Smoothies and Raw Foods

[Jan Ferrante]

I am just going into the 7 Day Smoothie Challenge were I will be challenging myself to spend the week drinking more green smoothies and more water.

I will still be eating food as well but plan to eat less of it and more smoothies for a 'spring cleaning' of sorts.

I think that smoothies and most raw foods are the ultimate in nutrition and will be sharing tips and recipes here.

I hope that you join in with yours as well.

If smoothies and raw foods aren't a big part of your diet, now is a good time to start!

[Jan Ferrante]

First Day... today is technically prep day so we aren't right into it but it's been a great day.

I did my 2 smoothies fairly early in the day - starting the day off with a green smoothie instead of a 2nd coffee.

NEW STUFF - I have almost always made my smoothies thick and sweet.

Now I am experimenting with thinning it down with water, using less ingredients - more of a drink than a meal.

I find they go down very easily and are much simpler to make so I am more inclined to just grab a few things and blend them up.

AND I am really looking forward to what I will put together next.

I bought some pineapple today - the next one will be pineapple, peaches that need to be used up with a bit of banana and dark green romaine lettuce. I've had a hankering for pineapple lately, it will be great.

I wish I had some fresh pineapple, canned will have to do until tomorrow when I can get to a store that has it.

ANOTHER THING - When I went grocery shopping I was soooo hungry when I got home. I was so pumped and bought a ton of great veggies and fruit and didn't cheat with anything.

When I got home I didn't WANT to grab anything quick that would ruin my efforts and had some great watermelon and a bunch of ripe bananas sitting there - so of course, that's what I had. And a few cashews that tasted sooo good. I didn't limit myself except for the cashews, I chewed them well and was satisfied without going overboard at all. I had a watermelon/banana pig out with cashews on the side! It was great and I had no guilt - no backsliding.

I've really upped my efforts at eating clean the past week and I am finding that I am really loving the good food now.

It just tastes better. I look forward to my choices now. My newest candy has been fresh dates. As good as any junkie treat.

I wrote a quick article about for anyone tempted to eat junk when hit by the grocery store munchies.

The take away?

It's always your choice. Move away what you know is right for you, or away.

Sometimes it's just a matter of taking a minute to choose to decide.

[Jan Ferrante]

Best Tropical Fruity Smoothie So Far Recipe

I just had a tropical fruit smoothie this morning that I just had to share.

Here it is. I think I'll have another!

approx 1/2 cup crushed pineapple
1 banana
1 kiwi
baby spinach
dark green romaine lettuce
approx 1/2 cup water

NOTE: I also added a scoop of orange flavour metamucil. I bought it awhile ago to try to keep more fibre in my diet so now I add it to some smoothies. It gives some flavour and fibre. I had wanted to buy unflavoured, it's probably healthier but grabbed the wrong jar.

This is soooo yummy and a really fresh way to start out the day.

You can adjust the proportions any way that you like to suit yourself.

Mine came out quite thick, very flavourful. I ate it with a spoon. I added a bit of water to the
last portion to try it as drink but liked it better thick.

I might try it with some cucumber as well this time around. Green apples would be great too.

I found the lettuce really added a nice fresh touch.

That was breakfast this morning.

What a treat!!

I'm going to try this for my daughters and son tomorrow.

How about you. Got any favourites to share?

More Green Smoothie Recipes and Tips.