Go RAW!

Go RAW!

I have been touting this green smoothie thing for a while now and I have to say, it honestly has become my go-to, #1 best thing I have done for my health in recent years and has saved the sanity and health of many of my clients as well. Green smoothies are filling, allergen-free, “pre-digested,” and chock-full of nutrients (preventing cravings and binging). And summer is the best time to try them…when fruits and veggies are fresh and easy to obtain, and a cool and refreshing meal or snack sound appealing!

The Benefits

·      High mileage food

·      High nutrient absorption

·      “Predigested”

·      Nutrients galore: vitamins, minerals, protein-rich, antioxidants, fiber, phytonutrients

·      and enzymes

·      Healing and alkalizing

·      Cleansing and chlorophyll rich

·      Concentrated sunshine

Do we need this many greens?

YES! Most of us do not get enough greens and yet greens help us to fight disease, improve our overall health, and restore your body to balance.

Whether you like it or not, the food you eat WILL change your life for better or worse. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is highly acidic which leads to inflammation and many diseases. A smoothie for a meal or snack helps replace a previously highly inflammatory meal and can help combat other less optimal choices through out your day!

Why drink your greens?

·      Quantity unbeatable – you can pack a lot of greens into one beverage

·      Kid-friendly

·      Versatile

·      Portable

·      Made in minutes

·      No added oil or salt (usually added to greens when cooking or as salad dressing)

·      Carnivore-approved

Added benefits

·      Feel better

·      More energy

·      Look better: clear skin clear, bright eyes, shiny hair

·      Lose weight

·      Stop cravings

·      Eliminate constipation

·      Get rid of afternoon energy slump

How much greens should I use?

Ideally? 1-2 bunches of greens a day (not as much as you think!) but feel free to start gradually

Mix it Up

For maximum benefit, rotate your greens! Try:

• ·      Kale (red curly kale, dinosaur kale, etc)
• ·      collard greens
• ·      herbs (parsley, basil, cilantro, etc)
• ·      Lettuce (romaine, green leaf, red leaf, butter, etc)
• ·      Swiss chard
• ·      Spinach
• ·      Endive
• ·      Lamb’s quarter
• ·      Dandelion
• ·      what else can you discover?

Getting Started

• ·      Use simple ingredients (2 or 3)
• ·      Blender, knife, board and sealed jars
• ·      Plan in advance
• ·      Pre-wash produce
• ·      Make ahead (The nutrients in your smoothie will begin to degrade during the blending process, so they are most nutritious immediately after blending. But for convenience while learning, feel free to start by making large batches and using over several days or make the night before. Aim to work in smaller batches and eat immediately in the long-term.)

Formula for Success

It can be far less frustrating to start with a series of recipes. After you get the hang of it, begin to improvise. I recommend the following formula for success every time!

• 1-2c Liquid – preferably filtered water but you can also try milk, non-dairy milk, juice, coffee or tea
• 1-2c greens (see list above)
• ½-1 c fresh or frozen fruit (I prefer 1 banana and ½c frozen berries)
•  protein (optional – try nut butters, soaked nuts, seeds, protein powder, yogurt, cottage cheese, beans…)
• sweetener (optional – try honey, stevia, figs, dates, maple syrup)
• spices/herbs (optional – try mint, basil, lavender, cilantro, parsley, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, etc)
•  superfoods (optional – try coconut oil, flax seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, cacao, fish oil, sprouts, spirulina, chlorella, probiotics, aloe, maca, bee pollen)

Blend smoothies by placing water rich foods at the bottom of the blender and harder foods/ice at the top.

Beth Bunchman, MS, CHHC


303-956-8063

beth@secondnaturehealthcoaching.com