And when a Green Smoothie and a Protein Drink love each other very much.....

[T-Bird]

So - Thinking about a few things here......

1) some people are always adding in other things - nuts/seeds into their GS....and I ask, is it still a green smoothie?? Oh - it's green more than likely - smooth, hopefully. But a green smoothie?? I think not...

2) I'm trying to rachet up my workout, and developing a PWO smoothie to help attain goals.

So I'm thinking we need to start talking about:

The Green Protein Drink

As a separate entity.

Not 100% happy with mine to date, but here it is:

1-2 cups mint
2 T hemp seed
2 T goji berries, dried
2 bananas
pinch of dulse for minerals.

What are your thoughts on the green smoothies heavier cousin?

[Seedy]

I always add a little hemp protein powder, ground flaxseed and maca to my green smoothies. Call it whatever you want - I call it breakfast ;).
Seedy

[RawKnitster]

I follow both schools of thought on green smoothies.

Victoria Boutenko's purist approach 60% fruit and 40% greens with nothing else to interfere with the absorption of the nutrients. Except I don't like to sip a quart or more of smoothie all day long as she recommends. I prefer about 16-20 oz of a 60/40 smoothie with a heaping spoonful of potent green food powder added for extra protein and nutrients.

The other approach to smoothies that I like is the superfood approach that does not include leafy greens. Any combinations of fruits or fruit juices, nut milks, seeds, oils, coconut, maca, mesquite, spirulina, other algaes, green food powders, aloe vera, etc., etc. Maybe some mint, parsley or (rarely) 2-3 leaves of kale, but no significant quantities of leafy greens.

I've wondered about the different approaches and have decided that both have a place in my diet. I've tried every combination I could think of, but have pretty much settled on these two approches because that is what I find tastes best and makes me feel best. I have the 60/40 most often, but once or twice a week I feel the need for a supersmoothie.

I went to a lecture by Victoria Boutenko. The host was a superfood enthusiast, but they did not have a conversation about which is better. They respected each others approaches.

[T-Bird]

but they did not have a conversation about which is better. They respected each others approaches.

May that spirit invade our board!

[T-Bird]

I think I'll maybe change out the water in my GPD with some almond milk and add in some mesquite.

Thanks for the ideas RawKnitster!

Oh - and - been meaning to ask....


Do you knit?

[firefaery]

May that spirit invade our board!

Indeed! And also the knowledge that what's good for one may not be for another so it's best to hear all approached and see what works best!

I go through phases where I feel best on a pumped up version of the green smoothie and others where I find it's not necessary or desirable. I just follow my body's lead. It seems to know what it's doing. Perhaps when I start detoxing more rapidly I am drawn towards a heavier smoothie-I dont' know. I just know that there's no wrong way to make a green smoothie in my book!

[T-Bird]

I just know that there's no wrong way to make a green smoothie in my book!

As long as someone likes it enough to drink it ALL down!:D

[firefaery]

LOL fair enough!

[cara4art]

What I do that works for me since I go to the gym is to add a tablespoon or two of chia seeds along with that glass of soak water, and a tablespoon or so of hemp protein powder to my green smoothies. Since I've had the Blend-tec, I can easily have both kale and chard, along with the stems. Awesome and filling, as this makes a major, super-nutritionally-loaded combo. Often I can split this combo into at least one meal plus a snack, depending on just how hungry I am, or two meals. The results of the dense greens and the two additions are showing up in a positive way on my body too with increased strength and endurance, and some more muscle. Who says one has to have animal products to build muscle. Hard work, along with lots of greens and a couple of the additions of your choice do it, at least for me anyway.
Bottom-line, as with other aspects of a raw food lifestyle, what counts is what works on YOUR body and level of activity.