What’s the key to maintaining a healthy eating routine that doesn’t get dropped at one passing glance from a chocolate bar? The answer: simplicity.
Rather than following a complicated recipe that’s brimming with hard-to-find ingredients, having something that’s on hand and effortless will do wonders for keeping your health goals on track.
And why not start your day off on the right foot? A fantastic option for this is a vitamin-packed smoothie filled with greens. “Raw greens are full of healthful phytonutrients and live enzymes that can boost the nutritional content of your smoothie,” notes Monica Tangry, Registered Holistic Nutritionist who works as an independent contractor for Finlandia Health Center. Greens also help increase the amount of fiber in your smoothie. Added fibre is always a bonus for your digestive track and adding greens to your smoothies is a fantastic way to balance out your smoothies, particularly in the morning, explains Tangry.
Greens are everywhere, so what kind to go with?
Tangry suggests four options that will not only boost your day and well-being, but will also simplify your meal prep:
- Spinach – This easy to find green is rich in potassium, protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A, B, C and B-12. “Spinach is an overall powerhouse green that can lower blood pressure, is anti-cancer, improves skin, and is highly alkalizing,” explains Tangry.
- Romaine – Romaine is mild in taste, making it the perfect addition to a smoothie because it goes undetected. Along with the minimal taste interruption, Romaine will add an assortment of vitamins and minerals.
- Celery – While easy to find, this one is for a high-speed blender. The good news? “Celery is full of insoluble fiber (the stringy stands) – the kind that does not get broken down by the body and so passes through the intestinal tract like a broom, sweeping and cleaning out toxins and waste,” notes Tangry. Celery may have a strong taste, but it also has anti-inflammatory benefits for our bodies. “[It] can help relieve symptoms of conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis,” say Tangry.
- Kale – Last but not least, bitter greens include star players such as kale, dandelion, arugula, carrot tops and endive. “The high chlorophyll content make these amazing detoxifiers that support liver health, cleanse the blood, alkalize the system, improve bowel function, clarify the skin, stabilize blood sugar and promote natural weight loss!” notes Tangry.
Choose from any of the above green suggestions and toss them in your blender for a meal that’s delicious and simple.
Tangry’s Favorite Simple Smoothie Recipe:
- Almond milk
- Spinach
- Frozen fruit – Fresh is always great, but a small handful of frozen berries will keep your smoothie cool and still provide healthful nutrients
- Sea vegetable powder – is a green superfood powder made up of different sea-vegetables from the ocean, and promotes a healthy weight, hormone balance, as well as a healthy mood
- Pinch of cinnamon – adds taste and also stabilizes blood sugar
- Protein powder – Opt for a raw food plant-based protein powder to up the nutritional content of a smoothie.
The Benefit?
What does Tangry have to say about an effortless, lean-green, smoothie machine? “It keeps me full and satisfied all morning until my next meal, without having to snack.”
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Guest Post by Tess Bercan, a freelance writer, traveller, admissions director and above all a dog lover. She lives with her Maltese pup in Vancouver BC and is constantly looking for ways to create a positive and balanced lifestyle: one that supports health, clean eating, and joy. Tess’s research and writing has appeared in Everyday Diabetes, Green Lifestyle Market, and Think Health Magazine.
Connect with Tess here: www.tessbercan.com
Article Sources:
- Monica Tangry: mtangry@finlandiahealth.com
- http://www.joybauer.com/food-articles/leafy-green-vegetables/
- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270609.php
- http://simplegreensmoothies.com/rotate-your-greens
- http://www.greenthickies.com/10-best-greens-for-green-smoothies/
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