explains the principle behind them and what a big difference they make overall. Google "green smoothies" or do a board search and you will find plenty of info and people's testimonials about how great they are - IMO, they are truly powerful healing elixirs, and personally I noticed a difference in the way I felt after only two days of drinking them! I was interested in raw for almost 15 years with various tries along the way, but early last year, it finally clicked with getting onto green smoothies. The basic principle is to include 60% fruit, and 40% greens, at least, but you can evolve to more greens than fruit too. Yes those smoothies will look green, but they are fruity, delicious, and so filling too, esp. if you include some chia seeds and/or hemp protein powder the way I do. Often I can only drink half of that blender full, and save the rest for later. I put 3-4 cups of greens in mine, and to make it fast and easy, I keep a bag of 2-3 days worth of say, parsley and spinach(but just about any dark green will work and it's good to change up your greens anyway)chopped coarsely and minus so many stems to make for easy blending. If you have at least one green smoothie per day, plus a big salad for one of your other meals, you are automatically getting in way more greens than the average American. Last, but not least, this is THE best thing that us older women can do food-wise, because all those dark greens in sufficient quantitiy are nutritional powerhouses, loaded with bone-building minerals that we need, and easily assimilated protein too. This last has the effect of slowing down release of sugars from the fruits, also good, especially if one has ANY blood sugar problems.

[sport]

You can also juice some greens.

[Dimond]

I try to put greens in everything whenever possible-smoothies, soups, juice, pudding.

As a backup you can also get a green food powder such as Vitamineral Green or Chlorella.

[NeGaGal]

Thanks. I'll look for a 'green smoothie' recipe and start there.

[SweetTangerine]

The simplest way to make a green smoothie is to take your favorite smoothie recipe, throw a few handfuls of spinach in and there ya go! After your tastes adjust, you can add more greens and less fruit. Spinach is very mild and you really can't even tell that it's there.

[circle]

some other ways to get in greens...

when you eat a banana, wrap greens around the banana!

like a banana romaine leaf burrito. <3

[spicyfull]

Yes, Juicing them and Smoothies are the Best way to incorporate more into your diet. I think Smoothies are Better because you get the Fiber AND EVERYTHING.

[DebB]

Howdy again Karla ~ This is the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXr8-jru1KE)that started it all for me!

You might like to check out 2 posts worth of my favorite recipes I just posted here (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=49359). Posts #27 & 28 *Ü*